Above Ground

Chapter one

"Riley get up now!" My mum yells from downstairs. I didn't realise I had slept through my alarm. I let out a small groan and turned onto my side. I kicked of my covers and sprung out of bed, attempting to trick myself into being enthusiastic for my upcoming year of school. I rubbed my eyes adjusting to the sunlight filling my room. A yawn escaped from my mouth as I made my way into the bathroom, tying my hair up in a messy high ponytail as i go. Once arriving, i take my toothbrush out of the draw. I began to brush my teeth when I heard my phone ring from my bedroom. I didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment so I allowed it to ring, after all i had a mouth full of toothpaste and I'm sure no one will want to hear me attempting to mumble at 7 am. I rinsed my mouth out and began to take my makeup bag out of my draw when my older brother, Daniel, strolled into my bathroom.

"Why are you in here?" I said, huskily.

"Wait, where am I?" He said in confusion. Oh my god, he's so hungover...

"Are you drunk?" I said laughing.

"Um..." He said flushed from embarrassment.

"Okay, get out, Daniel" I said nudging him out.

Without fighting back he strolled out of my bathroom. I started to do my makeup, I didn't want to start the school year with a reputation as a "cake face" so I decided upon a natural look.

I brushed my dark brunette hair, and allowed it to naturally fall over my shoulders. I strolled back into my room and picked out my outfit. Once again, not wanting to get a try hard reputation, so I decided on striped high waisted skinny jeans, paired with a cropped, tight spaghetti strap top. I added my white and rose gold watch and plain white pair of my ultra boost 3.0's. After taking one last look in the mirror, I was satisfied with my look. I took my phone off of the charger and checked the time.

Shit.

It was 8.05 and I've missed the bus.

I grabbed my books and my bag and raced downstairs, careful not to trip over my own feet. I braced myself to tell my mum the news.

"Hey mum..." I said looking at my feet to avoid eye contact.

"You've missed the bus and you need a ride to school. Not a good start to the year, Riley."

She says tilting her head to scowl at me. She does this every time I need a ride because I'm too lazy to catch the bus.

"You know..." I said walking toward her, battering my eyelashes to suck up to her, "I wouldn't bug you like this if I had my own car... " I said throwing her a wink and smiling.

"Oh my god really!" She squeals in excitement. For a second, just a second I buy it. "No" she says taking a sip of her coffee and drawing her attention back to whatever's on her laptop.

"Okay, let's go. I have to go to work now and you, pretty little thing have to go to school." She says winking at me and walking out our back door and into the garage. I follow her, thinking about the school day ahead of me. Such joy.

I opened the door to the passenger's seat and slided inside, my mum following after me.

"Mum, can I drive? I have my test in two weeks." I say looking at her and grinning.

"Hmm..." She says thinking this situation through, "Okay." She says agreeing. I change into the drivers street and start the engine. My mum squeezes her eyes shut and grabs onto the side of her seat.

"Chill out, mum" I say laughing, "we aren't even out of the driveway yet." I say backing out of the driveway. She starts breathing rapidly as I laugh. The drive seemed to be going smoothly as I was cautiously backing out of the driveway, that is until I almost ran someone over. I slammed my foot on the breaks. I unlock the car door and get out to check if the pedestrian is okay.

That's when I saw him.

The most perfect human to walk the earth. Picture this: Tall, perfectly tanned skin, short, shagging light brown hair, blue eyes and a smile, so bright that astronauts from outer space could see it. 

"Are... are you okay?" I say, barely getting the words out.

"A bit startled but yes, I'm fine." He says smoothly. His voice is deep and once again, perfect.

"Are you on your way to school?" I ask with a smile.

"Um yes, Ridgewood High."

Oh my god.

"Really? Same. Do you need a lift it's a long walk."

"If it's not too much trouble, that'd be great." He chuckled.

"Oh I'm Riley, by the way." I admitted, holding out my hand.

He took it and we shook hands, "Jake." He smirked. In that exact moment my heart skipped a beat.

"Cool, hop in." I replied letting go of the grip and gesturing to toward the car.

I got into the driver's seat as Jake got into the seat directly behind me.

"Hello I'm Sue, Riley's mum" My mum says holding out her hand, paired with a grin to greet him.

"Pleased to meet you, Sue, I'm Jake." Jake grins, shaking my mum's hand, who seems genuinely pleased with herself. I restart the engine and start driving to school... again.

On the way my mum and Jake small talk as I keep my eyes on the road.

I pull up at Ridgewood High, give my mum a kiss on the cheek as she wishes me a good day, Jake greets my mum goodbye and we hop out of the car.

"What year are you in?" Jake asks me.

"Eleven, you?" I ask making eye contact.

"Same." He smiles. He smiles "Hey, can I ask you something?" He says, reaching into his pocket and taking out his phone as I nod. He unlocks it and passes it to me. "Can I have your number?"

We both blush as he waits for a response.

"Of course." I exulted adding a contact and putting my name in his phone. Before I put my contact in I handed him my phone, he took it with ease and started to put his contact in as I did with his. He handed back my phone, Jake Harrison, where had I heard that name?

"Well, Riley Clarke..." He cooed "I'll see you later." He threw me a wink and my heart thumped loudly in my chest.

"See you." I exclaimed walking off somehow still smiling.

The first day of school seems to be starting somewhat amazingly. Then as if on cue, the school bell started blaring. How incredible.

Welcome back to Ridgewood High, Riley Clarke.