Little Red and the Bad Boy

Adelaide Mckale doesn`t know Jesse Sanders. But she would like too. Jesse Sanders is broken inside and needs. Can these two broken puzzle pieces fit together or are they just not meant for each other?

My mother always told me two things. Don’t wait for anyone and suck it up. On the cool autumn day I waited for her arrival from whatever she did at night. She usually came home at around three am but she didn’t come home.

I always thought that childhood was the most enjoyable segment of one`s life but my life story diminishes that thought. Of course, I was a child but I certainly didn’t behave as one. I was much more mature than people expected and when put into a difficult situation, I was known to deal with it in an accordingly matter.

That`s what my father loved about me. He always told me I was a natural born leader and that one day I could be anything I wanted to be.

To this I replied, “Even the president?”

And with a small smile my Father said,” Even the president.”

I believed him. I believed every word that left his mouth.  I always believed him.

I believed him when he came home in the early afternoon and he told me he just finished work.

I believed him when he told me he never meant to cheat on my mother.

I believed him when he told me he would come back for me, that he wouldn’t be gone for long.

I was done with being hopeful after that.

I couldn’t help but keep on looking at my phone. Its 8:33 am and I have school. But I don’t want her to be locked out.

So I waited because I knew that if I called the police to report her she`d be upset. I`ve done that before and the result is her getting drunk and throwing things at me and missing terribly. So I waited.

Me waiting is in fact, ironic because my mother`s favorite line is don’t wait for anyone but I am once again waiting for her.  She`s done this before, that`s for sure but today I feel uneasy. I guess you could say that an uncanny feeling of the worst was lingering in the air that I breathed.

She didn’t have keys. She always lost them and then asked me to go get a copy of mine made. And that bothered me.

She did a lot that bothered me but this was by far the worst. I didn’t ask my mother for things anymore because she said our situation did not allow it. So I began to rely on myself. Slowly all of her responsibility`s slipped away from her title and were listed under mine. That didn’t bother me. It took my mind off well, everything. Especially my father.

She was a child. She acted out to take him out of her thoughts. By

The more I waited the more anxious I got. My mother was irresponsible. The night before she came into my room and sat on my bed. She grabbed my hands which scared me because these days, my mother rarely shows any affection for me.

“I`m so proud of you.” she whispered.

I was confused at what she said because she`s never been proud of me before. She looked me in the eye and gave me a wide smile, one that has left this home for many years.

“Your father would be proud of you, so proud.” she said and this time she sounded like she was on the verge of tears.

I didn’t know what brought on this emotional talk so I just nodded. Her grip on my hand was beginning to sweat and I was starting to feel very uncomfortable. I squirmed when she put her arms around me. I couldn’t remember the last time she even hugged me but I tried my best to hug her back.

Sitting on the front steps of our house small house I wondered where she was. She always came home. She said she would never leave me like he did. She told me that I was all she had. She would then give me a hazy smile as she lifted the half empty liquor bottle to her lips.

It was the alcohol.

It was always the damn alcohol.

She is a violent drunk. She always throws things around when she gets home and I hate it.  I either hide in my room or climb to the roof through my bedroom window. Both are better then being near her in that state.

She hasn’t hurt me but I always fear she will. She says she loves and that I am all she has but that’s not true. She has a whole other life I don’t know about.

It`s early in the morning and there is only so long I could wait for her.  But I don’t want her to be locked out so I run inside and grab my bag and keys. Once I lock the door, I take a look around my secluded neighbourhood.

I quickly shoved the key under our mat that said “Home”.

I hate that word.

I turned and started to jog because I was going to be late. In complete honesty I have over 25 lates and absences combined. Not one of my proudest achievements but I have to admit its something.

Oh, and with all of those lates and absences comes detention and phone calls home. Which by the way, never get answered.

I’m nearly out a breath because I never run. I eat, but rarely run.

As I see my school in view, a car slowly pulls up beside me. I close my eyes and count to 10. This could not be happening to me. Not now at least.

