After attending one therapy session with Ms. Renewed, I found it to be both decent and a tad bit helpful. Well, after she corrected me for the tenth time that her name is "Ms. Reen-wed" not "ree-newed" like what you do with library books.

I've spent years consoling and giving advice to Tricia or anyone who could hear me out, and even wanted to be a thearpist, but that changed because now I have a new goal, to become an author. All thanks to Ms. Renewed.

Mom said we need to go through at last four more appointments to get a better feel of speaking with a certified stranger. I guess she's right.

I lie on my bed letting the mattress and my pink comforter swallow me up whole. It's relaxing until I hear my phone vibrate in my right pocket.

I groan lazily, looking up at the pale colored ceiling, wishing I could just sleep. I turn to the clock, it's numbers flashing a bold red.

5:32. I still have time before I sleep. Of course it's no required bedtime, it's just the limit I give myself so my hours of sleep will be maintained.

Pulling my phone out, I check to see who sent me a message and feel a smile creep onto my face as I see it read Jace.

The next hour consisted of this:

Jace: hey
Me: hi.
Jace: how do you like the new kid? 
Me: he has a name
Jace: right, Mr. Overly Confident
Me: definetly not. That name is reserved for you, ask anyone
Jace: dang, sassy.
Me: not sassy. It's called smoothness, something you wouldn't know.
Jace: ouch
Me: (:

Five minutes later, I received a text from a new number. I click it to see what the message says an it says a name I'm not all to psyched about.

Xernex.

Yay.

He texted me saying it's him and I replaced the number with his name so I wouldn't get confused.

Me: hey?
Xernex: sup
Me: how'd you get my number?
Xernex: I have my ways
Me: becoming a stalker isn't the best way to start off a newly found friendship
Xernex: you're my tutor, not a girlfriend.

I don't respond, and roll my eyes. That really wasn't what I was going for but whatever. I shut my phone off and toss it to the other side of my bed.

Turning my head to the left, hanging on the wall is my calendar with this Saturday's date circled. I rack my brain for what it might be and then it lands on school.

Friday. Football game.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday came along quickly, everyone chattering about tomorrow's game. Girls squealed cheerfully as they planned on dates to arrive with and their outfits. A rally was held during lunch, ten whole minutes of the football team running around like savages, Jace leading them through the space in between the cluttered tables. The cheerleaders were shouting the school's chant, getting everyone into spirit. I even found my own mood lightening up.

Tricia and I meet up by our designated table, where she completely ignored the smirks she received from the football losers running by. I slipped a brief glance at Jace who was already staring at me, making me blush. To avoid Tricia's questions, I pulled out a bottled water and took a sip, sighing as the cold liquid traveled down my throat. Lunch time is always the most hectic hour at our school, now especially. On a daily basis, everyone is milling around to either flirt or actually eat. Usually flirt.

"Autumn, a soccer hottie is staring at you. 12 o'clock." Tricia points over to the line forming for those waiting to receive their decent cafteria food. Today there's strawberry banana smoothie or a bottled water, ceaser salads for vegans or anyone interested in healthy, and the greasy but juicy burger which I went to immediately, overlooking the salad that was starting to tempt me.

"Totally, his eyes are so on my own if not for perky Sandy Andrews behind me." We both turn to see Sandy in short denims that show her buttcheeks and a crop top with "babe" in silver rhinestones. She was the Regina to her Plastics, pretty but ugly, and filthy rich.

I turn back to Tricia who shrugs. "Can you make any more excuses? Boys stare you know, and this boy is definetly staring."

I puff up my cheeks then release, something I always do when I don't approve of something. "Oh they're doing much more than staring. They're unclothing us as they look at the wonderful things we have under. Otherwise known as skin and fat."

Tricia giggles as she takes a sip from her smoothie. "Like you have any."

"Fat? I got loads of it and I'm willing to share."

"Great, I'm sure the burger patties will take you up on your offer, they're a little to thin, not even mentioning how they're cooked."

Now I laugh, covering my mouth with my hand so my burger doesn't flow out of my mouth in a most uncivilized way possible. "Ah, yes. Now that you mentioned it, the burgers could use a little fattening. Fortunately for the patties, I have enough fat to go around."

Tricia giggles.

We finish off our food and the homework we procrastinated on completing and may I tell you this: trigonometry is a nightmare. At least, for me anyway.

Putting away my trig book, I felt eyes boring holes into the small of my back and I turned to see who it was. Jace's eyes met my own and he gave me one of his infamous smirks which I returned a smile too. A girl sitting next to him, a tall brunette with lean legs was sitting close to him while she tried to adjust her shirt which was showing an ocean full of cleavage. I doubt that's school appropriate.

Her short. Not her boobs.

Tricia traced my line of sight and scowled at the sight of her. "Kayla," she muttered, not bothering to hide the disgust oozing in her voice.

