"Jovie, lets move it!"

Three pounds on my door later, I stumble across my bedroom while attempting to put on loose boyfriend jeans.

Tripping on a pair of converse, I land face first in my wood floor. "Damnit."

Although, I find my glasses under my bed. Shoving them on my face, I throw a random shirt over my head before grabbing the converse and running downstairs.

"Morning, mom." I offer, walking towards the coffee pot.

She tsks, shoving a bottle of green juice into my hands. Oh, yum, vomit in a bottle. "Morning, Darling."

Mom's gorgeous, looking at her you wouldn't have any idea she's birthed three kids, including a set of twins. Straight, strawberry blonde hair that off sets crystal blue eyes.

Garner, my 15 year old brother stumbles into the kitchen. "Dude, you're wearing my shirt."

Glancing down, I finally take note of the yellow Rolling Stones shirt. "Sorry, don't leave your clothes in my room."

He opens his mouth to protest but a sigh from mom has us both shutting up. Sometimes it's not worth it.

The garage door flies open, revealing my twin brother, Gentry. "Jovie, we have to leave!"

Going for the coffee again, I shrug. "Isn't mom taking us?"

Our car is currently in the shop to repair the ac and the battery that died when the ac wouldn't shut off. Even when the car wasn't on.

It was a very stressful experience

Mom shakes her head, snatching the pot from my hand. "Sorry, I have a meeting."

Why must she torture me?

"So who's taking us? I can call Peyton." My best friend only lives five minutes away. Knowing her, she hasn't even left the house yet. Or gotten up.

Gentry smirks, "Don't bother, Aspen's already here."

I drop the toast I was buttering, "Hell no."

"He's waiting for your slow ass."

"I will walk to school."

"Jo, don't be dramatic." Garner tries to reason with me, but I can see that he finds the humor in this.

"I will not ride in the same vehicle as that demon. I'll miss school if that's what it takes." This is the last thing I need in my life right now.

I can already feel a stress zit popping up on my face.

"Mom." I try to reason with her but she snaps.

"Enough, I don't care about whatever petty thing you two are fighting about this week. You will ride to school with Aspen until your car is fixed." She rubs her temples, exhaustion evident in her face.

Instantly, I shut up. It's not fair to push her in the mornings, especially since she made our lunches.

Grabbing my bag, I turn to the boys. "I will not sit in the cab."

They share a look, "Fine, if you beat us to the truck."

And with that they dart out the door.

Kissing mom's cheek, I follow. I hate them sometimes.

Making it through the grass, I notice moving trucks at the house next door. Interesting, the McDonald's moved out last month when their kids put them in the nursing home.

They won't be missed.

Sneezing from the pollen in the air, the sight of moving trucks is replaced with the ground.

"Shit!" I shout as I fall down, my arms instantly itching.

Glaring at my brothers, both sitting in the bed of the black truck with Houston, Aspen's brother and Garner's best friend.

Flipping them off, I throw the passenger door open. What a bunch of gentlemen. Slamming the door shut, I let out a huff of annoyance as I fling the mirror open.

"Good morning, Sunshine." A smug voice offers.

Groaning, I rummage through my bag. "Aspen, I'm not in the mood to deal with you."

There's not enough coffee in the world, not that I have any to begin with.

Throwing mascara on my lashes, I fluff my wavy red hair. There's no saving it I decide, wrapping a bandana around my head.

"Can you not use the mirror, I'm driving here."

Snapping it shut, I glare at him. "Sorry, some of us need to work to look presentable."

"Not that it helps." He snorts, focusing on the road.

Gasping, I punch his arm. This is one of the many reasons why I hate him.

I'm going to go to jail for harming my driver. Getting thirsty, I bite the bullet and open the green juice up. Plugging my nose so I can't smell, I chug it.

"Oh, God." I gag, covering my mouth so I don't vomit.

"Oh, no!" He shouts, "What is that shit?"

Groaning, I read the bottle. "Green gems, four servings of vegetables in one bottle."

He gags, motioning for me to cover it up.

"Moms newest idea to keep up my intake." I offer glumly.

I have a wide variety of food allergies. Dairy, eggs, gluten, cinnamon- I can't have any of it. It makes eating difficult. I thought I was eating fine, however, my nutritionist felt I wasn't getting enough power food.

