~Skylar~
Beep, beep, beep, be-
I smashed my hand down on my alarm clock and glared at it. I rolled on my back and closed my eyes. I heard my door crack and hid my smile, pretending to be sleep. She came to the side of my bed and was trying to breathe quietly.
"Boo." I said, suddenly opening my eyes. My 10 year old sister Katty burst into giggles and I smiled.
"Good morning Sky. Daddy said get up. I can't be late for my first day of school." she sang.
I groaned. "Why does your school start so early?" I mumbled into the pillow.
"I don't know, but come on, Dad made breakfast. And coffee," she coaxed.
The girl was good, she knew just how to get me out of bed.
"I'll be down in 10. Be ready," I told her and rolled out of bed.
She skipped out triumphantly and I looked in the mirror. Yikes. I was suffering from a major case of bedhead. I yawned. Ugh, morning breath. Not a very attractive morning but that's always how it is. I went through my morning ritual quickly but spent a good time on my teeth. When I finished I looked in the mirror and smoothed my black hair. Everything except my tired eyes was good.
I went downstairs and saw my dad putting on Katty's backpack.
"Ah. There's the princess," my dad said grinning at me. I grimaced and he laughed.
"How about there's the princess of darkness?" he joked handing me a plate of food and a thermos.
I smiled at him. "That’s very original dad. Is this coffee?" I asked, inspecting the thermos.
He nodded and my world instantly brightened.
"Go. You're going to make Katty late. Eat that at school and be careful," he ordered.
We hugged him goodbye and left. "You ready for school?" I asked. Katty nodded so hard she was practically bouncing up and down. She chatted about how excited she was to see her new teacher and make new friends at her advanced school. I pulled up and right before she got out I ran over her safety rules.
"Remember-"
"Don't talk to strangers. If you're late don't let anyone give me a ride and if I can, stay with an adult but not a creeper. Don't go in a secluded area and scream as loud as I can if something happens. I know," she huffed.
I laughed. "I know. Just checking. Now-"
"Be nice. Don't pick fights. Don't boast my superior intelligenceand of course do what you wouldn’t do when it comes to being social," she said cutting me off again.
I laughed. "Very funny. Are you sure you're 10?" I teased.
She paused as if she was thinking about it then shrugged. "Most likely. I'm just too smart. Have fun at school. Don't kill anyone." she said getting out.
"I make no promises." I yelled after her. I chuckled and drove to school.
I got to school and sat inside my car listening to music in the one hour I had before hell began. I chugged the last of my coffee as soon as Grim's "death van" rolled up next to my car. Lacey and Selene popped out of the back first and looked very relieved to be out. I got out of my car to see the boys get out. "Grim, get a new car man, seriously." Erik said moving his neck like it was messed up from the shaky ride. Lacey bounced over and hugged me and stared dreamily at Brandon before saying,
"It's not a bad car. It has personality."
We all cracked up knowing, except for Grim, that she only said this out of her affection for him."Exactly so suck one Erik and you're sleeping on the floor tonight." Brandon joked. Erik had a bad history with his folks. About two years after knowing all of us he got adopted by Grim’s parents. It’s complicated, to say the least.
Miles, Grim and Erik were basically brothers. Erik wrapped his arms around Selene and shrugged. "Then it's got a shitty personality. And I'll kill you in your sleep if you kick me out of my bed." he said.
"I'll use my superior nerd-ness to kick your ass. Strategy over brute force." Brandon joked. "Damn smart ass-" Erik mumbled still smiling though. "
Tsk, tsk, language Erik. Selene you really need to train him better." I teased.
He growled at me and she laughed. "Please, this one will not be tamed. Nor should he be." she said and they got all lovy-dovy.
"Gross!"
"Get a room." We yelled as they made out. They both gave us the finger and went on.
"Miles you're quiet today. Where's your usual hyper activeness at?" Lacey asked. He sat on the hood of Brandon's van.
"You'll see in a second." he murmured darkly. I was puzzled then as two cars came and parked loudly not too far from us, I saw what upset him.
Tanner McMiller and his typical hoard of jerks and barbies. Sucky how our stereotypical school would be all prep with only all us “freaks” in the way of its "perfection". That's how they saw it anyway. Because the way we dressed meant we were no longer regular people. Joy.
I saw Tanner first, looking as jerk-ish yet still gorgeous as ever. Wait, what? No way had I just thought that. But then again I used to think that before and saw it as perfectly normal. My mind unwillingly took me back to a memory I thought I'd buried.
I was at my brother's wedding dancing with him. His hands were around my waist and he held me close. I let my fingertips play with the blond hair at his neck. He brought me closer and then out of nowhere he kissed me, and I kissed him right back.
The memory ended and I was sad at first then pissed off that he could even make me react this way.
"Sky, don't let them get to you. Least not until they say something." Brandon said with a small smirk. I laughed and forgot about whatever had just happened. I saw him with his usual set of people and a girl that I had never seen.
