Cleo's Pawprints.

June 28

Two days are left.

Two more days stuck in this house.

Two more days being a part of this family.

Two more days until freedom.

I slide my iPhone and reset my alarm set for 6 am. 

One more day of school. 

One more day of teachers.

One more day of being a student.

One more day until I'm a high school graduate.

I'll be the first in my family to graduate high school. And the first woman in my family to not get pregnant my senior year. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't even risk having sex until I'm out of high school so I don't have any chances of getting pregnant unless I become the new Virgin Mary. Sure, the countless boys I've went through didn't agree to my views on such a topic, which left them without a date. I am no woman to put up with bullshit from boys. Boys are stupid anyways!

I climb out of my nest of pillows and force myself into a cold shower in attempt to wake myself up. It doesn't take long for the residue of my hair dye to wash out of my head and paint my body red. Hopefully my freshly redyed hair doesn't fade nor stain my skin.

I'm stepping out of the shower when my phone on the bathroom stool starts to ring. I quickly pat my hair dry and put the call on speakerphone. 

"Goooood morning Cleo!" It's my best friend, Elijah, "Are you excited for our last day? I am! I'm completely stoked, Cleo, and nothing can stop my hype, I promise you that! Anyways what are you wearing today? You should totally wear that dress! The flower one that you got at-"

"Eli! You're doing it again!" Elijah constantly talks fifty words a minute unless reminded that no one can comprehend as fast as his lips move, "Anyways, my dress is already packed away like most of my stuff."

"But Cleooo! It's your last day! Plus there's going to be that party tonight at Jason's lake house! You could meet a cute boy! Oh, maybe I could, too!"

"What are you saying? I can't get a boy's attention unless I've got easy access clothes on?" I tease.

"Humpf. Whatever hun, everyone knows your rule about no sex until after high sch-oh! I forgot! After today you won't be in high school anymore!"

"I'm hanging up now, Eli. See you in the parking lot."

I walk into my room and open up my dresser drawers to see only one pair of faded cut-off jean shorts remaining. Not much of a choice. I grab the shorts and toss them on my bed. I walk towards my closet and slide the doors open to see a white weaved crop top and a black tank top with angel wings printed on the back. Still poor options but I grab the pieces of clothing and get dressed. I wear my usual black combat boots and purple para-cord bracelet everyday so they weren't hard to locate. 

My hair has been drip drying for half an hour and is now damp. In front of my full-body mirror I attempt to untangle my red mane. Too lazy to curl or straighten; once knot-free, my hair is allowed to fall to my sides. I spray perfume onto my body and apply a heavy coat of mascara. It's 6:40 am. I need to be at school in forty minutes. I can do that, easy! 

I hear my stomach rumble and remember that I'm a human being and I need food. My ability to remember that fact is probably why my body is super skinny. I mean, I'm healthy and all, but I can count all my ribs and backbones, making me not so attractive naked. Clothed, I'm alright. I'm not beautiful or Covergirl material, but I have a pretty face. I inherited that from my mother. One of the very few good things I've ever received from her.

Stomach still empty, I grab an apple from the kitchen and a cereal bar from the cupboards. I need to leave soon if I don't want my usual spot taken by freshmen. It's my last day at Clearwater High School and I'll be damned if I don't get my parking place. 

I get in my yellow 2000 Jeep Wrangler and pray that it starts. After four attempts to crank the vehicle, it finally gives in and I'm given the power to drive this monster of a car. 

It takes twenty-three minutes to arrive, and Elijah is on his phone sitting in his convertible 1999 Mustang, parked next to my spot.

"So you finally arrived before me, huh?" I tug at his sweater motioning for him to get out of his car, "C'mon, let's do this." 

"You're killing my vibe, Cleo" Elijah locks his doors and walks with me.

"You uh, do know that they can just climb over the doors if they want to hijack your car, right?" I look at him with a raised brow.

"If they're gonna risk prison for a fifteen year old piece of crap, then they can have it! So, I heard there's gonna be a load of older guys at Jason's party since we're all considered consenting adults now... Well, most of us" He jabs his elbow at me and winks. 

"Oh shut up. I turn eighteen in two days. I don't need you patronizing me!" I stick my tongue out at him and scrunch up my face.

The day passes on like any other, only difference is no learning because the exams are over. 

I'm walking to the outside picnic tables when I'm pulled aside.

"So, are you still a baby or are you D-T-F?" It's Josh Weaver, the most obnoxious player in the school. One of the few boys I haven't kissed. Mostly because of how big a douche bag he is.

"Go fuck yourself, Josh. I'd never sleep with you" I spat at his face, "You're probably covered in disease anyways!" I shook my shoulder loose from his grip and walked to my table. 

A few awkward stares are thrown towards the table and Elijah speaks up, "He's never going to grow up", the rest of us eat our meals in silence.  

It's 2:55 when the dismissal bells ring and I'm awaken from my daze. I stumble through the halls, treading my heels as Elijah catches up to me. 

"Let me do your hair for the party, Cleo. Please?" He puts on his best pouty face. I almost feel bad for him.

"Fine. But nothing crazy, alright?" 

"Yes! Yes! Thank you sooo much! You won't regret it!"

I sigh on the inside and regret the decision I've just made.