Disparaging future

Chapter 3

Once I get dressed, I make my way toward the kitchen. Before entering, Mrs. White gives a very cheerful smile to my sister who is sitting down eating a toast. There are many things I wonder but most of all I wonder what I did to be living my life with this woman.

"Aren't you late? Don't even think about it," Mrs. White catches me looking at the toast.

"I just-" I start to protest but she glares at me. If looks could kill, I don't think I would be here. I grab my things and head out with my sister. I walk lazily and my stomach growls. Not only did I not get dinner yesterday but now I wasn't allowed to look at a stupid piece of bread.

"You should've eaten something, Abby. Now, you're going to be hungry." Jess lectures me.

"Yeah, it wasn't a choice," I say under my breath.

"What?" she asks.

"Nothing" I dismiss it.

"Oh right, I forgot mom will be leaving today and is coming back Sunday, maybe we can watch a movie, tonight?"

I lighten up by the news and wink at Jess, "It's a date, then."

Jess nods in agreement. We arrive at Jessica's school entrance; I wave her goodbye and head for school.

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"Hey, wait up, Abs," someone grabs my elbow to keep me from walking. In an instant, I jab who grabbed me and made an x with my arms.

"Woah," just in time Blake jerks back before I could smack him.

I look up from my shield," you caught me by surprise, don't do that."

"Sorry, didn't mean to, I just was trying to catch up to you. I want to ask if I could pick you up for the party?" I stare at him for a bit.

"You do remember that Taylor's party is tomorrow right?" He asks, his face suspicious.

I clear my throat, "Yeah, I do...um, what time were you planning?"

"I'll be there at 8, sound good?"

A sharp pain runs through my body as I fall. "Watch it, Priss," I hear a dark laugh.

"Hey, Taylor it's not funny," I see Blake in front of Taylor.

"Chill man, I'm just playing" Taylor continues to chuckle.

Blake turns to me and helps me up, "You OK? I'm sure he didn't mean to."

I give a sarcastic fake laugh, "Right, I can tell from his apologetic laugh."

"Come on, let's go to lunch," Blake leads me out of the crowd and away from Taylor and his friends. Once we arrive and get in the lunch line Blake turns around, " Look, I know Taylor can be" he hesitates.

"A jerk" I finished his sentence.

"But he's not that bad though. I guess you would know that already."

"What?" I was surprised.

"I-I didn't mean it like that, I- I just- never mind." He stutters.

"I know what you mean. But one thing that I'm not sure about is this?" I hold up my hand which he is holding.

He clears his throat, "Sorry, I-" he blushes.

The line moves to where Blake reaches the fruit section. "Do you prefer Apples or pears?"

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"To talk or express I cannot do

To regret and forget that I must do

My mind knows right but my heart pursued the wrong

To say I long for you, would be cliche

To show you my longing would be to cliche

Therefore, I must remain silent now and then"

I look up. I think about what I just read. It's funny how you think you know a person, but then realize that you have been sitting beside a stranger a whole semester. Now I understand why the boy next to me is acting so petty. Blake Will Miller, a gentle and virtuous man a lot of girls would like to have, sitting next to me hiding his face in his arms. When forcefully took his notebook, I never thought I would ever see him so embarrassed. A guy that most girls moon over because he's so sweet, is now beet red. Without picking up his head, he peeks through his arms and then gives me the most playful smirk. Still embarrassed, he shyly suggests, "Now it's your turn, you need to let me read yours."

I protest and begin to hide my notebook, "I can't, I- I uh haven't written anything since we started."

"I don't believe you, just let me see."

As he reaches for my notebook, I blur out the only thing that comes to my head, "Do you like Lura?"

His face turns serious, "What makes you say that?"

I stutter, "Well, your poem, Is it Lura, or maybe Jackie?" Blake is still staring at me in amazement when the bell rings.

"I need to go," Blake quickly gathers his stuff and rushes out of class.

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He likes someone but who. "Hey, Abby, are you listening?" Lura waves her hand on my face.

"What?" I came back.

"What dress was better, the red one or blue? I personally...." Lura continues to blabber.

I was kidnapped into going shopping for the party tomorrow, after a lot of begging I decided to give in. "Hey, Lura what do you think of Blake?" I ask Lura. She freezes and stares at me for a while.

"I Don't know, he's great. why do you ask?" She eyes me suspiciously.

"Nothing," I quickly dismiss it and act as if I am looking for clothes.

"What do you think you're doing?" I stop as if I was caught by the cop pick-pocketing.

"Did you actually think you would get away with not trying anything on?" Lura shoves me into the dressing room with a dress.

"Lura, I don't want to buy anything. Come on, let me out." I protest with no motivation.

"I am not letting you out till you put the dress on." Lura stands her ground. I reluctantly put on the dress when she slides in a pair of black shoes.

"If you want your freedom, put them on" she reminds me.

Once I put them on. I stick one foot outside, so Lura can see I put them on. I step out feeling away from my comfort zone. I look at her, and she grins pleased, "Have a look," she turns me to a nearby full-body mirror. I look at myself in the mirror. The dress is olive green and only reaches the top of my knees. The black shoes are 3 inches with ankle straps. I can't help smiling at myself.

Lura notices, "This is the one."