I continued with the dishes hoping that those thoughts would just leave. Any time spent thinking about them, was time wasted as far as I was concerned. I couldn’t worry about that now. My new life was just beginning, and I didn’t want to dwell on the past.

After I finished the dishes I went upstairs to write for a bit. My notebook of poetry entries had become like a diary for me. I wrote something inside of it everyday. Mostly about my day-to-day life, or things that had stuck out to me. No matter how plain or ordinary, I still wrote.

It was my escape.

It’s funny how time flies when you’re happy, and how it moves slowly like a snail when you’re not. Already I had done a whole bunch things since my time here. I could write about so many wonderful things, but what stood out most to me was my new friendship. I couldn’t believe how easy it was for me to relate to someone. Just to share conversation with someone my age. Kennedy was so different, but in a good way. I was thankful for a friend. So, that was what I wanted to write about.

Today, A Good Day

Eighteen years is a long time, to never have a friend.

To never talk, to never laugh, to never lend a helping hand.

I met her today; she was warm and kind.

Befriending me without thinking, her eyes were not blind.

Despite our differences, she talked all day. 

Friendly conversations, but more work than play.

Who would have guessed that me, with so little to say.

Would make a friend.

A FRIEND!

Today, was a good day.

I closed my notebook. The words were simple, but perfect. I couldn’t wait to get back to work. Tomorrow would be a new day, and hopefully just as great.

6

Jackson

The morning came too damn fast. I didn’t get home from Holly’s until after midnight and I got zero studying done.

Perfect.

Classes started in thirty minutes and I had nothing complete. Not only was the coach going to kill me, but my parents were too. My grades were slipping. I had to study tonight. No more excuses. Holly was just going to have to understand, and I knew that wouldn’t be an easy conversation.

I stood at the bottom of the stairs screaming at Kennedy to get her ass in gear. She wasn’t going to make me late today. If she didn’t come down in the next five minutes, I’d just leave her home.

“The clock is ticking. Let’s go. Now!” I screamed.

“I’m coming. Get your panties out of a knot.” She hopped down the stairs. She was way too chipper for so early in the morning, and already getting on my last nerve.

I growled and clenched my fist at my side. Shaking my head I stormed out the door. She’d better run was all I had to say.

She barely made it inside my car before I took off, and the first five minutes of our drive was a bitch fest. Slow down, you’re an ass, grow up, the list was endless. I couldn’t say what I wanted to say back to her, because she’d run back and tell Mom like we were five years old. She was the baby of the family, and she got away with everything. Not me. It didn’t matter that I was an adult. As long as I was living under my parent’s roof, I still had rules.

I let her continue to rant and tried to tune her out. Thank goodness school wasn’t that far away. It was normally about a fifteen-minute drive, but that day I made it in ten.

Kennedy hurried off to meet her friends as soon as I parked. I tossed up deuces at her back, thanking God that I didn’t have to spend the rest of my day with her. Sure, I loved my sister. Like, I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her or anything. But that was my job. I didn’t have to like her, and at that moment… I didn’t.

“Hey man. You had a good night didn’t you?” Jeremy caught up to me as I walked inside.

“It wasn’t bad. Looks like Holly’s been running her chops this morning.” I glanced back at him.

“She told Lacey, Lacey told Amber. The list goes on and on.” He smiled big.

“Dude, you sound like a chick right now. You may need to get your balls fitted for a sequined sack.”

“Shut up.” He pushed open the doors with a little force.

“Shut up,” I laughed. “That’s the best you got.” I punched his arm.

He rolled his eyes. “I got get to class. Are you still going to The Edge this weekend? I think everybody’s in.” He asked. The Edge- a local club where all of the cool kids hung out. Better known as the place to get lit up and party until two a.m.

“I don’t know man. If I don’t get some studying done, I’m not going anywhere.”

“How far behind are you?”

“Too far.” I admitted.

“I had to get a tutor, maybe you need one too. Coach hooked me up. I know he’ll help you to. Don’t stress. The weekend is still four days away.”

“We’ll see. I got to go.” I said backing in the direction of my class.

“I’ll catch you later.” He called out.

I nodded my head at him.

My literature class was the usual bore. Our essay papers were due, and mine was not finished. I was far from it. I don’t know if it was my lucky day or what. Mr. Colby was out for some reason and the lady sitting in for his class told us that he was giving us a two-day extension on our papers. Two days. Hell yes. An outline was the only thing I had done, and it wasn’t that great.

It was time for me to get to work. Seriously. I couldn’t slack anymore.

My next two classes seemed to fly by. Of course I was behind in both of those too. It was going to be a long night at the library for me.

I sent Holly a text telling her that I couldn’t see her or talk to her tonight. I didn’t wait for her whiny reply. She’d try to convince me otherwise, and dammit she could do it. She had way too much power over me, way too much.

Kennedy was at the car waiting when I walked out. That was a first. Normally, I’d have to hunt her down.

“Are you taking me to work?” She asked.

“Yeah. I have some studying to do. So I need to go anyway. Get in.”

We made the short drive to the library and I was stuck listening to Kennedy complain about some guy in her class. She was so obnoxious, but for some reason I couldn’t stop listening today. This guy had given her trouble once before. Even though I couldn’t stand her, I didn’t like anyone else messing with her. I’d hate to have to beat some punk ass up.

I told her to let me know if it got worse, that I’d take care of it.

I locked my doors, and left my phone in the car to keep from getting any distractions. Mainly Holly.

My bag was heavy and I knew there was no way I’d get everything done tonight. I’d be lucky if I finished it all within the week.

I followed Kennedy inside, and found a table in the back. I didn’t have to worry about her annoying me. She liked me about as much as I liked her.

The place was pretty much empty. The way I liked it. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I realized that I had four hours to get something done. That was it.

The time seemed to pass by faster than I would have liked. I barely looked up from my books. It was after dark outside. The light was no longer shining in through the window. I finished the rough draft of my Lit paper and one assignment for my Biology class, but I was still only half done. It looked like the library was going to be my new hangout for the week.

“Only twenty more minutes until closing Jack.” Kennedy whispered.

I glanced up at her. “I just have three more questions on this sheet, and I’ll be done. I can walk out with you when you close.”

“All right. Hurry up.”

Shit. Her snide comment made me want to jab my pencil into her hand. Tell me to hurry up. That was the pot calling the kettle black.