With quick strides I made my way through the hallway, stopping as I watched my art class making there way to the ceramics room. Waiting for the line to pass I watched as Jones finally passed slacking behind the other students, both heads phones in his head down as he scribbled in his not book.  


Taking quick steps I caught up with him matching his strides as we followed the rest of the class. It took a few moments for Jones to realize my presence, looking up for a second before focusing back on his book. we got about six steps in before he froze in place lifting his head straight he ever so slowly turned to face me.  pulling his headphones out as his mouth dropped open.


"your hair?..." He questioned his voice trailing.

"Its cute right?" running my fingers through it.


"You cut it?" He asked still bewildered.


"Is that a problem?" I sassed looking him up and down.


"What no!" he stated shaking out his shock " It's just I wasn't expecting it, it's short now, It looks good just different" he slightly rambled.



"I've had long hair forever,  I decided I needed to make a change" I shrugged walking forward towards the class.

Reaching the ceramics class I wasn't shocked to see all the pottery stations taken, they usually were. Heading to the large table in the middle of the room I dropped down into one of the wheeled chairs.  It took a few moments for Jones to finally make his way in, stopping in the doorway his eyes scanned the room till he found me.



With quick movements, Jones made his way over to me taking the seat next to me. He placed all his belongings on the table before turning to face me. Leaning back in my chair I gave him a once over. waiting for whatever it was he was about to say.


"Let me retry that" He stated taking a breath "Wow Nove, your hair looks so good!" He exclaimed


Raising a brow at him, we both ended up chuckling at his comment. I knew to begin with Jones didn't mean anything about his previous comment.  He may of sucked with talking, but he had a good heart and was way better on paper. I knew it was nothing to take personally.


"It's all good Jones. Even if you didn't like it. I do and that is what matters" I stated confidently 

"New hair, new you?" He teased playfully

"Kind of, it was more a new start," I told him truthfully.

Chopping most of my hair off in a fit of depressed fulled anger had actually turned into a blessing. I felt lighter, freer. For once I was in control of something.  It was my choice. Not my mothers and definitely not my fathers. Hed forced me for as long as I could remember to have long hair, even asking to get it trimmed was a struggle. He forced me to have it past my shoulders, my mother sister and I were not allowed to have it shorter. He hated short hair on women, he said it made them ugly, manly unladylike. but he was wrong,  I had never felt better.

Jones and I sat next to each other for the entirety of the class, him trying to work on a new writing a new song, while I attempted to make a drawing to take back to Xan to make a thousand times better.  The two of us made a good team, she loved painting, and colouring but wasn't a fan of the actual structure making, the planning, the sketching. While I on the other hand love to sketch but lacked the skills when it came to making my painting look like something a toddler didn't create.

As the final bell of the day rang throughout the school Jones and I packed up our belongings.  Jones was first out of his seat and I attempted to rise to my feet I could see the mischevious grin forming on his lips.  I didn't have time to react, to tell him no. His hand on the back of the chair in one swooping motion he spun the chair, me still attached.


"See you in the parking lot!" He called out squeezing his way through the crowd and escaping into the hallway.




I spun a couple of times before I was finally able to stop the chair, glaring at the doorway for a  moment I finished packing up my belongings before chasing after him.   I knew exactly what he was planning, he was trying to beat me to the truck.  Jones and I both knew that Shae was staying late due to practice and Judah was tutoring after school. Which meant the front seat was up for grabs between Jones, Grayson and Myself. while the other two would have to cramp into the weird sideways seats in the back.



Zig-zagging my way through the crowds of students.  I headed out the first set of doors that lead to the outside, knowing going around would be easier than through it. The damp uncut grass soaked through my runners as I rushed for the parking lot, turning the corner of my building I had reached the front of the school just in time to see Jones skipping the stairs as he jumped over them. 

Running to the edge of the grass I jumped from the cement barrier. Landing on the cement, I tumbled forward my hands slightly scraping the concrete.  It was then Jones noticed me, our eyes locking for a minute as a competitive streak rose in both of us. Ignoring the stinging sensation in my hand I ran towards the parking lot slowing down only to check for the moving vehicles.  A bus pulling from the curb blocked my view,  shifting in spot I waited impatiently.

As the bus pulled away, my heart dropped slightly seeing the triumphant smirk on Jones's face as he leaned against the back of Calebs rusting red pickup truck. Jones shrugged stilling grinning as he spun gently heading for the passenger side. Sighing I  looked both ways before crossing the parking lot and reaching the car. 


Reaching the truck Jones turned to face me, the grin on his face replaced by a disappointing frown as he walked past me around to the other side of the truck.  Noticing Grayson staring out the windshield I couldn't help but giggle.  Walking towards the door I prepared myself for the squeeze. Grayson hopped out truck as I got close pulling the front seat forward. He put his hand out before I could crawl inside.

"I'll go, you take the front" he offered


"Gray, I'm half your size.  I'll take the back" I insisted lowering his hand.


"No." he argued,  I blinked slowly somewhat taken back.


"Just let her take the back man, I want to fucking go" Caleb announced.


"But.." Grayson's sudden confidence faulted at his brothers' tone.


"Shortcake doesn't need you kissing her ass because she stood up for you. You need to grow a pair" Caleb demanded.



His unnecessarily rude comment, made Grayson actions click inside my head. His sudden "confidence" was not that at all but some sort of guilt for me having to step in for him. I couldn't help but think maybe he thought he owed me.


"It's fine Grays,  I know you would've done the same for me.  plus you save me Roman all the time" I remained with a smile gently squeezing his arm before slipping past him.



"See, now get fucking in" Calebs snapped his temper getting the better of him.


"Oh cool, it knuckles" I sassed crawling into the back.


Caleb looked back over his shoulder shooting me a quick glare before turning it on his brother who was taking his sweet time getting back into the truck. once everyone was secure, Caleb pulled out of the parking lot and headed home.