Perspective

23-I'm denser than Osmium

"Hey, guys!" Carmella greets us.

Jess and I exchange a look, but give her a smile.

Carmella's on the cheer team with Aspen, but there's something off about her. Jess and I notice it every time, but we can never figure out what it is.

"What's up, Car?" Asher asks her.

Car?

"I'm having a party tonight and you guys are all invited," Carmella says, looking right at Asher the entire time.

"We'll be there, Ella," Aspen assures her, using the nickname that everyone uses.

"Great!" Carmella smiles, widely. "Starts at 8." As she leaves, she runs her hand over Asher's shoulder.

"Quit glaring," Jess hisses.

"I'm not glaring," I hiss back.

Aspen and Jess both give me "really?" looks.

I nod, standing my ground.

:::
"My house at 6?" I ask Aspen.

"I'll see you there," She says, running over to Dylan and kissing him.

I smile and walk to my car which is near the back of the parking lot.

I slam face first into someone's chest.

"Shit," The person gasps as I stumble back.

My eyes flit up to the person's face. "Sawyer? What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see how my best friend's been," Sawyer replies with a huge smile.

We hug and I'm the first to pull back.

"Wait, aren't you supposed to be in Michigan? What about college, Sawyer?" I ask.

"Oh yeah. I forgot to tell you, but I got a transfer to A&M."

My jaw drops. "Really?!"

"Yup. I wanted to be closer to Dad," He says.

"What about Chloe?"

"She's got her own life up in Michigan. She worked so hard for it and I don't want to take her away from it."

"Does your dad know?"

Sawyer shakes his head. "Nope. I'm going to surprise him tomorrow."

"Where are you going to stay tonight?"

"Your mom begged for me to stay with you guys."

"We're going to have so much fun!" I say, excitedly. "Even if it is for only one night."

"I'll try to visit every weekend too," Sawyer says.

This is amazing.

"We should probably head back to my house," I say, noticing how some people are staring.