So mom's undying mission to keep me healthy is back in center focus. She takes hovering to a whole new level.

"So the whole healthy junk food thing didn't really work." He questions and I roll my eyes.

No, but I'm not going to admit that to him.

He reaches for a drink, and I notice he has two cups of coffee. Clearing my throat, I try to appear pleasant. "Penny, can I have that second coffee?"

Finishing his sip, he shakes his head. "Do you want to die?"

It's not a threat, there's milk in there. "Who's it for?"

Turning onto a side road, he becomes very interested in the radio station. "Mereideths, But you can have some of mine."

Trying to remain strong, I ignore the cup he offers me but something clicks in my brain. "Wait, we're getting the she-demon?"

He nods.

"Pull over, I'm trading places with Houston." I demand, already unbuckling my seatbelt.

"You're being stupid, the pollen count is through the roof."

"Aspen, I will kill her." I threaten, Meredith Lyons and I do not mix. We haven't since middle school.

Then tack on the fact that she began dating Aspen our freshman year and that dislike became a hatred. I don't even know what I did to her. The last time we tried to have a civil conversation ended with me attempting to stab her with a spork. It would've happened too if Gentry hadn't pulled me out of the cafeteria.

That was January of our junior year, almost two months into senior year and I haven't been back to the lunch table.

It was agreed to be in the best interest of everyone's safety.

Taking the cup from his hand, I down the contents as we park in front of a large house.

"Jojo, I said a sip." He barks but a glare silences him.

"I have to sit in the car with you, that's one sort of torture that I can bare. But you want to lock me in with that bitch, you're crazy."

"Well." He begins and I go for a second chug. "You have to move over."

I almost drop the empty cup, "No."

"The spring bothers her." He tries to reason, unbuckling my seatbelt as the front door opens.

"That spring can get shoved right up her ass." I deadpan, holding onto the handle.

I can't be stuck in between them. I'll kill both of them before we can get to the parking lot.

Grabbing my arm, he forces me into the middle seat. "I don't want to be stuck next to you either"

Before I can protest any further, the door flings open. "Babe, I can't believe you were late."

Punching him in the side, I roll my eyes.

She goes to kiss him, finally noticing that I'm in the car. "Why is this here?"

"Mere-" he tries to reason but I cut him off.

"I don't know, why does it suddenly stink?"

Aspen grips the wheel a little tighter, whoops.

"I want her out, shove her in the back with the rest of the losers." She whines but he's already turning back to the main road.

"The pollen is too high, I don't feel like being responsible for a death." He pushes and I fight back a snort.

On top of my many food allergies, there's a wide variety of other things I can't be around. Certain dyes, fragrances, and yes, nature.

God decided to have a lot of fun with me; however, I won't die from the pollen.

She tries to whine again but he beats her to it. "And those losers in the back happen to be my brother and two of my best friends, so can it before I shove you out there and put Gentry in your spot."

My jaw drops but a small part of me feels triumphant. That's how things should be, the three of us in here with the younger two in the back.

In a different lifetime.

The ride is painful, between the tension, Merediths attempts to flirt with Aspen, which only make me want to vomit up my green juice, the jab I get e very time I open my mouth to say something rude from Aspen, and the spring stabbing my butt, I've never been so relieved to get to school.

After he parks, we sit there.

She turns to me and I swear I see flames in her brown eyes, "Scram, freak."

Cracking my jaw, I feel a hand conver my balled up fist. She opens the mirror, using mascara to lengthen her lashes even more.

"Can you move your fat ass so I can get out." I snap, far too pleased by the sight of her eyes bulging out of her head.

Aspen swears under his breath as he gets out. "You love making my life difficult, don't you?"

Punching his gut, I slide out. "Shove me in a car with her again and mascara will be the least of your concerns."

Shouldering my bag, I begin to walk off but he grabs my arm. Turning back around, he stares down at me with a confused look.

I don't know what to say but he blinks his eyes, "Jojo."

"Yeah?" I ask, slightly concerned.

"You have grass in your hair." He laughs before getting back in the truck.

Undoubtedly turning red with anger, I march towards the doors. My best friend is waiting by the entrance, black hair tied up in a bun.

"Morning, Jo." Peyton chirps, drinking a smoothie.

"Run." I tell her as an undeniable screech sounds from where Aspen parked.

Something tells me the mascara left a mark.

