Keeping Real - Ashton Irwin

Chapter 4

The weekend ended on a relatively positive note. Saturday Calum and I spent together; after the gym we hung out in my car and talked for about an hour. He told me much more about his mom. After that we went to the beach and swam out to the buoys. I won, of course.

Sunday I spent inside, alone. My mom was out, Luke was sulking in his room, and Calum was spending the day with his dad and sister. So I slept in and finished some homework. I seize moments of peace in my life, and was grateful for the couple hours I could do absolutely nothing. I alternated between episodes of How I Met your Mother and Doctor Who, and slept. When my mom finally came back she found me curled up on our couch.

"Psst. Paige. Why don't you head up on to bed?" I groggily mumbled an acknowledgement and stumbled my way up the stairs into the comfort of my bed.

"Beep. Beep-Beep." And Monday morning slammed it's way into my head. I had hoped that if I stayed up late and did nothing then maybe Monday wouldn't come, maybe I wouldn't have to go to school. But I was naiive to hold such hope because no matter how tired I was, Monday would always come on time.

Getting dressed for school was never an overcomplicated process for me. I've heard that some girls spend ages obsessing over minute details, taking hours over makeup. Not me. I take a shower. Throw on jeans, combat boots and the band t-shirt of the day. That particular Monday I decided would be Green Day, in honor of my mysterious new friend, Irwin.

I banged on the door of Luke's room on my down the steps. "If you want a ride, Luke, I'm leaving in ten minutes!" I didn't wait for his reply and made my way downstairs.

I was happy. With bright spring air shining through my kitchen windows, I felt like something important, maybe even good would happen. After a quick breakfast of cereal and a smoothie I swung my bag over my shoulder, grabbed my keys and headed for the door.

The sound of toppling feet down the stairs resounded behind me. I turned, and Luke grinned sheepishly, grabbed his bag, and followed me out the door.

As I drove to school, Luke attempted to fix his hair which stuck out at odd angles all over his head.

"You're fighting a losing battle there, bro." He glared at me and continued rearranging his bedhead. I sighed and looked at him.

"Are you doing all right? I mean, I know it's been 4 months since...Dad. But how are you doing?" I turned into the school parking lot, avoiding the restless and the reckless teenagers of my town. Luke stayed silent as I pulled into my usual spot behind the Science building. I turned to him and raised my eyebrows.

"My head hurts. My heart hurts. I'm not okay. And look, I'm really sorry I brought you into my problems." He adjusted his lip ring and attempted to smile as he added, "But I'm trying to be okay."

He got out of the car and headed in the opposite direction of his first period class. I frowned, but got out of my truck and grabbed my penny board and headed for first period, Government with Mr. Toore, a small, turtle-like man whose class was difficult but interesting.

My first two periods flew by just like any other day: I looked forward to seeing Calum and Leilani, another best friend of mine at lunch. In the middle of my English class my phone buzzed. I glanced down quickly to read, "Baby. Come down to the parking lot.

I decided to believe in his sweeter side and petitioned my teacher for a pass to the nurse's office. It wasn't hard to pull off as a girl in my second period had sneezed on me and I was starting to feel a bit sick.

I stashed my books into my bag and boarded my way out into the parking lot, searching for Connor. I knew that he'd be by his sleek black BMW. I envied his car and joked with Calum that the only reason I was dating him was for his car. As I drew nearer to his car I was suprised by the group gathered there. Connor had a reputation for being the snotty boy stoner with all the friends. Him and his friends were extremely stoned, and each looked like they'd had a joint or four. I sighed, disappointed. I had hoped that we would be able to spend some time together, but obviously not. As I began to turn around I heard a shout.