Happily (ON HOLD)

Chapter 2: The Sweet Smell of Resentment

My sister was on the edge of my bed when I woke. Half sister, I should say. Let the records show that my mother left us six years ago with nothing but a burning candle.

Pumpkin spice has never been a treasured scent of mine. The thing had not been lit since her departure. It sits on my dresser tauntingly, and I swear it would smirk if it could.

Perhaps she was trying to leave a legacy related to her candle-making abilities. Too bad I never managed to learn. Fire was never my thing. Such a dangerous dance.

Leave it to my mom to ruin her own family.

☆

A quick goodbye was sent to my step-mom. Since Lena was too young to go to school, Martha watched her until my dad came from work and it was my turn to babysit. I don't really mind, she's quiet when needs be.

My rushed strides take me to he bus stop, where is saw Harry and our friends Elliot and Cassidy.

"Rosie, you'll never guess what happened." Elliot said excitedly.

"What?" I gasped, feigning enthusiasm.

"I met the cutest guy at camp." he swooned and I snickered.

"So...?" I asked. "Are you two dating or what?" Elliot blushed and ran his fingers through his chocolate brown locks.

"Kind of. But it's difficult considering we live quite far from each other."

"That's so-"

"Annoying" Harry said wearily. "He's been talking about him nonstop!" he whined.

"Aw, it looks like Hairbear wants someone to love too!" Cassidy cooed. We all laughed and Harry groaned at his bad luck.

As the bus pulled up, we all got in and sat by each other, talking about everything and nothing. We shared the story of Harry joining a basketball camp for two weeks and coming out not even being able to make a layup.

We pulled up to school minutes later and got out of the bus, going inside and pausing in the hallway when an arm jumped out in front of us, stopping us from moving forward.

"Let's compare our schedules first!" Cassidy suggested, pulling her arm back. We all got out our papers and saw that we only had a few classes with the four of us. However, Elliot and I had a few more together, whereas Cassidy and Harry were coupled up in more classes.

☆

Harry and I ran to lunch eagerly and shoved each other trying to get in line before the other. Once we got our food, we went to sit with Cassidy and Elliot. As we ate, we talked about which teachers we thought were cool and the ones we were certain had pet rocks at home.

After lunch, we all walked to Science, which we had together. Suddenly, Harry was approached by some girl. Her legs were clearly her source of seduction. I'd never seen a skirt that short.

Everything about her was gold. Her skin, her hair. The earrings alone must have cost more than my life.

Then came the smell. Sweet, sour, and warm all mixed into one. Fall-like.

"Hey," she said to him, "You're Harry, right? You got cute." She wasted no time. It was when I saw the rest of her group collect behind her that I realized what was going on. Harry was her new prey. 

I craned my neck in observance, trying to see what she was getting at. Nothing was out of the ordinary.

"I'm Lindsey." she said and put out her hand. Harry smiled at her and shook her hand immediately. I stared at the scene in front of me, perplexed. Elliot and Cassidy smirked and pulled me away to let Harry talked to Lindsey alone.

☆

A/n: I'm avoiding schoolwork !!