Waking up on a Friday morning is always such a drag. On days like this, my mind and body turn into opposite sides of a magnet.
One clinging to sleep, the other struggling to launch this giant blob of muscle (me) off the oh-so-comfortable bed.
It didn't help at all that I had zero sleep last night.
My subconscious brain won't shut up. Kaden's words and that diabolical smile stuck on replay, accompanied by imaginary music. Specifically" Dandelions" by Ruth B
I mean what was he thinking?
'I like you Emily
I really like you'
I scream into my pillow
"Kill me''
I groan, roll off the bed like a tragic burrito and very reluctantly crawl down the stairs undead style.
I see Ava, already dressed up in her suit, perfectly brushed hair, subtle makeup and her perfume leaving a trail wherever she stepped. Her five inch heels made her even taller and more confident.
"Good morning"
I croak, voice hoarser than a horse
"Good.... Oh damn! Em your hair"
Half-asleep, forehead on the counter
" Is it on fire? I don't feel a burning sensation though, oh well... I can live with it".
"What do I do with you,...
*Sighs*
I'll be back at six, breakfast is on the table. Oh and if I don't return as early as planned, there's some leftovers in the fridge -or you can just order takeout".
Bye sis, and don't be late for school again, I'm sick of receiving those calls from Miss Roberts which always end in a lecture about today's youth.
Ava smiled and said what we normally say instead of goodbye
"If we get caught--"
"--It's probably paparazzi" I reply still making out with the table.
Ava shuts the door and a while later I hear her car speed off the driveway. I groggily get up and make my way to the bathroom.
One hour thirty minutes later
I emerged from the shower with a victorious smile. Not because I felt clean or fresh or any of that self-care nonsense—no. I had just survived a deathmatch with my hair. After three prayers, a broken brush and alot of tears I successfully held it up in a bun.
Ava was so right to freak out. My curls looked like they'd been through war.
Like, I legit found a twig.
A twig.
Once the beast was tamed, I threw on my signature look: red jacket (bold), Air Force Ones (iconic), non-prescription glasses (don't judge me), and black baggy jeans that scream "I'm cool, but I suffer."
Bag? Grabbed.
Breakfast? Inhaled like a black hole.
Headphones? On. Top of today's playlist?
"Chk Chk Boom" by Stray Kids.
A bop. A mood. A lifestyle. My playlist has no identity. It's just vibes and unhealed trauma.
I took an Uber to school because why not?
honestly—what's the point of a school bus when 70% of your classmates pull up in Teslas, Lambos, and vehicles that cost more than your soul?
I'm just kidding my soul costs more than this planet
The Uber stopped in front of Astor Heights.
Ah yes, the Hogwarts of the Filthy Rich™.
Ranked second most snobby—wait, I mean "academically diverse"—school in the country. Here, you'll find the children of CEOs, politicians, teen idols, and probably at least two Bond villains.
And me?
Not here on scholarship, . Ava's job pays scary well. So here I am—sleep-deprived, underdressed, and morally allergic to 90% of the student population.
I stepped out of the Uber—and immediately got speared down by what I thought was a rogue sheep.
Which is not surprising as random animals wander around the schools campus, all in the name of some bullshit about eco system or something.
I Hit the pavement hard. Could've swore I heard my bones crack. I Looked up—yep. It was Ivy.
Of course.
She was wearing this fluffy white jacket that made her look like a designer marshmallow. And Ivy? Ivy's a clinger. Like a baby koala with Wi-Fi access. She's my bestie Ranger's girlfriend, and for some reason, she has decided that I am her emotional support human.
Worst part I'm exhausted too.
"Hiiiiii Emmy!" she squealed, vibrating at 200% energy.
"I missed you so so so much! Look, I got your fave—frappuccino boom blast!"
I blinked at her.
"…I missed you too, Ivy."
Then came Ranger—my best friend and Ivy's full-time handler. He gently peeled her off me like she was made of Velcro.
"Babe," he said, "you can't keep tackling Em. She's 99% bones and sarcasm. You're gonna break her spine."
"And why are you so clingy this morning?" he added. "Is it because I didn't kiss you last night? I told I'd just had strawberries and you're allergic".
Ivy pouted, looking like a sad anime side character.
I groaned. "Guys. My back is screaming, I got like twenty seconds of sleep, and I'd like to arrive at class looking at least 3% alive."
We walked across the quad for ten minutes, casually roasting life, when it happened.
My dream car drove by.
A Ferrari SF-25. The bad boy of the automotive world.
Like, if that car were a guy, I'd die just to breathe in the carbon monoxide in his general vicinity.
He's fast. Loud. Sexy. Definitely knows it.And totally my type.
Honestly? I would swoon, faint, write five romance stories, and propose with zero shame. If marrying a car was legal, I'd already be signing prenups.
I stood there, frozen. Drooling. Spiritually pregnant.
Then… the door opened. Majestically. Like it knew it was being watched.
And that's when my soul flatlined.
