I woke up to my parents arguing, which was bizarre because they rarely fought.

I quickly changed into some jeggings and a pink sweatshirt then went downstairs to check it out, but by the time I was in the living room, my mom was already out the front door, slamming it shut.

I cringed, then went to the kitchen to see my dad deep in thought.

"What was that about?" I asked as I pulled out some rice cakes from the little closet we had to store boxed food.

He jumped in surprise then answered, "Oh. No. Nothing honey everything is fine. Your mother and I just had a litte disagreement, that's all."

I raised my eyebrow up in confusion," Well it must've been a big thing if she slammed the door so hard on her way out."

He smiled, a fake smile. "You know how dramatic she is."

I chuckled, "Yeah, that pretty much sums her up."

"Well, I gotta head over to work. I'm already alittle late because of the argument. See you tonight pumpkin." He kissed me on the cheeck then left.

"Goodbye Dad."

I wasn't really sure if I should look into the argument or just forget about it, because my dad looked pretty upset, but then again maybe that's how arguments are with your beloved.

I mean who am I to judge when I'm single as fuck.

Are you tho? I thought to myself, but then shook the thought away.

Bryson was nothing.

○○○

As I walked out of Calculus, shaken, and confused, I noticed someone ahead of me.

His brown hair, and broad shoulders stood out to me, and I couldn't believe it was him because he hasn't even showed up to school since the dance.

I raced after him anyways, I don't even know why.

I mean what would I even say, "Hey, I haven't seen you since we danced, how are you?"

That just sounds so awkward in my head. Ugh.

Right as I was just a few steps away, Sean got in front of me.

"Hey, hot stuff."

I looked up at him, gave him a disgusted face, then tried to walk past him, but he pushed me back.

"Seriously? Get the hell out of my way Sean." I tried again, but again, he pushed me back.

"I don't think so. You think just because I let you beat my ass that we're through? I'm not letting you go that easy, freak." He winked and tried to grab me, but I ducked and shoved him making him loose his balance and fall in the middle of the hallway.

Everyone laughed and pointed, but Sean was so angry that when he told everyone to shut up, they did.

"You shouldn't have done that Leen!" He yelled after I kept walking to my next class.

I felt triumphant after that, I mean I was always so scared of what he might do, but now as I walked with my head held high, he couldn't possible do anything that can't leave him with consequences.

But then the question would be, if he even cares about the consequences?

~•~•~

By the time lunch rolled by, I tried to look for him.

But it was kinda hard when there's tons of other juniors and even sophomores around.

It was then, that my not so blind eyes spotted him alone in the back table reading something.

I made my way over there nervously and unsure of what to say, he didn't notice me until I sat in front of him greeting him with a small 'hey'.

"Uh, hey." He stammered, not meeting my eyes.

"So, what are you reading?" I smiled at him, trying to start a conversation.

"Uh, How to Own a Business, actually. My dad is lending me his business." He scratched the back of his head and met my eyes alittle but not completely.

Something was off about him.

"Are you happy about that? Because you don't seem like you are."

He finally met my eyes, and my memory instantly flashed back to the dance where he stared me down hard.

"Well the truth is, it's alittle complicated than it seems."

"What's complicated about choosing? It's either you follow in your father's footsteps or create your own. Whichever makes you the happiest is good for you."

He chuckled, "You make it sound so easy."

"Bryson, if you want some advice, I think you should do whatever makes you happy even if it puts your dad in a weird place, because honestly in respect of your family, nobody is gonna have your back like you do. Everyone deserves an opportunity to do them. " I decided to forget about why I even came here for and got up, but before I left he thanked me.

He seemed so genuine and grateful for my little advice that I felt bad for him.

In the back of my mind, I always complained about not knowing what to do after high school, and thought people who already had a plan set for them were so lucky, but now as I saw Bryson evidently struggling to either go with his dad, or make his own plan, I didn't feel so unlucky after all, only hopeful.

○•○•○•○•○

I sang and danced along to the lyrics of yet another pop song in my workout clothes.

It sounds weird, but I read on Pinterest that singing and dancing around is not only a good workout, but also fun to just enjoy yourself.

Which I desperately needed, as well as a small ab session.

Luckily my parents were working late, so I didn't have to worry about explaining to them why I was singing, and dancing around in my room for absolutely no reason.

Unfortunately, my music jam was interrupted by an ugly notification.

"Ugh I should've put my phone in Do Not Disturb Mode." I said outloud checking to see if it was my mom or dad who texted me.

I scrunched up my eyebrows in confusion, I have no idea who this is, and I felt a little creeped out because I wasn't exactly fully dressed.

I replied back.

I was about to go back to jamming again, when the person replied back instantly.

My heart immediately started thumping wildly, my ears clogged up, and suddenly it was hard to breath.

I know I've talked to him before, I know I've gone out with him before.

But this time it's different, because I suddenly realized...

I had a crush on him.

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