Stand Tall

You like him

     My dad gives me a worried look. "I'm fine, dad. I've been fine for the past 3 months," I sigh. With mom dying a year ago, I went through a hard time, almost ending up like her.

     "I'm just worried," he offers me a cookie, which I take. "I lost one strong, important woman. I don't need to lose another." Looking down at my feet, I feel my face heat with shame with what I put him and Caden through.

     "I'm sorry dad," I say, not meeting his eyes. I can feel him looking at me.

     "Don't be sorry," he says after finishing another cookie, "Just don't do it again." I nod smiling. We talk for a while longer, before I get up to head home.

     "Bye Daddy," I say hugging him.

     "Bye sweetheart," he hugs me back. I leave and head back to my house. Once home, I climb into bed and fall asleep with Bryan on my mind.

     I walk into school, dressed in a blue sweater, white skirt, and heels. People say hi, smiling, instead of shying away. The head cheerleader, Cassie, walks up to me, "Hey you coming to cheer tonight?"
     My mouth moves on its own, "Why wouldn't I?" I laugh. I walk through the halls until I see Bryan. I walk up and hug him.
     "Hi babe," he leans down and kisses me..
     "Oh god," I say sitting up.

     "Azra?" Caden says coming into my room. "Is something wrong?" I put my head into my hands groaning.

     "I'm fine. What did you need?" She sits next to me.

     "Just want to know what's going on with you and Bryan." I start to shake my head but she cuts me off. "I know there is something there. I know he likes you, but I can't tell if you like him. You were always good at hiding your emotions."

     "I'm not sure if I like him," Caden gives me a go-on look. "I know he likes me because he told me, but I don't know what to do. I've always been the person in the back, noticed but feared. I know that by me talking to him, people will think that they can. I don't want that. I want to go back to the way it was before I ever did that scene with him. Where I was alone and proud of it." I sigh looking back down.

     I get off my bed. "Well just take the chance, Azra. You won't know unless you try."

     "We have to get ready." I head to the kitchen to eat. Together we walk to get food. I grab the ingredients, cooking for both me and Caden. "I hate being short." I say climbing on the counter to grab the pancake mix.

     "You could've asked me." Caden says scrolling on her phone.

     After we finish eating, we head to our rooms to get ready. I hop into the shower, scrubbing my body and when I get out, I slip into a bra and underwear. I pull on leggings and a silver crop top. My black combat boots go on my feet.

     I sit at my mirror and brush my blonde hair. I put on mascara and eyeliner, before braiding my hair. Once I finish, I grab my bookbag and leather jacket, and head into the kitchen to grab my phone and wait for Caden.
     She comes out of her room dressed in a pair of silver flats, black shirt, and a pink t-shirt that had silver writing on it. Her hair was curled and she had on a small amount of mascara. "Let's go." We both head to my motorcycle.
     As Caden is about to leave, I say, "I'll pick you up for play practice, okay?" She nods and I head to school. When I pull up, all eyes on me. I adjust my sunglasses and plug in my earbuds, before walking towards the school building.
     Layla comes up to me, "I told you to stay away from Bryan." I shrug my shoulders, not really listening, "You will regret ever talking to him." She yanks my earbud from my ear.
     "Oh really," I raise an eyebrow. "You may want to rethink that." Before she can say another word, I walk away, dreading every second of this day.

Chapter 8-10 will be updated by Monday (hopefully). Keep voting, commenting, etc. Thanks for reading!

—JJ <3