"You have everything?" my mom asks as she pulls up to my dance studio and I nod with a sigh.
"Yes, mom, I have everything. I don't understand why I couldn't just drive myself like I do every other time." I throw my bag over my shoulder,
"I needed the car tonight."
"I really need my own car, then." I sigh, "It's over at 9, don't be late please?"
"I won't be, now go rock!" she says and I roll my eyes, turning around and walking in. I throw my back into my little cubby and bring my water and phone with me. I slide my shorts off leaving me in my spandex and tank top as I walk into my dance area.
"Madison!" my best friend, Julia, runs over to me.
"Hey, am I late?" I ask, looking around to see nobody doing anything. When one person is late, everyone else misses out on the practice until you're there. It's gives us motivation to actually come on time unless you have a serious excuse.
"No, Instructor Dianne is, which I find unacceptable." she mocks our coach and I roll my eyes, putting my water and phone on the window sill.
"Oh, do you now, Julia?" our instructor sneaks up behind her and I bite my bottom lip to stifle back my laugh.
"MsDianne, hi!" Julia smiles,
"Hello, Julia." my coach smiles. My coach is really nice, but she's also really strict. When you're on her good side, she's probably the best coach you could ask for. If you're on her bad side, you're screwed. "I apologize for being late, my daughter was throwing a fit and then the traffic was backed up. But I'm here now, so let's get started, shall we?"
After a long three hour practice, we finally finish and go back to the locker room. I take my bag and put on my hoodie and shorts over my leotard. I throw my hair up into a better ponytail and secure my headband yet again. "Ready?" I walk up to Julia and she nods as we walk out. The cold November air hits us immediately which feels good — for now.
"So, tomorrow I heard Mr. Roberts is going to pairing us up boy and girl for a project, aren't you excited?" she asks, "Maybe I'll get paired up with Jake." Julia is one of those people who loves school and over the summer she'll say 'I miss math.'
"Knowing my luck, I'll be paired with him." I say, "I always get the worst partners when they pair us up."
"He's hot, you could do worse."
"I despise him, and he despises me." I respond and she nods.
"Yeah...so?" she asks and I gesture to her mom pulling up. "You have a ride right?"
"Yeah, my mom will probably be here soon." I nod and she nods.
"I'll see you tomorrow." she shuts the door and her mom drives off.
I check the phone to see that it's 9:45, calling my mom for the tenth time but it goes straight to voicemail, again. I inhale loudly, "Bad day not to bring your wallet." I say to myself, beginning walk home. "Damn my mom, damn everyone. I hate everyone. I should just buy my own apartment and do online schooling. You know how much more I'd love life?" I say, my breath seen in the cold air.
When I finally get home, I slam the door as hard as I possibly can behind me. "Mom? What the hell!" I yell, walking in to the living room where she's on the couch, 3 empty alcohol bottles on the coffee table and I scoff, "Mom!" I wake her up and she sits up, holding her head.
"You made me walk home in the 40 degree weather!" I exclaim, "In fucking shorts!"
"Watch your language." she exclaims,
"You're drunk, make me walk home, and then get mad at me for saying fucking. Fuck, shit, bitch!" I yell, "God, just because dad left doesn't mean you don't have anyone!"
I storm up to my room and slam the door, quickly locking it and texting Julia.
me: walked home. mom is drunk.
julia: wanna come over?
me: I can't leave her here alone, God knows what she'll do.
julia: keep talking to me, okay?
me: yeah, okay.
Even though she's the more studios person, she asks questions about what tests we have and what homework we had. Probably to double check to make sure she got in her 15 minutes of studying(unless the test is tomorrow, then it's two hours) and she did all her homework. God forbid she ever missed one assignment or fails one test.
—
"Okay, so today we will be starting a project. In school and at home. I will be partnering you up, boy-girl." Mr. Roberts says and I draw on my notebook cover until I haven't been called and mostly everyone else has. The only guys left are Noah, Mike, and him.
"Madison," Mr. Roberts says and I look up at him, it better be Noah or Mike. "You're with Grayson."
"You gotta be kidding me." Grayson says and I look over rolling my eyes.
"Can't we switch?"
"The clipboard never lies, your partners. No complaining." he responds, paring up Noah and Mike with the other two girls left. I stay in my seat, so does Grayson. "In order for you two to do this project, you must sit together."
We both sit still, looking forward. I shift my gaze to Grayson, who is sitting slumped down in his chair with his arms crossed - no intention of moving whatsoever. I kick my chair back and walk up to the front of the class, sitting down. "Just kill me now, why don't you."
"You'll survive, princess."
"Don't call me that."
A/N
first chapter!! Please comment what you think of it, feedback is welcome! Also don't forget to vote, it's greatly appreciated:)
