chapter 2

My house isn't a far walk from the antique store, especially with music. I shove my earbuds in my ears and start walking to the beat of my music. I walk along the sidewalk until I reach the cross. Once I cross the very un-busy street, it's a straight shot from there. As I pass the football field I start thinking about how Jack and Willow would feel if I dated their grandson. He barely knows I exist. I walk through the grass of my front yard and make it to the front door.

When I enter I'm welcomed by my little sister, Avery. She hugs my legs and looks up at me with her beautiful blue eyes. She got the pretty eyes, I goy the grey, lifeless eyes. My mom greets me by name, not by a hug like Avery. I give my mom a weak smile and start making my way to my room. "I'll call you when dinner's ready" she half shouts at me. I give her a thumbs up as I walk away.

Once I get in my room, I remove my shoes from my tired feet after I take my backpack off. I keep my earbuds in and collapse onto my bed. A big sigh escapes my lips and my phone dining follows after. It's from one of my closer "friends", Mia. "Are you coming to the game tonight?" The words glow at me and I just shake my head. Friday night football, one of my parents' most favorite things. Their golden child's sport. My brother, Ethan, is a senior AND a football star. The whole town knows the name Ethan Miller, but does anyone know that my last name is Miller, too? I live under the same roof as him and eat at the same table. Of course, he doesn't talk to me. I'm his embarrassing outcast of a sister. My mom's yelling of my name snaps me out of my thoughts. I quickly reply to Mia's text with a simple "yes" and make my way to the kitchen.

Avery was all dressed up. Her sparkly blue eyes make her the cutest little girl. When we sat down to eat it was quiet. I ate as fast as I could without getting sick. My nerves are getting the best of me; football games always make me nervous. After I eat, I run to my room to put my shoes on and then we're out the door.

I don't know why we drive to football games. we live less than 1 minute away from the stadium. I would've enjoyed the walk on this beautiful fall night. After we parked and paid admission I immediately started searching for Jack and Willow. I see them sitting on the bottom row of bleachers, right where I expected them to be. I make my way over to them and they seem really happy to see me. I sat down next to willow and put my head on her shoulder. Willow is super bony and small, unlike Jack, he has a big belly and he's one of the tallest people I know. She lifted her hand up and started running her fingers through my hair. I want to cut it so bad but it would break her heart. A bunch of shouting and yelling started to come over the crowd as the football team ran out onto the field. The cheerleaders were doing flips and waving their pompoms around. I don't understand this. It's just a game, why are people so rowdy about it. I really want to just go home.

Mia popped up beside me and asked if I wanted to go sit by her. Willow gives me a 'you better look and I roll my eyes at her. I turn around, smile sweetly, and agree. I follow her to the student section and immediately regret it. It's so loud. Mia and I start talking about little things, like how hard math is right now and she starts telling me about her boyfriend. I really don't care, but I listen and act like I want to know; it's helping me deal with all the craziness anyways. After a couple of seconds of silence, she turns around and talks to the people on the other side of her. I don't know why I'm here. London stands up and walks from beside Mia to beside me. London's the sweetest but she has the shittiest boyfriend. He's done almost every drug that's around and flirts with every girl he sees, but London stays with him every time he messes up.

She asks me if I'm free to hang out tomorrow and I laugh a little. I tell her I have plans with Jack and Willow. Every other Saturday we go get breakfast and hang out either at their house or the shop. The cool thing about Jack owning his own store is that he gets to choose when they're open and closed. She smiles and tells me the same thing everyone tells me. "You should really date Cole." Cole's their grandson that I have a huge crush on. I know I should. He's never made an effort to talk to me though, when we're both in the shop he's always on his phone while i'm cleaning it going through stuff. I don't think he's ever acknowledged my existence. "i don't know if jack and willow would appreciate that." she's rolling her eyes "screw them, Cole is super nice and not to mention freaking hot and so are you. You guys would be an amazing couple." i just shrug and she shakes her head. "maybe just try to talk to him the next time you see him, and don't be awkward, act like you're talking to me or Mia." i smile "what would i do without you?" she puts her arm around my neck "you wouldn't be on your way to getting with Cole Hudson." I just shake my head at her. She giggles and pokes me excitedly.

i'm trying to push her off but Mia's voice interrupts is instead. "i hear y'all's whole conversation and London's never been more right." i roll my eyes for the millionth time "you guys need to be quiet or everyone will hear and i'll lose any chance i have." They start giggling and i shake my head at them before we hear Dakota, London's trashy boyfriend, call her name. London smiles brightly at him. she really does love him, and that's what makes it horrible. She runs up to him and hugs his torso. London is incredibly short and Dakota's incredibly tall, all the more reasons they shouldn't be together. Mia and i roll our eyes as she walks off with her stupid boyfriend. "i feel so bad for her." mia's voice is filled with sadness. It's crazy how fast the mood can change, just a few moments ago we were all laughing and now mia and i feel like we're at a funeral.

"hey" i try to lighten the mood "we should all hang out on Sunday." "i can't" mia says with pouty lips. "Oh, it's fine, we'll find a day." these are the times when i realize we're not actually friends. Mia and London will talk to me when I'm around but not any other way. We laugh together a lot, but as soon as we get home, it's over. I stand up and mia does too after i say i'm going to find my mom. she hugs me and i awkwardly hug back, then i turn around and make my way to my family.

i sit down next to my mom and little sister. i'm not going to watch the game but my mom will get me in trouble if i don't, so i focus my eyes on the field and i let my mind wander. I don't want my mind to be completely occupied by a boy so i try my best to push the thought of him out of my mind and think about going home and taking a hot shower and writing in my journal. i just want tomorrow to come, spending time with Jack and willow is what really makes me happy. i'm praying that they don't bring Cole, i don't think i could handle that.

Everyone around me starts to cheer and i clap to make it seem like i'm paying the slightest bit of attention. Avery lays her head on my shoulder and climbs in my lap. at least we have one thing in common, we both hate football games. the white lights are starting to blind me and as i'm about to complain everyone starts clapping and grabbing their stuff. i follow my mom out of the bleachers and we're finally go home.