I hate study halls, I mean there really isn't much point to them. I get all my work done at home, there is nothing else to do there any way. So normally I just sit and balance my check book or something, right now I'm trying to figure out how much money I have to buy groceries and stuff. It seems weird when I look to my left and there's a girl reading Cosmo like it's the most important thing in the world and I'm sitting here deciding whether I want an air condition for the summer or more money for food.

Part of me wants to join in with every one else's babble about thanksgiving, but I can't. I already know what I'm doing, going to visit my father in jail, like every other year. But maybe I won't have to go down to Connecticut alone this year. I actually laugh out loud as I think of that, and Cosmo girl glares at me. I on the other hand mark down that I will save for an air conditioner and try and get one but put emphases on food.

Part of me wants to try and get a girlfriend, because I'm always so lonely. I live a lone and have since freshman year. And before that my mother wasn't really around so it seemed like I did. But then one day she left and the state decided I could take care of my self so they bought the apartment and I'll live there until I'm out of high school and then I have to move. They give me a budget and that's all I have. So I live alone for one more year then I get to go off and have an adventure.

The bell rings and I look around as everyone giggles and guys pick up their girlfriends I glare at them jealously and hurry to my locker which is inconvenienced by Magic leaning against hers. Now both of us have spent a long time together, though she doesn't know my name I bet. Fuentes and Garcia are always next to each other. She smiles at me and nods before one of the guys laughs, tickling her and permanently blocking my locker door as they make out.

"Excuse me" I say softly. "Por favor"

"Hey Bumlets" She says smiling at me. She's really beautiful. One of those girls loners like me watch wanting so much but really we know that they only want to tease us. The guy rolls his eye.

"Mag." He mutters into her ear "Ignore him, he isn't important"

"Blink" She rolls her own eyes "Go away" That is fascinating to me. How can she just wave away a guy that so many people like? I mean half the school wants the guy and she just waves him away with a head nod?

"See ya Mag" He grins heading off to do what ever it is that Jocks do.

"Are you dating him?" I ask, seeing as she might be willing to talk right now.

"No" She laughs. "Blink's just a friend." Magic grins getting her books out of her locker. "Is it true that you live alone?" She asks me, as she reaches for what I can see as a neatly labeled "Chem Honors" book. Magic might be the school slut, but she also seems to be smart. Then I realize what she said.

"Yeah" I say looking down. I get this a lot, people wanting to throw a party at my house or hook up with their girlfriend or boy friend.

"Why?" She asks pulling the book down and putting it into her shoulder bag. "Where are your parents?"

"My mom I dunno, and my dad's in Jail."

"Oh" She said "Sorry to hear that. My dad's still in San Juan" She says it with a bit of pride and a bit of disdain. "And my mom works at the hospital most of the time" She shrugs.

"I gotta go, I should catch the bus." I mutter, interested in Magic. But I don't want to be part of something, a joke she's playing on me to humor her friends.

"I'll give you a ride" She said "I don't want to go home." Magic laughs, the corners of her mouth going up slightly showing her white teeth, only a little crooked.

"You don't have too"

"Consider it an apology for all the times you couldn't get to your locker because I was making out with some guy in front of it." Magic grinned. "I promise I won't try and do anything if that's what your worried about."

I blush, that was one of the things. Magic isn't exactly known for her modesty, she is known for screwing guys. "I wasn't"

"You were" She grinned "Don't deny it" Her chin raises a little. I realize what she's saying as she does this, This is who she is, it is what she's chosen.

"Alright" I look down. I realize I'm taller then her, but it doesn't feel it. Magic carries herself well, she knows she's being watched and instead of hiding her looks she projects them. I grin "Are you sure its not an inconvenience?" I ask, "My apartment is kinda out of the way."

"Its okay, I need some time with out pressure" She grinned. She walks out of the area, and I feel odd following her. Most people don't know who I am, they all know her. Its odd, Magic knows every guy in the school, and most of the girls. When she talks to them she flirts a little, her hand resting on their arm, eyes raking up their body, and smile lightly covering her face. I know it made me feel good. But it does the same to every guy she talks to, And some of the girls hate her, you can see it in their eyes. But a lot of them think she's interesting. As long as she isn't near their guy.

I look over at Cards, whose having a conversation with Dutchy, her face looks worried. And Dutchy looks pleading. I wonder about it a little then realize Magic's talking to me.

"Hey, what you looking at?" She says gesturing the general direction of what I was looking at.

"Oh" I shake my head "Nothing" I take one last look at Cards and Dutchy then follow Magic to her car. She smiles settling into the drivers seat and pushing her stuff into the back. Her Car is immaculately clean, there isn't anything on the seats, or on the floor. She doesn't have any cutesy stuff. The more I observe about her the more I realize how little I know.

"So" She grins over at me as I buckle up. "What's your plan?" I shrug.

"For what?"

"After school" She grins "Its only what, next year" Ah she means after graduation.

"Oh, I'm not sure"

"You gunna go to college?"

"I really don't know" I say looking out the window.

Magic nods, letting us drive in silence.

We get to my apartment complex and she grins "See you tomorrow!" She was right she hadn't done anything. I grin, putting the key in the lock and turning it. Magic was defiantly hot.

I push my door open walking in and smelling the cold. I don't really like the heat that much, it bugs me. Anyway the place is great in the summer, always a little cooler then the outside. My apartment is small, a big living room/dining room. With a chair and table and a couch. My TV sits in the corner, its old and only has a VHS player but I like it. Next to that is my shelf of Tapes, next to it is the rest of my tapes packed one on top of the other. My kitchen is clean as I go to make spaghetti for dinner.

I look around, and realize something.

I am awfully alone.