I ignore the voice in my head and take a good look at the vehicle. It`s one of those expensive and overly rated ones that only a kid from the other side of town would own.

There was music, lots of it. It was pounding and blaring and was doing a great amount of damage to my brain. I could already feel a headache coming on.

Of course the car is packed with all the obnoxious, arrogant, rich and snooty kids.

Basically, the popular kids.

You know, the jocks and the mean girls? Doesn’t ring a bell?

I shake my head and feel a blush creeping up my neck for asking myself questions in my head.

The car stops and so do I. My legs started to shake, knees on the verge of buckling. My hands sweat like they usually do when I`m uncomfortable.

I look up and the first face I see is Jesse Sanders in the drivers seat and he is staring me down. His eyes held me in my spot and for a second I couldn’t breathe, let alone move.

Slowly, the end of his mouth pulled up into a smile and then he turned and looked straight. I felt my eyes drop to the ground the second we lost eye contact. I blushed again, something I can’t control.

“Hey!” I heard a voice yell right when I turned away to continue walking.

I turned and the window of the back seat of the car was rolled down and a girl with bright red hair was grinning at me. From the fiery red I automatically know its Flora Caston, one of the most popular girls at Sotterway High.

If you didn’t notice her vibrant red curls, you would notice her by her confidence. Something that I lacked.

“You go to Sotterway, right?” she asked me and I nodded like an idiot.

She paused but then continued. “Want a ride?” she asked and I didn’t nod because I wasn’t sure. I stood there and just stared at the car. It wasn’t the offer that shocked me; it was the tone she used.

She was so friendly and kind and I was confused.

I stood there for a few more seconds until Jesse leaned over to the window and said “Are you coming or what, I`m not trying to be late again.”

I bit my lip and walked to the car slowly when I open the door to the back seats I was surprised to see it full. With faces that had smiles, smirks and glares.

Flora, who had a very big grin might I mention, shook her head at me and pointed to the front passenger seat beside Jesse. “Sit there.” Flora said. I took one look at Jesse and my face went on fire.

Everyone in the back laughed but Jesse just stared forward and I couldn’t help but be embarrassed.

“She cant sit here Flora.” Jesse addressed Flora only.

Flora`s eyes narrowed. ”And why not?” Flora asked and my heart stopped because he didn’t even want me to sit beside him.

“I have to pick up Stacy.” He replied, his eyes not even looking her way, just me. He was staring at me. I gulped he was kind of scary.

Jesse had dark brown eyes that darkened when he looked at me. His black hair shined in the morning sun and my eyes couldn’t leave him. He was attractive but he was dating Stacy Klineberg. She has hated my guts from the second she moved to Sotterway. And I hate her too.

Take that Stacy Klineworm.

“Well she can squeeze into the back. Hurry up Jesse.” Flora said forcefully and I couldn’t help but thank her mentally for her bravery.

Jesse eyes go to my hands that where shaking on the passenger door. His eyes softened and he leaned over the seat and pushed the door opened for me. Shocked, I climbed in and sat beside him.

As quickly as I could I put on my seat belt. When I looked over Jesse didn’t have his seatbelt around him.

“You should use the seatbelt, it safer.” I blurt and I instantly regret it when he turns and focuses his dark orbs on me.

“Why?” he asked and I blushed.

I placed my hands in my lap. “It`s safer.” I repeat quietly.

He smiles and starts the car. “My car, my rules Little Red.” He said and my heart starts beating quickly.

Little Red? “I don’t even have red hair.” I point out. And he scoffs.

“First of all, we don’t really know your hair color or if you even have hair because you’re always wearing a damn hoodie.” said Jesse and I got angry inside. That was rude and I wont take it. Especially from him.

“Second of all,” Jesse started to speak again,” who said Little Red had red hair?” His eyes were focused on the road he wasn’t even acknowledging me.

When we got to a stoplight I decided to do something that I don’t normally do.

I pulled my gray hood down.

“Brown,” I say to him and he turns to look at me, ”My hair is brown.”

He stares at my hair and grins. “Looks like bronze to me.” He comments and I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes.

