I want to rewind a little bit for you guys before I tell you what happened today. I want you to know how exactly I fell head over hills for Jade Tate. Maybe I was being a little dramatic before when I said it was love at first sight because honey it definitely was not.

As an introvert, my natural tendency is to steer clear of any extroverts who will try and force me to be more “outgoing”. Thus, my natural tendency to Jade. I mean the girl would not shut up or leave me alone.

The first month I was really frustrated with her. I kept wondering why she wouldn’t leave me alone. It wasn’t like she didn’t have other friends or other things to do. She just preferred to bug me instead.

Around the third month, I had accepted my fate and realized that she wasn’t just going to go away on her own.

Six months in I began to enjoy her company and we became actual friends. Well to her we already were, but to me, that was when the real friendship began. I didn’t have a crush on her then nor was I ever planning on developing feelings for her. It just sort of happened.

One day she was just my friend, the next she was my crush.

Okay, so there was a day where it really hit me in the face that I really liked this girl. Picture this. Freshmen year of high school at Lincoln’s school for the gifted. Winter break. You see being from Texas snow is a very rare commodity where I come from. I am talking like you are lucky to see it once or twice in your lifetime.

So there I was like an idiot with my little sister Oli playing in the snow. I was like a five-year-old, just running around outside and basking in the natural beauty of the white flakes. I like to keep to myself, my family being the exception. My mom and my sister are probably the only ones who would laugh if you told them I am an introvert.

Mostly because I’ve never been shy around them. They are family, I’m kind of stuck with them. Which is another thing, the longer I know you, the more likely I am to be more open and extroverted. Though I still have my introverted tendency’s. Like I would much rather stay home alone than be forced to go out with friends.

Anyways! That day, in particular, Jade saw me in a rare state. I was too distracted by my sister and in my own little bubble to think that Jade might see me just being me.

Snow, I have found out is not a rare thing here, and it is actually a most detested part of the weather. People here may like the first snow, but after that, it gets old quick and then they hate snow.

I didn’t know that. So, when Jade saw me and my sister playing in the snow she thought I was like a weirdo. Because it had snowed before, but we were on break now, so we actually had time to play in it. My mom was outside taking pictures of us. We looked like freaks to everyone else on the street. It wasn’t like it was our first snow, I mean we had been living here for a couple of years now, but it just never got old to us. We love it. Every time the snow is above my ankles you can bet me, and Oli will be outside playing in it.

Also, we always played in the backyard away from prying eyes, but that year the backyard was out of commission due to my neighbor's pipes busting and freezing over. So we just played in the front.

Oli and I were mid snowball fight when a snowball hit me in the back of the head. I turned and saw Jade with ammo in arms. Instantly I froze up feeling like I was caught. She saw me, she saw what a dufus I really am! I felt my cheeks go red, not because of the cold but because of how embarrassed I felt.

Then unceremoniously she started pelting me with snow. The three of us got into a war, McKenzie came to join in too and My mom went over to Jade’s house and talked to her aunt and uncle. They became friends. It was like one big happy moment.

Just as I had surrendered and was out of breath from laughing so hard, because Oli ran into my mom’s car by accident, Jade tackled me to the floor. We rolled around in the snow. And I was a giggling little baby. I was having the time of my life.

Then it happened. Cupid struck an arrow into my heart.

Jade had pinned me down on the ground and was gloating about my defeat. Like Jade’s do. Her beanie had fallen off and she had snow all up in her hair. Her nose was slightly red from the cold and her green scarf really brought out her eyes.

She was sitting on top of me laughing at my pouty face. A smile that stretched from ear to ear lit up her face. Her white pearly teeth glinted at me. Her long black hair was blowing in the wind and when she looked down at my silent figure. She stuck out her tongue mockingly.

Bam! I was in love.

I knew then that I loved that girl. I like really loved her. I had feelings for her for a while but that day it was so clear to me, so clear that she is the one for me. Of course, being an awkward teen fresh out of middle school I got scared and repressed those feelings deep, deep, deep down, as I have mentioned before.

That should give you a small peak as to how in love I am with her. I think the thing I love most about her is that even though I am introverted and kind of boring to hang around with, she always finds time for me. She never gets tired of me. She simply likes my company and that to me is the best part of all. I don’t have to change who I am just to be around her. I can just be me and she will still love me all the same.

