Chapter 1
“Morning, Boo.” My beautiful golden-brown haired best friend greets walking into the bathroom and plugging in her curling iron.
“You have a dentist appointment right after school.” She informed me sharing my mirror as we both got ready; Her, for college and me, for high school.
Kristal has been my legal guardian since my emancipation. I didn’t exactly want to get emancipated, but I had to. I was sixteen when my father died about a year ago. His name was Glenn Vlaire, he was a commercial fisherman. All I was told was that he and his crew had sailed out too far into the Pacific and had gotten caught in a rough storm. My father’s boat tipped over by the disturbed currents and was grabbed violently by the sea and pulled deep into its hoary depths. He was like a sand castle; washed away in one swift motion. Although my father and I weren’t the closest of father daughter relationships I will always cherish and look up to him for his determination; Much like my mother. He also had a great mind for solving problems and finding the good in people. He was a hard worker and a giver, something I strive to be. He was a ‘tough love’ kind of parent and I respected him for that because, looking back, I could have been much more out of control and wild if he didn’t put his foot down and said enough is enough. However, when he did love it felt rewarding. A simple pat on the head, a nudge to the ribs, a wink was all I needed to feel like I was making him proud to be his daughter.
On the other hand my mother, Lilith Vlaire is a Navy SEAL and is rarely allowed the time to come home; Usually holidays are an exception. My mother is a strong, motivated and compassionate woman. Her actions may be significant, but her words are what holds her true power. She is a highly respected woman admired for her hard work and dedication to help and fight for those she loves.
I strive to be as great as my parents, but I’m not too confident in my ability to make a difference like they have in the world. I am graduating in a few months, but I have no clue what I want to do with my life. I just haven’t figured it out yet and since I am still a minor my mother entrusted my nineteen year old best friend Kristal with looking after me. Kristal accepted the duty in a heartbeat. We have been inseparable ever since we met when I was a freshman and she was a Junior. We clicked instantly because we practically share the same mind. She drives me to school Monday through Friday, however, since I own a license she lets me use her car whenever she isn’t using it. I am so incredibly blessed.
My survivors benefits and her part-time job at her college help with the cost of living since we live in a fairly nice apartment. I am always complaining about how I can’t find a job anywhere. It seems like the word “hiring” doesn’t exist in this town. I just feel so stuck... So useless.
“Hey, maybe the coffee shop near school is hir-” I start, but get cut off by Kristal shaking me silly by my shoulders.
“Rose, shut up!” She yells laughing with her eyes wide like she has gone mad. She continues.
“Enough with the job shit! I know you are trying to help me out and save up for your car but we aren’t struggling. Your worrying is worrying me so if you want to help me out, then stop worrying!” She exclaims comically.
I sigh and chuckle at her.
“You are seventeen, not twenty five. Stop using senior year as crunch time to figure your whole life out. You’ll kill yourself with your own self induced stress.” She adds, curling the last few bits of her hair.
I roll my eyes smiling, then turn to take a good look at myself in the mirror. I am wearing a white, casual button up blouse with a rounded collar and a high waisted, wavy burgundy skirt that stops mid-thigh. I paired it with some one inch, rounded toe, burgundy heels and left my hair resting in a long wavy ponytail. I had dark brown hair with dark brown eyes and naturally lightly tanned skin from my mixed caramel mother and white father.
I am proud to be unique.
Kristal and I leave the house and start off towards school.
I start walking off to my first period class when I am suddenly grabbed by my arm being pulled to the lockers. I am face to face with my ex-boyfriend and he looked just as pathetic as the last time he did this to me.
“What, Dex? How many days out of the week are you going to do this?” I ask annoyed, snatching my arm from his hold and fold my arms under my chest.
