Part One -- Chapter Two – Friends

I cried through most of the night. I wasn’t crying over him, but because of how stupid, gullible and

naive I was. I could only imagine what I would be like if he’d succeeded in pulling me along for the

whole year. He would have asked me out, become my first boyfriend, been my first kiss, then possibly

he would have seduced me into giving all myself to him. Then he’d blow me off like I was a speck of dirt

on his jacket. His letterman jacket to be exact. I found out later that he wasn’t just any football player,

but the quarterback, meaning he’s the most popular guy in school. That made things so much better.

To get myself to sleep, I played my favorite band, the Jonas Brothers. They always make me feel better.

So, the next day I tried to make some real friends.

“Hi. I’m Mickayla.” I said to the girl who sits next to me in English. She had blue eyes and long wavy

brown hair. She had a nice face, long with light freckles on her nose and cheeks under her eyes.

“I’m Ashleigh but you can call me Ash.” she said.

“You can call me…” I was going to say Mickey but I caught myself. “…Kayla or Kay. Whatever one

works.” I said. [PAUSE! Anyone notice a lot of my characters’ names start with ‘K’… or is that just me…

anyway… PLAY!]

“Cool.” she smiled. Her smile seemed really familiar. I just couldn’t put my finger on it. During class we

had to partner up to talk about our summer reading, a book called “Stone Goddess”. [PAUSE… again! I

read this for my freshman year summer reading and I couldn’t think of anything else. It’s actually a

pretty good book. But it’s not like I’m going to spoil much if I use it. It’s about a girl who’s from

Cambodia when the Khmer Rough took over. She was taken to a concentration camp type thing then

escaped and went on a journey to Thailand then America.]

“Hey you wanna be my partner?” Ashleigh asked.

“Sure! I was gonna ask you anyway!” I said smiling.

“Oh perfect! So what’d you think of the book?” she asked.

“I thought it was kinda sad. But happy too.” I answered.

“Me too. It’s sad she had to go through all that stuff but her life in America is so much better off.” Ash

replied.

“Exactly.” I smiled. We talked for the rest of class about the book. Then the bell rang.

“Hey what are you doing for lunch?” she asked as she was packing her stuff.

“Nothing.” I answered.

“Well, my best friend from junior high, Jeanie, and I are going to eat together. I think you two would

really get along well. You should eat lunch with us!” she said.

“Oh that would be so great!” I answered. “I’d love to!”

“Great. I’ll meet you in the cafeteria at lunch then?” she asked, heading out the door with me.

“Yep!” I said.

“OK, see ya then.” she said, turning to go down the other hall waving over her shoulder.

“Yeah. See ya.” I said a bit breathless. My first friend. I thought. Then I skipped down the hall to

my next class.

-------------------------

Classes go by much fast when you have something to look forward to… or did they go by slower…

Nevertheless, lunch finally came. Ashleigh was sitting with a girl who I guess was Jeanie. She had red

hair, brown eyes and a lot of freckles.

“Hey Kay!” Ash waved me over.

“Hi.” I said smiling.

“Kay, this is Jeanie. Jeanie this is Kay.” Ash introduced us.

“Hi! It’s nice to meet you!” Jeanie said.

“It’s nice to meet you too!” I said sitting down. “So you two went to junior high together?”

“Yep. But we meet before that at camp.” Jeanie said.

“Oh that’s cool!” I said.

“None of your friends came here?” Ash asked.

“No, actually I was home schooled… just for junior high though. I moved here to Seattle right before

that.” I explained. “My mom thought it was too tough of a time to start school. She thought she was

saving me some drama in my life.”

“Haha, like hight schools not going to have any drama.” Jeanie said.

“I know right?” I said. Should I tell them about Bret? I asked myself. Then from behind me came a

familiar voice.

“Hey Sis! What’s up?” it asked.

“Nothing. Just eating lunch with Jeanie and my new friend.” Ash answered.

“Oh, who’s your new friend?” he said coming around.

“Her name’s Mickayla.” she answered as he turned to face me. *beep* Of course. Just my luck.[/i] It was

Bret. His eye grew wide for a second, then he snapped on a face.

“Hey, hey!” he said. “It’s Mickey!”

“Mickey?” Ashleigh asked confused.

“Yeah, we met yesterday. She’s the one I told you about, the freshman I had lunch with.” he answered

giving Ash a wink.

