I woke up this morning, with my head rested on my pillow, the fluffy blankets covering me, my hair in a mess. I’m having bad impressions for the day to come... I really don’t want to go to school after what happened yesterday. Unfortunately, we’re the day 2 out of 5, about 20% of the school week is done. Quickly putting on my uniform, I head downstairs with a killing mood. My father notices me as fast as he sees me.

• - Nora...Your hair is messy, your shirt only has two buttons tied, and you’re not wearing makeup. Do those because you’re honestly scaring me.

I sigh as I return to my room, basically doing all the things I forgot to do.

• - That’s way better. So, Nora, wouldn’t you tell me why you were so sad earlier?

• - Oh, something happened in a place, it was with a person; I didn’t know that person could know someone I know better than anyone. Also, someone I thought could become my friend got out with that one person that knew the one I knew better than anyone.
• 
  

My father remains silent, confused, trying to gather all this information about people...

• - Basically, you didn’t have a momentous day, is that it?

• - No shit Sherlock, you’re so good at guessing. I say sarcastically but not in a mean way.

My dad doesn’t get my sarcasm and walks away, his footsteps loud on the ground. I sigh, grabbing my toothbrush and some toothpaste, starting to clean up my teeth. I glance out the window, wondering what I did to deserve all that. My mother’s death. A sarcastic personality. Uncaring people and the worst luck. At least I have a family, but there’s still my mother missing. I walk up to the bus stop, which quickly brings me to school. Holding my lunchbox tight in my left hand, I hear people whispering around me. Gossips. Juicy ones, that’s what they say. “Nora is a jerk, she dumped him” …I try to keep a poker face as Ann-Marie shows up.

• - So, kiddo, I learned you cheated on him, didn’t you? She grins as she stares at me intently.

I stare back at her, confused about the whole “cheating” situation happening.

• - Who is “him”? And why is everybody gossiping about me? I scoff and slightly look away, trying to act like I don’t care.

Ann-Marie looks at her friends and they all start laughing, and laughing, one of them even falls to the ground out of laughter. I feel embarrassed, I don’t know what’s so funny, but I can feel my cheeks burning with confusion and anger. Fortunately, Jules comes up.

• - Okay, girls, I don’t know what’s so funny about that, but y’all should really give her a break. She’s new and everybody’s on her back, and she doesn’t deserve that…
• 
  

Ann-Marie glances at me with hatred and rolls her eyes at her boyfriend.

• - So what? Now you care about that new kid. Look at her, she’s not even worth it.

Jules frowns and snorts.

• - It doesn’t mean she deserves all that. says Jules She didn’t do anything wrong to you. It’s all about her best friend, not her…

I feel Jules wrapping an arm around my neck in a friendly way, and I can’t help but look away.

• But it’s still including her! And what! You want to break up or what if you treat me that way? I thought you loved me.

Jules sighs and mouths “I love you babe, you know it” as she leaves. He quickly turns up to me, as close as ever with his arm around my neck.

• - Are you okay, Nora?
• 
  

I look up at him with an embarrassed expression, trying not to lose myself in his dreamy ocean blue eyes.

• - Yeah, I guess I’m better now that you helped me. You know, you didn’t have to do that for me.

• - Oh, yes, I had to, I couldn’t just leave you like that, a poor new student that didn’t do anything wrong! He responds softly and half mockingly.

I giggle at his answer, shrugging my shoulders as I glance at Ann-Marie walking down the stairs.

• - Thank you.

***

Adjusting my white polo, I notice Jules speaking to his girlfriend, they are having a bad discussion. He leaves and walks up to me, and as soon as he sees me, he smiles.

• - Nora! I wanted to ask you something!

• - Ooh, what is it? I answer as I lock my locker.

Jules grins and chuckles.

• - This may sound weird, but do you want to meet up at the park? Like, now?

• - Sure… In a friendly way, obviously.
• 
  

He nods as we walk up to the park. Jules sits up on the grass, his hand tapping the grass, motioning me to sit next to him. I do as he asks, as we stare at the night sky. After some Jules speaks up.

• - You know, you can cry…You wouldn’t be weird.

My eyes narrow as I stare at him with a confused expression.

• - You want me to cry? Why?

He chuckles and shrugs, leaning his head on my shoulder.

• - I don’t want you to, but if you want to, you can, I’ll be okay with it…

• - … I don’t feel like crying right now…

Jules remains silent, staring at the grass.

• - You know, there are some things I’d like to share with you…. Can I?

• - Of course you can, what is it?

Jules looks away and sighs, then stares back at me, taking a deep breath.

• - I don’t like Ann-Marie. She forced me in that relationship so she could get popular. That’s the cause of all those relationship problems and complications. I act like I love her, but truth is, I don’t.

I open my eyes wide, in shock. I don’t know how to feel about this. I feel confused, surprised, shocked, and… slightly excited.

• - OH. Why don’t you break up with her? Well, you must like someone, then? Do you?

He sighs and stares at my lips for a second, before leaning in and kissing me…