Bee called me twenty minutes before my alarm was set to go off, which I would've hated her for if she hadn't mentioned that her dad made breakfast sandwiches.

I threw on jeans and a formfitting pink shirt. I didn't want to spend too much time going through my clothes and noticing the lack of new items. Last year I had at least a week's worth of new outfits to start off the school year. Now...

No. I told myself. We're not going to think about him and ruin the first day of school.

Mom was still asleep when Taylor started to cry out from her nursery so I quickly got her changed and gave her some dry Cheerios to eat.

After I finished getting ready for school, as much as I didn't want to—she worked late hours—I had to wake Mom before I left so Taylor wouldn't be unattended.

"I love your dad," I said around mouth full of biscuits, eggs, and turkey bacon as I sat Bee's car.

Bee side eyed me, all serious. "He's taken."

"Gross." I smacked her arm.

The rest of the drive to school was us just jamming to whatever song came up on the radio. When we pulled into student parking the first day jitters kicked in. Or maybe it was the breakfast sandwich I practically swallowed whole.

As to be expected on the first day, the school was swarmed with students. Clusters of people stood around catching up, yelling greetings to each other, goofing off. Tiny freshmen looked both amazed and terrified as they entered new territory. I felt like one of those freshmen even I've been here for the last three years.

Bee parked, then turned to me, a grin splitting across her face. "We're seniors," she squealed. "Top of the food chain, baby!"

Despite my shaken nerves I laughed at her enthusiasm.

We pushed through crowd of people huddled around the series of print outs taped to the side of one of the buildings in the quad to figure out which classroom to pick up our schedules from.

Since Bee and I had to go separate buildings we agreed to meet at the lockers when we got our schedules.

As I made my way to classroom 3B I waved to a few familiar faces and had short conversations with old classmates that happened to be heading the same way. After I got my schedule I made a beeline to the lockers in the senior hallway.

The red metal lockers that lined the walls shined with new paint and pad locks. Even the statue of Cedric the bear, Bellcreek's mascot, looked like he got a fresh coat of paint for his red shorts and boxing gloves. Clearly Principal Gibson didn't hesitate spending that donors money.

I caught sight of Bee's curly hair and tiny Pokémon themed backpack as she hoovered by the water fountain, tapping away at her phone. Making my way through the sea of students, I came to an abrupt stop when someone's shoulder bashed into mine a little too hard for it to have been an accident. I whipped around to see a girl with tanned skin and long black hair, a smirk on her lips.

"Slut," she said loud enough to catch the attention of the surrounding students.

Eyes flickered in my direction, but most of them were too busy trying to find their classes to stop and stare for long.

"Hey!"

Bee startled me, appearing at my elbow. My gaze bounced from Bee and back to the girl, but she was long gone.

Bee's brow creased, following my gaze. "What's up?"

"Nothing," I quickly shook it off, fixing my face with a smile as I held out my schedule. "Do we have any classes together?"

* * *

Third period, the juniors and seniors filed out their classrooms and headed for the gymnasium for the welcome back assembly.

Third and fourth period were the only classes Bee and I didn't have together outside of our electives, so I searched for her in the faces of every student I passed while crossing the quad. I also searched for that girl that bumped into me earlier. She looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't think of who she was or why she'd be calling my out my name.

There was no Bee or mysterious hater in the crowd, but I did spot someone else. Mostly because he practically towered over every other student and he was staring back at me, squinting against the sun beating down on us.

Nolan and his permanent scowl made their way over to me. I stopped, standing off to the side of the flow of students, to give him a chance to catch up, curious about what he wanted.

When he reached me, dressed head to toe in black, he wordlessly reached into his pocket and pulled out...a pen?

It took a couple of seconds but I realized it was the pen I used yesterday while filling out that review slip. My eyes traveled up from the pen to the sharp features of his face.

How could someone look so mean while doing something so nice?

I took the pen from his grasp. Before I could utter a thanks he snarled and said, "Don't leave your shit in my truck."

My jaw dropped slightly as I started at him. He had this nice-asshole act down packed.

"Jade!" Bee's tiny voice raised above the noise of the students around. I turned to find her elbowing her way through people, holding back on the aggressiveness.

