AN: Read this chapter, I loved writing this chapter. I hope you like it(: Review and I'll write more. Juanita


I pulled the blanket to my chin, a blanket I dont remember taking. I stirred roughly and landed face down on the mahogany floor. Knowing that would leave a painful bruise, I carefully but quickly got up. I glanced at my gold watch...

'CRAP!!' I had to walk to school!

I calculated that if I had forty minutes to get to school and I had to walk for twenty five minutes...

DING DONG

As I was sprinting towards the door, I tripped over nothing and as my head met the door handle, it shook.

'owww' I groaned.

I turned the door handle and swung the door open.

'Are you okay?' Michael greeted. He took my hand, the one which was rubbing my now throbbing forehead, and kissed it. My cheeks were probably a deep pink.

'I think, yeah. What are you doing here?' I asked confused.

'I stopped by to take you to school. Remember?' Michael stated as he tugged on a piece of my loose hair. He apparently was ready, his dark hair combed and the fresh scent of soap and himself.

He grabbed me

'Oh, err, yeah.' I glanced down and blushed an even redder shade of pink.

'Can I shower?'

'Sure, Izzy' He grabbed by my hips and gave me a good morning kiss.

I took a quick shower, brushed my hair, and decided on khaki shorts and a dark blue t-shirt that says spread the love. I grabbed my bag and looked for Michael, I found him in the kitchen with a fresh bowl of cereal, oj, and toast with butter. My jaw dropped and my heart stopped. He's amazing.

Michael walked over and put a finger under my jaw and gave me a peck. He pulled out chair for me and waited for me to eat. I finished and we headed for the car.

'You look beautiful, Izzy' Michael suddenly broke the silence. My cheeks could've very literally caught fire.

'Thank you' I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. My heart leaped.

'How's your brother?' I inquired innocently. Joe, Michael's younger brother, was just recovering from a serious virus.

'He's more energetic and he's eating more too. Thank you for asking.' He answered.

'Mm-hmm'

We arrived at school and Phoenix High was packed.

'Listen, Izzy. I have soccer practice after school and I can't give you a ride today, so I asked my mom if she could drive you.' Michael stated in discomfort.

'Don't worry about it. I'll get a ride from Tricia.' I said casually as I squeezed Michael's hand in reassurance.

The air was dry with no humidity and I was thankful for that.

I kissed Michael goodbye and went off to look for Patricia. There she stood, glamorous and brash, with her fire hydrant red hair.

'Hey' Tricia greeted me with a nonchalant flick of her bracelet clattered wrist.

'Hi. Can you give me a ride?' I inquired.

She looked as if she could care less, I could have been on fire. 'Whatever' she waved me off.

I rolled my eyes and muttered a faint 'Thanks'. I tripped over a rock and fell. I sighed and got to my English class. After that everything blurred together.

I met Patricia in the 6th grade; she was the first one to talk to me. We had all of our classes together; you could have called us inseparable. I've known her from that day to the end of our sophomore year. All she did was spend time on her hair or with her running back boyfriend, Travis.

Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 months ago, she started chemotherapy around that time. Every time I went to visit Jeanette, Patricia was at cheerleading or with Travis. To Patricia, her mother, her father and I might as well have fallen off the face of the Earth.

School ended and I stalked off to the parking lot. And no surprise, she was with her boyfriend, Travis.

I sat in the backseat. Glancing outside of the window, I felt 4 inches small. Patricia kept whining about how embarrassing it was that she had tripped in front of her whole class. I trip all the time, GROW UP.

'I think I'm getting Bella-itis' she stated rather haughty.

My face must have been a deep ruby red. Fury was bubbling inside me. Get over yourself.

'EXCUSE ME?!' Patricia bellowed,

The anger bubbled and spilled over. 'Get...over…yourself, Patricia. You know, I used to love to hang out with you because you were original. Not a stuck up bitch. All you do is spend your time with your precious pom-poms or your stupid boyfriend! You've forgotten all about your mother and me! Your mother needs you and I don't.' I roared. As I said this, I glanced at the rear view mirror to look at Patricia's face, and it shattered helplessly.

'Stop the car' I demanded with venom in my voice,

I stepped out to the world and left a puzzle piece of my life on the back seat of that car.

I felt nothing as I trudged home and despite the heat, I was cold. But I felt nothing as I moved; I was moving on.