Roles Reversed

Chapter 1

I wake up to my alarm clock on Monday morning. Ugh. I walk down the hallway to the bathroom and turn the handle in he shower to get a shower. Crap. I forgot my brother didn't pay the water bill. No water for us.

I walk back to my room. I look at my posters of rock bands. Why can't I have money like them?

I cross from my door to the closet in three steps. Before, when my parents lived with us, my house felt crowded. Now that they're gone, the small house feels like a mansion.

I look at my pathetic wardrobe and see only old t-shirts and my dad's leather jacket. I take a light grey t-shirt and the black leather jacket. I then change from my pajama pants to old, skinny blue jeans.

"Hurry up, Ciary," I hear my brother shout from down the hall. I throw on my dirty black converse and walk down the short hallway leading to the kitchen. In my outdated kitchen, my brother, Asher, leans up against the counter. "Took you long enough."

"Shut up, Ash."

My brother grabs his chest in dramatic fashion. "Oh, my heart." I roll my eyes and grab the box of cereal.

After I am done eating, Asher and I walk out to my car. My brother gives me a quick hug before he lets me get into the car. I start the engine of my black, '67 Chevy Impala. Before you say anything, I know my car is old. Do I care? No.

I drive down to the high school and as I pull in, I see Arabella waiting for me at the front door. I park haphazardly and walk up to my friend.

"What's up Ciary?" My friend and my brother are the only ones I let use my nickname.

"Sup, Ara." We walk into school and talk about winter break. "So how is your new car?" Arabella's family is in the middle upperclass. Her parents have offered my brother money to help with our financial situation. Though we could really use more money, Asher refuses every time. He says he doesn't want charity.

"Oh it's nice Ciarda. It drives better than my old one. You should come for a ride sometime."

I laugh and say, "Of course."

"Oo, Ciarda has actually laughed," someone says behind me. I turn around, a retort already on my lips. When I see who it is, I punch them in the arm.

"Ow." I laugh at the boy. He has dark hair and brown dark brown eyes.

"I'm coming over to the party tonight, Jax." It's not really a party but more of a hangout.

"Is Arabella coming this time?" Jax asks as he looks over my shoulder. When I look behind me, I see Arabella has gone to class.

Jax asks because when Arabella comes the boys have to act like gentlemen. They only put on the act because I asked them to. I don't want Ara to worry about me and my "safety." When she doesn't come over they can act like complete savages.

Jax snaps his fingers in front of my face and I notice I was staring off into space "No she isn't," I finally say.

Jax grins and replies, "Good. We are going to have fun tonight." He walks away and I am left alone to walk to class.