Chapter two Sha I get a text from Hunter, vaguely remembering getting his number two days ago. 'Ditch school. Meet me in the park". I shrug and grab my windbreaker with the tear in it. "Bye mom! I'm gonna walk...," I say grabbing a banana from the box on the counter. "You be safe Shayleigh." I hear through the door as I slam it. I walk to the corner and answer the text. 'Sure...'. Hunter "That was close," I mutter into Ace's ear. Her wet nose rubbing against my forehead. I don't exactly want her to know I model for the sculpting classes. I finish tying my shoe and continue on Ace and I's journey to the bench in the middle of the park. It's still O'dark thirty as my family calls it. The sun is barely peaking over the hill when I spot Shay walking up.
Her hair shines in the straining light. It occurs to me I have never seen her in full daylight, maybe I'll have to ask her out. I stand up with Ace by my side, his head brushes my elbows easily. I stroke his head while he prances in place. "Is that a pony or a dog?" Shay calls jokingly. "Ace prefers alien." I yell back. "Like Gir," Shay asks from beside me. "Who?" "Gir, from Zim Invader!" "Never seen it." I smile. "You need too," Shay sits on the bench. Something seems different about her.