Where's the Good in Goodbye?

Chapter 2: The Trick Is To Keep Breathing

"She is not perfect. You are not perfect.
The question is whether or not you are perfect for eachother"

- -Good Will Hunting

I clearly remember hearing a beeping sound, but I don't remember the getting up part so well. Somehow, however, I found myself in the shower at 6:30 in the morning. School blows. I have a cousin in New York whose school starts at 9:30 because they feel high school students need more sleep.

You want to know who needs more sleep...? ME!

After I got out of the shower, I took my hair out of it's bun…it hate having wet hair in the morning…I save the hair-washing for the night. I quickly, yet groggily got dressed for the day and wriggled back into bed.

I like to call it my morning routine. I wake up, brush my teeth, get ready…and after all of that is done, I go back to sleep for twenty minutes before I leave.

I love sleeping. I would skip a 'Scrubs' marathon for some extra sleep. And, trust me, that's saying a lot.

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I believe it was only about fifteen minutes when I heard a car honk unnecessarily loud, and then zoom off. Fifteen minutes. That stupid little moron made me get up five minutes early.

What happened to humanity?

I scrambled out of bed, put on my black and white converses which had drawings all over them from trying to refrain from math-class-narcolepsy. Good news…it worked!

I grabbed a s'mores poptart on the way out…they are the only things that can wake me up in the morning. And as an added bonus…they are delicious.

I took my keys off the key rack and my pea coat off the coat rack and was about to yell a 'goodbye' when I realized…there was no one to say goodbye to.

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I was struggling a little from all the things I was carrying as I unlocked my car. I opened the door and got in, ready to start the engine and open up the window. That's when I realized…the window didn't need opening.

I'm not saying I forgot to shut the window of my very expensive, very nice car. I am saying…someone broke the window of my very expensive, very nice car.

Oh, but no worries, because they left me a note. I once heard that a little note can solve everything. I'm willing to bet money that guy was an idiot.

I ripped the note off the shards of glass and read it with, what I'm pretty sure was, a sour expression.

'An eye for eye. Tootles.'

I already knew it was him before I read the note. But reading the note just added to the pleasure I was feeling about it.

There was glass everywhere and I'm sure if I actually drove, pieces would fall off into the road, someone would run over it and get a flat tire which would then cause them to get into an accident and get killed.

Maybe I'm being a little too imaginative, but if it happens, I really don't want to say 'I told you so'.

This left only one other option…'It'.

'It' is what I call the other car. It's the only other car we have that doesn't have a stick shift (my dad is obsessed).

It's old and funky smelling and pretty much 'dunzo'. I swear I don't watch Laguna Beach for pleasurable reasons. I was watching my cousin, who, might I add, is in the fifth grade, and she was watching it.

And people wonder why generations are more corrupted as time goes on.

I drove to school with no music. It is not because I'm upset about my car…it's because this stupid car has no radio. I know it did at some point, but, it doesn't anymore. The little box thing for the radio just had little red and black wire sticking out of it.

I finally got to school and saw that my parking spot was taken. I will give you three guesses to tell me who it was.

DOMINICK THE DONKEY! You are correct.

I wasn't completely sure it was him, since he drives a different car to school almost everyday. But my suspicions were confirmed when I drove over to his parking spot all the way in the back and saw it was empty.

Isn't he just the sweetest little thing?

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I walked into school just in time to be bombarded by the kids who we all hope to someday be like.

I'm talking about the popular kids…and I was being sarcastic seeing as, if I ever turned into any of them, I would probably jump out a window and hope to land on a needle.

"Nice car Macky Wacky, did you bring it just for Milton Truman?" asked Sterling Trooper, the annoying but worshipped boy.

Milton was a 'nerd' I suppose. I don't understand why they make fun of him. He's smart, and he's nice. He also has a horrendous car, even though he can afford a nicer one. He wears overalls everyday, as well.

I guess that just screams 'Mock Me'. He's really nice, though. And, believe me, if it comes from me, it's true. In the sixth grade, I sat next to him for twenty minutes of homeroom at the end of the day. Everyone would always be starving, and he always used to have a bag of jalapenos. And he would always share with me.

Jalapenos probably sound a little strange, but it was a kind gesture nonetheless.

Oh and, in case you hadn't noticed…my oh so charming nick name is 'Macky Wacky'.

Lovely, isn't it?

"Nope. I brought it just for you." I replied, blinking profusely.

"You know? I don't know what I like better. You finally getting a car that goes well with your face, or you defending Milton, your perfect match."

Didn't I tell you? Low IQ's.

I don't remember actually defending Milton, although it wouldn't be a bad thing if I did. And the whole face/car matching thing…what are we, in the fifth grade?

"You know, I would love to answer your question about what you like more, but unfortunately it lacks a little something. I believe the word is…SENSE! Geez, you nimrod. I can feel myself get stupider everytime I hear you talk. Just STOP before this school's percentage of passing students goes down to zero. It already lost you and all your cronies." I said, feeling myself get angry.

