After school, I head over to Reese's house with my car. She's sitting on the front step, waiting for me. She looks even more adorable than usual in a yellow flowery sundress. Their house is a modest one story building with ivy running up and down the walls. It's quaint; It's homey. Reese, is, of course, reading when I pull up. Ah, reading. I love this girl!

As I approach, she looks up from her book and springs up from her perch. "Hi, Alex! Come on, let's play!" Obediently, I follow her into the house. Reese's mother meets me at the door and gives me a warm smile. "Hello, Alex." "Hi," I greet her. "We're just going to play in Reese's room, Mrs...?" "Daniels," she supplies. "But, please, call me Brittany." I nod numbly, deep in thought. Daniels. As in Tristan Daniels. Could it be? Maybe fate has taken karma's place.

To confirm my suspicions, I ask, "Does Reese have any siblings?" Her mother nods. "She has an older brother, Tristan." My heart sinks. My new friend is Tristan Daniels' sister!

I want nothing more than to run out and never face this house again, but I promised Reese. So I reluctantly follow Reese down the hall towards her room. She's ran ahead of me, so I navigate my own way. I find the door and I'm about to open it when something brushes against me. A hoodie sleeve. Gulping, I look upwards into Tristan's intense sky-blue eyes.

My fingers find the doorknob and I try to pull the door open quickly, but Tristan grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks. His gaze is fiery as he searches my face for clues. I show none and he sighs and lets me go. "Hi," he says, a bit confusedly. "Uh, hi," I reply. "What are you doing here?" he asks curiously. "I came to play with Reese," I say stiffly. He gives me a nod in turn. After that we share an awkward silence before Tristan mumbles some sort of goodbye and runs off down the hall. I watch him go longingly. It's sad how life is so unfair. It's unfair that the one boy I like won't ever like  me back. It's unfair that Reese had cancer. I guess life just hates us people.

I enter Reese's room, and I'm awestruck by what I see. For a 7-year-old, she has impeccable taste. There's a huge queen-sized bed in the center of the room, side tables adjoining either side of it. A walk-in closet, overflowing with summer clothes and shoes, is on the opposite side of the wall. The other wall has a large desk pushed against it. There are two beanbag chairs at each corner of the room. Her desk is overflowing with books. There are several chapter books that I'm sure Brittany reads to her, and then there are dozens of easy books she can read herself. The abundity amazes me. Her walls are painted a deep ocean blue, pictures cover every inch of them. There's magazine clippings, inspirational quotes, kitten posters, dolphin posters, dozens of animal pictures, and several band posters. When I see she's a fellow Directioner, I give her a high-five.

"So, what should we do first?" I ask Reese. She points to the overcluttered desk and asks, "Will you read me a book?" "Sure," I reply. "Which one do you want?" She thinks for a minute, then points to one on top of the pile, The Velveteen Rabbit. I grab up the book and begin to read.

***

Two hours and fifteen books later, it's 5:30 and I need to get home.  Reese puts up a small fuss, but after I promise I'll come again, she settles down. Brittany invites me to dinner, and I, being the naturally hungry creature I am, I accept. I quickly swoop in to sit down by Reese so I won't have to sit by Tristan. When he comes, you can tell he's uncomfortable, but he covers it well, and his mother doesn't seem to suspect anything going on between us. Reese is, of course, bubbling over with excitement and talking about everything under the sun. I know I shouldn't, but I tune her out about halfway through the conversation.

I begin to think about Tristan and I. Did I make the right choice by sending him away? Could I have possibly benefited by letting him kiss me? Of course, it would've been great, but what of the aftermath? Would he have regretted kissing me? Or would he have done the unexpected and told me he liked me?

I'm interrupted from my thoughts by Brittany's questioning voice. "Alex?" I snap my head up to meet her gaze. "Yes?" "I asked, do you work?" "Oh," I say. "Yes,  I work at a diner." I quickly down the rest of my food and take my plate to the kitchen.

After helping with the dishes, I bid Brittany and Reese goodbye, then go home.

***

Ding-ding-beep.

Beep.

Beep.

I roll over and shut off the clock. I stumble to the bathroom for a shower. Afterward, I pick out some skinny jeans, my sparkly top, and my converse. Unwilling to cover the pretty top up, I take out my bracelets and pile them on my cuts to hide them. I top the look off with a light sheen of makeup. I head downstairs to my car, and drive to school.

When I arrive in Science class, Mrs. Shelton is assigning partners for a big project. "Okay, class, we are beginning a project that will count for three fourths of your grade. You will each be making a powerpoint presentation about a random person, whom I will choose. I will give you a packet of questions to ask your partner that must be included in the slideshow, but any additional questions will be appreciated and I will give bonus points for them. I have specifically paired you with people you don't usually interact with. I personally hope that some of you will gain from friends from this assignment, and possibly something more," she says, wiggling her eyebrows.

I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes. As if anybody's going to fall in love over a stupid project! "Now, your pairs. Felicia and Brandon, Jack and Curtis,...."

"And Alex and Tristan."

NO!