I assumed there was no dress code, seeing as everyone was wearing something different. I didn’t bother asking.

Trish asked Kennedy to show me around and wanted me to shadow her for the day until I got the hang of things. It was a great idea. Kennedy really seemed to know her way around. She was so friendly too. She didn’t look at me the way most people did when they first saw me. She was kind, and honestly nothing like I’d expected.

“Where are you from?” She asked as we separated the books on the cart. Her loud voice carried through the library, and I caught Trish eyeing us from over top of her glasses. Kennedy just waved it off as if it were no big deal.

“Oklahoma,” I replied in a hushed tone.

“Are you going to school?”

“Eventually, I think. I’m living with my aunt right now, and my plans were just to work and save some money. At least until I get on my feet. Back home, I sort of had a sheltered life. This is my first time being away. I kind of just want to experience a little freedom. You know?” I’m not sure why I went into so much detail. I hardly knew the girl, but she seemed so easy to talk to.

Her perfect smile stretched all the way across her face. “I figured.”

I snickered. “I know. I’m sure I look like such an outsider.” I held out my skirt. Not that I minded.

“It’s not the clothes, although I assume your entire wardrobe looks like that.” She smiled sweetly. “You just have this very innocent look about you.”

I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, so I just shrugged my shoulders and continued stocking the shelves.

The hours passed by so fast, and I was sad to see my first day on the job end so quickly. Kennedy showed me how to close up for the day and we walked out together. Even though she was a good teacher, I figured she’d probably have to show me several more times before I fully got the hang of it.

“So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said slipping on my sweater. Casual conversation seemed kind of awkward to me, and I hoped that she wouldn’t notice how socially dis-challenged I was. Of course, we’d been together all day and she hadn’t said anything. Maybe I wasn’t so bad after all.

“I have class in the morning but I’ll be in for the afternoon shift.” She replied.

“Okay, I’ll see you then. Have a good night.”

Just as we were saying our goodbyes and I started to walk away, a car sped up to the curb and honked the horn. I was worried at first until Kennedy let me know that it was her ride.

I waved at her as she walked away.

“Hey Grace,” Kennedy yelled and I turned around. “Do you need a ride home?” She called out.

I heard someone yelling from inside the car. It sounded like whoever it was, was against the idea.

“I’m fine, but thank you.” Besides, I didn’t care much for strangers, and I didn’t want to ride in the car with someone I’d never met before.

“Okay, see you tomorrow.” She waved goodbye. I buttoned up my sweater and started my walk home.

Truthfully, I never expected the day to go so well. The job was much easier than I expected it’d be, and I made a friend. It was so much more than I could have ever imagined. I hoped that it was just a little taste of all of the good things to come.

4

Jackson

“Don’t freaking offer someone a ride when it’s not your car.” I took off before Kennedy had barely shut her door.

“I was just being nice. Damn, what crawled up your ass?”

“Maybe I’d be in a better mood if someone hadn’t made me late for practice.”

“Seriously Jackson, we’re back to this? I said I was sorry, now get over it already.”

I rolled my eyes. She was such a pain in my ass sometimes.

“Who was that milk maid you were trying to give a ride to anyways?” I asked. I didn’t get a good look at her face from inside the car, but those clothes were hideous. I knew I’d never seen her before. I’d remember that train wreck.

“She’s the new girl, Grace. She’s so nice, and really different. I like her. I think we’ll be good friends.”

“Whatever, she looked ridiculous. She should have hitched a ride home on her cow.”

“Quit being such a dick.”

“Ouch, dammit.” She pinched me in the side. “It’s a good thing I’m driving.”

“That’s what you get. Those good looks have gone straight to your head. You’ve turn into a superficial girl.”

“You just wish you were this cool.”

“Puhlease, I’m much cooler than you’ll ever be, and superficial is not my color.”

Sisters, I swear. Why couldn’t my parent’s have stopped with me?

“I cannot wait until you see Grace’s face.” She laughed. “I bet you’ll be changing your mind real quick, because she is beautiful.”

I just shook my head. I knew a beautiful girl when I saw one. She was far from it.

I opened up the stereo as loud as it would go, so I could drown out her voice.

The sooner we got home the sooner I could ditch her. One more day of riding in the same car together, and I’d probably kill her. Not literally, but damn she got on my nerves.

The television was blaring when we walked inside the house. It wasn’t typical so I knew that Tucker was home. He was probably out of groceries at his house. That was his usual reason for coming home. It was never just to visit.

In the living room I found him stretched out on the couch, a sandwich was sitting on the plate that rested on his chest, and an open bag of potato chips were between his legs. He was a total mooch. Can’t say I blamed him though. Mom and Dad never minded that he showed up at odd hours just to eat. Seeing him lying on the couch without a care in the world is what bothered me. Maybe I was envious.

I called out his name, but he couldn’t hear me over the T.V.

“Tuck.” I yelled again.

He jerked his head around to see me, but only gave me a head nod.

Figures.

I stomped past the couch and made my way to the kitchen. Mom and Dad weren’t home or else Tucker wouldn’t be slouching around like a pig. Mom would wring his neck for eating on her good sofa. I just walked in, and already he was getting on my nerves.

There was note on the refrigerator from Mom that said they wouldn’t be home until late. Her and Dad had plans with the Thompson’s at some fancy restaurant in town.

No wonder Tuck was here.

I scrounged through the fridge to find some leftovers and heated myself a plate. The longer I stood there watching the microwave, and listening to that damn T.V., the angrier I was getting. Tonight was so supposed to be my night to study. It was really my intention, but after arguing with Kennedy and Tucker’s loud ass T.V. I just wanted to get out of the house. There was no way in hell that I was going to get any studying done now. Not here. Not in this house. The damn T.V. was too loud; I wouldn’t be able to hear myself think.

Fuck it.

I’d go out instead.

I left the plate in the microwave, grabbed my keys and my books, and stormed out. I didn’t even bother telling anyone I was leaving.

Before I reached the car I had already dialed Holly, and the phone was ringing.

“Hey Babe,” she answered.

“Hey. I had to get out of the house. Can I come to your place?”

“Of course. Get your ass over here. I miss you.”

All I heard was, – I need sex, come fuck me now. She didn’t have to ask me twice.

“I’m on my way.”

So much for studying, unless you counted the way my hands would be studying her body. In that case, I’m sure I’d get an A. The female anatomy was my best subject.

5

Grace

“I got a call from your Dad today.” Aunt Darcy was giving me her saddest and most pitiful face ever.

“What did you say?” I asked. My pencil stopped tapping on my notebook as I waited for a response.

“I lied through my teeth. I told him I hadn’t seen you. I sounded really worried, so I think he bought it.”