I feel like there is no better friend than Jade. You know even though I never ask her to, she always comes to every track meet. Just because. One time I was sick with the flu and she made homemade soup for me! Even came over and helped nurse me back to health. I am talking she came to check on me like every hour until I felt one hundred percent again. Sometimes when I go for a morning jog on the weekends she runs out and tags along with me. It won’t be planned or anything, she just does it. Those days I slow down so she can keep my pace.

Sure, she has her faults like the fact that she can’t shut up to save her life. But I think all the pros outweigh the very little cons she has.

That being said there is one con about her that has been irking me recently. You see once Jade sets her mind to something, she becomes unhealthily obsessed with it. This can be a good and a bad thing. Good when she is trying to land roles in musicals or learn a dance routine. Bad when she is trying to get Archer Dung to date her.

At school, this morning, at morning assembly, which we have in order to promote “team spirit, and community” Lincoln’s staples and main focuses for its students, keep this in mind for later. Let’s face it in a school full of big fish, someone has to be the biggest fish. The inner drama can get pretty intense sometimes. Which is why we have morning assembly to let everyone know, “hey man I know I crushed you for that band solo you so desperately wanted but it wasn’t personal, we cool?” and then we shake hands and sing Kumbaya. Just kidding, sort of.

Anyways! At the morning assembly instead of the usual hug it out sessions we have, Archer had edited the footage of Vice principal Howards epic misfortune and played it on the big screen with hilarious classical music in the background. We all died in laughter as the video slowed down as he was screaming when he was on the wheelchair.

Vice principal Howard didn’t think it was so funny, but even principal Shoppe couldn’t help but laugh. Then when the video was over, all the juniors shouted,

“You’ve just been pranked!”

One of the most epic pranks in a while. I felt sort of proud of myself, considering I did all the heavy lifting. Well, that good feeling didn’t last that long because somehow Vice principal Howard found out it was me. I guess it wasn’t too hard to guess being as I hang out with the popular kids, even though I myself am not that popular.

He marched right up to me and in front of everyone yelled at me to go to the office. He then grabbed my arm and snatched me from Jade’s side, dragging me away. Everyone got silent. Principal Shoppe followed us.

He shoved me down into the chair and began his rant,

“I am appalled by this Ms. Clifton. You of all people. I knew hanging out with those hooligans would eventually rub off on you. Do you realize I could have been gravely injured?”

“But you weren’t.” I butt in.

“How dare you! Do you know how long it is going to take to clean up my office? You have taken it too far. I am going to call your mother and you can kiss this school and your future goodbye.”

In fear, I shot a panic look to Principal Shoppe. She sighs and gave me an apologetic look.

“The pranks got to stop.” She said.

They are going to make an example of me! To end the pranking for good. What do I do? I can’t get kicked out! My mom will kill me! literally!

“No please, I’ll do anything. I’m sorry. I’ll clean your office. I’ll do whatever it takes, I’m sorry.” I begged.

“It’s a little too late for sorry.” He spat.

“Well, maybe there is another option.” Principal Shoppe ponders out loud.

“Yeah, whatever it is, I’ll do it. Please!” I begged.

Howard gave her an incredulous look. He really wants me out of here.

“We need the reading hall repainted and cleaned due to the prank last week. If you agree to do it and have it done by the end of the week, we will reconsider your punishment.”

It wasn’t a definite you won’t get expelled, it was a maybe if we feel kind enough you won’t get expelled. I’ll take it.

“But practice…” I found myself saying.

“You are going to have to work that out with your coach. You should have thought of that before doing what you did. Now I am sure you didn’t act alone if you give us the names of the other perpetrators you won’t have to get the punishment alone either.” She said.

“I did act alone. It was just me.” I lie.

She sighs.

“Then you have today and tomorrow to have the hall cleaned and repainted.” She said.

Today is Thursday.

The big meet is on Saturday.

Kill me now.

So, after I explain to the coach everything you know what she did? She benched me for the meet, punishment for my actions. She said I still had to go, but I would be sitting out. Then she told me as more punishment come Monday, I would have to run five extra laps until further notice.