Because stepping out of my dream car… was Kaden.
Of course.
Of
Freaking
Course
My smile? Gone
My hopes? Dead.
My eyeball? Fully rolled into the back of my skull.
There is no worse betrayal than the guy who hit on you driving your fantasy husband.
This was emotional treason.
I turn around about to walk away when Kaden's voice cut through.
"Goldfish."
I paused my interest peaked and I walked up to him.
"Spill it" I demanded my intention of him telling me the meaning clearer than day.
He smirked, leaned on his car and spoke as nonchalant as ever.
"I know this is your dream car, I saw it plastered on your wall when I was at your house yesterday. I also saw the cute stickers you used to write Emily's husband on it".
I became fully mortified.
"Uhmm that..that wasn't me? It was definitely a different Emily. You're imagining things".
I cleared my throat
Kaden smiled and moved closer
"About what I said yesterday," he looked into my eyes with an unforgiving soft gaze
It felt like a positive slap to my heart.
Damn he's hot
"I couldn't get any sleep last night thinking about you"
He moved closer and whispered directly into my ear
"I bought this car because of you. Wanted to win some points, I'll gift it to you if you want. Never thought I'd be simping for anyone in my life but here we are". Then he pecked my cheek and I froze.
What the fuck just happened?. Why can't I move? Where did my words go. Move dammit
The next second I could literally hear Ivy and Rangers eyes widen as Kaden walked past me into the hallway. A victory smirk on his face.
They heard everything
Ivy spoke first her voice filled with utter shock and disbelief. "Kaden Ambrose just kissed you"
"And he was at your house yesterday?!" Ranger added completely horrified.
"Whyyyyyyy??!!" "Are you guys dating now? I thought you hated that guy"
He shook me like a broken vending machine.
An excited Ivy practically flew at me and clung. "Girl spill the tea
How did you manage to date the guy on my fantasy marriage list".
I'm right here babe. Ranger glared.
I...um I ...Kaden ....yeah
What the fuck did I just do? Was that me trying explaining myself? Did I short circuit?. Why can I have so many thoughts and not manage to say anything. I wanna die, resurrect, and die again.
I cleared my throat and quietly walked into the hallway ignoring the multiple questions they kept hurling at me.
He kissed me?
Kaden kissed--
Me?
Huh??
I silently opened my locker, grabbed a few random books—obviously not paying attention—and walked to class like a zombie on autopilot. My OTP still trailed behind me, firing off questions like reporters at a scandal press conference.
I sat through half of the school day with a blank mind and an occasional rush of excitement whenever I caught Kaden's eyes on me.
What was his problem. Geez. Like the pressure wasn't enough. Now he's acting like a deer who's seen headlights.
I wanted to launch my book at his face and yell
You're gonna burn a hole into my skull idiot.
I held back though and the bell rang. I quickly grabbed my stuff and charged for the cafeteria as fast as I could.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't ditch my friends or do it to try and escape him. I did it for personal reasons.
Like not wanting to answer 7 billion questions and avoiding painful soul piercing gazes.
They're different situations, okay. Don't judge me.
I sat at our usual spot as students kept filling in. That's when I saw Marco. My son.
Yes I have a son, and I love him with every fiber of my being.
Marco is the freshman I adopted because he reminded me of myself-- when I first came to Astor heights.
He was sweet, adorable and cute.
And then he stood as 6'2.
A hilarious contrast to his sweet personality. Like a big teddy bear. I waved and he came over.
Mama
Baby
"Guess what mama" I raised an eye brow. For two specific reasons
1. Marco only says 'guess what', when he's done something wrong. Which as a parent, pains me to say happens a lot.
Am I not raising this boy right?
And there's
2.when he's talked to Carla, the "girl of his dreams".
Marco smiled and dramatically fell on my lap "She said yes".
"Wait really? But she said the only way she'd date you is if you wore a bucket over your head or something like that"
"Huh? That's not what I said"
"That's how I remember it''
A sudden deep loud voice cuts through the entire cafeteria.
"EMILLLLY JOHNSON,WHERE ARE YOU? YOUVE GOT QUESTIONS TO ANSWERRR"
I look at the entrance and see a tiny Ivy, literally sitting on Rangers shoulders.
How the fuck did she sound like that? I mean she looks like a tiny squishy doll with an adorable five year old voice. But this-- this right there is a grown ass man's voice.
I immediately got up trying to flee when Marco grabbed my arm.
Where are you going mama, I thought you said never to run away from our problems-- What's this? You're running away
Yells "She's here guys, trying to flee the scene like some perp."
All this went on while the cafeteria was unbothered cus stuff like this happen here all the time. Astor heights may be known for snobber-- uhm I mean "Academic diversity" but there's no doubt, the school reeks of personality.
Within seconds Ivy and Ranger were beside me. Glaring into my soul.
Ivy sat on the table
Hell hath no fury than me Left in suspense
You have a lot of explaining to do young lady
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