The Switch Hitter (GxG)

Chapter 10

My phone's alarm went off bright and early on Monday morning, jolting me awake. I sighed. I didn't care what anybody said, no matter how many times I had to wake up at 6:45 in the morning to go to school, I'd never get used to it. Dragging myself out of my warm bed, I threw on a pair of jeans and a random shirt, then stumbled slightly out to the kitchen, finding Anna already awake with a cup of coffee in hand, far more alert than I was.

I started making my own cup and glared at her. "How can you be so peppy this early in the morning?"

She shrugged. "Maybe because I'm used to it."

It was like she knew what I had been thinking earlier. "That's not a real thing," I said, rolling my eyes. 

"So you say."

I gave her a weird look and sipped on my caffeine fix. "What time do you have to be at work today?"

Anna was a vet tech at the local animal hospital, and like most doctors, her hours could vary day by day. She was usually up by 7, but only because that's when the hospital opened. And when she wasn't working, she would be her taking online classes. She was studying to get her doctorate so she could be an official vet. We were practically polar opposites in that respect. She was hard working and dedicated, and I was a train wreck of a student whose biggest talent was playing softball, which wouldn't get me anywhere without decent grades. That was another reason I was trying to turn everything around. But I still wasn't even sure if I was cut out for college in the first place.

"Who knows?" she sighed, looking down at her near empty cup of coffee. I took the hint, taking it from her and putting more on. She smiled gratefully at me.

"Maybe you're not as awake as I thought," I teased.

She stifled a yawn. "Maybe."

I checked the time. It was now seven, so I finished the rest of my coffee and put the mug in the sink. I brushed my teeth quickly and picked up my backpack from my bedroom before throwing on my vans, grabbing my keys, and pulling the door open. 

"Bye Anna," I called, then walked down to the street where my truck was parked. I pulled open the familiar door and hopped into the leather seat behind the wheel. I smiled. She was the same as always. Even the steering wheel felt familiar underneath my hands. I turned the key in the ignition, hearing the purr of the engine as it started up. 

God I loved this truck.

I pulled into the street and towards school. I wished I could have rolled the windows down and felt the wind, but I knew that the air would be cold and I'd regret it. But I did turn on the radio, hearing Lyin' Eyes by the Eagles. I cranked the volume all the way up, drumming on the steering wheel, another habit I'd picked up from my dad. As much as I hated to admit it, we were more alike than we were different, except for a couple key things.

Acceptance, for one.

I pulled into the school's parking lot for the first time this year, finding an empty spot right by the entrance. That was lucky; it would make it way easier to get out after school. Since it was now December, open fields turned into lifting and open gyms, which didn't start until 4:30. This also meant that I didn't have to lug my gear into school anymore. A true blessing in disguise.

I cut the engine and hopped out of the truck, locking it and settling my backpack on my shoulder. I stared up at DCHS, my good mood from the ride over deflating slightly. I couldn't wait until this semester was over; it felt like it had lasted years.

I had just begun walking towards the entrance when I had the misfortune of finding something else to ruin my morning. It was Madi, smirking and leaning against the hood of what looked to be a brand-new, bright yellow Mercedes-Benz two door convertible, which I knew ran about $150 grand, and that was starting price.