I woke up to the sound of beeping coming from my alarm on my phone. I slowly reached for it and turned it off. I groaned and rested an arm over my eyes as if that would help with the small amount of sunlight coming from outside.
It felt too early and I wanted more sleep. Not enough sleep was just what I got and I always did.
Not too long later my mom knocked on the door.
"Honey, time to get up."
I jumped up in bed a bit and stared at my door.
"Mom? You're home?"
"Yes honey."
"Since when?"
I stumbled out of bed and grabbed a sweatshirt. As I tried to put it on I opened my door and walked down the hallways a bit to see my mom sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. She had her reading glasses on and a book in her other hand. I looked at the cover and saw it was "True Believer" by Nicholas Sparks.
"Since last night. I texted you. I was sure you were still awake when I sent it."
I looked back behind me realizing I left my phone in my room. I leaned against the wall and folded my arms. I was still waking up and didn't like how quickly I got out of bed.
"Probably not, I went to bed early."
She put down the book and leaned her head down so she could look at me past her reading glasses.
"I didn't think it was possible for you to sleep early."
I rolled my eyes and started heading back to my room.
"Very funny mom."
Once back in my room I closed the door and yawned while stretching. I went rummaging around in my closet looking for a particular skirt to wear. It was a red and black plaid skirt. I was going to wear a black turtleneck with it as well as the usual fishnets. It was starting to get cold out so I was a bit limited with what I could wear.
It took me a while to get all my clothes on and once I finished I headed to my bathroom and did the usual routine of brushing my teeth and putting on makeup. I started to mess with my hair when I saw my mom leaning in the doorframe.
"I think you should do those small ponytails up top, you know?"
I turned my head a little and thought about it.
"Yeah that might work. Thanks mom."
She gave me a small smile and walked off. I finished doing my hair and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I slowly raised my hands into a position as if I was about to jump someone.
"Boo!" I whispered to myself. I shook my head trying not to laugh as I put my hands back down and reached over for some jewelry to put on. If I did that to some kid and not my reflection there would definitely be some screams happening right now.
I finished getting ready and headed back to my room to grab my bag as I slung it over one shoulder.
"Today you have club practice, right?" my mom asked as I got into the living room putting on my black ankle boots.
I nodded my head as I finished tying the laces.
"I won't be home until next Monday so you'll have to survive without me until then."
"But you just got back? Why are you leaving already?"
"I'm covering for a friend."
My mom walked over to me and kissed the top of my head. She smiled at me and I smiled back.
"Alright alright," I pushed her away a bit, "you'll mess up my makeup."
She looked tired and I looked to the side biting the inside of my cheek.
"I can handle being on my own, don't worry. Just stay safe out there."
Her face brightened when I said that and she walked back over to the table where her book was. I went for the front door ready to leave when mom yelled something out.
"Love you sweety."
"Love you too mom. Have a safe flight."
With that I left and headed toward the bus stop. I had a car but gas was expensive and I already spent most of my allowance on my makeup and such. Besides, it wasn't that bad. Most people just sat there in the morning still half dead. Plus the ride was only a few minutes since I wasn't too far from the school.
The bus got here not too long after I did and I quickly sat down. I leaned my head against the seat and sighed. I was way too tired for this.
Once I got to the school I went to my locker and switched out my materials for what I needed. I closed up my bag and started heading to my french class when I walked right past Zach.
I acted like I didn't see him and he kept talking to his friends like he didn't see me.
Just like how things were supposed to be.
I got to my French class and sat down looking back at how the situation ran in that last minute. It was like last night never happened.
I started getting my books out when a familiar face came to my desk and sat in the one in front of mine. He looked back at me and then completely turned around to face me.
"Hey Ian," I said, opening my French book to the page on the board.
"Hey Jessica. Are you coming today?"
I raised my eyebrow with a confused look. He was referring to the club meeting today. He was a member of the gaming club like me but he rarely came. Recently though he's become a little more regular at the meetings.
I looked up at him. "I should be asking you. Are you going?"
He looked back at me and our eyes locked. It was then I really took in his looks.
Black everything. Black hair, black eyes, black clothes. He wasn't one for color but I wasn't really either. He was pretty pale and his hair was pretty shaggy and long. It was a mess yet clean and in place the best it could be. If he wasn't such a loner who skipped class and had such a dark presence he probably would be popular with the girls.
He looked away and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I will if you go."
Despite his intimidating personality he was the best player in the team. Even better than me. Maybe because he was so unapproachable he was better than me. We were alike in many ways; he was just more dark and scary in a way. We both are also people who prefer to be alone. But I guess the club doesn't bother him that much like with me.
As he looked to the side I couldn't help but let my eyes wander. He had a lip piercing that connected to his ear with a chain. It was a look I was hoping to do but my mom would never allow me to get a lip piercing until I was 18.
He looked back at me and our eyes locked again. I quickly went back to my French textbook and cleared my throat.
"Alright then I'll see you there. We could use your help anyway."
He scoffed. "You're not that bad yourself. You don't always need me."
Before I could say anything the teacher came in and Ian moved his seat to the right spot by his desk and class started.
I looked at him from where I was and thought about what I was going to say, or what I could say. Something snarky like 'yeah right, I'm better than you' or something nice like 'but i like having your company'.
I cringed at that last one and laid my head down on my book.
I really did like his company though. In fact, he made the club meetings better for me. He made them feel like I wasn't alone because even in a place with others like me I was still different. But we were alike.
He was the other great friend I had besides Zach. Only more like me.
The class drained on until it was finally over. I started packing up my stuff when Ian came over and just stood by my desk.
I looked up at him, giving him that face basically saying 'go ahead, you have the floor'. He didn't say anything so I scoffed and continued packing my things.
"Did you need something?"
He didn't respond. He just stayed there as if he was waiting for me. After a bit he finally said something.
"Nah forget it. I gotta get to class. See you at practice."
I watched him as he left. He's always been weird but not that weird.
I finished getting my stuff together and slowly made my way to my next class.