I got up today and pulled my hair into a bun behind my right ear, I had a braid that went down the right side and fed into the bun. I slipped on some black ripped up skinny jeans and pulled a comfy orange shirt over my black bra. I slipped on some bracelets and such along with changing my piercings. It's been about 2 weeks since the bullying and my ribs still hurt but whatever. I went into surgery about a week ago for the lump that had formed.

I got this one surgically removed, but I know if I tell my dad about the one on my leg he'll freak out. It's too big to be treated like that. I mean he would know he is the lead doctor at the Baltimore Hospital. I finished getting ready and grabbed my bag. I looked in the mirror actually happy with how I looked. I ran down the steps and yet again my father was waiting for me at the bottom.

I sighed and went past him. "Wait." "What?" I asked turning around and looking at him. "Don't forget your dress, we have the DD formal dinner tonight." I sighed knowing I was only going cause he was dragging me to it as his date. "What time do I need to be there to walk in with you?" I asked dropping my bag so I could go grab my dress from my closet.

"Whatever time you would like." I turned to him. "Mrs.Dobs doesn't have a date either and asked if I would accompany her, I figured you wouldn't mind." "No, I don't but why do I still have to go?" "They have a head count. And actually Mrs.Dobs has an extra seat." I sighed and continued up the stairs and grabbed my dress. I grabbed some jewelry and my make up bag and such.

I left the house this time with no int interruptions. I got into my car in too much of a hurry to turn on music. I made it to school and shoved my books dress and other stuff in my locker. Someone leaned against the locker next to me. "Someone's late." He said. I moved my locker door. "And your not?" I asked closing my locker, the bottom of my dress got caught and I had to open my locker to put it back in. "Stupid dress." I said.

"Why do you have a dress in your locker?" "Cause I'm going to the DD diner tonight, and am gonna be a lonely loser." I said smiling at Jack. Ever since he helped me he's made a point to tell me hello everyday. "Oh, well I hope it's fun at least." He said. I turned. "Bye." I said and walked down the hall way. "You look nice today by the way." He yelled down the hallway. I smiled and turned around. "Thanks...you too." I opened the door to my class.

"Ms.Cole-" "Nope not today either." I said taking my seat. I'm in no mood for bullshit today. I sat down and did my work, also finishing my homework. I got weird looks all day. It came down to my favorite period... Lunch. I liked it cause I could be alone and get lost in my world of music. You know how people got lost in books well I can get lost in the music each song carrying my off to another story of another person's life.

I paned the crowded tables. I made eye contact with Jack and he smiled and waved, I waved back letting a smile creep onto my face. I saw Alex look at me and then at Jack, he smacked Jack's chest and pushed him a little. I saw Jack shake his head and that's when I miss you came on and I closed my eyes listening to the sounds.

There was a tap on my shoulder that made me jump a little. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Jack said. "It's ok, Just listening to Blink." I said pulling the head phones out of my ears. "I love Blink." He said. I smiled. I don't need any friends. I can't have any friends. He looked over his shoulder at his tabled and Rian pointed to his watch, and made eyes at Jack.

Jack turned to me. "So I was wondering if you needed a dat- someone to go with you to the diner tonight..." He said looking at his hands. "I uhh... I mean I guess if you wanna go..." I said. He smiled at me. "Cool, what sound I wear?" He asked a smile pulling across his beautiful features. "Do you have a tux?" I asked. "Yeah, What time are we leaving?" He asked.

"Well, I can take you home if you want... I was gonna change here." "Here? No, just come to my house." He said standing up. "I'll find you after school." He said. "Ok." I replied as he walked over to his table. He sat down and flash me another smile before turning to talk. I smiled to myself, putting my head phones back in.

I walked down the hallway after 7th period making my way to my locker. I got pushed into it. "Ow!" I yelped. "I missed beating you up but you creeped me out last time." "Yeah cause you fucking broke ribs!" I said. He pushed a little harder. "I didn't hit you hard enough to do that." He was right he didn't. He lump had made my bone weak, he did however crack that other one.

"Leave her Alone!" I felt him push Josh off of me. "What are you gonna do about it Barakat?" He asked. "Josh I'll kick your ass and you know I will." Jack said. "Alright, Barakat but you wont be there all the time." Josh said walking away. "Hey you ok?" Jack asked. "Yeah, I'm used to it. He can physically hurt me but I'll never show it."

