No Strings Attached

Chapter 6

Dad opened my door and knocked, as if knocking after he opened the door changed the fact that he came in without asking. "Tegan, come on. You have locked yourself up in here for a week. You still need a backpack."

I put down Pet Semetary and stood up—a stupid decision considering I had been sitting for the last several hours with my face in a book. After regaining my balance, I hopped over the mattress and slipped on a pair of Converse. "Then let's go," I said, already heading to the door.

At Target, I settled for a tie-dyed JanSport backpack with all the colors of the spectrum. Those backpacks were insanely sturdy and could easily fit in a locker. Plus, they're cheap. Before we checked out I grabbed a couple of Command strips to hang up my wall décor. My dad paid for everything even when I told him not to.

With all my school supplies gathered, I carefully put the locker shelf in first, and followed it with the rest from largest to smallest. Not all of my binders could fit, but I decided to carry them in an old grocery bag. I was never fond of decorating my locker, because I didn't see the point. I didn't even show up to the orientation to get my combination. I was too busy reading a Mary Downing Han book.

At 10, I said goodnight to my dad, turned on my lava lamp, and curled up in bed with Bop, my head overflowing with scenarios of what things could have possibly happened the next day. I'll be a senior tomorrow, I thought as if the news was unheard of before. A senior, I repeated.

--

At 6 a.m. on the dot, my phone violently started buzzing and blasting Good Charlotte through the tiny speakers. Groaning, I reached onto the table and turned off the noise, opening my phone to check my messages. There was something from Alex.

>> gud luk @ skool 2day loozr

I chuckled slightly. Alex knew I hated when people texted like a middle-aged mom trying to be cool.

<< You can be a real pain in the ass, you know.

I was certain to use the best grammar possible.

>> I do try (:

<< I'll sneak a text every now and then to let you know how it goes

>> Aye aye. Talk then

<< Yup

I turned my phone on airplane mode to save the battery, and claimed the shower before Dad could steal it. After I was rinsed and dried, I stood at the sink blow-drying my hair. It had always been straight enough to just leave it dried like that without a flat iron. Plus, my thin locks needed a little volume. Running out of time, I scarfed down a piece of toast and brushed my teeth, examining my outfit in the mirror. I wore a scarlet red tank top with a thin thread grey vest. My favorite skinny jeans were dark and had faux rips in random places, contrasting with the togetherness of my top. As always, my completely black Converse high-tops were laced tightly on my feet. I glanced at myself from all angles and smirked in satisfaction. I had to admit, I was totally hot. The blue in my hair made everything about my outfit pop, and it made my body look damn good. I spit out the toothpaste and threw my backpack over my shoulder.

Dad had a cup of coffee and was engulfed in Breaking Bad, already prepared for the day. He glanced over for a moment to see me dressed and ready. "You look so beautiful, Teapot," he cooed, kissing the top of my head. "Don't do anything stupid today. Boys will be all over you." He was joking, but there was a hint of sincerity in his eyes knowing about what I had done in the past.

"No need to worry about me, old man," I teased, swinging open the kitchen door to pour some coffee to go. I put a couple tablespoons of creamer in and a hint of sugar before getting the coffee, and then stirred it until it was all mixed in.