It seemed like it was opposite day when the morning started off.

First of all, since I wanted to dress to impress before the party, I had on a pair of black tights, short red shorts, a white tee and a black and red vest. I even wore my new red Dr. Martens just because. When I was going to leave, my mom saw what I was wearing and her eyes bulged. "Change," she said, "Those shorts are too short."

"But mom!" I cried. "I have on tights! It's not like it's such a big deal!"

"Well it's a big deal to me. You are not leaving my house looking like a hooker. Go. Change."

I groaned and stomped up the stairs. Life could be so unfair.

So I switched my shorts for red skinny jeans, my boots for white All Stars, took off my vest and wore a white graphic tee instead. "If I can't wear what I wanted originally, I'll have to wear something even better." I said to myself in the mirror.

Then my Special K cereal had magically run out. I groaned again and had to eat a donut, going against Lexi's rules. And not only that, but I had three, all chocolate covered with sprinkles!

And to top it off, when I got in my car and tried to start it, it wouldn't. I tugged at my hair and leaned back in the seat.

Just then a car slowed down in front of my driveway. A buggy. The driver leaned out the window. "Need a ride?" They yelled.

I grinned. "Sure thing!" I quickly hopped out and in, and he drove off.

"Oh my gosh Fletcher, you are a life saver! I dunno what I would do without you!"

Fletcher smiled. "No problem. Friends are always there for each other, right?"

That day at lunch, I ditched Lexi and Paisley to hand out in the library with Fletcher.

"Lexi's having a party today," I told him. "She said I could invite you. Wanna come?"

Fletcher shrugged. "Oh, that party? I heard about it. It's in the basement of the mall, the part my dad's store owns. Sure I'll come."

"Nice." I took some popcorn from his bowl. "What was it like in New York?" I asked him.

He sighed. "Oh, it was great. The lights...the lights were the best part. Everywhere. Every night. I had to leave my friends, some of my family, my whole life there...even my girlfriend, ya know? It's tough, but I'm so glad I met you."

I smiled weakly. His...girlfriend? Oh...

"I'm glad I met you, because...because...you're that missing piece of my heart. And even though I haven't known you for long, I just feel that way. You were what was missing while I was in New York. I just had to travel the country to find it."

"Aw...Fletch...that's sweet. But I'm sure your girlfriend misses you, too. In fact, if you need anything-"

I was interrupted by his phone ringing. "Hold on," he whispered. He slowly picked it up.

"Hello? Olive! How are you? How's everything there? News? Hit me...uh huh...wow...that's great...sounds fun...awesome...Wait. What? Are you serious? Pickles? Pickles! Wow! Totally! I'll tell them! Bye!"

Fletcher put down his phone and grinned.

"What the great news?"

"Well, my friend - a really, really, good one - is really, really, smart. And she entered this program called 'Better Students, Better Lives' to try to move here with me after I left. She just told me that she aced the interview and she'll be flying over here tonight! And, when they told her she had won the move, they gave her plenty of jars of pickles."

"That's great! How good of a friend was she?"

"She's my ex-girlfriend."

After Fletcher dropped me off that afternoon, I rushed to my dad's office that was conjoined with my mom's.

"Dad," I said, "My car's not working! Can you go and get it serviced? I need it for tonight."

Dad put down his pen. "Honey, you're car isn't working for a reason. We had the appropriate cables disconnected so you won't be able to use it."

I stomped my foot. "But WHY?"

"Because you're failing all your classes except music, and we think all you're privileges are distracting. So no car for you. Be responsible and find other ways to get to places."

I turned to leave the room.

"Oh, and honey-"

I stopped.

"You're closet was swept out. Now you have decent things to wear."

I left in a huff.

I finally found a silver dress that came up to just above my knees. I would have to go shopping after the party, or else I would be the laughingstock of the school.

I picked up my phone and quickly sent a text to Fletcher.

No car till I get my grades up, did you leave yet?

Um, bout to. Any problem with me picking you up now?

No, it's fine. Thx a bunch!

No probs.

I stuck my phone in my bag and walked downstairs. I looked around. It was Friday night and someone was missing.

I pressed the intercom in the hallway. "MOM, where's Katrina?"

"We thought you could learn responsibility by cleaning up after yourself. She'll be back when your grades are reasonable."

I sighed and walked outside. The 'helper', Katrina, lived here on weekends to help us out. Now I would have to do everything myself.

Fletcher's car pulled up and I walked over, opened the door, and climbed in.

"Hi."

"What's wrong with you?"

"My parents are totally being unfair! Only one of my walk in closets are full, my car's wires are disconnected, this dress is barely acceptable, the maid isn't coming back, and my life sucks! How could it get any worse?!"

Fletcher pulled the car over and looked at me for a good, long time.

"You know what Chyna? Not everyone is as fortunate as you. Maybe you should take a walk in my shoes. I have one closet. It's not a walk in. My car works on and off and I barely have enough money to get it repaired all the time. That dress looks beautiful on you, maybe because you're so beautiful, and I don't know how much more acceptable it can get. I don't have a maid. I do everything myself. And I lied. My Grandpa died and I was living with him in New York City, and on his will he wanted me to move here and live with my Grandma because they were divorced. My dad doesn't talk to me anymore but still lives here and my mom died giving birth to me. Do you think my life could get much worse?"

There was silence."Wow...Fletcher...I didn't know that."

"Of course you didn't."

"I feel so stupid..."

"You're not."

I was quiet. "You...you think I'm beautiful?"

Fletcher nodded. "Ever since I stole your parking space."

I grinned. He grinned. And we both leaned in for the gold.