Skylar

"Uncle Trent!" I shouted, coming into the house. I seen his car parked in front of the house, so I know he was home. He was sitting on a chair, close to the T.V. as he played Call of Duty. His vision is really bad and he refuses to get glasses, so he just sits really close to the screen. "The new kids finally showed up at school" I said excitedly, jumping onto the couch.

After he pressed a few buttons on the controller, then the game turned off. "Oh! Gossip! Lay it on me" he turned in his seat so he was facing me. I laughed at his excitement about teenage drama before I described Carson, Jasmine, and Jasper since they were the only ones I really talked to. "Allen got mad that Carter and Jacob were talking to you?" Uncle Trent questioned after I finished my story. Of course that would be the only part that he got out of that.

Rolling my eyes, I curled my hair behind my ear because the stupid strands won't stay there! "Carson and Jasper. Carson. Jasper" I said slowly, emphasizing the parts he messed up. He waved me off and told me to answer the question. "Yeah. I guess he was mad. I don't know. He's just being Allen. Overprotective and nosey"

Uncle Trent smirked at me. "You forgot jealous" he sang. One of these days, my eyes are gonna go to the back of my head from how much I roll them. "Come on. That guy walks you home. You're constantly texting him. I bet he'll call any moment now to ask if you're home" My phone blared in my pocket. "Told you so" Uncle Trent pressed a kiss to my head. "Gotta head to work. I love you. Don't get in too much trouble"

I grinned as he grabbed his backpack. "Drive safe. I love you too. And no promises" I rushed out. With a chuckle, he waved over his shoulder and walked into the hallway. For some reason, he always exits the house through the garage. I don't understand why, but I never questioned him on it. Before the phone stopped ringing, I answered it. "Hey, Allen"

"Hey, Allen" he repeated in an incredulous tone. I sighed and got comfortable so I could hear his lecture. "Fifty minutes. It takes fifty minutes- fifty seven tops. It has been seventy minutes. There is no reason for your late call. Oh wait. You didn't call; not even a text. I called you. Walking home alone isn't safe. I thought something might've happened. You-"

He was cut off with a different voice. "Hey, cutie" Carson greeted me. I could hear Allen saying something about his cousin stealing his phone; but his voice sounded a bit muffled. "You get home okay?" he asked. I told him I was fine and asked him why he took Allen's phone. "I thought I would save you from a boring lecture" he said. I could practically imagine him shrugging. "By the way, I wouldn't mind giving you a ride home"

I was shaking my head even though he couldn't see me. "I'm fine with walking" I told him. It was true. But I had other reasons. Phoebe and Jason. Not only would they say crap about a boy driving me home. They would probably blab about it to my parents, then I would get in trouble for either letting a boy drive me home or not giving my siblings a ride too. Either way, I don't win. "How-" I closed my mouth when the front door opened. Jason walked in and slammed the door shut. "Hey, Jace" I greeted him.

He scoffed before walking over to me. Since I was at the edge of the couch, it was easy to shove me off and started playing some video game. I fell onto the tile floor with a thud. My phone also fell. I scrambled to pick it up, ignoring the throbbing pain in my leg. Luckily, the screen wasn't crack. I shot Jason a dirty look, but he didn't even glance at me. "Skylar! What the hell was that?!" I winced as I pushed myself to my feet and held the phone to my ear. It was still Carson.

"I fell" I muttered, walking to my bedroom. I threw my bag onto my bed before sitting against my headboard. Stripping off my pants, I looked at my left leg for any signs that it might bruise. It was already turning red. Carson began talking, but I was half listening. With a sigh, I held my phone between my ear and shoulder as I slipped a pair of running shorts on. I sat on my bed, then realized that the other line was silent. "Hello?" Someone hummed in response. "Uh- Did you ask me something?" I wondered in a hesitant voice.

There was chuckling on the other end. "The party next Friday. Do you need to go shopping?" Allen questioned. I declined, saying that I'll throw something together. "Really? Not even shoe shopping?" I looked at my floor, where my beat up jordans laid. They were like fifteen year old hand-me-downs. Of course they were beat up. My only other pair of shoes would be my old black converse, that now faded to almost a grey color. I could wear flip-flops, but my toes would probably be dying from being stepped on too much. Needless to say, I'm in desperate need to shoe shopping. "You're not going home on Friday. I'll drive you to the mall after school. You'll get new shoes. You can get ready at my house" he offered.

Before I could answer him, my phone beeped. I pulled it away from my ear and told him to hold on. There was a text from Alexia, asking if we could reschedule our sleepover for Friday. "Allen" I sang. "Am I allowed to bring Alexia?" I questioned.

