Chapter 1

I stared at myself in the mirror, this outfit looks stupid. It's the first day of junior year and I can't figure out what to wear. I changed one more time before finally deciding on something; I put on my chaotic yellow sweatshirt with some jeans and my red flannel, this will do. I through my laptop and my phone into my phone noticing I got a few messages from Duck and Mariana but thought I'd wait to reply, I'll see them soon anyway.

"Clementine! Aj! Breakfast!" I heard Lee calling from downstairs.

"Coming!" I yelled as I knew it was going to be a race to the table between me and Aj. I grabbed my bag and ran down the stairs noticing Aj was right at my heels.

"Aww you cheated Clem!" He said as he was the last one to the table.

"No I didn't, you just have to be quicker than that goofball." I smiled as I grabbed a plate to fill up with food.

"Hey what I say about running in the house?" Carley came down the stairs dropping off her bag and kissing Lee.

Aj and I both made faces as we continued to mock our parents.

"Sorry mom." Aj beamed as he shoves bacon in his mouth. I hadn't gotten used to the idea of calling Carley mom yet, though it's been 8 years, but I do call Lee dad or papa bear depending on the day. Aj was quick to call them mom and dad, but that's probably because he never knew his other parents. He's 5 going on 15 but I can't lie I was so happy to get a little brother, it definitely made things a lot more interesting.

"Alright guys time to go." Lee said as he wiggles my car keys in front of me. I took them and grabbed my bag to head out. "Hey no hug?" Lee stopped me in my tracks.

"Bye dad." I hugged him then I stretched my arms out for Carley. "Bye Carley."

"Have a good day Clem." She smiled at me.

Lee bent down to Aj's level and scooped him up with kisses and tickles. "Hey be good today Aj."

"I will."

"Are you nervous?" Carley asked him.

"No, I'm going to show those big kids what I'm made of." Aj did his march. It's not everyday a 5 year old gets to skip first and second grade.

"Just no fights, okay son." Lee rubbed Aj's hair.

"No fights." Aj has a knack at getting into fights at school.

"Okay, okay, let's go." We headed to the car and got in.

"Clem can I get in the front?" Aj sat in the front awaiting to see if he needs to climb in the back.

"No, dad would kill me. Hop in the back." Aj huffed and puffed before climbing back. I drove to pick up Duck then we were on our way to school. I had known Duck since Kenny and Lee became friends and simultaneously Duck and I became friends. We dropped off Aj to Buckwheat Elementary then to Ericson High School. Another school year of the same shit. I searched the parking lots for any parking spot close and as soon as I found one Minnie sped right into it.

"Gotta be quicker than that Clem. Besides no one wants to see that rust bucket in front of the school anyway." Her sister Sophie got out the car as well and so did her girlfriend Violet. Sophie was nothing like Minerva, she was sweet, non confrontational and well nothing like her twin. Violet and I used to be friends before her and Minnie got together, Vi had a crush on Minnie for years so when Minnie reciprocated Vi couldn't turn her down even at the expense of our friendship. Minnie thought Vi and I had a thing and not being friends was the only way to prove otherwise. Minnie and I also play softball together and let me just say she's the biggest hater on the team at least towards me. Duck ended up flipping Minnie off for me as I drove to find another.

"My car doesn't look that bad, right?" I asked him.

"No, you have the sweetest car in the lot! 1967 Ford Mustang these new school kids don't know anything about the classics." Duck caressed my car, he never failed to make me smile. I finally found a parking spot but of course it was by what I like to call "Ericsons Troubled Youth" these kids were the rebels of the school, as I'd like to say. Marlon was the leader; he was a football players and was a huge player at school most of the softball team, cheerleading team, and lacrosse team have slept with him. Then there was Ruby and Asaim, the other oddball couple. Ruby hated authority figures and was never afraid to tell a teacher off and as for Asaim he's not the troubled youth type, but whatever. Minnie, Vi, and Sophie were also apart of their crew, then there's Louis. I've had a small crush on him since I was a freshman but wouldn't know what to say if I ever got the chance anyway and also I've never had a boyfriend so there's that. They were all seniors and most seniors here don't date underclassmen so my chance is slim to none. They all chilled around Marlons obnoxious truck as I accidentally made eye contact with Louis, I turned as quickly as I could before he noticed and met up with my friends Brody, Mariana, Gabe, and James. Violet used to be apart of our group but now it's like she's Minnie's puppet, I do miss my best friend though. Brody was new last year and right as Vi left she joined us, so it kind of worked out. Mariana is Gabe's little sister, she's a sophomore and the youngest of the group, we've played softball together since Lee moved us back to Macon and became fast friends. Then there's Gabe who's best friends with Duck and has had the biggest crush on me since I think I met him. And Last but not least James, he's kind of the odd one out and doesn't talk much, but when he's not with his boyfriend he's with us.

My classes were the same old, same old. The day was long and drawn out up until Anatomy. I completed most of my science so this was a senior class and my lab partner for the semester was Louis. I felt my palms get immediately sweaty as I walked over to take my seat next to him. I know I was playing it cool on the outside but on the inside I was a wreck.

"Hey you must be Clementine." He turned his body to me.

"Yup, that would be me." I tried not to look at him. He smelled really good, like expensive.

"So you got any nicknames I can call you, like Clemster, Clemmy Clue, Clem Clem… or is it just Clementine." He was giving me his full attention.

"Clem, is what most people call me I guess, so I guess that or Clementine." I finally looked at him and whoa was he more attractive in person. He had the cutest freckles, and his dreads looked so nice, not to mention the way his shirt cling to his muscles. "Umm, what about you? Got a name?" 'Got a name?!' I thought to myself.

"Wait you don't know my name?" I slightly panicked inside. Of course I knew his name! But now since I said I don't I have to follow through.

"Nope, you gonna tell me?" I played it cool.

"Hmm." He eyed me. "Nope. I guess you'll have to guess or figure it out." He smirked at me. I could tell how amused he was and couldn't help but playfully roll my eyes.

"Okay um, Hunter?"

"Do I look like a Hunter?" He said completely offended.

"Kyle?" He choked.

"Alright. Uhh Lou-." Now I definitely wanted to play along. "Lou-Lawrence." I smirked.

"Okay now you're just fucking with me." He smiled.

"Nope I'm not, are you going to tell me?" I asked not wanting to give in.

"It's Louis." He gave in.

"Oh yeahhh!" I teased.

"You already knew that didn't you?" He watched me intently.

"I guess you'll never find out." I said playfully.

"I like you already Clementine." He continued to watch me as I felt hot all over. I watched the board as the teacher went over the syllabus, but honestly my mind was on Louis and on Louis only.