Under The Bridge

Chapter 1 - Doll-face

"Jessica wake up, it's time to get ready"
I let out a groan as I heard my own personal alarm clock, otherwise known as my younger brother Sam, leave my room. I somehow mustered the energy to quickly got dressed, put my long, sleek hair in a ponytail and applied my everyday makeup.
I wasn't ready to face everyone. The pitiful looks, the "I'm sorry's" and the worst one of all, the "are you okay's". People are so clueless about loss unless they've been through it.

I wouldn't wish the loss of a parent on anybody.

"Sam! Put on your shoes and socks we're going to be late!" I heard my mother shout. We're all dealing in different ways, my mom acts as if she's okay, and if you didn't know her you might just believe her. But I do know her, and I hear her in bed late at night when she thinks we're asleep. I hear her muffled sobs, and it takes everything in my power not to go into her and comfort her. She's our only guardian now and I know she has to put on a strong face, for Sam at least, so I leave her be. Sam, he used to be the most hyper active 9 year old you'd ever meet, he'd never shut up always telling jokes or asking questions. I haven't heard him laugh in weeks. And me, well my dad was my hero. I was always closer with him than my mom. He was the parent I could confide in, who always stuck up for me. Now that I lost him, I feel like I've lost myself also.

"I have errands to run today so you might have to walk home" my mom said as we pulled up outside my school, I watched the grey clouds forming in the sky,
"Great" I muttered. I trudged up the long pathway to reach the front doors, before anyone could try to offer me condolences I put my head down and hurried to the bathrooms. I vaguely heard someone shout my name but I kept going, I quickly locked myself in a stall. I was so not ready for this. I debated whether I just should walk home now, who would know? No one had saw me yet. I don't think...

Suddenley I heard a knock on then stall door, "Jessica?"
I recognised the voice to be my best friend, Sadie. She was one of the prettiest girls in my school, long blonde wavy hair, dark eyebrows, straight white teeth, amazing figure. I could go on, but she was also the most insecure person I've ever come across. I hadn't spoken to her in a couple of weeks, I had a million and one missed calls and texts from her but I just couldn't bare to look at them... I suddenly felt selfish for pushing her away, and so I unlocked the door. We looked at each other in a moment of unsureness, before she wrapped her arms around me. This is why we were best friends. No words were said, and they're was no words that could of comforted me. I remember what people had said at his funeral, "Hes gone to a better place, Hes not suffering anymore" What about me? What about my mom? Now we're suffering. The best place he could be, is at home with his family.
"Thank you" I whispered
"I'm here. Always. Don't shut me out, Jess" She replies softly, I nod and I begin to feel a lump catch in my throat. Afraid I might burst into tears, and because the bell went 5 minutes ago, I pull away
"We better get to class"
She links her arm in mine and we start walking towards our first class, English. I listen to her ramble on about nothing in particular. We walked in the classroom,
"You're late" Mr Ryan said without even turning his attention towards us.
"Sorry sir, won't happen again" Sadie replied. He finally turned to look at us and paused for a moment, before saying "Sit down and take your books out, page 116".
I looked at the class and saw four empty seats. One sat beside a quiet girl named Gwen, she was already looking at me with a sympathetic face, so that was a no. The next one was beside a boy named Hudson, he saw me looking at the seat and began looking quite nervous so that was another no. The other two were beside each other at the very top of the class. I decided that that was the safest option, and sat down.
Mr Ryan was droning on about some poem when the principle, along with an unfamiliar face, appeared at the door.
"Id like to introduce your new classmate, Noah O'Sullivan. Hes just moved here from Ireland so Id hope you all make him feel welcome." She said with the tiniest hint of threat. The class started to whisper, I caught sadies eye and she mouthed the letters "H-O-T" with a playful look in her eyes, I laughed and turned my attention back towards him. He was tall, leaning agaisnt the frame of the door. Ms.Plum looked like a dwarf beside him. I guess he was hot, if you were into that whole "I just got out of bed but I'm still drop dead gorgeous" look. Which I so wasn't. I sort of zoned out but suddenley he was walking towards me. Unfortunatly, my hopes of sitting alone were not answered as he sat down beside me. "Okay you can stop staring now"
Wait. What? Did he just...
"Umm... I-I wasnt.." I managed to stutter back
"Its okay, when you look like this, you learn to get used to it" he smirked
Okay, any bit of attraction I had was gone out the window. Who did this guy think he was? Hes been here barely 5 minutes! I sent a look of disgust back and he just carried on smirking.
"Okay I'd like everyone to write a personal essay on the most important thing in life to them. Finish for homework" Mr Ryan announced
I began to rummage in my bag looking for a pen, after a good two minutes of searching every single crevice, I admitted defeat.
"Hey uh... Noah?" I said sheepishly, I saw him smile and noticed a dimple form. I looked at him properly. Messy brown hair, tanned skin, some freckles on the tip of his nose, shocking blue eyes... I realised I had zoned out (again) and saw him holding out a pen,
"thanks" I muttered.
"No problem doll-face" he smirked. I rolled my eyes and turned to focus on my work. Just before the bell went, Noah's essay title caught my eye. It was entitled "Home".

I had almost gotten through the whole day dodging pity parties when, last class, I got called to the guidance councillors office.
"Took them long enough" I whispered to Sadie. I just wanted to get this over with. I had already revised what I was going to say at home. I sat across from Ms.Woodshaw, the guidance councillor and took in my surroundings. I had never been in this room before, there was candles everywhere. It was probably a fire hazard.
"Jessica, the school has been informed of your recent loss and can I just begin by offering you my condolences," Ms.Woodshaw continued, "I knew your father growing up and he really was a lovely man."
"Thank you" I replied with a straight face.
"Now I've called you down here because loss is a very difficult thing to handle on your own, and I just want you to know that if you're struggling to cope that my door is always open to you. Whether you want advice, recommendations of good therapists, or just someone to listen. I'm here." She offered me a pitiful smile. God, how I hated those smiles.
"Thank you miss, although I doubt that will be necessary. I'll keep it in mind though." I lied, I don't need some strangers help.
"I really hope you do." She spoke with sincerity. I mustered a smile,
"Can I go now?" I asked
"Of course, will you send in my next appointment? He should be waiting outside" She said. I nodded and opened the door, only to find Noah looking back at me. He looked kind of awkward...
"You can go in now" I mumbled, walking away.

The school day finally finished, and I plugged in my headphones and began my long walk home. As I just began drowning the world out, I felt a presence beside me yank out my right earphone.
"Hey!" I protested before looking up to see the one and only.. Noah.
"Hey dollface" he smirked.
"I like your taste in your music. Although, I think I'd like the taste of you more" he winked.
"Noah!" I blushed. He started to laugh,
"Where are you headed?" He asked.
"Home" I replied bluntly
"Me too! It looks like it's gonna rain though..." and just as he said that, the rain started pouring down. And let's just say I picked the wrong day to wear a white blouse.
"This is not happening..." I cried, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Oh God... do you not have a coat with you?" He questioned
"Obviously not!" I sighed.
"Look my house is just around the corner, if you want a towel and shirt until the rain stops" Noah offered. I considered it, I wouldn't get to my house for another half an hour at least, and this rain was only getting heavier.
"If you even try to put on Netflix and 'chill', I'll be gone so fast..." I said seriously,
"I solemnly swear I will not Netflix and chill you doll-face" he chuckled.
"Okay, let's go"