7

Chapter Song: Waste My Time- Grace VanderWaal

Monday morning I stood at my locker trying to find my English book. When it wasn't in there I leaned my backpack against my locker to search there again. As I ruffled through it, my backpack had slipped in the process and spilled its entire contents on the floor. Just great I thought.

Happy Monday to me.

I bent down and began to pick everything up. After quickly shoving everything back into my back I realized my English book was sitting at my feet. I smiled to myself as I grabbed it, and something slipped out of it.

I didn't put anything in my books, because I never actually marked our place in the class. I would always write the page numbers in my notebook. When I picked it up I noticed it was a folded piece of paper.

Hey.

That was it. That was the note. Three letters, one word. In the worst handwriting. Chicken scratch actually.

I was surprised I was even able to read it. What in the actual hell?

I quickly shoved it back into my book before anyone saw it. It wasn't actually anything special, but still. I was too tired to answer any questions today. I just wanted classes and practice to be over so I can go lay in bed already.

I didn't sleep a wink last night. I kept tossing and turning. When I would sleep, the dreams came. Sometimes they would come and have been less frequent. It didn't mean they were butterflies and rainbows when they came.

"Hey ugly." I felt a tug at my bun.

Ugh not now.

"Shut up." I slammed my locker shut.

I began to make my way towards English in bigger strides. Liam having way longer legs than myself was able to match them no problem. I forgot we had English together, great.

"Hey," I said. "We should get everyone together for like a movie night this weekend you know since it's the last weekend before we all get busy with sports and stuff." I casually shrugged trying to keep calm I began to chew on my nails while I waited for him to respond.

"And stuff?" He repeated his eyebrow raised posing a question.

"Ugh you know what I mean Liam school, work, everyone has their own lives. Not to mention we are only going to get busier trying to get into college now." I explained shaking my head in annoyance.

"What do you mean everyone?" He continued to pretend to have no idea who I was talking about. He loved making me explain every single thing.

"You know us, Riley, the guys, the usual," I said shaking my head.

He stopped in his tracks. "Let me get this straight, you and Riley are now good enough to be seen with us?" He placed his palm to his mouth shocked.

"I'm walking with you in public right now?" I whispered pretending to look around for more effect.

"Besides I will even invite Kylie over too. I know you like her don't even try to deny it." I pointed my finger at him. He tried to object but I wagged my finger even more. "I saw the way you were looking at her at the party, and I know she gave you her number! I would have given it to you if you asked."

His cheeks started to hear up and I smirked at him for it. He hated talking about girls with me. The only time he would ever willingly do it was if he needed my help with something. Even then it seemed like it killed the guy.

"No you wouldn't have you would have made me go up and ask her." He rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, you're probably right." I finally agreed. He was a big boy and could do it himself.

After minutes of laughing and bickering, I got him to agree. We decided that he would bring it up to Cal and Mason at lacrosse today, while I asked Tyler at swim, and I texted Riley right away. I knew she will bring Lucas which I didn't mind either, the more the merrier.

I was curious about where she was, late per usual. I quickly sent another text asking her to bring me coffee since I know that is where she was.

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Practice was the worst today. I pushed myself through it for the first half working on my form and the drills our coach had laid out for us. My shoulder kept feeling really tight, and I tried to ignore it, but the more I did the more it started to ache. All the long-distance swimmers worked on endurance drills, while the shorter distance swimmers worked on speed drills.

I kept pushing myself harder than I should have been. I really wanted to beat my times this season. Everyone knew that Junior year was the year to get scouted. I had some scouts talk to me last year, but they wanted to see how I progressed through my shoulder injury. So far it was good, but still achy at times. I just wish it was nonexistent.

Towards the end of practice, we were all forced to do a ten-minute swim and if anyone were to mess up we would start over. Of course, someone thought it would be funny with one minute left to purposely stand up, so it turned into a twenty-minute swim. If it was Ty that did it I would have punched him square in the face.

