Trent looked out the window and I looked the other way. I hated awkward silences. "Do you want me to close the window?" He asked.‘ You read my mind. ’

"Please do," I answered.

A minute more of silence was observed. I was not a fan of awkward silences. I suppose the 'extrovert' in this 'ambivert' couldn't stand awkward silences. Somewhere within me, I finally found the courage to ask something that I had been hesitant to ask:

"Do you play football?"

After hearing myself, I could only imagine what could have possibly went through his head: Creepy, weird, bizarre, crazy, cheek and ...
Nosey.

But hey; I was desperate for a conversation.

His smirk did not make things any better. "Yes. I do, how did you know?" He asked. "Uh- just a hunch."  I answered as if I couldn't sound anymore creepier. I suppose being observant was a blessing and a curse. But I think my mouth that was the real problem.
It always was and up until this day, my husband believes that it still is.

"I don't like to brag about being on the first team nor do I show off by wearing the school jacket," he explained. "You'll soon find out who I'm talking about."

The truth is, I didn't know which group I was really part of. I spent the first half of lunch with the pretty faces then the second half with Jessica and squad. ' Maybe they just felt bad for me because it's my first day. Do I still need to go through initiation? May-'

"You're quiet again," he said, interrupting my thoughts. "And that's a problem." The smile followed by his indirect demand for a conversation allowed me to feel more comfortable. At least I  wasn't the only one with a desire to engage in a conversation . "Go on. I'm listening." He sat back and closed his eyes. He crossed his arms as he waited for me to say something.

"Are you always this witty?" I asked.
"Not always. Most days."
"Do you guys always go to parties?"
"Often," he answered.
"Is Trina always bitchy?"
Not only did that question shock Trent but it also shocked me out of my comfort zone. He opened his eyes and sat up with an enormous grin.

"What?" he asked, sounding merely excited.
"You heard me." The bus slowed down and eventually stopped for Trent and me to get off.

"You really got no filter, do you?" He got up and I followed him off the bus. ' What is that supposed to mean?'

"Nope I just speak my mind," I added firmly. We stepped onto the sidewalk. I didn't know my surroundings.
' We still need to walk? Why couldn't the bus drop us off right in front of my yard?'
I was not use to walking around in unknown places without my parents however the scenery was familiar. I remembered the area from the drive to school that morning.

"Hey, is it cool if I stop to get an ice cream cone along the way?" He asked as we stepped off the bus.

' Is this guy serious? Does he not understand how my life works?'
He somehow sensed my panic and read my thoughts.
"I won't take long I promise. Besides, if your parents wanted you home straight after school, why didn't they come and pick you up?"

He made an excellent point. I nodded and we continued to walk. "What's the deal with your folks anyways?" he asked, trying to keep our conversation going. "Nothing they're just..." I let out a sigh.

We came to a beat up white van that was parked next to the curb. I young guy stood by a window dressed in casual clothes. I expected him to wear a uniform or at least a hat as a way of indicating that he serves ice cream but the the rusting van covered with a few ice cream stickers was the next best clue.

"What flavour?" Trent asked, taking out his wallet.
"Oh no it's ok you don't-" I began but he cut me off, and I started to think it was something that he was going to be doing more than often.
And I was right

"Come on green eyes," he smirked devilishly.

I didn't find his joke funny because it reminded me of our earlier feud.
"Cookie dough. Please," I answered blankly.
"Come on green eyes don't fight with hazel eyes."

' Aren't we quite the jester.'
Trent could tell that I was not finding him amusing so he stopped with the jokes.

" Bobby, my man!" He said to the guy standing by the window of the van.
"Hey! Trent, how are you doing?" Exclaimed ' Bobby'
"Who's this cutie and can I get her number?" He asks, winking at me. I cringe at the sight of that." Not a chance," I said coldly.

"Ow! She's feisty," he smirks.

"I already upset her. The last thing she needs is more input from you and just stick to doing your job man and get me my usual and a scoop of cookie dough for the lady," Trent added. 

 I wasn't upset really.  Well, I was but it was not entirely his fault.
I had a crap day, I was hungry I was tired and more importantly, I still had to go home and face the music.  Thinking about that was what really upset me.  

He paid for the two cones and we continued to stroll. I'll admit, I did not regret giving into his offer because the ice cream was an excellent source of comfort and while enjoying that, I started  to ponder  many thoughts other than my parents.

Things like, ' I need rearrange my  draws and shelves, I must not forget to make a new timetable and label my note books etc.'  

Apart from from the witty and mischievous side of Trent, he did possess charm. I always thought I was attracted to his looks, but then I later realised that it was beyond appearance.

It went beyond his hazel eyes, perfect brown curls, his Hollywood smile and his mascular physique that drove a crowd of cheerleaders insane.

"I'm just thinking," I smiled.
"I see that. What about may I ask?"

That did make me shy and almost vulnerable. I did want to tell him what was really bothering me but I didn't want to harass him by ranting on and on about my ninety ninety problems.

"Nothing important," I said.
We walked slower as we approached my house. It was like a dark and gloomy feeling was casted upon me as I drew near to my home.

The grim feeling made me sick and thinking about the upcoming consequences made my stomach turn.
I didn't hate my parents but there were days where I just needed a break from everything that caused my mind to conjure up storms from dark places. Thick grey clouds of worry and stress.
I needed my own getaway.

"I wish I could just walk right past this place," I said quietly. Trent snickered then stopped walking. "It can't be that bad," he said.

"Want to bet?" I asked. I wasn't entirely sure as to how I was going to prove it to him.
But no way in hell was I about to let him in to see for himself.

I noticed that there are a few seconds of silence between us that past. I eventually looked up at him to catch him looking back at me and once again I was at a loss for words.

'What could possibly be going through his mind?'

I know what was going through mine: ' Please don't leave me here.'
Not in a weird way though.
There was a chill in the air which was expected because the evening's did get icy but in my mind I kept telling myself that I was the universe's way of forcing me to go home.

"We should get you inside now," he said. His smile made me feel bad for getting irritated with him.

"Yeah. I should go."
We walked further until we stopped in front of my mailbox.
"Well, I wish you luck for...whatever waits for you on the other side of that door," he laughed.
"Thanks for the walk."

I was grateful but I was also disappointed. Reality and fear started kicking me in the ass. ' Shit, my parents are going to kill me.'

"No problem. Bye," he said walking off with a friendly smile.

'Now I know he doesn't live next door,' I thought as I watched him walk past a couple houses.

I looked at the front door of  my house and immediately my attention was redirected to the window next to the door after noticing a figure disappear behind the curtains.

' Crap. Can this damn day get any worse?'
But I already knew the answer to that. What I didn't know was that my first day at Bellevue was the first day to all my troubles for that year and for the rest of my life.

I sighed and I slowly dragged my feet inside knowing the world of trouble that awaited  me behind that door.
I walked over to the sofa in our living room and I fell onto the sofa face first.

I tried to gather the courage to stand my ground knowing that my father was ready to lecture me. While my face was buried into one of our fluffy  throw pillows, I heard my dad walk into the room. "Who is he?" The deep voice boomed. To my surprise, he was approaching the situation slower than I had anticipated.

'For now...
Just wait for it.'