Redeeming Qualities

Before: The prologue

"Really? You wanna know what I think?" Juniper says, and I can tell from her mischievous facial expression that she's about to spill some tea. I roll my eyes before responding.

"What is it?"

"I think he likes you." I raise an eyebrow at her, trying to make it seem like it was preposterous that she would even propose such an awful idea. I try not to let her in on any of the interest I've had for her twin brother by perking up at the idea that he may feel the same way. I start pretending to pick at my nails, and try to muster up the most disinterested facial expression that I can manage.

"And why would you think that?" Now it's her turn to look at me like I'm stupid. She grins knowingly before replying.

"Well a good place to start would be how he always asks about you, and also that-" We hear a loud truck engine pull into their driveway, which signifies that Moss and Tyler have finally arrived.

"We'll continue this later." She points at me, and then we run out to greet Moss and Tyler. I see Tyler cut the engine and basically jump out of his truck in the most rushed and dramatically jockish fashion.

"Well if it isn't the two prettiest ladies at Silverwood High." He winks at both Junie and I, and we both blush profusely.

"Really, you couldn't even tone it down like two notches?" Moss throws at Tyler. The two have been best friends since middle school. I only entered the group in freshman year, when I first moved here. I lived only a block away, and ran into the twins and Tyler while I was walking my dog. Since then, which was a year ago, we've all been inseparable.

"Why would I tone it down at all? Listen, Moss, buddy, if you're gonna come anywhere near team captain next year, you're going to need to work on your charm. And never tone it down. Ever." He throws his arm around Moss's neck, and tries to give him a noogie. Moss ducks out.

Tyler was the biggest jock in the school, and a damn good one at that. He was already football captain, and he was only a sophomore. I wouldn't be surprised if he got a full ride scholarship to an ivy league college in the near future. I don't like him for his athletic abilities, however, I like him for how brutally honest he is. He never leaves anything out, even when sometimes he probably should. He says what everyone else is thinking but is too afraid to say. I respect the hell out of Tyler.

Juniper is similar in the way that she is also blunt and honest. However, she is a lot different than Tyler. She's very innocent and simple minded. She knows what she sees, and little more than that. She is naive, and can't pick up on things quickly, whether they be a red flag or a sign that someone likes her. She's untouched by cruelty, and she owes part of that to her financially stable parents, but most of it to her overprotective twin brother.

Moss is extremely intelligent. He's book smart, street smart, every kind of smart there is. We all believe that he also has photographic memory as well. The funny thing about him, however, is that although he's crazy smart and could probably get into any college there is, he's a part of the jock group. He's on the varsity football team, just like Tyler is, but he's not nearly as invested. He could be anywhere doing anything, but he chooses to associate with all of the jocks instead. I cannot say I blame him, the jocks we have at our school are actually really nice.

Oh, and while we're still talking about Moss... I might have hinted at it before, but I have the hugest, most ridiculous crush on him.

About two minutes after Tyler and Moss are already out of the truck, another figure emerges from the open door. I very quickly identify her as Sarah Freeman. She's the cheer captain, and she's been hanging on Moss's arm since he joined the football team this year. Although Junie might say Moss is into me, I say he's far more into Sarah.

Considering I already know she isn't fond of me, I take this as my cue to leave. I step down off the porch, making my way toward where everyone is standing and talking. Sarah turns her nose up at me.

"Hey, guys, I'm gonna head home. My mom is probably worried sick." She's been hiding in her house all day everyday with the curtains closed and the door shut. She had been freshly dumped by some guy, so she's been hiding herself away. I wouldn't doubt if she's forgotten when night and day is. Moss makes eye contact with me first. He's completely oblivious to how Sarah treats me, but Tyler and Junie see it very well and start nodding their heads profusely.

"Are you sure?" Moss asks. I nod and then reach forward and give him a hug. Sarah fumes.

Both Tyler and Junie come and hug me at the same time, while Tyler whispers,

"You're a lucky bitch, you just be glad you get to get out of this." He ruffles my hair, and when he steps back, we share a knowing smile. I wink and wave at the three of them before heading home.