When I Fell for You: The Dwyer Series, #1

1

My least favorite day of the year—the first day of school.

I somehow thought today would be different, since it’s the start of my senior year… but no, it feels exactly the same and I’m dreading it just as much as ever.

I roll over and grab my phone off my nightstand to silence my alarm. Hitting snooze and sleeping for another ten minutes would be incredibly dreamy, it’s just not going to happen if I want to get in the shower first. My brother always takes stupidly long showers and uses all the hot water. This day is already going to suck, so there’s no way I’m going to start it by taking a cold shower.

It takes me a few minutes, but I eventually manage to drag myself out of bed. My brother’s door is still closed when I walk into the hallway and head toward the bathroom. So far, so good.

I turn the water on and hold my hand under it while it warms up. It takes a minute, mostly just because we live in an old house and the water heater is in the basement and our only bathroom with a shower is here on the second floor. I pull my hand back as it begins to shift from ice cold to lukewarm—the signal that it’ll be hot by the time I actually get in.

The water still feels cool when I jump in, but the feeling passes after a few seconds. I’m not sure if I got used to it or if it’s still warming up.

I start humming to myself as I shower. It quickly turns into singing by the time I’m shampooing my hair. I’m not singing anything in particular… just whatever words pop into my head.

I’m dreading today

I can’t wait for May

That will be the day

My mom pounds on the wall of the bathroom. I jump and almost slip in the shower. I didn’t think I was singing that loud, but I guess she could still hear me. Ever since my parents separated, she’s been working extra shifts at the grocery store because the pay is better… which means she sometimes gets home right before I have to wake up. She was probably just falling asleep and now I woke her up. Whoops.

I go back to humming since there’s no way she can hear that through the wall.

I finish showering, step out and start to dry myself off. There’s a knock on the bathroom door.

Are you almost done?

It’s my brother, Jeff. I walk over to the door and open it a crack.

Yeah, gimme like two seconds.

He sighs heavily and rolls his eyes.

Hurry up.

Shhh… mom is sleeping.

Whatever.

He turns and walks back toward his room. I close the door, trying to be as quiet as possible. I wrap my towel around myself before leaving the bathroom. Jeff’s door is closed, so I knock on it as I walk by. He comes out before I get inside my room and close my door.

Finally, he says, not talking directly to me… but loud enough for me to hear.

I decide not to say anything. I close my door and walk over to my closet.

What should I wear?

My mom said she’d take me clothes shopping this past weekend, but she ended up taking some extra shifts at work. She suggested my dad take me this coming weekend… but that doesn’t change the fact that all my clothes are old and I have nothing new to wear. I’m not sure why, but I always liked having a few new outfits for the first week of school. After that, I don’t really care. My mom has taken me shopping the weekend before school for as long as I can remember, so it feels strange that it didn’t happen… my senior year, of all times. I get why she wanted to work, though, so I don’t blame her for that.

My mom and dad haven’t been getting along for the last couple of years—constant fighting, my dad sleeping on the couch more often than I could count… they’d go days without uttering so much as a word to each other. I really thought they were going to get divorced, but they said they were going to just separate for a while and see if they could work things out.

It’s a crappy situation all around… they still fight and they aren’t even living together. My dad got an apartment and we go see him every other weekend. He seems happier, I guess, but my mom seems more miserable than ever. I overheard her on the phone last week… she was telling a friend that he’s not helping with the bills or anything… so it makes sense why she’s so eager to work more hours. I wish I could help, but my parents never wanted me to get a job and to instead focus on school.

College is your main concern, my dad always said.

My grades are good, but not good enough to get a full scholarship. I sigh. I guess I should talk to my mom about the possibility of me getting a weekend job or something. If that meant less stress on her, I wouldn’t mind… especially if it meant I could start saving up some money for school.

I settle on a black V-neck, jeans, and flats. Nothing special, but they are some of my less-worn clothes.

Jeff is just coming out of the shower when I leave my room and head toward the stairs.

Hurry up, I say, you need to eat something before we leave.

He glances over at me, but doesn’t respond. Jeff closes his door and I shake my head as I head down. I’m hungry and need to eat something before school, but I’m not going to be in charge of feeding him if he’s going to be like this—he’s going into eighth grade and has been acting like he’s too cool for us. He’s going to be in for a surprise next year, but I guess he wants to enjoy being on top of the heap this year.

I take milk and orange juice out of the fridge and then fetch the cereal from the cupboard. It’s not exactly the healthiest breakfast, but it’s easy and we’ve been having it most morning since my mom started working more. I did cook some eggs and bacon last week, but we don’t have time for anything like that this morning.

