you should know what you're falling for

fourteen

"Hey Josh." I say casually, trying to communicate with him through a panicked stare. If he starts flirting right now, we're both screwed. 

"Uh..Hey?" Josh responds back tentatively. "I just came to tell you that the bells about to ring..I brought you your bag."

I reach out timidly, "You shouldn't have." Talking through gritted teeth, my voice is stiff.
The principal gives me a warning look, "The counselor will be expecting you two tomorrow morning."

I gulp audibly and scurry out, not intertwining hands with Josh until we're out of the Principal's sight. The building is empty, as everyone else has already begun to make their way back home.
Josh grips his hands around my waist, 

"I told you everything would be fine." He tips his head down to kiss me and I pull away as soon as I feel his lips against mine. 

"Josh, I can't do this." I try I release myself from his embrace. 

"Yes, you can. Nothing happened, Chlo, and nothing will." He runs his hands up and down my back, locking lips with me again.

I squirm my head away, "Seriously, I told you! I don't do relationships!"

This doesn't stop his; he's relentless. Josh brushes my side bangs out of my face, "But you're in one!"

I shove him away from me, "Well maybe I don't want to be anymore! I could've been sent away from a perfectly good home because of this.. this.."

"This what?!" Josh's voice begins to rise as well, "Why is it all or nothing with you! One little obstacle in our path and you're ready to quit!"

I gasp. "I am not a quitter!" With all my strength, I shove him into the lockers and begin to stock away, 

"I told you love hurts!" The words he says next make my stomach drop. "And that's what love is. You can't let the sad memories of your past affect your life now..."

His words echo through my head the entire walk home. No one can understand my priorities unless they've lived this life. My intentions are gold, but I'm not only looking out for me.
I slam open the front door of the house and shove past my foster-mother. 

"Chloe!" she calls after me.

I don't respond. "Send me away! I don't care!" I shriek, my voice cracking as the pitch grows higher.

But I do care.