<p data-p-id="c671f2dbdd41f1834f3d3825b8ed7118">"Aspen" I hear someone whisper from faraway. I ignore it and just pass it off as the wind since I left my window open last night.
<p data-p-id="6da4b999e2c1e582fc7b81afb0815292">"Aspen" I hear again except it's louder this time. I ignore it again.
<p data-p-id="4840087fe772dfcd0b174d16b7ecd562">A couple of minutes later a sweet smell fills my nostrils. It reminds me of pineapples and vanilla.
<p data-p-id="e494f138c17c820005897ec7c0d3c30d">"If you don't wake up, I'm going to burn your favorite book" I hear a familiar voice say which causes my eyes to snap open as I jolt up in bed so that I'm facing my best friend
<p data-p-id="b817f071c897bba341875d163f36bb9d">She's sitting crossed-legged on my desk chair while looking at me with amusement in her green eyes.
<p data-p-id="8f891cc8f4bee706dc896bdeedf50e17">Great, she snuck in again.
<p data-p-id="e808d9f9891f4977b77edde739b5718a">"I swear to god, Charlotte" I say with a glare as I look at her through my mess of hair. It would be so convenient if I could wake up looking put together.
<p data-p-id="2878473299e4ce9304f620fa500fa106">"Don't use god's name in vain" she says with a scolding tone as she stands up and dusts off the imaginary dirt from her outfit.
<p data-p-id="8846309c592699015e0ae491f3acdfc9">I subtly check out her outfit. She's wearing a white spaghetti strap tank top that's covered by a black leather jacket, she paired that with black skinny jeans and a pair of black combat boots. She kept her hair naturally wavy.
<p data-p-id="23cadfb4a4251e5c0306769783e23db1">"Are you going to continue checking me out or get ready so that we're not late for school?" She asks with a smirk as she climbs onto my bed which causes me to roll my eyes and blush
<p data-p-id="b3571a99aec8f18a65b4b7c5f582697f">I uncover myself and stretch my tight bones since I feel tense before I stand up and walk towards my bathroom so that I could get ready for school.
<p data-p-id="336d5ebc5436534e61d16e63ddfca327">-
<p data-p-id="3274bef4800a568575bb07e75fba9c0e">"How is it possible that you take longer to get ready than me?" Charlotte complains as I walk out of my bathroom fully dressed for the day
<p data-p-id="b5fd7b7019e47168c7fe699dff431dbc">"Because your wardrobe is mostly the same stuff," I say with an eye roll as I pull my long brown hair into a high ponytail
<p data-p-id="972975a9b6ae9f74a31900eedb251d39">"Can you hand me my glasses?" I say as I point towards my bedside table that has my black rimmed eyeglasses lying on top.
<p data-p-id="8daea63aea0da60165ff0a2fd18985c8">She grabs them off of the table and walks towards me before she opens them and places them over my eyes. She smiles at me before she kisses my cheek and grabs my wrist which causes me to blush.
<p data-p-id="832846865bb01afd5d813a76cf384dcd">She's usually never this affectionate with me.
<p data-p-id="9b69a63f6d87b40879ec248e2f534e6e">"Come on, I can smell your mom's famous banana bread" she says as she pulls me out of my room and downstairs.
<p data-p-id="2245f5076d294c40fb301bd44c9c5bdf">As soon as we reach the kitchen the smell of my mom's banana hits me in the face which causes me to smile in delight.
<p data-p-id="98a73ec358ece5c6eb09982cb3d577ea">My mom is a well known culinary chef and baker. She's been able to keep me out of the public eye since she knows what happens to some people when they get overwhelmed.
<p data-p-id="8291628d5a831f1adbccbb3a98348671">"Hey, Ms. Bailey" Charlotte says with a smile as she lets go of my hand and walks towards a barstool. My mom turns away from the oven and smiles wide when her eyes land on Charlotte.