“Its brown.” I say in a monotone voice. I know my hair color better than he does.

His grin, to my surprise widens even more. Suddenly, someone clears his or her throat. I forgot that other people were in the car with us. There is no way I’m looking back to see who did it because my embarrassment has already reached an all time high in my life today.

“Stop flirting and get us to school damn it!” a guy yelled at the back who I am pretty sure was Matt Connors.

From the side of my eye I saw Jesse`s jaw clench as he sped through the last light. I am going to suffocate in this silence and I didn’t dare look at him because I knew what he was thinking.

He was embarrassed to be talking to me.

Once we reach the parking lot, he parks in his reserved space, which all the snots have. I got out the car and ran inside of the school. I refused to look back and ignored the strange looks I was getting as much as I could.

Once I got to my locker I dropped my bag and put both of my hands on my knees. I was out of breath from all that running. That the second time I ran today, now I know my day is gonna suck.

“Are you okay, I mean you run faster than I do when the ice cream truck song comes on.” A voice chuckled and I looked up and met the blue eyes of Matt Connors. My luck.

I stand straight and nod. Matt was hot, not as hot as Jesse, but hot. He was Jesse`s opposite in the looks department. He had sandy blonde hair and eyes such a pure blue, I had to look away from him.

“Well I hope we didn’t embarrass you in the car.” He mentions with a goofy smile.

I raise an eyebrow. “Hopefully?” I say with some anger laced through my voice.

He grins and grabs my hand. I pull away instinctively but he easily opens my fist and places a phone in it.

“Your cellular phone, my lady.” Matt says with a British accent and a royal bow. I began to blush even more when a group of students came closer to see what was happening.

“Tanks,” I say and close my locker. I turn and walk away but Matt catches up easily and chuckles out loud.

“Tanks? Your cute, what’s your name?” Matt asks and I ignore the fact that he thought I was cute.

“Adelaide.” I reply curtly.

“Nice to meet you Adelaide.” Matt says with another goofy grin and I couldn’t help but smile he was cute. Oh god what was happening to me. Okay class time!

“I have to go.” I say to Matt once we get to my class.

“See you around Adelaide.” Matt says with a smile and wave.

I wave back and walk into class and it just happens to be full. So once again I am late even when I got to school on time.

Great, just great.

Mr.Whaler is facing the blackboard so maybe I can just sneak in. I quietly slip through the first and second row. I`m almost to my seat when I hear my teachers voice

“Miss McKale! Lovely for you to join us this morning!” My teacher Mr. Whaler greets me and I groan out loud which earns me a couple chuckles.

I blushed for the 100^th time today and froze. ”I`ll see you in detention for 2 hours.” Mr. Whaler says and my jaw drops.

“Are you serious?” I ask him.

My evil English Teacher Grins like the devil. “ Do you have a problem with it Miss McKale?” Mr. Whaler asks and I shake my head no. I don’t need a 3 hour detention.

As I return to my seat a voice speaks up. “She was late because of me. I knocked her books down. I tried to help her but she told me to go to class.” Jesse Sanders is looking directly in evil Mr. Whaler`s eyes and lying to him for me.

Mr. Whaler narrows his eyes and Jesse`s grin doesn’t falter.

Mr. Whaler`s sinister smirk reappears as if a golden idea appeared to him.

“ Then you wouldn’t mind joining Adelaide in detention then Jesse, since you are the reason she is in detention.” Mr. Whaler offers and Jesse shoots him the purest smile if ever seen on him.

He looks at me. “It would be my absolute pleasure to.” Jesse says, his eyes never leaving mine once.

Mr. Whaler frowns, but continues his lesson. I can’t think straight. From Flora to Jesse to Matt and to my mothe.. Oh gosh my mother! I can’t believe I forgot about her. I hope she is okay.

A note flew across the class and fell on my desk. Hastily, I opened it and read.

You didn’t think I was going to let you go into the woods by yourself Little Red, did you?

And I smiled, a real big stupid one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

This is my first story that I had the guts to post so bear with me