Chapter 7
First Day
Scarlett
Waking up today was easy; anxiety helped immensely.
Up before the sun and the sound of my alarms, I hop into the shower.
The warm water cascades over me, as my thoughts form an emotional tangle.
The first day of school with no mom to make us breakfast or see us off.
No “have a good day” and no big smiles as we return.
Catching myself in a choke hold, I try to restrain myself from the overwhelming feeling of grief and insecurities.
Turning off the water, I rinse out my long brown hair and look in the mirror.
Alright, Scarlett, get your shit together.
Be invisible; you’ve done this for years.
Who cares if it’s a new school; it's still the same concept.
Be a shadow on the wall, speak only when spoken to, and hide in the bathroom stall if shit goes south.
Giving myself a slight smirk, I head back to my room to find something to do with this crazy hair and deep, dark bags under my emotionally drained eyes.
Styling my hair was easy: I opted for my signature beach-wave curls and kept makeup minimal. I then headed to Levi’s room for the most challenging part, the outfit.
Giving his door a soft knock before opening it, Levi lies on his back in bed, already dressed and ready for school. “Why did you knock?” He laughs as he sits up.
Walking into the massive closet, I give him a small laugh. “Because the last thing I want is to come in here while you’re naked, or worse, have your dick in your hand. Knocking will be happening.”
Levi bursts out laughing. “Good point, it is my favorite pastime.” Looking back, I watch him roll his eyes before standing up and walking over to his window.
The sun is now shining through the blinds, and I’m crunching time.
“Better hurry up if you want a ride, be down in ten or you’re walking.
” He goes to leave the room, and I yell out to him.
“Funny, I know you wouldn’t leave me, I’ll be taking my time!” Levi is already down a few steps, and I know he just gave me the finger.
After trying on ten shirts and six pairs of shorts, I stood in front of the full-length mirror wearing jean shorts and a plain black V-neck t-shirt, paired with black-and-white Vans.
At least there are no bruises to conceal at the start of the day.
My stomach flips because this is it; I’m leaving this room and committing to doing this today.
Mom, if you are watching over us from wherever you are, walk with us today- it’s the least you could do.
And if you still choose not to do your part, then fuck off.
I laugh to myself and head down the stairs.
Levi is standing at the kitchen island, slamming a Pop-Tart.
“Easy killer, Grant’s already at work, no need to slam the shitty food.
” He smiles as crumbs fall from his mouth.
Grant has always been the kind of man who wants everyone to present themselves in a certain way.
Levi needs to be lean, strong, look like a damn prince, eat well, and work out.
He is always to push to excel, ensuring Grant looks good, whereas I need to look pristine, always, but modest. To remain thin and keep the pimples that make my face their home seven days a month concealed, comical coming from the man who leaves more marks than a pimple ever could.
Walking to the door, I turn around. “Ten minutes is up. Should I hop in the car and leave you?” Grabbing his bag, he rushes to the door.
“Never will I trust you to drive my car. I saw that look of thrill in your eyes when I was flying down that road. Not a chance in hell. Passenger Princess, you will remain.” He throws the keys up and catches them as we walk to the car. We will see about that.
Jumping in the car, I Bluetooth my phone, knowing exactly what this ‘passenger princess’ will play.
The song he hates the most, naturally. As we get to the stop sign at the end of our neighborhood, I blast classical music.
The moment the first beat blasts through the Bose speakers, he turns to me, using his free hand to turn the radio off. “Not happening.”
I smirk. “If I’m the passenger, I play the music.” I push the stereo back on.
He looks back at the road as he takes off from the stop sign. “You don’t even like this shit.” He laughs, knowing I am just being difficult, because he’s right, I don’t. With that, I change it to Eminem, and Levi starts rapping immediately.
Pulling into the school parking lot, I gawk at how large the high school is. Stretched out for what looks like a mile long and three stories tall, I snap my mouth shut. “Fuck.” Levi looks out the windshield and nods.
He grabs his bag in the back seat. “Let’s go, Spencer texted me, and said he’s waiting by the front door.”
