Clara's P.O.V

(The next day)

"So what do you think of Aiden?" Sitara asked me while fiddling with her black and green checkered bracelet.

We were in english class, first period, and we got done 15 minutes early so we were just doing whatever we wanted. As always, Marcus and Wrench were goofing off like they usually did.

I turned to Sitara who looked eager to hear what I had to say.

"What do you mean?" I answered.

"I think you know what I mean."

I roll my eyes. "Sitar, it isn't like that."

"I call bullshit," she smirks.

"Seriously? I just met him yesterday. I'm not interested."

Sitara crossed her arms, "Hm...so you wouldn't mind if I...took a go at him?"

I chuckle. "You plan to make a move on him?"

"Why not? He is kind of cute afterall."

She wasn't wrong. As much as I hated to admit it, I did find him mysterious yet attractive at the same time. Damn, now Sitara was making me a little, dare I say it, jealous. But I refused to show it. I turned away and shrugged.

"Do what you want. I don't care."

Did I believe what I said? I wasn't sure, but Aiden probably didn't have a thing for me anyway. I mean we literally just met and he most likely wouldn't be into some punk rock chick like me.

"Okay. Just wanted to give you a heads up before I do it."

"Alright, but I can't guarantee he'll say yes."

"What guy has ever said no to me?"

I laughed. She was too confident for her own good.

"You've only dated two guys and you broke up with both of them because you thought they were too smelly."

"They were smelly and you knew it!"

"Yeah..." I nearly scrunched my face up just remembering their foul stenches. Well her second boyfriend didn't smell too bad, but the first one...yikes.

"It's about time I met a guy who doesn't smell like they came straight out of a dumpster."

"Um excuse me, but I'm the one that introduced you to him."

Did I just give away my jealousy?

"You've got good taste then," she smirks. "But that doesn't mean I can't have a bite."

"Okay, now you're acting like he's some sort of snack."

"Girl, he looks like a snack," she laughs. "You've gotta admit that."

We were interrupted by Marcus and Wrench chasing each other around the classroom. Regardless of the teacher telling them to stop, they simply ignored her.

"Give me my phone, Wrench!"

"Never!" Wrench shouted.

They stumbled past us, Marcus accidentally running into Sitara.

"Marcus!" She exclaimed.

"Shit, I'm so sorry, Sitara!" Marcus apologized, looked nervous out of his mind.

Sitara sighed exasperatedly. "Wrench stop running and give him his phone back!"

Wrench looked hesitant and stood there for a moment.

"Now!" She glared at him.

He walked over and handed him his phone back. It was almost like she had some sort of control over them. Like if she'd get mad, they would immediately obey her.

"Now go sit down. The whole class is looking at you all like you're a bunch of idiots."

Marcus was scratching the back of his head nervously. "Sitara, I really am sorry about that. I should have watched where I was going."

"Whatever," she rolled her eyes. "Just sit down."

He immediately complied and sat down. Marcus must have felt embarrassed since it's common knowledge in the entire group besides Sitara that Marcus has had a crush on her since middle school.

"So what were we talking about? Oh yeah, Aiden. I'm gonna try to ask him out some time this week."

"And if he says no?"

"I'll be a little disappointed, but I can move on," she shrugged.

"Sure you will."

"What makes you think I won't?" She cocked an eyebrow.

"You tend to get a little grumpy if you don't get your way," I smirked.

"That's true, but in this case, probably not. There are plenty of fish in the sea."

"Yeah, a bunch of smelly fish you picked out."

"Hey, It's not my fault that they tried to cover up their stench with cologne on the first date."

I laughed out loud. "Girl, didn't you have a thing for Josh back in like ninth grade? He doesn't stink."

"Shit," she chuckled. "I forgot about that, but you know I'm over him. Aiden is like a hottie. For real."

I chuckled once more. "Well I wish you luck."

Soon after that, class was over and we went on our way. Fifth period came and I wasn't tardy this time. Matter of fact, I was the first one in. I didn't pay any mind to the other people who came in. The only person I was searching for was Aiden.

And there he was wearing a white t-shirt and denim blue jeans. His dark brown hair was slightly messy like it usually was and his shirt showed off a little bit of his slim figure.

I found myself biting my lip while staring down at his chest. Sitara was right; he did look like a snack. Jesus, am I really checking him out?