Jeff walks into the kitchen when I’m already halfway done with my bowl of cereal. He sits down without even acknowledging me—he’s too busy doing something on his phone.

Do you want some cereal? I ask.

He nods after a few seconds. I roll my eyes as I pour it into the bowl and then fill it with milk. I push the bowl across the table. He starts eating and doesn’t bother to say ‘thanks’.

You’re welcome.

He looks up from his phone.

Did you say something?

Never mind.

I finish my breakfast, get up from the table and put my dishes in the dishwasher.

Hurry up… the bus will be here in like five minutes.

Jeff ignores me as I head back upstairs to brush my teeth and grab my backpack. I grab my schedule off my dresser, look over it once and stuff it into my bag. The only class I think will be a challenge is my fourth period AP English… everything else should be fairly easy, which is nice.

My brother has finished eating by the time I get back downstairs and he’s already heading for the door. We walk outside and head down the sidewalk to the next intersection, which is where the bus will pick us up. It drops everyone off at the middle school first and then it drops the rest of us off at the high school.

I feel my phone vibrate just as we reach the bus stop. I take it out of my pocket and see a text from Blair, who is my best friend in the whole world.

Hey, where are you?

I write her back and hit send.

The bus stop. Why?

I wait for a few seconds, but she doesn’t text me back. Weird. What could she have wanted that couldn’t wait for thirty minutes when I’d see her at school? She doesn’t live that far away from me, but she is on a different bus route.

Do we have to go to Dad’s this weekend? Jeff asks.

I’m more surprised that he’s talking to me than the question.

I think so… it’s his weekend.

But I don’t want to go… it sucks. There’s nothing to do.

You’re always on your phone… why would it matter?

My friends are going paintballing… and I want to go.

Talk to mom.

He sighs and looks back at his phone. Jeff is right in some respects, there’s not a whole lot to do at our dad’s apartment, but he usually seems happy to see us. We usually just order pizza and sit around watching movies. I’ll probably have homework, even though it’s the first week of classes, so I’m not that worried about being bored.

A silver Honda pulls up next to the curb and the passenger window rolls down. I lean over and look in. Blair is sitting in the car with a huge smile on her face.

Wait… you got a car?

Yeah, get in, she says.

I glance over at Jeff, but he’s not even paying attention. He’s more than capable of getting on the bus himself. I get in the car and close the door.

Should we take Jeff? she asks.

No, he can take the bus.

Blair shrugs and rolls up my window. She pulls away from the curb and takes the next right turn.

So, where’d the car come from?

It’s an early birthday present.

Awesome.

I look around the car. It’s used, obviously, but seems to be in pretty good condition. I’m a little jealous, that’s for sure.

It was waiting in the driveway this morning when I walked outside. There was a big bow on top.

That’s so cool.

I look over and see a huge smile on her face. Her birthday is next weekend, but I guess her parents wanted her to be able to have it for the first week of school. I never even got my license because it was always clear that we wouldn’t be able to afford a third car… not that I’d really need one once I went to college and was living in the dorms.

Yeah… I mean… it’s not new or anything, but I love it.

It seems nice.

I honestly don’t even care… it’s just awesome to have any car.

Totally.

Blair pulls her car into the parking lot at our school a few minutes later and we get.

Wow… it’s so much faster to drive here.

I know, right?

Thanks for giving me a ride.

Of course… it’s barely out of my way.

I smile and nod as we walk toward the school. We’re super early, but sitting around at school for a little while is way better than riding around on the bus.

Are you taking AP English? Blair asks.

Ugh… yes… you?

Yeah, my mom wanted me to take it.

Same.

It won’t be so bad.

You’re probably right, I say, but I heard Mr. Harvey is really tough.

That’s what my sister said.

Blair has a sister that is two years older than us and went to the same school.

I guess if it means we get to skip some college classes then it’ll be worth it, I say.

Yeah, totally.

We walk inside the building and head toward the cafeteria. There’s not much going on there, but it’s where everyone kind of hangs out if they get dropped off early or just get here before classes start, like we did. We find an empty table in the back corner and sit down.

So, how’s everything going at your house?

I know what she means—she’s asking about my dad moving out.

It’s strange.

I can imagine.

We have to spend weekends with my dad… at his apartment.

Weird.

It is. He has this little one bedroom on the other side of town.

What do you do there?

Just hang out… that’s kind of it. I guess I’ll just work on homework.

Where do you sleep?

I take a deep breath and shake my head.

That’s the worst part. He has a pullout couch and an air mattress.

Really?

Yeah… it’s really lame.

Sorry.

