You Belong With Me

Chapter 9

Time: 27/1/23
Location: Sydney School For Girls
How to in from the mess you've made 101

Every since last year, life has taken a bit of a turn. Odd and eye opening experiences, but I've never been in a contrast like this one.
And it's partly my fault.

It all started with the fact that I can't have a day without tranquility, is that too much to ask?
So, to try and run away from it all, "all" being my mother, professor, friend and unrequited love syndrome.

Naturally what you'd do is focus on the thing you can control, that the universe can't ruin for you.
Solving who I spend my time around, ignoring my mothers barely occasionally persistent phone calls and maybe going to classes less.
When I'm away from all the stress, I'm happier than ever. There no way to describe it.
Well I guess it's a fantasy.

As for my love life. I have been pushing texting Jesse to the bottom of my bucket list. Leaving hanging out with friends on the top.

There aren't many open minded people at my school, hence the reason I'm not in school right now. I'm behind it. With the infamous Adia John.

"Fourth period is almost over." I repeat louder this time, since she failed to hear me say anything and was too busy trying to figure out how to put her cigarette lighter in her bag when it was still on her back.
"Come on, ya sure you don't wanna go?" Insisting that I go to this party. She straightened her posture after shoving it down her backpack.
We're both aware that I've changed, I wear darker lipgloss, wear different clothes and my skirts have gotten shorter. But I draw the line at parties.

"Like I said, I'm fine. Why do you go to so many parties anyways?"
"If I don't party then what's the point! Besides it distracts me from the shit that's been going on."
She then clears her throat. "Well, now that I've made it weird I'm gonna make my exit."

I watch her disappear behind the bins, I let out and exaggerated huff of air before heaving myself up to get to 4th period.
I don't like this.

_____________________
Location:Driving
Time: 00:12
It was a bad idea

My mom really put the cherry on top. I'm grounded, I wish that I was kidding.
Solution being to change the way I'm feeling. Opening Adia's text from not long ago.

"If you change your mind, catch me at xxxxxxxxx"

I just need to get my mind off it all.
______

That is how I found myself tangled in somebody else's house, business and not gunna lie kind of fucked up situation.

Adia rarely gets my type of rodeo wrong, she's taught me a lot and there's much more to learn, but this is far from myself.

The party was just as I imagined. Stuffy, dirty and crowded. I definitely don't belong here.
Yet I'm here, sipping from a red solo cup just hoping its not been spiked. Or maybe it has, can't even tell. Half of my school is lounging around the illuminated pool in the backyard of this hell. Along with the jocks from Brandon's school, Aren't these guys from Texas?
Whatever..

Just as one of Rianne's minions shove me into the corner, on the verge of falling into the bubbling pool of bacteria these twits call a hot tub, I finalised that this wasn't worth my time. To many boys have groped me tonight and it's too loud, I feel tired. The gut feeling of fight or flight kicks in.
I spin on my heels. Positioning my arms in front of me to slice through the mob of grinding and riding delinquents by the time I've reached the front door, I'm bummed out.

No money to get a driver. I stopped using my bus pass months ago, usually giving a nice smile gets you a free ride. And momma won't be happy receiving any late texts.
It's 2AM, I dealt with absolute bull for an hour and a half?

You're probably hoping that I'll call Jesse to the rescue. Sorry to disappoint but that's not happening anytime soon.

The last time I saw her was in costa, still as beautiful as ever, even is her uniform that I wanted to tear off her body, but I see her in a different way.
She's not my saviour anymore, more of a silly crush. The less I see her the faster I can forget the rest. Besides, after the sweet redhead quit at the coffee shop, we've had more time to get to know each other.

On that note, her car pulls up. Seeing me sulking by the front door she hops out and smothers me, her voice full of concern, she acts like my mother sometimes. It's not enjoyable.

"It's okay you can let go now" My mood lowering deeper than when I was in an absolute rave.
"How would you mother react to you coming home at a time like this?"
"She won't, if I climb back up my window successfully," I grumble, already making my way to her car.
Is being in a relations supposed to be this suffocating?
"You snuck out of the house? Cleo!" She raises her voice when she realises that I'm ignoring her
"Well, what can I say? I'm a badass." Sarcasm.
Christ this woman.
I prefer when she just kept her mouth close and just made me coffee.

As I slump in the squeaky car seat, turning on the radio immediately then crossing my arms, not wanting another lecture.
The car ride home was angsty, I know she's had something to say about my change in behaviour, I really couldn't care less. Hell, maybe she'd prefer when I kept my shirts below my belly button.
We cant all get what we want in this life.

She pulls up a block away from my street. As she's taught. Sighing. She said goodnight in a tone.
I return the gesture and quickly begin my walk home.
I just want my bed. And maybe some milo to cool the hangover.

I hear the car roll away and let out yet another obnoxious bundle of air. Wrapping my hands around my arms, in a fast pace I could get home before 4AM. What a life I have.
I make it to my house. Feeling a certain way about the fact that my mom is actually sleeping.
Anyways I begin my way up my wall.
Through the window, into my bathroom.
Home sweet home.

"Oh how I've missed you" I chuckle to myself burying myself into my sheets letting darkness take over.

__________
The feeling of post party blues has ruined my entire morning. And I still have errands to run and its Saturday. Everything is horrible.
I open my phone expecting to see one or two notifications to my surprise, almost fifty texts and calls.
Opening the most relevant, Adia's,

"Who's car did you get into last night? You left so early I didn't even know you decided to come..."
I could tell that she was hoping for my arrival. But if I couldn't find her in that maze, being somewhere longer that two hours, especially at that time of night. Not my ideal perfect night.

The other messages are mostly from Lei Lei, Jesse and my "mother"
Wait, Jesse?

"Hello Cleo, this is Jesse. Your mother has left on short notice because she has been called into work. I accepted the offer to watch over you for a couple days, she insists that you need supervision. I'll be there soon."

Company? For the fourth time?
ARGHHH