the reason | 13rw

f o r t y - o n e

"wait your mom got you a new car but your dad told you to bring it back?" i laughed into my phone at jack.

"yeah, so i'm like what the hell." he replied.

"did you bring it back?"

"hell no, i'm driving it right now."

"oh my," i shook my head as i came to my locker.

"alright, well i just pulled up to crestmont high, i'll talk to you later."

"bye jack," i smiled and hung up. i put my phone away and grabbed my things for my first class.

i walked into the classroom, to the teacher's desk

"are you headed to the library again?" she asked.

"mister porter's office actually." i smiled as she handed me the work.

"if you have any questions just head down."

"thank you," i smiled and turned.

i saw scott, monty, jeff, chloe, hannah, jess and alex all sat in the back corner. their eyes were all on me. i smiled, waving slightly before walking out.

"nicolette," i heard a familiar voice as they ran up next to me.

my eyes landed on justin as he walked next to me.

"what do you want foley?" i asked

he put his arm around me.

"i'm having a party this weekend and was wondering if you'd like to come."

i shrugged his arm off of me, "i'm busy."

"with your new boyfriend?" he asked.

"i'm not dating jack, we're just friends."

"party pooper!" he yelled after me.

....

after school i headed straight out to my car but as i approached it, i saw monty and a girl leaning against the car next to mine. she had her arms wrapped around his neck, his around her waist.

"i really have to go," she smiled.

"come on," monty said. "you'll miss football practice."

"i know that," she replied as they kissed.

i walked around my car, unlocking it. they both looked over at me. monty pulled away slightly as i waved. i got into my car, placing my bag in the passenger seat. i started it up and pulled out, leaving the parking lot. but as i stopped at the stop sign, it really hit me. that was monty, kissing another girl. he was moving on and i knew i told him too but my heart still broke slightly.

....

later that evening, i walked into monet's for my shift, but to my luck the football guys were all gathered inside. ignored them, making eye contact with jack.

"is that your charger in the parking lot?" i laughed.

"hell yeah it is," he replied.

i walked over, placing my stuff under the counter. i pulled my apron and hat on.

"no wonder your dad freaked." i shook my head.

"he can freak all he wants, i'm keeping it."

i smiled as i watched bryce walk up to the counter.

"can i get a refill?" he asked.

"what did you have?" i asked.

"just black coffee," jack told me. he grabbed a rag, walking off to clean tables. i got bryce a refill, handing it to him. he handed me change and smiled.

"so little one," he said. "what's up with you and coffee guy?"

"his name is jack and we're friends bryce." i said. "and no one calls me little one anymore."

"well that's because you disowned all your friends."

"they were never truly my friends." i shook my head as i saw an older woman walk up behind him. "enjoy your coffee bryce."

he walked away as i listened to the woman's order. i made it for her, allowing her to pay and walk away. i saw my brother walk up as we made eye contact.

"hey," he said.

"hi," i said.

"are you doing okay?"

"i'm doing fine elliot." i said. "you can go back to your friends now."

"can i get another hot chocolate?" he asked.

"fine," i said and made him one. he paid and walked back to the group of people.

jack walked back over, leaning against the counter next to me.

"you should just come to crestmont high." he said. "way nicer people."

"i've already put my parents through too much." i shook my head.

"i think it's deeper than that." he said.

"what?"

"i think you like going to liberty because you liked having the power of not running away. you like ignoring them. you like being on top. you feel like you're winning."

"i am winning." i said as the bell above the door rang.

i looked over, seeing monty's new girlfriend. she walked over to them, sharing a kiss with monty. i felt my heart a little more but i wasn't going to let it show.

"isn't that the ex?" jack asked.

"yep," i said as i popped the p.

"you should spill coffee on her." he joked.

"jack!" i laughed, pushing him.

"i'm just saying," he shrugged, "she's not that cute. maybe the coffee would help."

"i'd like to throw it on his face instead." i said.

"i can do that." he said, grabbing the coffee pot.

"no!" i laughed, pulling it from him.

"you're no fun." he let out a scoffish chuckle.