The Boys of Hawthorne by Ashtyn Short

Chapter Seven 

Aspen 

“Good morning, sweetpea,” Mom says as she sits down on the bed, brushing her hand over my cheek, “It’s time to get up. You don’t want to be late for your first day at your new school.” 

At the mention of my new school, butterflies immediately take flight in my stomach as nerves hit me. 

I seriously hate being the new kid. But at least I’ll have the boys to walk in with and help me to find where I need to go. 

“The boys have already left, some kind of meeting or something that they had to go to before school.” Smacking me on the butt, Mom stands up from the bed and pulls the comforter off of me. 

Or maybe I won’t have them there. 

Damnit! 

“Get up! Get up! Get up!” Mom sings, sounding like an impatient three–year–old, “I’ll take you for breakfast before I drop you off at school, but that means you need to get up right now. 

“Okay. Okay. I’m up. I’m up.” Rubbing my left eye with the knuckle of my index finger, I stretch, my back popping with 

the movement. 

Walking into the bathroom, I turn the shower on just as I hear my bedroom door close shut. I quickly shower, nervous butterflies fluttering around in my stomach, but excitement is also coursing through me. Not about starting at a new school, but about at least knowing the boys. 

And that ought to make the entire experience more bearable. 

Reaching outside the shower, I grab my towel from one of the little hooks on the wall and wrap it around myself, then step out of the shower. Using the hand not holding up the towel, I wipe away the condensation that’s clinging to the mirror, my bleary face slowly becoming clearer as the moisture begins to evaporate. 

Taking longer than I should have to put my makeup on, wanting to get it just right, I’m left rushing to get my hair. blow–dried and straightened. 

Then, I pick out a pair of black distressed skinny jeans and an emerald–colored crop top that really makes my eyes pop and top it off with my favorite comfy black and white plaid shirt, just in case my classes are cold. Lastly, I finish off the look with my favorite pair of Chuck Taylors. 

Checking my reflection in the full–body mirror attached to the inside of my closet door, I take myself in from head to toe. My hair and makeup are on point, and my outfit is cute without making it look like I tried too hard. Plus, I can just button up my shirt if the crop top is too short for the dress code. 

Grabbing my bag, I stuff my notebooks, pens, pencils, and a spare set of clothes for athletics, along with socks and 

tennis shoes. 

I run down the stairs, taking them two at a time, and meet mom at the front door with my bag over my shoulder, a 

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smile on my face and butterflies taking flight in my stomach. 

“You ready?” Mom asks with a grin of her own as we walk out the door, and I pull it shut behind me. 

“I think so. It’s a new school, which is never fun but at least I know the guys. That should help to make things go more smoothly. At least, I hope that it does.” I tell her, opening the passenger door and dropping into the smooth leather seat of the 2021 Mercedes–Benz E class that Collin bought mom as a just because I love you present. 

Or, that’s what he said it was for when he brought it home Saturday night, surprising the whole lot of us. 

They’re so cute, but it actually makes me both jealous and sad that I won’t get the chance to see if I could have that 

sort of a relationship with Boston. 

“I’m glad you have them to make the transition easier. You seem to have taken up nicely with Boston and Lincoln.” She has absolutely no idea just how well I’ve gotten to know Boston, and I don’t plan on her finding out. 

Ever. 

“Just don’t forget that Dallas and Jackson need the chance to get to know you, to bring you into their fold too.” She says, giving me that mom look that she’s perfected over the years. 

“I know, mom. I’m not picking favorites or anything. Friday night, I actually met Boston and Lincoln. Or well, I found my way to their football game and when I was walking back home after the game, they offered me a ride. They were on their way to a party to celebrate their win and asked if I wanted to go.” 

At mom’s look that says You got into a vehicle with two boys who are complete strangers. Are you an idiot? To which she thankfully says nothing, I continue, “I know, don’t give me that look. I didn’t just jump right in their truck. I did have my reservations. But Boston was concerned about me walking home alone at night. He seemed sincere enough, and I had my cell and mace. With that in mind, I accepted their offer for a ride, then after talking while driving, I decided to go to the party with them. Figured that it couldn’t hurt to get a head start on knowing some of the people I would be going to school with.” 

“You had already met them?” Mom asks, glancing over at me as we pull into the parking lot of the little diner in townL 

“Yeah, it’s crazy right?” I ask as we step out of the car. 

Making my way around the front, I step up next to her, continuing, “Yeah, so you can imagine my surprise when they walked into the kitchen Saturday morning.” 

“That would definitely explain the way things seem to be more comfortable between the three of you. Collin and I both thought it was odd that you had taken to those two but not the others. But we figured under the circumstances, ya know?” she says with a wave of her hand, as she opens the door, and we walk into breakfast heaven. 

My stomach lets out a loud growl at the assault on my senses, making sure that I am more than aware that it needs 

food. 

