Echoes of the Heart

Rountine

Stephanie always had this feeling of looking over her shoulder, no matter where she was. She had reasons sure, but currently Maddox was the reason these days. Another toxic ex that she couldn't seem to shake. He was good looking and charming. Until he got too possessive and clingy, and almost abusive, his mother got involved too much in their business and gave her the ick. She ran before it ended badly. He was furious at her. Tried to following her home multiple times, she changed her phone numerous and moved in across town with her mom, just to avoid him. She hasn't noticed him following her in a few weeks, but she still looks over her shoulder.

She used to be a hopeless romantic, emphasis on used too, after the summer fling with Maddox she was sure it was all better left in for the books.

She hurried along the sidewalk, she was meeting with her best friend Kaley, they had been friends since she moved to this small town in 8th grade. Kaley saw her sitting alone at breakfast that first took her phone and said we are going to be friends now, and here the were. Junior year of Highschool still best friends. Kaley was always their for Stephanie through every breakup, and bad decision, Kaley was there. Through and through. Kaley knew about Maddox, but Stephanie didn't tell her everything not about how dark it got towards the end, she didn't want to scare her. She approached Kaleys street and saw her standing outside on her phone texting, not even noticing her, she always wore a pair of vans or converse and never the same pair, she had dyed her back to dark brown, from her previous red. Post relationship hair. Stephanie understood, her long brunette locks now a golden blonde. Her mom told her it was one of the sure ways to get over a guy, she would know. She also said rebounding helps. Which wasn't a problem for Stephanie, she didn't need help getting over him, she just needed him to go away or to disappear.

"Hey Kaybear" Stephanie smiled. "Hey! I was gonna meet you I guess you didn't wait"

"Sorry needed to get out of there. Moms flavor of the week was still there."

"Did her and Ted break up again?" Kaley said putting her phone away. I nodded. "They will be back together by next week though"

Kaley shook her head "they always are"

They headed in the direction of school, Kayley didn't live far from school and now that Stephanie was staying with her mom she was close enough to walk with her every morning. This was there second week of school, Kaley and I had different classes, the only time we had together during the day was morning . I had continued to take all AP classes this year again and Kaley didn't. I wanted to do my best to get out of here and I had high hopes college would do it. Maddox wouldn't follow me there, couldn't. Not if he didn't know where I was going. I just had to get through Junior and Senior year.

I took a deep breath as Kaley and I headed through the doors of Rockland High School.

She waved bye and went to get sit with our group of friends. It was too early to enjoy the drama that always ensued with our friend group, so I went to where I usually went. To the library. There was a cappuccino machine this year. For one dollar every morning I could tolerate the day.
Mrs. Barrett was always welcome and friendly, always recommending new books since I read about one a day. Especially during school, or at home. It helped me cope, with everything, and books were a better alternative then my usual.

Mrs. Barrett gave me a friendly wave as I made my coffee before heading her way ,"so Stephanie what did you think was it good? I told you, you would like it!"

I reached in my bag and gave her back the book, "are the other ones available yet? I need to know how it ends."

She shook her head laughing, "not yet, they are still checked out by another student. I will let you know as soon as they are available."