Type A (previously called Quick Fix)

1: The Greatest

Realizing you aren't in bed alone can be scary, heartening, or both. In this case, it was heartening. My legs were tangled between that of another person. My head was buried within someone's chest, their arms encircling my body. And I was happy. I was comfortable. Most importantly, I was at peace.

But it was seven o'clock and that meant I️ had thirty minutes to get ready. And here I was, laid up in a bed with another person, completely oblivious to the fact that the world did not stop turning for me. "Hey. Hey," I whispered, trying to shake my bed companion from their slumber. "Wake up. We have school."

I was not the least bit surprised when he tightened his arms around me and spun us around. "Go back to sleep."

"No can do buddy. I have a test in Calc today, and failure will never be an option for me." I was met with silence. He didn't budge. "At least let me go, and you can stay here for the day." He did not bother to try and release his grip. "Elliot, please," I giggled.

"Wow. Manners? Color me surprised," he murmured in his gravelly voice. He peeked through one eye and smiled. "Good morning."

"It could be a great one if we could get ready for school." I lightly stroked his face, taking note of the patch of stubble that was there. "Glad to see puberty is starting to hit you."

"Oh, shut it," he grumbled. He finally released me to stretch. "What time is it?"

"7:06. I have to be at school at seven-thirty." I pulled off my bonnet, running my fingers through my curls. "Yeah, this is so not happening today." I spun around to find Elliot watching me from his spot on my bed. "You gonna get up or just lay there?"

He grinned at me before hopping out of bed and approaching me slyly. "What period do you have this quote-on-quote test?"

"Fourth, why?"

"We have time to waste," he said while wrapping his persuasive hands around my waist.

"But my team, my girls..." but I was already lost in his eyes, those deep sea eyes that always seem to captivate me.

"But me," he said while leaning down to kiss me.

I jolted awake taking a deep breath. "Oh. My. Word." I had to hit my head a few times to make sure that dream did not just happen. It was not just a dream, no, it was a memory. "Weak bitch. Get yourself together," I mumbled to myself. Conversations in my head were the only way I would get through this day, and the rest of this year.

"Celine, honey. Are you awake?" Mother knocked on the door before peeking in. Her afro was tamed into a sleek bun. She was definitely going back to work as if the past summer never happened. With the divorce finalized, she was back on her grind like everything was peachy keen. "Are you sure you want to go to school today? You got in pretty late this morning."

"I'm fine, Mom. I already missed two weeks. It's just the jet lag that will take a toll on me, but I'm good." I took a deep breath to collect myself. "You're heading back to work already?"

"Of course. My patients can't wait on me any longer." She blew me a kiss, and made a move to leave my room. "Oh, before I forget." She crossed over to me, handing me my prized possession. "Your keys."

"I missed my baby."

"Of course you did. I'll see you for dinner. No promises," she sang, shutting my door behind me. I sighed. It was back to the same old routine, with an addition of loneliness. But it was nothing I couldn't handle.

I took my typical shower, brushed my teeth, and styled my hair all within forty-five minutes. That was a personal best. If I skipped breakfast, I would make it to school on time.

After deciding on a basic, end of summer outfit, I walked into my beloved shoe closet. She was missing a few staples, but was useful nonetheless. My classic Louboutin pumps were a saving grace. Elevating my five-six stature to five-ten easily, I was sure to walk over the tears of my peers. With the addition of my Celine bag, I was ready for school. "D-Day, here I come," I muttered.

My mother's absence from the kitchen didn't come as much of a surprise. Dwelling on her unchanged habits would simply be a waste of my precious time. So I snagged an energy bar, grabbed my keys, and left for school knowing that war was about to ensue.

~∞~

"Ms. Scriver?" I pushed myself off of the wall towards the front desk. "I am aware you received your schedule already, but here is a hard copy. These are your typical beginning of the year forms. If you can have a parent sign those and get them back to me in the morning, that would be perfect."

"Thank you. I'll be on my way now." I offered a smile, before shoving the door to the hallway open. The halls were quiet and barren, except for the few students milling about. I didn't miss the way their eyes widening upon my arrival, and knowing that news spread fast around here, my sudden appearance would not go unnoticed.

My senior seminar class was my first period. Now I knew sleeping in was definitely an option this year. I mentally prepared myself before making my entrance. And boy what an entrance it was.

"Oh, great! Our class is finally complete. Come in, Celine." I smiled at Ms. Calliope, a jittery, brunette head who was more known as the teacher you gossip with than the teacher that taught. I took the last available seat. Lucky for me, it was positioned right next to Daphne.

Daphne Jacobs. The bane of my existence with fiery red hair and her signature red lipstick. I truly despised her simply because she hated me first. I made sure to smile at her, and took in the envy in her eyes at my shoes of the day.

"Did you miss me," I whispered, to which she responded with a sound that resembled the growl of a Chihuahua.

I took note of the people that made up this class. Elliot, Daphne, Bryan, Ellie, Tara, Isis, and so many more. This was bound to become my most eventful class.

"As I was saying, your opening reflection statements are due this Friday. Celine, you can speak to me about an extension after class."

"No worries, Ms. C. I finished it." Her look of surprise fueled. I thrived off of my sheer unpredictability.

"Fantastic. Already ahead of the game. I like that." She rambled on about what the rest of the week would entail, and I readily tuned her out. Things were too quiet, and I was a bit uneasy. I only had one fear and that was the unknown.

And the way things ended off last year left just enough room for surprises.

**I'm just gonna be straight up with you, updates will be slow. And chapters will be short. But it will be worth it. Fingers crossed.
**So, there's Celine. She may seem cute and all now, but just you wait.
**HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! All that jazz.