When I looked back up at Nolan he was also watching Bee before his light brown eyes landing on me again. He gave me one last look before joining the mass of students going into the gym.

"Were you talking to Nolan Chambers?" she asked once at my side, standing on her tip toes to see him better. "I don't think I've ever seen him in direct sunlight. He's usually lurking in the shadows." Landing flat on her feet, she turns he attention back to me. "What did he want?"

I stared down at the blue Bic in my hand and shrugged. "Just... returning my pen."

Her eyes narrowed at me with curiosity. "And he had your pen because...?"

"I left it in his truck," I said causally, turning to head towards the gym.

"Jade Harris," she gasped, keeping my pace. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

I rolled my eyes, playfully. Bee loved herself some hook-up gossip. "Well, it got real hot and steamy," I said, trying to hold a straight face.

Her brows shot up, as did the pitch in her voice. "Really?"

"Oh, yeah." I leaned down to whisper, "That's why Nolan had to pick me up in his tow truck and take it to the repair shop."

Bee halted, jaw dropping. "You're talking about your stupid car?"

A laugh bubbled through me as she whacked my arm, mumbling something about me being rude.

* * *

After the assembly let out it was time for lunch. Bee had ordered Taco Bell to be delivered a few minutes before the assembly let out. While she went out front to wait for the food, I claimed two seats inside the bustling cafeteria.

My phone chimed with a text from my mom, asking me to pick up Taylor from Ms. Coleman's house after school.

Ms. Coleman lived down the street from us. She was always working on her garden or sipping drinks on the little porch swing she had. Basically being a nosy old woman under the disguise of innocence. She knew everything about everyone in the neighborhood.

That's why it didn't make sense for Mom to take Taylor over there. Mom couldn't stand her.

My stomach churned as something occurred to me. Maybe she had to take Taylor over there because she couldn't afford daycare anymore? What else would we have to sacrifice?

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed someone take the seat beside me until they spoke.

"Is it true?"

My eyes flickered over to the boy beside me, a tray of steaming pizza in front of him. He was pale, with a round face littered with acne scars. I think his name was Daniel Kim or something.

"Is what true?" I asked cautiously.

He leaned in closer, the smell of Axe body spray overwhelming me. "What happened with you and Deshaun."

I was about to say yes, thinking he meant the break up, until I remembered the lie he told Ana. "What do you mean?"

A sleazy looking grin broke across the guys face. "You really fuck his best friend?"

I backed away from him, glancing around to make sure no one overhead. "No! What the hell?"

His lips pursed as he considered that, shamelessly staring down at my chest. "Can I get your number?" He asked my chest, before dragging his eyes back up to my face.

I felt my face scrunch up in disgust. "No."

He sucked his teeth, rolling his eyes before standing. "Whatever. Bitch."

"What did you just call her?"

I whipped up to find Bee standing there, setting the food and drinks on the table as she sized Daniel up. "Bee, it's fine."

Daniel looked amused as he turned to walk away. I had to force Bee to sit down and stop glaring the back of his head.

She finally pulled her eyes away from Daniel. "What the hell was that?" She asked me, concern replaced the anger in her green eyes. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I waved a hand dismissively, reaching for the fast food bag.

She pulled it away, her eyes trying to catch mine across the table. "Jade?"

I had to tell her. She'd figure it out eventually. I huffed out a small sigh as I leaned my elbows on the table. "You can't get mad," I told her. "Or get all over protective and try to kick everyone's ass."

"What happened?" she demanded.

I glanced down at the table before meeting her gaze. "Deshaun is telling people that I cheated on him."

For a few moments her expression was entirely blank, and those moments I didn't breath. Then her eyes cut across the cafeteria in search of someone.

I placed my hand over her wrist. "Bianca, it's fine," I assured her. "People will find something new to talk about."

She heaved a sigh, her attack mode shutting down. "I never liked him anyway."

I smiled at that, because it was true. But to be fair she initially hated everyone before getting to know them. I still have the scar on my knee to prove it.

As we ate our tacos the tension of situation faded away and we talked about classes and everything. Still, I was on edge. Whenever someone glanced in my direction or people walked by whispering, I couldn't help but think it was about me.

But for Bee's sake I smiled, I ate, I pretended everything was fine.

//
Hello humans!!

And so the rumors begin...