Breaking point

Loner

After the awkward incident with the model next door, as I'd decided to call him, I'd ran inside and stared at the ceiling for nearly an hour.

Though I knew he'd most likely end up being just another tormentor, I was about ready to call a modeling agency and suggest they add him.

But hey, we're never gonna talk anyway so I can fantasize all I want.

"I'm home!" My dad announced as the door closed and I heard the familiar jingle of keys.

"Hi dad," I jogged to greet him, throwing my arms around him in a quick hug, "how was the day shift?"

He shrugged indifferently, "eh, I like night shifts cause then I get to hang out with the coolest girl ever."

I smiled playfully shoving him, "yeah yeah."

He walked back to the door, grabbing a bag I hadn't noticed till now, as he placed it on the counter. I pointed at the bag, raising my eyebrows.

"Dinner." he confirmed, removing the contents from the bag. He'd gotten us Cesar salad and chicken.

As usual we gathered all the things for the table and sat across from each other.

"So the new family moved in, you meet them while I was gone?" My dad asked casually, though I nearly choked on my salad.

I gulped down the mouthful before playing dumb, "uh, no just saw the movers. You meet them yet?"

He shook his head as his face lit up with an idea, that could not be good. His ideas were usually fun but being as we'd just been discussing the new neighbors, I knew they'd be involved in whatever his brilliant plan was.

"We should go over and say hi tomorrow night!" He suggested as he nodded vigorously, thinking it was the best idea ever.

My eyes widened in shock momentarily before I tried to hide my alarm, "uh I have homework tomorrow."

"You never have homework...." he said slowly as if I were from another planet.

"Well, we have a group project and I've been procrastinating so I have to do it tomorrow." I lied, trying to sound believable.

"Oh, is your group gonna come over and work on the project here?" My dad asked with a hopeful smile since I never had friends over.

"No!" I snapped quickly, "the projects done!"

Oh wait, crap, I really needed to work on thinking before speaking.

"Great then we can go meet the new neighbors." He nodded looking satisfied and not questioning my insane outburst about a clearly made up project.

I sighed and nodded, helping him to clear the table, I guess I was stuck then.

Monday's always sucked. Especially since I forgot about my whole wearing jeans thing.

I'd gone with a simple black skirt and grey hoodie. My fashion sense was, well, interesting.

I sat down on the curb at the bus stop, watching nothing in particular.

"Princess!" Ryan's irritating voice called out as he arrived at the bus stop.

I feigned being deft, and continued my aimless stare at the street.

I heard quickening footsteps as Ryan jogged up, sitting down next to me on the sidewalk and slinging an arm around my shoulder.

Cringing, I slid sideways away from him, still refusing to acknowledge him.