Kayla stood no chance with Jace in a long run. While she was cheer captain, she's also plucked as one of the school's sluttiest girl, which apparently is a thing. She's also a huge fan of hating, and fortunately for me, I'm on that list.

"Gross," I agree, turning back around but not before I see Jace shoot me a smile.

"Walking brunette Barbie, only more flexible with intentions to seduce guys to a bed."

"Yeah," my voice breaks off as a picture of Jace flashes from just a moment ago plays through my mind like a never ending slide show. He looked so confident it almost makes me feel jealous.

Not even hearing what Tricia said next, I made sure to place a visit to the mall in my vacant agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just as I pulled on a plain black top, pale baby blue jacket and jeggings, I trot into the kitchen, waiting for Tricia to come pick me up. I do have my on license, but my mom and I only have one car that we share, so I've turned to walking everywhere.

I pluck my black purse off my bed and swing it over my shoulder, applying some lotion to my skin. I stand looking at my reflection through my full mirror, judging my appearance.

I can't help but shake off the feeling of not being content with anything and everything of myself. I'm not insecure but if I'm going to change the way I am with my classmates or "friends," shopping is most definitely necessary.

A car horn honks from down below at the curb of my home and I lunge for the door to my room, saying bye to my mom, and closing the door behind me.

Tricia's silver Honda is parked perfectly as she pulls out her compact mirror and replies her lip gloss. Today it's a rose color. Her hair flows down in bouncy curls which must've took her an hour to do. In the end, she looks gorgeous.

I knock on her window, trying to grab her attention. She acknowledges me after I already rapped about 5 songs, and I don't know how she didn't hear me when I first started knocking.

She pops the lock and I pull open the passenger door, sitting myself down. "Thanks, Tricia. I thought I'd be waiting all day. What's the occasion anyways? You do know we're only going to the mall, right?"

"Yes, but you can never look to good on a shopping trip." Tricia starts the car engine, a purr roaring out.

I turn to her, feigning hurt. "Are you bringing a guy you failed to speak to me about?"

"No," she says slowly, eyes on the road.

I was originally joking but now I'm actually starting to get suspicious.

"Now that I have think about it, it's probably that," I say teasingly.

Tricia rolls her eyes at me, the corner of her mouths turning into a smile. "Shut up, loser."

"Where's the fun in that?"

Not answering, Tricia finds a parking spot in the shade, close to the mall's entrance which is convenient for us. A breeze of cool air blasts into our faces as we pass through the double sliding doors.

Looking around the mall, my eyes flutter over all the various stores, landing on Victoria's Secret. I know Tricia is going to drag me over to that store dead or alive, so I take off, walking on the other side so we pass by it. My attempt on dodging it is futile because her hand reaches for mine and yanks me in that direction.

"Nope I don't think so, babe," Tricia says, once we reach the store. I was sure she was at my side, but a second later she was gone. I scan the store and fine her looking through the lace bras.

I sigh and walk up to her. Glancing at the various bras on display, I have the urge to sprint out of the store.

"Tricia, I'm gonna head out to look for tops, shorts, and everything else, so I guess I'll meet up with you later." I turn away, but feel a hand grip my arm, pulling me back.

"Sorry, girl, but if you're looking for a makeover then I'm coming too," Tricia says, placing the bra she was holding down delicately as if it were made of glass. She rearranges the placement before thinking it's decent enough to leave.

We walk into various stores, trying on clothes, and lazily leaving them in the dressing room on the empty rack.

"How convenient," I say, eyeing the newly full rack threatening to fall over. We must've brought in at least fifty different clothes choices, the amount of hangers shoving one another. Just as I'm about to put back my top, I give it one last look. A black flowing button up top, with a small collar I adore.

"If you want it, just get it," Tricia says, holding five different tops in one arm, and about seven shorts in the other.

"But the size is too big."

"Then find another one that fits you," Tricia says, already heading to the section we found the one I'm holding. I let out a small breath and follower her, barely catching the shirt being hauled at me.

"Thanks," I tell her gratefully.

"No problem. Now come on I found a different clothes rack down there with more cute, sexy styles."

About four hours and half later, we officially shopped till we dropped. Originally, I had feared about my money issue, but put it aside when Tricia told me she'd cover for me, not taking no for an answer. I'd gotten makeup which had only consisted of two tubes of mascara (out of Tricia's request), ten "hot, jaw-dropping"  blouses, four new bras from Victoria Secret, and five cut off shorts just long enough for my liking and short enough for Tricia's. In other words, today was a success.

While we were eating lunch, I brought up the courage to elaborate more on my new makeover so she'd get a better idea on what I was doing.

"Of course I see nothing weird of it. A makeover would do you some good," Tricia said, stuffing a fry into her mouth. "Besides, I was getting tired of your old style anyways."

