The Root of the Problem

Chapter 1

It hurts everyday, the absence of someone who was once there. They become apart of your routine until all of the sudden, they're not. Once they're gone, you're stuck trying to figure out who you are without them. And who is Elena Barns without Beck Denson?

Elena Barns stared herself down in the mirror, not recognizing the girl who stared back. Sure, she still had the same chestnut brown hair and green eyes, but a lot has changed since this time last year. She wasn't as carefree nor happy. She wasn't as outgoing and her eyes that once gleamed with animation now seemed dull. She rubbed her tired eyes. She'd been loosing sleep from her constant over analysis of what she must have done to drive him away from her. She wished she could have done something more but pushed away the these reoccurring thoughts. 

She tossed on the first shirt her hand touched in the laundry hamper and let her brown locks cascade down her back. After slipping on a pair of jeans, she applied minimal makeup and grabbed her bag.

While doing a final once, the shrill blare of a car horn sounded from outside. She descended the stairs calling out a quick goodbye to her parents, yet heard no response. She glanced out the window seeing that the sheriff's car was gone meaning that her dad had left for work already.  Not even bothering to find out where her mom was, Laney walked out her front door.

A smile stretched across Gabby Knight's face as her best friend entered her car. Although their friendship was newly founded, Gabby made it seem as if they'd been friends for years. Gabby was the type of girl that you could talk to about anything and everything. She would talk about the simplest things for hours. Although this might annoy most, Laney enjoyed hearing her go off on a tangent.

"I know it's the first day of senior year, but I'm already over all of the senior guys." Gabby declared, scrunching her nose up in disgust.

Laney rolled her eyes knowing this was far from the truth. Gabby had a past of short hookups and noncommittal relationships.

"Yeah whatever you say Gab, we both know that you'll be so desperate by the end of the day that you'll be hooking up with the first boy you see even if it's a freshmen." Laney laughed.

Gabby's mouth hung open in surprise as she playful slapped Laney's leg.

"Oh my god I'm not that desperate!" She paused before continuing, "...but if he's a hot freshmen then I mean..." she trailed off sarcastically.

"Oh yeah I'm sure those freshmen boys are  ripped this year."  She rolled her eyes.

"I mean better than being a virgin like you." Gabby muttered.

"Shut up! I'm waiting!"

"You know what they say. Virginity is like a bubble- one prick and it's gone." Gabby smiled smugly.

"I'm gonna kill you." Laney threw her head into her hands as Gabby pulled into the school parking lot.

They stepped through the doors leading to the cafeteria entrance and sat at a table
waiting for the first period bell to ring.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around Laney's shoulders. She turned around to see who they belonged to and smiled warmly when her eyes met with Chris's.

Chris Peters. Your stereotypical jock. 6'2, dirty blonde hair, deep brown eyes, and a cocky attitude to match. He was always accompanied by his best friend and teammate, Toddy Ackerman.

Toddy's toothy grin against his dark complexion made it easy for him to get any girl he wanted. He radiated that 'I know you all want me' vibe that made Laney want to puke at times, but she couldn't deny that he was her favorite among Chris's friends. He had the ability to make a whole room burst into laughter with his one-liners.