[Picture of Ava George]
I stopped at my locker right next to Colleen. I put in the combination, praying it won't jam. I pulled the lock up, fingers crossed.
Dang, it!
Just my luck.
I re-entered the three number combination a little slower this time making sure not to pass the numbers. I pulled up slowly once again...
Yes! I opened my locker checking myself in the mirror and spraying my 'Romantic' perfume. I reached for my dry shampoo and sprayed that all over my roots.
It's just the best feeling.
I no joke go through bottles of those. I just got one last week and it's almost gone.
Colleen started walking away and I threw my binder into my messy locker. Tons of water bottles on the top shelf and loads of paper all over the place.
"Colleen wait for me!" I shoved my vs pink sweatshirt inside.
She turns around giving me an are-you-kidding-me-look. "Ashley I don't want to be late."
"You won't," I reassured her glancing into the mirror one last time before closing my locker.
I start walking towards her when of course the final bell goes off. Now she looked pretty annoyed.
I really know how to push people's buttons today.
"I can't keep being late! She already marked me sixteen times."
"I know Coll I'm sorry." She didn't say anything after that. She was speed walking down the hallway. Colleen was so much farther than me. One step for me is like 10 steps for her.
Finally, we rushed into our language arts class making our way to our seats. Mrs. Kennedy was in the middle of her teaching, so when we oh-so-kindly interrupted she immediately stopped talking.
I walked slowly towards the double desks seeing that the seat right beside me was empty. Thank god, Andrew wasn't going to be sitting here with me. I don't know what I would've done.
He probably skipped.
I set my books on the empty desk beside me sitting at my seat. I almost didn't hear mrs. Kennedy lecturing us about being 'tardy'.
Huh, tardy.
What a funny word.
"This is unacceptable!" She frowned crossing her frail arms. "Do you girls want another lunch detention?"
We just sat there staring at her. I honestly couldn't care less about a dumb lunch detention. Try me, I dare you.
The room was silent for a few moments more, everyone looking between me, Colleen and Mrs. Kennedy.
I kept my head down, avoiding anymore eye contact. The room remained silent before she began talking again. As usual, I tuned her rather irritating voice out, isolating myself into my own little bubble.
Who cares about journalism? Not me.
•••
I scrolled through my mom's email on my phone. I saw countless order confirmations from various stores. Ivory Ella, Shelly cove, poor cat, Hollister, Abercrombie, etc. I love all those stores with all my heart, words can not even begin to explain.
I continued scrolling and my eyes lit up when I saw an email from Burberry. I eagerly tapped on it reading the headlines.
"Your order has been shipped. Total cost: $695."
Oh my god! She actually bought me the scarf! I swear this Christmas is going to be my favorite. "Mara! Look at this!" I handed my iPhone 7+ to her.
We were sitting on the floor of the back room at dance. We were on a break so I decided I would get a little sneak peek at what my parents got me this year.
Ok, ok a huge sneak peek. "Ashley, that's so expensive." I looked over at the price then at her wide blue eyes.
"It's not that much it's only $695." I defended.
"Only $695? Are you crazy!" I swear on my life her jaw hit the ground. Her voice shrieked at that last part.
She handed me back my phone as I laughed at her priceless reaction. "Do you know how many chicken nuggets you can buy with that kind of money?"
"Ew, I hate chicken nuggets." They're disgusting.
"Get out," Mara demanded, pointing to the door. It seemed as if I had offended her. Whoops!
I just sat there on my phone, scrolling once again until I saw... wait for it...
HUNTER BOOTS!!!
My mom is buying me actual HUNTER BOOTS! I'm gonna cry oh my god! I love you mom, so so much.
"Are you okay?" Mara wonders looking over at me.
"MY MOM IS BUYING ME HU-!" I didn't even realize I screaming until Mara cupped a hand over my mouth.
"Shut up! Ashley, you're so loud!"
I showed her my phone and she glanced at it and looked away. "You should get some and we'll be twinning."
"Well not all of us can afford $150 rain boots."
That's true.
"But it's not even that much.." just then she slaps me upside the head taking me by surprise.
The loud music turned off and little girls came outside the studio grabbing their dance bags and other belongings. I scooted over to the side so that I wasn't in anyone's way.
I viewed the remaining emails getting notifications from snapchat and Instagram. I ignored them as usual until after my last class for the night.
I was sitting in the passenger seat of my mom's car. I just sent out streaks on snapchat and responding to my messages. I scrolled and saw a blue speech bubble next to Andrew.Hills03. He sent me a message.
The moment his name showed up on my screen I had the worst nauseous feeling in my stomach. I didn't have any desire to open that message whatsoever. Who knows what he could want.
Ashley, come on you can do this. It's no big deal. I slid into the private message.
Andrew: U free tomorrow night?
Me: why?
Andrew: are you?
Me: no
Andrew: we should hook up..
Me: what do u mean?
Andrew: like make out at free skate.
Me: I have a boyfriend.
Andrew: and?
Me: I'm saying no.
Andrew: you know where to find me if you change your mind.
Me: I won't.