Three In One

I wake as if it's an emergency as if sleeping had become a dangerous thing. My heart beats fast and there is a buzzing in my brain and together they are as panic with jump-leads.

''Shit, Shit, Shit, '' I shrieked in a hurry, brushing my teeth, gathering all of my belongings. I was running late to work at the Maddox Headquarters, which I know for sure anytime now that I'm going to be fired.

My phone buzzed uncontrollably on the desk, rining ''wake-up'' from the alarm and I clicked done while putting my black and white striped dress I bought from Macy's.

''Adele! You're going to be late!'' Catherine, my youngest sister yelled across the room.

''I know!'' I yelled back. ''Shit, '' I whispered to myself again.

Grabbing my keys along with my purse, phone, and mascara with lipgloss, I left my room. Catherine sat there with her cheer gear on while eating an egg-and-bacon sandwich.

I quickly grabbed a bite and she scoffed at me.

''Really?'' She looked at me, wanting to throw a punch while I quaffed down an orange juice.

''You're the best sister, '' I jokingly responded and left the apartment.

''You mean Briana!'' She yells as I laughed, getting ready to go to work.

I was in a hurry this morning.

Waking up can be harsh, especially if your dreams are better than reality. The saddest part of it is, though, that eventually, even the memory of your dream will fade - if you are even lucky enough to remember it that is.

Then you're left with this lonely feeling of detachment, left to explore in the empty void of emotions, the only proof that you ever had the dream, to begin with.

I dreamt about my boss Aiden Maddox, the CEO of Maddox Headquarters last night. I ask myself; Why? And how is it possible to dream about your boss, who I used to go to high school, not to mention is with someone else?

It's weird with these fantasies about him, which is funny because I don't think he likes me. We went to Golden High together. He was everyone's favorite popular boy, we had some classes together here and there throughout our high school years. But, there is no doubt in mind that there was an ounce he felt the same way as I did about him.

It wasn't realistic. Plus, it's already too late when he's already with a British model. Camille Jones. Blonde Hair, blue eyes, literally a doppelganger of Victoria Beckham.

And then there's me.

Only, I can never have him. Not that he wants me. To him, I'm just a nobody.

I'm a girl in his eyes. Not a woman. And while I was in high school, I accepted that maybe I was too young for him.

But now that I'm out of college and older, I'm willing to do anything to change his mind. At least, I think I am. I mean, it's easy to say you're willing to do anything when there is nothing on the table.

----

''I'm sorry, Aid-, sir, um, it was a long morning and ---''

''I don't care, '' he interrupted, his voice was darkened and I knew that this was it.

This was the moment I was about to be fired.

''Go to the conference room, we have a meeting to go.''

My brows furrowed and I sighed in relief. He didn't even bother to look at me. He just made me go to the conference room without any explanation. I nodded and went behind him as other employees came inside the board room.

I sat in my regular assigned chair while everyone gathered around for the unexpected news from Aiden.

Entering, Camille walked in with her high-fashionista Prada outfit and full-beat of make-up. She stands along with Aiden while everyone murmured around, wondering why she's there.

''Ladies, Gentlemen, may I have your attention please?'' Aiden said.

The murmured stopped.

''I brought Camille here with us this morning to announce that we are engaged!"

My blood wakes up my brain, though I thought myself already awake. Regret washed over me like the long slow waves on a shallow beach. Each wave was icy cold and sent shivers down my spine.

I watched them kissed each other while everyone in the room was in awe that Aiden and Camille snuggle up with each other.

I felt sick to my stomach knowing how this is going to be.

Aiden is engaged.

Fuck my life.

The halls were crowded with people, and the chaos was so perfect, like a movie.

There was the couple that was always making out on the left side of the hall, and about ten feet farther down, the cliquey girls.

Opposite them, the cliquey jocks, and between them, the parade of band geeks with their huge instrument cases.

There were the aerospace tech kids who never did anything but make paper airplanes and the fashion kids that wheeled mannequins and clothing racks down the halls.

And then there was me, not that I fit into any of those groups.

