Unlikely ✓

Nineteen: Never Click the Link

POV: Nathan Westmore

It was odd getting used to breakfast without Addison's remarks or her and dad nerding out about what cars they thought were interesting while mom, Blake, and I all listened in a constant state of confusion.

Instead, I ate one of the apple muffins my dad made for breakfast.  The kitchen smelled like a kitchen in a holiday movie—or what I'd think they'd smell like if it were real and not just some set.  Cinnamon and warmly baked muffins filled that air making it a little better having to get up and only to go to school for six hours then work for seven.

I preferred the morning shifts much better but more times than not I would be stuck with the afternoon to evening shifts.

"I'll leave dinner in the microwave when you get home.  We should be back from bible study no later than nine," my mom explained.

Today her book had fairy wings that looked like a layer of frost had hit them.  The glitter reflected in the light as she set it down on the table.

"Okay," I nodded.

I grabbed my plate and glass making sure to wash them before grabbing my backpack and phone.  "See you this evening, breakfast was great," I muttered before rushing out the door like I did most mornings.

Inside Misty's car was how I felt in my head.  There were a lot of overlapping conversations that had nothing to do with one another yet were being told as if they flowed perfectly together.

Music was coming from somewhere like the night before a presentation and I have an ungodly amount of tabs open on my computer making it move at the paces of a snail with no motivation.

"I will kick you out of this car if you don't knock it off.  I'm wearing platforms today, Jaxon.  It will hurt like a bitch."

Jax shrugged off Misty's threats for the last mile as he switched from one song to the other on the radio and then on his phone that was plugged into the aux.

Mandy was doing her makeup as usual, partly why she carpooled with us.  And I was stuck holding half of it while trying not to look too stupid when she asked for something I didn't know.  My sister did this for a living and I didn't know the difference between the five different shades of orange eyeshadows.

"You can make it to lunch today right?" Mandy questioned as she poked at her eyes with mascara.

"Yeah, I don't have to leave till one for work, why?" I asked as I watched out the window seeing the familiar landmarks.  The closer to the building the more I wanted to go home.  How did people actually look forward to going to school?

"I have full reign on the graduation ceremony and need help picking a theme and color pallet.  Jax might as well be color blind and Mis—"

Jax paused his argument with Misty to turn back at us shocked.  "That is so not true," he exclaimed.

"You're wearing medium wash jeans with a nearly matching blue shirt.  You look like a twelve-year-old in a pantsuit." Mandy added some blush to her cheeks before adding in: "No offense or anything."

"What about Misty then?" Jax egged on.

Mandy looked for her lipstick even though she had four of the same shades of red she still made it seem like a life or death decision.

"Have you seen her?  It's like an anime girl meets pastels, with a dash of edgy punk.  I'm sorry but I'm not asking for help after last time when we ordered that face anime girl for a banter."

"You mean ahegao and I still think that was the most iconic middle school dance anyone had ever been to," Misty beamed.

"Think what you want, I was the 'pervert' who was questioned about ordering them," Mandy clarified.