Groan.

Groan. Groan. Groan.

It's a Monday. A particularly heinous day of the week, not to mention the first day of school. Now do you understand why I groaned? Why must the school system be so cruel? Why must there be a school system? "Are you groaning with me peaches?"

"More than you know Riley." I turn off my Kelsea Ballerini alarm and effectively put my memory foam pillow on top of my zombie like face. I haven't looked in a mirror yet, but it is almost certain that I look that way. I mean… it's a Monday morning. I know what you are probably thinking, she hates school so much she probably sucks at it. Quite the contrary, I'm very bright. However, if my father wasn't my teacher every year since seventh grade I probably wouldn't care as much. But last year I was third in our class. Behind two robots. I swear they are, they have yet to show me their birth certificates to prove otherwise, so technically in my mind I am top of my class.

"GIRLS GET UP!" My mother's not so melodic voice echoed throughout my bedroom as the sunlight began to break through my pillow barrier. How rude. Don't get me wrong my mother is amazing, a big ol' sweetheart and quite frankly one of the best people I know. Until she has to wake me up. I threw the comforter off of me in one fluid motion and let my feet touch the fluffy beige rug that covers my hardwood floors. I always hated the way the hardwood sent shivers up my body in the mornings, so I had to fix it. I'm top of my class for a reason. I crane my neck behind me and shove my best friend, Maya Hart off the bed.

I'm not mean, she would have fallen off on her own anyways, its a tradition. She gets tangled in the sheets, my poor peaches. I simply just beat her to the inevitable. "Did I fall off the bed?" She sleepily questions.

I giggle and stretch my arms out, "Yes peaches. You did, you take the guest bathroom to shower." Knowing she was going to protest I hurriedly shuffled into my bathroom and locked the door. Ugh, the tile is cold. If it was practical there would be a rug in here as well. I flipped the switch and let the light flood my in suite bathroom, I covered my eyes from the sudden invasion and rubbed the blurriness out of them. I did my business and flipped on the shower head, while waiting for the water to heat up I took a moment to glance in the mirror.

Yup, I look like a zombie.

However, I'm a senior this year. I glance at the picture in the corner of my bathroom mirror and cringed. I wasn't fat necessarily, but I wasn't healthy either I was slightly… husky. I could barely do a lap around the track without wanting to pass out. I had braces and this was the phase where I wore glasses because I thought they made me look smarter. Ugh, gross.

To answer your question, no I didn't need them.

Yes, I'm a nerd.

Either way this nerd who no longer wears glasses dropped her 'baby fat' as people so affectionately called it, got her braces removed and broke those hideous glasses in half. Why Maya ever let me out of my apartment looking like that, was beyond me. I put on my warm vanilla sugar body wash and let the warm water rinse off the bubbles that formed on my skin along with the Brazilian keratin shampoo and conditioner. I'm not super girly, but I do enjoy things that smell nice.

So sue me.

I can feel the warm water waking my tense muscles and effectively preparing me for my day. However the peacefulness was short lived when Maya storms inside. Wait a minute, "How did you get past the lock?"

She only giggles and waves me off, luckily this shower door has a pattern on it making it impossible to see anything. You can only see shapes and forms, "Never mind that. Get a fingerprint lock if you're so worried." Not a bad idea. "Anyways, you know Charlie Gardner right."

My entire body freezes at that name. Yes of course I know who that is. She knows, she's only toying with me, "Yes." I hesitantly reply. I have had a crush on that boy since he asked me to the dance in eighth grade, but nothing ever occurred from it. Especially since I saw him making out with Missy Bradford that next Monday. It was then I realized how it felt to be 'friend-zoned', I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Charlie and I remained friends and even then we barely speak since he and Missy have been together for 3 years. She ensures the slightest amount of contact, but prefers none at all.

"Yeah I know I just like to freak you out." I growl while flipping off the water, and not two seconds later my towel lands on top of the shower door. I take it without question and dry myself off, ensuring that the fluffy black towel doesn't get drenched in the remaining water that hasn't reached the drain yet. "You know Lucas Friar?" I freeze again.

No.

No.

NO.

"Why on earth would you ask me that question?"

