No Turning Back (Rewrite)

Chapter 2

I can't remember when I mastered the art of listening without truly processing anything that was being said, but it was coming in handy right now. Around me, my friends were bumbling on about movies or some dumb shit. I didn't care. They'd lost me one moment after I sat down. Instead of talking, I needed to get my life together.

What do I need to do after school? Pick up Donny – yes. Homework – yes. Dishes – yes. My mom was cooking dinner tonight, right? I think so. She was supposed to hear the verdict on her big case. Well, in that case, we might go out to celebrate. I'll have to shower and get Donny ready. At least that means less dishes for me tomorrow. But then her colleagues will be there. It'll be another night full of feigned smiles and forced laughter on my part. If I'm lucky, she'll probably just go out with her colleagues and leave us to fend for ourselves. Or...or...maybe for once...just for once...we could go out together and celebrate – just the four of us.

Anyway, what else do I need to do? Oh yes – college applications. How fun. My parents left the credit card on top of the list of all the schools they demanded I apply to. I know all the Ivy League schools were listed, but I can't remember the other ones. Not that they matter. At least not to my parents. I needed to make sure I added my own choices into that list. I'm probably not going to get into Ivy League, anyway. I'm smart, but I'm not a genius. Besides, I can't leave Donny here. Not all by himself.

"Daniel!" My name abruptly whipped through my ear.

I blinked. I shoved away my thoughts and refocused on the present.

All my friends were staring at me expectantly. Oh no. What happened? What was the question? Can they stop staring at me?

"Yes," I said.

"The sixth Fast and Furious is the best one, don't you think," Justin asked.

"No. The first one is obviously the best. Anyone with a brain knows it's the only one that had a decent plot."

Justin glared at me.

Thankfully, the bell rang before he could respond. I grabbed my books and hurried out of the cafeteria. I didn't have time for the bullshit today. Justin and I could argue tomorrow.

The students in the hall were rambunctious. They whooped and hollered and yelled. The hallways were too small to hold all of us. I tried to maneuver around the masses of students, but it was difficult. Especially when it came to the freshman. They were so fucking tiny. Or I was just too damn tall.

"Shit!" I collided into a short figure. Both of our books fell out of our hands and hit the floor. I bent down to gather the clutter of textbooks and papers. "Sorry," I said as I handed over my classmate's materials. My gaze met wide, startled eyes.

"It's alright," she replied. A smile graced her pink lips. "Thank you."

I returned the expression. "Sure." I held out my hand and helped her rise.

She was a foot shorter than me, and her head was covered with glossy blonde locks. "Are you heading to Mrs. Miller's for AP Psych?"

"Yeah. How did you know?"

She giggled. "Because I'm in your class."

Shit, did I do it again? I smiled to hide my mistake. "Right! You're..."

"Mia," she finished. "I'm Mia."

"Mia," I repeated. I studied her face, desperate to engrave it in my brain. "I'm Daniel."

Her smile widened. "I know. You're student body president and captain of the basketball team. Everyone knows who you are."

The reminder dimmed my smile. "We should walk to class together."