The Devil Child

Thirty-One

 "Good morning, sweetheart!"

Polly sent a glare towards Tom who sat in the driver's seat with a fancy pair of sunglasses over his eyes. He was smiling, but it wasn't his smile that caught her attention. It was his salmon colored polo that he wore.

"Don't call me that." She grumbled, buckling up her seat.

Tom had picked her up for school everyday that week, and made sure to bring her home. Like a true prince charming, except Polly didn't want him as her prince charming. She didn't even want a prince. She wanted a princess, who went by the name of Kenzie

Of course, she was becoming friends with Tom. But his certain brand of cheeriness was not appreciated before eight o'clock. Polly wasn't a morning person - in fact, she'd never met a morning person until meeting Tom.

"I think it suits you. No animal shirt today?"

Polly looked down at her grey hoodie. It didn't have an animal on it, but the shirt under it did. She was surprised he'd notice something like it.

She didn't really answer, but instead ducked her head and smiled. It meant something to her that Tom would notice. That perhaps this situation was developing into a friendship. Maybe.

Tom fiddled with the radio, settling on a pop station. Polly wasn't one for music - never had been - but she found herself bopping her head to the tune coming from the speakers. Her heart was beating fast because she was nervous. Nervous because hanging out with Tom was still new and nerve wracking. She didn't know anything about Tom or his intentions for her. And because of Doctor Higgins, she was sure she'd never blindly trust a person. He taught her that.

"Okay, so here's the deal. I can't visit Minny today. But I can bring you home, if you want the ride."

Polly gave Tom a sideways look. She never wanted to depend on Tom for rides, or even expect that he would bring her to see Minny, so his words didn't disappoint her. If anything, she felt bad that he even had to consider her in his plans for the day because he carted her around.

"That's fine, Tom. You don't even have to give me rides, really. I'm totally okay with walking. Totally okay."

Tom pulled the car into a space in the school parking lot, shooting Polly a look. "And I'm totally okay with giving you rides, so chill. I'm just wondering if you want a ride home."

Polly fiddled with her hands, not meeting his expectant gaze. She didn't even have to answer before the passenger side door opened and Kenzie was sticking her head in, a frown on her lips. "Alright loser, I'm taking my best friend back."

Polly gazed up at Kenzie with wide eyes, watching as the purple haired girl yanked her from the car. "I have some major stuff to tell you about. Like, major."

Polly's mind was whirling, and she saw the disappointed look on Tom's face, as if he were upset Kenzie barged her way into the car. But she shook it off quickly with a smile, winking when he caught Polly's gaze.

"I'll see you two later then," he offered, sticking his hands into his pockets as she walked towards the school, his hand waving already at a few guy who were approaching him. And like he had never been there, he disappeared into the group of guys, blending back into where he belonged.

Polly blinked up at Kenzie, whose mouth was moving a mile a minute. "My dad is such a piece of shit sometimes. God. I went to see him the other day, after he asked, and then he bailed. He was all like, 'I have a job to do'. Like, excuse me, what is more important? Me or a job?"