His emerald green eyes made contact with mine and I quickly stopped biting my lip to hide the fact I was staring at him like eye candy. He gave me a small smile before sitting beside me.

"Hey," he said while setting his bag down.

"Hey," I replied while smiling. I felt strange today and I wasn't sure if it was from Sitara's talk with me this morning, or what. All I knew was that I needed to snap out of it. Now.

"So uh...about yesterday..." he began, "When I stood up to...Defect...were you okay with that?"

I laughed. I couldn't help but like the fact he used the nickname I made for Defalt.

"No," I chuckled. "To be honest, I was surprised at first, but no one has ever stood up for me like that before, and plus it was pretty cool."

And kind of hot.

Câlisse, Clara snap out of it.

"Oh," he says while sighing in relief. "I just wanted to make sure because I thought...nevermind."

"No, tell me," I leaned in, now curious.

"Well I thought...I might have startled you," he scratched the back of his neck.

"Oh no, you're fine," I gave him a reassuring smile.

"Okay. Good."

"Yeah."

We grew silent for a moment until the bell rang and our teacher began asking us to turn in the syllabus. Soon after that, we were assigned to draw someone or something that we cared about.

"Someone or something that I care about? I might as well leave the paper blank." Aiden chuckled.

I grin. "No, there has to be something you care about. Like your family maybe."

"My family annoys me."

I laughed. "Understandable. How about a friend you care about or a pet?"

He looked away and appeared lost in thought after I said that. Did I strike a nerve? He was silent for a few seconds before saying, "I think I'll draw a car."

Well I was not expecting that. I should have figured I guess. Men love cars. I chose to draw a dog since I love dogs and they are better than people.

So far, Aiden was doing terrible with his car. I knew cars were hard to draw, but his appeared to be a five year old's drawing.

He saw me looking at his drawing and I smiled sheepishly while trying to hold in my laughter.

"Yeah, I know. It sucks. Sorry not everybody can draw like you can," he rolls his eyes.

"No, no it's okay...I guess."

"You can admit it, my car is terrible."

"Yeah," I giggled.

"I never really was good at art."

"I can tell."

He chuckled, "Fuck off already."

"Okay, okay. I won't make fun of your 'drawing' any longer."

Aiden and I spent the rest of the class period drawing and Aiden didn't make any improvement on his car drawing so he eventually gave up on it.

At lunch, Sitara was acting flirty with Aiden. She would occasionally take several glances at him, but he didn't look the slightest bit interested. Matter of fact, at one point I caught him rolling his eyes when she attempted to compliment his looks.

So far, it really wasn't working out, but I knew Sitara; she was persistent. She'd try again at some point.

I wish I could say I didn't care, but I don't know what it was about Sitara flirting with Aiden. I felt this weird feeling almost like bitterness, but I quickly tried to brush it off.

When I got home, I was greeted by no one. My mom is away for her new job, so she's been out of town. She said she'd be back in a few months so I was mostly at the house by myself.

My dad on the other hand, he left when I was only a child. He and mom had a rocky relationship and it turned out ugly because they would argue all the time. I haven't seen him since he and mom had that huge arguement which resulted in him storming out, never to be seen again.

I didn't know what to feel about my dad. I could say he was a coward for leaving us, but I didn't really get the time to get to know him. Mom always told me he was selfish and ignorant so I try not to think about him.

You could say it sucked being at the house alone all the time, which you're right, it kind of did, but I often invite my friends over and plus I've gotten used to it.

I spent the rest of the day eating, sleeping, and watching romantic comedies on netflix. This was a daily routine for me when I wouldn't invite my friends over. At the end of the day, my mom called me.

"Hi, sweetie," her voice was soft. "How was your day at school?"

I smiled upon hearing her voice. "It was alright. How are you doing?"

"Oh I'm hanging in there. I hate to leave you there all by yourself. I'll be back soon, honey. I promise. "

''I know, mom, but please try to take care of yourself too."

"I will. You just make sure the doors are locked and-"

"Don't let anyone I don't know inside the house. I've got it, mom."

She sighs in relief. "Okay, I just wanted to make sure. Make sure get plenty of rest. I love you."

"I love you too, mom. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Clara."

I chuckled before hanging up. She was a bit of a worry wart, but she was my mom and I loved her to death. Soon after that, I went to bed.