Changed

Chapter One: Please

I rolled over, looked at the clock and squinted. 

"7:45" it read. My eyes widened..

"WHAT?!" I screamed jumping out of my squeaky bed and yelled downstairs to Mom. "WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP I HAVE 15 MINUTES NOW."

I threw on my usual skinny jeans and a pullover and put my hair into what the was the most sloppiest ponytail I had ever seen. I slid downstairs grabbing a s'more pop tart. 

"I'm taking you this morning." Mom says with a frown. "I have to take Kaylee to daycare because Dad got called into work." 

That explained the frown. Mom hated taking care of Kaylee without Dad, considering he's practically the week-round family taxi, and full time babysitter when mom works third shift. 

"You look terrible." Kaylee said, "Why does your hair look like a mop?" 

I glared at her, my look saying "back off, or else" and she took the hint. Although Kaylee is just 9 years old, she has the personality of someone my age, and an attitude that could kill. 

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I walk into the double doors of high school for what feels like the thousandth time, and see Madison waiting at the end of the hallway for me, staring at her phone looking for some comfort of being alone in the hallway. 

I walk over to her and yawn just before the bell rings. 

"Where were you?!" Madison has always been I guess you could say "control freak" and flips whenever her plans get thrown out of whack. "I was starting to think you weren't coming!! And.." she paused and moved her eyes upward, "not to make things worse but what's going on with your hair." 

"I didn't get to bed till about 2am, if that explains it." I reply. 

"You have got to start going to bed earlier Grace." 

I shrug and try to change the subject before she asks me why I was up so late.

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I feel my phone wiggle in my pocket as I leave school, feeling slightly better than I did the last timeI walked through the doors, knowing that I won't be back for another 3 weeks due to fall break. 

Madison nudges me as I am about to hop off the bus, "Wanna come over tonight?" she asks. I scan my brain making sure that I'm free, as if I'm busy partying every weekend..

"Sure." I smile. Met you at the post at 8. She nods and looks back out the window as I turn around. 

Madison and I have clicked as bff's since 4th grade, and haven't separated since. Since we live somewhat in the same neighborhood we each ride our bikes to the lamppost that leads to the turn that our roads meet, right in the middle. 

I walk through the door and see Dad sitting in the chair with Kaylee, watching Bubble Guppies on Nickelodeon. His eyes light up when he see's me, but he doesn't move to assure he doesn't wake Kaylee. 

I set my backpack down and give him a hug, "So, how was your last day sweetie?" he ask in a soft tone. 

"Eh, okay I guess. Doesn't help that Mom got me to school almost late this morning." 

His eyes widen again but in a sadder way. "She's just doing her best.. trying to adjust to her third shift Grace." 

Hearing it like that makes me feel guilty about being rude to Mom this morning, and I think to myself that I'll try to make it up to her later on.

Time flies after I finish showering and packing for Madison's, when I realize I have 5 minutes to do a 15 minute bike ride to the pole at the corner. I pull out my phone and text her, 

" might be kinda late :( leaving now.." she immediately text back.

"ugh alright. hurry pls." 

As I make my way downstairs I kiss Dad and Kaylee, and find Mom in her room sleeping. I lightly tap her and tell her I'm going to Madisons and give her a hug and kiss also, squeezing her extra tight as the thought of this morning crossed my mind. 

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I rushed out the door with my stuffed to the max backpack and hopped on my bike. As I approached the final big hill I felt my phone wiggle in my pocket. Reaching the top I pulled it out, hoping it was Ryan. 

Mom: I love you, be safe! xoxo

Ryan and I have been dating since freshman year, 8 months, and although we don't see each other often since he lives in a different county, we try our best to text allay, everyday when we can. 

I sigh at the thought of having to text him first.. again.. but do it anyways because I'm desperate to talk to him.

As I reach the top I finally see Madison and realize how bad of shape I'm in because I'm totally out of breath. She pats the bench for me to come sit. 

I plop down and glance at my phone and sigh in misery.

"Grace.... Did you text first again....?" Although most of the time I would try my best to lie to her, I'm to tired to even try. "Yeah." I reply. Disappointed in myself. 

Ryan is Madison's close cousin, and as weird as it sounds, it's actually not weird dating one of her family members. Ryan and I just clicked, and I see him sometimes going to Madison's family events, which makes them even better. 

"You have go to stop! Let HIM come to YOU." she said.

Madison has always had the strict confidence in herself, something that I've never had. 

I quickly change the subject about something school related, and we head to biology class.