My Friend Justin

Chapter One

★ Chapter One ★

Dreams are weird. Especially ones that don't make any sense. For example, science class told me that clouds are made up of condensed water vapour, but right now I'm sat on one. A big fluffy one that can only be described as the same texture as candyfloss. I feel at bliss just lying here; Nothing could bother me at all.

"Ashleigh honey, wake up, first day of school!"

Hmphrf. I keep my eyes shut tightly, not wanting to get up. Freshman year in a new high school. The year of hell. Any normal 14 year old would probably be thrilled at the thought of starting somewhere new. Not me. I feel quite the opposite. I’ve heard all the stories that come with the school, the flirty sophomores, the scary juniors and the horrifying seniors. Not to mention the swirlies. Oh man, somebody save me. Or take me back to 8th grade.

I groan, throwing the pillow over my face to block out the bright light streaming in through the window.

Before I could open my mouth and start to complain, the comforter was ripped from my grasp, exposing me in my jammies.

"Moooooooom!"

She stifles a laugh.

“If you don’t get up now, you’re going to be late.” She explained, turning on her heel and walking out the door.

I slowly get ready, hopping into the shower before getting out again, drying and straightening my hair. Today it’s decided to go straight, thank god. I’m finally finished, grabbing my school stuff. New pencil cases have to be the best thing about today. Mine is black with neon rainbows splatted everywhere, it’s awesome to look at. I throw it into my scruffy backpack, which apparently didn’t need to be replaced.

Fruit loops pour into the bowl. The sugar cheers me up for a few moments. Teeth are cleaned, bag is packed, mom has been kissed. Now i just have to wait for my walking to school buddy.

RING RING. The doorbell rings as the lyrics to"Favourite Girl" are sung through my letterbox. I open the door to reveal Justin leaning against the frame. He hoists his bag onto his shoulder.

"Hey beautiful."

I hit him round the head and he grins.

"Knock it off you big nerd."

“Ooh, bit feisty today. Fell out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?” He raised his eyebrow.

“I’m not a morning person. And I don’t like new schools. So if I hit you at random points in the day, I do apologize. Or not.”

We start to wander down the drive, in the general direction of school. Me and Justin have been best friends ever since kindergarten. We both used to live in Canada, but when he was discovered by his manager and he had to move to Atlanta, my mom and I went with them as my mom had been promoted to a position that required her to move her work station there. Pattie (Justin's mom) is her best friend. It's kinda cute.

Justin tells me that we met when we were by the sandbox. He came up to me and I 'apparently' chucked sand into his eyes. He said that he cried so hard, I felt bad and gave him my snacks.

Hmm. It seems like another one of his made up stories but i just decided to go with it, for his sake.




"So how was your summer, freak?" I ask, ruffling his hair.




"Not too bad thanks, although most of the time I had to hang out with this gross thing called Ashleigh I think? Disgusting." He mocks throwing up as I mess up his hair again. He flips it back into place. You know, the signature hair flip. Eye roll.