"I'm surrounded by retarded fucks," Chase, one of Eric's friends and also the 2nd most popular guy at school, grumbles.

I can't help but giggle.

Chase started sitting with us at lunch a few days after what happened with those guys. After that, Justin start avoiding me like the plague. It was annoying at first but I don't really care anymore. Who am I kidding! I care a lot. He acts like he doesn't know me, and doesn't care. But maybe he never did...

Noah glares at Chase. He leans closer to me and whispers purposely loud enough that Chase can hear, "I think he's on his man period."

"What did you just say Evans?" Chase yell.

Noah and I are erupting with laughter, and everyone else joins in. Chase starts laughing lightly before smiling at me, "you're some girl, White." I blush crazily and look at my lap. He calls everyone by their last name, and I'm not sure why. Maybe he thinks it sounds cool or something.

Noah rolls his eyes, "we get it Chase! You haven't gotten laid and Avery's an easy catch."

I gasp and punch him right on his shoulder without even thinking. "What the hell?!" I yell at Noah.

"I was just joking Aves," he chuckles, rubbing his arm.

I frown at him. "I'm mad at you."

"Stay mad, you're hot when you're mad," Eric winks. I look to Eric and glare.

"Gross," I mumble.

"Who's going to Jacob's party this weekend?" Nikky asks suddenly.

I shrug, "I don't know. I don't know him either."

"Who cares? No one knows everyone at a party. You can even stick by me," she whines. "Pleaseeeee?"

"Fine."
~•~
"Hey, Avery!"

I look back and see Chase running to catch up with me. "Hi, what's up?"

"I was um... I guess, I was wondering if you maybe wanted to get a drink sometime? Well I mean, um–"

"That'd be great, Chase," I smile softly.  Chase is a great guy, he's not really like the other jocks.

"Oh, okay, awesome! I'll text you later."

The bell rings and Chase says goodbye before leaving, revealing a very pissed off Justin. "Avery," he says while gritting him teeth. I just frown in confusing. Why was he even talking to me anyways? When I don't respond he clenches his jaw. "What? Are you giving me the fucking silent treatment? I always knew you were just a child."

I scoff in disbelief, "look who's talking Mr. I-Save-A-Girl-From-Dying-So-I'll-Just-Ignore-Her-For-A-Few-Days-And-Then-Act-Like-A-Selfish-Prick." By then I'm out of breath, I have bad lungs so don't judge, but I just walk by him to my next class.

Chemistry is always boring but we got new lab partners, and guess who mine is! That's right, Jacob. He's not too bad though, he's actually really funny once you get to know him.

"You coming to my party on Friday?"

"Yeah, I'm actually going with Nikky ," I smile.

He smiles, and I've never actually really seen him smile before, "okay. You should sit by me tomorrow at lunch."

I look at him in awe. "You mean like 'The Popular Table'?"

"Yeah."

Is he for real? "I'm not popular at all though," I respond confused.

"I know."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! Now do you wanna sit with me or not?" He laughs and I nod smiling. I'm glad he invited me, but it's unlikely of him. He's NEVER invited someone to sit with him, especially someone like...
Well, me.  "We should probably pay attention now. But, I think I might be a little distracted since I have a beautiful girl that's way out of my league sitting next to me."

"I'm not beautiful," I mumble and look at the ground. I'm not lying, I'm not pretty.

He smiles sadly, "you are Avery, and I hope you realize that."

He doesn't say another word to me for the whole class and I keep replaying that in my head. The rest of my classes fly by and I'm relieved I can just go home and sleep. I don't have any homework so I don't have to worry about that at all tonight. I'm also surprised because usually I have hours worth of homework but hey, I'm not complaining.

I may be a nerd but that doesn't mean I like homework. And actually for a nerd I'm pretty dumb, at least socially. I have good friends and I'm not a compete loner but I'm definitely not popular by any means. I'm just kind of... there. Ya know? I'm not special but I'm not really different or I don't stand out. It can suck but it has pretty good perks too. Like yeah a majority of people don't really notice me, that means that I won't be in a lot of unnecessary which is nice because I honestly think drama is pretty dumb.

I get to my front door and look for the keys in my backpack.

Oh no, this is not happening.

