High Hopes

Sixteen - AP English

A gif of Gabe because DYLAN O'BRIEN.

***Fast forwarding through the rest of the summer to school*** 

My alarm clock kept going off. I picked it up and threw it. That ought a teach it to quiet down. It's the first day of my senior year. It most definitely won't be anything I have expected. I expected my parents to be wishing me goodbye, then they would go to work and not be home until 9. Now I'm here, in Florida, to spend my last year of high school. It's not that I don't love Aunt Laura and Uncle Lucas, I do. I just don't want to be here necessarily. 

The rest of the summer was as boring as possible. I continued lacrosse. I actually made friends on my team and we got second at nationals. I spent most of it hanging out with Kayla and Kendra, doing random things. Gabe and his family are doing their own things. I have babysat Gavin a few times and talked to Garrett. Gabe and I just don't talk that much anymore after the day at the hospital. Mike and Garrett left to go back to college 2 weeks ago. I guess you could say I'm coping fine. Then again, I can be depressed about my parents and my utter love life.

You see, Ryan and I did end up dating for a bit. He cheated on me and that's where it ended. He claimed he was terribly sorry and all that shit. I didn't believe him at all. Alex is still friends with us and Jeff too. It's kind of a friend circle with different relationships within. Gabe has probably dated the entire cheer squad and almost half the soccer team. I don't care anymore. Only one person has my heart.

I stand up and walk straight to my bathroom.  My clothes for today were already picked out and laid on the counter. I change into the purple sundress and slip on my white bow pumps. Then, I plaster my face with makeup and curl the ends of my hair. I guess you can say I haven't been getting much sleep.

I pick up my pink Vera Bradley backpack with all the supplies needed and take my phone off the charger. Time for my last year at hell.

Matilda smiles at me when I walk down the stairs. "Do you need breakfast?"

"I think I'm just going to have an apple but thanks Matilda." I smile back at her.

"Okay have a nice day at school." She moves and picks up a laundry basket before disappearing in the house.

I walk to the kitchen and grab an apple off the top in the fruit bowl. I take a huge bite of it and get my keys off the hook.

Oh yeah. Aunt and uncle got me a car. A BMW to be exact. I think they felt bad that Mike left. It's not their fault. None of this is.

I walk out of the house and head towards my car, stationary in the driveway. Unfortunately, my neighbor did at the same time. We lock eyes for a moment before looking away and getting into our cars. Saying it has been awkward around Gabe lately would be an understatement.

I've visited the high school a few times the past week so I wouldn't get lost and so I could meet the teachers. They seem nice so far. The drive is literally 2 minutes so I'm there before the first song on the radio can end.

I lock my car as I step out and sling my bag over my left shoulder. One of the good things about Florida is that it's always nice in the morning.

Kids start to file into the school, some waiting outside for friends. I call Kendra to ask where they are.

"Hey where are you?" I ask her when the ringing ended.

"Walking right behind you lys."

I honestly have no idea why she insisted on calling me that. It's what my dad called me. She doesn't know that.

I hang up and turn around. There they are. Kayla loops her arm around mine and the three of us walk into the hallway. Some people greet either Kayla or Kendra. They haven't even met me yet so why would they greet me?