Esther's P O V
"That will be $3.97, please."
I pulled out my wallet from my back pocket and handed the cashier the money. I smiled while grabbing the small plastic bag, that had contained a small pile of junk food I had just bought. "Thank you ma'am, have an amazing day!"
The old lady sweetly smiled at me and said, "You too, sweetheart. Now do not eat all that candy in one day or you ought to get some cavities!"
I giggled and brushed off her remark about cavities because there was nothing to worry about for me. It had been exactly seven weeks since I left Wyoming, away from my parents, to Tennessee. I missed Callie, Mark and Dylan so much that it just made me want to go back so bad, that I would start to pack up my clothes but stop myself later on. If I went back, my parents would do something to them so I do not want them to get involved. I had finished 10th grade here with a new name so there was no record of a Esther Hills, just to be safe. My new name is Vanessa McKinley. the last 6 weeks of 10th grade here was quite uneventful. So I was glad it was now summer. I remember when I had first entered the classroom and the immature boy said some crazy stuff.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Everyone say hello to Vanessa, who will now be in your class for the last few weeks of school."
I tucked my hair behind my ear and waved to the class, trying not to make direct eye contact with anyone. "Hello, my name is Vanessa McKinley and I love softball."
There was a boy in the back that winked at me and decided to speak up. "Well Vanessa, I know I am glad to have you transferred here because I needed a hot girl in this school again. All of the girls here have already been used."
Gross. This guy actually thought that was supposed to be attractive. All the boys snickered at his comment while the girls glared at him and he put his hands up in mock surrender. "Too bad, you are not getting none of this. Besides learn how to respect all these beautiful girls here."
I walked over to a desk by the window while everyone 'ohhed'.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I walked over to my new apartment that I decorated with posters in a week and sat down on my bed. I pulled out the oreos, I had just bought and started munching on them when I remembered that Dylan still owes me some, for crushing them when he kissed me. I blushed at that thought, he was my best friend and I can not see him that way. Then I thought about the prom. How did Mark even take it that I left him and Callie. Things always end up not going well for me, especially when I make my first girl friend, make up with my ex bestfriend, and actually love somebody. My stupid parents had to come and mess everything up. I really need a tub of ice cream right about now, to drown my misery in. I continued to stuff my mouth with oreos when there was a knock on my door. "Come in!"
The door opened and revealed Clarissa, my only friend here. How we became friends is something that I can not forget because it was so hilarious.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was now Friday and I had just walked into the cafeteria. I trudged over to my corner table, being deprived of sleep the night before, and two girla walked over to my table. "What do you want?"
The girl with dirty blonde hair and green eyes put her hands up and said, "Woah, sorry to bother you but we were wondering if you wanted to be friends with us."
"Why would I become friends with you guys? I am sorry to bust your bubble but I definitely do not need friends right now, especially not the likes of you."
She narrowed her green eyes at me and that was when I noticed how much make up caked onto her face. She stood up abruptly, causing everyone to look at us with curiosity, and put a hand on her hip. " Who do you think you are, you slut! How dare you talk to me like that, I am Bianca Philips the most popular girl here! You know what forget your unperfect self, we did not want to be friends with you anyways!"
I rolled my eyes at her uproar, too lazy to actually give her the time of day. "Okay, and? So what you are popular, that does not define you! If it did you are one sad excuse for a human being! Oh by the way, lo non sono perfetto, ma almeno io non sono falso. I will translate it for your small pea brain, it means: I may not be perfect but at least I am not fake!"
The cafeteria roared with laughter while Bianca stormed away leaving her friend at the table with me. She stuck out her hand to me and said, "Th name is Clarissa and do not worry, I was looking for a way to get rid of her for a long time."
I smiled and shook her hand and saw that she had grey eyes and livid red curly hair. We did not even have to say we were friends, she would just always come to talk to me.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Clarissa grey eyes looked at me with worry, having already knowing the whole situation. "Again, Nessa? Come on you have to have fun so lets go to the mall."
The thing was I never told her my real name and I felt guilty for not telling her. I shook my head vigorously, not wanting to do anything at the moment. She sighed and sat on the corner of my bed. "Fine then you stubborn mule, I will just try to get your mind off them. Give me cookie first, please."
She reached for a cookie but I pulled them into my chest and narrowed my eyes at her. "These are my cookies and I do not share my food."
She leaned her head back and laughed. She then stopped and a grin spread across her face. "Guess what?! Hayes and I are going on another date tonight and he said it was a surprise. I am so excited and we have almost been dating for a month. Don't you just think he is dreamy, Nessa?!"
I scrunched my eyebrows together in confusion of her question because I never met the guy. Unlike me Clarissa had just finished 11th grade and she had this huge crush on this senior, Hayes. Then they started dating and Clari has not even let me meet the guy. Every girl thought he was 'it', while I have not even met the guy or seen him! He was practically like a ghost to me. "Clari, why are you asking me that if you have not introduced me to him?! I mean seriously I need to meet this guy and see if I approve!"
She blushed and scratched her head. "Sorry, I forgot but I promise you will get to meet him and do not even worry about approving because he is just amazing!"
I snickered as her eyes twinkled in happiness, it just reminded me of how Eli was whenever he looked at Callie. I wonder if Mark was like that for me. My smile must have turned into a frown because Clari spoke up about it. "Oh Vanessa, I hope I did not bring anything back to memory, did I?"
I nodded. "It is fine though, it is a happy memory."
"Then why are you frowning?"
I felt a tear cascade down my cheek and looked into her eyes. "Because I love him and I left when I was supposed to go to prom with him. We had just made up from a fight that was really silly and it was the last time I saw him."
By then I was now bawling, and Clari was hugging me. "Shh, it is okay you will get to see him again. He must have been a lucky guy in order for you to love him that much. Love is painful but it always happens at unexpected times."
I wiped my tears away and hugged her back. "Thank you so much Clari. Do you think you and Hayes will last for a long time? Sorry if it is too personal, I just want to know if you have hope like I have hope."
She smiled and there was the same look I gave Mark when we both said we liked each other. "It is fine Nessa, you can ask me anything you want to because after all you shared your background story with me. I hope so, I really hope so. But enough of sappy love right now! Lets go get ice cream and do not worry it will be my treat."
I jumped up while slipping on my sandals and putting my snacks in the cabinet for later. I then skipped towards Clari to get free ice cream. You can never turn down a free ice cream deal.
