changes

Chapter 1

 I wake up to the annoying sound of my alarm clock ringing in my ear. I reached out for my phone, the time was 05:00. I give out a big yawn before forcing myself out of bed, I walk towards the clothing prepared on my chair with heavy footsteps. I put on the gym top, along with some baggy gray pants. Before heading to the gym I put my light brown hair in a tight ponytail and then turn on some music to wake up a bit on my way to the gym.

For long as I can remember I have been staying consistent and striving for strict routines in my life even though I'm only 16. I started applying for jobs at the age of 12 and started hitting the gym at 13. I have been told that I grew up too fast by many, and honestly, it's not that surprising considering how I felt the need to defend my mom from getting hit by her crazy ex growing up, or having to clean the whole apartment by myself after their parties when they were blacked out on the couch. Growing up in his presence was torture, both mentally and physically.

The gym is empty. I take a deep breath and a smile appears on my lips, 'this is the life' I think. I hate working out when it's crowded, and that's why I started going to the gym early in the morning. It's a perfect way to start your day and gives you time for the rest of the day to do other things.

I am all sweaty, and I can feel the warmth on my skin. The redness is probably all over my face, lucky that I am caramel skinned or I would be walking around looking like a whole tomato. Before I get ready to leave for home I flex my back in the mirror. 'It took time, but it was completely worth it '' I proudly tell myself smacking my ass. I walk home in the early morning air, knowing that most people aren't even awake yet, and here I am just finished my workout. I love this feeling. The feeling of discipline.

Impatient I check the clock every second waiting for it to turn 15:00, when I finally hear the words I have been waiting for "It's the end of the class today, hope you all have a wonderful weeke-" I jump up impatient not letting him finish his sentence, taking my things and quickly walks out of the classroom before he has something else to say.

"ALEXA"

I turn from my locker seeing Julia run towards me. I put all my books in my lock before holding out my arms wide ready for a hug. Julia was like my little sister, we became best friends in middle school when finding out we both were from the Philippines. She was just a few weeks older than me, but I always felt like the oldest because she always had the tendency to copy me, everything from how I dressed, to how I talked, and to the music I listened to. Not gonna lie it could be really annoying sometimes, but we're best friends, what could I do?

"So what are you up to? Have you finished school yet?" I ask her after releasing her from my big hug.

"No, not yet," she says with an annoyed face

"I have chemistry and then PE". I give her a grin adding annoyance to her expression but give out a small "Ouch" when she hits the side of my arm.

"I didn't even say none," I say innocently looking at her with a sad expression.

"So what are you doing after school? Let me guess, working, am I right?" she says with a serious expression.

"Nope, not today" I answer back.

"Ohh.. really? You always work, did you get fired or something?" she says in shock.

"My boss told me I work too much and wouldn't allow me to work for the past three days, he said that I am a teenager and should have some fun" saying the last word with a little sarcasm.

Julia never needed to work. She comes from a pretty rich household where she gets whatever she wants with a snap of a finger. Unlike me, I was taught that if I wanted something I needed to work for it at an early age. And that is why I started looking for jobs when I was only 13. I buy my own clothes, my own winter jackets, and my own shoes, and the list goes on.

*RING RING*

Before Julia could say anything else I saw my fun buzzing. It was my mom. I pick it up and let out a small "Hi mum" with an overly sweet voice.

"We are going to dinner today with Josef, I bought you a cute dress, so come home now..." It goes silent, and before I can ask anything she interrupts me.

"We have something important to tell you and your sister, we will take it during dinner" and just like that she ended the call leaving me too stunned to speak.

"Oshit..." I let out, slowly turning my gaze from my phone to Julia, seeing her look at me with confusion. "I think my mom is... pregnant" I almost whisper the last word.

I actually do not have anything against another baby sibling, in fact, I love babies, especially the ones that can't run around and destroy everything they touch. But it's the baby daddies I am worried about. I have met Josef before, and well, he is alright. Not that I have actually taken the time to get to know him, but he is probably like my mom's other exes. All friendly and nice in the beginning, but it always turns out that they actually are psychopaths in the end. The only difference between Josef and her other exes is that this guy actually is pretty wealthy. Like WEALTHY wealthy. wealthy in like living in a mansion, or wealthy in like traveling whenever you are bored and feel like it. And I even heard that he had a son about my age. I've never met him, but I wonder what it's like.