It All Started With A Ride

1. Rides & remembrance

"Come on Layla" I whispered, looking down at my phone as I tapped the tips of my fingers against the cold wet concrete.

I sighed- seeing the last message I sent her wasn't even looked at.

Great, I thought, leave your best friend in the rain, Layla- thanks- thanks a lot.

I glance at the top part of my screen- 5:27- I knew for a fact that the detention crowd was already out so why wasn't Layla?

My heart pounded at the possibility that she just left me.

Alone- on a cold and rainy evening in September...

I mean- I was freezing- I have work in an hour- and it's pouring!

Could this day get any worse?

I groaned and let my hands fall to my sides, leaning against the beige brick wall with my eyes closed as I skimmed through Summerville Academy's parking lot located by the side of the main school building.

All I could see were the remaining kids' cars; and a lot of teachers,

But not Layla's shiny red Toyota.

I bit my lip and mentally groaned.

It was at times like this- when I was desperately waiting for someone to come pick me up, that I wished I had my car.

Would I have to call Steven? I mean- I didn't want to but...

He was off work by now and-

Right when I considered calling my stepdad Steven- whom my mom was dating for a year and married recently, a blue SUV pulled in front of the catwalk I was standing under, causing my heart to begin to race.

Starting today, I seriously needed to stop watching Lifetime movies- because I am convinced that any car that comes near me when I'm alone is my future kidnapper.

Is that thought stupid? Yes- but it's possible- I'm a teenage girl- and fairly easy to pick up also, and right about now-

I was vulnerable.

I immediately straightened my posture and tried to look like I was strong or some shit.

Max- you're imagining shit- there is no kidnapper, stupid! I mentally yelled at myself.

It was then that the window to the car rolled down and a familiar- or at least a face I see almost every day in the hallway, appeared.

Tabitha Thompson.

I'm not friends with Tabitha Thompson- hell, I don't even know her.

But my best friend Layla does. Layla and I have been best friends since I transferred to SVA at the beginning of our Freshman year.

And ever since the day I transferred, I've been aware of three things:

1. Layla's Queen Bee
2. Never disrespected Kendall Harris (because she's the principal's daughter)
And 3- which is the most important thing:

Layla can't stand Tabitha.

Why? I never knew- but it was something that happened before I ever came.

As much as I hated to admit it- Tabitha Thompson was the prettiest girl at Summerville Academy- with her mocha skin and pink lips- her perfectly curled hair that always seems to be framing her face.

Looking at the curly-haired girl- I was so confused- even after she gave me a little smile and said, "Need a ride?"

The look of surprise on my face couldn't have been more obvious- my eyes widened and all I could do was stare at her.