The Little Voice by Taylor Broadway (i am malala young readers edition txt) 📕

Chapter One- priorities
“Riley, get up sweetheart it’s the first day of your sophomore year. Get up.” My mom was practically yelling in my ear when she pulled the covers off my face. I blinked a little at the bright light coming from my window. I blinked rapidly a few more times and rolled over. My mom patted my back a little and said “Come on you don’t wanna be late on your first day?”
I groaned and sat up. “Mom, please don’t ask that question because right now I’d love to sleep another hour or two.” My mom rolled her eyes and kissed my forehead. When she walked out of my room I threw the blanket back over my head and sunk down into my bed. I was going to try to get at least 10 more minutes of sleep but the twins came in.
“Mommy said to get up,” Emma said as she hopped onto my bed. I felt Ella trot into my room, there was a faint click of the light switch and then the room grew lighter. Emma pulled off the covers and said “Mom gave us 5 dollars to make sure you got up on time.” A grin covered both of their faces and Ella pulled a flashlight out of her back pocket.
“Don’t make me use the multi-colored flashlight because I will. Don’t tempt me.” Ella said as she tugged at my arm. I groaned again and sat up. I stared at both of their identical, annoying, part-angelic faces. Ella nudged Emma and gave her a look and they trotted out of my room.
I was tempted to just roll back over and go to sleep but something in my head told me that it wasn’t a good idea. I stood up and walked to my bathroom. When I flipped on the bathroom light I almost screamed. The hot mess I saw in the mirror scared me. My wanna-be blonde hair was tangled into big knots and my face was covered in red splotches. I sighed and turned on the shower. I walked back out to my room to wait for the hot water and to get my phone.
My phone was flashing and vibrating when I picked it up. When I looked at the screen there was a long list of missed alerts and the majority of them were from my boyfriend Gavin. I rolled my eyes and laid my phone on my bed.
When I got in the shower I scrubbed my head with shampoo. I wasn’t ready for the first day of school. I was mad at Gavin and I wasn’t ready to deal with Sophia and her stupid posse. I couldn’t handle Gavin trying to make a fool of himself for my forgiveness. I definitely couldn’t handle Sophia’s stupid comments on my shoes or backpack. The more I thought about it the more I just wanted to hop out of the shower and go back to bed. But again there was a voice in my head that said to get out and get dressed.
I was starting to dislike the voice because no matter how horrible the thoughts of embarrassment or heartbreak the stupid voice wouldn’t leave my head. I know that when I go to school Gavin will be apologizing and begging. Oh and Sophia will be trying to own the halls. I’m not ready for another year at Monroeville High. Nope, not at all.
When I got out of the shower I went straight to my closet. Not only do I have to start the school year broken hearted and going in having to deal with Sophia I also have a strict mother. I had to think of a way to get a cute outfit out the door without my mom knowing. I grabbed a white Hollister shirt and my Hollister mini skirt. Then I grabbed a pair of sweats and a hoodie. My mom wouldn’t think a thing about me going casual on my first day of school. My mom thinks that I’m just a practical girl who doesn’t need material things in life. It’s a good thing I got to my dad’s once a month or I’d be wearing this with nothing to change into.
When I walked out of the closet I almost died of heart attack. My friend Madeline was sitting on my bed. I took in a deep breath before I spoke.
“Whoa. How did you get in here?” I asked as I pulled the sweats over my skirt.
“Your mom let me in. When are you going to stop double dressing?” She asked.
I rolled my eyes “The day my mom realizes I’m 15 not 2.” Madi laughed and pulled my phone off the bed. I gasped.
“When are you going to forgive this poor boy?” Madi said.
“Soon, I just want to make him suffer a little.” I said taking my phone out of her hand.
“Come on Riles sure he kissed Sophia but that was 3 months ago. He has apologized, humiliated himself, he has done it all. Besides you can’t go out with him but ignore his texts, calls, and etc.” she said as she stood up. “You either forgive him or dump him. I think you just won’t dump him because you think Sophia will get him.”
I rolled my eyes and pushed her out of my room. When I shut my door I sighed. Madi was right. Gavin is the only thing I have that Sophia can’t take away. She’s taken everything I’ve ever had. It’s like it’s her goal. We used to be good friends in like third grade but she decided I wasn’t good enough. Ever since it’s been her mission to take whatever makes me happy. She took everything from crayons to my cheer captain spot in middle school. The only thing she can’t have is Gavin De’Roy.