Whatever… it’s not that big of a deal… we just go on Saturday mornings and spend two nights there… and then he takes us to school on Monday.

I guess that’s not so bad.

It’s not.

I look over at one of the other tables and watch as the group of popular kids laugh at something one of them said. What could be so funny? One of them looks in our direction and says something to the rest of the group. They all laugh even louder as they glance toward us. I frown and look back at Blair, but she’s looking at her phone and didn’t seem to notice that they are talking about us.

I’ve always been a bit of a social outcast, which is why I think I haven’t enjoyed high school… not that I really care. I don’t need a bunch of friends, my friendship with Blair is amazing and that’s all I really care about—especially since we’ll be out of here in nine months, or so.

You ready to go to class? Blair asks, as she looks up from her phone.

Is it time?

Yeah, like five minutes until the bell.

Sure, I gotta drop my stuff off in my locker anyway.

What do you have first?

Calc… you?

History.

We stand up from the table and start walking toward the hallway that holds all of the lockers for the school. It’s a long hall, but we go to a tiny school with only like five hundred students. They assigned us lockers our first day of freshman year and they’ve stayed the same… which is good I guess because I’ve only ever had to memorize one locker combo. Twelve… seven… thirty-six. Numbers that are burned into my memory and I’m sure will stick with me forever.

See you at lunch, I say.

Blair nods and looks back at her phone as she walks toward her locker, which is about fifty feet from mine. We always meet at the cafeteria for lunch and sit together at the same table in the back corner. I put my bag in my locker, take out my notebook and a pencil before checking my schedule to see what room my first class is in. Room nine, which is just down the hall on the left.

I’m the third person in the room when the first bell rings. The teacher isn’t even here yet. I open my notebook to an empty piece of paper and start to doodle as I wait for class to start.

Calculus is the class I’m least looking forward to, well… I’m not exactly excited for chemistry, either, but at least I get both of them out of the way before lunch. Between those, I’ve got psychology… which should be pretty easy. Modern U.S. history is after lunch, then I have AP English and my last class of the day is gym. Ugh… gym. Our school only requires two years of it, but I put it off and I’m being forced to take my last two semesters of it this year. At least I don’t have to go to another class after getting all sweaty since it’s my last class of the day.

The calculus teacher, Mr. Avery, walks into the room and sets a stack of papers down on the desk in the front as students continue to filter in. I’m sitting in the back corner of the room, as far away from the door as possible. My hope is that it means I won’t get called on nearly as often as everyone sitting in the front of the room.

The second bell rings as Mr. Avery walks toward the door to close it. One last student slips in and takes one of the last available desks. I look around the class for a few seconds. I know who pretty much everyone is, which is part of going to such a small school and being a part of a graduating class that’s less than a hundred and fifty people.

Mr. Avery picks up the stack of paper from his desk and starts handing some to the people in the front.

Take one and pass them back. This is the syllabus. We’re going to go over… you’ll have a chance to ask questions… and then we’ll start on the first chapter of the book. When I call your name, come to the front and get a book. You need to sign it out with me. Let’s try to make it quick, I want to get through the first section of chapter one so I can assign you some homework for tonight.

Wonderful… homework on the first day. This is going to be an interesting year.

2

The bell rings . I grab my notebook and stand up. Three classes down. So far I only have to do reading for psychology and chemistry, but I do have some calc homework. Not terrible, but more than I was expecting for the first day.

I’ve never been so ready for lunch in my entire life. I put my chemistry book and notebook into my locker, close the door and spin the lock. I turn around and see Blair standing right behind me.

Hey, I say.

Hey… how were your classes?

I shrug and shake my head as we start walking toward the cafeteria.

Whatever… you?

Eh… I just have some reading so far, no actual homework.

Lucky. I have calc homework that’s due tomorrow.

Ugh… I’ve got it sixth period. I guess there goes my hope of not having anything other than reading.

It’s stupid, really… it’s the first day!

I walk into the cafeteria and turn my head toward Blair, but she’s not there. She’s standing in the hall with a smile on her face. I frown and walk back over to her.

What are you doing? I ask.

We’re going to lunch.

I’m still confused.

I….

I have a car, she says, we don’t have to eat here.

I nod and smile. That hadn’t even crossed my mind. We walk down the hall and head toward the parking lot. Our school allows anyone to leave for lunch, but neither of us had a car.

What did you have in mind? I ask.

We get into her car and she starts the engine before answering me. I put on my seatbelt just before Blair pulls out of the parking spot.

I was thinking Sub Shack. Is that OK with you?

Yeah… that’s fine.

I’ve eaten there before, of course, and the food is decent—certainly better