Crackers

Chapter 1

I wake to the screeching of my cat. "Shut up, Crackers!" I randomly throw a pillow at my golden-furred tabby. Crackers scowls and I know I got a clear shot.

I pull myself out of bed and throw on some clothes for school. A blue and white striped tee and some faded jeans were calling to me, and I had to wear them. I hopped to my bathroom and applied a quick layer of lip gloss. I never cared for mascara or eyeliner. I stared myself down in the mirror. My straight black hair came down a little past my shoulders, and my green eyes looked bored. I tried to smile, but it took too much effort to raise the corners of my mouth. Guess I'll wear a frown. I take one more look in the mirror. before turning away and entering my room.

My phone beeps and I jump over my cat to read the text.

Nicky: where are u? the bus is almost here!

Yikes! I can't be late. Dad couldn't drive me to school today. I grab my backpack, run to the kitchen to snatch a muffin, and yell, "Bye Dad," before rushing out the door. Luckily, the bus was just arriving at the stop. I ran to catch up to Nicky, and climbed into the bus. We sat down, and Nicky immediately started blabbering.

"Today is Monday, " she squealed excitedly.

"You hate Mondays. Why aren't you dying with grumpiness?"

"I have a good feeling about today!"

"Since when have you been able to see the future," I ask, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Someone woke on the wrong side of the bed," my friend retorted.

But I barely heard her. My mind ticked backwards and I was caught in the past.

"Wake up, Aria," my mother's sweet voice whispered, "It's time for school."

She bent down to tickle me awake.

"Stop Ma," I giggled like the crazy six year old I was. Suddenly, my mood changed, and I was annoyed at my mother for waking me up. "Stop it now," I growled. My mother frowned. "Someone woke on the wrong side of the bed."

I woke up from my flashback when Nicky poked me.

"Hey, are you okay? I didn't mean it," she apologized. I smiled at her, grateful she was so kind. Nicky's blue eyes were filled with worry.

"I'm fine," I replied and changed the subject.

"How was the hike?" Cole and Nicky, my best friends, had both gone a hike over the weekend. I slept in, instead of waking up at 5:00am just to walk around. I swear my friends never sleep.

"Fine," Nicky quietly whispered. She started to play with her fire-red curly hair. I knew my best friend well enough to know she was lying.

I frown at her, knowing something must of happened. All the excitement in her bright eyes disappeared. I shrug. Nicky will tell me when she's ready.

We arrive at school, and Nicky's predictions turn out wrong. It was not a good day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elliot Parting is the boy who would spray paint the walls, spit in your soup, and ruin your day, all for a good laugh. He was funny, when he wasn't embarrassing you. Elliot never bothered me, but I guess things changed.

As I was walking into the school, someone stuck their foot out and tripped me. My books spattered all over the floor like someone would throw a bucket of paint. Nicky reached down to help me.

"Are you okay, Aria?"

"Fine," I grumbled.

I quickly grabbed my books and looked up to see who would be my next victim.

Just my suspicions, it was Elliot, who was laughing like a pig with his little "posse."

"Do you think this is funny Parting," I scolded.

"Of course it is." A sly grin creeped up his face, and I badly wanted to slap him.

"It's on," I warned, stabbing him in the stomach with my finger.

"Bring it." His deep brown eyes, with golden flecks, squinted and stared right into mine.

For a moment, I found myself lost in his eyes. His rich brown hair was straight and unkempt. He had a chiseled jaw and a cocky smile. Any girl could see he was worth their time. Elliot looked...well...good.

Embarrassed for staring at him for so long, I turned, walking with my head held high all the way to class.