Bad Reputation {On My Block•AU} | ON HOLD

Four

A/N: Hey guys and gals, new update! I'm gonna try to start uploading a chapter once a week! Enjoy!

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*After School*

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{Monse's POV}

Lauree, my new foster mother, is trying really hard to make me feel comfortable here. It's my third day in my new foster home, and it's actually going okay for once.

"Do you want a snack? We've got fruit, chips, I could make you a sandwich-"

"I'm fine, Ms Parker." She's asked me three times already.

The woman falters, looking around the room anxiously before speaking up. "..How was school, honey?"

I bite my lip, shrugging. "It was okay, I guess."

"Did you make any friends? Oh, I remember Bri's first day of high school like it was yesterday. She was so nervous, I practically had to drag that girl out of the car." She laughs as she pulls out the bread from the cabinet.

Lauree Parker is a fairly nice woman from what I've gathered so far. Early 40s, a real estate agent, wife of Keith (whom I've barely had interaction with), and mom of 2-Brielle and Brian, who's in the military. Lauree is pretty; with chocolate skin and hazel eyes-she has a short trendy 'mom' haircut, but somehow it works for her. She's always asking if I'm hungry and she likes to give hugs-it's kind of strange.

Maybe it's what having a mother feels like. I don't really know.

I don't answer her. I just play with my bracelet, wondering how long I'll be here at the Parker residence before something goes wrong.

It always does.

A few seconds later, to my relief, Brielle walks into the house. She's gorgeous, taking after her mother in certain aspects. I suddenly feel like the ugly duckling in the room.

Brielle is 20, and in school to be a fashion designer from what I've been told. She drives a mini beetle and told me she's really into horoscopes. I don't like her.

"Hey, mama," she greets, coming around the corner to hug Lauree. "Hi Monse!"

I just smile, giving her an unfortunately awkward wave. I still don't feel like I fit in here, it's only the third day of course, but I'm trying to take Ms Shelly's advice and have a more positive outlook this time.

"How was your first day of high school? Fill me in!"

Ugh, why so cheerful?

She sits down at the table with me after grabbing a water bottle out of the fridge, waiting for an update of today.

I decide not to be evil for once-remembering that's what pushed Cesar away from me. I hadn't been able to stop thinking of him all day.

"School was okay, uh-still getting used to it."

She nods in understanding, then proceeds to give me some advice. "..I remember being really scared for my first day, girl. It's an adjustment. But what helps is joining clubs and keeping an open mind. You'll make tons of friends and memories, too. I did a lot in high school; I was a cheerleader, on the dance team, I did speech and debate-which was perfect because I can get real argumentative," she laughs, "..the list goes on. You just gotta test the waters and find out what works best for you. Trust me."

Trust, what a stupid word.

I just nod, taking in the advice. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to try new things-but the problem is, I hated opening up to others. I didn't know how to.

"Uh, I'll consider it-thanks, Brielle."

She grins, exposing her pearly white teeth. Ironically, her father is a dentist, which makes more sense than I'd expected. "No problem, little sis. It's what I'm here for!"

I cringe at her calling me "little sis"; this bitch doesn't even know me! It's been 72 hours-how do I even respond to that? I try to hide my discomfort but it's obvious at this point.

She frowns. "I-Sorry, girl. Getting ahead of myself I guess," laughing it off awkwardly, she stands up from her seat. "I should go, got a huge paper due tonight for my economics final. Oh, how I miss high school," she chuckles again, and I can tell she feels bad now.

It's my fault, but for some reason I can't apologize. "Better get on that."

She walks off, heading upstairs, and I'm left alone with Lauree again.

She just frowns, giving me that look of sympathy I'm so used to seeing from the world. If only I could pick her brain and know what she's thinking about me.

..Not that I care or anything.

"Dinner will be ready in about an hour, baby. Why don't you go take a rest until then?"

Gladly. I stand up from the table and make my way out of the kitchen, heading up to my new bedroom. It's simple, comfortable, and spacious-I'm not used to having anything nice for myself, so it's honestly a welcomed change.

The Parker family had welcomed me to their home by putting a ton of balloons and a "Welcome Monse" handmade sign in front of the bed. I cried most of the night that first day here, which no one knows.

I plopped down on the bed with a sigh. Brielle's bedroom was right across the hall from mine-I could hear the Jhene Aiko playing softly from under the door. I suddenly wish I'd been a bit nicer downstairs, so that maybe we could still be talking right now.

I'd had older foster sisters before, but they were either really mean, jealous, or not around much because of our age difference. And the ones that were half decent or tolerable, I didn't get to build a close bond with because things usually got bad and I'd end up back at the Foster center.

Brielle seemed different. She'd taken an interest in me, which didn't happen often-so now I felt unable to let my guard down and give her a shot.

Maybe if I hadn't been so rude, we could be talking about Cesar right now.

Cesar.

I was getting restless thinking about him so much! It's only been one day; a few hours, at that! But for some reason, I couldn't shake the memory of this morning and how he'd been so kind to me despite my attitude.

I felt a smile creep into my face as I remembered the way it felt when he held my hand; it was indescribable. I didn't want to let go, or push him away, or run at that point. It was almost like he could see that in me.

We were complete strangers to each other, and it was most likely going to stay that way; especially now that he probably thinks I'm evil. I hope he doesn't. I mean, I reaaally hope he doesn't, and if he's as kind hearted as he'd been today, maybe he noticed something special about me.

But then again, who am I kidding?

The butterflies creep up again, and it's like he's here, in this room. This feeling won't go away and it's both confusing and frustrating all in one. There's no such thing as love at first sight, everyone fucking knows it.

Besides, I'm only fourteen-I'm not gonna be some total airhead with a fantasy schoolgirl crush here. That's not who I am, and no one will change that. Even if they're cute, sweet, and helpful like Cesar.

Seriously, what is going on!

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Has anyone ever felt this way about a crush? Do you believe in love at first sight? Comment below!

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Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and am not affiliated with On My Block or the cast/crew in any form! No profit is being made and any similarities are purely coincidental.