Always With Me

Part 3-Becca Lowrey

      When I woke up the next morning to an alarm, I sighed loudly and hopped out of bed. I grabbed my running shoes and a pair of shorts and pulled my hair into a ponytail. I knew that I looked horrible, but I ran down to the kitchen to head outside. I could tell by the time I got outside that my dad had already left for work, so I left the door unlocked and ran my usual route to the park. I wasn't sure what time he came home the night before, but I knew that it was very late. My heart swelled with pride as I was reminded yet again how generous my dad was despite all that he had gone through in life.

The sun wasn't even in the sky by the time my run was over, so I ran back to my room and began to get ready. I took a fast shower and then applied my makeup smoothly. I pulled my light blond hair up and began to straighten it in layers, and then braided the front portion around my face and pulled it back with a bobby pin. Walking over to a full length mirror, I smoothed out my pastel blue shirt and fixed the pockets to my dark skinny jeans. Light brown sandals to match the outfit and jewelry to add sparkle topped off the look that I was going for. I smiled to myself as I walked down to eat breakfast. Sitting on the small kitchen table was my favorite cereal and a note.

Sorry I couldn't be here to see you on your first day of senior year. I hope it is great, and I am proud of you. I hope this is the best year of your life. I love you, Dad.

I smiled and kept the note in my vision as I ate my breakfast. The sun was now out and the time on the microwave said that it was seven twenty. I put my bowl in the sink and then took the time brush my teeth and gather my supplies before walking outside to my car. My muscles were aching from my morning run as I stepped into my grey Honda Accord. I drove slowly to the school, parking my car beside a semi-familiar black truck. I knew that I had seen it before, but I wasn't sure where. I knew that it was probably an upcoming junior that I had seen driving around or a coach at the school. Either way, whoever's truck it was didn't matter. Today was my first day of my senior year, and I was ready.

Dahlia and Ellie both waved as I walked toward where they were sitting at a picnic table around the back of the school. There were students crowding around us where we sat, all talking about their summers and their excitement to see each other again. A few came and talked to us, but we mainly sat and talked to each other.

"How'd last night go?" Dahlia asked, leaning in so the intrigued sophomore and freshman sitting beside her couldn't hear our conversation. The freshman had obviously heard all about Dahlia Parker, because she couldn't help but vie for her attention. Dahlia had that affect on people. Everyone wanted to be her friend, but few actually were. She was very closed off, even with Ellie and I, and I often wondered what all she didn't tell us. She was beautiful and strong, but she was also a mystery to most. She was the most sought after girl in the school, and Brent was the boy.

"It was great. They were both very sweet and it was a great night," I said back, taking the time between sentences to glance around the perimeter for any sign of Zack Goodman. When I was unsuccessful, I glanced back at Dahlia and Ellie.

"Well, which one is he?" Dahlia asked, allowing a sly grin to spread across her face.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You're looking for him. I want to know if you found him," she said. Ellie was looking around also, taking in the crowds of people in a search for a boy she had never seen before. I was sure that she'd know immediately if she saw him, though, because he stood tall over most of the people at this school and he was the uncanny new boy. Although I hadn't seen him yet, I focused my attention back to my friends.

"Dahlia, I thought you had already met him," Ellie said. She had her dark, curly hair hanging loosely around her face and she wore a dark green shirt and a pair of jeans.