Me and Emily used to be the best of friends in 6th grade. We first met when I spilled water on my clothes and she offered to give me her extras, which she obviously didn't need. Her blond hair, like mine, was always obedient and straight, almost never needing maintaining. But, unlike her, I tend to sweat a lot so it was no big deal that Emily stayed in her gym clothes. I showed up to my house ready to start working at my dad's book store. I came in to the kitchen, smelling the aroma of my dad's family recipe of homemade pasta. He turned around to see me and nearly dropped the bowl of pasta for me. He then had a stern lecture of what should and what should not be worn outside the house. He immediately bought me a long pair of jeans and a long sleeve t- shirt to match, even though it was pretty much early September and still not that cold yet. The day after, I then introduced her to Riley and Percy. Let's just say they weren't exactly the best of friends. They had dropped subtle hints of hatred but it was hard being the only fence between my old friends and new friend. But what had really ruined it was when Riley and Percy got their braces. They showed up to school in matching braces, one pink and one blue, something their mother had chosen for them. While we were at the front of the school, Emily complained that there was no signal for her phone. Her eyes then lit up as she held her phone close to Riley's mouth. "There. Much better." She said laughing. Riley then stood up and raced towards the bathroom, tears big enough to fill the ocean. Percy chased after her. "What a drama queen, right?" Emily remarked. I simply just sat there with her on the grass until the guilt filled inside me faster than the speed of sound. "Gotta go." I said quickly. Emily never talked to me since the day after Riley was mistaken for a satellite dish except for the time when she explained to me we were never gonna be friends ever in a million years. Which was honestly okay with me because after that day she totally hated my guts. Trolling me on social media, making fun of me, tripping me, and stealing my crush and flirting with him every chance she had, His name was Wahoo Cray, even though we all thought it was after the fish, which I found to be complete proof we belonged together, his dad named him after the wrestler.

"Keep on dreaming, Perc. He is definitely straight." Riley said. She always tried hinting he was the only gay guy in our school. But back in middle school, they made a bet that if there was one gay guy in our school, she'd make me break out of my shell. I have always been the quiet kid in school. Give me a test, I'd shrug. Hand me a microphone, I'd run for the hills. But since that was never gonna happen, I stayed calm that I'd remain in the shadows. Plus, all I had time for was school and work. Not even my dad would give me the time of day. He was too busy running the family bookstore, not spending any time braiding hair or listening to problems.

Oh, and my mom? We lost her to car accident years after I was born, only hit minutes before she passed away. There were still pictures of her, her bed, and her curler she told me I could use whenever I wanted but no one talked about her often. You see, I lost mom when I was only 6, my sister Brooke lost her months after birth, Tessa at 7,while my big brother Otto lost her when he was 10. The night before we lost her, he had a huge argument with her about going to his friend's house.

Super cliche, I know: fighting before something tragic happens, but true.

Sometimes Brooke would ask how mom was like every once in a while but the rest of us knew the deal. No talking about mom ever since the funeral. It obviously stung a little when my friends would complain about their moms and it would just send me in tears.

"Possibilities are open." He singsonged, smiling. He gave the same finger wave as Emily. Before Riley could save him the embarrassment, Emily saw what he was doing and whispered the word slut to Percy. He gasped. He looked like he was in 'the scream' . You see, his mom is half Latino and his dad is white. So he looked like Sophia Vergara on steroids: tanned skin, great at acting, auburn hair always perfectly coiffed over to one side, and his famous line:

"Girl, if I was straight, I would totally date you!"

Riley then covered his mouth and smiled sarcastically at the people staring at Percy.

"Keep it down!" Riley said, then punching Percy tough in the arm.

"Hey! I just got my flu shots!" Percy wailed. He then punched her again which lead into an all- out brawl.

             "Hey! Tweedledee, Tweedledumb, get up before we climb even lower on the popularity ladder!" I scolded.

Riley then jumped back up from the ground followed by Percy.

         "Please, Dan, face it. We're less popular than small pox at this school." Riley mumbled.

Before I could counter her with my optimism, someone tapped my shoulder.