✾

"Where were you at?" my father asks, but not taking his eyes away from the television. It wasn't using a harsh tone, if anything it was the opposite since he had no energy from working. His face is glowing from the dull grey gleam, the only light in the entire house.

"I've been tutoring," I replied easily. "This kid's been having trouble in a few classes so the teacher thought it might be good for me to help him out since I'm at the top of the class." I go to grab a broom, taking it and starting to sweep the kitchen.

"Don't let it get in the way of your own schooling. That was a long time to be out."

"It's alright, I'll just stay up a little later tonight to catch up. Did you eat dinner?" I turn to the kitchen, seeing marinara sauce all over the counters and some dry noodles in a pan. A plate is crusty from the food residue in the sink, along with some other random dishes lying around the kitchen. Although he snores instead of giving me an answer, he doesn't have to.

After sweeping and mopping the house, I turn to make sure he's asleep before putting on some background music as I gather the dishes and start washing them. Once I'm finished with that, I pick up the various soda cans, cigarettes, and papers on the ground to throw away. After seeing the trash can full of even more papers, I remember that I have to take it out and do so. I wipe the counters and clear off the tables of any more garbage.

After that, I'm pretty tired though and I only do about two hours of homework. As I lay on my bed, stroking the spot between Jax's ears, I wonder why this has to be me living this drab routine. The last thought that drift through my mind before sleep takes me is one that I think about a lot in the morning.

Maybe this is the start of something new — the start of something that isn't the routine of a broken home.

✾

"Now. I asked you once for details and you failed me, so I need details again. But I really mean it this time. Was the apartment messy? Was it big? Did it smell good? Did he have a lot of stuff? Did anyone else live there? Did he talk to anyone? Did you do anything this time? Was there—"

"No!" I cut my best friend off. "No more questions. He just moved in so it's not that crazy, for starters, so no, it has no scent and not too much stuff. His little sister comes over sometimes, and Julian doesn't live there. And yeah... about anything happening..."

"Oh my gosh, what? What happened? You look terrible just thinking about it!"

"Sophie... For starters, you can't blatantly insult people like that, second, I'll tell you in a moment, and third, I'm also trying to catch up on math homework so try not to squeal so irritatingly. We're in the library."

"Okay, but what happened?"

"We went to the ice cream shop after I helped him study for his upcoming anatomy test. Amelia was working there... and I think she was the one with Logan, because she was on the phone with him. And what really bothered me was... she told him she loved him, just like the word meant nothing."

"Oh, Iris," she clicks her tongue, "you should know that he's a waste of time by now."

"It's been two days."

"I still stand by it. You met another guy who's way more in your league, anyway."

"And who's that?" I challenge with a raised eyebrow.

"Duh. Pierce."

"Pierce? Oh, cut it out, Sophie! This conversation is getting really old. In my league? There's not one thing we even have alike."

"You both have brown hair." She shrugs.

"Yippee-ki-yay," I sarcastically mumble. "Time for marriage."

"See, now you're catching on!"

"My word," I chuckle, shaking my head.

Sophie has a different style than I do. She has the classic blonde hair and blue eyes, and a perfect body that her outfits accentuate well. Most boys would gladly go out with her, although she doesn't have any interest in them because she's too bust focusing on my own nonexistent love life. And for her, she easily believes I could get any guy I want.

But Pierce? No way.

✾

Shortly before Calculus actually starts, the teacher comes up to me with a pleased smile. "Hello, Iris, how was last night's homework?"

Digging in my pack back for my folder, I smile back, "Um, it was fine."

"How has tutoring been going? I noticed Pierce was taking more notes on what I was saying yesterday."

"Oh, that's good to hear." Say more, it'll be less awkward. What you've been studying? Go for it! But do it now before the pause gets awkward, stupid, my dumb thoughts pound in my skull. "Uh, we've been trying to review some stuff that needed cleared up from the review. Integrals and derivatives, is what we were working on. I just helped him with some other class yesterday."

"I'm glad. Are you two getting along well then?" Her pink cardigan with white buttons covers her crossed arms, at least, that's her stance before she runs her fingers through her light brown hair. Thanks to the keratin in it, the red is more noticeable in that particular hair color, making it all the more interesting.

"Yeah, we're getting along just fine."

Something strange happens though. After the bell rings, Amelia comes into the classroom. Well, that isn't the strange part, she's in that class too, but the strange part is that she sits by... me. Now she normally doesn't because I always sit in my preferable corner alone, really emphasize alone, because we've never really been friends. Especially not now, let me tell you.

Her long blonde hair has always made me jealous, especially with her strong floral perfumes and expensive outfits. Of course there's nothing wrong with her outfit — a white dress that hugs her perfect figure flawlessly and a light pink jacket — it just makes me wish I had that kind of money. And before you say, "Just get a job," remember that most of my time is spent cleaning and doing homework. And since I'm seventeen without my own car, people looking for new employees definitely don't want to give me a chance when you have perfect people like Amelia.

"Hey Iris!" Amelia chirps. "I have a quick question for you, just girl-talk. I mean, the fact you sit all the way over here and isolate yourself makes it easier for privacy." There's a few seconds of silence before she nudges me with one of the fakest laughs I've heard in my entire existence.

"I'm just teasing!" she cackles, waving a hand. "Anyway, you dated Logan for a little bit, right?"

Her mint gum is easy to smell, one of the constant fragrances she carries with her. "I— Uh, yeah." I feel self-conscious, wondering if I somehow smell bad. I guess everyone does when you're around someone like her who seems to obsess over it, but I just look terrible at everything. Compared to everyone. In my own doubt, I try to slowly inch away from her so that she isn't somehow repulsed by me.

"Well, I think I should be the one to tell you that I was the one he was with that night you called. And don't take this wrong, but I'm still dating him. I mean, everyone makes mistakes, and I could forgive him. I understand not being able to, but I think he wants you to talk to him, for more closure. I think it could be good for both of you."

I blink a couple of times, shaking my head. "No, he's... We don't need to talk about anything. He wanted to cheat? Great, but he lost me. That's... all there is to it."

"Okay, Iris," she exhaled with an accepting nod. "But um... Is there anything going on between you and... you know, Pierce?"

I shake my head even more than I did last time with repulsion. "No. Definitely not. Gross."

"Iris, you can be real with me. You don't need a rebound to get over Logan. You're just fine by yourself, and you don't need anyone to try to make yourself feel better about it. Self-love is key."

"What? No, I'm not — me and Pierce — Pierce and I... We're just friends. N-not even that, I'm only his tutor. For now."

Realizing how that sounded, my eyes dart around the room nervously and I face-palm myself hard. "Well, not like that! I mean, I'm only his tutor for now, and then when he doesn't need me anymore we won't... talk. Anyway, I-I hope that clears things up...?"

I give her a nervous smile which is more of a grimace, and to top it all off, the teacher speaks up from the front of the room. "I hear voices from the back."

"Sorry Mrs. Landers!" Amelia seems to cheer.

✾