<p data-p-id="5d441a39a7b28f1802c59a2f5945c183">"Charlotte, I haven't seen you around here in awhile. How have you been?" My mom asks as she walks towards her and gives her a hug
<p data-p-id="30179122c28f10342e7d2e8a9cb8e49e">"I've been good" Charlotte replies as she wraps her arms around my mom in an appreciative hug.
<p data-p-id="a65c8e7dcff6c88687f818bea6b6b809">Here's something that Charlotte will never mention or approve.
<p data-p-id="415deef1c6789f6f600a98d7e67b3473">She's very emotional, but she likes to pretend that she's not. I'm lucky that she's not afraid to show her real emotions to me.
<p data-p-id="7d70c2f7de7ea6656d12e61597c82777">"Aspen, eat" my mom says as she point to the plate of banana bread in front of me
<p data-p-id="afda33802853fd475a7be8f7faa5953b">When did that get there?
<p data-p-id="2e6aacc49ac74fe5e9b6196971a303d3">I pick up a fork and start to devour the delicious treat as my mom washes the dishes.
<p data-p-id="1b5f35e55e444b4d79bdb45171c58b5e">-
<p data-p-id="3ba78cf1236d440f2cae69450a55bafe">After breakfast Charlotte leads me outside towards her Audi R8. She opens the passenger side door for me which makes me smile as I slide into the seat. She closes the door behind me before she walks towards the drivers side and starts the car.
<p data-p-id="27f457d9050e7ef43f771c562f01a497">When we arrive at school she cuts the engine before we exit her car. People stare at her in awe as we walk past them but when they notice me they either glare or smile.
<p data-p-id="cac76e6c9b6ffb6a5be77e86c4f677c4">"Charlotte, I love your jacket" one of the girls scream out but Charlotte doesn't glance at them, she doesn't even show any emotion as she continues to walk towards our class
<p data-p-id="73e63335a0287fb784ccfdd1993e55fd">When we reach our class all eyes immediately turn towards us and not long after that Maddie walks towards Charlotte.
<p data-p-id="bcccb3d84aa217c0813d0b00e426fe64">"We didn't see you at the football game last night. Where were you?" Maddie asks her as she twirls a strand of her black hair around her finger. Charlotte rolls her eyes before grabbing my hand and dragging me towards a lab desk in the back of the classroom.
<p data-p-id="08dce8aa83c68d44492d7bea645e152b">"Are you okay?" I ask her since she looks tense. She turns her face towards me and has an emotionless expression.
<p data-p-id="9bce8c98cf13e47ce709ff5d83209dbd">Oh, she's pissed.
<p data-p-id="330a6decd0e86fc37106214bdbb8f325">"Why must she always ruin my mornings? She acts like we're dating, I don't even like her" she says in a low tone since people are still watching us
<p data-p-id="d50633a1636de38d2beb7957e7104156">"Calm down, I'm sure she'll get the hint soon" I say in a calm voice as I look her in the eyes. She nods before laying her head on the desk and falling asleep.
<p data-p-id="164911b7417160c1d8d9f733dcdf1dd2">-
<p data-p-id="539649f10ef61c31987749687ae92ca5">It's currently second period, which I do not have with Charlotte.
<p data-p-id="ed235de839b361381003ae1a5c3b1a25">I'm currently reading one of my favorite books but I can't enjoy it as much as I want to since I feel a bunch of eyes watching me. I look up and, no surprise here, I see a group of girls glaring at me.
<p data-p-id="c6d91ed655368a2ad7452d026f7faf32">I look down at my book and resume my reading until I'm interrupted by a guy clearing his throat beside me. I look up to meet a pair of brown eyes.
<p data-p-id="ddca927cdb96fcb616e0a77fa7a29d06">Is he new? Usually no one speaks to me besides Charlotte.
<p data-p-id="e59bd1aabd771ac50b67c1ded4c05a23">"Hi, I'm Kayden" he says as he offers me his hand. I look down at his hand with an unreadable expression.
<p data-p-id="2fa25dd4f13953d2ccb69ad6cf8cd926">Is this a joke?