So instead of being at practice, I was scraping the ruminates of the cereal extravaganza the freshmen pulled. They had been assigned the reading hall, as a prank, they filled each locker with milk and cereal. Being sure to make everyone take their stuff out first. Then a group of masked individuals knocked over the lockers and splatted the walls with paint. Now the hall smells like rotten milk. Everyone gags every time they walk by. I guess the custodian doesn’t get paid enough to clean this crap.

I had barely made a dent when Jade came to take me home.

“Um, actually can you come pick me up later? This might take a while.” I said.

She sighs and instead of going home, she ties her hair back, grabs a mop, and got to work.

“Jade you don’t have to.” I said.

“Just shut up and clean.” She grumbles.

Then before I know it, Archer, Wini, Darleen, and Demarcus show up and help too. We all cleaned in silence. That is until Jade started mumbling the song she has to practice. Then Archer started singing along with her because even though he doesn’t have to sing that song he has been listening to the Crazy For You soundtrack on repeat since he decided to audition.

I got to repaint the wall. Behind me, the two are singing and dancing like a happy couple. It makes my stomach turn, but of course, I won’t say anything.

While Darleen and I repaint, and Jade and Archer clean the floors and scrap up the dried-up cereal. Demarcus and Wini clean out the filthy lockers.

Around nine o’clock at night we are almost done. With the hall clean, the smell is gone, and one wall painted.

“Let’s call it quits and finish tomorrow,” Archer said.

“You got it, boss.” Jade botty bumps him.

He smiles at her. Barf.

So we all went home.

“I told you I have a guilty face.” I sigh in the car as we pull into Jade’s house.

“You really do. So did Howard blow his lid?” she smirks.

“I might get expelled,” I admit.

“What!”

“They are still debating. I said I would do anything, so they told me to clean the hall, but that doesn’t mean I still won’t get expelled.”

“Skylar, no! We can’t let that happen.” She grabs my hand.

I shrug.

“I won’t let this happen! I refuse. We got you into the mess. You would have never done it if we didn’t pressure you in. I am not going to let this happen.”

“Jade it’s out of our hands.”

“Not if I confess to the crime.” She smiles.

“Jade they know I did it.” I frown.

“Well, they know you didn’t do it alone. If they want to expel you, then they got to expel me too!” she declares.

She’s so cute.

“You would do that for me?” I look her in the eyes.

“Of course. What are best friends for?”

I don’t know what to say so I just smile at her like a big dummy.

“Now go get a shower and get some sleep. Tomorrow means war!”

I laugh and get out of the car.

She hugs me goodbye and I walk across the street home.

When I get in Mom is waiting. She has her arms crossed and looks P.O’d.

“Skylar Lane Clifton.” She says in a cold serious tone.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“The school called. You are grounded. Even more, grounded than you were before. I can’t believe you did something like that! What has gotten into you? The principal and I had a long talk over the phone and I think I know the issue.”

“What?”

“Jade Tate.” She declares.

I feel like all the color ran out of my body and is in a puddle around my feet. I know whatever she is going to say next I won’t like.

“Did she put you up to that? If she’s going to be a bad influence on you then maybe you two shouldn’t hang out so much.”

“But mom, she’s my best friend!”

“Enough. They are talking about suspending you, possibly even expelling you. I’ve worked too hard for you to throw your future away! From now on you will be taking the bus to school, no more hanging out with Jade. Am I clear?”

“No, you’re not clear. You can’t just tell me to stop being her friend. That’s not how it works. She’s going to stick up for me, you’ve got her all wrong. She’s not a bad influence.”

“This is not a discussion. No more Jade.”

“No!” I shout.

She is taken aback by my reaction. Even I feel surprised, I didn’t know I had it in me. I can feel my eyes water.

“You would yell at your own mother? After all that I have done for you?”

“I’m sorry.” I wipe my tears.

“What has gotten into you?” she asks, actually confused by my behavior.

“Please. I’ll do better. Don’t make me stop seeing Jade. Anything but that.” I beg.

“Why is she so important to you?”

I avoid her eyes.

“Skylar.” She demands.

“I, I don’t know.” I lie.

She sighs.

“Go to your room. You’re grounded. I mean it this time.”

“Okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”

“Go on.” She urges me up the stairs.

I quickly walk up. Oli is waiting, she was eavesdropping on us. I push past her and head into the bathroom for a shower.

What a stressful day, it really drains me.