Aleah's Crush

Chapter 3 - Breakfast

guys i dont rlly like this chapter...it read like the dinner all over again. sorry but here goes nothinggggg... behold chapter 3: breakfast xx kysnat

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Junior year is filled with AP classes and expensive SAT tests, along with so many other important things that play into senior year and our transition into adulthood.

To top it off with a cherry, Jeremiah Portman is back in town. Tall and fit, with the most dreamy smile that I just know the girls at school will definitely love. The thought of it brings a frown to my face.

But how can one forget about the fudge sauce and sprinkles on the sundae.

Breakfast with the Portman's.

And there is no absolute way to miss it. It's tradition. Like the re-make of what our parents did when they were teenage besties. Every year, on the very first school day, we have breakfast together and then get driven to school.

I close my eyes and inhale. I hold it for as long my lungs can handle and then exhale. I open my eyes and just lay there, on my bed, and try to not overthink. Which can be quite hard for me to do. Today is going to be a long day. Starting with right now.

I hate, hate, HATE mornings. With a deep passion. There's the whole waking up, and getting ready, and going to school. It's the reason why I have the eye bags I do.

Waking up is something I don't feel like getting to right this moment. Which is why I don't. I do exactly what I told myself not to do, I overthink.

I just can't erase how bad dinner with the Portman's was a couple weeks ago. I didn't smile back at Jeremy. I sat there like Queen Stiff-back. He probably thinks I, like, hate him and am holding a stupid grudge against him. And it's all because I didn't smile back fast enough.

Seriously lame.

I roll on my face, dreading to get up. "Aleah, wake up." I hear Lani whisper.

"I'm already awake." I whisper back.

"Good, it's 5:30."

Oh god, who wakes up at times like these?

I sit up and look around our shared room. White with green accent walls. Lani's half of the room has a bunch of grease pencil sketches tacked up on the walls. Her side is also the messiest with art supplies EVERYWHERE.

My side has a couple of Marvel posters here and there. A tiny bookcase. Very neat and tidy.

All the things I was now.

"Oh my god, Aleah. Hurry up, we're going to be late AGAIN!" Lani scolds as she walks into our room. Her hair is brushed out and she's wearing glittery purple lip gloss.

"What's on your lips?" I snort, getting up from my bed. As I walk out of the room, I can feel Lani's glare follow me into the bathroom. Slamming the door shut, a tired sigh escapes my lips before I stand up straight.

I strip my pajamas off and step into the small shower stall. The instant the hot water hits my back, all my muscles relax and for those fifteen minutes, I forget about all the crappiness that is my teenage life and relax.

~~~

I look out the car window and watch the world blend together into a blur of color as my dad drives 45 miles per hour.

We're on the freeway, on our way to IHOP, on our way to meet the Portman's for the traditional breakfast.

I'm on my way to a set-up failure of a morning.

As I rack my brain for some sort of comfort, my phone vibrates in my back pocket.

Text from : Lulu<3
hey ;) first day of school ugh. let's meet up @ the library :p.

A small smile dances on my lips as I read my best friends text. Lulu transferred a year before Alexis left our elementary school. We've been best friends since.

To : Lulu<3 From : Me
yes ofc there's a lot i need to catch u up on...

I shoot her a quick text and then turn my phone off, slipping it into my back jean pocket. Let's just hope it's good news I give her after this breakfast meet up.

~~

We arrive at IHOP and, really, I don't know how I'm still standing. My stomach is twisting itself in and out.

If the dinner went bad how bad will breakfast go?

My mom places her hand on the small of my back and I give her a reassuring smile. I resist the urge to wring my wrists out and start walking in with a straight back instead, my hands at my side and a small confident smile tugging at my lips.

If I portray being cool and collected you think they'll believe it?

We arrive at a table with eight chairs. Mr. Portman and Mrs. Portman, the perfect couple. Jeremiah Portman. And the sore thumb, Tatiana Portman. Today she's wearing orange camo pants and a black tube top.

I smile politely at all of them and take my assigned seat next to my mom. Lani sits next to me, the scent of her vanilla perfume filling my nose.

"Well, its so nice to see you girls!" Mrs. Portman beams.

I smile. "And its always so nice to see you, Mrs. Portman."

"The breakfast isn't so bad either." My dad chimes in. Laughter breaks the silence and I just keep smiling, ignoring the panic attack that is climbing its way up.

I'm so focused on trying to look like I'm having a dandy time that I didn't even notice Jeremiah's foot kick mine. I instantly look up meeting eyes with him. His look is confused, a little hurt, and concerned?

He tilts his head and the first thought to pop up to my head is: He looks like a freaking adorable puppy.

Focus, Aleah! I shake my head, as in 'I don't understand, what's the big deal?'. Jeremiah shakes his head too, but his shake means disappointed.

~~~

Jeremiah P.O.V.

Weeks ago, at the dinner, she was frighteningly different.

Not just physically, but all that aura-mood crap. I didn't dwell on it too much because that's what it feels like when you meet up with your best friend after years of not seeing them right?

Right now, it feels the same exact way, except the tension feels higher than ever possible.

Why?

Why does it feel so different? Why does it feel like Aleah is gone?

This isn't her. And I know it. Because I know Aleah Medora, and this girl infront of me, just isn't it.