<p data-p-id="4c25c90f7f0ce27448943b9162128f44">"Um, okay..." he says awkwardly as he brings his hand back to rub the side of his neck nervously
<p data-p-id="7a031a0d4ade71722c0e8a110eb3db4c">"I'm new here and I thought that you looked the least intimidating in this class," he says nervously which makes me release a small laugh
<p data-p-id="df311ec3cffec67215463034e1e3bbd0">"You can sit down, if you want. I don't bite" I say with a smile so he doesn't think that I'm stuck up. He gives me an appreciative smile before sitting in the seat towards my right.
<p data-p-id="a495bd86c69f107a3d06b1eee7a6c4e1">"My name is Aspen" I say "Since you're new, would you like it if I showed you around?" I ask him since I know how difficult it is to find your way around on your first day at a new school
<p data-p-id="6e3d85a408ebe4e7db8cd0afb2cea591">"Yes, that would be so helpful. Would you like to see my schedule?" He asks as he points towards his backpack. I nod which makes him smile as he reaches into his backpack and pulls out a green paper.
<p data-p-id="af5433f20874093a7f945a955fb9b85b">I grab the paper from his hands which causes him to laugh as I open the folded piece of paper. I quickly scan over the paper and smile as I hand it back.
<p data-p-id="9411eccc93348dd388fe386adb5edb82">"Lucky for you we have all the same classes," I say which causes his smile to widen. If he smiles any wider I'm pretty sure that his face will break.
<p data-p-id="d541d266dc491932f9d2f2b2f755ffb9">"And since we have lunch next, you can meet my best friend. If it seems like she hates you, she doesn't" I say with a reassuring smile. He gently grips my hand as he speaks.
<p data-p-id="4adaf38fef9e15c5a8441c59833e615e">"As long as you don't hate me, I'm okay" he says before he presses a feather light kiss onto my knuckles. I laugh awkwardly before I remove my hand and look at my book.
<p data-p-id="8a7e931e84c5581ee87de0fcad271621">Okay, that was kind of weird.
<p data-p-id="5b22009f296433dfcd5acc07171eff78">-
<p data-p-id="619d045472bd9b78d90c646a2ae8485d">Lunchtime.
<p data-p-id="cb1af5b90b565fcc7a1735abe0f903b9">The time everyone has been waiting for since breakfast.
<p data-p-id="245c8fdad13182423af6ab594f2903a6">They were serving pizza and mystery soup.
<p data-p-id="593050548bc5803e43f260e136d40c41">What is mystery soup, you ask?
<p data-p-id="97aaca922c4f12393ec4e0021da24555">That's the mystery of it.
<p data-p-id="c8a18e6f8d3fe93c8e24878dd32291ad">After Kayden and I bought our food we found an empty booth, but it was beside Maddie's table. I hope she doesn't notice me, I'm not in the mood for her crap right now.
<p data-p-id="770bce664ede8d681d0d1acac310d86e">As we're passing by her table someone sticks their foot in my path at the last second which causes me to lose my balance and drop my tray of food. I'm able to stop myself from falling on my face, but I'm unable to save my food.
<p data-p-id="a66c006e6655e2bfd76e78bbd53ca660">Great, I'm starving.
<p data-p-id="ff2b8b2d368b0c5701f4515a2ef37b18">"Oops, I'm sorry Aspen. I didn't see you there, it was almost like you were invisible" Maddie says with a smirk which causes the people at her table to snicker and laugh
<p data-p-id="123c230c587cb5391cd60028fb212cf6">I huff as I quickly walk towards the booth where Kayden is sitting. As soon as I sit down he gives me a sad smile.
<p data-p-id="e8b42f53346e95cd40bf7523f65faed2">"I saw what they did to you, you shouldn't let them bully you" he says which causes me to take a deep breath in and out so that I can calm my rapid breathing
<p data-p-id="3e77b188e30abac6bd0054c43cdb9cba">"It's December the first, Christmas break starts on the twentieth. I've been dealing with this since August, I can deal with it a little longer" I say calmly which causes him to frown at me but he doesn't get to speak since Charlotte sits down beside me
<p data-p-id="375979883e271efd2caa4187f56860f2">"Who are you?" She asks with an annoyed tone. I touch her arm so that she can calm down a little.
