Ride Along

Clarissa

I am dressed in a white loose blouse, covered by a large grey cardigan, with another long-pleated skirt. Unfortunately, I have no choice but to put in my contacts, I give a little groan as I open the packs and pop the uncomfortable things into my eyes. I stare at my reflection in the little screen of my phone and wince. My light blue eyes seem even lighter and larger than I remember in my heart shaped face, they are framed by thick long blonde lashes. I bit my too full bottom lip and shake my head sadly. It took longer today to get my hair slicked back in my traditional bun since I let it air dry last night and just hopped in bed. I woke to see that Kitty had not returned last night; all her stuff still slung around her side of the room. I wonder if she would be upset if I tidied it up? I do not want to say that I have OCD along with all my other issues, but all the clothes thrown everywhere, and the unmade bed is really making me uncomfortable.

As I get up from my desk chair still fighting the urge to clean, I am stopped in my tracks when the door opens, and bright red hair comes enthusiastically barreling through. Kitty notices me and immediately gives me a bright friendly smile, her actions are infectious, and I give a small smile to her in return. "Good morning." I mumble my hands twisting into my skirt awkwardly.

"Hey Clarissa, are you ready to go shopping?" she asked as she starts sifting through her mess on the floor.

My mouth falls open a little, crap I forgot that I have told her I might go shopping with her today. Honestly, I hoped that after last night that she would have forgot about it too. "Um…I am not sure."

She turns her bright green eyes at me and starts to pout, "You can't blow me off, we are going to be best friends, and we need to do what girls do best."

"Which is?" I asked in confusion.

Kitty gives a laugh, "Shop of course." She shakes her head, "It will be fun, we can hit the mall and if you go, I will even go into a bookstore with you." She tries bribing me.

I bit my lip seriously thinking about it, we had just met and already she knew my weakness. "Alight." I whisper and see her excitement that she had talked me into going.

"Awesome this will be fun." And takes off her shirt right in front of me and I quickly turn around to pretend I am getting something. What is it with people and being so open to being naked around me? "Do you got a car?" she suddenly asks turning around.

"No," I say shaking my head. I had not really thought driving, I did not even have a license, my mother had thought it was too dangerous for me to be behind the wheel.

Kitty shrugs her shoulders, "No problem, I can have my boyfriend drive us."

My heart sinks a little, I am not used to being around boys, or people in general. I know that my social interactions have been extremely limited to mainly just my mother and Jordan. Of course, I went to school but even there I had rarely talked to anyone, then my mother had pulled me out and homeschooled me before I started high school. I shake away my fears, I am here to embrace college life and do things I have never done before. I will never experience a normal life if I let my deficiencies stop me from living. "Alright." I say again.

Kitty takes out her cell phone and calls her boyfriend and then motions to the door, "Let's go down and wait for him, his fraternity is not that far away, so it will only take him a few minutes to get here."

I take a deep breath and grab my messenger bag slinging it over my shoulder, walking out with Kitty to go great her boyfriend and take my first step towards a new life. True to her word a few minutes later I watch as a Black Thunderbird pulls up, in the driver seat is a black-haired guy, wearing all black, and has gauges in his ears. I can hear my mothers voice in my head nagging me for even attempting to hang out with these sorts of people. I try not to judge on outward appearances, I know how that feels, and I would never do that to someone else. I feel myself blush a little as I watch Kitty run up and throw her arms around the guy as he gets out and they proceed to kiss. Awkwardly, I look at the ground, public displays of affection seem so uncomfortable.

"Come on Clarissa," Kitty waves me over, I walk towards them, "This is my boyfriend Jax." She introduced us.

Jax gives me a once over and I can clearly see that he is a little confused as to why Kitty has invited me out. Look at me and then look at them, I do not look like their typical type of friend, my conservative clothing verses their more…modern. I laugh a little to myself at how we would all look hanging out together and find myself feeling a little more relaxed. "Hey." He nods towards me after his initial confusion is over. I cannot blame him; I am a little confused myself. "So where am I taking you two lovely ladies?" he asks smiling down at Kitty with soft eyes.

"The mall, we have some shopping to do, gunna transform our little Clarissa." Kitty laughs a little wiggling her eyebrows playfully. "Maybe corrupt her a little bit."

My face heats as I join them in the car.

"A little corruption never hurt anyone." Jax states as we pull away from the school.