Working Title

I woke up to the sound of my phone alarm ringing in my ears. Normally I would press snooze and go back to sleep, but today wasn’t that day. I am surprisingly excited for my first day at my new school. I had mixed feelings about moving to Portland but I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t excited to get out of Dallas, it was only a few hours away but if a few hours away from Dallas is all I get to start fresh, I will gladly take it.

I walked downstairs for some coffee before getting ready for my first day. I caught a glimpse of my mom throwing her phone on the kitchen counter.

’’Everything okay?”

My mom looked up at me, taken aback from my presence.

“Yeah, everything is fine. Are you nervous?’’

As expected I was a little nervous about going to a school where no one knew my name. but from past experiences this is probably a blessing.

“A little bit, after the way we left Dallas I am a bit relieved that I will just be that ‘random new girl’ instead of ‘that gay girl’ ‘’

My mom clearly didn’t expect me to be so honest, she took a few seconds to think about what to say next.

“Mel, I know that there are still some open wounds after what those girls did to you but you shouldn’t be afraid of being yourself. Moving here is an opportunity to start over and I hope that you will do exactly that’’

I made myself some coffee and sat down next to my mom.

“When will dad be here?”

My mom looked at her phone

‘’I’m not too sure, he says that he still has a few more things to finish at work before he can join us here.’’

I finished my coffee and went to my room, I quickly changed into a jean and t-shirt.

When I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth I noticed that I left my lucky shoes downstairs. I bushed my teeth and made my way downstairs again, this time my mom was on the phone with my gran, it seemed a little odd to me, because they rarely talk, I got my shoes from the lounge and went back upstairs. I finished up for the day and met my mom at the car.

The drive to Wikem High School was quiet, I could tell my mom was worried about my first day and I didn’t find any comfort in the deafening silence.

I really wanted to stay under the radar. The last thing I need is to be noticed by the wrong people. I was probably being very paranoid but I wasn’t going to take any chances. We got out of the car and made our way inside, after meeting with the principle and getting my class schedule my mom squeezed my hand and wished me luck. Principle Welch said that I should wait for a student to arrive to show me to my class and the nerves of meeting someone that I might run into on a daily bases freaked me out a little bit. I waited for an hour when I decided that I would be better off finding my class by myself.

I started walking towards the door when a blonde girl walked towards me.

‘’Melanie? Melanie Adams?’’

I put my backpack on my back.

‘’that’s me’’

I looked at her and she gave me a welcoming smile.

‘’Hi, my name is Christine. Everyone just calls me Chrissy for short. I am so sorry I’m late. Usually I am very punctual, my head is just all over today. First day back, you know’’

I nodded, I know what it’s like to be overwhelmed with things to do on the first day back.

‘’it’s okay, I was getting a little worried that I would be late for my first class though’’

She opened the door for us.

‘’Don’t worry about that, we still have fifteen minutes to get you to class’’

We walked out and started walking down the wide hallway.

‘’So, Principal Welch tells me you’re new in town.’’

I looked at her with a nervous smile.

‘’That is correct.’’

She gave a slight nod. I could tell she was curious, I’m not sure why. I had the need to ask her about why she would be so curious but that would just come out rude.

‘’Where are you from? If you don’t mind me asking.’’

I was a little on edge about telling people about my hometown but I figured she was trying to make me feel more comfortable.

‘’I’m from Dallas, we moved here a few days ago. My mom felt like a change and my dad’s boss asked him to transfer here a few months back.’’

We came to a stop in front of a classroom door.

‘’Room B8, chemistry, as promised with 12 minutes to spare.’’

I smiled and thanked her before making my way inside. The classroom was still empty, I figured this would be a good time to go through my schedule for the day and highlight the classes I was most excited about. Doing this always seemed to calm me down when I go back to school.

‘’Looks like I’m not the only early bird.’’

My head shot up and there was a tall brown headed guy.

‘’wow, didn’t mean to scare you.’’

I shook my head and gave him a reassuring smile.

‘’It’s fine, first day jitters I guess.’’