<p data-p-id="b591ce9af75082ceaee8923507034960">"This is Kayden, he's new. I met him in my second period class" I say as I look between the two of them cautiously. Charlotte is glaring at him and Kayden looks confused.
<p data-p-id="4ddcdb54de24e5d3eba8c1c8d86b0c64">"That doesn't explain why he's sitting here" she says with an impatient tone
<p data-p-id="ad566a12ba4a46f23bae16d89ca5043a">"I invited him, now be nice" I say with a stern tone since she's being ruder than normal
<p data-p-id="e7b95e73365c27fe49528e3e1180363f">"Whatever" She says as she pulls out a McDonalds bag from her backpack. She hands me a Big Mac and a large fry, I thank her before I devour the food. I look at her and notice that she's not eating anything.
<p data-p-id="6caa3c09e2b8768c520163bc63374436">"Where's your food?" I ask as I swallow five fries. She looks at my curious expression and smiles before responding.
<p data-p-id="18e64ba250a415508e2755862b01bf88">"I ate it while driving back after I bought you that" she says calmly which makes me groan
<p data-p-id="277e3d56407e7d791a4f0910a11165f9">"I thought I told you to stop sneaking out of school" I say which causes her to roll her eyes
<p data-p-id="fad3523d8140216b12a0be8e080c3b1c">"Relax, I snuck out after class" she says
<p data-p-id="4ab6e9c9f7a22d5654a94099c70076e4">Ugh, I swear she's untamable.
<p data-p-id="9d0847222422164e21739031d2579598">I look up only to see Kayden smiling at us with a knowing look. I raise an eyebrow at him questioningly.
<p data-p-id="ed59dfb61191a0751db71865d8054057">"Can I ask you a question?" He asks with a never ending grin. I have a feeling that Charlotte is about to give him a sarcastic response so I answer before she can open her mouth.
<p data-p-id="b8b97aa9102c4474d324953531b44747">"Sure" I say before I take a bite out of my Big Mac
<p data-p-id="1691512037e8332ba0ee72dcceb53ee6">"By any chance, are you both dating?" He asks which causes me choke on the burger.
<p data-p-id="3d9000a9fe2861ff33835f491110556c">Charlotte pats my back as she hands me a bottle of water which I accept immediately and chug. When I'm recovered I give him an incredulous look while Charlotte gives me a worried look.
<p data-p-id="83e6c442200972e2f52b75ca72de1a59">"What? No, we're best friends. She's like a sister to me" I say as Charlotte's hand continues to rub circles on my back
<p data-p-id="7db03e7294606f05f2380bee087fdf60">"Even if we were dating, why would it be any of your concern?" Charlotte asks him with a glare which causes him to hold his hands up in surrender. He's about to respond before Maddie comes up to our booth with her boobs popping out of her top.
<p data-p-id="00ebb3eea97f48ebc5c935ff098054da">"Charlotte, why are you sitting here? You should be sitting with me, where you belong" Maddie says as she slowly trails her finger up and down her arm
<p data-p-id="f5c0e79ece9e4f3026c6a11c12427c25">Charlotte grabs Maddie's wrist and quickly twists it, smirking when she sees her flinch in pain.
<p data-p-id="1db0183c42f5701af10537f1c22e67a7">"Wherever Aspen is, is where I belong" Charlotte responds before letting go of her wrist and walking out of the cafeteria.
<p data-p-id="28eb3026853cf9004a4a1fd3b04ae1c7">I grab her stuff and pack up the remainder of my food before shoving it in her backpack. As I go to stand up Maddie pushes me down with a scowl.
<p data-p-id="292c0ed55a47845541f2a877196c710f">"You've brainwashed her, if it wasn't for you she would be dating me" she says before slapping my cheek which causes my head to jerk to the side.