I sat against the wall stretching not only my shoulder but every part of my body slightly annoyed with the whole twenty-minute swim. It's not that it was hard, well it was in a sense. I just didn't want to deal with that today especially overworking my shoulder.

Plus I was tired and I just wanted to sleep. Usually, swim would wake me up, but not today. It seemed that this day was never-ending.

I should be taking it easy, but I can't let anyone see me struggling. Coach Tanner would not have me swim this season if he knew my shoulder was still giving me problems. I had to keep up in order to beat my time and stay on top. Part of me didn't really want to but I wasn't going to ever admit it out loud.

"How's the shoulder?" Tyler nodded at me.

"Oh, you know." I groaned pushing my shoulder up against the wall wincing. "Same old same old."

"Need any help with stretching?" He smirked.

"You're disgusting." I brushed him off. "But everyone's hanging at our place Friday night and you're invited," I added with no particular enthusiasm.

"Okay cool. Is Riley going?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said bluntly. I raised my eyebrows at him trying to question his motives. He didn't give me anything besides a one-word response.

"Cool," he smiled.

I asked Kylie about it when we headed to the locker rooms. I had her in most of my classes so it didn't seem weird to invite her. I knew Riley liked her too. Maybe the movie night will be a test run and if all goes well we can invite her around more often? I know Liam would love that.

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The rest of the week continued in uneventful robotic movements, school, practice, homework, sleep, repeat. Sometimes it felt as though I went through the motions each day, instead of actually being in the moment. Regardless of how I felt, the days passed and I continued.

Friday night rolled around, and I had to say I was nervous. I felt the butterflies in the pit of my stomach. It wasn't that big of a deal but it had been a while since we all hung out together. It was Liam's stupid rule about being off-limits that made us feel like we couldn't be around them anymore. We just decided not too.

Riley came over early and brought loads of snacks ranging from Pirates Booty to Caramel M&Ms. I was upstairs making some coffee while she was getting all the snacks organized. That's what I liked about her, she was particular about the way things were presented.

Since Fall was coming fast I was in the mood for Pumpkin Spice. I grabbed a blue mug from the cabinet engraved with the words "it is what it is" on it.

I patiently waited for the warm pumpkiny goodness to brew so cinnamon and spices can fill the air. As I leaned against my crossed arms over the counter watching my coffee brew Livi walked up the stairs and lightly tapped me on my but.

"Can I watch a movie with you guys?" She pleaded, sticking out her bottom lip. She knew this was her I-can't-say-no-to-you face.

I wanted to tell her no but her big eyes stared at me with wanting. I felt bad that she didn't have a twin, like Liam. He's been my built-in best friend from the start. Anytime I needed him he was there. With Liv, it was different from the big age gap between us.

Of course, I always tried to be there for her and take her on sister dates to keep her company. I wanted her to feel as though she's not alone and has us still regardless of our age.

I always wanted a sister. Maybe it was because my mom left and I was surrounded by a house of boys and Liam's friends. Riley was the closest thing before Olivia. I still counted her as a sister, considering she spent almost every holiday with us, and even called my dad, dad.

"Of course," I said with no hesitation. "But on one condition," I held up my finger eyeing her.

"Ugh," she rolled her eyes. "Whaaaaat."

I smiled at her, "only one movie."

"Fine." She sighed trudging back downstairs huffing all the way down.

I laughed at myself letting out a breath. For a five-year-old, she has the attitude of a fifteen-year-old.

"Oooo make me a cup please." Riley sneaked up behind me. "But add Baileys," she winked poking my side.

"I'll make you a cup but no baileys you're driving." I scolded her. Sometimes I hated how much I sounded like a mother.

She rolled her eyes at me as I start to grab another cup from the cabinet. Maybe I'd pour a shot in or two of hers. She can either stay here or someone will drive her home.

Besides, it was Friday, it couldn't hurt. I finished making my coffee and Riley's then took two mugs and go downstairs to join all of our friends.