He took a seat next to me and leaned back in his chair.

‘’I’m guessing you’re the new girl?’’

I was surprised that he expected to see me, how did he know?

‘’That’s me, the newbie.’’

He put this hand out to me, I looked down at his hand.

‘’Noah.’’

I nodded and shook his hand.

‘’Melanie, call me Mel.’’

We sat in silence for a good two minutes.

‘’You’re more than welcome to join us for lunch, Mel.’’

I didn’t expect to have someone sit with on the first few days just yet and even though the invitation scared me, it was way better than sitting alone.

‘’Thanks. I will keep that in mind.’’

He smiled and started taking his chemistry books out.

‘’I’ll be expecting you.’’

* * * * * * *

After my first two classes it was finally lunch time, it’s been a bad habit of mine for years to skip breakfast and every school day I regret it.

I walked into the cafeteria, crowds were formed at every table. It made me anxious that Noah may have invited me to sit with him and his own crowd of people.

I heard someone yell my name as I walked past a few lunch tables. I looked around the cafeteria for the source, when I felt someone’s hand on my shoulder. I turned around and I was face to face with Noah. He dragged me to a lunch table with a few people around it.

‘’Just found the lost lamb, people.’’

I laughed and took a seat across from him.

‘’Thanks for inviting me, I have no idea where I would find an empty table around here.’’

Everyone laughed slightly and the girl sitting next to me put her hand on my shoulder.

‘’Let’s be honest, there are no empty tables. I’m Jessie by the way and this is my boyfriend Connor. The goofball next to Noah is Angelo.’’

I gave everyone a friendly greeting as a familiar face joined us at the table.

‘’Hey, sorry I’m late. I’m just in a billion different places today.’’

She sat down next to Angelo and took a sip from his juice. Noah looked at me ‘’And you’ve met Chrissy.’’

She gave me a warm smile.

‘’Oh, hi Melanie. How was chemistry?’’

I smiled at her and took a bite from my sandwich.

‘’it was alright.’’

I was looking for more to talk about when Angelo started talking.

‘’Are you guys going to the back to school party at Bruce’s house?’’

Connor shoved him a little.

‘’You know it!’’

Jessie looked over at me.

‘’What do you say, Mel?’’

I was taken aback by the question; I didn’t think they would actually invite me. I’m still a stranger and I know if I were in their shoes I wouldn’t be this friendly with someone I know nothing about.

‘’Uhm… Yeah, it’s a bit short notice but sounds good to me.’’

Noah wrote a number down on a piece of paper.

‘’Here’s Chrissy’s number, between all of us she is your best bet of a sober driver.’’

She laughed and took a sip from her water bottle.

‘’Sadly, that’s very true.’’

The rest of the school day went by fast and soon it was time to head home. I walked to the parking lot and waited for my mom to arrive.

I looked around the parking lot when I noticed Chrissy walking my way.

‘’Waiting for your lift?’’

I put my backpack on the wall next to me and gave her a tiny smile.

‘’Yeah, my mom should be here anytime now.’’

We stood in silence for a little bit before she started making small talk.

’’How are you liking Wikem?”

I nodded and put my hands in my jean pockets.

‘’So far I can’t complain, I didn’t expect to be invited to a party so soon.’’

She laughed and crossed her arms. I wonder if that sounded like I wasn’t interested in going, which wasn’t the case at all.

‘’I’m sorry if that freaked you out a little, we never really get any new students especially students who are graduating the same year that they enrol’’

I smiled, she did have a point.

‘’Fair enough, I’m not freaked out though. Nervous? Maybe a little.’’

From the corner of my eye I saw my mom’s car come to a stop in front of the school’s scoreboard.

‘’I should get going, I will see you later.’’ I picked my backpack up and we said our goodbyes.

The car ride home was a little different than this morning, my mom was curious about my day and I found joy in her curiosity.

‘’I got invited to a back to school party.’’

My mom stopped the car in front of our house.

‘’That’s great news! An opportunity to make some new friends, I like it. When is it?’’