Gentry waits for me by our lockers, far too amused. "How was your ride to school?"

Hitting his bicep, I frown. "I would much rather be hit by a bus than be stuck in the car with him again, or that devil of a girl."

He laughs but it dies off as he undoubtedly catches sight of the happy couple walking our way.

"What did you do?" My brother demands, a mixture of awe and fear in his voice.

Shrugging, I grab my Econ book. "Nothing but remind Meredith that her daily cleanses aren't working."

I can't even finish my statement without laughing and they join in.

"It's no funny, Jojo." An all too familiar voice grumbles as the locker next to me moves.

Turning around, ignoring the idiot to my left, I'm left speechless as I take in the raccoon eyed girl glaring down at me. "On the contrary, I think this is hilarious."

Peyton giggles and a snarled lip from Meredith has her focusing on her hands. My dear best friend has no tolerance for confrontation, she really lucked out when she got stuck with me. I live for this shit.

"Looks like goodwill is still getting customers." She sneers, giving my outfit a pathetic once over. "Must be the best option to find clothing your size."

Please, a little curve never hurt no one and I'd hate to tell her I'm a size 12 not obese. Rolling my eyes, I take in her skirt and orange cashmere sweater, the Gucci belt on proud display. Miss Barbie loves attacking Bratz dolls.

"I'm surprised Prada is okay with you ruining their brand" I offer my prettiest smile.

"You wouldn't know fashion if it bit you in the-" she starts but Aspen grabs her arm, planting a kiss on her lips to shut her up.

I mock gag as the bell rings, Gentry pulling the duo apart while Peyton drags me to literature.

"Why must you always do that?" She demands, checking over shoulder to make sure we aren't followed.

"Peyton, she may act like a witch but she's not going to curse you." I tease.

She lets out an exasperated sigh, so I shrug. I can be dramatic in any situation but there's just something about Meredith that's pushes me the extra mile.

*****

Study hall goes by painfully slow. All I've heard about is how the baseball team is going to be amazing this year.

"By far the best in the district." Aspen admits, tearing the corner of his stats homework to shreds.

Fighting the urge to stop him, I focus on my book. He's going to demand I send him a copy of mine later as soon as he rips the words off.

Kill me now.

I try to keep up with the baseball talk but my attention span is dwindling, I blame it on the green juice.

Aspen and Gentry are baseball prodigies, that's actually what people call them. Together, though, they're the dream team. Colleges have scouted them out individually for two years but they decided to go to school together at Florida State.

A text pulls Aspen from his paper destruction, "Excuse me boys, I've got a stairwell to meet up in."

I shudder as he gets up, "Pig."

He winks, "You can have your turn any time, Jojo, just let me know."

Oh God, I just died a little.

Now that he's gone, it just leaves me, my twin, and Seth, a sophomore who has made the poor choice to idolize the pair of idiots.

"Jov, can you please eat lunch with us?" He pleads.

Shoving my books into my bag, I shake my head. "Sorry, kid, but I eat in here."

"Jo, you know you miss us." Gentry pushes.

Part of me wonders if he put the kid up to this, he's been asking since the beginning of the school year for me to return to our table.

"Do you want Meredith to end up with jello in her hair?" It's happened before.

"Who cares about her." Seth states, "All she does is bitch about how loud we are. She doesn't even let Aspen play Cheeto football."

I roll my eyes at his dramatics, although that sounds undeniably boring.

"I don't know Sethers..." my voice dies out as he bats his baby blue eyes up at me.

"Please, I have geometry homework I need help with. I can't fail this next test."

"Fine."I mutter, knowing he won't stop till I give in.

He shouts with joy, earning us a warning but I hold up a finger, "Peyton sits with us too."

Gentry pulls out his phone, "Wouldn't have it any other way, sis."

Of course. With that Seth grabs my hand, pulling me through the halls.

Once we reach the cafeteria, I'm hit with the sudden shock of how crazy it is. Kids are screaming, food being thrown from table to table just for the fun of it. My eyes land on a long table in the middle of the room, the majority of the baseball team seated there. Taking a deep breath, Seth leads the way, ducking around the lines.

Gentry and Houston do a double take a they set their trays down, "Jo, you're with us?"

That's all it takes for the majority of guys to look at us, Jay Gonzalez and AJ Reyes grin from ear to ear as they nudge Aspen. I try to find an empty spot as Gentry plops down next to his best friend.

