The bell rings.

I gather my stuff and walk outside the classroom. Dylan and Dallas wave at me, then walk in the other direction. 

I walk to my car and get in. The bar I always go to study is just fifteen minutes away, so I get there fast. I'm here almost every day of the week. Except in the weekends, and on Friday. I just have one principle: never study on Friday!

I get out of my car and take some books with me. Math, biology and French. Ugh, French. It's so difficult!

I walk inside, but turn my head behind me to check if my car's locked. And of course, I bump into someone and all my books fall down.

"Sorry!" I kneel down and gather my stuff. "Would you watch out of your fucki-" the boy starts, but stops as he locks eyes with me. His eyes soften and he kneels down next to me, to help me with my stuff. 

"Y-you don't have to do that," I stutter, but he pretends to not hear it. He picks up my math book, and reads my name. 

"Scarlett, is that your name?" he asks. I look in his ocean blue eyes and nod. He smiles, and it lights up his face.

He points behind him, to his friends. "Mind if you sit with us?" he asks. I shrug and sit down at their table. They all look so hot, oh my God.

I blush by my own thoughts and look down. "So, Scarlett, what are you doing here?" he asks and sits down next to me.

I blush even more, not making eye contact. "I always come here to study," I shrug, trying to keep my voice steady. He nods. "Well, I'm Jordan."

I look at him. He has gorgeous blonde hair, ocean blue eyes and strong biceps. "I'm Scarlett." Shit. He already knew that.

He chuckles, and the blush returns. The other boys stare at me, and I look down again. The boy next to me punches me softly, and I look at his face. He has green eyes, black hair and a beautiful smile.

"I'm Aaron," he says and I nod. "Hi," I say, my voice small. The boy on his side waves at me. "Hey Scarlett, I'm Ethan," he smiles. "And I'm Owen," the boy across me adds.

I look at the boy next to him, who doesn't say anything. He just stares at me. Jordan coughs. "That's Elijah, but he isn't very sociable. He's my brother."

Oh.

I smile at Elijah, and I see surprise in his eyes before he looks down. I know how it feels to not know how to express yourself, to  not be able to find the words to tell people how you feel.

"So what are you guys doing here?" I ask. Jordan shrugs. "Hanging out." I feel Elijah's eyes on me again, but when I look at him, he quickly looks down again.

Jordan sighs, irritated, but I giggle. The boys look each other in the eyes before drawing their attention back to me, almost as if they confirm something.

"So, you come here every day?" Ethan asks, and I nod. He smiles. "What a coincidence. I work here," he says, and gestures to the bar behind us. My eyes widen. "Really?"

He nods. Weird, I've never seen him here before...

"Want something?" he asks, standing up. "A chocolate milkshake, please," I smile and he nods, walking away. "So, Scarlett, how old are you?" Owen asks.

"Oh, I'm eighteen," I smile. A broad smile appears on their faces. "Oh really?"  

I nod, not knowing why they're so happy about that. Ethan gives me my milkshake and I blush. "Thanks."

"Hey Eth, Scarlett here is eighteen," Jordan smirks. Ethan's face lights up. "Oh?" He looks at me and I nod. 

I cough. "So, how old are you?"

Jordan's face falls. "Eh, I'm twenty-two, " he softly says. I nod and look at the other boys. 

"Twenty-four."

"Twenty-six."

"Nineteen."

I look at Elijah. He hesitantly smiles at me. "I'm twenty-one," he says, and he surprises me with it. He has a very deep voice, and it sends shivers through my whole body.

I turn to Ethan. "So why are you hanging with these teenagers?" I ask, and he chuckles. "Oh, they live with me," he shrugs. I frown and look at all five of them. "You all live together?"

They nod. "It's cheaper, and a lot more fun," Aaron shrugs.

I shrug, too. I mean, it's not my business.

"But... you don't have any privacy then?" I frown. Jordan grins. "We don't need privacy." That makes me frown even more. Everyone needs privacy.

I get up, seeing it's already six o'clock. "I need to go home, see you later." I walk out of the bar and get in my car. I drive home.

Dad's car is there already, so I quickly walk inside. "Ah, finally joining us?" he snaps, his tone harsh. I cringe and sit down at the table.

"I was studying at the bar," I tell him. He scoffs. "Sure."

Just as I want to say anything else, his phone rings. Amanda is calling... His eyes widen and he picks up, walking away.

I frown. Amanda? Isn't that a co-worker from the mall? 

Mom comes in and smiles at me. "Hey, honey! How are you? You're not looking very happy," she frowns and sits down next to me. "Oh, nothing important," I brush it off and she nods.

"I'm here for you, you know." I nod. I wish there was something for her, too.

***

"Dad, who is Amanda?"

He turns around and narrows his eyes at me. "No one. Shut your mouth."

No one? Then why was she calling?

"But she was calling you," I say. I know it isn't smart, but I've got to know. If he is cheating on Mom, she deserves to know. 

He stands up and walks towards me. "Didn't I say to shut your mouth?" he yells and I flinch. "S-sorry," I stutter.

Tom runs in my room. He eyes Dad and then me, and sits down next to me on my bed. He pushes Dad away, who growls and then leaves. Tom hugs me. "What happened?" he softly asks.

I sob. "He's cheating on Mom."

Tom's eyes narrow. "Of course he is. He's the worst asshole in the world," he groans. "Oh fuck, this will destroy Mom."

I nod. It will.