I throw the shower door open and almost hit her with it, key word almost. A girl can try. That name, that name was forbidden to escape our mouths once he left our freshman year. "There's a small tweet going around." I furrow my brows and grab her phone out of her hands, "EASY! HANDS ARE WET!" Her icy blue eyes glare at me, if looks could kill I'd be 6 feet under. "Hashtag welcome back Friar." My eyes go wide with fear, this can't be good. Okay let me rephrase that, it won't be good. At this point I'm sure you're wondering why she asked me about Charlie, then asked me about Lucas. They're cousins, one makes me smile, the other makes me snarl. I'm sure you can figure out which is which.

Lucas Friar, prankster. Let me rephrase that, he pranked me… only me… a lot. And I don't really know why, nor do I care. The pranks were harmless, but that didn't make them any less humiliating. Though he just did them for a small laugh. Gluing me to my chair, changing my locker combination, invisible ink in pens, that was the least of it, but that just gives you something to picture. "WHAT?!"

"He comes back tomorrow it seems from the comments." I scrunch my nose up in disdain and stomp my foot. "Easy there Riles, you're getting all riled up." I glare at her 'pun' that she overuses, and when I say overuses. I mean once a day. "Relax! You're a different person now, he'll probably find someone new to pick on."

Fingers crossed. "You think?" I nervously bite my nails and move towards my mirror. "I mean maybe you're right."

"I know I am and this time I'll get Josh to kick his ass."

I roll my eyes, "You're serious? My prankster uncle was laughing beside him more often than not!" The answer is yes, Josh my uncle is the same age as us and is dating my best friend. Do I find it weird? Yes. Do I have a say in the matter? No. So to sum up it doesn't matter what I say or think. And you did read that write, Josh is my uncle and is the same age as us. He's my dad's brother and my grandparents had another baby when my parents were in like their senior year of college.

"Auggie?" The blonde suggests while touching up her curls.

"My brother who is 7 years younger than me? Yeah let me just go get an 11 year old to pummel an 18 year old boy who has looked like a man since 7th grade."

I continue to mule on the idea of Lucas Friar being back in town while I blow dry my hair. I'll just stay invisible, no big thing chicken wing. I can't help but snicker at my rhyme which earns me a weird look from my best friend. I shake it off and continue my manual labor. At least today will be a great day, no worries in the world, he isn't coming back tomorrow. During 8th grade and freshman year Charlie would try to help protect me from his cousins cruelty, but between Missy nagging him and Lucas being well… Lucas. There wasn't much to be done, so I can't expect much now either. Not that I'd ask him to do that, I've always considered myself a very independent woman and pride myself on being one.

Witty repartee is the name of the game.

Today will be a great day. I'm determined to believe it, despite the devastating news.

Today will be a great day.

Right as I pull up to school my check engine light comes on. Which means that I have a good month before it explodes. Fingers crossed. I can see Maya's knowing look as soon as the car dinged, "I'll just put tape over it." I giggle and unbuckle the seatbelt to my hand me down Honda Civic. My father as you may recall is a teacher, and my mother is a great lawyer and is actually the district attorney… so it isn't like we couldn't afford the repairs but I hate asking people for money. That's where the whole independence thing comes into play.

It's a blessed curse.

The blonde saunters towards me as we make our way into the school. Her arm gently rests over my shoulder, "Riley you know I love you right?"

"Yes." I reply with a smile, we're sisters from another mister.

"Good, so then you know what I'm about to say is for the greater good of humanity." I stop mid-step and glance at her. It's about my hoodie. "Your hoodie." Called it. "You've worn that since 8th grade. Why? How does it even still fit you?" She's not being mean, I was about 4 sizes bigger freshman year.

"Technically it doesn't fit." I joke and keep walking towards school. John Adams High School how I loathe thee.

I can practically feel her eyes roll, "More of a reason to not wear that damn thing."

I shrug and fidget with the sleeves, nervous habit. And though I shrugged as to my reasoning for wearing it, I know why. I can toss that hood up and no one will realize it is me, I can fidget with the sleeves when I get anxious and it's comfortable. Let me give you a mental picture of my friend and I. She's blonde, I'm brunette. She has blue eyes and I have poop eyes as I so affectionately call them. She wears ankle boots with a heel and I mostly wear my converse. She can dress appropriately for her body and since I'm still self-conscious about my body image-thank you Hollywood and most of society- I tend to wear clothes that are baggier. Though one thing I do trump Maya in is her height.

SUCCESS!

EUREKA!

"I swear one day I'm going to transform you into a beautiful swan."

"So does that make me an ugly duckling?" I quip while I tug out my schedule and locker information from my back pocket. Of course it is the same locker I've had since I've been here, right next to Maya's and my 2 robot friends. Yes, I'm friends with the 2 androids who are making it impossible to become top of the class. But the whole locker situation is courtesy of my father. Got to love it. We make our way to the newly painted red lockers and enter in our combination before dumping everything inside.

