Counting Petals.

Short Stack

Chapter One.

   Summer vacation was officially over and it was back to hell I go. Today was the first day of my senior year, and everyday of each semester. Jacob Cruz was my childhood best friend and my current crush. He lives two houses down so he always drove me to school. I didn't mind, but at one point I knew he was going to get annoyed. I mean, I would if I knew me for thirteen years, we knew each other since Kindergarten and we still were close friends till this day. Our mom's of course where the reason because of that, they were friends so he would come to my house and I would go to his. Our school, RiverView High School the home of the Tigers! Was far from Jacob's house and my house, the closet of our friends to school was Jasmine and she had to take the school bus.
I looked at my self once more in the mirror and grabbed my bag. My mom was sleeping, which meant she came home later than usual. She would've woken me up or would have been making me breakfast. Her leg pains didn't help her and her work, so I let her sleep and decided I'll see her in the afternoon.
"ShortStack!" As usual, Jacob would wait for me by the car just to open the door for me. But this time I ran into his arms. I haven't seen him the whole summer and I missed him. So much things happened this summer, events caused me to be depressed. I had my best friend on my side for every step of the way. But even with her I still felt alone, but I knew with Jacob I'll feel different.
"I missed you, tomato." He whispered it back, onto my hair. Giving me a kiss on the head before opening my side of the door. He walked over to his side and entered the car.
"So! How was Panamá?" I asked before putting on my seatbelt. I saw the smile on his face and I knew he had a great time.
"It was good I guess, my uncle was in meetings half of the time but I was in the beach with my cousins." I looked over to him, and it was as if he was holding something back.
"Your hiding something."
"No I'm not." He was, his ears turned red, that's how I knew he lied to me.
"Fine, don't tell me." I didn't stress him not telling me anything, because he would tell his bros and his "bros" would always end up telling me or one of my girlfriends. He parked in the senior section, it was finally checked off Jacob's list to park in the senior's section. I had to laugh at him and his "happy dance" the moment we got out of his Jeep. I noticed everyone else's car and knew half of my friends where in the building.
"Get your arm off of me, I'm not your arm chair." Everyone I was close too, always used my height as an excuse to mistake me for an arm chair and it was annoying. Especially Leo. Leo, Mason and Brandon were my brothers too me. Once step inside of school and already I heard my name being called.
"HAZEL MOTHER FUCKING MARTINEZ!" Camilla Rose, my best friend. The girl I knew since seventh grade, the only girl I knew who's shorter than me and I'm 5'3. She was running my way, pushing people on the journey.
"WHAT THE FLYING FUCK, YOU CUT YOUR HAIR?" I grabbed the ends of her hair and she pulled back.
"I cut it yesterday, and calm the fuck down. Jacob! Oh my god, how was Panamá?" She gave him a huge, before bombarding him with questions. I left them two and made my way towards the office. I collected my schedule and my locker number, groaning at the sight of Calculus first period. When I found out, my group of annoying friends was near each other's lockers I was excited.
"Oh my Goya Beans! Is that Hazel Martinez?" Turning around to see the only retarded person I know who would say Goya Beans. David Hasting, the stupidest boy I've known. I claim he's stupid for acting dumb when he know he has all this potential.
"Missed me?" I have to admit, I did miss his annoying ass. Him pulling me into a bear hug caused my face to collide with his chest.
"You ass." I punched his chest, before he started laughing. The bell rang, and everyone scattered like rats. All that was left were a few students and my friends.
"Good luck, don't get caught jerking off." We all laughed knowing this message went towards David. I watched his face turn red before walking down the hall into my class.
"Love ya, see you guys later!"

Third period, Ap English and my stomach was growling. I knew the sound of the monster trapped in my stomach caused people to snap their heads up and look my way. Rolling my eyes, they've never been hungry before? I finished annotating an article, and placed it on Ms. Loan's desk when the bell rang. I was the first one out, rushing to my locker I switched all my first, second and third period books for my next three classes. I met up with Camilla as we went to the lunchroom to get our food. Before even entering the line we were both tackled by the one and only Leo.
"You, don't talk to me!" Pointing at me with his long weird finger he gave Camilla a bug hug sweeping her off her feet. Literally.
"What, why?" I moved up the line and he scoffed and I raised an eyebrow.
"You don't know how to answer a simple text message. This whole summer I've been invited to parties and I wanted you to come. But no, you were too busy reading."
No I was too busy crying myself to sleep.
"This summer, wasn't my summer Leo." I grabbed a tray and the first lunch lady place a bowl of fruit, I skipped the hamburger and went straight towards the fries. I had three choices, milk, water or juice. Grabbing the water bottle before, heading towards the table. I gave Jasmine and Violet a hug before settling down. We were all talking about how our summers went. Violent showed pictures of her on the beach that she spent with some guy named William, he lives in Miami while we live in Tampa. She seemed cheerful every time she spoke about him, but when Xavier walked into the room. Her bitchey attitude was activated. We both dated Xavier. I don't consider him as an ex though, we just kissed her and there but we never fully went exclusive. But Violet and Xavier went out for three months. It went all around the school when they broke up, and it went all around the school went he decided to kiss me in front of everyone. We decided to be friends, but I don't really trust him like I used too.
"Hi." I gave him a small wave before dipping my fry into ketchup. Jacob decided to be a dick and steal half of them as I spoke. Like always.
"Stop stealing my fries you cock." He groaned as I pulled onto his blond hair.
"Okay! Im sorry, let go!" Everyone started laughing at Jacob and I, I let go of his hair and he silently rubbed the spot where I pulled his hair. We were all engaged in our conversation when the Ariana came towards our table and sat on Jacob's lap. I think Jayden and Ariana once dated but too embarrassed to say so.
"Baby I missed you this summer." It was hot today, but it was no excuse to wear a skirt that didn't even cover your ass. Camilla gave me a stare only we understood. If my other best friend was here, Gigi we would've all burst into laughter. But Gig, was coming on Friday back from the Dominican Republic. Ariana tried to kiss him, but he dodged. She scoffed but giving him a little push and heading back where she came from. We all decided to meet outside of the school before heading home.

   My last class, I grabbed all the things from my locker before meeting my friends outside.
"You take five hundred years!" Rolling my eyes, they shouldn't be talking. I'm the one there always asking for homework.
"Sorry, but I asked for some extra credit." Violet was the first to speak.
"Loser." I stuck up the middle finger, which caused me to drop half of my notebooks. Jacob grabbed my bag and reached for the notebooks that were all the floor.
"We'll see you guys tomorrow. Bye guys." I gave Camilla a kiss on the cheek before heading to Jacob's car.
"Five Guys?" Quickly nodded he started the engine.