I stood in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for Rebecca and the kids.

"Have you thought of your story yet?" Anna asked.

I turned and faced her, almost forgetting about that completely. "Uh... yeah, of course. Let me just finish up making breakfast and I'll tell it."

The kids cheered and Rebecca gave me a look.

I set everyone's plate before handing them out and sitting down at the table.

"So?" Max asked.

Rebecca chuckled. "Let's hear this story."

I thought for a second, then it hit me. "Alright, I got one..."

~~~~~~~~~~
Fourteen years ago...

A hard shake pulled me from my sleep.

I slowly opened my eyes, seeing my mom standing over me, an upset look on her face.

I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "What's up, mom?"

She let out a harsh laugh. "Don't even act like you don't know."

I looked at her, slightly confused. "Uh, am I supposed to know?"

She shook her head, pulling a freshly opened pack of of cigarettes from her pocket. "Guess where I found these?"

I looked from the cigarettes to my mom, no clue as to the answer she was looking for.

"Beth's room! And she was trying to light one!" My mom yelled.

I flopped back down. "What does that have to do with me?"

My mom threw the cigarettes on the ground. "Where else would she get them!?"

"I don't know, maybe a friend?"

"She's twelve years old, Skylar!"

I stood up, grabbing the cigarettes from the floor. "Then, I don't know what to tell you, they aren't mine."

"Bullshit, you should be setting a good example for your sister, not smoking cigarettes and partying instead of going to school."

I shook my head as I walked out of my room, heading for the bathroom.

My mom followed me, still yelling. But, I closed the door and locked it, effectively cutting her off.

"You're grounded, young lady!" She yelled through the door.

With a sigh, I took a quick shower and pulled my hidden set of clothes and shoes from the bathroom closet.

I quickly got changed before climbing out the bathroom window and making my way down the sidewalk.

I called up Wendy as I walked.

"Hey." She answered.

"Hey, wanna head to Twist? I gotta get out of the house for a little bit."

"Sure, I'll meet you there?"

"On my way now." I replied before saying my goodbyes and hanging up.

I met Wendy in the parking lot before we made our way inside.

We took two empty seats at the bar and Blake joined us shortly after.

"What's with the long face?" Blake asked.

I shook my head. "My mom caught my sister smoking and insists it's my fault."

"Was it?" Wendy asked.

"I didn't give them to her. Hell, I don't even smoke menthol, so I have no clue where she got them." I replied.

"Beth's smarter than she looks." Wendy said.

"Yeah, unfortunately."

Blake set a couple beers out. "Here, first rounds on the house."

We thanked her as we took a sip.

"So, you excited to start school again?" Wendy asked.

I gave her a look. "No. Why would I be?"

She flashed me a sly smirk. "'Cause, you'll get to see 'you know who.'"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't start with that again, I'm not in the mood."

Blake chuckled. "Who's 'you know who?'"

"This girl in Skylar's class. She's had a crush on her since, like, the first grade, but refuses to do anything about it."

"I do not have a 'crush' on her." I stated.

Wendy nodded. "You're right... you're in love with her."

I shook my head, downing the rest of my beer. "Whatever."

"What's her name?" Blake asked.

"Maxine West." Wendy answered.

Blake smiled. "Why not ask her out?"

"Because, she doesn't even know I exist. We've had the same classes since first grade and she's never so much as breathed in my direction." I replied, looking down into my empty beer bottle.

Wendy patted my shoulder. "Maybe this could be the year."

"Doubt it."

Blake leaned on the bar. "Lemme lay some wisdom on you, kiddo. Never doubt yourself and always follow your heart. If you truly like this girl, then you shouldn't spend the rest of your life wondering what could have been, you should just put all your cards on the table and go for it. You never know, she might feel the same way."

I looked up into her eyes, a feeling of newfound determination flowing through me. "You really think I should?"

She popped open a beer and took a sip. "Trust me, I've let way to many opportunities pass me by and I've always regretted it. Don't let the same thing happen to you."

A slight smile tugged at my lips. "Alright, I'll give it a shot."

She smiled back. "Good choice."

Wendy patted my shoulder. "Glad to hear it. Now all you have to do is get that hunk of shit in your garage running so you can take her on a nice date."

I laughed and shook my head. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. I wouldn't know the first thing about working on that scrap heap."

"I thought you said you helped your dad fix it up when you were a kid?"

I shrugged. "'Help' is a strong word. I mostly just sat back and watched him."

"Why not ask him for help?" Blake asked.

I lowered my head. "I would... if I knew where he was."

"What do you mean?"

I sighed. "He's a drunk... He ran out on us a few years back and we haven't seen him since."

Blake lowered her head. "Oh... sorry."

I shrugged. "No big deal, I've gotten over it."

She nodded, patting my shoulder. "Well, good luck, I hope everything works out."

"Yeah... me to..."

~~~~~~~~~~
Present day...

"Ooh, a mysterious crush, this story just keeps getting better and better." Rebecca said.

I smiled lightly, looking down. "Yeah. It's funny, I haven't thought about that day in years."

Rebecca rested her hand on my shoulder. "You ok?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I better get the kids ready for school, we don't want them to be late."

I stood and led the kids to their room, helping them get ready for the day...