Gavin De’Roy is a 15 year old sophomore, I’ve known him since kindergarten and he has always been the cute, jock type. He plays starting varsity for football and basketball. He is a straight A student and is high on the popularity chart. I don’t know why he likes me but he asked me out the second day of freshman year. I’ve dated him for 8 months and Sophia is very jealous. Gavin swore he didn’t want her and it was just a mistake when he kissed her.
“Riley hurry up and get down here.” My mom yelled. I ran into my bathroom and combed my hair. I put a bobby pin in and doused it in hairspray. I got a quick glance of myself in the mirror and ran back in my room. I grabbed my phone and book bag and headed for the stairs.
“Come on Riley you’re going to miss the bus if you don’t hurry,” my mom said when I got to the bottom of the stairs. My mom pulled out the camera and I put my hand in the lens. “Ok, no pictures. Have a good day,” she said as I walked out the door.
Madi was sitting on the porch and she hopped up when I walked outside. She reached for my phone which was in my hand and I pulled away. “Madi, I’ll talk to him later. Stop worrying so much about me.” I said as we walked down the sidewalk.
“I’m only worrying because you are my friend,” she said as she wrapped her arms around me.
I wiggled free from her hug “Well thanks but some things I can handle myself.” She rolled her eyes and we both stopped dead in our tracks.
About ten feet from where we froze stood something horrible. Madi and I both gasped at the same thing. There stood a skinny blonde holding a Channel purse. She wore a tiny skirt and layered tank tops. Her hair was perfectly straight and when she turned her head towards us I nearly died.
It was Sophia McCorrick, the pretty, popular, cheerleader, complete blonde stereotype standing in front of me. She flipped her hair and turned away. I looked at Madi the same time Madi looked at me. Then Sophia turned towards me with a slight grin on her face.
“Nice outfit Oliver, typical for you.” She said and then she giggled. I rolled my eyes but then remembered that I hadn’t taken off my sweat outfit yet. I pulled my sweats off and took off the hoodie. Sophia stared me up and down and turned back around.
I laughed and Sophia spun towards me. “What’s so funny Riley?” she asked. I laughed again.
“Oh nothing really.” I said. Lucky me, my phone started to ring. I looked at the screen and laughed again. I didn’t flip open the phone though. Right then the bus pulled up and Sophia, Madi and I filed on the bus.
I saw Gavin sitting in the backseat with all the seniors. He waved his hand in the air and Sophia laughed. I wanted to warn her before she made herself look stupid but why ruin my fun? Sophia walked back to Gavin’s seat and he shook his head. I heard all the boys laugh and Sophia walked a few seats up. I walked back to Gavin and sat down. He put his muscular arm around me. I was going to ignore him but his phone vibrated. I saw the name on the text receipt. Right then I laid my head on Gavin’s shoulder. He flipped his phone shut and put his other arm around me.
“I knew you would forgive me,” he whispered in my ear. It felt good to be in his arms again but it also felt wrong. He pulled my chin up so he could kiss me. Again it felt so right and so wrong at the same time. All the other boys around us roared when his lips pulled away from mine. Right then I caught a glimpse of Sophia. She scowled and turned towards the front. Great, I already have drama.
When I got off the bus Gavin interlaced our fingers. He walked me to my locker and my class. He squeezed me in a tight hug and lifted my face to his lips. He was waiting for me at the end of class. He did this every class. I felt like I was in a sappy love story.
When he walked me to fourth period we both hesitated to perform our “new” ritual. Sitting in the front row right by the door was Sophia. Gavin still pulled my face up so I could kiss him but I added something extra. I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood on my tiptoes. I pulled away and turned toward class. Again Sophia scowled at me. The bell rang when I walked into class.
“Ok class my name is Mr. Smite and I’ll be your Chemistry teacher for this year.” Mr. Smite said. I was still standing and Mr. Smite turned towards me. “Ms. Oliver is it? You sit by Ms., uhm McCorrick.” He pointed towards the front row. I knew who “Ms. McCorrick” was. I stayed standing for a minute and slowly walked to my seat. Sophia gave me a dirty look when I laid my books on the desk. I rolled my eyes and scooted my books to the corner. Sophia’s hand shot out in front of them.
“No. Your books won’t go there,” she said pushing my books back. I looked at her in astonishment. She rolled her eyes.