I Meet the Mutt [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

17 | I'm Officially Screwed

Joshua Robertson

I was having a wonderful dream when out of nowhere, as if its sole intention were to drown me in misery, my alarm clock woke me up.

Blearily, I groaned, swore a little, and slapped my hand on what I think was my alarm clock.

But instead, I ended up stabbing my hand with a lego piece, which was conveniently placed on top of the alarm clock.

"What the fuck?" I yelled, pulling my hand away. "How the hell did that get here?"

I grabbed my phone and turned it on. "Oh, hell," I moaned, sitting up. School was starting in about twenty minutes, and I had maybe five to get ready and ten to drive to Collin's.

However, after getting dressed and brushing my teeth and making sure my hair looked perfect—it was always frazzled in the morning—I had this horrible pit in my stomach. And I couldn't figure out why, until I opened my phone and saw one tiny little notification (out of the hundreds, duh).

Angela: see you tomorrow :)

Immediately, everything came rushing back. How I'd completely broken down. How I'd allowed my guard to slip. How she'd witnessed me so...vulnerable.

"Oh my God," I said out loud and slapped my forehead. "I'm such a fucking idiot!" I repeatedly muttered fuck until I felt satisfied. How could I completely let down my guard? How? Just how?

I'd never done that. Unintentionally, that is. But yesterday, I couldn't control myself—the emotions just came flowing out. Even with Victoria, a girl who could literally make me laugh whenever and wherever, didn't have the ability to loosen me up when I was in my dark mood.

Attempting to pretend like yesterday never happened, I scarfed down a bowl of cereal, just as Collin texted me if I was coming yet. After hurriedly finishing my cereal, I threw my backpack on and raced outside.

It was a foggy day—the ones that make you all nostalgic and sad and gloomy. I hadn't thought of my family all morning.

See? Angel was good for one thing.

I glanced at my phone as I started up the car—about five minutes to Collin's place, and I somehow had to make it to school. Drive safe, kids!

"You look like hell."

"Is this how you greet your savior?" I asked, smirking. Collin rolled his eyes, threw his bag in the backseat, and climbed up front.

"Yeah, in fact. So what's up with you? Bad night?" He wiggled his eyebrows, obviously insinuating I had a night with a girl or something.

Scoffing, I replied, "Oh, please! If I really wanted to show off the girl would be leaving thirsty for another time."

"Player," Collin muttered under his breath. He was absorbed in texting someone, but when I tried to peek over his shoulder, he clicked his tongue. "Nuh-uh, Joshie. Keep your sharp, cow-shaped nose out of my beeswax."

I consciously touched my nose and checked myself out in the rearview mirror. "I don't have a cow-shaped nose," I mumbled, before staring at him and saying,

"Are you texting a girl?"

Collin threw me a dark look. "You know I'd never cheat on my baby. Oh—hey! Today's Friday, isn't it? My favorite...it's party day!"

I groaned. "Why do you always find it necessary to bring me along? I couldn't care less for drunk teenagers secretly smoking weed in the backyard."

"Nah, loosen up. You love being the center of attention. Who knows, maybe we'll even bring Angela along."

I nearly choked at her name. Oh God, bringing Angel to another party? God knows what fight she'd get into.