I can usually stay calm and answer without getting upset, but honestly, I miss my baby. Don't worry…I'm talking about my car…not a teenage pregnancy.

"By the way," I said, walking away, "your shoelaces are untied."

I had the satisfaction of seeing him actually look down for a second before realizing he was wearing a pair of adidas flip flop/sandal things.

"Nitwit." I whispered to myself, shaking my head.

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When Dominick and I were younger, we used to have these prank wars. They were pretty innocent. Up until the time I put Nair in his shampoo bottles and his hair would come out everytime he ran a hand through it.

It was enjoyable for me. Up until the point where he chased me into the woods behind my house and I fell into the enormous, but beautiful, lake. That part?…not so enjoyable.

I shook my head of these thoughts as I got to my locker. I put in my combination and it wouldn't open. This was nothing new, so I simply tried again, and again, and…again.

Now this was something new. Sighing, I went over to the main office and asked the security lady, the one who keeps the locker numbers on the computer, what my number was.

"Sorry honey, the owner of that locker came in this morning and told me someone was stealing his stuff and so we changed his combination. Are you, perhaps, the thief?" She asked, eyeing my suspiciously.

Oh dear lord, this lady was a lunatic. Did she really think tha-

"HE!?"

"Yes."

"Um, maybe you should look up who the locker belongs to next time. It's my locker."

After she checked it and apologized like a madman, I walked off and punched the locker because I was pretty miffed. Stupid, stupid Dominick. He better believe he's 'getting served' after this. This day bites.

It wasn't until after I punched the locker that I realized that it would probably hurt.

And it did.

I shook my arm out and swore a little, under my breath. It was pretty excruciating pain.

I heard some chuckling behind me, and I whipped my head around to see none other than the donkey, himself.

"What are you doing out here?" I bit out, both from anger and pain from my sore hand.

It was way after the bell had rang, and I had gotten a pass from the lunatic lady. So, what was he doing out here?

Ahh, it has finally dawned on me, he came to appreciate his handiwork.

"I came out here to appreciate my handiwork" he answered, easily.

That was…strange.

"Yes, well, you get an 'A' for effort, but let's try something a little less elementary next time." I said, trying to get him a little worked up, as well.

"You underestimate me, Kenzie, shouldn't you know better, by now?"

I looked up, sharply, when he said Kenzie. He was the only one who called me that.

I was quick to brush it off, however. We were friends for a long time; it was obviously a slip of the tongue.

"You know, I probably should know better, but your genius just baffles me sometimes." I stated as I put in my new combination and pulled the locker open.

And my, my. I suppose I did underestimate him.

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Water balloons. Not just balloons. There was water inside the balloons. And now it was on me. Does anyone see the theme of 'crappiness' so far on this day? I knew it was going to be a bad day, but did I listen to my instincts and stay home?

No. I tried to be a brave little toaster and come to school. I bet you're commending me for being so smart right now, huh?

I clenched and unclenched my fists and slowly turned my head to look at the demon seed standing-oh wait-rolling on the floor, laughing.

"Y-you shou-should have s-seen your f-f-f-," and he apparently found my murderous glare so funny that he couldn't finish his sentence.

"Oh yeah, that was a good one. I'm totally not going to kick your ass, now." I said, slowly walking over to him. I wasn't walking slowly to look intimidating. It was because I'd probably trip if I walked any faster than a turtle.

Wait a minute…do turtles even walk? Or do they crawl?

"You think you're funny, don't you?" I kept talking as I got closer to him.

"Mmm…pretty much, yeah." was the arrogant fool's reply.

"Well, let's just see how funny it is when I shove my foot up your-WAH!" I yelled as I finally slipped.

You probably think this is the part where I'm supposed to shut my eyes but not feel any pain because Dominick catches me…correct?

Well, that's pretty impossible seeing as I'm on the floor wincing in pain and rubbing my backside and he's-on the floor next to me-laughing his head off.

"You're such a sadist." I started, "that you find pleasure in my pain."

"Well I wouldn't be laughing if you weren't such a klutz."

"Well, I wouldn't have slipped if you didn't put freaking water balloons in my locker!" I yelled, outraged with the whole ordeal.

He looked amused now, "But you have to admit, it was pretty good."

"Yes. That's was I was going to say. I find it so hilarious that I'm soaking wet right now, that the school has the air conditioner on full blast, and that I can't get off the floor because it hurts too much. Congratulations, you've finally won the 'I have the worst sense of humor, ever' award. You get a pat on the back!"

"What the hell are you getting so pissed off for? It was just a joke" He stated, looking a little irritated now. When he looked irritated, his eyes would scrunch in and he'd get this cute little pout on his face.

And I definitely did not just think that…oh dear, what's wrong with me?

