dripping black coffee

chapter 1: Tina

me at 5 years old was definitely the peak of my existence.

I don't know why 5 years old specifically, but I was the friendliest person and I had the confidence of a full grown adult- I wish I was like that now.

my brown hair is still knotted with curls, my freckles still apparent on my nose, my cheeks still rosy, my smile still sweet.

but my eyes, chocolate brown, are not as happy. they don't see the good in people anymore.

and I miss that feeling- the feeling of laughing and jumping and hugging and happiness.

don't get me wrong, I'm still happy, it just seems more fake than real.

now I'm 18, a senior in high school and wondering how the hell I got to this point in my life.

Scenscent High is foreign to me. I spent half my life at a completely different high school but because of my parent's separation here I am- at a preppy high school where girls care more about their social life and beauty than actually being human beings. I guess that's what you get when you live in a rich community. 

my mom needed to get out of our old town. I don't blame her of course, I hated it too. But I also loved it, and I loved the people there. Even though they could be a little harsh sometimes, it was needed to feel secure and comfortable. Here everyone is fake and could care less about how you were doing- they are too strung up with their money and "success". Apparently my mom likes that, because she remarried to a rich white dude who only cares about money. Don't get me wrong, his heart is in the right place sometimes, but he really believes it's a man's world. Hahah imagine being an idiot. 

so now I'm stuck going to school with kids that don't even like me or want to get to know me. At least I only have to stick it out for one year. hopefully, my grades will be good enough for me to move out of Santa Barbra and go to New York. I guess only time will tell.

"Tina! Breakfast!" yelled my mom from downstairs. I guess the plus side of having a rich stepdad is the whole ass mansion that we live in, and gourmet food.

"Coming!!" I yelled as I pulled my hair into a low bun and stuffed my textbooks into my backpack. I ran past Ciara's room when I came out, knocking on her Vogue posters that were plastered to her door. Ciara was my step sister and I love her but she was a little intense. She literally got everything she wanted and was really spoiled, but that's what money does to people sometimes. 

As I hit the bottom of the stairs the smell of breakfast burritos was in the air. That's by far my favorite breakfast- especially if you put hot sauce and yummy salsa on it. 

"Good morning!" my mom said, giving me a hug. "Are you ready for your second week of school?"

I couldn't stop myself from laughing as I took the wrapped burrito and some packets of salsa.

"Yeah I can't wait." I said sarcastically as I grabbed the keys to my black Honda Civic. "I love it here."

"Well, its just one more year." my mom said walking me to the door. "Then you can move to college and choose everything for yourself. 

"yeah." I said unlocking my car, "I know you're right."

she was, if I could even make it that long to get there

"I love you! Drive Safe!" she said as I pulled out onto the street. 

"I love you too and I will!" I said waving and getting ready to turn on my music. If I had to be at school all day, you best believe that I'm going to pull up with the best music and best attitude that I could muster.

---

it took about 10 minutes to drive to Scenscent but honestly I wish it was farther away. I love driving and just having time to myself in my car. 

pulling into a parking spot wasn't hard because a lot of people didn't drive. Even though they all practically had money spilling out of their pockets, none of them wanted to be independent and get their own car. I guess having your boyfriend drive you is more important. 

today however, parking was a nightmare. I had never seen so many cars in the lot, and I really didn't want to park on the street. out of the corner of my eye I found a spot and seeing that no one was around- it's mine.

or so I thought...

out of nowhere, an obnoxious red convertible Mustang swooped out from the side, totally cutting me off, and stole the spot. 

"what the fuck?!" I said slamming on my horn. of course this just had to happen. I rolled my eyes as I flipped him off, turning around to go back to street parking. I didn't even care if I was late to class now, that's what the teachers get for only putting 200 parking spots in the lot. You would think that in this community they could have at least made more spots to put all the Mercedes and Range Rovers in.

---

the bell rang 15 minutes ago but I didn't even care as I stepped into my first period English class.

"Ah, Tina how nice of you to join us." Mrs Robertson barked as I walked into the room. 

Mrs Robertson was about 45 and only knew how to wear suits. Over the past week, she has worn nothing but Blue, Black and Beige suits that honestly make her look like an idiot- not professional. She was also very full of herself and thought that everything she said was right.

"Oh it's my pleasure" I said walking in. Okay, my attitude was definitely why she didn't like me.

"Well, since you are late you're going to have to sit in the back of the room, there are no more available desks." she said motioning to the disgusting floor near the trashcan.

"How is that possible?" I said questioning her sanity "There has always been a spot for me and I've been here for a week"

"We have a returning student" said Mrs Robertson. "So maybe next time, if you come to class on time, you can have him sit in the back."

I didn't even have enough energy to answer as I turned my heel and walked to the back of the class. There was no way in hell I was sitting on that floor, so I just stood. The whole 45 minutes of class. Honestly, I didn't even remember what happened or what was going on, I was just trying to focus on not falling or losing my balance- and I needed to know who this "returning student" was. Honestly every dude here looked the same so I couldn't even figure it out. 

by the time the bell rang I was already out the door. Now, I finally had time to go to my locker and put down all the heavy books I had.

As I rounded the corner I instantly knew who the returning student was, because his eyes were something I could never forget.

They were blue with rims of grey, and they were so compelling to look at.

"Hey." he said once he noticed that I was literally staring into his soul "Everything ok?"

 "Uh, yeah sorry." I said as I tucked my hair behind my ear "I just didn't recognize you."

"You say that like you go to school here" he said with a chuckle

"Um because I do" I said matching his rude tone and attitude. "I've been going here all week, but I haven't seen you."

"Of course you haven't, that would mean me actually attending school. But just for the record, I've been going here since sophomore year" he said stepping closer "and you, are new."

I really didn't know what to say, he was right. I was new to all of this. So instead I just rolled my eyes

"By the way" he said before leaving "I love the nails"

"How would you know?" I said getting ready to walk away. He hadn't even looked at me

"Red's my favorite color. It really brings out the emphasis in throwing up your middle finger to assholes that steal your spot just because they can."

I"m glad he walked away after he said that because the look on my face was one of pure astonishment. 

How am I going to spend a whole year here and get through it.