Dexter King was my first long-term relationship and my only long-term relationship. We started dating when I was fourteen and ended right after my dad passed. He was an awful boyfriend. He treated me as a possession and lied to the people he knew saying we had sex which hurt me because I am still a virgin. It was almost like he was embarrassed to date someone that didn’t want to fuck. It is not that I do not want to have sex It is just that I have not found anyone that made it seem appealing! I knew my father would have been deeply disappointed in me if I stayed with Dexter so I followed my heart and treated myself with respect as my father had told me to do many times before and dumped him. I deserve to be treated right.
“I miss you, Ro.” He states sheepishly.
Ugh, what a dunce.
I just stare at him in silence
“And?” I ask annoyed.
“And I want you back by my side, where you belong. We were so good together.” He explains with a fake, groggy, saddened tone. He is delusional.
“We were awful together!” I yell and he jumps a little but I continue anyways. I don’t care if he doesn’t like that I am yelling, I will be heard.
“You lied about sleeping with me, Dexter! I deserve respect. And do not even start by telling me that you will change because you have said that every time we took a break...” I pause for dramatic effect.
“And you never did.” I end my rant and begin to walk away. He just as quickly grabs my hand, but I snatch it back whipping myself around.
“Stay away from me, Dexter. I am serious. If you want to be on my good side, you will give me my space.” I tell him with my arms folded and my eyebrows raised.
He drops his hand to his side and kicks the locker beside him in a weak fashion seemingly frustrated his my constant rejection.
I roll my eyes and walk away.
When lunch came around I skipped the lines, knowing I have a dentist appointment in a few hours and go sit with my school friends. Just like Kristal and I, we all had a pretty good bond.
“Rosey girl!” Elliot greets. I laugh and lean into him playfully.
“Hey guys, what’s up?” I ask everyone.
“Maybe you should answer that one for yourself.” Cherrie says. She is the gossip girl of the group.
I look at her puzzled.
“I saw you talking to Dex this morning. What was that about?” She asks getting nosy.
“It is the same as every other time you see us talking, Cherrie. Him begging me to come back and me rejecting him.” I state blandly with a smirk. Cherrie sighs. I could see she was hoping for a crazier story.
“He’s so full of himself, he needs a reality check.” Kelly says in disgust, knowing how much a of shit boyfriend he was.
“How come you never dated James? He seemed nice n’ all.” She adds
James Freeman was the guy I hung out with whenever Dexter and I were on a break. He was nice, but in a way he was like Dexter.
“Yeah, he was nice. He still tried stuff on me though. I need a guy that is respectful, not a horndog.” I explain.
“You right, but, you need to loosen up too, Ms. Rose. Maybe you too strict.” Elliot chimes in
“But, before I get on your bad side can I copy your study guide for next period?” He asks stifling a smile.
I scoff rolling my eyes playfully and dig into my bag, handing it to him.
The last bell of the day rings and I rush out to Kristal’s car. I get in, catching her smiling widely.
“Hey, boo. How was school?” She asks, suspiciously upbeat. I mean, she’s usually happy, but not this happy.
“It was fine, why are you all happy?” I ask giggling. She starts the car starts driving me to my appointment.
“I have a date tonight!” She beams happily. I love seeing this girl happy. Her bright smile illuminates against her natural olive, Italian skin.
“Oh my god! That’s awesome, Kris.” I say excitedly.
“I am so excited! He’s going to pick me up at seven tonight. I think our friends are bringing their dates too, and we are probably going to stay out late, will you be okay by yourself?” She asks. In her family she was raised to put friends and family first before anything. She would call off the date right now If I told her I wanted her to stay with me, but I wouldn’t ever do that because I am not that selfish or needy.
“Yes, of course! Go have fun!” I laugh, pushing her playfully.
“Okay, good. My phone will be on so call me if you need me.” She says smiling at the road.
She parks the car in front of the clinic
“It’s going to take about an hour, Kris. You can go do whatever. I’ll call you when I’m out.” I offer.
“Okay, boo, Be safe!” She says. I get out of her car and walk into the clinic.