"Hey guys, who's the girl with the red hair?" I asked puzzled.
"I don't know, but I want to find out." Miles said. We all laughed. She was pretty and had her head buried in a book, not paying much attention to anything. She looked up and I saw a face that looked similar to Tanner's.
"That's Tanner's little sister Kenzie. She just turned 16 but skipped a grade so she's a junior like us. I don't know her personality but she's related to Tanner, which can't be good. Sorry Miles." Brandon said. I nodded but something about her was different. There wasn't cockiness or scorn. I brushed it off, Brandon was probably right.
"She reminds me of Lacey." I thought out loud.
Brandon instantly went on the defensive. "No way. My Lacey's not related to an asshole." he said and blushed realizing what he said.
I looked over only to see Lacey with her headphones in eyes closed and mouthing to the music. I shook my head and went to stand next to Brandon. "Grim, you love her. Just tell her. She's too nice to let it change the friendship."
Not that she'd say no. I thought. We'd promised we wouldn't tell either of them what the other felt and it was immensely frustrating to see this happen every single day. He sighed and pushed on his wire framed glasses.
"But what if she says no? That's going to hurt like hell Sky. I can't, not yet." he said. I had to stand on my toes a little to get both hands on his shoulders so he'd focus.
"It's now or never Brandon. Take your pick." I told him. I let go and I heard Miles laugh softly.
"Always so forceful Skylar. How's your family?" he asked back into hyper mode.
"Oh you know Katty's becoming a super genius and will eventually take over the world. My dad's the best and Haiden and his wife are great." I said. He nodded.
Miles and I shared one thing in common. Loneliness. Neither of us seemed to have or get anyone's interest nor did we want it. But with this Kenzie girl it might just be me alone, if she's nice. Miles’ eyes were glued to the girl.
I heard the first bell and grabbed my book bag. Tanner’s group of friends and his sister walked past and a couple threw us hateful glances. Tanner and his newest whore stopped by us and suddenly everyone was expecting a fight and went to defend someone. Brandon was close to Lacey, Erik was still holding Selene, Miles shuffled to the back and me at the front line. It was nearly unconscious, our movements whenever they came near. It had to be, with how much trouble it always seemed to cause.
"What's up freaks? How was it cowering in a cave over the summer?" the girl attached to Tanner squeaked.
"I don't know, how was yours in a box barbie?" Erik retorted.
I groaned internally. It was the first day of school and I really wasn't about to have this. "
Tanner, why don't you and your friends get out of here?" I said dryly. He looked a little surprised as I addressed him. I saw his sister looking a little fearfully between the two groups, obviously sensing the tension she was just brought into. Poor girl. Tanner's surprise disappeared and he was scowling again.
"Whatever, make sure you freaks stay out of our way." he said and they all walked off.
"Hey Sky, how's your Mom?" the barbie said as she walked off. Miles and Brandon instantly grabbed me and held me from ripping her hair out and slapping her silly and Selene was yelling at Erik to stay calm. The stupid slut laughed and walked on.
"UGLY WHORE!" I yelled. I breathed quickly and tried to calm myself.
"Guys, let go. I'm ok." I said shakily. Lacey led me to the car and we sat on the hood. I leaned into her and sighed. How did she know my secret? My mother had abandoned all of us. Haiden first, then me, then Katty. She planned to abort all of us but my father promised she'd never have to deal with us after she gave birth so she did. My mind was still streaming curse words at her but my motherly instincts had me checking on everyone.
"Erik, you ok? I'm fine honestly. I'm used to it." I lied, trying to soothe him.
"You shouldn’t have to be.” He sighed and shook his head.“Sorry I snapped babe," he said to Selene.
Everything else seemed to be fine and the first period bell went off. I sighed. "Come on Lacey, off to class for us." I said, grabbing her hand. She smiled at me and skipped along, dragging me with her. "We'll see you guys later. Bye Brandon." she yelled back cheerfully. I knew he was blushing without even looking back and smiled at my not so normal friends.
*Tanner's POV*
She'd said my name. Without yelling, cursing, anything. She'd just spoken it, just like she used to before... 'before you turned into a big jerk, jackass', the voice in my head said. Memories I'd buried had come back with the sound of her voice. I shook my head. What was going on with me? We were enemies. She'd always hate me. A snappy comment the girl I met last night said to Sky as we were walking into school pulled me out of my revere. I think her name was Ashley. It might Amber, or maybe not. I quit. It didn’t matter.
"What did you just say to her?" I asked.
"Um, I just said a joke about her mom Tanner. Chill. You weren't this tense last night."shesaid smirking. She had a point. Something was confusing and messing me up.
I saw my sister grimace at her comment and continued to read her book, obviously uncomfortable.
"Don't mention her mother. Ever. Any of you." I ordered. I knew the secrets they didn't, the pain it really caused her. I don't even know how she knew. I shook my head. I saw a couple of the guys eying my sister.