“Oh, OH! Yes! Oh that’s such a coincidence.” Ashleigh said excitedly. “I guess we just have the same

taste in friends, huh Bro?”

“Sure do. Hey, the team’s calling but I’ll see you at home, K sis?” he said.

“Yep.” Ash nodded.

“See ya, Jeanie.” he said nodding. Then he turned to look at me with pleading, begging, meaningful

eyes. “Mickey.” Then he left for his friends. After he left Ash turned right to me.

“What did you do to him?” she asked.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Girl, I’ve never seen him like this. Never.” she answered.

“Yeah, I don’t think he’s ever spoken to anyone younger than himself except Ash and I.” Jeanie agreed.

“I swear. I didn’t do anything.” I said.

“Well, what happened yesterday?” Ash asked.

“Didn’t he tell you?” I answered.

“Well yes, but I want to hear your side.” she insisted. So I continued to tell them about the previous

day’s events, leaving out the part where I think he’s playing a joke and totally diss him.

“Awwwwww!” the girls cooed.

“How romantic!” Jeanie said.

“Wouldn’t that be awesome if my brother started dating my new best friend???” Ash asked rhetorically.

“Best friend?” I asked.

“Well yeah. I mean if you want to be.” she said.

“Well duh!” I said.

“Yay!” the girls celebrated.

“So you think he really likes me?” I asked.

“Well, yes. But he can’t do anything about it of course.” Ash said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Two reasons, his social status and… her.” she answered.

“Who?” I asked.

“Her.” she pointed towards the direction that Bret had exited to. There at the table was a girl of another

species of human… perfect. She had straight brown hair with light caramel colored highlights that was

layered with straight across bangs. She had deep brown eyes and the body of a cheerleader. “Sierra.

She’s the head cheerleader. Rich, gorgeous and just all around perfect. She and Bret have been on and

off since freshman year. Currently they’re on.”

“Oh, greeeeeaaaaaat!” I groaned.

“Oh and don’t forget Megan.” Jeanie whispered.

“Who’s Megan?” I asked.

“Sierra’s number two.” she answered. I looked over again. She looked similar to Sierra but enough to

not get them mixed up. She also had straight brown hair with light blond highlights and brown eyes.

She also looked like a cheerleader.

“What’s her deal?” I asked.

“She’s also totally into Bret, but she wouldn’t dare do anything about it or else Sierra would socially

murder her.” Jeanie said.

“Oooo.” I said, grimacing.

“Yeah.” Ash said. “But she still flirts when she’s not around.”

“I wanna see how much Bret really likes me.” I said, thinking about yesterday.

“Oh, Kay, please don’t do anything stupid.” Ash begged. “He’s a really great guy but social

circumstances push him to do things and to be someone.”

“He risked eating lunch with me yesterday.” I said.

“That’s because Sierra wasn’t here.” Ash said. “The Populars think that they’re so cool they wanted to

have their own first day of school. So all of them, but Bret, skipped. Bret only came because of me. He

wanted to make sure I had a good first day off.”

“Oh.” I said. So that’s why he wasn’t worried about his status. No one important was here. So he did

trick me! But that was sweet of him to watch out for his sister.

“If anyone saw him eating lunch with a freshman and told any of the Populars about it, he could just say

it was me telling them our mom made him.” Ash continued to explain.

“Of course.” I said. I looked over at the table. They were all laughing. Then he looked over at me and

smiled. I weakly smiled back. Then he winked and went back to his friends. But every once in a while,

he’d send me glances.

“Earth to Mickey!” Ash said.

“What?” I asked startled. The girls giggled.

“You’re so into him!” Ash sang.

“Head over heels.” Jeanie added.

“Guys, I have no chance.” I said. “And did you call me Mickey?”

“Yeah, sorry. Is that name for Bret only?” Ash asked.

“No, it’s fine. I was just a bit taken aback.” I answered. “It is really me I guess.”

“Yeah, he has a knack for nicknames.” Ash said. “He called Jeanie “freckles” and “carrot top” and I’m

“tiny” or of course “sis.”” I giggled.

“Hey Mickey.” Ash said. “What are you doing after school?”

“Homework.” I said.

“Well, Jeanie and I have study dates a lot. Do you want to join us?” she asked.

