Emerald1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNqoKySGgu
"FUCK!"
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvWAWWECWy
I cried out as I stubbed my toe on the coffee table corner. I had woken up early so I could be there on time to greet the new kid. His name was Jaxon Claifton. I was put on the welcoming committee to help the poor guy settle in.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzrShZZ00w
I had heard about the guy. It was impossible not to in this small town where everyone knew everyone. This was a town where the people either looked the other way or gossiped day and night. There was never an in between.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj4YyFvIsl
Unfortunately, Mr. Claifton was all anyone was talking about. Supposedly, he moved in with his sister over the weekend with no parents. He was very hostile to the adults and seemed to have a be temper. But the girls who had caught a glimpse of him said he was drop dead gorgeous.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvDRVFXFzE
I didn't know about that. Besides I was just about to meet him and I already stubbed my toe? I don't know. Sounds like some bad luck is associated with the guy.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOrcQgBjSc
I pushed it out of my mind and finished getting dressed. I headed down to the cafe called Cake Couture. I can already smell the baked pastries wafting through the air. I open the door to the back kitchen and quickly grab 3 cinnamon rolls.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9vArYMD3Z
I then pulled on my sneakers and grabbed my book bag and tried to leave before Trey could find out.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhgAoTgiSq
Key word: tried.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrW7NRSXzR
I was not fast enough because I heard him scream my name as I opened the door.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRxb3UxIaY
"Damn it, Emerald! You know how long it takes to make those just right!" He screeched.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wd3CA1KSV
With a quick "love you," I ran out the door and made my way to school. I knew I would be there extra early but I just wanted to make sure I was presentable and not in my normal pissed morning mood.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtzn18gHzH
I stuffed 1 of the 3 hot cinnamon rolls in my mouth and hummed happily as I slowed to a brisk walk. The school was 10 minutes away by foot and I needed the exercise, I knew.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD0NLt1jBT
And if I was being truthful, I couldn't wait to meet the new kid.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOeygPoqCi
++++++++++++++++
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBv6FJgA7j
Jaxon
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqPQYUOLPD
I had arrived to the school early. I don't know why, but after dropping Nadia off with the teacher, I headed over.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTD2laM4GH
The house we lived in was too dark and barren. It was uncomfortable and cold when I was alone. It was empty.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhhjuBwuqx
I was eternally grateful to Ms. Mason for accepting to see Nadia at 6 in the morning. I wanted my sister to be comfortable in the new environment and I knew the classroom would be a big part of her new life.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAJgBbFAgF
I was relieved when Ms. Mason said she didn't mind coming in early to help Nadia. Since she had to use her fingers to get used to her surroundings, it would take a minute. I knew that and so did the teacher. I'm just glad she didn't give me a weird look when I told her that Nadia was blind.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMEgHobghr
I hated that. I didn't want or need anyone's pity. People treated Nadia like she was from another planet. I absolutely despised it.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN1jFH9q5w
Now here I was, waiting for some welcoming committee to parade me around the school. I sighed as I continued to stand by the front doors for a good 10 minutes. A couple kids walked in, whispering about me as they strolled through thee doors.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycxpLjEXoY
Just as I was about to head inside, I see a girl waving to me. She was dark skinned and as she came to a halt in front of me: I was instantly reminded of brown sugar.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0COLIKcIFn
That's what she smelled like. Brown sugar and strawberries.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ibYI0HBsf
I gave what I hoped looked like a smile. "So. You're welcoming me?" I drawled, noticing how she looked away as though embarrassed.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZlbgJYOnE
"I'm so sorry. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. I tried to get here as early as possible."
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIzM9vI1o5
"Naw, it's cool. I'm just glad you didn't bail on me." I tried to pass it off as though I did have breakfast, but it didn't work. My stomach let the both of us know where my mind was.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLOQJFOxwC
I hadn't eaten breakfast, like usual, but I didn't know why it was acting up now. Normally I'd be fine until lunch. I was usually too busy fawning over Nadia to notice.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdduJhFiyul
She didn't give me a weird look. All she's did was smile and give me the brown bag she was holding in her hand. I hesitantly took the pouch and opened it. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla instantly overrode my senses.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUGXmMbgPW
"I brought these. I hope you like cinnamon rolls. I just thought the day would be a little better if you could start it out with something sweet."
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOXIA7S1PF
Her smile somehow made everything brighter. After taking one bite of the warm softness, I was in love.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6k8hL7j5q
The bun practically melted in my mouth, something I didn't think was possible. She smiled as though winning a battle with herself and walked through the doors.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4Bx6ujlNG
She showed me where my new locker would be and how to get to all my classes in record time. She introduced me to the cafeteria and lounge room only meant for seniors. She taught me which halls to avoid and what bathrooms not to enter.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpT9TP8JOS
I was surprised by how naturally happy she was. Even when around someone dressed in all blank and twice her height. Finally she dropped me off to my first class.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiCydblIih
Then I realized I didn't know her name, even though she most likely knew mine. I asked in a gruff voice, not used to the kindness she had shown me, even though it was her job.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8zBPcOFki
She reached her arm out and shook my hand and a smile graced her face for the thousandth time today.
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhbxutaWtP
"Emerald."
1038Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjB1Lz131f
ns216.73.216.130da2 