"I'm going to show Kenzie around myself today guys. We'll catch up later."
"You're being absurd. This is absolutely unnecessary." she said using her not so normal, boarding school vocabulary.
"Whatever. Try to be normal please. I only pulled you away because my guy friends were staring at you." I said. She smiled.
"Aw. Look at my brother all defensive. You know I could take those twerps any day. They're idiotic and gross. Complete cads." she said.
"Kenz, what the hell is a cad? Seriously I said normal sis." I teased.
She rolled her eyes. "Expand your vocabulary dork. A cad is an ungentlemanly man, so pretty much every guy on this freaking planet." she said in frustration. I smiled and gave her a hug. "Don't worry Kenz. You're going to find an awesome guy and he's going to be the perfect gentlemen. Now whether he's straight or not-" I said trailing off.
She hit me with her book but smiled anyway. "I'm going to class. Try not to get in too much trouble. And be nice would you. Those guys wanted to kill you, she told me.
"I'll try. Have fun, make friends, and be normal." I yelled after her retreating figure. She gave me the finger and I laughed. That's Kenzie for you.
*Sky’s POV*
Lacey and I were in Pre-Cal talking about her obsession with Grim and how her summer had been since she'd spent a good amount of alone time with him.
"It's so frustrating. I want to tell him, and I feel like it's obvious. He just doesn't see it." she said. For once she looked generally frustrated and mad. But all the same it was like an angry puppy or kitten. Cute and funny; not threatening.
"Well, just wait and see what happens this year." I told her, hoping Brandon would finally just ask. The new girl Kenzie walked in reading as she walked and sat right next to me. I was inspecting her, wondering if she did this for a purpose until she put her book down and looked around confused. She looked at her schedule, and then around like 3 times before Lacey poked me hard.
"Ow! What-"
She pointed at the girl then mouthed 'help her'. I rolled my eyes and tapped the girl on the shoulder. "Hi. Um, you look a little confused and I'm guessing you're new. Did you want some help?" I asked kindly.
Even if her reaction would be like someone in her brother's crew, I figured why be unnecessarily mean.
She smiled brightly. "That'd be great. I'm supposed to be in Mr. Aventure's Pre-Cal class. Did I get it right?" she asked biting her lip.
Well, she seemed pretty nice. "Mhm. What are your other classes?" I asked and Lacey, Kenzie and I tried to organize which of the two of us would take her to her first class before lunch and the ones after.
Mr. Aventure walked in and we went silent at his serious face. At the end of the period I was drained.
"That was the most monotonous lesson ever. His class should definitely be a breeze but still a provocation." Kenzie said walking next to me.
"Did you really just used monotonous and provocation?" I asked skeptical.
She blushed. "My old boarding school was full of vocabulary snobs. Tanner said I should try not to use my "big words" here. By the way I'm sorry he's such a twerp." she said, keeping pace with me.
I shook my head. "We don't take it too personal. That's how it always is."
She looked confused and I laughed. "You'll see at lunch. For now let's survive English." I said and walked into class with her.
*Lacey's POV*
I went to AP chemistry, listening to my iPod when someone tapped my shoulder. I looked up to see Brandon's tall figure and smiled. I pulled out my headphones and gave him a hug.
"Hey, you snuck up on me."
He smiled as we went into class. "It's not very hard. You don't pay attention." he joked.
I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed. We sat next to each other. I wonder if he did this because we were friends, or because he liked me. I sighed. High school crushes were weird. His face was confused when I looked back at him and I put my head on his chest while we waited for the class to start. His arm came down around me and I don't think my face could get any redder but inside I was jumping up and down. The teacher walked in and cleared his throat at us. Brandon let go of me and I sat up, and avoided eye contact with him. I snuck a peak at him and saw him blushing.
'So does this mean he likes me?' I asked myself. That was probably our most intimate moment yet. Over the summer when we'd hang out he'd like to hold my hand but I didn't want to get my hopes up for nothing. I banged my head on the table, frustrated at how complicated this genius, gorgeous, idiot was.
*Brandon's POV*
It felt good to hold her. It was right. The moment was over too soon and only after she'd gotten off of me was I embarrassed at how that must have looked. I liked the thought of people thinking she was my girlfriend and leaving her alone. I mean would you want a 6'6, dark, emo kid, called 'Grim' after you? Didn't think so. I mean no matter how nerdy that's still intimidating to people. I smiled at the idea but shut my mind down quickly knowing she'd never say yes to the nerdy, gangly, weird guy. I sighed and went back into my normal state of depression wondering how everyone else was.
**FF** Lunch Time
*Sky's POV*
I was walking to lunch with Kenzie talking about her experience with the boarding school boys. "They're terrible. Rich snobs that think just because they're rich they can get any girl they want. Hmph. Not happening. Pretentious jackasses." she ranted as we walked into the cafeteria.