If I lose myself tonight, it'll be by your side.

[lauren.]

Ridley.
I scoffed,"A friendly invitation,"I mumbled,"To do drugs and smoke? Yeah, that's an awesome invitation,"I grumbled as I continued on my way to my house. I just wanted to be home and forget about this day and also Gavin.

[haileyjordan]

Gavin,
I sat on top of the table outside at school, another cigarette in my mouth. I usually got them taken away from me, but the teachers began to not care. I did it almost everyday. I scanned the kids around me, taking a long drag. The night before had been rough. I was always glad to go to school. I knew that I was smart, but I just didn't like to show it. Everyone thought you had to live up to a certain standard for people to like you. But I never had high self confidence. Or I had no one to tell me I did anyways.

[lauren.]

Ridley.
The more I tried to stay away from Gavin...it only made me want to see what he had to offer. My parents had already heard about him and told me to stay away from him. No ifs, ands, or buts. Not very many people were very welcoming here. Guess the stereotype of a small town is true. I stepped onto the school campus, my eyes automatically looking around for Gavin.

[haileyjordan]

Gavin,
I had a few friends who hung out with me. Mainly the stoners and alcoholics. It was amazing how quickly kids got shot down here. You were either in or you were out. For me, that was my cue to make my own group. I knew I was better than those dumb-ass guys, or skanky girls. But instead I sat here, doing drugs and drinking. I chewed on my cheek, resting against the wall as I shut my eyes.

[lauren.]

Ridley.
I finally saw Gavin over against the wall. I was extremely nervous about this, talking to him. I made my way through the crowd, keeping my head down. I finally made it to Gavin, I cleared my throat to get his attention since he still had his eyes closed.

[haileyjordan]

Gavin,
I opened my eye when I heard someone clear their throat. I looked over at Ridley, raising my eyebrow. "What a pleasant surprise," I said, sitting up. "what brings you here, may I ask?" I was actually surprised she showed up.

[lauren.]

Ridley.
I opened my mouth to speak but I didn't have an answer. I ran a hand through my hair and shrugged,"Honestly, I don't know,"I said glancing at him from under my eyelashes, suddenly shy to be over here now. I knew people were staring at us and that made me fidget more.

[haileyjordan]

Gavin,
"Tell me Ridley. Do people talk to you? I'm not asking this in a rude or arrogant way, I just want to know how people treat you." I was curious. She was definitely beautiful, and I just didn't understand why she was over here. I took another drag on my cigarette, watching her.

[lauren.]

Ridley.
I scrunched my nose,"Could you put that out please? I don't feel like dying anytime soon like you do,"I said crossing my arms as I raised an eyebrow at him. I bit my lip and sighed, thinking about his question. "People talk to me, here and there but not any friends,"I said shrugging.

[haileyjordan]

Gavin,
I respected her wish and put out my cigarette, folding my hands. "That doesn't make any sense. To me at least. You are the person I'd expect do have at least a dozen friends by the first day of school. But then again, when you live here, everyone hates you." I said with a smirk. "Why don't you sit down? I asked. Hell, people were watching her. She could either leave or stay, it was her choice.

[lauren.]

Ridley.
I stared at the spot next to him as I felt people's stares burning holes in my backside. I honestly opted to say no and just leave but I started this... Well technically he started this but today I started it. I gave a weak smile and took the seat,"Thanks." I didn't dare look around at the crowd to see their reactions. Boy would my parents be hearing about this.

[haileyjordan]

Gavin,
"Why'd you move out here Ridley? Out of all places, why here?" I wanted to get to know her. I usually came off as extremely cocky, but I really wasn't all that bad, unless I was angry. I got that from my father.

[lauren.]

Ridley.
"My parents like the idea of a small town. A cute house with a white picket fence,"I said rolling my eyes,"It's been their dream since they got married and looking around online this place popped up. They thought it was a cute town, being small and everything,"I mumbled as I looked down at my shoes. I thought where we lived was perfectly fine. I practically grew up there and then they rip everything away from me just for a stupid house. It made me angry but I've learned to hold it in.

[haileyjordan]

Gavin,
"It doesn't seem like it was your dream home," I said, noticing how she talked. "Did they ever take into consideration what you had to say?" I asked, looking over at her. Parents never understood. I was better off on my own without my parents. I wrung my wrists, even though they were extremely sore and quite purple. Rubbing them helped soothe the pain. That's why I got tattoos, to cover up the bruises.

[lauren.]

Ridley.
I gave a short smile,"They're parents,"was all I said. They can move their children around as many times as they want and not care to see if it's affected the child. I glanced at Gavin and noticed him rubbing his wrists,"Are you okay?"I asked, my eyebrows furrowing slightly in concern.