"You don't think this is too much for the first day?" I ask Casey, holding up the dark denim skirt she's picked out for me. "Hell no!" She grabs the skirt from me and places it back on the bed with the rest of the outfit. The outfit consists of a denim skirt with buttons down the middle, a plain white shirt, and some silver accessories. "It's just a jean skirt, Lace. It's not a formal gown or anything. Plus, you got a killer tan over the summer. You have to show your legs off." I spent the summer with my grandparents at their lake house and purposely got as much sun as I could get. The time I spent in the sun gave me time to think about this coming school year. I would start school without the support of my parents, without Jacob, and without a clue of what will happen. My eyes trace over the outfit and I sigh. "Fine, but I'm wearing my cute white shoes with this." She originally had some wedges paired with the outfit, but I said no when I had a vision of myself breaking an ankle in the hall. My white sneakers will make it a little more casual and more my style. Casey rolls her eyes with dramatic effect. "I guess I'll let it slide this time." Outfit searching is getting old. "Anyway," I say as I sit down with her on my bed. "What time are you getting there tomorrow?" "My usual time," she says, shrugging. "Why?" "I don't want to get there too early. I just want to get in and get out." And avoid certain people as much as possible. She gives me a look I'm all too familiar with. "You can't avoid him forever." "I can try." "You can try, but it won't last." She scoots closer to me. "I know it's going to be hard, but you're going to have to face him sooner or later." I haven't spoken to Jacob since I confronted him in the parking lot. He tried to text and call me over the summer, but I ignored every one of his attempts. I've even stayed off social media to avoid him. "I hate that you're right." "Don't let him ruin your year. This is your year." The healing process has been slow, but Casey has been the most helpful. After that day in the parking lot it was like everyone took his side, whatever side that was. Friends I thought were my friends ditched me, except for Casey. It's been hard to accept that my first serious boyfriend cheated on me. There were moments over the summer when I wanted to call him and forgive him just so I could have him back in my life. When I caught myself trying to reach out to him, I remembered I couldn't trust him. The truth, no matter how hard it's been to accept, is that I don't need him in my life. He's just a stupid boy. "This is my year," I nod. "I'm not going to let Jacob or any other stupid boy ruin it for me." "That's the spirit!" she exclaims, clasping her hands together. "You're going to be happier this year, Lace. I just know it." That comment alone makes me happy. I'm tired of moping over Jacob. I want to be a happier, and better version of myself. "You know what? Where are those wedges? I'm wearing those damn things tomorrow." The first day of my senior year is going to be the start of a new era. The era of a Lacey who is single, happier, stronger, and who isn't going to take any shit. ~ It's a restless night. All night I could feel myself tossing and turning, trying to find the cooler side of my bed. When my alarm finally goes off, I'm already awake. I drag myself out of bed and go straight to the closet to grab my outfit. It's a really cute outfit, but the burst of confidence to wear the wedges is gone. I pull out my white sneakers instead. After grabbing a towel, I jump in the shower to wash the sleep away. As much as I want to crawl back into bed and fall back asleep, I know I have to face the day head on. Jacob will be there surrounded by his group of soccer friends to back him up. I have to be tough. The new Lacey is ready to take on the day. There's enough time after my shower to blow dry my hair and add a little curl to it. My brown hair has lighter pieces from how much sun I got over the break. I brush on a light layer of foundation, then filled in my brows a bit, and swiped on some mascara. I learned to tone down my makeup routine. I always wore a full face when I was with Jacob. When I went makeup-less over the summer, I appreciated my skin a little more. I change into my outfit and stand in front of my full-length mirror. It was once littered with photos of me and Jacob. I had ripped them off the day I broke up with him. It was nice to see myself without all those pictures in the way. My whole room had been covered in things that reminded me of Jacob before I cleaned it all out. It was a total transformation, and I'm happy for it. My aunt Jade is bustling around the living room when I walk in. Her brown hair is in a bun already and she has on a pencil skirt and a light blue blouse. The only things missing are her high heels. "Morning, sunshine!" she exclaims. "Have you seen my black heels?" I shake my head. "They aren't in your closet?" "I looked, but I'll go check again." She walks around the couch and points to the kitchen. "I made you some pancakes. Didn't want you going to school on an empty stomach." "Thanks," I say as she runs into her room. My stomach growls at the sight of the pancakes on the counter. After putting a load of butter and syrup, I quickly scarf them down. "It's the first day and I'm already late," my aunt says as she rushes into the kitchen with her heels on. She grabs her cup and fills it with black coffee. Her bun is coming loose and she's juggling her black laptop bag and purple purse on her arm. She teaches business at the community college and has been there for two years. She always complains about grading and such, but I know she loves it. "Alright, I gotta jam outta here. Cute outfit by the way. Casey knows what she's doing." She hugs me quickly and heads for the door. "I'll see you tonight!" The past few months have been hard for both of us. She isn't as put together as my mom was. My mom always scolded her about her responsibilities. I push those thoughts aside. The nerves are building up as I finish my breakfast. I grab my backpack, keys, and my phone before heading out. The apartment is only about ten minutes from school, which is perfect for a day like today when I want to get there just a few minutes before the bell rings. In the school parking lot, I find Casey's white Ford Focus and pull in beside her. I gather my things and my thoughts before heading inside. My plan is to walk in, get my schedule, and head to class. After waiting in a relatively short line at a table near the front office, I finally get my schedule. My first class is a general computer class. I make my way through the halls and walk into the computer lab. I find my name on the seating chart and sit down, recognizing a few faces in class with me. My nerves are calming down finally. I relax into the chair and wait on our teacher to start class. Everything is going smoothly so far and I hope the rest of my day goes like this. Lunch arrives and I text Casey to meet me by our cars so we can head off campus. I'm walking to my car when I spot Jacob standing by his truck in his usual parking spot. A couple of his soccer friends are with him and I pray they distract him from seeing me. I start to speed walk past them and I make it to my car with no problem. Casey's right behind me. "I'm driving!" she exclaims, holding up her keys. We get into her car and she starts talking about her day. "I have psychology for second period and there's this really cute guy in my group. His name is Travis or something." "Or something?" I ask, laughing at her complete disregard for his name