"I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone." - The lord of the Rings (not my kind of movie but one of my friends told me about that quote and I just love it)

The day started off great. Darcy made us breakfast while Derek and I fought over the bathroom. A smile graced my face as I ran into the bathroom before he could even get a chance.

I carefully took one of my pills and looked at myself in the mirror. My cheeks looked even more sunken in and I looked a ghostly color. With a deep sigh, I went on to getting ready.

There was no point in dwelling over the things I no longer had control over. That was a lesson most people didn't learn till it was too late. Instead they spent their time stressing over the little things; the things that wouldn't even matter five years from now.

When we were both ready, we both ran to the car, racing to see who could get there first.

His leg stretched out and tripped me, nearly causing me to break my fucking ankle before I shot him a glare.

"You're a cheater!" I screamed with laughter, reaching the car seconds after him. He had his own smile tugging on the corners of his lips.

"I won fair and square, Angel." He smirked, climbing into the car and I climbed in after him.

Looking at my phone, the notifications of nearly one hundred missed calls and texts from my dad and the unknown number I assumed belong to Anthony made me sigh.

Rolling my eyes, I toss my phone into my purse and glance at Derek. I see his famous camera out and roll my eyes, glancing down again.

"I will break that fucking thing," I smiled, the click of the camera coming soon after.

"It's worth the risk," he smiles back, finally starting the car and pulling off.

The ride from his house to school was a quick one. We split up as soon as we got to the front entrance and I skipped to my locker with a grin on my face.

Once I get what I need, I whirl around and see Becky standing there with one of her other friends. Her hand is on her hip and I can't help my surprise.

"Uh, hey... can I help you?" I question, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

Tension seemed to drift between us, so thick I bet you could cut it with a knife. It was almost like my heart forgot to beat for a split second; or like I forgot how to breathe.

"Yeah, we just have a question. We think it's time to put the rumors to rest, you know? Well, you're literally so skinny now and we just want to know which rumor is true. Is it crack or are you starving yourself?"

Another voice answers before I even have a chance.

"You idiotic bitch. Have you ever heard of a high metabolism? Oh, never mind. That seems to be a trait you lack," Autumn links arms with me and Becky gapes, the look of shock evident on her face.

"Let's go before Becky eats one of us," she sasses, pulling me down the hall and away from the redheaded devil, blue eyes twinkling with delight at what she just said.

I can't help but stare at Autumn in shock as we sashay away. She wasn't normally the confrontational type, but when she said something, she made sure it left a mark. Besides, Autumn was one of the sweetest people on earth. If she said something mean to you, it's because you deserved it.

The crowded hallway seemed to part for us as we walked, feet making steady beats as we walked in sync. I don't know if they were just surprised to see us this way again, arm and arm and smiling, or if they just had nothing better to do with their pathetic lives.

Maybe it was a mixture of both.

Autumn walked me to my first hour, acting as if she was a momma bear that wouldn't allow for anyone else to mess with me.

I normally didn't have trouble speaking up for myself, only when it came to issues such as that. But at the end of the day, did what other people say really matter? Shouldn't knowing who I am be enough? Besides, everyone's in the same boat. We're all just trying to figure out this confusing puzzle called life.
*

*

Now we sat at the lunch table, Derek and I watching Autumn stress about she and Haden's Dreamer project.

"Look, we'll just pull all nighters and do this shit. I work better at night anyways," Haden says smoothly, dumping the rest of his hot Cheetos into his mouth.

His hot Cheeto stained fingers went to twist one of his dreads but Autumn swatted it back down, looking at him with a pout.

Autumn frowned at him, crossing her arms in front of her. She had always been the one to worry and stress more about grades.

"This is serious, Haden. Our lives could very well depend on this and you're over here eating hot Cheetos at a time like this!" she snarls, ripping the tilted bag away from his hand and letting it drop to the floor.

He gasps at her actions, putting his hand to his chest and staring at her in bewilderment. His brown eyes were widened in disbelief.

"I understand that you're stressed out but did you really have to take it out on the hot Cheetos? They did absolutely nothing wrong and that was just mean!" he pouts, picking up the bag and tossing it in the trash.

Now he sits down with his own arms crossed and a glare on his face. Derek stifles a laugh and slides his own bag over to Haden, causing Haden's frown to turn into a smirk.

"Good to know I have some real friends over here," he smirks, graciously accepting the bag from him and shooting another glare at a clearly annoyed Autumn.

They were going to drive each other crazy, it was only a matter of time.
**
"Okay guys, you need to start thinking about your presentations. We'll start presenting next week and I want it to be something unique. No boring slideshows or drab posters," Mrs. Kentwood directs her gaze to a sheepish looking Haden who shrugs.

Haden was notorious for doing half assed google slides project at the last minute. His google slides were so popular, he began calling himself the slide master. That was Haden for you.

I notice Derek abruptly stand, going over to whisper to Mrs. Kentwood. She smiles and claps her hands together, seemingly loving whatever he said.

A spark of jealousy flies through me and I blink.

Am I really getting jealous over him talking to my teacher? This is not a pornhub video and I need to get over myself.

"That's a wonderful idea, Derek!" She claps her hands together again and he blushes at the compliment, walking back to his desk with an accomplished look on his face.

My eyes dart over to the things decorating the room and land on a picture of the sky.

NASA: exploring the unknown

The bold words stood out in the middle of the picture. It showed a little kid standing next to an astronaut, the two of them gazing at the seemingly endless sea stars before them. They were looking mesmerized, eyes blown wide.

I sit up in my seat, biting on the tip of my pencil and pushing my hair out of my face. As the seconds fly by, more and more realization hits me.

I know exactly what I'm going to do for my project, and it's definitely going to upstage his.

My feet carry me to Mrs. Kentwood's desk and she's already smiling at me before I even have a chance to speak.

"Mrs. Kentwood, I have an idea. It may require a little field trip?" I tell her my idea, her smile only widening at the information I tell her.

Her eyes twinkle with mischief and delight as she looks back at Derek who's writing furiously in that notebook of his.

"That sounds wonderful, Angelina. I think we can make this happen."

I nod my head and feel accomplished when I walk back to my seat, feeling like I've just realized what was right in front of me all along.
**
When the bell rings, I find my mom standing by my locker. The bags under her eyes confirm to me what I already know and I wrap my arms around her.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly and she nods her head with a small smile.

"We both know that life is too short now. I've asked your dad to not be at home for a few days. Why don't you leave home early and come back with me? We can have some mother/daughter time."

The hopeful look in her eyes have me nodding my head and taking her hand in mine.

She's right about one thing.

Life is too short.

HEY!

Thanks for all the votes and reads so far, I appreciate it! Guys, I really love all the characters in this book. It makes me sad to think I'll have to stop writing their story soon.

Anyways, I need to get my ass up and workout and then study for this math test that I'm probably gonna fail anyways.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!