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2 | Jay

SAMPLE

I was sitting in Adam's truck and fiddling with the radio. I was alone in front of the school parking lot and waiting for Adam to drive me home.

Static... static... more static...

After no success in finding a station, I turned it off and grumbled to myself.

Getting bored, my eyes began to wander. I looked in the rear-view mirror and saw the figure again. I kept my eye on it.

What was it?

I made out a person's back; they were looking up at the sky.

I could tell that the person was tall and well-built from their large back muscles shown under the white t-shirt.

As if sensing my intense stare on his back, he turned around and locked eyes with me.

At first, I thought how embarrassing it was to get caught burning a hole in his body, but all my thoughts paused when I looked at him.

I couldn't register the rest of his face because I couldn't tear my gaze away from the grey eyes looking at me. It was like I was frozen in his stare.

Before I could blink, I was in front of him and looking up at him. When did I get out of the truck?

I tried to examine his features, anything, but they were covered by shadow.

I felt the person lean closer to me and my breath hitched. I felt his warm breath and I closed my eyes-

I jumped up with a start. My breathing was rapid and I had a sheen of sweat on my body. I laid on my bed, trying to slow down my racing heart. I tried to think back to my dream, only for any memory of it to flee my mind.

What was I dreaming about that made my heart want to burst out of my chest?

I looked over to my alarm clock and cursed, all thoughts on the dream gone. Adam was going to be here in twenty minutes and I knew from experience he wouldn't hesitate to drive off.

I jumped out of bed and ran to my bathroom. I quickly hopped into the shower and wrapped a towel around me. I took out my skinny jeans and a black t-shirt with my worn- out converse to wear. I threw them on quickly, trying not to fall while shimmying into my jeans.

I looked at the clock and cheered. Ten minutes left to spare.

I collected my things into my bag and ran down the steps. I made it to the kitchen and grabbed a granola bar to stuff into my mouth. From the living room, I heard a groan and curiously looked around the door.

I saw Herbert on the couch, rolling around to get comfortable. He spotted me looking at him and grunted.

"What are you looking at?" he sneered.

You?

I held my ground and shrugged. Herbert hated it when I talked back to him. I knew better than to start a fight. He rolled his eyes and turned to the TV.

"Kids these days- their attitudes are disrespectful. Why did I adopt a teenage girl? I should've gotten a boy instead." he muttered. I pretended I didn't hear him as I finished my breakfast. "Make sure you clean the living room for Irene, Clara. I want to get her off my back for being too lazy around the house."

"Why do I have to do it?" I asked in confusion at his demand. It wasn't the first time he told me to do this, but I always had to ask.

Herbert narrowed his eyes at me.