I fiddle with my backpack, there is no way she will agree to me going out on a Monday night.

‘’It’s tonight…’’

My mom sighed and turned in her seat to look at me.

‘’You know how I feel about you going out on school nights.’’

Even though I knew this would happen, I was still disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to go to the party.

’’But I will make an acceptation, just this once.”

I grinned, today must really be my day.

‘’Are you serious? Thank you! I promise not to come home too late.’’

My mom laughed and opened the car door.

‘’Just don’t wake me up when you get back, okay?’’

I was completely surprised she even agreed to it but I wasn’t going to question it. I quickly sent Chrissy a text.

‘Hey, It’s Mel, can’t wait for the party!’

I walked inside the house, rushed upstairs and started doing homework, so I wouldn’t forget to do it over all the excitement. Halfway through my Math homework my phone vibrated, I checked my phone and noticed that it was a text from Chrissy.

‘Sweet! I’ll pick you up at 7:30. What’s your address?’

I texted her my address. I really wanted this weird luck that I’ve been having today to go on, I haven’t been to party since the drama in Dallas.

After doing my homework I went downstairs to eat dinner with my mom, my dad was always invested in his work. As a foreign service officer his job involves a lot of travel, so my mom and I are used to having dinner without him, it brought us closer together as mother and daughter but I always wanted the same relationship with my father.

We ate our food while having light conversations about our day.

“What time are you leaving?”

I put our plates in the dishwasher and sat on the kitchen counter.

“Chrissy said that she would pick me up at seven thirty.”

I haven’t mentioned that I wouldn’t be driving there myself, I didn’t think it mattered who I was driving with anyway. My mom stood up from the dining table.

Before she could start asking about Chrissy I quickly went upstairs to get a warm jacket, It’s a party so I assumed that I could just wear what I’ve been wearing the entire day. I made a B-line at the mirror in my room and tied my raven black hair in a ponytail.

I made it downstairs again when my phone vibrated.

‘’I’m outside.’’

I hugged my mom goodbye on my way out the door.

I got into Chrissy’s white Audi and was surprised to see that it was only her in the car.

‘’Hey, Mel. I hope you don’t mind that I’m a little early. It was a shorter ride here than expected.’’

I strapped my seatbelt on and looked over at her, taking in her short jeans and tank top.

‘’It’s fine, are you not cold?’’

She giggled a little.

‘’Not right now, I always keep a jacket around just in case. The weather in Portland will surprise you.’’

We drove off and I couldn’t help staring at her. Her long blonde hair was wavy and free. She looked amazing, I was a little curious about her.

‘’So… you and Noah?’’

She kept her eyes on the road and she took a little longer than expected to respond.

‘’We’ve been on-and-off for two years now. After our last break up, during the holidays, we decided to stay friends until we knew we were ready to try again. It’s a little complicated.’’

This created a little bit of an awkward silence between us until she finally broke the silence.

‘’How about you? Did you leave a boyfriend back in Dallas?’’

I wasn’t sure if I should be honest, but from past experiences it’s best to tell them before they find out from someone else.

I sighed and closed my eyes for a second before answering her question.

‘’Not exactly, I’m actually not that into it.’’

She nodded and turned the radio down.

‘’Not into relationships?’’

I looked out of the window, I had no idea how she would react to me telling her about my sexuality. I guess I would find out anyway.

‘’Nope, not into boys.’’

I looked at her, observing her as my heart started racing.

‘’In that case, any girlfriend you left in Dallas?’’

She didn’t seem to care, which was comforting and relieving at the same time.

‘’No, I just came out before moving here.’’

We stopped at a diner and she unstrapped her seatbelt.

‘’So you’ve never dated anyone?’’

I felt really stupid at this point, a part of me wanted to lie about this.

’’Not yet.”

She turned in her seat to face me.

‘’No way! Does that mean you haven’t kissed anyone either?’’

Why was I telling her these things? I don’t know her. I met her TODAY.

‘’No, I mean I always had the opportunity but I never really took it’’

She nodded slowly and clapped her hands together.