But it is.

Ugh, shut up, me! Now I seriously understand why some people say you're your own worse enemy. I search my backpack for the keys again.

Nope, nothing. None, nada, zilch. Well I guess patience is pretty KEY in this situation. Haha, get it? Because I lost my keys? No? Okay, I'll shut up now.

Why today?! Today is pretty much the only day I have no homework and I can't even get into my house to relax or pretend I have a social life! Wow, that's sorta depressing, and true. This is so unfair! And, it's cool out here. It's super windy and I'm like, eating my hair. In case you were wondering, no, it does not taste very good!

Something wet touches my hand.

Oh great, just my luck. It's starting to rain and my parents be home from work for hours! I swear I'm not going to make it through this. Pouting like the five year old I am; I sit on the edge of my porch which–so conveniently– doesn't have a roof covering it! This is so fun, right?!

"Hey, are you taking a shower outside? Huh, that's a new one."

My head snaps up to see my possible murderer. Oh, look; it's Justin! Yay.

Please note the sarcasm!!!

I just sit there scowling at him. He's so bipolar, I swear. I don't understand this boy. Or any boys to be frank, they're just so confusing.

"What? No 'Hi Just, my favoritest person in the world!'?" He smirks. I just want to sit up and slap that very attractive smirk off his beautiful face. Okay, I did not just think that. I just continue to scowl. "Wow, calm down there, Princess."

"P-'Princess'?" I frown. What kind of name is that? He's just so... annoying and rude and biplolar and just UGH.

"Got a problem with me calling you that?" He chuckles. He thinks this is funny? This is not funny! I barely know him and he's acting like some girl on the worst period of her life! Yet I still get butterflies, I don't care if that sounds cheesy, whenever he looks at me or smiles.

I could say so many things, but all I could manage to actually leave my mouth was; "yes."

"Why?"

"Because."

"That's not an answer, Princess," he says while emphasizing 'princess'. I really want to knee him right in his... 'area' right now. Or scream. Or both! Yeah, both sound really good right now.

I cross my arms and just stare at him. I'm not going to say anything and maybe he'll go away.

"Is there a reason you're sitting out in the rain?" He rolls his eyes and says flatly. I told you he was bipolar.

Please, just leave already so I can throw a fit in peace.

"Come here," he sighs and grabs my hand.

"U-Uh no thanks I'm fine," I say quickly and pull my hand out of his. I can feel my cheeks burning like I just lit them on fire. Oh my lord, I'm such a wimp.

"You're sitting out in the rain with no jacket on your porch. You're soaking wet." He actually looks he cares. I guess there's a first time for everything, but I never thought there would be a first for that. "I don't live very far–you can stay until your parents get home."

I just look down at my feet. Am I supposed to say 'yes'? My parents! I totally forgot about their vacation! They went to the Bahamas for their anniversary, they just left this morning. "They're on a trip... They won't be home for a week or two," I mumble. I look up and see him just staring at me like he's thinking.

He sighs, "do you need any clothes?"

"Yeah but I guess I can try to get them from my room or something. But then I wouldn't have to stay with you but I don't want to cause you any trouble–" He covers my mouth with his hand and frowns as if saying, 'are you done yet'. I shut my mouth quickly.

"Calm down, you can borrow my sisters. I'm not in the mood to break into your house. We'll figure everything out tomorrow, okay?"

"Won't your parents care?"

He just looks away, "no." His eyes darken slightly and he stares at the ground. Touchy subject, got it. What could've happened to them? Are they gone? Are they just mean?

"Why?"

"Let's just go, alright? I'm not waiting around all day!" He snaps suddenly and grabs my school stuff. He walks over to a really nice car and shoves it in the back.

"Sorry," I say as he opens the passenger door for me. But he doesn't respond.

A/N

alright sorry this chapter isn't super long but hey the storyline is starting to come together! this book probably won't be super long but i have some ideas for it:) just wanted to let you guys know that i wrote the chapters kinda weird. i just have certain points i have to get to in the story but other than that i just wrote whatever i think of! when i'm done with the whole book i'll edit it for clarity or so there are no misspellings.

thank you guys sm for reading this and i hope you continue reading this! feel free to leave feedback or requests:)

— ch💕