Alarms were never my favorite sound in the world especially when they continuously go off after a late night. I was exhausted and hearing the sound of beeping was enough to annoy anyone this early.

I was up until two o'clock hanging out with West last night, so hearing that beeping wasn't exactly my favorite thing to hear three hours later. Therefore, this morning was starting off like hell already.

West knocked a few times, entering my room with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Ah, rise and shine." He looked all sweaty, probably from his morning jog.

I pouted. "Where's mine?"

He chuckled, ruffling my already bedridden hair. "In a container waiting to be made."

In response, I threw a pillow at him and started getting my stuff together for school. "What are you doing up so early anyway?"

"I have to make that stop and check on my mom's friend and get whatever she wanted to give me and then I have to catch my flight," he said.

I don't get why his mom's friend couldn't just mail whatever it is she's giving him, but since he got a nice visit here, I'd have to say I didn't really mind.

"I wish you could stay longer," I said sadly as I tried to brush out all the knots in my hair. He walked over and gave me a side hug, and I pretended to gag, pushing him away.

"Okay, you smell like sweat. You can go now," I said, plugging my nose and shooing him away.

He only chuckled. "That's what happens when you go jogging on a hot day."

I couldn't help the snort that came from me. "It's always a hot day in Long Beach," I said before walking into my closet and grabbing a pair of leggings and a long t-shirt to cover my butt.

When I walked out, my cousin moved to just sitting back on my bed with his phone in his hand.

I raised an eyebrow. "Do you mind?"

"Nah, not at all. Continue with your little morning routine."

I rolled my eyes, but still did exactly that, taking a shower, I quickly washed my body and hair before getting out. I knew I'd have more time to enjoy the hot water later after my jog.

I brushed out my wet hair and then blow dried it. Once it was completely dry, I got dressed and then headed out to my vanity, doing my usual braids and then the bun before putting on the wig cap and the wig.

I moved onto the nose part and easily put it on before I added my glasses just as my phone rang loudly throughout the room.

"Hello?" West said into the device, since it just so happened to be right next to him. I attempted to grab it out of his hands, but once he stood up, it was nearly impossible, even for me, being 5'10.

He pulled the phone away from his ear and covered it with his phone. "Clove, Tori said that the key's not in the rock. Therefore, you have five seconds to open the door before she beats your ass."

were you going to

stuck his tongue out at me before telling Tori that he'd be down in a sec

I thought I was driving today?" I asked curiously as I grabbed my bookbag and made sure my history book was in there since I forgot it yesterday.

I thought about that, but I didn't want to be without a ride if you got

throwing a pillow at her.

just have my own

I said and she smiled, handing me my usual Starbucks drink. When I walked downstairs, I was surprised to see my parents sitting at the dining room table, drinking coffee. My dad wasn't talking

and West looked over at me, pausing

with enthusiasm that even a crazy person could see wasn't real.

you been? I called Mary; she said you've been late recently to your photo shoots." Her smile turned

serious? She made it sound

once and

off her expensive Apple watch. "Well, as always, I

suitcase before heading out the front door with a

"Hey, Dad," I said softly as I grabbed an apple from the bowl

myself to speak so I only nodded, watching as he closed the newspaper and grabbed his briefcase, leaving

see what it's like to not live up to your parents’ expectations then my parents were the ones to have. My mom constantly traveled around the world to her many boutiques. She sold the best clothes, clothes everyone wanted. Clothes I've even seen people at school wearing. She was like the new Michael Kors or the new Coach. You just had to have her clothes. Now, my dad was a different story. He's a surgeon, so he didn't come home often. He was always doing surgery or he was always at the hospital doing paperwork. At least, that's what he said he did. I wasn't stupid, though, I know that a surgeon can come home eventually even in the busiest hours, but part of

every surgeon has to come home for clothes eventually. That is, if they're even still

working hard in school, getting perfect grades, going to a

who wasn't me.

softly, pulling me into a hug.

I wiped off a tear that I didn't realize had fallen and pulled away from Tori. "I'm okay, don't worry about it," I said, slathering my own fake smile on my face.

you could always come live with us. My mom would love to feel like she has

West, but your mom is a little too crazy."

ones who actually made me feel like I was a part of a family. I should really visit them soon.

on my phone and knew we had to leave now if we wanted to make it to school on time. "We have to get going, but I'll come visit soon."

stole the apple from my hand, taking a huge bite out of it. "Bye, thanks for this," he said with his mouth full, making me scrunch

to the car. We both got in and buckled up and made light

me the Andrew Carter was in detention at the same time as you? You're so lucky, " she said with a look of veneration.

eyebrow. "He was completely drunk."

What was so great about sitting in the same

paid attention to you the whole time. That's a rare thing for him. He usually talks to the girls who

I couldn't hold back a laugh. She had

"Kind of like you?" I asked, causing her to look at me with a glare and smack my arm

last conversation being about the school's player," I said, pretending to look up at the

a jerk," she said, shaking her head in amusement

our direction, but I did notice Andrew was standing with

where my attention was at. "He may be incredibly hot, but you're not allowed to even be interest in him. That guy will break your heart quicker than you

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