“Sure, let me call my mom.” I said. I pulled out my new hot pink RAZR. [Oh those were the days.] “Hey

Mom. Um, so I made some new friends today and they are having a study date. They invited me to

come if I wanted.” My mom, being the adorable mother she is, was simply beside herself with relief that

I was making friends. She always said that was the one thing she wished she didn’t take away from me

by home schooling me.

“Whose house?” I asked.

“Well, usually it’s at my house.” Ash said. She said where she lived and I almost dropped the phone.

“OMJ! We live like a block away from you!” I said excitedly. “To think we’ve been this close all this

time…” I told my mom that I could walk home and I hung up.

“Did you just say OMJ?” Jeanie asked.

“Yeah. I’m a huge fan of the Jonas Brothers.” I said. [Oh to be that free again.]

“SO ARE WE!!!” the girls squealed together.

“Nickismine!” I said as fast as I could.

“Don’t worry honey, I gots my eyes on Joe.” Jeanie said.

“And I Kevin.” Ash nodded.

“How perfect is this???” I squealed. Then my excitement faltered a bit. “Uh, Ash. Will your brother be

home?”

“Not ‘til later. He has football practice.” she said. “Why? You want to get your flirt on?”

“No, actually I was planning on avoiding him.” I said.

“Why?” she asked.

“No real reason. It’s just what I do when I like a guy.” I said. Such a lie. And then the bell rang. We

dumped our trash.

“So we’ll meet you at the bus?” Jeanie asked.

“Yep! See ya then!” I said.

“Bye!” They waved and went on their way.

Mickayla’s Outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=10372964

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Ashleigh’s Outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=10373743

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Jeanie’s Outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=10374311

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Sierra’s Outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=10372406

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Megan’s Outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=10373520

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Part One: The Beginning -- Chapter One: Falling

It was freshman year of high school. I walked up to the big school, almost scared stiff. Will people

accept me? Will I make friends? Who will I be? I take a deep breath and walk up to the doors. They

creak as I open them, awkwardly heavier than I anticipated. I stumbled against the weight and almost

trip. Thankfully I catch myself before I fall. But then the weight of my backpack forces me off balance

again. I start to fall again. Oh, great. What a way to start off the school year. I think as I’m falling.

But then something took me by surprise. I was caught. I felt big strong arms lifting me upward and

setting me on my feet. I blink away the shock and find the most beautiful, god-like guy with piercing

lavender-blue eyes and light brownish red hair holding me in his arms.

“You okay?” he asks, letting go.

“Y-y-yeah.” I manage to stutter. My mouth is now completely dry.

“Those doors are heavier than they look. It took me most of my freshman year to remember that.” he

said shooting me a dazzling smile.

“Yeah, I think I’m going to remember now. I don’t want a repeat of that.” I said, surprising myself that I

could talk in full sentences. He laughed lightly. I melted on the spot.

“My name’s Bret.” he said, sticking out a hand. “Yours is…”

“Mickayla. But it’s spelled differently than the normal way.” I said out of habit.

“Oh? And how is it spelled.” he asked intrigued.

“M-I-C-K-A-Y-L-A.” I said.

“That’s a cool way to spell it.” he said.

“Yeah, cool if you’re not named it. I always have to tell people how to spell my name. My parents

couldn’t spell it the normal way. They just had to make my life just that more difficult.” I said partially

sarcastic. I actually like the way I spell my name.

“Well, I like it.” he said. “Least your parents have creative initiative. My parents stuck to B-R-E-T. Not

with two T’s or any thing that’d be considered different. Just plain and boring.”

“No, it’s great.” I said. And of course, right on time, the bell rings.

“Oh there’s the bell. Don’t want to be late on the first day of high school now do ya?” he said.

“No wouldn’t want that.” I say.

“Well, I’ll see you around… Mickey.” he said turning to go.

“Mickey?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s my nickname for you. Mickayla, Mickey.” he said smiling.

“Oh, I like that.” I said. “Thanks. For the nickname… and for catching me.”

“My pleasure.” He smiled and went on his way, leaving me in a daze. Crap. How am I going to focus in

class? Oh class! I looked at my schedule in my hand. English. Room 102. Phew. 1st floor. How’s

that for luck? But apparently my luck for the morning had been spent. I ran to class before I was too

late. But by the time I got there, all of the seats were taken except for the one in front. And of course

the teacher, Mr. Zeek, had to put me on the spot.

“Ah, you must be Ms. Reese.” he said.

“Um, yes.” I said.

