chapter 3

Once we get home I go strait to my room. I start digging through my drawers for pajamas. I'm trying to hurry so I can take a shower and be in my room safely by the time he gets home. When I get to the bathroom I take a very fast shower and dress quickly. I open the door and see the last thing I'd want right now. With my hair in a towel turban and my pajama pants resining lowly on my hips, I pull my dirty clothes to my chest to cover up the fact that I'm only wearing a tank top. Cole Hudson and a few of Ethan's other friends are making their way to the hallway. Cole and I make eye contact before he looks me up and down. I turn around and practically run to the end of the hallway where my room is. The door to Ethan's room is to the right of mine, literally making a 90 degree angle with each other, only a thin wall separating our rooms.

I slam my door shut after I hear a whistle from behind me. I then hear my brother say something through gritted teeth, but I couldn't make out what it was. I put my dirty clothes away and turn my stereo on. I start to hear chaos happening in Ethan's room, so I turn it almost all the way up. Every rose has it's thorn starts to play as I'm digging my journal out of one of my desk drawers. When I finally get it out I don't even know where to start. As I start to write a name, his name, I get a knock at my door. "Yes?" I try to sound annoyed. My brother pokes his head in, trying to keep the door practically closed "We're going to the store, do you want me to get you anything?" this is new "Uh, sure" I pick up my backpack and start digging around for some cash. I pull out a 5 and hold it out to him as I say "Can you just get me a fountain sprite please." He nods, turns around, and walks out, leaving me with the money in my hand.

I go to shut my door and I hear singing, sweet singing. I hear the angelic voice singing the words "every rose has it's thorn" Its smooth and perfect. I stand there, holding the doorknob, the only boy left in my brother's room walks out. My breath gets caught in my throat while Cole smiles at me as he simply states "your music is loud." I smile back "y-yeah that's kind of the point." He chuckles and starts to walk away "bye Riley" he says to me. I smile and finally shut myself in my bedroom, not even saying bye. With my back resting against the door I sink to the floor with my hands on my face. I feel my face heating up as I realize he saw me in my pajamas, and I didn't even notice. I stay sitting on the floor trying to calm my nerves down.

When I finally calmed down, AC/DC's Highway to hell came on. I get up to sit at my desk and I start writing. Sometimes when I start writing I just can't stop. I wrote about London and Dakota, my family and of course, Cole Hudson. It feels good to get everything out; it's like throwing up, but in a good way. Once my hand starts cramping and my mind feels clear, I close my journal. I don't know how long it's been. As I'm trying to remember the time I hear my front door open and a bunch of deep-ish voices laughing and practically screaming at each other. My brother knocks on my door, but this time I make sure to put a cardigan on. I grab my favorite black one, throw it on my shoulders, and open my door. My brother handed me my drink and as Cole is walking behind him we make momentary eye contact. "thank you "I return my focus to my brother "are you sure you don't want any money?" He smiles and shakes his head "nah, don't worry about it." I smile and shut my door as he turns around.

Aerosmith is playing, still at a harsh volume. I sway my hips to the music as I sip on my sprite. Another knock on my door. "What?" I say still swaying my hips, but immediately stop when I see who the uninvited guest is. "Can you turn your music down?" Dammit Cole why!? "oh, yeah sorry." I stutter around and he closes the door gently. I go and turn the volume down almost completely, but still audible to me. I don't always turn my stereo on, but I don't want to hear my brother and his friends. Ethan only get me a small drink so I finish it pretty quickly. After I'm done doing everything, I decide that I should go to sleep. Jack and Willow will be here to pick me up pretty early tomorrow so we can go get breakfast. I'm ready to be able to drive them, I have my permit, and I'll be 16 soon. I climb into bed and feel myself sinking into my soft mattress. I slowly drift to sleep thinking about a boy, of all things.