There's none near them, just at the edges where the freshman sit.

"Jojo, what brings you to our table?" My least favorite person questions with a smirk.

Holding up my hand still intertwined with Seth's, I shrug. "I was forced into this.

Aspens eyes flick to my hands before glaring over at a couple juniors, "Move."

"Bro, we're not moving for some chick."

"That chick's my sister, so I think you will or else you're going to find a grilled cheese shoved down your pants." Gentry snaps.

They scram and I take the seat across from Aspen, knowing Peyton would feel better with Gentry across from her. "Taking a line from my own book?" I tease my brother.

He snorts, "What can I say, a threat like that stays with you for life."

Pulling out my food, I listen to Seth ramble on about the car he inherited from his grandfather. "The motor should be in next week, then maybe another two weeks of work and she'll be running in no time."

I nod along, amused by how excited he is. "Good, maybe you can start giving me a ride to school. Save Aspen the trouble."

He stumbles over his words, "R...really, because I would absolutely lo-"

"Hey Seth?" Aspen butts in. He stops, eager to hear whatever his idol has to say. "Do you ever shut the fuck up?"

I gasp, covering his ears. "No swearing in front of the children."

Seth blushes as Peyton giggles, thrilled she's not the flustered one for once.

"You know, babe, I could always give you a ride." AJ buts in, offering a devilish smirk I've fallen for one too many times.

"I'm good." I deadpan.

"Burn!" Jay shouts, causing me to laugh.

My joy ends as Meredith struts over to the table, her two friends, April and May behind her. No, they aren't related.

"The red coats are coming. The red coats are coming." I mutter under my breath, earning a snicker from the guys. Aspen rubs his temple.

"Babe, there's no space for us to sit?"

He slaps the seat next to him, "Mere, lets not be dramatic."

"What about my friends?" She demands, standing a little taller.

Little miss priss is about to get her way. I'm not one for shaming people, but Aspen's whipped for the worst possible bitch.

"What about them? Take the seat or go with them, I don't care."

Peyton chokes on her soda but I'm to stunned to help her. That just happened.

"If the ugly duckling and her side kick would get up there'd be plenty of space for everyone." She seethes.

Ugly ducking, that's a new one. "Aspen, put a leash on your bitch before I do it for you."

She gasps as Gentry prepares to stop me from lashing out, "What are you going to do? Sneeze uncontrollably?"

Her friends laugh, May pulling out a bottle of perfume. "April, I think you need to freshen up."

In a panic, I reach for my bag but Seth loops his arm through mine. "Don't go."

Hesitating, I glance back over at the evil trinity. I have a horrible reaction to that perfume and they know it. I can't be stuck in the nurses office all day. Nor can we afford another trip to the doctor.

"Not so tough now, are you?" She taunts, overly amused by my fear.

Who the hell flaunts someone's allergies, I could end up in the hospital one of these days if she's not carful.

"Meredith, if that perfume is sprayed I'm canceling our date this Friday." He threatens without turning around.

She gasps, "But, Babe, that's movie make out night."

I snort, what a lame ass night. I always wondered where they went after football games.

"Take a seat or leave, but don't try me."

And with that she sits, leaving her friends to fend for themselves.

No one says anything for a while, besides Seth, who talks my ear off as I help with his homework. "Jov, I'm telling you, this class is pointless."

Chuckling, I redo the steps for him to follow. Gentry and Peyton are in a deep discussion about who's going to win the baseball game between the Padres and Angels. Houston and Garner play Cheeto football, flicking the chip between their finger goals. Meredith picks at a salad, facing away from Aspen as she pouts.

Throwing a arm over her shoulder, he catches my eye.

Thanks, I mouth.

He nods, offering a small smile that I forget as soon as Seth grabs my arm. "The only cosine I'll ever need is a co-sign on a lease."

Of course he thinks that way.

*****

AHHHHHHH, DID YOU LIKE IT

i'm lowkey scared but also got excited and had to share a chapter!!!

but I love Jovie, no lie!!!

Now I just have to get LiL up to date because the next chapter has a spoil and I cant have y'all finding this info out that way!!!

ATTENTION!! universal_boredom made a LiC fan page on insta and it's called @its_lic GO GIVE IT A FOLLOW!!

Also, the aesthetic for Beau is now up if you want to go look!!