He Ruined My Life (#Wattys2015)

Chapter IV

The following morning, I dressed more carefully than I had ever had. I don't know why I did this. It was probably just since I felt self conscious with the amazingly gorgeous Chase Sunner as an online friend. Oh, gosh. Chase. I can't wait to get back home to Facebook him.

Choosing the colors and styles carefully, I decided on a long neon yellow tank top and skinny jeans that reached a little past my knee. I wove my hair into a braid that ran down the side and tied it with a small hairband with a turquoise rose on it. I looked at myself in the mirror and buried my head in my hands. I looked outrageous. Just outrageous.

Everyone looked up as I entered the breakfast area. Dad's eyes widened. Mom's jaw dropped. Kent's mouth was in a grim line.

"What?" I said, knowing exactly what.

"Sweetie, you look amazing today. You are finally turning into a proper girl!" Mom said. I grinned and slid into my seat, helping myself to pancakes. Kent nudged me.

"Mrrh?" I said through a mouthful of pancake.

He looks around to make sure mom and dad weren't looking, then asks me quietly,"Can I talk to you after breakfast?"

"Muh huh." I nod.

"Alright. Don't forget. Finish your breakfast." I roll my eyes and go back to attack my pancakes.

"So, what is it?"

"Well, Alyssandra. Are you dressing up today since you met someone you like?"

"None of your business, dude." I said, blushing. But he was right.

"Come off it Alysse. I know you do."

"Fine. Don't tell anyone."

"I won't tell. But I'm warning you: you aren't supposed to date at your age. Its not good for your mental health. You still have high school, which is a lot more complicated than you think it would be. If you start dating, high school is probably going to shred your relationship to pieces. And really, breaking up with someone is going to get you both sad and really angry. You do not want to go through that right now. And then there is college. You will almost certainly get split up then. only one out of a billion high school relationships continue after college, so don't even think about it. Save the romance for later, Alysse. You have a long time until that."

"Oh, high school isn't going to come in our way. College probably won't either."

"Why?"

"We don't go to the same one."

Kent looked shocked and surprised.

"So...you met this mystery person over...Facebook?"

"Yeah." I say.

"Alysse, tell you what, don't even think about it then."

"Why?"

"You don't know anything about him!"

"Yes I do!"

""Alright! How old is he?"

"Fifteen."

"Last name?"

"Sunner."

"Hobby?"

"Volleyball."

"Best friend?"

"Some dude called Aaron."

"Not bad, Alysse. Managed to answer all that. But I bet you won't be able to answer this: Does he smoke, do drugs, or drink? Is he even single?"