"Hey!" I exclaim, stealing one of her fries and throwing it at her face. It hits her nose and bounces off, falling into her glass of lemonade. She looks at me shocked at first, her nose crunching up, and we both burst out giggling.

"Kidding I'm kidding," Trich manages to say through her fit of giggles. She sticks her fingers into her drink and plucks out the soggy fry. "What a waste of refreshing drink."

"Oh just drink it. It's not contaminated."

Trich eyes me suspiciously. "How do I know you didn't poison the fry?" She asks teasingly, glancing at the fry lying a napkin.

I smile. "Not possible I left my kit at home."

She narrows her eye. "You sure? That purse of yours looks like it's big enough to hold a few viles."

I smile and toss another fry at her. This time, Tricia's ready and the fry lands gracefully in her mouth, her teeth crunching down on the fried potato. "Wow. Not bad."

She smirks, swishing her head so her hair flies messily behind her shoulders. "I try." She forks through her salad, gathering the greens in the dressing and stuffing it in her mouth.

"Thanks again," I say, motioning to my five bags by my legs. "You're the best, but I'm paying you back."

Tricia glance down at my bags then back at me, giving me a stern face. "No you are not. I insist it's fine, this is a gift from me to you," she must see that I'm not convinced so she continues, "you are my best friend, it's the least I could do for you through all those years of friendship."

I nod my head, feeling guilty for spending so much but I know she's sincere. Her parents are pretty rich so she's doing fine money wise.

I look Trich in the eyes and give her a huge smile, showing just how thankful I am to have her. But instead of showing me her own smile just yet, she tosses a fry at me, hitting me square in the face. It's now that her lips curve into a smile.

"Now, we are even."

We were just leaving the mall, heading towards the double doors we just walked in from. I text my mom telling her we're leaving when I bump into a rock hard figure. I look up to see Jace and instantly slap my hand to my head, grunting in the process.

"Ouch," Jace says, rubbing his chest as if it hurt him more than me. Sure I walked straight into him and all, but he was the one who's built like an ox.

"Oh like it hurt you that much," I say with an eye roll, rubbing small circles on my head. Tricia, who's still next to me, glances from Jace to me. I forgot to mention our few encounters and him texting me to her. I shoot her the I'll fill you in later look.

"But you aren't the one who got hit by a torpedo."

"Torpedo? Don't you think that's a little too much?" I ask, hands crossed over my chest.

Jace shakes his head and runs his hand through his hair. "I got it right."

I turn to Tricia, giving her an apologetic smile for taking this long to leave. Jace whistles absentmindedly, making me turn and frown. He sees my frown and shrugs lazily.

"How'd you get my number?" I question him, narrowing my eyes slightly. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Tricia's eyes dart to Jace, her eyes going big.

"I took your phone, saw your number and added it to my own." To make his point, he pulls out his phone, waving it in the air.

"I can see your phone. I'm not blind," I say with an eye roll. "But the taking my phone, I want to get back to that."

Tricia is constantly staring back and forth at the both of us as if the idea of Jace ever talking to me, us, is ludicrous. Which it is. At least, for me, not for her.

"I know you're not blind, Autumn, I can see your eyes blinking and looking dreamily at me."

I scoff. "Never."

"Well whatever you say."

"So you stole my phone?"

"Not stole. More like temporarily borrowed. You were asleep, you know, at the hospital," Jace answers, saying the last part slowly, afraid it would break me. Well it's not going to.

I search his face to see if he's lying. He's not. "Are you kidding me?"

When he says nothing, I walk away, grabbing Tricia's arm so we can finally leave, but feel my own being tugged backwards, a firm grip holding me.

"Wait, Autumn," Jace calls from where I left him.

"What?" I finally say, hoping he can't tell how antsy I am to get out of his presence. I'm not sure if it's me but his cologne is starting to become overwhelming.

"Let me make it up to you," he tries, his face set straight and serious.

"Why?"

"Just hear me out. You'll be at the game Friday night, tomorrow, right?" He doesn't wait for me to respond, continuing with what he was getting at. "So, I'll take you out. Think of it as a sorry, but in the form of a date."

"Sorry, not going."

"That's not an option," Jace says, shooting me down.

I groan internally, my insides stirring. If I go, which Jace made clearly I must, it would be my first school football game which is ironic since I love football. My dad and I always watched football and even went to some games when he wasn't busy working. The only reason why I didn't go was because it wasn't my scene anymore, at least it didn't feel like it.

I give in unwillingly as Jace tells me the time he'll come get me. Through all this he sounds excited, almost like a child would be when receiving a puppy. Tricia as well seems happy, and I know she'll thank me after I do her this one favor.

Before leaving, I pass by Jace, tugging on his arm lightly to get his atention. Voice leveled, I whispered in his ear, "Do me the favor of getting Xernex as her date."