I am Briana Davis, crazy 4b curls, with a librarian style that suits me well.

"Welcome back!" Felicity, my roommate, jumps into my arms while squeezing me. "Oh Bri, I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too, " I muffled through her shirt.

I felt like shit going back on campus at Delton University. This summer sucked so much, going to work full-time just to help around the apartment that my sisters are living in now. Not too much, saving up some money for my own doing so I can get nice clothes and books for the school year.

Plus, Jared who is now my ex. wants to get back together and I haven't put up my thought about it. We broke up and now he wants me and I had to force myself to move on from the pain, moving on without him.

It's my second year here and it feels like forever.

"So, what's your classes like this year?" Felicity asked me as she tosses her pink hair up in a bun. She sat next to me while I pulled out my MacBook Pro.

"Well, I have a few classes online, but I have one on campus.''

''Same, plus I have to go back to work today?''

''Are you ready for that?'' I wiggled my brows childishly.

She stifles a laugh. ''Sort of, kinda hate it but at the same time it's good to be there.''

''Mhm.''

I checked up my phone and it was time for me to go to my first class, Biology. I said goodbye to Felicity and went over to the science building on the far right.

Walking in, I went over to the professor who was checking in with the students one by one before they went to their seats.

Hearing my clattering of shoes she turned around and asked politely ''Your name sweetie?''

''Briana Davis, '' I replied.

She checked me off of the list and smiles at me, letting me know that I was on the roster.

I took the seat and put my bag down after taking the books out. A few minutes later, the professor continued with her lesson but my eyes and mind had another plan, as they started to roam around.

This class just showed the definition of cliche. I could easily point out the jocks, cheerleaders, and bookworms. Unfortunately, I was one of the bookworms.

Right across of me, There was Christian Anderson, high-school popular football star, and now the star quarterback at this school.

He was something else entirely. All the bad boy vibes were coming off of him and I hated that I sensed his energy pulling towards me.

''Okay, class let's get started, '' The professor said.

Everyone got to their seats as Professor Guiterrez begin to do her introduction.

''We will go around the room and introduce yourself, and what's your major? Alright? First up, Christian Anderson.''

He stood up and adjusted his jacket while his posse was gassing him up in the back.

''Yer!'' One of the boys said and Christian winked.

As usual.

I took the time to study him. He was at least 6'0, had a bright face that could make anyone smile. Green eyes, more of a hazel tint, which was the best eyes I have ever seen. Had small dimples, and muscles that tones out his jacket and jeans.

''The name is Christian, Christian Anderson. QB of the team and my major, undecided.''

''Cause you're gonna be pro, '' a girl responded which made everyone in the room laughed. Christian sat back down and pulled out his MacBook Pro.

The list continues with the last names from A, to B, C, then D which meant I was going next anytime soon.

''Briana Davis?'' She said my name and I stood up from the chair awkwardly.

''Nice outfit Mr.Rogers, '' the same girl who spoke from Christian's comment rudely spoke to me. The guys who sat next to her laughed along.

''Yo, cut it out, not cool, '' Christian said which put me in shock.

Why would he stand up for me?

What the hell that was about?

''Um, my name is Briana Davis, and I want to become a scientist.''

''Makes sense, '' one of the boys said and everyone giggled along.

''Well, that's very interesting Briana, '' the professor said with a smile.

''Thanks, '' I said awkwardly as she moved along with everyone else. I sat back down on my seat and Christian looked back at me.

He gave me a small smile.

One of those smiles that meant he was interested in me. I responded back and quickly opened my MacBook Pro, pretending that I didn't see him lurking over me still.

.......

Class was over and I was going to the grocery store around the corner to grab some food for tonight. I was at Walmart, grabbing some fruits and vegetables, along with some snacks for the night.

At the Deli section, I went around the isle looking at what to buy when I felt someone was behind me. Turning around there was Christian just a mile away buying some products from the freezer.

I turned and immediately looked away when I felt his head turning over to me.

''Briana? Right?'' He said, walking over to me.

