Always Adam

Chapter 7

I spend Saturday and Sunday unpacking things in my apartment. In "my" apartment. I love saying that. I listen to music while I unpack. When I get tired or bored of unpacking, I watch movies or reality shows. So far I like living alone. I just hope I don't grow bored and lonely after the newness wears off. I must have dosed off because the ringing of my cell phone wakes me. I look down to see Donna and Ted's number. I answer. It's Uncle Ted checking on me. I assure him I am fine. After I finished talking to Ted I go to bed.

Monday morning I wake up happy. I do a happy dance around my apartment. I think about how upset I was to be removed from the house and shake my head. It was the best thing to ever happen to me. I miss my school and my friends, but I don't really miss Ted and Donna. I had always felt like a visitor in their house. I shower and dress. My new clothes consist of a lot of black. I decide on a pair of light colored jeans and pair it with a black long sleeve sweater. I had bought a few more pairs of boots when I went shopping.

I decide to wear the new black boots that come up to the bottom of my knees. I dig through some of the new jewelry I bought. I find a thick silver link necklace and slide it over my head. I find similar earrings and put them in. I look in the mirror and smile. I apply my new makeup look to complete my new darker look. I decide I actually like the darker smoky look of my eyes this way. The old natural looking Carly is gone. I head outside and make the ten minute drive to school.

I close my locker and turn to find Ava and Nat waiting for me. "So how's the apartment," Nat asks. I hold back the urge to jump up and down screaming how much I love. Instead I say "It's fucking awesome. You guys need to come hang out." "Come hang out where," someone behind me asks. I turn to find Donnie. He's smiling at us and I have to admit he looks pretty cute. He's wearing a deep green t-shirt that brings out his eyes. The fact that he's always happy makes him even cuter. "Carly's place," Nat says then adds "So when is the first party." "I don't know yet. I haven't given it much thought. I'll have to get back to you on that." The bell rings and we all scramble off in different directions. I'm smiling from ear to ear as I enter my first period class.

I try to focus on the lesson we are working on, but just can't seem to stop thinking about Donnie. He's so nice and really cute. I'm starting to think he might like me. I think about maybe having a small party this weekend with just the lunch crew over. My place isn't big enough for an actual party. I'm grinning as I think about Donnie in my apartment when I get hit with a paper ball. I look over to see Janae staring at me. She motions for me to look to the front. Mr. Thomas is staring at me. I stare back. He shakes his head and repeats his question to me. I have no answer for him.

After class Janae follows me out of the room and says "Where were you at back there girlfriend." I laugh. "I was thinking about a get together this weekend at my new apartment." We continue to walk towards our lockers. Janae's locker is not far from mine. "That wasn't the look you had on your face," she says nudging me in the arm. "I don't know what you're talking about," I grin not spilling any more information. There was no way I was going to tell her I was thinking about Donnie. Just then I see blue eye's heading our way. My stomach flutters and my heart nearly stops as he gets closer. "Hey Janae. Hey bad ass," he says as he passes.

I turn to Janae. "So who is that," I ask her. "That's Adam Gallo." That's all she says. I reach my locker and Janae continues on to hers telling me she will see me at lunch. As I walk to my next class I think about Adam. Blue eye's has a name and it's Adam Gallo. I think about the name and then it hits me. Adam Gallo is a quarterback for East Riverside's football team. I know who he is. I've seen him play.

At lunch Nat and Ava plan our little party for Saturday night. Nat says she can score some beer from her brother. Janae and TJ offer to bring pizza. Ava says she'll bring munchies. I jot down my address for each of them. "I know where you live," Ava says after looking at the address. "I can walk to your place. I live about five blocks from there." Nat steals my cookie and takes a bite. She puts it back on my tray. "Nat just eat the whole cookie," I tell her. She shakes her head no. "One bite is all I am allowed." "Oh please. You're a bean pole," I tell her shoving the cookie at her. She eyes it for a second and turns away. I laugh and eat the cookie.

After school Donnie is once again waiting outside the door for me. As we walk to the parking lot, he asks me "So do you have a boyfriend back in West Riverside." I think about Mike and say "Nope." He's silent for a minute and then says "You were a cheerleader right." My heart sinks a little. That part of my life I do miss. I loved cheering. I miss gymnastics also. Ted and Donna said I could continue to go, but I figured why bother. Gymnastics helped me with cheering. Besides I didn't feel like making the drive. It was a good twenty minutes in the opposite direction of Ted and Donna's. It would take me a good hour and a half to get there.

We reach my car and I realize I never answered him. I lean against my car and look up at him. "Yes I was a cheerleader," I say. His smile is gone. "Geez Carly. I'm sorry. I made you sad." I try to smile, but it's a pathetic attempt. "It's alright Donnie. It's my fault I'm not a cheerleader anymore. I made stupid choices." He leans against my car next to me. "I remember you from the games," he says softly. I look over at him. "You look different now," he says looking directly into my eyes. "I am different now. So is it a good different or a bad different," I ask him trying to lighten the mood. I smile thinking I'm flirting with him. I haven't had much practice flirting. "You had the girl next door vibe going on before. Now you are like a smoking hot bad ass." I grin up at him and say "You didn't exactly answer my question."

Donnie opens my door for me and I climb into my car. "Let's just say you look good," he tells me. We say goodbye and I head home to my place. I do my homework after I get home. I microwave some popcorn for dinner and turn on the television. It's strange to be able to do anything I want whenever I want. As evening rolls around I light a couple candles in my living room. I fall asleep on the couch and wake after midnight. I blow out the candles and crawl into bed.