I'm so enthralled with the neatness of my locker I don't even acknowledge Maya who keeps nudging me. "I will take away your Cheetos!" And that catches my attention.

"Yes?" I reply innocently.

She takes a hold of my shoulders and flips me around. Charlie. Gardner. I tuck my curls behind my ear and smile from ear to ear hoping to catch his attention. And it does, YAY! I'm imploding. "Hey Riley. Happy first day of school."

I can't help but groan at the notion, "You're too happy this morning." His dark hair curls ever so slightly at the ends and his bright blue eyes tend to always bring me into a trance. But all of that is taken away when he pulls me into a hug. We've hugged before, in fact it was a common every day thing… once upon a time.

So now I'm standing here awkwardly patting him on the back, but I admit that I am… awkward I mean. "Well we woke up didn't we Riley?"

"Yes we did." I reply and find myself rocking on my heels and fidgeting with the sleeves of my hoodie.

"So I wanted to warn you about my cousin dearest coming back into town."

And here comes the head drop, and I'm not going to lie that kind of hurt my neck. "The fact that there is a tweet about his return is more than enough warning." WHY ME?!

He chuckles and is about to say something when a pair of freshly polished nails grip his torso from behind. From the length and the fact that they are blood red I can take a pretty positive guess that it is the one, the only Missy Bradford. "Hey baby." He spins around and gives her a small kiss which she immediately deepens. I glance down at my feet and ignore the stabbing pain in my chest, it isn't a big deal. It's just a knife to the heart, I turn around with the intent of ignoring them and notice my best friend giving me a reassuring head nod.

30 seconds later…

I can still hear them smacking lips. "The whore house is that way. Get a room." Nope, I didn't say that. That would be my wonderful friend, Darby. Hot damn it's Darby. I hear a hissing noise from Missy and Charlie laughs slightly.

After turning around to acknowledge Darby- AKA D- Charlie gives me a small grin before sauntering away. I watch their backs meander down the bustling halls, Missy's light brown hair swaying from left to right following the motion of her hips that are hugged by her white denim wash jeans. I hardly notice it when her deep indigo eyes send me a glare. Confidence exudes from her and quite frankly that's the only thing that I like about her. They're the cliché high school couple, quarterback and head cheerleader.

Gag me.

Gag me now.

He's sporty and even in the ends of summer he's wearing that damn letterman. I hate to say that it makes him seem arrogant, because it does but it also works wonders that jacket. "You're biting your lip." Maya points out.

"And drooling." Darby jokes, she tugs me out of my daze and pretends to wipe the drool off of my chin. "I missed your face."

Darby is also a cheerleader and it is very evident from the amount of energy and sass that she holds within her tiny frame. Her arms snake around my neck and her blonde hair finds its way into my mouth. I don't hesitate to start spitting even when I'm by her face in an effort to get it out. I pull away from her and wipe my tongue clean, Darby's hazel eyes find mine and they're dancing with confusion. "Your hair, my mouth. No big thing." I wave it off and get tackled into my locker by Farkle.

"LADIES!" Farkle Minkus. AKA Robot number 1, AKA brother from another mother. AKA big ol' flirt. But we love him all the same. I give him a big hug and feel Maya do the same from behind. "I missed you girls."

I scoff and remember I'm supposed to be mad at him, "That's what you get for flying all over the damn place with your father's company this summer." I hiss and cross my arms.

"OH YEAH!" Maya yelled, "We're mad at you."

He sighs and after a few zips of his back pack a bag of Cheetos land in my face. Not just any Cheetos but the crunchy Cheetos. I don't have time for that puffs nonsense. I squeal and hug that bag like there is no tomorrow, these things are one of my few indulgences nowadays. "THANK YOU FARKLE!" I snap my eyes to Maya who's saying the same thing while holding a bag of Takis.

She likes 'em hot. "You know us too well." I quip and give him another hug. "We missed you too."

"What about me?!" I spin on the balls of my feet and gallop towards Isadora Smackle. AKA Smackle. AKA Robot number 2. I pull her into a tight embrace and rock from left to right. I've known her since 8th grade and she is still a stiff tinman when it comes to hugs. "Hello Riley."

"Hello Smackle." Socially awkward? Yes. Hilarious because she's socially awkward? Yes. "How was your summer?"