''Shit, '' I muttered then turn around to him and smiled nervously. ''Yeah, that's me... I mean, I'm Briana, I mean.''

He laughed. ''Yeah, I know what you mean.''

I cleared my throat. ''What are you doing here?''

''Grocery shopping, for my party.''

''Party?''

''You know, for the start of the season. You should come.''

''Oh, no thanks, I have plans.''

He blew a laugh. ''Come on, it's just one party, for the beginning of the year.''

''Why are you asking me? Shouldn't you be asking someone else.''

''I find you interesting. Plus, I knew you since high school. Thought I could do myself a favor and invite you.''

''Ah, sorry no thank you.''

''Please?''

''I'll think about it.''

Going back to Golden High is the biggest regret I have in my entire life. The only good side of it is that I'm graduating this year and I am very excited to leave this hell hole.

The halls were packed, as teenagers flooded through the doors some laughed, some gossiped, and a few cried. Boys joked around as they eyed the girls, who waved flirtatiously at them, trying to gain their attention.

All in all, it was a typical day at Golden high, the same schools that my sisters Briana and Adele went to. Adele is the oldest, typical mom-sister relationship, Briana is the middle child, very quiet but will clap back if needed, and then there's me, Catherine, or Cat.

The young one.

At school, I'm not unnoticed; instead, I'm kind of just there. People know about me because of my relationship with Renny, the jock at my school.

His dad is one of the faculty and head coaches at the school which makes Renny popular. And now that we're dating there's more attention on me since I am the captain of the cheerleading team.

I sat down with the girls at the team, Cora and Luna, the Paul twins. Cora has red hair with beautiful olive skin and green eyes as Luna has dark brown hair with the same skin tone and eye color.

''Ladies, Ladies, '' I said songfully.

''You look adorbs, '' Cora said to me, popping her gum.

''Thanks, babe, this is my sisters, '' I replied at her comment about my shirt I ''burrowed' from Briana.

''Which one?'' Luna asked.

''Bre.''

''Oh, how is she? How's that college life? Did she ever talk to about that?'' Luna added more questions.

''Uh, not that I can recall no. You know Briana isn't the talkative sister, she's quieter.''

''Oh, yeah, I forgot.''

"Oh my gosh, Xavier king just walked through the doors, " Cora squeals, grabbing onto my poor arm in excitement. "I heard he just dumped Stacy. About fucking time."

I rolled my eyes. Cora's low key has an obsession with Xavier. He was your stereotypical, drop-dead gorgeous bad boy that somehow all the girls drool all over him.

With his dark brown hair, gray eyes and strong build, he looked tough. He had a few tattoos on his arms which everyone at school believes was from a secret gang he was working for.

His face was stunning too. A strong jaw, high cheekbones, and pink lips. He could be mistaken for a high-class model.

I eye him in distaste. My top lip curling upwards. Suddenly, his gray eyes met mine. He looked at me in shock, surprise that a girl didn't look at him with dreamy eyes.

"Fuck he's not, " Cora said and I shook my head snapping out of the hypnosis of Xavier.

The bell rings, signaling the start of the beginning of the first period. We all do a group hug and I waved going to the west wing of the school to my art class.

When I arrived, the whole time, I didn't notice Xavier following me.

I sat in the corner at the back. Bending down to get my surf out of the bag, I placed them neatly on the table and waited for the teacher.

As soon as Xavier waltzes in on time everyone quietness down. Many of the girls straighten up, as they push their boobs up and fix their hair. It is ridiculous.

I rolled my eyes and look at my folder, not noticing him until he plonks himself on the seat next to me.

"Catherine, right?" He said to me.

I ignored him.

"You know it's rude to ignore people." He stated with a hint of arrogance in his voice.

"Cat, I got by Cat, not Catherine, " I said in my irritated tone.

"Cat got it."

Xavier grins in success as he leans back in his chair. His cocky face making it hard to twist the urge to punch him. His eyes were studying me taking in everything about me. His grey eyes lingering on my face.

What the hell does he want from me?