The New Girl

Unlucky

Not that many of us on the far west coast can relate, but does your school ever cancel last minute because of snow? Doesn't it just irk you?

That's how people here at Hilton feel because, according to Ayden, Hilton is known for cancelling last minute because of power complications or something maintenance related.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a day off, but I'd rather know about before I spend my whole Sunday night writing essays and doing other lengthy homework.

Looking on the bright side, I had gotten everything done last night, now I had my whole Monday to do whatever it is I please.

Ayden suggested we check out this mall outside of town today and I agreed; I've been wanting to enjoy a shopping trip for a while now.

For my mall outfit, I simply wore a pair of light wash Jean shorts and a black v-neck. I had no energy to put together an actual cute outfit.

"I'm leaving." I informed Dom and Bennet who were sitting in the living room chatting while Mom was at work.

"Bye, Gabs, love you." Dom said as Bennet waved.

"Love you, too, bye." I grabbed my purse off the counter on my way out and went to Ayden's car, making myself comfortable for the next 35 minutes we'd spend in the car.

I don't know how he's always willing to drive so much; we just arrived home from Vegas Sunday morning after a four hour car ride. I get tired of driving pretty quick.

While he drove, I played my throwback playlist at the the loudest volume I could without distracting Ayden's driving. We sang the lyrics obnoxiously loud in terrible sync as he held my hand, resting it on the center console.

Ayden

"It's so weird knowing I'm 18." I said as I turned down the tunes to a more respectable volume. "I've been alive for 18 years."

That's so odd to imagine. It doesn't feel like I've been alive for 18 years, that's for sure.

It feels like just yesterday I was 10 years old playing catch with a football in Bennet's backyard with him and his dad. This was before Bennet told his dad he was gay and after my dad left for the deployment.

"Son, if you want to throw a spiral, you hold it like this." Mr. Jennings reminded Bennet for the second time this afternoon. He showed Bennet the proper way to throw it, before making him do it. "Much better." He commented after Bennet had thrown me a perfect spiral pass.

"Let's see your spiral, Ayden." Bennet urged. I mirrored the hand placements that were engraved in my mind from when Mr. Jennings showed me 15 minutes ago, then passed the ball back to Bennet.

It was good, but Bennet's was surely better.

"Not bad, Chambers." Mr. Jennings commented, looking pleased. "Okay, boys, head inside and get ready for your game." He patted Bennet's back. Bennet handed his dad the football and we raced inside.

Bennet had sworn he won, but I know I did.

That was our first game of tackle football. Though our league said we could've started at 9, Mom insisted that we hold off a year since Bennet and I were both abnormally scrawny. By 10, we hadn't gotten much more meat on our bones, but we were able to convince her that we were ready.

We definitely were. Weight at about 63 pounds, Bennet and I were named the best tacklers on our team.

"It's crazy." Gabby agreed. "You're practically a senior citizen."