The Last Petal

Chapter 1

"It'll be ok, sweetheart. I'm so sorry you had to go through that," said Alex's mom, wiping away the tears that streamed down Alex's face.

*Ten years later* (Voice change)

"Alex, you're going to be late to school if you don't hurry," Her mom called down the stairs.

"I'm coming" I replied, exhaustion seeping into my voice. I sleepily trudged upstairs and went straight to my car before I could be stopped by the aroma that led into the kitchen. Oh, my mother's cooking was the best, but if I didn't leave, I would be late. It was my first day back to school after summer vacation after sophomore year. My eighteenth birthday hung just around the corner.

The second that I walked in the doors to the school my best (and only) friend, Chip, came up behind me and yelled in my ear, scaring me. And, I'm ashamed to admit, made me jump a little, but I played it off cool.

Chip was about five nine, maybe five ten. he had an athletic build but he hated sports (Like me). He was the best, always smiling, causing dimples to form on his cheeks. His blonde hair was ruffled perfectly, staying out of the way of his perfect chocolate eyes. Any other girl would melt on the spot, but we've been friends since we were in diapers. (So, i'm slightly friendzoned)

I'm about half a foot shorter than him, my dark brown hair long, mostly covering my boring, dull brown eyes. I didn't do any sports either and I was usually in a bad mood. I don't understand how we're even friends. I mean, when you consider our parents hate each other. But, maybe it's because opposites really do attract.

Even though we constantly fought, we always remained friends somehow. Chip is always hanging out with the populars, but he somehow always makes time for me and for that I am forever grateful.

"Alex, Alex ...ALEX," cried Chip, "Snap out of it, we got to get to class"

"Ugh, do I have to?" I complained. School was not my forte.

"Yes," replied Chip, "now come on."

I was dragged to class behind Chip. I pulled down on my skirt and re-tucked my shirt. I was still wondering why they had to have a school uniform. It was ugly and uncomfortable and stupid. It didn't prevent bullying anyways, the populars still had better kept uniforms than the people who didn't have as much money.

"So," questioned Chip with a smirk, "you excited for your birthday?"

I thought for a couple seconds then replied, "I'm ready to be a legal adult and do what I want." Chip himself was already 18 and was ready to see me turn 18 so we could explore the world around us without parents looking over our shoulders.

We rounded a corner and entered the classroom for language arts, taking our usual seats at the back of the classroom. Despite his popularity, Chip didn't like the front of the room for some reason.

My class schedule involved all of my least favorite teachers and I was their least favorite student. Not because I was a bad student but because I don't particular like to participate in class. The only time of the day that I actually enjoy is lunch, but today there was one class I particularly liked.

When lunch finally came I walked there with actual happy thoughts in my mind. But they changed very quickly. The second I walked into lunch and saw that Chip was sitting with the other popular kids. And he was getting along great with a pretty tan skinned brunette with perfect hair. I don't know why, but seeing Chip flirt with that girl bothered me. A lot.

So I just skipped lunch and waited outside the door to my next class. After lunch I had P.E without Chip and the class dragged on as it usually did. After P.E I had photography which was the one class I actually liked. Then for my final class of the day I had math. 

After school, I drove Chip home because, despite his constant complaints and begging, his mom refused to buy him a car.

Usually Chip talked all the way to his house said goodbye to me and left for sports. But apparently today was different. Chip didn't say anything to me and it bothered me for the rest of the day.

The next day I woke up and got ready for school but when I got there Chip was not waiting for me. So I walked to my first class where I saw Chip with the brunette he had been talking to the day before. Although she didn't seem like his type he had his arm around her waist and they were smiling and looking at each other. I wanted to scream but instead I sat in my usual spot while Chip sat with the girl in the front.

The rest of the month went slowly and I didn't bother to pay much attention in any of my classes. What did it matter? I didn't eat lunch with Chip and after school I always went straight home, not caring that Chip might need a ride.

It went on like that for a long time. I was lonely. Chip spent so much time with the popular people in the school, he was never around me anymore. I missed him. I missed him so much. Then one day, towards the end of the school year, things changed. Big time.

I stopped dead in my path of going to my room because when I opened the door to come in I saw a lawyer sitting on our couch talking to my mom.

"Oh, perfect timing Alex this is Mr. Jacobson he was your aunt's lawyer."