“Have a seat wherever you like,” a young curly–haired brunette girl says. She doesn’t look much older than me, has bright blue eyes, and a genuine, ear–to–ear smile. 

Finding an empty booth in front of the windows facing the street, I people–watch as mom looks over the menu. 

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Chapter Seven 

Already knowing what I’m going to get. I always get the same thing, regardless of where we go, if they have breakfast, they have pancakes, eggs, and bacon. 

“Hi. My name is Janelle and I’ll be your waitress this morning. Do you know what you want, or do you need more time to look over the menu?” The girl that greeted us as we walked in asks as she stops at our table. 

Glancing at mom, she nods her head, giving permission to go ahead that she’s ready. 

I’ll take a mini stack of pancakes, two eggs over hard, and some bacon.” I tell her, “Oh, and can I get a coffee with some French Vanilla creamer and water too please?” 

“Sure thing, darlin‘. What about you ma’am?” Mom blushes at being called ma’am, still feeling too young to be called such. 

“I’ll have the California omelet with a side of fruit, and coffee and water please,” Mom asks, closing the menu. 

“Absolutely. Would you like some creamer also?” She asks as she finishes writing down her order and takes our menus 

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1. up. 

“No, I’m good. Thank you.” 

“I’ll get that order put in and be right back with your drinks,” Janelle says with a nod and a smile while backing away. 

Much faster than I had expected, our food is served, and mom and I are tearing into our breakfast like we’re starving. Janelle approaches our table, and I try to hurry and finish chewing my mouthful of food, only to end up choking on it as it goes down the wrong pipe.. 

“Oh, dear! Are you okay?” Janelle asks with worry etched in her features. 

“Yeah,” I grate out between coughing. Taking a few sips of water to try to clear my throat, I try again, “Sorry. Went down the wrong pipe.” I say with an embarrassed chuckle. 

“Well, here is your ticket for whenever you ladies are ready. No rush.” Mom pulls out her debit card and hands it along with our ticket back over to Janelle. 

“Thank you. Gotta get this one to school.” She says pointing at me with a proud gleam in her eyes. 

“Do you go to Hawthorne High?” She asks, looking at me. 

“Yeah. Or well, today is my first day.” Nerves pick back up at the prospect of starting yet another school. 

“What grade are you in? I graduated from there last year.” 

“I’m a Senior. Is it a good school?” I ask, hoping to glean some kind of insight into the school. 

“Oh, yeah. It’s a great school. Lots of cute boys, too.” She covers her mouth and whispers, wagging her eyebrows and winking as though mom can’t hear. 

“Good to know!” I say with a checky grin. 

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Chapter Seven 

Maybe the best way to get Boston to see that I’m serious and that nothing can happen between us is to meet someone 

else. 

Not that I really want to. I don’t think there’s another guy out there that can make me feel the way Boston does. 

But we owe it to our parents to give their marriage a real shot without their kids hooking up behind their backs. 

Right? 

“Let me go run this, so I can get yo 

you on your way.” 

“She seems nice.” Mom remarks, with a twinkle in her eye and a grin on her lips, “Cute guys, huh?” 

“Oh hush, mom,” I say covering my face with my hand and fighting off an embarrassed smile. “I just want to get through the year. Lay low and graduate.” 

“I know, honey,” Mom says, reaching out and covering the hand resting on the table with her own. Which causes me to drop the other from my face, “But it never hurts to make friends, maybe even allow yourself to have a boyfriend for once. I know it hasn’t been easy with us moving so much, but I’m not planning on moving again. I think 

it’s time to put down roots, for both of us. And God willing, everything stays copacetic between me and Collin, and you and the boys.” 

“Let’s just take it one day at a time.” I say as Janelle drops off mom’s card and receipt, wishing me well on my first day at my new school, And who the heck says copacetic anymore? What is this, the nineties?” 

Mom just chuckles and rolls her eyes, stands up from the table, and heads towards the door. 

I guess that’s my cue that it’s time to go, I think to myself as I follow her out the door. 

Pulling into the parking lot, I glance at mom, “I know it’s my first day and all and you wanted to take me to breakfast, thanks for that, by the way. But, from here on out, can I drive myself to school or catch a ride with the boys if they’re around?” 

“Of course, 

honey. Do I need to pick you up after school today or do you want to catch a ride with the boys?” She asks as she digs into her purse and pulls out some cash for lunch. 

“Umm, I’ll try to catch a ride with them, if that’s okay,” I say, pocketing the cash and opening the door to step 

out. 

“Sure, sure. Have a great day, Honey. I love you.” Mom makes sure to say before I shut the door, an ear–to–ear smile on her face. She loves to try to embarrass me. 

“Love you, too. Bye, mom.” Shutting the door, I turn towards my new school. 

Shutting the door, I turn toward my new school, resolving that I’m going to make the most of this situation, and thankfully I’ll have four brothers to help with making the transition that much easier. A smile brightens my face at the thought of Boston, Lincoln, and the other two.