I set out to Maddox's house at 5:40, seeing as there isn't any rain to stop me. I arrive a few minutes late but I figure it isn't a big deal. I knock on the door and wait. I hear footsteps running towards the door. "I'll get it Abel!" Maddox grunts. "I got it, Maddie! Calm down!" Abel's strained voice responds. I listen to the scuffling on the other side of the door and I hear a cry of pain along with a thud. Suddenly, Abel swings open the door and Maddox is on the ground, sitting down with his legs outstretched in front of him and his arms behind him, supporting his upper body. He's glaring daggers at his brother, who is wearing his usual grin. "Olivia! How good to see you!" He catches me by surprise when he hugs me. I reciprocate the hug before turning to Maddox. "Sorry I'm late," I apologize as I enter the house. "Whatever, just hurry up. I want to finish this project," Maddox retorts. Abel closes the door behind me and marches in after us. "Why?" Abel questions as he drops onto the couch, turning on the television. "I'm hanging out with Raven at eight thirty," Maddox replies, shooting his brother an annoyed look. "On a school night?" Abel inquires in genuine concern. "Obviously," Maddox retorts. "She doesn't have class on Fridays." "But you do," Abel presses. Maddox just shrugs and Abel lets out a disappointed sigh. "I don't understand how you can get a college girl but I can't." If I had a drink, I'd definitely be choking on it right now. Raven's in college? Maddox is seeing a college girl? They continue their conversation while I sit there on the couch dying at the new revelation. I just assumed she went to a different school. I'll admit, she looks a bit older but I never even considered the fact that she's a college girl. "Let's get started," Maddox insists, yanking me from my thoughts. "Oh yeah," I nod as I grab my notebook from my bag. Despite the fact that I'm contributing to the conversation and offering suggestions for the story, I'm in my own world. At 7:30, Maddox closes his folder and I do the same and shove it into my backpack. I throw my bag over my shoulder and stand up. "I'll type the book up, I guess," I conclude with a nod, grateful to have finished it. I feel like I can't trust him with the task so I may as well do it myself. "Good," he nods sharply before walking towards the stairs. I see myself out of his house, hopping down the steps as I go. My thoughts swallow me up as I walk back to my house. I manage to arrive home at 8:05 and my aunt nods approvingly. + + + "I'm so excited!" Cassidy exclaims the following day in Pre-Calculus. Winona is sitting back, eating a bag of Skittles. "Why?" I engage her curiously. "Maddox didn't tell you?" she replies. I shake my head and almost laugh at the idea of him telling me anything that isn't an insult. "I knew we shouldn't have trusted him!" Winona shrugs. "We had to give him a chance to tell her," she attempts. "Tell me what?" I ask, growing impatient and frustrated. "We're all going to the carnival tomorrow night," she explains. I stare at her with furrowed brows. That's what she's so excited for? "And?" I ask her curiously, wondering what else there is to it. "And? The carnival is so much fun!" she squeals girlishly. I shrug, kind of agreeing but kind of not. Every time I've been to a carnival, it was to bring my brother around to the kid rides and then I'd go home. I've never actually been on a ride (other than the Tilt-A-Whirl), or a Ferris wheel for that matter. My older brother would bring me when I was younger but I was too scared to go on anything so that tradition ended after one year. "Are you going to come?" I stare at her and shrug. I don't really have money. I mean, I have a few dollars but not enough to go joyriding at the carnival. None of the jobs I've applied to have reached back out to me so I'm just going to stay broke until they do. "I don't know. I'll have to ask my aunt," I mumble. Maybe I can ask my mom to send me money. "Good, give me an answer by tomorrow! We're all carpooling," she grins at me. I nod and look at the floor. I hate not having money. + + + After a long day at school, I go home to find my aunt sitting on the couch, talking on the phone. She has her work clothes on and I can tell that she'll be leaving soon. I might as well ask her now. I'll just wait until she gets off the phone. And to my luck, she does only seconds later. When she see's that I'm standing there, she smiles at me. "Do you need something, Liv?" "Yeah, I got invited to go to the carnival tomorrow. Can I?" I ask her as I shift from one foot to another. It's weird having to ask permission to go places. Back home, I would just come and go at my own will. Then again, maybe that's why I'm here. "Wow, for a girl struggling to make friends, you sure do have a lot of plans," she grins at me. I chuckle quietly and she nods up at me. "Yes, you may." I flash her a quick smile and turn towards the stairwell. "Do you have money for the carnival?" she asks once I'm halfway up the steps. "Sort of," I mutter. "I was going to see if my mom could send me money." "If you need money, you can just ask, Liv," she informs me as she waves me over once again. I slowly descend back down the steps.