"Of course!" he said quickly. Carson teased him about it for a few moments. "It's been forever since I've seen her! You two never want to hang out with me" Allen stated. The last time he saw her would've been last weekend. Alexia and I were hanging out and happened to bump into Allen while we were buying ice cream. We invited him back to Alexia's place. After he climbed the drainage pipe, we settled in Alexia's bedroom and watched horror movies.

They hit it off pretty well. I was totally rooting for them. But Alexia didn't want to keep Allen from having a normal teenage life. Since she's home-schooled, she thought it would be too much of a burden for him to try to make time for her if something ever did happen between them. I knew that Allen wouldn't mind though. The way they acted around each other was remarkable. Alexia, the girl who "hates everyone", was smiling, laughing, and actually conversing with Allen. The teenage boy was equally as happy. I would bet a million dollars on her being that soulmate that he always said exists.

Judging by Allen's excitement to see Alexia, I would say that he thinks of her as a very, very good candidate for that soulmate thing. "Hold on. Imma add her to the call" I put the guys on hold and dialed Alexia's number. "My lovely Lex" I greeted. "I have Allen on the other line. He is very excited to see you. And we are on for next Friday. But we're going to Allen's party" She didn't even argue. It wasn't a question anyway. I was telling her that we were going to the party. I merged the calls. "Allen's cousin is here too. Say hi Carson" He obliged and greeted my best friend. "Alexia will be going shopping with us on Friday" I decided.

She groaned in the phone. "What girls don't like shopping?" Carson mumbled, sounding extremely confused. Allen answered with the obvious. Alexia and Skylar. I asked Carson what he was gonna buy when we went shopping. "Wait. Who said I'm going?" he inquired.

"Well, I'm not gonna be a third wheel" I pointed out. He chuckled and agreed to go. "What about Jazzy and Jasper?" The guys said they'll see if the siblings could go; while Alexia questioned about all the new names. "The new kids finally came to school" I informed her.

She squealed on the other line. "Okay. Names. Numbers. Hotness levels" I chuckled at her eagerness and told her that I only remembered Carson, Jasper, and Jasmine. But I did tell her that everyone was very attractive. It was like they took the models out of Abercrombie and sent them to our high school. "Wait. Are we talking Tyler Posey hot or Austin Butler hot?" Alexia inquired.

Tyler Posey hot is more like that bad boy vibe type. Austin Butler is still the bad boy type, but more preppy and rich looking. "Both. We even have some Spencer Reids" I informed her. Spencer Reid is from Criminal Minds. He would be the hot, nerdy type.

Alexia sighed dreamily. "Should we go?" Carson wondered. We both said no. "But you two are talking about famous hot guys, when you could be talking to hot guys" he pointed out.

"Oh! Is Carson cute?!" she exclaimed.

The guys were silent on the other end. I knew they were curious about my answer. So I decided to be cryptic. "Like the cashier at Walgreens" I answered. The guy from Walgreens is one fine specimen. He doesn't look like a bad boy. He's just insanely attractive. Like the weirdos we are, Alexia and I would stumble out of Walgreens, squealing about his level of hotness. "Carson's got muscles though. Kinda like Allen's" I explained.

I heard the guys made disgusted noises. "Do not compare us" they said in unison. Alexia and I both giggled at them. It was hard not to compare them. Of course, their builds were the only physical similarity. They weren't similar in character. Sure they were both gentlemen. But Carson was more of a mannerly gentleman; while Allen was the one that would put his girlfriend before anything and anyone. They both seemed to have a bit of a temper. But they gave off completely different vibes. Allen was like the brother I wish I had. He's there to protect me, let me vent, and he's a shoulder to cry on. The vibe I get from Carson is indescribable. He's so easy to talk to; it's like I've known him for years instead of hours. Our hug after school was short, not even five seconds. But it might've been the best hug I've had. I felt as if nothing could ever get to me. Like he would jump in front of a bullet for me.

Crazy. I know. Some guy I met a few hours ago would take a bullet for me? Highly unlikely. But if I could, I would stay in his arms forever. "Hey. I'm hungry" Jason announced, barging into my room.

"Go check in the fridge for leftovers" I waved him off. He's fourteen. He should be able to feed himself. Jason groaned and yelled an insult at me before he stormed out of my room, slamming the door shut behind him. I sighed, running my hand down my face. Everyone on the phone was silent. I pulled the device away from my face, noting that they were all still on the call. "Hello?"

They were silent for a few more moments until Alexia cleared her throat. "What's up his ass?" Carson questioned, his temper now on edge. I don't understand how they get angry so easily. It's weird. "Is your brother always like that?" he inquired.

Alexia answered for me. "Yeah. He's a major dick. Everyone in her family is" she informed him. Everyone knows I don't get along with my family. I didn't care if Carson knew. As long as Alexia didn't go deep into details. "You think you can get out of house arrest tomorrow?" Alexia wondered. I cringed, telling her that I had no idea. I still had to clean the house. "I swear. I'm going to castrate your dad and Jason. And your mom and sister will be boobless" she sneered.

