• 2 months later •
Not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about Jake. I needed to let him go, it was too much pain to just think of him and not have him here by my side they way he used to be. I couldn't depend on him anymore I needed to focus on me. Especially now. Next week was my first week of junior year in my new high school, Upland High, and I was not looking forward to it.
*one week later*
Today was the day I begin at my new high school. I dreaded this, I didn't know what to expect . "Mom do I really have to go today ?" I pleaded. "Really Riley why would you ask such a dumb question , you have to go." My mom stated. I obviously wasn't going to win this argument so I decided to get ready. I ran upstairs to get dressed. I put on a red T-shirt and some light wash jeans. I didn't want to overdress for the first day or I would've brought attention to me and I did not want that. I ran downstairs to eat breakfast. My mom had me sit and each french toast, it was delicious. I didn't want to be late so I grabbed my bag and yelled "I love you" to my mom as I ran out the door.
I got to the bus stop right in time to see it pull up to the curb. I hopped on the bus with my bag slapping my back with each step. Everyone was staring at me as I went through the aisle. I sat in the back across the aisle from a pretty blonde girl. She was wearing a white shirt and scarf with jeans and fur boots. She seemed very fashionable, maybe I should've dressed up a bit more. She was too busy burying her nose in a book to notice that she dropped her bag on the ground. I picked up the silver bag and poked her shoulder to get her to see me. "Oh, thank you. I didn't see it fall." She had the most gorgeous blue eyes. "My name's Ella." She smiled and put her hand out for me to shake. I took it and said, "Nice to meet you, my name's Riley." She looked at me with a puzzled, almost confused look. "You're new here aren't you?" She asked. "Yeah, how'd you know?" I was surprised she figured it out that quick. "Usually most kids who go to Upland have tattoos or piercings and you don't have any, you seem...nice." she grimaced. "Thanks. I moved here two months ago from Phoenix, Arizona. My dad got a job here, he was hired as a professor teaching art at the college here." I told her. "Oh so you're an artsy girl, huh?" She smiled at me. I smiled back at her. "Yeah I guess so." She seemed really cool and nice. I hoped we could be friends.
The bus came to a stop at the school we filed off the bus. Ella and I picked up our schedules at the front office with the rest of the students. Everyone did have tattoos and piercings which was interesting..I guess. We quickly found our lockers. Luckily, they were only four doors apart. I stuffed my books into my new locker which had writing inside it. I ignored it, grabbed my the things I needed and Ella and I walked to our first class which was chemistry. The first thing I noticed when we walked in was this boy sitting at a table writing in a journal. He looked so focused, he clenched his jaw. I guess he felt me staring he turned and saw us standing at the door and walked over. He stood in front of us with an expectant face like he wanted me to say something but I didn't know what to say, my mouth was so dry. Ella spoke for me she seemed to know him. She told me, "Riley, I'd like you to meet, Alex."
Thank you guys for being patient and sorry this chapter was so short it will be longer next time. I wanted y'all to know this book will be written by two people so it will hopefully be more appealing. I hope you guys enjoy our first book! -Sam
