Chapter 3-

The class already started 10 minutes ago, Chemistry with Ms. Basil was my first class. I opened the door and said, "Hi, sorry I'm late."

The chubby, pale skin teacher, brown hair and glasses turned to me and smiled with sincerity. "Do you have a late slip?"

"No, Principal Moretti said it was ok since today is my first. Here's my schedule," I answered reaching into my pocket and handed it to her.

"It's all right, just don't make a habit of it. Welcome." She unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning it briefly. "Everyone, please welcome Jordan Baker. She's a new student at this school." She introduced the class.

"Hello," I said with a wave.

"Hi," most students mumbled and some waved back.

Ms. Basil spoke patting her back, "take and seat and we'll get started." I saw an empty desk next to a brunette girl. I dropped my bag near my feet and took a seat.

"You'll like Ms. Basil, she's really cool," the brunette whispered near me.

"She seems cool," I responded smiling.

"I'm Myra by the way." Pulling her hand out, brown eyes bright with excitement, she met my hand and shook it. "Sometimes she has these chemistry games to keep the class fun."

"Wow." Ms. Basil handed out the assignment about formulas and the periodic table. Reading the sheets long enough the teacher continued the lesson writing on the whiteboard.

The bell rang in a loud shrill indicating that class ended, dismissing us I was about to ask Myra for help to search for my locker. I lost her in the crowd. I guess I'm alone. Looking around for the three numbers written on the paper, I couldn't find it. Where the hell is it?

"Need any help?" I turned around at the source asked, a tall lean guy with black hair and green eyes waiting for my answer.

"Yeah I'm looking for locker 130," I said.

He pointed at the locker behind me. "Oh right. I knew that, thank you," I said in an awkward chuckle. I twirled the lock with the combination, making sure it was the right one. The knob was sticky, I gave it a pull and it opened forcibly. "Whoa," I muttered, it almost hit my face.

"You're new right? I'm Kyle." Kyle introduced placing his hand on his chest.

"Jordan. I'm new." I shut the locker with a slam.

"Obviously." I shut my eyes, embarrassed and let out an awkward laugh.

"Getting all situated?" He tucked his hands in his pocket tilting his head sideways.

"I am. Still finding a few of my classes." I tugged on my straps repeatedly.

"I'm available for a tour if you need one."

"That would be lovely."

"Shall we?" He lifted his elbow to me, I giggled and linked mine as he showed me the ropes of most of the school. He seemed sort of a gentleman sort and very cute. I shouldn't be thinking of that, this year was about me and my health.

"I'm having a party on Friday, like a welcoming a new semester this year if you're interested," he asked while showing the way to the cafeteria.

"Uh, I don't know," I responded tugging on my sleeves.

"Well if you change your mind it's on Facebook. Just search my name: Kyle Basson."

"All right."

"I hope I was a tolerant tour guide."

"You were, thank you, kind sir."

He saluted and walked off backward eyes still on me.

I waved bye and he turned a corner. I haven't been to a party in a while, nor barely checked my timeline on social media. I wasn't allowed to, I was ok with that because it's addictive and toxic.

+++

As the school day finished, I waited for mom outside. A wind blew through I hugged my stomach from the chill I pulled out my cell, the time now 3:50, it's been twenty minutes that I had been waiting. Where was she? I dialed her over and over again and it went straight to voicemail. I dialed one last time and left a message that I would walk home.

While walking, a horn honked by my side. A black car slowing down and the window wound down, revealing Kyle. "Need a lift?" Kyle smirked.

I bet he can charm any girl with that smile. I sighed, grateful that he showed up, but I pursed my lips in suspicion.

"My mom said I shouldn't take rides from strangers." I squinted playfully.

"I can tell you right now, I'm not that strange," he replied in a similar tone.

I giggled but was reluctant to agree. I stepped back and forth from his car, poking my tongue out of the corner of my mouth. Finally, I got in, I told him my address and he drove off on the road. Even though he was nice I still had to be on alert of defense. If he tried anything I'll stab him with my keys.

