Previously: "... I don't get to eat today. So thanks for that." I go to walk away and Ethan grabs my wrist. I turn around with my fist in tow and Ethan lets go immediately to back up. "Feisty. I like that in my women." "I'm not your girl Dolan." I begin to walk away again. "SO TOMORROW? 7:30? OKAY GREAT SEE YOU THEN" I flip him off as I walk away to my fifth period.
*AFTER SCHOOL*
Alana walks in the door as I'm finishing up the dishes and putting them in the drying rack.
"Have they been fed?" "Yeah, there's some leftovers in the fridge too if you want to warm them up. I have to go now. See you tomorrow." "See ya." I walk out to my car and get in it driving to my apartment. It's probably weird that I live on my own at 17 BUT I had to in order to save my sanity. About six months ago my mom and I got into a really bad fight. I had just turned 17. With nowhere to go I asked sid if I could move in with her and she did, for the summer. I saved everything I could, taking on every single job that my body could handle. With just enough luck I saved up enough money to get me a sort of decent one bedroom apartment. It kind of really upset my mom when I moved out but I was tired of the fighting. I just wanted my best friend back. So I moved out. And I like to think I'm doing pretty well. The only thing that really sucks about it is that I had to give up dance. Tryouts were in the spring and I was so caught up in trying to make it on my own that I forgot about them even though it seemed like my world revolves around dance. I could still attend practices when I could. Coach let me become assistant manager for the team this year. It's less involvement but I still get to technically be a part of the team. Which means I still get to skip some classes to prep for rallies and football games and such, just like cheer and the other sports. I walk in my door heading straight to my bedroom to change into my work clothes. Less than five minutes later I'm back out the door heading back to my car and head to work. It's part time for now since school has started again but it helps with my bills.
I get to work and there's food on the break room table with my name written on the tape attached to it. It's my absolute favorite and I devour what I can with the few minutes I have before my shift starts. Like I said, I didn't get lunch while I was at school. Sid comes in and sees me eating the food. "Hey there, missed you at lunch today. What happened?" I finish chewing my bite and swallow. "They called me into the principals office because they thought something was going on with me and the kids. About halfway through they got a call and told the kids and I to go back to class. I was like fine if it gets me out of suspension by all means I'll go back to class." "They were gunna suspend you for knowing the kids?" "Yeah. So stupid. But remember freshmen year when they got me suspended for not wearing shoes in the library? Or because I went to my ex's house? Because 'it counted as school property since the bus stop was right there'" I rolled my eyes at the memory and wrap up the remnants of my burrito and shove it in the fridge. "Yeah I remember. The school is really fucked up huh? So glad it's our last year there. Hey, by the way, I didn't know that you and Ethan were friends?" "What do you mean?" "You didn't know he got you the burrito?" "He did that?!" "I'll take that as a no. Yeah. He stopped by 5 minutes before you walked in and said to make sure you get it." "What the fuck." "What's the matter?" "Well okay between you and me, Ethan was part of the reason I missed lunch too. After I had finished walking the kids back to their classes Ethan stopped me in the hallway. He asked where I was headed but the bell for fifth had just rang so I said I was just gunna go to class and missed lunch. He was being really weird though. Really determined to hangout with me today. But I had to decline because well, here I am" I shrug my shoulders and Sid's jaw drops. "You finally talked to Ethan AND he bought you food AND he wanted to hang out with you. But you said no?!" "Hey, listen. I had to come to work alright? My rent isn't gunna pay itself." "Bet if you start dating Ethan it would." "No it wouldn't because he's not getting me that easy." "Ahhhh you're making him work for it." "Hey, the guy said he likes challenges so let's see how much of a challenge he'll really stand up to." "You're silly. Go up front, they're dying out there." "Okay." Let's see how much of a challenge Ethan really wants since I'm the most difficult person according to my mom.