I opened my locker while rubbing the side of my face that got pushed up to the locker. "I never knew you got bullied like that." He said leaning against a locker. "Yep, I have since 7th grade. After I took care of some stuff people started to make up rumors about me and Josh took the opportunity to use me as a personal punching bag." I pulled my bag and dress out of my locker.

"Are you sure it's ok if I get ready at your house? Are you sure you wanna be seen with me?" He leaned off the lockers with a strange look on his face. "Y-yeah I'm sure." He smiled but I knew it was fake. We walked out of the building and to my car. I got in and started it. I pushed in a cd and Jimmy Eat World started to play through my speakers.

We pulled up to Jack's house and I got out. He walked up the sidewalk to his house and I followed behind. Jack opened the door. "Mom I'm home!" He yelled. "Alright Jack. I'm in the kitchen." She said back. Jack took my stuff out of my hand and set it on the couch. "Come on, you have to meet my mom or she'll yell at me later." He said pulling me towards the kitchen.

"Jack do you want anything to ea- Oh goodness. Hi, I'm Jack's mom, Joyce." I walked over and shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you." I said. "Mom, this is Paige. She and I are going to the DD diner tonight. I'm gonna grab my tux out of your closet." Jack said running up stairs. "So how old are you Paige?" She mad me sit on a stool. "I'll be 18 in a few days."

"Wow. Jack's only 17 he just turned 17 I guess a little over half a year ago." I nodded. Jack came down stairs. "You can use my bathroom to get ready. I'm gonna use my mom's." Jack said. I stood up and walked over and grabbed my stuff. I walked up the stairs following Jack. He brought me through his room. He had band posters everywhere and a couple guitars in the corner, one acoustic and an electric.

"Can you play well?" I asked. "Yeah, I mean I think so Ive played for a long time. Why can you?" I shook my head. "No, my fingers wont let me." I said. Knowing very well exercise of any kind triggers more lumps to form. "Nonsense, I'll have to show you one day." He said. "Alright bathroom through here and yeah, just tell me when you're ready." He said. I nodded. "Thanks."

I walked into the bathroom shutting the door behind me. I set all my stuff on the counter. I took off my clothes folding them and placing them inside the bag I pulled out my dress and slipped it on. I fixed my make up and put in all my jewelry. I decided to curl my hair which doesn't take long but also falls out really easy, so I hair sprayed the bitch out of it. I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my bag and left the bathroom. I walked out of Jack's room and down stairs.

I heard a gasp and stopped. "Oh my gosh do I look bad?!" I said in a worried tone. Jack's mom came over and pulled me into a hug. "Gosh you look gorgeous. " She said. I closed my eyes and hugged back. "Why thank you." She smelled nice as weird as that is. I missed my mom, I didn't know her very long and I don't have a lot of memories. She let go. "Are you ready to go?" Jack asked.

"Yeah." I said. He took my arm, which I was not expecting and we walked out of the house. I got out to my car. Jack was tall and now instead of being 4 inches shorter I was 2. I threw my bag into the trunk and shut it. "You look great in your dress." He said leaning on his hands on top of the car. I mimicked him. "You look dashing in your tux." He smiled. We both slid into the car and I drove to the place holding the diner.

I stepped out of the car. I straightened my dress and Jack came over offering me his arm again. I smiled and took it as we walked inside. "Hello, who are you here with?" A man asked us. Jack turned to me. "I'm Mr.Colegrove's plus one and he is Mrs.Dob's plus one. Just announce us as Paige Colegrove and Jack Barakat." I said. He nodded. We stepped towards the door way.

Jack leaned towards me. "This is cool, I've never been announced before. I feel like I should have done more with my hair." I giggled. I leaned closer to his ear. "You get used to it, at least I'm not doing it alone this time. And I like your hair, It's cute." He turned away.

"Ms.Colegrove and her date Mr.Barakat." We stepped forward and most people watched us as we walked down the stirs. We made it to the bottom. "Thank god we didn't fall that would have been terrible." He said. I laughed and he stared at me making me blush. "You have a pretty laugh." I blushed even harder and looked away.

