Dolly

Muffin

DOLLY CARTER

"Dolly! Wake up, we have school!" Axel shouted, walking into my room. Little did he know I was already awake, dressed, and packing my backpack. Why was I up at 6 am on a Tuesday? It may have something to do with Valentino from yesterday. He was so charming yesterday, especially when he patched up my scratches.

Flashback:

Valentino stopped the car and removed his toned hand from my lap, much to my disappointment. Unbuckling his belt and then mine, he lifted my legs into his and pulled a first aid kit from a compartment under the back seats. I'd never been in a position with a boy like this before....obviously.

'This might hurt a bit, ok? But it's better than getting your little knee infected, ok?' Before I could even nod, he poured a liquid onto a cotton pad and then straight onto my knee. I screamed in agony, actually screamed. You think it wouldn't hurt since I'm always tripping over and getting sores but nope. It always feels like I'm being burnt alike.

After a couple more cuts being cleaned, Valentino plastered my knee up and layered a soft kiss on both knees, sending a herd of caterpillars to my stomach. Caterpillars? I saw it on Disney Channel and thought it was funny, so I think I might just keep saying it. Hehe.

Wasn't that bad, was it hm? You did a good job,' his praise made all the blood in my body rush to my cheeks. Hopefully, he didn't see.

End of flashback

After that, he started the car and dropped me off at the park, he obviously tried to drive me all the way home, but my secret ways made him listen. And thank the lord that it had stopped raining! I couldn't stop thinking about what a gentleman he was. I'm so glad Axel had detention yesterday, mhm, yep, that's why he was late. Apparently, he couldn't find me during my last lesson, art, so there was no way to tell me. Usually, I'd make him buy me cookies for a month, but I was feeling kind. After all, I got to spend time with Valentino.

I skipped out of my room, swinging my backpack onto my shoulder. In the kitchen, I found Mama, Axel, and Charlie eating...muffins. What? They bought muffins and didn't offer me one. Sulking, I shuffled into the kitchen, gaining the attention of everyone. "Can I please have a muffin?" Everyone's eyes went wide, oh no. "I'm sorry, Dolly, there's none left." How could they forget me? I mean it wasn't the first time, it's a regular occurrence: forgetting me.

I muttered a small goodbye, no longer wanting to go to school with the boys. And now I have no breakfast. Today is so not my day. Huffing, I made my way to school, repeating the directions in my head, hoping I wouldn't get lost...again. A very long walk to school later, I felt as if my feet were going to drop off. And come on, I'm walking on an empty stomach. I need to feed the demons that are currently growling in my stomach. What if they decide to just eat me instead? Wait, if they're in me, they can't eat me. I'm so confused.

Humming to my favorite song, I finally walked through the big black gates of the school. I was confused when I saw no one lingering around like yesterday. Is school closed? I hope not. I know I'm not fond of the people, but I enjoy the lessons and- nope, just lessons. Definitely not excited to see Valentino.

Ignoring the possibility of school being closed, I bounced lightly to the school steps and cautiously walked up to them, attempting not to trip on my shoelaces that I didn't tie. Why? Funny story, I can't tie shoelaces. No matter what method Axel teaches me, bunny ears or the bow one, I just can't do it. I blame it on my tiny but chubby fingers. I relaxed, seeing the odd few students pondering in the halls. I guess school hasn't been canceled, that's a relief.

I checked my schedule to see my first lesson was...English. Ooh, I like writing. Axel says I should be a published author, whatever that means. But when I leave school, I want to travel the world and make a living out of that. After getting lost for the third time on the way to English, with way too many hallways, I finally found the worn-out door with a plaque, 'English: Ms. Chitmace.' She sounds nice, unlike all the other teachers yesterday.

Exhaling, I stumbled into the room to find way too many pairs of eyes on me...oops? Most erupted into fits of laughter while I blushed and looked down, embarrassed. Not the greatest first impression, if I wanted to make a few new friends. "Who are you? And why are you late to my lesson?" a croaky voice spat. Uh, what? I slowly looked up and saw an older, wrinkly, woman gazing at me with annoyance in her eyes. What did I do...wait, did she say late? Uh oh. If this was the teacher, then I was wrong....she is definitely not nice. Maybe she's just having a bad day.

Picking myself up, I stuttered, "Ummm, I-I'm Dolly Carter, and this is my second day. I didn't know I was late. I'm sorry, sir- I mean, ma'am." She just glared at me, and slowly stalked toward me, like a stray dog, whilst everyone bellowed at my slip-up. Can I run? She threw a pink slip into my hand, gave me one last glare, and pointed to a seat for me to take. I ran to the seat without hesitation, and cowered into the back of it, hoping no one could see me, but I knew that was impossible. That was my dream superpower, invisibility.

Remembering the neon pink slip she gave me, I looked down to see 'detention'. Why would she give me this for my first lesson? I would ask her, but she looked a tad bit angry, so I thought the best of it. Axel must know why.

_____________________________________

It was finally lunch therefore, I went to find the tree I saw yesterday to sit under, but it was already occupied by a hunched figure with a navy blue backpack on their lap. Maybe I could make a new friend! Now feeling excited, I skipped to the person I now saw as a boy. He had dark brown hair, which complemented his skin complexion and was wearing the same blue jacket all my brother's football friends wear. Maybe he's on the team as well.

"Hey!" I squealed, not meaning to scare him. He flinched, placing his hand on his chest with a star-stricken look on his face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Now I feel bad. "No, no. You're ok, just frightened me a little bit." He lightly laughed, calming his breathing. "Hey! You're the new girl, Charlie's sister?"

I shook my head, "Yea, I am, and no, I'm Axel's sister. The weird dude who's obsessed with sour patch kids and Scooby doo." Realization soon hit me, "I don't think I was supposed to tell you that." Let's hope Axel doesn't find out I told people, he would kill me. He laughed again, I'm not too sure what at, but his laugh made me laugh, so here we are, rolling on the grass laughing. At least I didn't wear a skirt today.

After controlling his laughter, he stuck out his pale hand out, "I'm Cooper Montgomery, the coolest person in this school." "Mhm, I'm cooler." I nodded, wanting to eat my sandwich. Not even two minutes later, I had gobbled my sandwich down, which made Cooper stare at me in....admiration? Giggling, I told him the story of this morning, and he agreed he would have done the same thing. He even promised to buy me a box of muffins. I think he might be my new friend...