‘’I haven’t eaten yet, mind if we grab a bite?’’

Even though I already ate, I really wanted to sit and get to know her a little better, something about her just made me want to know more about her.

We took a seat at the window booth under the neon lights above the window. I examined her features, her smooth jawline and her beautiful blue eyes which I couldn’t help but envy.

’’You’re awfully quiet.”

I didn’t notice that I was staring, until she said that.

‘’Uh, yeah. Sorry, I’ve just got a few things on my mind.’’

Our coffees came, she took a small sip from hers.

‘’What’s on your mind?’’

How is it that; whenever someone asks this my mind seems to go blank? I took a minute to catch my train of thought.

‘’I’ve never told anyone before. You know, about the being gay thing?’’

She looked very confused by my statement, which is probably a normal reaction.

‘’How are you out of the closet if you never told anyone that you’re gay?’’

It’s not that I didn’t feel comfortable with sharing this information with her, I did. I met her today and for some reason I wanted to share everything about myself, this wasn’t a good sign to me.

‘’It’s a little complicated, a story for another time.’’

I assume she knew not to push me into talking about it because she quickly changed the subject.

‘’You sure you’re not hungry?’’

I smiled at her and took a sip from my coffee.

‘’I’m sure.’’

We finished up at the diner and we were on our way to the party. The long, dark road seemed endless. Eventually, after a while of small talk and the music on the radio, we arrived at the party.

The house was massive; I don’t remember ever seeing a house this big anywhere in Dallas.

We made our way inside the house. I was introduced to Bruce, the host of this annual party, he seemed to be a nice guy and I wouldn’t mind becoming possible friends in the future.

After an hour or two of beer pong and sweaty teenage bodies stinking up the place, I decided to go upstairs. I needed to get away from the crowd, I could feel the alcohol rushing through my veins and I needed to collect myself.

I went into the bedroom; I was surprised to see it empty. I went to the balcony for some fresh air when I noticed Chrissy sitting on a chair, I took a seat next to her and looked up at the stars.

‘’You okay?’’

She took a deep breath before answering my question.

‘’Noah said that he doesn’t see us getting back together.’’

I placed my hand on her arm.

‘’I’m sorry about that.’’

I wasn’t sure what to say, I have never been in a situation like this. Heck, I haven’t even been in a relationship yet. I wanted to make her feel better, I just didn’t know how.

She looked down at my hand, I somehow felt like I crossed some type of line. She looked up at me, making eye contact before she finally spoke.

‘’How did you know?’’

I was confused by her question; I didn’t know what she was talking about. It probably showed on my face, because before I could ask what she meant, she spoke again.

‘’How did you know you were gay?’’

No one has ever asked me that, I didn’t know how to answer her question but I tried my best to give her one that would make sense.

’’Well, I guess I just always knew. It took some time to accept it, so I tried to avoid thinking about it but I’ve come to terms with it.”

She looked down at my hand again, I was about to move it away when she put her hand over mine. I felt a little tingle from the touch of her skin. I looked up at her. I could tell she was drinking too, she cleared her throat.

‘’Can I kiss you?’’

What? How am I even supposed to respond to that? Did I want to kiss her? I did. We both were drunk, that much was obvious, would this be me taking advantage of her in some way?

I was still thinking about what to say when she pressed her lips against mine. I didn’t know how to react, before I could react in any way she jumped up.

I was paralyzed, she ran out and I couldn’t help myself. I ran after her all the way to the car, this ended up getting a few people’s attention. She got into her car and left. I stood in the driveway for a good five minutes.

What just happened? I couldn’t comprehend this situation. Both of us had been drinking and I am worried about her driving under the influence. I made the decision to take an Uber home and text her when I get there.

I got home just after eleven pm, luckily my mom has a habit of sleeping early on weekdays. I walked up to my room, sat down on my bed and sent Chrissy a text.

‘Hey, are you okay?’

She replied surprisingly fast.

‘I’m fine.’

My head was still spinning, I got changed into my pyjamas and got into bed. Before I knew it sleep got the best of me.