Shooting Star

Chapter 7

I rushed into first period class, my blonde hair a mess and my face flushed. Thanks to my idiot brother, I had woken up 15 minutes later than planned, which threw my whole routine off its course.

"Brianna," Mr. Atkinson said grimly. "A pleasure for you to join us."

I blushed furiously and handed him my late slip. Then I made my way to my seat.

"Smooth," Mason whispered, who was sitting behind me.

I glared at him and focused on the lesson. Mr. Atkinson's classes were the worst classes to be late for. Had I not already been making straight A's in his pre-calculus class, I would've been in more trouble than just a warning and a stern look.

I managed to make it through pre-calculus without another blunder. After pre-calculus, thankfully, I had a spare. Mom had wanted me to add an extra class, but I argued that with such a busy schedule I may not be able to finish all my homework the night before, and that I could use the spare as an extra study hall. She agreed, as long as I promised to put the spare period to good use and not goof off for an hour and a half.

I slipped into the library. Fortunately I'd been able to finish all my work in the car yesterday, remember that? Right now I could do whatever I wanted.

"Miller!" I heard a voice hiss.

Startled, I turned around. Tanner slid into the seat next to me. "Hey," I said, relieved.

"What's up?" Tanner asked.

"Nothing much," I said, then I yawned.

Tanner looked around before leaning in close and whispering, "I heard you were at Riley's party last night."

"What of it?" I asked, surprised. "How'd you find out?"

"My sister was there," Tanner replied. "She saw you. But Bree, seriously, you're so out of it. Riley's parties are legendary!"

"How so?" I asked.

"It's basically your typical frat party," Tanner explained. "So how was it?"

I shuddered. "Okay, first thing, I was only there for, like, two minutes looking for my brother. Secondly, I didn't talk to anyone." I lowered my voice, and then hesitantly told Tanner what I'd seen yesterday in Riley's bedroom.

Tanner's eyes went wide. "Whoa..." he muttered. "Were they wasted? If they were, they could get arrested for it."

I shrugged sadly. "Beats me."

Then I got up and moved to another table, not wanting to talk about it anymore.

I slid out my laptop and dashed a quick e-mail to Janelle:

To: janelley@hotmail.com 

Re: hey 

Hey J! What's upp? I'm @ study hall now, lol. Guess where I went yesterday after dance? Jake dragged me to his GF's party and I went in to go find him and found them in her room doing stuff... YUCK. I still can't believe it. So since it was obvi that he wasn't coming out anytime soon, I called my mom and she came to pick me up. That's my crazy night for u... :( So I'll see u @ dance tonite. 

Love, Bree

I hit Send and waited. Usually Janelle and I had the same study hall periods, so we chatted on Facebook or on MSN. 

Sure enough, less than five minutes later I got a reply:

To: bree.m@hotmail.com 

Re: RE: hey 

Omigosh, I feel for u, Bree! That totes sucks. Btw Natalie's w/ means she says hi. We're just chillin here, and trying to finish our English hmwk... A total snooze if u ask me.