The Strange Child

Chapter One

Have you ever felt the need for a run, but you hate running? Today that feeling took over my mind. Believe me when I tell you Rainey Adams does not run, ever. And yes, my name is Rainey Adams, what's yours? I don't care. Moving on. My best friend, Toby Detroit, is probably strange to others, but he follows my train of thought. He's my only decent friend. The rest of the people (mostly girls) I tried to befriend abandoned me for the same obnoxious moron that has no mute button. Not my problem to be honest. I never really craved to be friends with highly hormonal giggling dogs (oof).

Toby and I are walking to History class and... we're walking slow.

"Gee, Rain, want to speed up the pace there?"

"Hey, it's not just me. You're the one who loathes World War II."

"Aren't we skipping today?" he asked with a frown.

"Nah, my mom got a call yesterday and uh, let's just say she doesn't like me very much."

My mother is a very caring person in the Mother Theresa meets Venom kind of way (I love you, Mom). When I entered class, AJ Smith waved at me and patted the seat next to him (cue the dreamy music). I've known him for a while now. He's the school's hot, rich but sweet and endearing sexy guy. I admire him from the side. Besides, I've had my share of heartbreak.

Joshua Blakely was my boyfriend of two years until about six months ago. I never really knew why he was into me, but I knew that we'd been crushing on each other for ages. I began to think he might be my only boyfriend, ever (sniff sniff). I loved him and he loved me. He was perfect. He used to always be there when I needed him. Until I caught him flirting with other girls. I pushed the thought of cheating out of my mind because I didn't want to assume. A week after he was making out with one of my casual friends and that was it. He ended things after a huge fight because I was willing to fix the relationship. The feeling of having him leave me for someone better than me was terrible. I'm still not completely over the whole thing.

"Are you going to AJ's party tonight?" That question came out of nowhere from Toby. "Sure." I mean, why not right? "Josh will be there," he stated, knowing that I was still processing the break-up. "Yes, I know." I wish he would drop it. "What are you wearing?" he asked nonchalantly while eating his Doritos. "Jeans and a hoodie, you know me." He stayed quiet for a while and then...

"What about the- "

"No. "

"Or the- '

"No. "

"Wouldn't be surprised if you rock up at prom with a hoodie and jeans."

"I just might, don't test me."

I've never been the chic to plaster on a new face every day. Creeps me out. I heard footsteps and whipped my head around. AJ (cue more dreamy music) was heading our way. "Hey, guys." "Hi AJ." I stood up and hugged him (low-key smelling his cologne; I'm not creepy, I swear). Me, Toby and AJ always 'meet up' on the football field. None of us have lifts home so we might as well talk to each other, right?

As we talked, I noticed AJ's beautiful features (don't judge). He has great hair. His eyes are this gorgeous grass green, and when the sun shines on them, they sparkle. He has a built athletic body with killer calves and thighs. He's pretty much perfect. AJ is the guy who would stand up to anyone for anyone. "Hey, Rain, how'd your biology test go today?"

"I think it went pretty well, actually." I love the way he says Rain.

"Cool. Miss Kimberley was tough on us today. I had to learn ten pages of chemistry for a practical." He sighed, exhausted and ready to cry, almost.