Serena

S e v e n t e e n

Sorry if this chapter is filled with too much drama, let me know what you think! Sorry for being "basic" lol

"So, how was your trip?"  Aunt Tess asks as I chomp on my Lucky Charms.

"It was great," I answer, though it sounds like more of a question. I had already told her yesterday afternoon that it went fine, so why was she asking again?

Her auburn eyebrows raise as she swirls her spoon around in her coffee cup, mixing in the milk she used for cream. "I want more details Serena. What did you do for two days in the woods?"

Sighing, I take another bite of my cereal and shrug. "Normal woodsy things?  We cooked hot dogs, hiked, swam in a creek, that sort of thing."

Tess slowly nods her head, more satisfied with my answer. "Did you and Jake...get any closer?"

My eyes open wide and I look at the huge grin my aunt sports on her face. "If you are asking if we did anything sexual, the answer is no save for a few kisses," I deadpan.

Aunt Tess chuckles and takes a long sip from her mug. "That isn't what I was asking Serena. I meant did you become closer friends? Or make any other friends for that matter."

If that was truly all she wanted to know, then I told on myself. But then again, there wasn't many secrets between the two of us anyways and I would have told her eventually. "Oh," I say, "Well then yes to both of your questions. I thought that the people he invited would be stuck-up jocks but they were actually really nice," I finish and then slurp the milk from my bowl.

She takes another sip of her coffee and nods her head. "That's great to hear. I hate how the other kids treat you at school. Maybe with the new friends things will be easier?" she asks.

I shrug and stand up, collecting my bowl and walk over to the sink and wash my dishes. "Who knows? Maybe, but I really don't need any more friends. Besides, most of the people at school are the type of people I'd like to avoid—not be friends with."

My aunt nods, understanding what I mean. Even though she was popular in her high school days, she never let it get to her head and knew how mean teenagers could be. "Well I'm off for the next two days so if you need a ride to therapy or anything let me know," she offers.

Crap, I really didn't think about that. My hunk of metal car was still sitting at a junkyard and the thought of asking Jake for rides everywhere didn't sit well with me. "Okay I'll let you know," I say, drying my hands. As I retrieve my backpack from the couch, the front doorbell rings and I see a familiar figure behind the glass windows that mirror each side of the entryway.

Suppressing a smile, I say goodbye to Tess and step outside to find Jake casually leaning against my porch wearing a maroon V-neck shirt, khaki shorts that reach just above his knees, and a pair of spotless white vans.

I quickly look down to my own outfit and surmise that next to him, I probably look like a homeless girl that lives under a bridge. My jeans have holes in them—granted that is how I bought them—and my light blue t-shirt has a salsa stain from a year ago. I threw my hair up into a messy bun this morning and opted out of any makeup today.

"Hey Carter," he greets, grinning widely. "Figured you still might need a ride to school so your chariot awaits," he says, standing normally now.

Shrugging my right shoulder, I sigh and eye his gorgeous jeep that is still running. "Gee I don't know, I have like six different offers this morning from guys who want to take me to school but considering you're here now I might as well pick you," I tease.

He chuckles and pushes my arm lightly as we head to the black vehicle that is parked in my driveway. "I'm calling the cops," I tease again, "That's domestic violence or something." Jake gives me another laugh and opens the door for me and I hop inside. When he gets into the driver's seat, I turn to him. "You know you don't have to keep doing that, right? My hands are capable of pulling a door handle," I say lightly.