"You're seriously asking me why I'm so pissed off? Seriously?" I asked, a little incredulous that he could be so dense. I shook my head and finally got up. "All this because I broke your window. Did it ruin the moment between you and your little lady?" I asked, saying 'little lady' in a southern accent.

"You should know it takes more than a broken window to do that. I'm not that pathetic." He replied, also standing up.

"Could've fooled me" I mumbled back, audibly. And then I turned around to get back to my locker business.

"Really?" I heard a deep whisper in my ear. It was-unsettling- to say the least, so I elbowed him and moved away.

I heard him swear under his breath, "What is your problem?"

"I will get you back, if it's the last thing I do!" I yelled at him, walking towards the gym locker room.

"Whatever you say, Mojojojo." He said, also walking back to his classroom.

That comment got a little chuckle out of me. The powerpuff girls used to be our favorite shows, and that whole getting him back line I said was basically what Mojojojo said in every episode.

We also used to dress up and pretend to fight evil. He would be the green powerpuff but he would call himself a powerpuff boy since the green was all butch anyway.

Ahh, to be young again.

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I was walking around in gym shorts and a baseball tee. Gym clothes shouldn't be worn during school for a reason. But what can you do when some idiot gets your clothes soaking wet with water balloons?

I am so mad at him right now, if I saw him a would probably break his neck. Well, I would, if I could actually reach that high. Damn tall people.

I usually tutored students during lunch so that I wouldn't have to sit by myself. You would think it would easier for me, since I'm pretty good with the whole 'loner' business, but no one should have to sit alone.

I don't mind so much, I like tutoring people. And it's usually kids that are younger than me, so they don't really know about my 'reputation'. Not that I have one, really.

So after the tutor session, I walked into my AP Art History classroom and started going over some stuff before the lecture.

"Hey loner." I heard Dom's voice from the seat next to mine. No surprise there. He always sits next to me and bugs me out of my mind the entire class.

And this whole, reading my mind thing? It's starting to creep me out. How did he know I called myself a loner?

"Hey loser." I replied. My plan was ready and in action. I unscrewed one of the stands on the chair so that if I kicked it, it would be 'bon voyage' to Dominick.

I aligned my foot with his chair and waited until the entire classroom filled up. Whenever the teacher takes attendance, Dominick always says something 'witty' when the teacher says my name. The whole class enjoys this, so when my name is said, the class turns around to await Dom's comment.

"Mackenzie O'Connor?"

I saw Dom's mouth open and the entire class turning to look at him. "Th-"

And he was cut off as I kicked the leg of his chair and the chair fell apart as he fell face first onto the floor.

Of course it didn't have the effect I was going for, considering all the girls came by and were cooing at him. They disgust me.

After that, he had to find a seat in the front, so I didn't have to be bothered by his stupid comments every other second. But he waited for me after class.

"So I'm pretty sure you were hoping people would laugh at me, huh?" He asked, as he kicked off of the wall he was leaning against while he waited for me.

"No. I was actually trying to give the girls of the class the opportunity to talk and coo at you, since I'm so giving and all."

"Well, I guess I'll have to give you something in return?"

"I swear, Dominick, another prank and I'll bust your head open!" I yelled and was about to turn around when he grabbed me by the elbow and pulled me close to him.

I didn't have to worry about anyone seeing since the bell had already rung and everyone had left for home.

"Hey," he whispered, "I think maybe you're misinterpreting my intentions."

I was a little breathless at being so close to him, but it was only because he surprised me. "You mean, you weren't trying to get me to hate your guts? Damn, I suppose it's too late now."

"Remember our little pranks when we were younger? Maybe I was just trying to lighten things up between us."

"And maybe I'll be named prom queen." I whispered back and turned to leave.

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I think I actually believed him. Usually his insults were mean, and he was usually a lot more of a jerk to me than he was today.

It didn't matter though, I still hated him.

And here's why: He broke my car window this morning which resulted in me having to bring 'It'. And crappy thing number 938530985 of the day…the car won't start.

My school isn't one of those schools that are nearby peoples houses. I lived about two hours away, walking. But that was what I was going to have to do. I kicked the car (and rubbed my foot since it hurt so bad) and turned just in time to be face to face with Mr. Life ruiner, in the flesh.

"What?" I bit out, "came to glue rocks in my shoes so that I have no feet by the time I get home?" I knew it was a bad comeback, but I was really drained from the day's events.

He completely ignored me and kept staring into my eyes. It seemed like eons until he finally talked. And when he did, it was in such a serious, almost calculating sort of way.

"C'mon, I'm giving you a ride home."

What?!

Hey guys!

I'm so happy I can actually say that, since I have a few readers.

This chapter is super long, so I hope you enjoy it.

I'm trying to get as many updates in as possible.

I actually have a huge test tomorrow, but I'm writing this instead, hehe.

You get to see how they react around eachother. I'm not so good with character development, so let me know if you have any suggestions. I'm still looking for a beta if anyone is interested.

Thanks for reading, you guys rock!!