𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘳 - 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵

04

Home is Deena's least favorite place. Whether her dad is passed out from drinking or at the bar, she didn't care at the slightest. She's used to it now, having it happen since she was 15. She would get Josh up, make some breakfast, and drive them both to school. But today was a little different. Her dad left a note on the kitchen counter, the words still lingering on her brain now.

--

"At least I'm getting somewhere after highschool!" Kate remarks.

"From being on the cheer squad?" I fire back, laughing.

"Says the one hitting on someone in the team!" Kate says passionately.

"Not hitting yet!" Simon corrects with a smirk.

How could she not have a crush on Sam Fraser? With her perfect smile, perfect eyes, perfect hair. Perfect everything. If Sam asked Deena to steal the stars for her, she would in an instant and not ever have a second thought about doing so.

"She almost ran me over last night." I say suddenly, ignoring Simon's comment.

"Did you talk to her?" Kate asks.

"That's what you're worried about?" I ask with an eye roll.

"Well you're obviously not hurt so, um, yeah??" Simon adds.

I don't waste any time flipping both of them off before the bell rings as we each make our way to separate classes.

--

I take a spot in the far row, by the window and bookshelf. I was wearing my red Freshman Vans along with a red and black graphic tee about The Rolling Stones with baggy blue jeans.

I stare at the window, amazed at how new everything looked after the heavy rain.

With so much repetition in her life, she loved how the rain made everything look fresh. It was another reason why she loved stormy weather; it changed how bland her days were; added something new in her boring life.

Still staring out the window, I don't notice someone take the seat next to me. All to my luck, it's Sam. Sam who's wearing a blue crop top, jeans, and Dr. Martens, making her even taller than usual.

My nerves get caught in my throat as I rotate my body to face the front of the classroom, noticing Sam staring at me out of the corner of my eye. I choke down a gulp, sure I look like a complete fool staring at the lingering hint of her abs.

SAM

I grab the seat next to Deena while she's busy staring out of the window. I sort of just admire her until she turns around. I quickly fumble for my pencil and struggle to get it out of my backpack.

She doesn't know it, but since being in the car with her, I've been meaning to talk. I would've wrestled a bear just to have this seat and be able to say hi.

Before thinking it through, I gently tap her shoulder with the eraser side of my pencil and give her a lopsided grin when she faces me.

"Hi." I say happily.

She looks about to puke as I notice her eyes placed on my bare stomach. I let out a soft giggle.

"Hi." Deena mutters weakly, removing her eyes from me and resting them upon the teacher's desk.

A sudden pang of sadness washes over me when she moves her eyes, but it quickly passes as I try to think nothing of it.

"I like your outfit." I say, looking at her shirt.

A part of my brain says I'm staring at her chest. But I'm not. I swear I'm looking at her stomach, and only her stomach. I like The Rolling Stones, too. I assure myself.

"Thanks!" Deena says, finally starting to look normal again.

"Are you feeling okay? Since y'know.." I trail off, slightly nervous to bring up the subject.

Deena's busy using her fingers as drum sticks, tapping out a beat on her desk. 

DEENA

I subconsciously always tap something when I'm nervous. In this case, it's my desk.

I get all flustered as Sam's gaze lands on me again, asking if I'm okay.

"You don't have to ask that. You didn't hit me." I lightly chuckle.

"I know. But I wanted to." Sam replies.

At least for the time being, she forgot about her dad's note, forgot about him being an alcoholic, forgot about her having to be the adult of the family. She could concentrate on Sam. Even if the feeling wasn't exactly mutual, just being on Sam's radar made her feel slightly better. Little did she know, Sam was thinking about Deena. While trying to not think about her. She was obsessed with figuring out what went through Deena's head, obsessed with knowing just how well she could read Sam so quickly, even past these barriers she puts up and these masks she wears at school.