"Violent"

Oh, Carson. You just dug yourself into a grave. "Violent? You think some words sound violent. Just wait. I will actually cut off their dicks. They deserve it. I'll cut off their dicks then shove it straight-"

"Okay! We do not need to know where you will shove anything!" Allen cut off my insanely crazy best friend. I grinned as the guys began to talk about protecting their privates. Maybe Alexia is a bit violent. But I wouldn't change it for the world. Her violence has saved me from some guys. "We gotta go, girls" Allen suddenly announced. I knew Alexia was pouting, since I was too. "I'll see you on Monday, Sky. And I'll be counting down the days till Friday, Alexia"

The guys yelled out their goodbyes before they hung up. "Is it bad that I turn to mush when he says my name?" Alexia blurted. I wanted to squeal at their adorableness. But if I did, she would probably hit me next time I see her or she would spike my drink with hot sauce. "It sucks that I'm a derp" she muttered.

I tsked her and chastised her about her self-esteem. "I'm sure Allen will gladly tell you how gorgeous and amazing you are" I pointed out. She told me to be quiet, but I knew she was probably blushing and smiling. "Friday. You are going to wear something that shows off your girls. You got them. And Allen will definitely wanna see them" I demanded. She groaned and told me to shut up again. "You guys like each other. Let loose at the party. Dance with him. Kiss him. Lose your v-card. Anything!"

She was silent for a few moments. "I'll hang with Allen at the party. But you have to hang out with Carson" she bargained. Carson is cool. I wouldn't mind hanging out with him. But Alexia made it seem like we had something going on; which we didn't. I just met him that day. Of course I was attracted to him, but that's all it was. An attraction. "You're in denial" Alexia sang, once I voiced my thoughts.

I scowled. "Whatever. I'll hang out with Carson" I decided. She squealed and began asking about my outfit for the night. "Definitely not a dress" I hissed. I even shuddered at the thought. It was very rare that I find a dress that I actually like. Allen's parties seem pretty popular, which means they'll be crowded. "Some shorts and a top?"

Alexia hummed. "Oh! Your high-waisted shorts, that cute bralette, and your burgundy flannel" she listed off. I imagined the outfit in my head and told her it was a good idea. It is a party. Aren't you supposed to show a little bit of skin? "What shoes? You can buy some black booties" she suggested.

"If I find any that I can actually walk in" I pointed out. Heels and I do not mix, unless I'm clinging onto something. I trip over my own two feet without wearing any shoes. Heels are practically asking to face plant at this party. "What are you wearing?" I inquired. Before she could answer, someone began repeatedly ringing the doorbell. I knew Jason wouldn't answer it. "Hold on" I said with a sigh. Getting off my bed, I walked to the door and looked through the peephole. Phoebe was standing impatiently outside as she continued ringing the bell. "Don't you have a key?" I groaned as I opened the door.

She pushed past me and rolled her eyes. "I didn't feel like getting it out" she said in a duh-tone. Lazy ass. "What's there to eat?" she threw her bag onto the couch and went straight to the fridge. I shrugged, still holding my phone tightly in my hand. "Are you mute? Use your words, fucking weirdo" Phoebe muttered as she pushed stuff around in the fridge.

I bit my lip and told her that there was only left-overs. She groaned and slammed the fridge shut before going over to the pantry. I went back to our bedroom, leaving her to find something to eat. "She will be boobless and I'll carve her va-"

"I'm gonna work on school stuff" I cut off Alexia's threat. She sighed and made me promise to call her tomorrow before I hung up. Dropping my phone onto my bed, I ran my hands through my hair. No matter what I do, Phoebe always gets to me. She just pisses me off so much. Jason just makes me feel like crap. But I'm used to that. I just can't seem to get used to the shit that Phoebe pulls. I began taking deep breaths. Inhale. "One" Exhale. "Two" Inhale. "Three" Exhale. "Four" Inhale. "Five" Exhale. My anger was still filling me with warmth, burning through my flesh. But it wasn't as bad as before. I no longer had the urge to punch anything.

"Skylar!" my name was screamed at the top of her lungs. The anger came back. I took another deep breath. "Skylar!" Phoebe sounded annoyed and impatient. Deep breath. I began to get off my bed when the door swung open. "What the hell is taking you so long?! I called you twice!" she shouted at me; but she didn't give me a chance to answer. "Go clean the kitchen. I have work to do and it needs to be done before Mom and Dad get home" Phoebe demanded before walking out. Of course, she slams the door behind her.

Deep breath.

_______________

"Who would give a law to lovers? Love is unto itself a higher law"

-Boethius

I should be writing poems for my Creative Writing class. But I decided to write my next chapters. Wattpad is more important.

Kayyyzzz Byeeezzz

~A.J.