"What happened?" He asked suddenly.

"Huh?" I asked pulling a confused face, furrowed eyebrows. He thumbed to my arm at the direction of my scar peeking.

"Oh, it's a cut," I stated, pulling down my sleeve quickly.

"Accident?"

"On purpose." There was an awkward silence as his eyes were still on the road.

"I never met anyone who used to cut themselves," Kyle said, stunned. I shrugged but my heart jumped. Hoping he didn't ask about the story of a terrible time in my life, meeting one of the bad boys. One of the worst boys that I thought understood and loved me. Someone I thought I could trust but all he did was use. He left me heartbroken, scarred physically and mentally.

"Well I guess everyone has their problems," Kyle concluded one hand on the wheel driving on the road.

"Yep," I said in a low tone. My pulse slowing down, glad that he didn't press on about it more. "Here it is." I directed him pointing at the brown house in view.

He pulled into a full stop. "Thanks."

"You thought about the party?" He questioned.

"I don't know," I answered unsurely.

"I mean no pressure but it would suck not having a cool girl at my party," he joked raising his eyebrows.

I laughed, it's been a long time since someone considered me cool. "I'm still thinking about it," I replied with a sly grin. I got out of the car and waved bye, he waved back and drove off. I opened the house door, calling out mom's name. No one answered.

When I placed my bag down on the couch my phone buzzed in my pocket. "Mom, where are you?" I questioned.

"I'm so sorry sweetie. I got your message, you didn't have to walk home."

"I didn't after. Someone dropped me off. Where are you?"

"I had to go to meet Matt for an emergency," she explained.

"Is everything OK? " I asked before plopping on the couch.

"His car broke down when he left work. We tried jumper cables to the engine but it didn't work so we called the towing company. It took forever, we're just leaving his job now."

I shook my head but was glad that both of them were good. "How was school?" She asked.

"Fine," I simply answered.

"Did you meet anyone?"

"Two people."

"Were they kind?"

"One of them just took me home and asked me if I wanted to go to a party."

"Jordan, what do you mean?" Her tone was skeptical.

"He's throwing one on Friday and he invited me to come."

"Will it be safe?"

"I think."

"Jordan."

"Don't worry mom, if there's any trouble I'll leave immediately."

"I think it's too early to go to a party."

"I haven't made up my mind yet. Maybe it will be good for me to meet my new peers."

"Not yet."

"Mom, I need normalcy. The routine is fine, but this seems good. I'm not interested in taking any drugs again."

"I thought I didn't have to worry about that when me and your father found you unconscious on the bathroom floor." Why did she have to bring that up again? Yes, I fucked up, big time. I almost lost my life. She didn't know the pain I felt seeing her face when I woke up on a hospital bed. Distraught and disappointed in her daughter, it's burned in my brain forever. I vowed to myself I wouldn't get into it ever. We promised to tell each other everything, good and bad.

I felt my head heating, eyebrows frowning down as ever it made my head hurt. It's still a sore subject that pissed me off.

Squeezing my fist to burst out I'm trying to be better. I bit my lip, taking in a deep breath to repress a rude retort and begin an argument. Realizing I was clenching my teeth, I released my jaw moving it up and down.

"That won't happen again mother," I said as calmly as I could.

"I believe you. Speaking of your father, he emailed me. He wants you to come for dinner on Thursday. And to meet his... friend."

"You mean Trish, mom. His new wife," I said sarcastically in air quotes, dreading to see him and her, the woman he married six months ago. Not wasting any time. I didn't even get an invite to the wedding.

"Exactly. So don't trust her. Be nice though, and calm."

"I'll try," I responded while rolling my eyes.

"That's all I ask."

"Come home safe, mom." We both hung up, I made my way to the kitchen for a drink and then headed to the living room for some television to wait for mom and Matt.