Girl I Know

It was early June in California, gentle breeze, beautiful sunshine without a cloud in the sky, birds singing in the lush green trees. Days like this were magical!
Opening my back door of my home, I looked out to see this beautiful scene. I felt so happy, my life was officially perfect! I have the most amazing friends who have been there for me since day 1. My grades were excellent, so good in fact, I've already got offers for college and that's a huge deal. My singing career is slowing taking off, well, kind of. I've had a few scouts check out some of my work and they seemed impressed by it. so who knows what that could bring. Honestly, i'd say life is pretty sweet right now.

Monday morning's were always a killer for me, I'd always stay up late on a Sunday night talking to my best friend Zoe Anderson till stupid o'clock in the morning and then feel like death in the morning. You'd think we'd learn by now huh? Well no, we don't!
My phone read 8:15, so I only had 15 minutes to get ready and get to school. I've never really been late for school before, maybe twice and they were genuine reasons, so I really don't know what excuse I'm going to come up with.
As usual, I park in the same spot as I do everyday (surprised nobody took it as I was late) and made my way to class, which was Biology, not my favourite subject in the world but hey ho.
I walked in to see everyone was already writing stuff down in their books. Ah man I was late! Looking up at the clock, 9:03, shit!!
"Miss Turner, why are you so late for class?" Our Biology teacher, Mrs Fletcher asked. Probably one of the most weirdest and meanest teachers I know, so I was no doubt going to get detention or something.
"Sorry miss, erm.." think Jess think..... "ermm.. my car broke down halfway here and I had to get someone to fix it for me, see I'm smart but not that smart to know about cars and..."
"Ok, fine, please sit down and be quiet. I'll deal with you after class!" She looked me right in the eyes, not blinking at all. 'Ok Jess, better sit down'.
Nobody said anything as I sat down in my seat. I was friends with everyone in the class so they didn't really care. Apart from one guy, who sits at the back of the class and just stares out the window pretty much all the time. His name was Zack, quite tall with jet black hair that covered part of his face. He had piercing's in his bottom lip and wore dark clothes and a huge amount of eyeliner.
I think the reason why I'm not friends with him is he seems to dislike like me for some reason and I don't know why, I've done nothing to him, I actually think he's a nice guy (when he pays attention that is). Maybe I'll ask him about it one day.
"So class, today is the day our assignments have to be handed in." Mrs Fletcher told us.
"Psst.. Jess, you done the assignment?"
I turn to my left and see Zoe clearly in a bit of state.
"Yeah why haven't you?" I ask her, knowing the answer straight away. Zoe lives with her boyfriend Tom and things are a bit rough for them at the moment. He lost his job and now they have to ask both their parents for money, which isn't ideal. Tom's in a rock band and does a few small gigs at the weekends at the local venues, which Zack's band Avenged Sevenfold play too as Tom is friends with them and they get some money for it. The money goes towards the electricity and gas bills. Unfortunately though, as now the times are tough for them, they both have turned to drink and drugs, definitely worrying for me as Zoe is my best friend. I try and help her as much as I can but she refuses most of the time.
"Nah, I mean I tried but I just didn't have the time to do it as we've been busy trying to find income, you know?!" She looked so lost, so depressed.
"Listen, just tell her the truth, you didn't have time for it. Hopefully she'll understand."
"Yeah, I will.... Come with me yeah?"
I nodded and smiled at her. "Of course."

End of the lesson arrived and it was time to hand in the assignment. I walk over and place it on the desk and smile at Mrs Fletcher. She give me the dirtiest look ever and pointed to the chair that was in front of her. I knew what that meant, sit and there and wait for punishment.
Zoe walked up to her desk after me as everyone else had left and put her head down.
"Miss... I'm sorry but I haven't got my assignment, I didn't have the time as you know, trouble at home." She twiddled her thumbs whilst explaining to out teacher.
"Look Anderson, you know you can't keep missing assignment deadlines because you've wrecked your life already!" She shouted at her.
"Woah, hang on a minute, why you talking to her like that for. You know it's not her fault." I piped up. Nobody messes with my best friend!
"Miss Turner don't you think you're in a enough trouble already? Keep going and you can kiss college goodbye!" She got from her chair and told us both to go to the headmaster's office immediately.
Well this sucks!

"Really, I got lectured on how not to be late for class and how not to speak to your mean, arrogant teacher. Fuck her!"
Driving home with Zoe sitting in the passenger seat, music on loud and windows rolled down.
"I know right. Fucking bitch knows my problems yet still rubs it in my face. God I hate her." She sips from her bottle of coke, looking lost as ever.
"Listen girl, it's going to be alright, I got your back ok? We can get through this together." I smile at her hoping it would comfort her just a little bit.
"I know you do and I appreciate it, I really do." She put her arm around me and hugged me tightly.

We pulled into Zoe and Tom's drive way and got out.
"Home sweet home" Zoe looked back at me and smiled weakly. We all knew it was a shit hole to live in but she couldn't get away plus, she wanted to be with Tom.
We walked inside the house and immediately the smell of weed hit you!
"Jesus......"
Zoe went over to the fridge to get a drink and offered me one too. I could hear banging from upstairs, must be Tom.
"BABE?" Tom shouted from upstairs.
"Yeah what's up?" She shouted back to him. Jesus just come down instead of shouting.
He came down the stairs and hugged her from behind, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Jess is here too." He looked over to me on the couch and waved.
"Hey Jess, better be looking after my girl?" He smiled at me.
"Of course, don't I always." I giggled at them both and got up from the couch and slowly walked towards Zoe.
"Oh by the way girls, if you hear loud music and a shit ton of other noises, it's just me and the guys jamming and fucking around, you know, what guys do!" He let out a huge laugh and grabbed a beer.
"Alright, don't let us stop you." Zoe slapped his ass and winked at him. Well this is awkward for me!
"Actually, I want you two to listen to something, see what you think." We looked at each other then back at Tom.
"Sure ok."
We headed upstairs to the 'music room' and opened to door to a few guys with guitars, amps and a drum kit.
"Guys, this is Jessica, Zoe's friend." Tom pointed to me, which made me nervous.
"Hey guys." I waved and they all spoke and greeted me, nice really.
"Ok, so I want you to listen to something we've been working on and obviously these guys aren't in my band, just really good friends of mine and they help me out as they're in a band too." Tom pointed to three guys sitting in the corner of the room.
One guy definitely looked familiar!

Notes