Now

Chapter 7

        Adeline and Kinley waited alone at the bus for another fifteen minutes before another sign of life showed up. As they waited, Adeline couldn't help but wonder why Asher was rude to her in front of so many people, wouldn't that make his image look bad? Adeline sighed,

"Am I the only person who thought that the guitar dude was a total prick?" Kinley snickered and nodded her head.

"Total dick for sure."

       She could've been saying that to make Adeline feel better, and it did. That was one thing Adeline admired about Kinley, she always made people feel better. As the youth group strolled up, Adeline couldn't help but notice that Cason avoided all eye contact with her. On the other hand, Jessica was the first to walk over and talk about her accomplishments on trying to get with Asher.

"Did you guys see that? He totally held my hand!" Jessica screamed. "And his smirk, ugh he's so dreamy." She started to fan herself.

"Yep, he totally is into you." Kinley said then mumbled to me, "Not". Adeline couldn't help but giggle at Kinley's remark.

"Why did you run out so fast? Does poor Adeline get nervous around attractive guys?" Jessica mocked.

"No, your desperation was just so strong it made me feel sick. I needed to get some air." Adeline struck back. Jessica just laughed it off, thinking that it was all a big joke.

"I'm pooped, anyone else ready to go to bed?" Jessica changed the subject. All the middle schoolers screamed, "Me!!" in unison.

        The one minute bus ride to the condo felt like eternity. Adeline felt sadness and embarrassment creeping slowly up into her mind and she needed to go somewhere quiet to unwind herself. As soon as her feet hit the cold condo tile, she booked it into the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and didn't even recognize who was staring back at her. Adeline's green eyes looked dead and tired. Her hair looked limp and dry. Her skin looked pale and malnourished.

"One day down, 29 more to go." She whispered to herself. Then she jumped into the shower so she could be the first one in bed.

            Morning came too fast. At exactly 5:30 am, all Adeline heard was the leader screaming, "Anyone who wants to see the sunrise, please wake up and get ready!" Kinley moaned, and Adeline didn't even hear a peep from the other two girls. She plugged her headphones into her ears and slept for two more hours. At 7:30, Adeline somehow got out of the bed and started to get ready for the day. She brushed her long black hair into a ponytail and threw on a pair of track shorts and a t-shirt. Adeline never thought there was a reason to look good so early in the morning. Adeline wasn't the only girl who thought that , practically every girl was wearing what she was wearing, except Jessica of course. She had on a sun dress and a full face of makeup and was ready for the day.

"Everyone ready?" The leader asked as all the girls piled into the small living space. The girls all nodded their heads and groggily made their way out the doors and onto the bus. Adeline chose her normal seat by herself and looked out the window at the beautiful ocean view.

"May I sit here?" She hears suddenly. She looks up at a guilty looking Cason. Adeline flicks her hand in approval and he sat down quietly.

"So about last night.." He starts.

"What about it?" Adeline questions, totally acting oblivious.

"I didn't mean to embarrass you. Usually you can take a joke. I'm sorry." Cason seemed truly apologetic and totally right. Since when did Adeline get upset over a stupid joke? She really just needed to relax.

"It's fine." Was all Adeline could bare to say at the moment. Her head was too caught up in her own thoughts to say anything else.

             When they arrived at the convention center, they all went back to the dining hall and ate a good breakfast which consisted of pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, and fruit. Adeline thought it was delicious and even went back for seconds. They all sat at a table together and had small talk. Jessica stayed quiet which made Adeline's morning a lot better.