Together We Fight *Major Editing*

Chapter 3 (Edited)

I woke up in a start from the realistic dream I'd just had, then quickly realised it was Friday, today is Ryan Shaw's party. I looked my alarm clock, my eyes widening to the size of saucers when I saw the time. "Shit, shit, shit." I cursed, frantically grabbing a pair of light blue jeans and a plain black short sleeved top while running into the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair. Grabbing my keys, I bounded down the stairs and yelled goodbye to my mum, it was her day off. I didn't have time to put on my normal shoes so I chucked on some flats, as soon as they were on I was bolting out the door and into my car, then I floored it and arrived to school with five minutes to spare.

And then I lost a few fighting with my car seat and bag, "C'mon!" I groaned as my book bag got stuck on the seat, I pulled one final time and it came undone, as it did I fell backwards onto the parking space next to where my car is. "Ow." I groaned, standing up while rubbing my stinging buttcheek gingerly, I heard someone laughing and turned around to find Mason bent over, clutching his stomach and attempting to stay upright.

"What a-are you d-doing?" He couldn't even talk properly because he was laughing so hard. I glared at him as he stumbled toward me.

"Getting my bag." I hissed at him while picking up my bag and stalking into school with a scowl practically glued to my face.

"Buttercup, I'm...s-sorry" He tried to apologize to me, while still laughing uncontrollably, but I had already lost him in the crowd. Being small had it's advantages, I lost him easily in the crowd of stupid tall people. I dropped by my locker, got my books and basically sprinted to class because I was going to be late again. I bursted through the door just as the bell rang loudly through the school.

Whew, that was a close one.

"Sit down, Ms Black." Mr Robins glared at me while I stood puffing, I despise physical activities. For real. With a breathy sigh I followed his instructions, falling into my usual seat.

"You really need to learn how to get up earlier." Jess mumbled to me, "You should spend less time reading and more time getting yourself fit and healthy, too." She smirked and refrained herself from laughing while we where in class. I just shrugged knowing it's never gonna happen, ever.

Mason walked in the door and Mr Robins glared at him, he glares a lot but so do I, so I can't really judge. "This semester you will be working in pairs-" The whole class cheered at this, "-that I have chosen." And then they groaned and complained. "Once I have read out your partners name, you are to go sit with them and you are most definitely not allowed to switch partners."

"I hope we're partners." Jess says excitedly, I nodded in agreement.

"Aiden and Sierra, Ember and Celine, Jess and Anne..." I heard Anne gasp, while Jess muttered some colourful words under her breath. She got up and reluctantly dragged herself over to Anne's desk while cursing consistently under her breath.

Mr Robins looked down at his paper then called out the next names, "Noah and Xavier, Aaron and Elizabeth, Thea and Rosemary, Adam and Lucy..." He continued to call out names as people shuffled over to their partners.

"Mason and Rachel." His monotone voice spoke and I groaned, of course this would happen to me. What have I done to deserve this?

A book smacked down on the desk beside me, "Hey partner." Mason greeted me as he smirked and sat down in Jessica's seat, his leg brushed mine and I ignored the tiny sparks that ran up my leg at the contact.

"Hi." I muttered, annoyed by his presence already. I may or may not be having one of those days where everything just pisses me off, even the sound of someone breathing.

I twirled my pen on the desk idly, "Don't sound so excited to see me."

"Oh, I won't." After a few minutes of silence he started trying pick-up lines on me. I easily kept a blank face at each stupid word that came out of his plump lips.

"Did it hurt?" He asked me, smirking slightly.

Please don't say the falling from heaven one.

"Did what hurt?"

"When you fell from heaven." I just raised my eyebrow at him and stayed silent.

That one is so unoriginal.

"No, because I crawled up from hell." His smirk dropped slightly as he kept his eyes on me, his smirk resurfaced after a few seconds.

He paused for a moment then proceeded to say, "Well that explains why your so damn hot then." He winked at me and I threw him a deadpanned look, ignoring the mischevious smirk. Just as Mason opened his mouth to speak again, the bell rang and everyone quickly vacated the classroom, me included.

I met Jess at our lunch table once I had gone to my locker and switched books, "I need to go the library." I groaned as Jess slumped into the seat next me, she pouted and threw a fry at me. "Hey!" I protested with a grin, I picked it up and threw it back at her.

"You're leaving me, bitch." I chuckled and grabbed a couple of fries off her plate then popped them into my mouth. I grabbed my bag and trudged out of the cafeteria reluctantly.

***

I climbed out of my car and locked it before phoning Jess and telling her that I'm getting ready by myself but I'll walk over when I'm finished. "Mum?" I called into the seemingly empty house.

I kicked off my shoes and placed them against the wall with the rest of the shoes,  "Yes, Rach?" My mum answered, walking down the stairs with a cup of coffee in her hand.

"Can I go to a party tonight?" I asked, giving her my best puppy dog eyes. She pursed her pale lips for a moment then nodded her head once, her radiant hazel eyes staring into my own fiercely. "Thank you, mum." I hugged her promptly before running up the stairs with a smile on my face.

Just as I was about to close my door she spoke loudly from the bottom of the stairs, "Curfew is twelve thirty. If it's later than that I might just have to ground you." I blew out a breath at her threat, I'm pretty sure she's joking.

"I won't break it, promise!" I called back before closing the door, I dropped my bag onto the ground with a thud and turned to my wardrobe to start looking for a suitable party outfit.

***

It took me more than an hour in the bathroom to get ready, makeup included. I padded over to my room to decide what clothes to wear tonight. I grabbed my favourite long sleeved black dress off its hanger, it went to my mid-thigh and sat just above my breasts showing a little bit of cleavage, I grabbed a cute black choker to match. I paired it with some plain black pumps and put on a simple pair of diamond earrings that matched perfectly, for my makeup I went with a smokey eye, nude lipstick and some blush. My hair was tied up in a neat, straightened high ponytail so that it hung down to about the bottom of my bra.

I pulled out my phone and sent Jess a text telling her I was ready and heading over now. I plucked a simple black and gold clutch from my closet before shoving my phone, a few pieces of gum and peppermint lip balm in there, "I'm leaving mum, I'll see you later!" I called and slowly walked down the stairs with my hand clutching the banister in a death grip because I really don't feel like breaking anything tonight, I quite like being able to walk.

As I was about to leave my mum appeared infront of me with a stern look on her face to state her normal rules, "No drugs, be home before curfew and definitely no sex." I nodded quickly and kissed her cheek, she lifted her hand up and petted the top of my hair like she used to do when I was a child. I smiled as she looked at me lovingly before slipping past her, out the door and walking down the road to Jess and Michael's house.