Princess

five

I was woken up by the stupid alarm at the ripe hour of six fifteen in the morning after only about four hours of sleep. You don't even know how grateful I was that it was Friday. Last night, well I guess this morning, was different. Maybe he's right. Maybe I am uptight and unfun. The realisation hit me like a brick. Damn, that hurt.

"Ashton, sweetie, I left a lunch for you on the counter."

"Thanks, mum." I picked up the backpack and followed her downstairs.

"I have to leave for work." She placed a kiss on my forehead.

"I'll see you later though, yeah?"

"I don't think I'll be back for dinner tonight, but-"

"Tomorrow you don't have to work so we can have dinner as a family. Yeah, that's fine." She was never back for dinner, even when she said she was gonna be. She always worked Saturdays, even when she said she wasn't gonna. The last time we ate a meal together was like three months ago. And even then, it could barely be considered family time. It was all silent and awkward.

"I'm sorry, Ashy, I really am. I just want you to have a roof to live under and food to eat." She ran a hand through her dark hair.

"Then let me find a job."

"I can't keep you from your education. You need to leave here and be better than me."

"I have perfectly good marks. You can't make better than the highest." I knew I was being snappy at her this morning, and she didn't deserve that, but I just couldn't bring myself to care. I was running on even less sleep than I typically got, and I was already done with the day.

"Ashton. Just go to school. I don't know what your problem is, but you better fix it by the time I'm back." With that, she left, closing the door hard behind her.

I left soon after, making it into first period just as the bell rang.

"Princess, that was fun last night. But, I still need to teach you more."

"Not now, Emerson, not now." I did not need this boy right now. Or maybe I did. Let's see what he has in mind for tonight.

He pouted at me. "Come on. Tonight, you and me, some more stargazing. I'll bring you another drink. What'dya say?"

I smirked. "I say yes." He smiled, a mischievous glint in his icy eyes. He was trouble, that was for sure, but right now I needed trouble.

School was hard. Like really hard. I struggled to keep my eyes open all day. Because maybe I had a bit of luck left, I found someone waiting for me at my locker.

"What're you doing here?"

"Aren't I allowed to give my princess a ride home?"

"For the last time, stop calling me that." I opened the locker and shoved unneeded books in.

"But I like calling you that. It fits you." I shut the door, and he pushed himself off the lockers.

"How does it fit me? I'm not a girl. If anything you're the princess, with your long hair."

He flipped his hair over his shoulder. "I know, I'm fabulous."

"Oh my god. I'm so done with you."

"What's gotten you so pissed?" I ignored him. He followed me. "You can tell me. We're friends now."

"I'm pretty sure friendship has to be a mutual thing."

"But it is. I took you stargazing."

"Just because I went with you at midnight... wait, nevermind. Ugh."