“I take attendance before the bell rings. So you should be here at 8:55 instead of 8:59 if you don't want

to be written up as tardy. But since it’s the first day, I’ll let it slide. But only this once.” he said.

“Oh thank you… Mr. Zeek.” I said.

“You may take your seat now which will be your seat for the rest of the year.” he said. I slid

embarrassedly into my seat. The morning went on somewhat similarly, but thankfully no more speeches

directed specifically to me from teachers. I was so relieved when the lunch bell rang. How am I going

to make it through the year if I can’t make if even a day? I thought. I walked into the enormous

cafeteria. I picked up a tray and joined the line. Then someone came up to me and hip bumped me.

“Hey Mickey.” I turned to see Bret.

“Oh hey.” I said, slightly confused. Someone as gorgeous as him, and his age, could not possibly be in a

social ranking that allows talking to freshman as friends. “You’re talking to me?”

“Um yeah.” he said, in a “no-duh” tone.

“Well, aren’t you older than me? You can’t possibly be risking your social status just to talk to me.” I

said.

“Yeah, well… I think you’re worth it.” he said smiling.

“You don’t even know me.” I said.

“Well, there’s only one way to find out and that’s by talking to you.” he answered.

“Touché.” I said.

“So eat lunch with me.” he said.

“Well, I have no one else to eat lunch with, so I guess I could.” I said, pretending that I was some

superstar and he was an insignificant fan. I started walking to a table.

“What was that?” he asked.

“What?” I said, sitting down.

“Why’d you say it like that?” he asked also sitting down.

“Oh, I do that a lot. I role play when I talk sometimes.” I said, eating a carrot.

“Really?” he asked.

“Yep.” I said. “Hey. You said you wanted to get to know me, so I’m showing you who I am. I’m into

drama.”

“Cool. I play football.” he said simply. I almost choked on the carrot.

“You mean you’re a jock?” I asked now even more shocked.

“Um yeah… You say it like it’s bad.” he said.

“No, I say it like ‘Why the hell are you freakin’ talking to me?’” I answered. “First you’re a sophomore

now you’re a j-“

“Junior.” he interrupted.

“What?” I asked.

“I’m actually a junior.” he said. I just stared at him blankly. The realization hit me like a brick.

“Oh, I get it.” I said, coldly.

“Get what?” he asked.

“This is all a joke.” I said. “Great. I can’t believe I fell for this. Actually I can believe I did. God. I’m so

stupid. I should’ve known this was too good to be true.”

“What?” Bret asked impatiently.

“You can cut the crap, Bret. Go ahead and laugh now. How long did you think I’d last? A week? A

month?” I asked.

“What are you talking about?” he asked seeming utterly confused.

“You know perfectly well what I’m talking about. This is just a joke to you. I’m a joke to you.” I said.

“Sure string the poor, gullible freshman along and see what happens. Let’s see how far she believes

that I actually want to be friends with her. Then you and your popular jock and cheerleader friends can

laugh at me.”

“Mickayla, that is not what I’m doing.” he said.

“Sure it isn’t.” I said. “You’re supposed to say that. That way you gain my trust again and tie the string

up like it never broke loose. Then you continue to pull until it breaks again. And you’ll just keep on

tying and tying and tying until I’m only on big mess of a knot and my freshman year is ruined.”

“Wow. You done?” he asked.

“If I were another girl, I would say ‘no’ then dump my lunch on you and then say ‘now I’m done.’ But

I’m not that type of girl so instead I’ll say ‘yes’ and just get up and walk away with my pride.” I did as I

said and walked out of the cafeteria, trying to keep the tears from coming down.

Mickayla’s Outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=10258676

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Bret’s Outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=10259293

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Prologue:

by RJSummer

My life has much fear. My life is fear. I live, eat, breath, sleep and dream fear. And there is

nowhere for me to go. I’m alone, trapped. But I’m in the open, trying to hide the fact that I am trapped

and the visible signs that are a result. I can’t tell anyone, for fear of it getting worse, of me loosing my

life. But maybe I should just let myself die. Anything seems better than this life, this fear, this pain.

Anything seems better to get away… from him.

The story you are about to read maybe scaring throughout. It is full of fear, pain and torture. But it also

has freedom, safety and true love. However, if you are to truly understand my story, I must tell you

about how it began, the ugly story of my relationship with Bret. My name is Mickayla Reese and this is

my story.