you should know what you're falling for

eighteen

"Whoo!" Christi coos as I stride into the kitchen. My blonde hair has been straightened by Kendall, and I'm wearing her nice outfit,

 "We're not trying to excite any boys by the name of Josh Hyland, are we?"

I shake my head, "No way. That's over and done with."

She gives me an approving smile, and I can finally relax. She's not too mad at me, thank God. After motioning for us all to head out to the car, Christi grabs the keys and leads us out the door. The car ride is fairly silent, and my stomach drops down again. What if I say something I shouldn't?

What if Josh messes up?

What if Josh says something wrong on purpose? That's the thing about hearts; once their broken, they're ruthless and you have to pick up all the pieces and glue them together again.
As the family car pulls up to the school, I grip my old backpack so hard that my knuckles turn white. This is it. I push open the shiny black door and step up onto the sidewalk. Christi drives away and I squirm in my boots.

Immediately, the torture begins. Girls from all different groups of the school have ganged up on me. 

"Go back to a group home where you belong!" one growls, shoving me down onto the ground. Another kicks me in the stomach, the list goes on.

When I'm finally able to stagger to my feet, I instinctively start swinging. I fight my way through the crowd of unhappy females without a problem, they're cowards. That is, until I reach the door of the school. There, Sierra stands cooly, arms folded. I raise my eyebrows at her, but she doesn't move. 

"You're asking for it..." I warn.

I pull my arm back, my hand clenched in a fist, and then all of a sudden I punch forward with all my strength, Sierra still not moving. 

As my fist makes contact with her face, she staggers backwards, clutching her nose.
I instantly know what I've done, and know I have to get out of here. I race as fast as I can to the Guidance Office, some nerdy and unpopular girls gaze at me in worship. Ignoring it all, I reach the large wooden door, reading GUIDANCE.

I don't even have to knock before a woman with an enormous fake smile plastered into her face swings it open. 

"Chloe! Great to see you! Josh is just inside."

Hearing his name makes my face blush, I can't help it. It also makes it seem more real; everything that's happened this morning.

I step inside the office, my stomach churning, and hoping I don't screw everything up.