School was soon over. I went to my locker for the first time, juggling my books. I stuffed them inside and took out my iPod ready to go home. I exited the school and passed by the many cars entering or leaving the lot. I walked up the sidewalk and crossed the street, beginning to blast some music. I walked up the street, arms folded. I was the only one walking alone.
I heard laughing behind me. I turned down the iPod to hear them. "Where's she from? Probably the middle of nowhere..." a girl snapped.
People laughed. I frowned. I turned the corner onto my new street. I heard the group say goodbye and walk up the street, obviously leaving whomever was walking behind me. I sighed listening to teddy geiger.
"Hey Amanda! Wait up!" I knew that voice. It was Joe. He was a fake.
I stopped. "Yea?" I asked a little rudely.
"I'm having a party tonight. Want to come?" he asked. I stared at him for a long second.
"Uh...no thanks...I'm have stuff to do," I said vaguely. He looked at me longingly.
"Please? My friends want you to come," he said. Yeah right! To laugh at me!
"No thanks."
"Why not?"
"Your friends don't seem to like me that much," I said stuffing my iPod in my purse.
"It's just a party. What harm could it do?" he asked. We stopped in front of my driveway.
"Which house is yours?" I asked giving in. He smiled.
"Three doors up, across. See?" he asked pointing. I nodded. "Come over at 7!" I nodded again and opened my door walking into my new house. It was unbearrable to look at. It was plain white.
"MA! I'M HOME!" I shouted.
"How was school?" she asked excitedly unpacking some plates onto the kitchen shelves.
"Fine. I got invited to a party tonight at a house up the street," I said. SHe nodded.
"I spoke to one of our neighbors today. Her name was Denise Jonas I think. She's got four sons," she said. I nodded.
"Actually, that's where I'm going tonight," I said.
"Lovely! She's a nice person. Her oldest is in college in the city...the next one should be your age. Joseph is it?" I nodded. "and then she's got a 15 year old and a little one," she said. I nodded.
"Ok, well I'm giong to unpack my room," I said. She noodded and I went upstairs to my fresh room.
First I got the paint and painted it a light pink. It only took me about an hour. Since today was an early dismissal day, (weird on my first day), it was only 2. I then put new sheets on my bed and unloaded my junk onto my desk.
It was 6 PM when I decided to take a shower and get ready. I put on my Hollister hoodie over an Abercrombie baby doll top and my torn light skinny jeans. I slipped on a pair of navy flats and grabbed my purse. "Perfect," I whispered.
I ran downstairs and said a quick bye to mom before walking across the street. I knocked on the door and that snootish girl that was with Joe before answered. "Uh...who are you?" Then Joe came up behind her.
"Don't worry, she's with me," he said. She rolled her eyes and walked away. I felt so out of place. She was wearing a skin tight strapless dress and black pumps. I was underdressed. "Hey! you made it!" he said smiling. Something, wasn't...something wasn't right.
"Uh, yeah," I said my voice cracking.
"Come on in!" his house was huge. People were dancing like crazy. I'm too shy to dance like they are. I followed him past the crowd to the backyard. "Fun, huh?" he asked smiling. I gave an uncomfortable smile.
The girl who answered the door walked up to Joe and gave him a big slobbery kiss, staring at me as she did so. "Come on! I want to dance!" she said taking his hand. I felt myself shrink. He nodded and left me.
I looked around, people stared at me. I was a lost face in the crowd. I turned around, but instead I bumped into someone and ice cream spilt all over my navy hoodie. I shrieked. Some laughed.
I immediately walked back to the front of the house and ran home. I ran inside, ran upstairs, and ran to the only place I could think.
I changed my clothes and layed in bed not wanting to move. My mom echoed from downstairs "AMANDA! YOU HAVE A VISITOR!" she yelled. I frowned.
"NO THANKS!" I yelled. I heard footsteps. My mom stormed in.
"Now, there's a nice boy here to see you! I think it may be Joseph---"
"Then tell him to go away," I said angrily.
"Amanda Caroline! I will send him up here. You better behave!" she said forcefully. I could tell she wanted to make a good impression. I threw a hoodie on over my pajama tank top and ran my fingers over to smooth my hair.
I quickly opened my laptop and then heard him walking up the wooden stairs. He knocked. I didn't answer. So, as rude as he is, he just opened the door and came inside.
"Hey, where'd you go? I was looking for you?" he asked all bubbly. I looked up to him.
"Oh, sorry..."
"Come on! Let's go back to the party!" he said excitedly. I sighed.
"You don't get it, do you?" He looked confused. "As much as I like you trying to be my friend, your friends don't want you to. I'm not the party type of person. Sorry."
"Ok, then let's just go back and listen to the music...or EAT!" I giggled. He was so energetic. "See, you have a great smile," he said reassuringly. I smiled.
"Hang on..." I said walking over to my closet. I took out my green satin short spaghetti strap dress and my same shade of green sandals.
"Now that's a party outfit!" he said smiling. I smiled and walked into my bathroom, and changed. My hair was fine...I had no time to style it. I walked out and he smiled "COME ON!" he ggrabbed my hand and led me downstairs.
My mom laughed. "be back by 11!" she yelled as we ran outside.
"Thank god it's still warm outside!" I said. He smiled.
"I'll have to introduce you to my brothers," he said after a minute. My heels clanked sophisticatedly against the cement.
"Ok," I said awkwardly. He opened the door to his house and took my hand gripping it tightly. This was wierd. People stopped and stared, almost like there should be a spotlight and the music should just be cut.
Joe smiled at me and led me back to the backyard. The group of girls was there sipping...probably alcohol. "IS that?!" I heard one say. I felt the inside of me light up.
"You want some punch?" Joe asked as we passed them. I smiled and nodded. He rushed over to the table while I waited for him. The girls walked over to me.
"You...you...Amanda was it?" I nodded. "Keep your hands off him. He's mine," she said. Her dark hair flew with the wind, her eyes glaring at me.
"Says who?"
"Look, we've been perfect together. So don't try to mess things up!" she said. Joe walked back over.
"Oh hey Angie! So you've met Amanda?" Joe asked surprised.
Angie nodded, still looking at me. "Yes...she's something alright," she said snottily. I sipped my punch. Joe stared at me, and then at her as we looked at each other.
"Ok, well let's dance!" Joe said hopefully to me. I nodded. He smiled taking my hand again.
