CH 1

“Damnit!” Gia cursed as she slammed the palm of her hand over the tiny button on her alarm clock. She almost screamed when she realized she had hit the snooze button. She moaned as she lifted her head from her pillow and shut off the persistently buzzing alarm. Glaring at it before sitting up in her bed, she stretched her arms trying to wake up a little. She groggily got out of bed and turned on the shower water. Getting in, she let the hot water wake her up, taking deep breaths to feel refreshed. When her shower was over, she went over to her closet to get an outfit out, she scrunched up her nose at the selection provided. Grey and navy blue plaid skirt with a white button up shirt and a sweater or the skirt with a short sleeve shirt and a blue vest. Seeing as how it was hot out she opted for the vest and shirt to go with her skirt. She then pulled on her white knee-high stockings and but on a pair of black Mary Jane’s on her feet. She applied some lip-gloss to her lips and then pulled her thin long braids into a high ponytail and looked at herself in the mirror. She hated having to wear this uniform, especially since she wasn’t catholic, but her mother wanted her to go to a private school and St. Mary’s was the only one remotely close.

Gia lifted her book bag from the ground and tucked her head through the strap, resting it on one shoulder, the bag resting on her hip. She felt better after her shower, and smiled as she walked out of her bedroom, but her good moods quickly diminished as she heard the rough shouting of her stepfather. “Gia!” He bellowed when he heard her coming down the steps. Gia stopped at the door of the kitchen. “Yes.” She said. The man looked straight out of the military, witch he was, his bald pale head made his blue eyes stand out. “You need to take out the trash child! I told you to last night!” He yelled. “Phil, you didn’t ask me until 11:00 at night when I was ready for bed, it was too late. I’ll do it right now.” Gia said walking over to the trashcan. “Don’t forget to go to the market on your way home Gia, your mother doesn’t have time to go after work. Before you pick up Jacob.” Phil said. “Fine.” Gia mumbled. “What was that?” He said, raising his eyebrows. He stood up; walking up closer to her, his tall height and muscular built made Gia feel so small as he stood over her. “Yes Sr.” She said clearly. “That’s better, now get to school Gia.” Phil said. “But, breakfast.” Gia stuttered. “You don’t need it, you don’t want to get fat do you?” He said. “No Sr.” Gia said looking down. Phil brought his face inches away from hers and looked into her eyes. “Stop sassing me Gia and get to school NOW!” Gia flinched at the shock of his yell. She nodded her head weekly and went to work taking the garbage out of the trashcan and putting a new bag in. She silently carried the full bag outside and put it in the metal can outside. Gia then began to walk to the bus stop.

“Gia!” She heard her name being called. She turned around to see her best friend coming towards her. “Hey Zander.” She said with little enthusiasm as he came running to catch up to her. “Phil being a dick again?” He asked noticing the sad look on her face. “When is he not?” Gia questioned shaking her head. “Did he hit you again?” Zander asked, stopping and lightly touching her face. Gia shook her head. “No not this time.” She sighed. “I swear Gia, I’m going to kill him some day.” Zander said. “I know you would do that for me Zander but I don’t want you involved. I can handle it.” Gia said, leaning in and kissing his cheek softly. “OK well I’ll walk you to the bus stop, at least keep you safe while you’re walking by yourself.” Zander said. She continued to walk, with Zander instep with her. “Why do I even have to take the bus?” She asked. “You know how your mom feels about it.” Zander said. “Yes yes, she think I need to be independent and she doesn’t want to just give me a car, she thinks I need to work for it. But we have money, I mean, she’s a lawyer!” Gia exclaimed. Zander laughed. “Well I don’t have a car either so don’t complain.” Zander said. Gia glared at him. “Look at you, I can’t believe you get to wear clothes like that.” Gia said. “Gia it’s just jeans, a t-shirt and a leather jacket.” Zander said. “Yeah but it’s not a stupid uniform like mine.” Gia said. “Hey don’t knock that uniform you look sexy as hell in it.” Zander said. Gia hit him on the arm. “Shut up!” She said shaking her head. Zander laughed as he rubbed his arm. “Why do you get to go to public school and I don’t?” Gia asked. Zander grabbed her by the shoulders. “Gia, stop complaining or I’m going to scream.” Zander said. Gia laughed. “Sorry.” She mumbled with a smile. “Hey Gia, will you go to a party with me tonight? Please? It’s at this rich guys house that I don’t really know, his friend Lucky invited me but other then him I won’t know anyone there. Will you come?” Zander asked. “I have to cook dinner, plus we’re not supposed to.” Gia said. “Come on Gia, you have to.” Zander pleaded. “Fine, I’ll try, I’ll call you later.” Gia said. “Thank you Gia, I love you. OK I have to go, or I’ll be late.” Zander said, kissing her cheek before leaving. Gia waited at the bus stop, for her bus. Zander had been her best friend since she was a little girl, she always envied him for being able to go to public school and have freedom to do practically anything. Her thoughts of her childhood were cut off when the bus pulled up in front of her.

Gia got on the bus, loaded with girls in the same uniform as hers. The thing she hated most about the school that she went to was that it was an all girl’s school. Gia hated girls; she wished that could go to school with Zander so that she would have someone to talk to. She had no friends at this school and she couldn’t wait to graduate so that she could get out of there, thankfully she only had one year left to go. Then it was on to Colombia she supposed, like her mother wanted her to. She sighed, she guessed that she would become a lawyer too like her mother, that’s not what she wanted but that’s probably what would happen.