+25 BONUS Back to Normal Going back to school felt strange . Everyone was the same . No one seemed to have changed , yet I felt completely different . I walked through the hallways in a daze and when people would talk to me , I hardly listened to what they had to say . After spending the rest of the weekend dealing with my mom after my uncle left , I was exhausted . He had left after we had a screaming match in the middle of the living room after I got home from James ' house . He said that I was acting like a spoiled brat and was very disrespectful to my father's memory . I told him that he hosted the whole funeral to look more likable because he was an old dried - up prune that no one wanted to re - elect . His face had turned tomato red and he slapped me roughly across the face . My aunt and cousin took him to another room and yelled at me to go to my room . I stayed there until they left later that night , crying because I couldn't believe everything that had gone on . I admit , I did act like a spoiled brat at the funeral . I was sick and tired of being told what to do and how to do it and how to dress . He wanted everything perfect . Going with James was the ultimate ' f * ck you ' I could have ever given him . That's what started the fight when I got home . He called me a floozy and said I had loose morals and couldn't wait to hear when he would be a great uncle . Looking back , I did kind of lose my head that day . I almost slept with James again . My heart was so full of misery I just wanted to feel something else . And God everything he made me feel was worth it . That is until I heard him talking about another girl with Michael . I had somehow fallen asleep after Michael got there and asked James about us and had woken up when James had said that he had plans with a girl for Halloween . And then he said that he thought I was pretty much using him and I felt horrible . I had pretended to sleep up until they stopped talking about important things and then I gathered my stuff and left . He had offered me a ride , but I refused graciously thanked him for letting me sleep , and that I would see him in school . And now I was dreading going to the only class that we shared together because I didn't want to see him and be embarrassed about how I threw myself at him . I steeled myself at the entrance of the classroom , already a bit late because I had stopped in the bathroom to check my makeup and hair . I know , but I couldn't help myself . If he was going to see me again , I wanted to make sure he regretted even thinking about another girl . of I walked into the classroom and ducked my head as I walked to the back where I usually sat . I didn't have any my friends in this class , so I usually spent most of my time doodling or on my phone . So the back was the best place to be . I slid into my chair and looked up at the teacher who had gotten quiet when I walked in . " You're late , Miss Whitmore . " " I know . I'm sorry . It won't happen again . " I felt everyone's eyes on me and I pretended to dig in my bag for a pencil . I knew where he sat in this class too . He was two seats up and to the right . I could see the back of his head from where I sat in the center back row . 1/4 Back to Normal +25 BONUS Mrs. Danforth began talking about some essays and some other sh * t I wasn't paying attention to and I couldn't stop looking at him . Every now and then , as he was sitting sideways , he'd begin to turn and I'd look away quickly and pretend to be doing something . I felt stupid , ignoring him the way that I was , but I was a jealous person . When the teacher gave us some down time , I took my earbuds slipped them in my ears , and laid my head on my desk . It was only on the desk for a minute until I felt a tap on my shoulder . Mrs. Danforth had a manila folder that looked pretty f * cking hefty and set it on my desk . " Some of these papers will be due on Wednesday . I wrote on a paper all the dates so that you can make sure to get those in on time . " I nodded , groaning internally at all of the work I had missed out on . Two other classes had given me the same thing and I was starting to feel overwhelmed . I stared at the manila folder and felt tears start to prick at the corners of my eyes . This sucked . On top of making sure my mom was okay , I had mountains of homework with impending due dates . I received a text . And I glanced down at it . James : I can help you , if you need . I glanced up at him but he was busy writing in some journal . Me : Thanks , I'll let you know . I needed to cut myself off of him . He was a one night stand . Almost two . Nothing else . He was only nice to me because my dad died . He also still had a pair of my comfortable panties . I blushed thinking about it and glanced up . His steel blue eyes were looking right at me . I pressed my lips into a small smile and looked away . I felt like a b * tch , but he had said he was interested in someone else . Why would I stick around ? When class let out I let him walk out before I even gathered my stuff and then I walked out . He was already down . the hallway talking to Michael and some chick with black hair . She had a pink streak through it and also wore a nose ring . She had a pretty smile , I had to give it to her , but her hair looked dry and her makeup was smudged . I felt arms wrap around my waist and I grinned at Chloe as she laid her head on my shoulder from behind . " Hey , how's the first day back ? " " Miserable . And I still have cheerleading after school and a mountain of school work , so there's that . " " Well , bright side is that you have cheer with me ! And I can let you copy any work I already have done from Finnigan's class . " " Aww ! You're the best . " I grinned and we began walking to my locker . I stopped when I saw Dexter standing next to it , a shark - like grin on his face as she caught notice of me . I clenched my fists and sighed . I knew eventually I'd have to talk to him , so why not now ? " Hey , baby , I've missed you . " He grabbed my waist and leaned in to kiss me . I lifted my hand and moved my face . " What are you doing ? " 2/4 Back to Normal +25 BONUS " Trying to kiss my girl . What else ? " 1 furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head . " I'm not your girl , Dex . " " Sure you are . You told me that as soon as I broke up with Ally , you'd be all mine . I'm collecting . " " That was before you lied to me to get a bl * w job . " " C'mon , Kelly , lighten up . You're kind of acting like a b * tch . " I glared up at him then looked back down at my my locker . I opened it quickly and shook my head . " No , Dex , you're acting like a d * ck . I'm over it . Go back to your precious Ally . I don't want you , anymore . ' . " " Is it because of the other guy you f * cked ? " " No one said anything about f * cking . And no . It's not about any other guy . I just know that you are an obnoxious a * shole . And you've said sh * t about me behind my back that isn't even true . " He scoffed and rolled his eyes . " Like what , Kel ? Give me one prime example . " " That I've f * cked you . " " I never said that to anyone . " " You're lying . But it's okay . I'm not falling for any of your sh * t anymore . Now please, leave me alone . " The halls were starting to thin of people and I knew if I didn't leave in the next second , I'd be late for yet another class . I tried to move past him but he placed his arms on either side of me and blocked me in . " I don't know who's saying that , but I wouldn't say sh * t that's untrue . " " Dexter , move . I need to get to class . " " C'mon , Kel . Let's skip . We can go back to my place and I can show you how a real man f * cks . " I gasped and without a second thought I grabbed his shoulders and brought my knee up sharply to his groin . He doubled over immediately , his whole face turning a purplish shade of red . " Try f * cking anyone with that . " I spat and walked to my next class . No more taking bullsh * t . I was going to do what I wanted whenever I wanted . I stepped into my next class and sat down quickly while the teacher's back was turned . Dexter was in this class with me and came ambling in , his face a grotesque pink color . How did I ever find him attractive ? I scowled as he sat next to me and and took my phone out so that I wouldn't be forced to look at his stupid face . I scrolled through my phone and decided , what the heck , if I was really going to start doing whatever I wanted , then what I wanted was a little bit more time with the geeky , tall , tech whizz with a cute gap in his teeth and electric blue eyes . Me : Can you maybe help me after school ? I have cheer first , but after that I'm free . I sent it and within a few seconds I received a text back . 3/4 Back to Normal James : Sure . Six okay ? Me : Perfect . See you there ! Thank you ! I took a deep breath and smiled . Eat your heart out pink streak . Today's Bonus Offer +25 BONUS