Love Me Not? (I)

Chapter 1

1

Reece

I sighed to myself and closed my book. "Too cliché..." I muttered to myself as I stood from my bed and placed said book back on my shelf. "I had a feeling it would end that way... Girl loves guy, guy doesn't feel for girl... guy saves girl, both fall madly in love... Where's the excitement nowadays?" I flopped backward on my bed and stared at my starred ceiling.

"I never want my love to be cliché..." I sighed again and began counting all the stars again, ending with fifty-three yet again. "Gah... there's nothing to do... I know my new school is supposed to be one of the best in the state, but I honestly don't want to go..."

I turned over on my side, my eye catching my family portrait. I chuckled. "But I have to go for them... They'd want me to finish high school and get the best job out there." I sat up and readied an outfit for tomorrow. Gray T-shirt, black boot cut jeans, and my black ankle boots. I grabbed a random pair of socks and under garments and set them on my desk. My black jacket went beside the pile of clothes.

Once I had my clothes picked out and folded neatly (or as neat as I could get them), I grabbed a towel and jumped in the shower. At first, the water wouldn't come on. I slammed my head on the wall once and started shaking the handle, hoping it would work. It almost always worked...

My parents and I have lived in this two room apartment ever since I was five, but we never moved out. We lived with its quirks and problems, the semi-broken shower, a garbage disposal that sounds like a freaking lion's growl, flickering lights, and the sketchy cell signals. Yet, we had the fastest internet in the entire complex. Go figure that one out.

But now, it was just too empty... Just me, and a sad past. My parents had suddenly gone missing and were presumed dead. I keep everything running, hoping they'll return. I tried to stay optimistic, but I just had this feeling they're not coming back.

I suddenly jumped out of my daydreaming when scalding hot water burned my skin. I yelped and jumped out of the shower, quickly shutting off the water. Inch by inch, I moved the handle back to the warm side of the dial.

I swore loudly when nothing came out. Being smart this time, I wrapped myself in a towel and jiggled the handle once more from outside. Finally, I had water that didn't burn or freeze my skin. I quickly hopped in, knowing it wouldn't last long.

In this shower, I've learned to multi-task. My legs were smooth and my hair washed in less than ten minutes. Just before I shut the water off, the water flow stopped. Swearing once again, I turned the handle in the "Off" position. Stupid shower... Maybe I should get it fixed...

I pushed that thought aside and dried off. I wrapped my towel around me tightly and padded back to my room, trailing a few drops of water behind me.

I got dressed in my pajamas and flopped back on my bed for the hell of it.

I quickly got bored and decided to text Shelbie.

Me: school's gonna suck tomorrow XP

Her reply was almost instantaneous. Shel: aw! dont think like that!

Me: too late. you're not there and neither is Rorie

Shel: we're gonna miss u 2 sweetie. lunch wont be the same w/o u!

Me: :) thanks Shel

Shel: no prom Reece

Shel: prob! stupid phone...

Me: HA! you just made my day

Shel: -_- glad i could...

Me: well, i gotta get some sleep for Hell tomorrow