Simple, Unexpected Crush ~Book 1 of Life Matters~

Chapter 24~First Day Of Old Age

I woke up at five thirty to the sound of Lucky most likely barking at a raccoon. I fell back down on my bed letting out a sigh. Today is official. I'm a senior and I'm not ready. 

I pushed myself off the bed and slowly walked to the shower. I brushed my teeth and pulled out a blue shirt from my drawer and black skinny jeans. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought about whether or not I should put my hair up. I had it in a bun and I looked different. Nope. I pulled off the ponytail letting my hair fall down below my shoulders. The day before, my Aunt Gomez cut my bangs and the split ends, as for Josh his hair was now shorter than ever just for Football season and Basketball of course. I slipped on my Vans, grabbed my black backpack and went down the stairs.

Lucky was chewing on his duck toy I had bought him at the kitchen while my parents were finishing off a report for the newspaper and the weather forecast. For Journalists I say, also for Publishers, they work too hard but whatever. Let their jobs drain the life out of them. Xavier's parents doesn't give them a lot of work but they choose to work all of the time which can explain why they are pretty much ignorant to my life and sadly to Erix's life as well.

"Sit!" My father yelled as Lucky got up and put his paws on the table eyeing my father's leftover bacon.

"Here boy." I said as I dropped a piece of bacon from my plate. Lucky ran to my feet and chewed up the bacon. I sat down and started to eat my eggs when Erix came down the stairs.

"Good morning dear." My mother said. "Do you know where Ebony is?"

"I'm here." I said in trance. 

"Speak up!" My mother said slamming her journal on the table. 

"I'm dropping you off." Erix said dully. 

"You said-" I began. 

"Nope. Get in the car. I start school next week either way and I doubt they're giving you a car."

"True. Cars are far expensive nowadays." My father said.

"You're going to buy Erix that Chevrolet." I pointed out.

"We can't afford a newer car dear." My mother said. That means I get that old truck. 

"Let's get going then." I grabbed my things and marched out of door Lucky ran to the front door and sat there until we pulled away from the drive way. I sighed. It might be hard for him to stay home alone with Erix most likely, good thing I left him enough food for him until I get home.

"Aren't you happy that this is your last year?" Erix said mist of the silence. 

"Why? I'm going to be with Gabe and Angie at the back of the whole grade like always."

"Good."

"Good? Thanks for the support bro."

"It's better than being the center of attention. So much stress and work out-"

"This isn't about you." I spat. That shut him up. He continued to drive until I told him to stop. I got off at the sidewalk where the buses park and turn to look at Erix. I now realize that most people now know who I am and maybe it'll be better if I do stay hidden. I spotted Holly and Veronica looking at my direction and waved at me. How did I know it was at me? Erix was gone. 

"Good to see you Ebony." Holly said.

"Hey." I managed to smiled. Veronica grabbed my arm before I was able to walk away.

"I like your hair." She said. Okay, now that was odd.

"Thank you." With that I started to walk towards my standing spot and waited for Angie. Right on time she came out of her mom's car and walked towards me. Her hair wasn't frizzy and fluffy like usual, it was up in a braided bun, German Style I think that's what she calls it.