His Shortcake

Chapter One ~Small Towns~

~Small Towns~

You know the worst thing about living in a small town? Everyone knows everyone's business. There was absolutely no privacy what so ever.

I could tell you countless things that I have heard, that should have been private. Like the fact that my elderly neighbor cheated on her husband with his dad and their child is actually her husband's half sibling. They definitely got divorced.

The most recent rumor is that the cheer captain, Kayla Morris, was spotted cheating on her boyfriend, Maddox Young.

If you know Maddox, well everyone was going to get a show at school. Maddox is one of those guys that is overly possessive. He's also incredibly gorgeous, like he could be a model for sure.

He definitely had the whole bad boy role down to a T. He got into fights, smoked, drank, partied. It would be a lie if I said I wasn't excited to see what was going to happen.

I honestly hated people who cheated and this town was apparently full of cheaters. Yes, that includes my own mother. She had cheated on my dad then decided she didn't want to be a family and left us.

I sigh finally getting out of my bed. Since I took a shower last night I get dressed. Wearing my usual attire, skinny jeans and t-shirt that had a saying in it. Today's saying was 'I may be wrong, bits highly unlikely.'

I put on my ratty old converse. These were my favorite shoes. It would be nice to get new ones but I wasn't going to ask for them since we didn't really have extra funds laying around.

I got to the bathroom and brush out the knots of my strawberry blonde hair. I put it up in a messy bun. I decide to add a little bit of makeup to cover up the bags under my dull hazel eyes.

"Tatum! You're going to be late." I hear dad says.

"Yeah Tate. Don't make me late for my first day of middle school!" My little brother Reed whines.

I roll my eyes and walk out. "I'm ready." I announce. Reed looked so excited to go to school. If only he knew what was going to happen.

"Great let's go." He rushes out. "Shotgun!" He calls.

"He knows he is still to short to sit up front right?" I ask dad who just chuckles.

"Come on kiddo. Don't want to make you late for your first last day of high school." He says.

As we step out I lock the door. The loud roar of a bike engine makes me glance over to my neighbors house.

Maddox was on his bike looking like a dark prince if I'm honest. He was wearing a white shirt, a black leather jacket, dark jeans and some black boots. He hadn't put his helmet on yet. I could see his dark locks had some curls to them.

As if sensing he was being watched he looks over immediately making eye contact with me. His eyes were an emerald green color. I had imagined up close there were gold speckles in them. But I'd never gotten to close to find out.

"But come on dad! I'm twelve and I have to sit in the back?" reed whines. The commotion makes me break eye contact first, but I swear as I looked away he smirked at me.

I hurry over and force Reed to get in the back. The whole way to school he wouldn't stop complaining.

"How about you grow five inches." I suggest.

"How about you be quiet." Reed glares at me.

"We are here. Have a good day bud." We watch as he gets out grumbling. I can't help but laugh at him.

"Now your turn." He drives me to my school. I could drive myself, but we only had one car and dad worked pretty much everyday.

Ever since mom left things have been hard. I offered to get a part time job to help out, but he insisted I needed to focus on my school.

"We are here kiddo." He says snapping me from my thoughts.

"Are you ever going to stop calling me that?" I ask unbuckling and stepping out.

"Nope. Have a good day. I love you!"

"Love you to dad." I put my bag ion my shoulder and head inside. I find my friends patiently waiting for me.

The first one to see and greet me is Grace. She was such a sweet heart. She was so innocent and the slightest sexual comment made her face as red as a tomato.

"Tate! Finally, I was about to leave these two to battle it out." She says.

It's then I notice my other two besties Laura and Maddie were arguing. "What is it now?" I ask opening my locker.

"Tell her that I would make a great walrus." Maddie glares at her.

I punch the bridge of my nose. "Can't you guys just agree to disagree?" I ask.

"Ugh fine." Laura says rolling her eyes.

"Fine." Maddie agrees.

"This is why I love you. You can always resolve their fights." Grace says.

"Anyway did you guys hear Kayla fucked Tommy and Maddox is going to beat the shit out of him at lunch." Laura says.

I hadn't heard the details, but now I know. "I really hate living in a town with eighty people. No one minds their own business." I sigh.

"Actually it's ninety seven people." Grace informs us.

"No one cares about the actual number Grace. So I'm thinking we go straight to the lunch room for good seats for the show." Laura says.

"Why the hell would anyone cheat on Maddox? He is like a sex god." Maddie says dreamily.

I look over to see Graces cheeks turning a shade of pink.

"How about we get to class." I suggest trying to make her not feel so embarrassed about it.

"True, I can't afford another tardy by that old hag bag Hammond." I can't help but laugh.

"That's a new one Maddie. Hag bag." I say.

"Tell me I'm wrong." She says.

We had the same class and I can attest that she was indeed a hag bag. We part ways with the other two and head to class.

When we enter we were one of the lasts people and the old hag bag gave us both tardy slips.