I smile, opening my door and throwing my bag over my shoulder.
“How cute, you’re in a bromance already.
” He shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
It’s easier to cast jokes and use dark humor to get by.
It’s always been my thing to play it off like nothing is wrong.
When in reality, my heart is pounding, my chest is tight with nerves, and my hands shake as we walk to the back doors. Here we go.
Spencer is standing by the trees, surrounded by twenty or more people.
Levi takes the lead and nods to Spencer.
“Hey, man!” Spencer hollers over the girls and guys surrounding him.
Why does the thought of girls surrounding him make me feel uneasy?
He is wearing jeans that hug his muscular thighs and ass, making my eyes linger for longer than they should.
His orange shirt hugs his biceps; I'm sure with one flex, the cotton would rip at the seams. The color makes his tan look phenomenal, complemented by his freshly cut, dark hair and dark hazel eyes, which enhance the contrast of his bright shirt. Quickly, I swallow the temptation and make eye contact with Spencer, finding his eyes already locked on mine. Fuck, I’m caught.
My heart begins to beat harder, making me question if an eighteen-year-old can have a heart attack, because at this rate, today is the day.
Spencer smirks, creating a dimple in his left cheek.
Damn, that’s adorable. Stoooop, he’s probably a ladies’ man, and all the girls think he’s cute, sexy, and handsome.
Shift focus, Scarlett. He’s ugly. Soooo ugly.
“Good morning, Beauty Queen,” He says sheepishly.
I can feel my cheeks heat, but I tell myself it’s because the sun is beaming with a vengeance.
Smiling back, he leads the way. Six doors in a row hold up stacks of windows, rising to the third floor and meeting at the roof.
They are tinted, with a huge cougar in a fighting stance on top of big orange and black letters that read GO COUGARS NORTH HIGH SCHOOL.
Filling my lungs with all the air possible, I breathe it out as I walk through the threshold.
Step one. Get through the doors, check.
Stepping into the school, the gray metallic floors shine with fresh wax, and the scent of clean, crisp lemon fills my nose, making my nostrils scrunch.
Clean. The long hallway is lit by the windows now behind us.
Long hanging lights lead the way down the massive corridor, now filling with students.
As we walk, I linger behind Levi and Spencer.
Spencer gives a quick rundown of the layout, knowing that in moments, I will forget.
“Here’s the office, and the auditorium is right down this hallway.
The school does a good job of labeling everything and everyone.
” He laughs and continues walking, constantly being waved at by cute girls and guys, who give him the signature nod of the head.
“Yo, Collins, I am so ready to kick your ass at tryouts tonight.” I watch as Spencer shakes his head and laughs at the boy with straight white teeth and blonde hair.
“You wish, I will always be your captain.” He flips him off, and we continue down the maze of rooms with numbers and teachers’ last names that I will never remember.
We stop in the middle of the corridor between two hallways.
“Alright, so basically, the main hall here is full of offices, including yours, Assistant Coach.” Spencer gives Levi a shit eating grin, “And advisors, counselors, the main office, the attendance office, and a police officer on site. The library is at the end of this hallway, followed by the cafeteria to the right and the gym to the left. Down the two hallways on this floor are the first-year students. The second floor features the math rooms to the left and the science rooms to the right. The third floor is English and government classes.” I nod, happy to know the subjects have designated areas.
Looking at my schedule, I glance down. “What about art? It says I have that in the first block?” My voice comes out shaky, and Spencer grabs my schedule, looking it over.
I watch his eyes dart across the paper. “Right, so electives are on the second floor, you take the landing that takes you to another building over there, and all the elective classes. Don't sweat it, I’ll walk with you.” He turns to Levi, who is scanning the classmate walking by.
“You will head to the office and meet Coach, catch you later, bench-coach.” Spencer throws him a kissy face.
Levi nods, giving me a big smile. “You’ll do great, Letty, kick ass today. I’ll text you. And Spencer take care of her, or you run.” He smiles and leaves me on my own while I watch him walk away to his new job.