Accidentally Good & Bad

Chapter 4

Surprisingly, I slept pretty soundly. From last night's events I expected a night of restlessness. I mean, three boys just offered me their friendship! Me. I haven't had friends in years! Maybe the fact that I could sleep knowing I had friends by my side now was why I slept the best I have in years. 

But of course, I'm still me and my sleep was shattered. By a car's horn honking. Honking over and over, obnoxiously and repeatedly. This was only the slightest bit surprising. 

Rolling out of bed, I trudged to my bedroom's window to see what the commotion was. My jaw dropped as I pulled back my curtains. Sitting in the driveway of my house was a red mustang. And three boys were sticking their heads out of the windows of the mustang. 

Three boys that happen to be my only friends now. 

Parker Wilson, one of the three, happened to look up in this moment. "Guys! She's awake!" He yelled to the two boys accompanying him. The two boys looked up and grinned at me.

"Nice pajamas, Manhattan!" Archer Scott called out with that annoying smirk of his. I shot him a glare. But a blush hit my cheeks anyway. I was wearing a tank top and Hello Kitty pajama bottoms. Not exactly something I'd like the boys, especially Parker Wilson, to see. 

"Didn't you see my text?" Will shouted up at me. I shook my head. "Go check your phone!" 

I hurried back to my bed and searched underneath my pillow for where I usually put my phone. Once I had it turned on, I saw a text message. Sadly, my first one in a long time that wasn't from my sister, my dad, or my mom. 

will griffin: we're picking you up today for school

Oops. 

manhattan hood: i'll be down in twenty. 

I ran around my room like a chicken after it's head been chopped off. I frantically brushed my hair as I searched for a shirt and a pair of jeans. I pulled on a pair of ripped jeans and a baseball tee. I looked in the mirror and gasped. My hair was actually a brunette lion's mane. As I pulled it into a pony tail, I searched for my black Chuck Taylors. Once I pulled those on, I grabbed my backpack, stuffed my phone into it and raced down the stairs.

I grabbed a couple granola bars from the pantry before running into my dad. My parents are divorced and I live with my dad. My mom lives across the country with my twin sister, Brooklyn. They met in New York. My dad is from Manhattan and my mom from Brooklyn. That's where my name came from. 

"In a rush, Hattie?" My dad asked. He looked concerned. Probably because I was acting like a wild animal this morning.

"Kind of. I've got a ride this morning and I'm late." 

My dad looks surprised. He doesn't know about my high school situation, but he has noticed how I've never gone out or had friends over. Due to the fact that I don't have friends, but he didn't know that. 

"Oh, well alright. Have fun at school, honey," Dad said. I smiled at him and kissed his cheek before racing out of the house. 

I slowed down as I got closer to the red mustang. Archer was leaning against the hood of the car and pushed himself off as I neared. "Took you long enough, Manhattan."

"Shut up, Archer."

Archer laughed and opened the passenger side door for me. I looked at him suspiciously before sliding in. Archer slammed the door extra loud and I screamed in surprise. I glared at him as he laughed, sliding into the driver's seat. 

"Morning, Manhattan!" Parker grinned, popping his head in between the two front seats. "Can I have a granola bar? I didn't eat before I left."

"Sure." I handed Parker one and he whooped. Looking at Will who was sitting the back next to him, I asked, "Do you want one, Will?"

Will quickly shook his head. "I don't want to take your food."

"No I insist. I have plenty to share." 

"It would be rude to take your food, Manhattan."

"It would be rude to not take something I'm offering, Will."

Will's lips slowly spread into a smile. He tentatively took the granola bar from my outstretched hand. "Well, you've got me there." 

I opened my mouth to offer one to Archer but he gave me a look that said, "I don't want your granola bar." So I closed my mouth and helped myself to one. 

As soon as I bit into my granola bar, Archer backed out and started driving at a speed that I knew was called illegal. The windows were down too and the wind was making my ponytail whip my face. I dropped my granola bar in shock. My next reaction was to hold on for dear life.

"Christ, how fast are you going, Archer?" Will shouted from the backseat. I turned my head to see a pale Will. 

"Illegal!" I answered for Archer. Archer laughed and sped faster. Parker whooped from the back. 

To my surprise, I began to laugh. I could feel the boys staring at me like I was a madwoman but I just continued to laugh. It felt good to laugh. I haven't laughed in ages. Slowly, Parker began to laugh too. Archer joined in and Will followed suit. 

It felt nice.