you should know what you're falling for

two

The day ticks by at an agonizing pace, and when the lunch bell rings, I merely groan and stumble about the many circular tables by myself, lost. It's already a quarter of the way into the year, and I know absolutely no one, aside from my younger brother and foster sister.

Not having any idea where to sit, I make my way over to a secluded bench over by the far side of the outdoor cafeteria. The splintery sides dig into my cargo pants, and I'm almost positive that this bench is the oldest and most rundown object on school property. 

For a while, I eat my peanut butter and jelly sandwich in silence, but then I hear heels clicking up beside me. It's the same fake girl from the doorway earlier, Josh Hyland's girlfriend. 

"Hey," she coos. God dammit, her voice is even more fake than her looks. 

"Hey." I reply through a mouthful of sandwich. Manners have never really been my thing; when you grow up having to fend for yourself, you basically learn to stuff it down before you lose the chance.

I notice the look of disgust on her face, which she quickly hides. "My name is Sierra." she informs me, "Why don't you come sit with us?"

Personally, I'd sit with them over my dead body, but I'm not looking to start any fights, so I grudgingly follow her back to her table. 

"My names Chloe, by the way." 

"I know who you are." snaps Sierra, an her prissy little friends all nod agreeingly, "Everyone knows why you're here. You beat your last foster father's garage with a bat."

I get a sick feeling in my stomach; I'm not angry that they know, but that they think that I'll fall for there games. 

"Yeah. I did. And I'm not gonna take your precious boyfriend, by the way. You're all delusional." I lecture, standing up an beginning to head back to my solitary bench.

I've never cared what people think of me, especially not other girls, and I'm not going to start now. I have things to be proud of, too - my suitable hourglass figure, my determination - but I don't need to flaunt them. 

And that Josh Hyland dude would be insane to be into me. I don't do relationships. I don't do love either.