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I decided to leave school early and head straight to the mall. In my free time I could fill out job applications. I would also need to speak to the school tomorrow about taking some time off. I'm sure my dad would agree when I mentioned it was so I could work more.

"Glad to see you! Not too busy today, but tomorrow we're starting the sale to get rid of old inventory."

"I can come in early tomorrow."

"Don't you have school dear?"

"I have to take some time off. I really need the work."

"Oh honey what happened?"

I shrugged not wanting to talk about it.

"A few extra bills that's all."

We were having a slow day. I only had four customers. I decided to go to the food court for lunch. I felt like I deserved something good after such a bad day.

"Your total is 5.34."

"Add it to my bill."

"Colton! You don't have to do that really." I pulled a ten dollar bill out of my jacket.

"You're not paying."

He handed the cashier his credit card.

"I'm paying you back." I said as he sat down across from me.

"I'm not worried about it. Besides I'm happy to eat lunch with you. Shouldn't you be in school though?"

"No. I'm taking some time off."

"For how long?"

"A few months. I don't know maybe I'll just get the GED."

"You can't be serious why would you do that?"

I shrugged. I guess Colton already knows how poor I am from seeing my house but I didn't want him to know how badly I struggled for money.

"Cashmere why are you dropping out of high school?"

I sighed becoming annoyed. "Someone stole money from my locker. Now I need the money to buy food and pay my bills."

His fist clenched around his napkin.

"Who do you think did it?"

"I'm not sure."

"How much money do you need for food?"

"What? Colton no. I don't want your money. I'll figure it out I promise."

"I'm not playing a game. You can pay me back later if you really think you have to. How much?"

"Forty."

He handed me a hundred dollar bill.

"No. I can't accept this much."

"I would give you more, but it's all I have on me. We can go to the atm."

"No seriously this is too much."

"Just do me a favor and stay in school."

I nodded my head. I felt guilty about taking his money. Surely this guy didn't have money to throw away like that.

On my next break I headed out to the grocery store. My dad must be really hungry because he agreed to come and pick up the groceries so I could head back to work.

I picked out a few bags of bread, two packs of chicken, and five rolls of hamburger meat along with a few cases of water. That should last us at least two weeks. I also grabbed some snack food which was rare.

"Wow. You did good kid." My dad said looking through the bags. Normally I brought home one bag of food. Today, I had ten bags.

My first compliment

I still hadn't warned them about the power getting shut off. I still had a little bit of hope I'd be able to fix this.

When I got off work Colton was standing outside waiting for me.

"Thanks for picking me up."

"No problem baby. What time do you get off tomorrow?"

He's so cute

"We have a sale tomorrow so probably late. Around two but Moira can take me home."

"No. I'll be here." He opened the door for me.

I was still confused as to what we really were. He seemed to care, I mean you don't give money to someone you hate, but he hadn't asked me out on a date yet. I didn't want to seem needy so I wasn't going to ask the typical question of what are we. I also had no experience with guys especially guys older than me.

"So I guess I'll see you tomorrow right?"

"Yeah."

As usual he waited until I was inside to leave. I should probably talk to Kiran and Kaitlin about this tomorrow. I really needed to get a guy best friend so he could analyze this. Did Colton like me or not? Did I really like him?

The next morning when I got to school Colton was standing outside with Kaitlin and Kiran.

What the fresh hell is this?

"What's going on?"

"Explain it to her." Colton said sharply.

"I'm so sorry cash." Kaitlin cried.

"Um for what?"

"For taking your money." She sniffed.

"You're joking. That was you?"

Please don't be true

She handed the stack of bills to me.

"Leave." Colton sneered at them. "Cashmere. I'm sorry about what your friends did."

"Yeah..."

"Colton baby! Hey!"

"Liston?"

He seemed surprised to see her. A short brunette girl ran over and hugged him.

"Who are you?" She spat.

I ignored her and ran inside the building. That was why he never asked me out. He was already in a relationship.

I walk straight to the bathroom. No one was going to know how bad things were.

"Dad I need you to come to my school....Yeah now."

I hung up the phone drying my tears. Tomorrow I would never see any of these people again.

"Do you look different?"

I rolled my eyes. Nice of my dad to finally notice.

"I'm dropping out. Here sign these I need to get to work and drop the bills off."

I pushed the stack of papers towards him. He didn't even hesitate before signing them.


"I can't believe you dropped out of school." Colton stated angrily.

"None of your concern. Here's your receipt."

How did he find out?

He still didn't move away from my register. I wondered if he even wears the clothes he buys here. They're pretty expensive but don't seem to be his taste.

"Next!"

I hid a smirk as the lady behind him actually pushed him out of her way.

"What's the story with him?"

I decided I really needed Moira's advice right now.

"I thought he liked me. He gave me money to buy food, paid for my lunch yesterday, and gives me rides home from work. But.....he has a girlfriend."

"So?"

My mouth dropped open. "So! So he's taken."

"You're prettier doll."

"Moira you haven't even seen her."

"If he's giving you rides late at night and coming to visit the mall so much lately he likes you more."

"Agreed."

"Look you two." I glanced between my customer and Moira. "I'm not a home wrecker. If he wanted me he wouldn't be with her. It's simple."

"No. Feelings are complicated. Go get that boy."

"Whew. I'm exhausted." I wiped the pretend sweat off my brow.

"Your boyfriends outside."

"Don't play Moira! And don't speak to him or even look at him."

"Whatever you say." She laughed.

"Cash! Can we talk? It's not what you think!"

I ignored him and hopped in Moira's smart car. The best thing about her car was that you couldn't hear any noises from outside which made it easier to ignore him. Oh no. Moira's talking to him. Why can't she stay out of it?

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