Ride Or Die

Jason McCann

My name is Paisley, Paisley James. Life was all but normal around my house, my mom always works and my dad left years ago without a single word. I don't know where he went but I really didn't care, I don't want him in my life if he didn't wanna be there. When I was little I would try to google him or search for him in hopes one day he might want me. All I have of him though was a rough picture of my mom and him as teenagers. Well, that and I know his first name is Jake.  I have one baby brother who means the world to me, considering my mother is never really around, I play that role in his life. My brother, Branson James, is only three and has already experienced more betrayal in his life than most adults. Luckily, I doubt he's old enough to remember this.

As far as school and friends, I mostly like spending my time alone. It's not because I'm ugly or weird, I simply like being alone. I do have one best friend though, Serena Faye. She's utterly gorgeous with golden locks and mocha eyes that could melt the world. I make pretty straight grades, mostly A's and one or two B's. I guess you could call me pretty responsible considering I had to grow up so quickly to take care of Branson.

"Hey babe," my best friend's voice rang through the speaker of my phone when I picked up. "Whaddup" I giggled and put a new notebook into a new peach colored backpack, holding the phone between my shoulder and cheek.

"Ready for school tomorrow?" She asked.

"Not really." I pursed my lips and glanced around my bed where once all the school supplies were spread out. "Are you gonna actually be sociable this year?" She joked dryly but I knew the concept was serious. I rolled my eyes playfully while zipping up the back pack and setting it over next to my bedroom door, "Ha-ha," I let out a obvious fake laugh before continuing, "I just am not interested in making friends, we're only gonna see them for one more year then I'll be free."

There was a cry that echoed down the hall and into my room, I knew exactly where it had come from. "Oh shit, I gotta go girl, Branson woke up from his nap." I could practically feel her smirk, "Mhm, but we will talk about this at some point."

I pushed the door opened just enough to poke my head through and smile at Branson who was standing up in his car bed. His dark green eyes lit up like fireworks once he saw me. The new nanny was starting tomorrow when I had to go back to school and honestly the thought saddened me. "Sissy" The baby boy said with a slur, just like he had the first time he ever spoke. I nodded my head happily and wrapped my arms around his small body, "Hi buddy"

6:30, Monday morning there was a honking noise from the drive way below my window. I knew that honk from anywhere, it was my best friend's car. I giggled and ran down stairs, grabbing my back pack on the way.

"Way to wake up Branson!" I jokingly hissed to the beautiful blonde in the driver seat, she just shrugged with a smile, "Morning to you too, Pais."

"Are you excited?" She pulled out of the driveway.

"No," I answered blankly.

"It's the first day of our senior year of high school! The beginning of the end."

"Great, just 180 more days of hell." I could feel her give me a small look before turning back to the road with a sigh.

"Class settle down," the teacher began as I finally ran into the room just before the bell sounded. She repeated herself at least two more times before snapping "Sit down!" Everyone quickly did as instructed. The young teacher straightened out her knee length dress then continued with an obvious fake smile, "Welcome back!" There were a few huffs from the boys in the back, once she shot them a look they slouched into their seats and she continued, "I'm Miss. Mace and welcome to World History." She went on to tell about her life story and her many, many cats. My selective hearing obviously kicked in because I don't recall anything after her name.

"Have you heard about him?" I heard the cheer leading captain, Grayson, ask her best friend, Taylor, from just a seat away. Having nothing better to do, I listened in.

"Who?" Taylor answered with a question of her own, mindlessly drawing shapes onto her notebook paper.

"Are you dumb?!" Grayson gasped.

"No.." Taylor returned questionably.

"The new guy," She continued.

"Gray, there are a lot of 'new guys' here, it's the beginning of the year.."

"This one is different" She hissed.

"How?"

"Just wait, I'm surprised you haven't heard of him yet, every other girl is practically drooling over him already.

"Why?"

I rolled my eyes and stopped eavesdropping, how boring. So there is a new guy? I swear girls freak out over stupid shit. The door opened so quietly I almost hadn't noticed until a perfect figure appeared blocking my view of the hall way. The room sounded with many gasps, mostly from girls. The boy didn't seem to notice however and just strutted to Miss Mace completely absent minded. "You're late." She stated the obvious. There was a light shrug from the mystery guy. With no response she continued, "And your name is?" There was a slight pause before he spoke huskily in the most breath taking voice I've ever heard, "Jason McCann."

My feet dragged me towards the cafeteria where over a thousand teenagers gossiped about their boring lives and shoveled the reheated mystery meat into their mouths. I groaned throwing my bag onto the table where Serena also sat. The sudden sound made her jolt a little then she looked up to see me with a smile on her face. She was almost always in a good mood. "Hey girl," she chirped. I did nothing but fall into the seat and fold my arms onto the table, resting my forehead against them. "I wanna go home," I complained. I didn't have to look up to know she was disappointed in my mood. "School wouldn't be so bad if you had a better attitude." I glared up to her signaling her to stop talking. Just then, every girl turned to face the doors where people entered the lunch room. Some guys even became tense. I finally understood why when I saw that Jason McCann guy from my World History class walk in. He made eye contact with me for a moment and I was stunned, his hazel eyes were calm but fierce. I couldn't look away, he was flawless. Within a moment though he shook his head and his eyes wandered around again.

"That was weird," Serena noted from across the table, obviously catching on to what just happened. "Hm?" I questioned in response then stared hard at the table. "You totally just checked him out..." She said almost shocked then continued, "You're never interested in people like that." I sat there for a moment, not sure what to say. "It was just a glance," I looked up to see her looking me over still in disbelief.

When I was approaching my locker after seventh period, I noticed the boy again. I have to admit I was kind of  irritated that he was following me everywhere. "What's you're problem?" I questioned harshly walking over to my locker and beginning to put in the combination. Jason just looked at me confused like he didn't know I was referring to him. "Yes you." I grunted shoving my math book into the tight space. Suddenly Jason's eyes filled with amusement, "What?" He almost looked as if he was enjoying his own sick joke.

"You're following me."

"Now why would a guy like me follow a girl like you?" He raised his eye brows and leaned against the locker next to mine obviously checking me out.

"I don't know, why are you?"

"I'm not."

"Yeah, okay." I rolled my eyes and slammed my locker shut.

Suddenly the locker next to mine was swung opened and a smirk was plastered across his face. Shit. That was his locker. "Sorry to disappoint shawty." After getting his stuff he shut the locker and walked away. I mentally face palmed myself once he turned the corner.

Walking out of school I was receiving death glares from a number of girls. "How did you do it?" A pale, short girl from my math class approached me. "Do what?" I asked confused. "Get Jason McCann to even talk to you, you're the only one besides the teachers" I smiled for a moment then shrugged it off. "Magic," I whispered sarcastically then walked out the double doors of the school, leaving the pale girl to stare after me. That's when I saw him again.

He climbed into his white Bentley, that car looked like sex on wheels. It took him a nanosecond to whip out if his parking space. Within the screech of the tires on the pavement, he was gone leaving all bystanders in awe, including me.