I saw my dad walking towards us. "Hey, sweetie. Can I talk to you for a sec?" He asked. "Sure. I'll be right back Jack." Jack nodded and let go of my arm. My dad and I walked around a corner. "Paige, who is that?" He asked. "That's the boy who brought me to the hospital. He asked if he could come and Mrs.Dobs had an extra ticket-" "Paige you know what I mean. You can't have friends." "I know but I'm tired of being lonely, I want someone to miss me. As selfish as that is I need someone to miss me whether it be when I leave the room or this life."

My dad just stared at me. "Paige it will never work out-" "How do you know?" I asked. "I don't-" "Exactly!" "Paige Elizabeth, You can see him tonight and no more. And that's final." My dad finished gave me a hug and walked away. I paced a little. I knew it would never last. But what my dad doesn't know doesn't hurt him, I could have a friend.

I walked back over to Jack. "Here you are my lady, I grabbed you some champagne." I took it from Jack. "Why thank you." I said. Jack and I made our way to a table just as food was being served. A steak with a baked potato, Lobster tail and fresh green beans. I ate part of my Lobster and some of my baked potato, I never really liked steak or Green beans plus I wasn't hungry anyways. We finished and were sitting around as they played music out byt he dance floor.

Jack turned to me. "Do you mind if I be really lame and ask you to dance?" He said. I looked at him. "I'm not even coordinated enough." "Oh come on, It's easy." He said standing up and sticking out his hand. I took it and stood up. My dad watched us as we walked out there. My heart beat raised as Jack took my hand in his and placed his other on my hip. I laid my free hand on his shoulder.

We danced around for a minute. "See you got the hang of it." Jack said. I started to blush. "You're pretty when you blush." That made me blush even harder. Jack spun my around so my back was pressed against his chest, swaying tot he music. I was smiling, I've never been asked to dance or anything like this, just one more thing to mark off my bucket list. He spun my back around taking our original position.

"One day you'll have to come with me to one of Alex's parties. All sorts of dancing goes on there." I smiled and rested my head against his shoulder. "I'd like that." The music had died down and a lot of people had left. I walked over to the door and Jack followed behind. "Have a nice evening." Someone said to Jack and I. "you too." I replied. We walked out to my car.

Jack and I got in. We drove in silence but not an awkward silence. About half way through the drive he reached over and pulled my hand in his. I had crazy blush going on. "I'm surprised your face doesn't stay that color." Jack said. "Oh shut up." I said playfully. He chuckled and looked out the window. I pulled into his driveway and He and I both got out.

I did the nice thing and walked him to the door. "Thanks for coming with me Jack..." I said. "Pleasure was all mine, thanks for letting me come." We smiled at each other for a minute and I realized I was staring and turned to walk away when Jack took my hand. I looked at him. "Would you mind if..." I stood in front of him. "If I kissed you?" He asked.

I looked at our intertwined fingers. "Jack, I... I've never been kissed before." I whispered. He pulled up my chin with his free one and I just stared at his dark chocolate brown eyes. "What if I'm bad at it?" I asked in an even softer voice. "I doubt that." He said leaning in. I closed my eyes and he lips grazed mine then gently pushed against mine. I felt amazing like fireworks erupting in my stomach.

I don't know why but something said to wrap my arms around his neck so I did. This deepened the kiss, just when I thought it couldn't get any better. Jack's tongue pushed against my lips making them part, his tongue slid in and I let it explore my mouth. The door opened to Jack's house and he and I both stopped and I dropped my hands. "Sorry, Sorry!" She said and closed the door.

I was blushing and looking down. "Wow, that was awkward." Jack said. I giggled. Jack leaned over and kissed my cheek. "I'll text you. And then I'll see you Monday for sure." He said. He gave my hand a squeeze and opened his front door. I walked over to my car and slid in the front seat. I had the biggest smile across my lips. Maybe, I mean who listens to their parents anyways, I liked Jack. I didn't know to what extent yet but I knew I liked him.

Notes

Comment Please!!!! Tel me what you think... Please!

Outfit school: http://www.polyvore.com/today/set?id=101631016
Outfit diner: http://www.polyvore.com/diner/set?id=101635224