Third times a charm

Past mistake

It's after school now and I'm in the school parking lot. I see Abby's car and her leaning on it waiting for me. I approach the car and her.

"You gonna tell me now?" She asks

"Yeah, let's talk inside the car I don't need anyone listening in on my business" I say and we get inside the car.

I sigh out and prepare the words I'm about to tell Abby.

Please God don't let her kill me.

"When we were in the presentation I couldn't help but feel someone looking at me, so I looked around and saw James on the other bleachers across from us. Afterwards, he came up and to me and asked me if I ever wanted to hang out with him...and in the moment I said yes" I explain.

"Emma.." Abby shakes her head in disappointment.

"I know I know, it was stupid and I tried to get my mind to say no but I just blurted out yes" I say

"Well what are you going to do?" She asks

I think for a minute. What should I do?

"How about I try him again? He actually does seem like he's changed" I suggest

"Emma you've been through twice already, if you want to do this then I will respect your decision. But don't be surprised when something goes wrong between you two. Again." She says sternly. As you can see, she's seen a lot go down in my life.

"Okay I'll prepare myself for the worst that will come one day and I will admit that I messed up. Again." I say

"But just so you know I will always be there for you, even if you mess up again and again" She smiles at me and reaches to hand to squeeze it. She's the greatest friend I've ever had, even though she has to put up with my bullshit.

"Thank you" I lean into her and hug her.

"Okay let's get you home before your parents think you got kidnapped" She says as we break apart and she starts the car. I laugh at her comment.

For the rest of the ride we talk about our day, classes, and new teachers. I get dropped off to my house and after saying our goodbyes to each other, I enter the house.

"I'm home!" I announce when I walk in.

Salem is the first to greet me and he lets out a meow. I pick him up and carry him in my arms.

"Yes, I missed you too today buddy" I say to him as I kiss his fur.

"We're in the kitchen honey!" I hear my mom yell out to me.

I walk into the kitchen, carrying Salem with me, and seeing my parents cleaning the kitchen and getting dinner started.

"Hi sweetie how was your first day of school?" Dad asks.

"It was really good, I did get pushed around a lot and had a hard time finding my classes but other then that, it was really good" I say happily

"Did you join any clubs?" Mom asks

"Well other then Book club and Drama club that I joined last year, I didn't really hear about any clubs that sparked my interest" I explain. I put Salem down on the floor and let him walk around the house.

"Well two clubs is enough anyways, no need to tire yourself out with more" She says

"Rest for a little bit and we'll call you when it's time for dinner" Dad says

"Okay love you guys" I give them each a kiss on the cheek and grab my backpack and head upstairs to my room.

I walk into my room and set my backpack down on the floor. I didn't get any homework so I just flop down on my bed. But then I quickly remember that I have to take off my makeup and change into comfortable clothes.

I groan and finally get off my bed and start to do all of that.

I change first into comfortable clothes and as I'm cleaning my face, my phone pings. I check to see who texted me and my face goes blank.

It's James.

I open the message and see that he texted "Hi :)"

I reply back

James

Hi :)

Hi

Whatcha doing?

Just getting ready for dinner

Cool cool

So when you wanna hang out?

I freeze. He was serious about that? I didn't think he was.

Ummm idk maybe Friday night?

I'm down with that. Wanna go to the diner?

Sure

Cool wanna meet or should I pick you up?

Let's meet up

Okay see you at school tomorrow ;)

Yeah

There's a diner in town called Sally's Diner. It's the usual 50's retro diner with awesome food and milkshakes.

Also, he has a car? I thought he was the same age as us, 15. But then again I never asked for his birthday back in elementary nor middle school. I'll ask him that later.

I continue with taking off my makeup and waiting to be called down for dinner. An hour later, as I'm reading my book, I hear my mom call me down.

We eat together with my parents mostly talking about their day and then ask me questions here and there about mine. I don't tell them about James. My parents have always been strict about dating, they've always told me to focus on school and that I can worry about boys later on in life.

Obviously this has lead me to keep my crushes a secret. They only boys they know about in my life is just my guy friends.

Afterwards, I go upstairs to my bathroom to take a shower and do my nightly skin care routine. I comb my hair and roll my bangs up in a roller. I go to my room and spend the next hour or so reading my book and eventually putting my alarm on for the next morning and I head off to sleep.