Stronger Together

Rose

I patted back inside to my room before shifting back. I couldn't get that smell out of my mind. What was that? Why do I want to... bathe in it.

So weird. But I tried to dismiss it. I tried really hard.

I went back into the drawers from before for underwear and a bra. Then to the closet this time for real clothes. It was 8:03. Shoot I was probably going to be late. A huff escaped my lips. I found black jeans ripped at the knee and high wasted and paired it with loose fitted sand colored knit jumper. Walking out I reached for my bag on sitting beside my bed.

I didn't ever keep to many things with me. Just saved up cash from over the years, a few jackets and shoes I really loved, my laptop, and my helmet. I reached in for my denim jacket and black combat boots. I slipped the jacket on, some socks, and finally my boots. Running to the bathroom I took look and shrugged.

My hair hung in big, loose, red-orange curls to my collar bones. My blue and pale like my skin. Dotted from head to toe with freckles. I looked clean and that was good enough for me. Natural was my thing seeing as I never tried to draw attention to myself.

Going back into the closet I looked around and sitting on the shelf like usual, a black backpack. Grabbing it I could feel the weight of stuff inside but didn't have time to check so I threw it on my back and grabbed my helmet.

Now running, I went the kitchen and I grabbed an apple, took a couple bites, and left it one the counter. Then started making my way out. To the right of the door hung a familiar black lanyard with two set of keys and with those now in my hands I was off and locking the door behind me.

In the front was a small stone path way and on it my bike sitting under a tarp. And I'm not talking about a cute beach cruiser.

Nope. This was my Harley-Davidson Sportster. Everyday, no matter how upset I could possibly be, as soon as I uncovered her a grin would take to my face. A superlow and deep cherry red. She was beautiful and she went with me everywhere I went ever since I'd gotten my license. It was a little hard to keep her low key but eventually people stopped noticing as days passed by.

Helmet on and keys in the ignition and she came to life with a purr. I slowly moved down the path and onto the street. Due east, 16 miles, and we were off with a roar.

As I can up on 16 miles I made a right and saw the school just ahead. I slowed trying to quiet my bike as much as possible. People stared but I kept my focus forward. I pulled into the lot and parked into a small corner of the lot.

I hopped off and took my helmet in my hands. It was red like my bike and had two black vertical stripes down the middle. I attached it to the lock I kept on the left handle and threw the keys in my backpack. As I walked up to the school I finally checked the inside of it. Just as I hoped the inside was filled with a couple notebooks and a few pens, pencils, and other things of that sort. Then I slung it on one shoulder and looked up at the sign that read:

"Welcome! Harris High School students and staff!" And then the bell rang so I jogged to the frontof the school. Avoiding any and all eye contact of students who still roamed outside not caring if they're late.

The office was to the right as soon as I walked in. And at the front a sweet looking brunette woman who gave me a bright smile.

"Hi there hun, can I help you?"

"Schedule for Sentman?" I asked getting straight to the point.

"Oh sure give me just a sec!" She responded perky as ever leaving to go find the paper I needed. My eyes wondered the now empty halls. My ears keened into the nearby classrooms. Until she returned.

"Here you go hun. First class is in room 102. You've finished most of your credits so we've got you down as a teachers assistant for some our sophomores. Just make a right out of here and keep going straight you'll find it."

My first four classes went by fast. Each teacher was kind and directed me to the next. When lunch came I was a little starved so I followed the other student to the cafeteria. All the schools I went to were decent. This one more so than other. The food smelled decent and my stomach grumbled.

Getting in line there was a salad bar and a fruit bar. Entrees of chicken and rice were being served as well. All of which made it into my tray. After paying I looked around for some where to sit.

I was about to pick an empty table in the small corner of the cafeteria when the doors leading to a quad area outside opened up. A group of laughing students entered but that wasn't what got my attention.

The same smell from earlier. And I really took it in this time to make sure. Deciding it was a beautiful mix of citrus and the same saltiness that comes from ocean air. I was cut off mid bask when the doors shut behind the group of teenagers.

I set my tray down at the nearest table and head straight for doors not wanting to let it get away. I couldn't stop even if I wanted to I had to know where it was coming from. And I know he's somewhere. He? Yes definitely he. Who is he? What is this?

All of a sudden it made sense. I stood frozen not wanting to move another muscle. Actually, no. Every single part of me wanted to chase the sent. But knowing why made the only logical part of me want to barf. So I fought the urge. And now that I thought of it I couldn't get that word, that one word out of my mind. That one stupid word I hated. The only part of who I was that I hated. Mate.

That sent was coming from my mate.