"Wonderful." She grins from ear to ear, "I worked on an internship with a criminologist lab." I ruffle her raven colored hair, and funnily enough her hair is the same color as her glasses.

I nod my head while remembering her excitement and the smile she had when she finally got the letter. "That's so great Smackle." We all glance at each other in the circle we somehow formed and grin. "The 5 musketeers!" I announce and luckily the noise of the school bell drowned out that embarrassing statement. This is where the awkwardness comes in… again.

This is going to be a great day.

"RILEY!" I sit up abruptly in my bed in an attempt to look busy so I won't have to run an errand for my mother. My bedroom door opens before I can even step onto my rug, dang it. "I need you to deliver this package."

I slouch my shoulders and pout my lip, "Can't you mail it?"

She shakes her head and in unison we reply, "No baby girl. It is a highly confidential file that needs to be delivered straight away." I'm sure you're like, hey if it is highly confidential file why would she allow me to hand deliver it. Apparently she trusts me. Me being a 17 year old senior apparently has no effect on her trust issues. I'm so lame. And most of the time it's because she forgot to hand it to them in a meeting, or they called asking for certain documents. Either way, I respect people's privacy.

I sigh and reach out for the thick manila envelope. "Thank you darling daughter of mine."

"Who's the client I'm delivering this to?"

My mom glances at the ground and I furrow my brows, what is she hiding? "The address is already on the envelope. I informed her that you were on the way so she is expecting you. CHOP CHOP!"

I mumble jumbled words under my breath as I storm out of the room. I leave my hoodie in my room, leaving with just my black tee shirt that says 'I can't adult today' and my slightly baggy jeans. "YOU OWE ME CHEETOS!" I announce before slamming the door behind me, leaving the sounds of my mother's laughter behind.

I input the address into my phone and let it guide me to my destination. I'm happy with the fact the check engine light isn't bugging me, yes I used duct tape to cover it up, and within 5 minutes I'm pulling up to a large mansion. Okay so it isn't a mansion but it might as well be with the big white pillars and the 2 story house where you can see a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Wait… I've seen this mansion before.

This is why my mom didn't want to tell me where it was.

This is Charlie Gardner's house.

I let my head fall onto the leather steering wheel and silently curse the universe for this misfortune. "Get in, get out." If you're wondering why I'm freaking out it's because Charlie is here. You're probably like, why is that bad? He's your crush. Let me inform you that where there's a Charlie Gardner there's a Missy Bradford. So that sucks, plus there's the possibility that Lucas Friar is inside. No one is sure why but during 7th grade they moved in together, to the cousins dismay. "Get in, get out." I repeat and before I can talk myself out of it I run up the driveway.

The very, steep driveway. This can't be good on the brakes of their cars, aren't they afraid they'll roll right out into the road? I shake off the thought and ring the doorbell, 'don't let it be Missy, Charlie or Lucas'. Is that too much to ask? A few seconds later the door opens and oh thank heavens, "Ms. Matthews? Is that you?"

"Hi Gloria." I give her a hug and immediately step back. Gloria was their nanny but they didn't have the heart to fire her when Charlie grew up. So now she's their housekeeper. DON'T EVER CALL HER A MAID! I'll snap your neck. "I just needed to drop off this package." I was in and now I'm getting out. Praise the hallelujah choir.

I hold it out for her and she just shakes her head no, "I'm sorry but Mrs. Friar wants the package herself. I will notify her that you're here. Please come inside."

Groan.

I give a reluctant smile and step inside to my worst nightmare. Oh how I wish I had my hoodie. My converse tend to have a mind of their own as I spin around in the foyer. I've been outside their home before, but never had the pleasure of coming inside, they moved in to this place at the beginning of freshman year when my friendship with Charlie began to dwindle. It's absolutely stunning, the dark hardwood floors with the white staircase leading up to the second floor. The walls are adorned with pictures and the home seems to have a cinnamon aroma. My mistake was when I looked up to glance at the chandelier. "THINK FAST SWEET CHEEKS!"

Before I can even process who said those words, I'm covered in Jell-O! And NO, not the good kind of Jell-O where you can eat it. I'm talking about the gooey liquid before you put it in the fridge.

The only thing I'm thinking right now, is my reflexes have gotten a lot slower.

This was a great day… Until Lucas Friar came along.

Let me know what you think guys!

Also check out my other story I am posting tomorrow.

It's a JOSHAYA fanfic since I had several requests.