<p data-p-id="235c7a573b740b581c84effd8655649e">I was in shock.
<p data-p-id="115366f57280fa8bb7d8507f60de0e94">She's never slapped me.
<p data-p-id="2ded0dcf57437c265b90b356cbea82c0">She's pushed me around, but never slapped me.
<p data-p-id="6b3c6483a6fbdc6ff5a0f662bd106656">I don't respond as I get up and walk out of the cafeteria. I take my ponytail out and fix my brown hair so that it's covering my red cheek before I search for Charlotte.
<p data-p-id="990a9a55b87c40de68ede00d8ee5395e">I don't want her asking questions when I find her.
<p data-p-id="78049c5c01f49ce09a2c3a59c9d81deb">-
<p data-p-id="ab1872b916c3d309ef094e2ebc18d38a">I've looked in the library, gymnasium, locker room, and auditorium.
<p data-p-id="477d4e0fa69d8e5bbba87d1830f05f86">She wasn't in any of those places.
<p data-p-id="ac72a2fb708748d1598a5cbc9e492045">Where the heck is she?
<p data-p-id="208c8d8174feca154b3d7facd8eb9390">I decide to look in the last place that I can think of...
<p data-p-id="6e73912bc72e4a833312be5f2b72cf52">The music room.
<p data-p-id="c22f1d3b31f80d17f0cf5f5a55534822">I jog down the hall towards the music room since it's my last hope at finding her before the bell rings for third period.
<p data-p-id="f205a7f955485841e05e7a2b958f698e">I walk into the music room only to see her playing a sad tune while sitting at the piano.
<p data-p-id="ba734034290d65bd5ee8417c8b925a30">I lean against the doorframe and watch her play since her eyes are closed and I don't want to startle her.
<p data-p-id="376b2060f0f53804e8986f4c3543c2cc">"You know that you can join me, right?" She asks before she opens her eyes and turns her head in my direction
<p data-p-id="7212340dafd9415e18ea290dc4ac74c1">I walk towards the bench which causes her to slide over so that she can make room for me. When I sit down on the bench we both remain quiet, it was so quiet that you could hear our ragged breaths.
<p data-p-id="f74b61e78a8ad702eb09607d86a32cc4">"Not that I hate it, but why is you hair down?" She asks in confusion which causes me to tense as I start to fidget with my hands
<p data-p-id="9bc4f9815e81220f2fa5bfaccd53f85d">"I, um, started to get a headache. So I took it down" I say which causes her to scoff
<p data-p-id="d017eb3e954b92b6881e0249dc0cdf93">"I know that you're lying to me" she says with a tone that lets me know that she's smirking
<p data-p-id="753a1279872fe0c6b0d78eec2915f587">"I'm not lying" I say which causes her to scoff
<p data-p-id="633a8a0ab1e4150883bf9fdff747738e">"Look me in the eye and tell me that you're not lying" she says in a challenging voice
<p data-p-id="6cb87eaa81f8d6f6caf9fc257f039a34">I take a deep breath in and out before I slowly turn towards her and angle my head so that she can't witness my red cheek.
<p data-p-id="2814f00930185e7b2e7771cf1bd8454f">She closely observes me before she reaches out to push the hair away from my cheek.
<p data-p-id="5444534988773915c34a976397d97eda">This is it.
<p data-p-id="50223b07070ca21002e79eccae20f5e4">She's going to know what has been happening since school started.
<p data-p-id="1f2e1a46e0774df16d7a378103d03895">Before she gets the chance to touch my hair the bell goes off for third period which causes me to let out a breath of relief.
<p data-p-id="cd86e9d910acf9159da0d6b059be8c40">I quickly stand up before placing her backpack on the bench, where I was previously sitting, and running out of the music room towards my class.
<p data-p-id="e7677af0c1a7d0f6f5cdedf66ca035f8">Oh my god.
<p data-p-id="acf19769b6d9e6b3811ffa64890c10bd">That was too close.