Free Dirty by Gina Watson

you mean in general. ”
                  “In general?”
                  “Yes, the expression is in general so just the class in general. ”
                  “Oh.” Her eyes grew large.
                  “Freak!” Jess announced, and then thumped her sister on the head.
                  “Ow.” Riley rubbed her forehead.
                  “Listen up, ladies. I’ve got to be at the worksite by eight so we’ve got to move at supersonic speed.” 
                  “You’re not gonna get your hand crank siren out again are you?” Jess asked.
                  “I will if you aren’t moving fast enough.”
                  “It really is way too early for the siren.” Riley added.
                  “I agree, but we’ve had perfect attendance all year…be a shame to fall off now.”
                  “Mrs. White says if you have perfect attendance all year you get a watch with the school mascot on it.”
                  “Yeah I’ve seen that watch. It’s supposed to be a wildcat but instead looks a lot like Principal Grant's tabby. Even seems to have the mange.”
                  Riley’s nose crinkled. “I don’t want that watch.”
                  “Well that’s what you’re gonna get.”
                  “It’s not about the watch, but what the watch represents,” Sawyer offered.
                  “What?” Riley questioned.
                  “Perfection.”
                  He watched the edges of Jessica’s mouth curl up. “Perfection…well I am that so I guess I’ll take the watch.”

             
    Chapter 5
                  Courtney lounged on her bed, catching up on the stack of books on her nightstand. She’d only made it to Friday afternoon before becoming bored out of her skin. After Sawyer dropped her off at her car early Thursday morning, she hadn’t seen or heard from him again. Why would she? Still, she’d hoped on his lunch hour he’d text, or maybe even call to see how she was doing.
                  He’d been distant and back to his coffee-shop self when they’d said their goodbyes. She chalked it up to him not being a morning person, but she had her doubts. Doubts that they would ever share again the intimacy they’d shared the night she’d slept in his bed.
                  When her stomach grumbled she crawled from her bed and padded to the hallway. Was anyone even home? For some reason, she wanted to be surrounded by her family. Sighing, she slid her hand down the banister and descended the staircase. Passing the study she saw the silhouette of her father and sprinted into the room. Seated in his oversized office chair, she wrapped her arms around his waist.
                  “Daddy!”
              His laughter started low in his chest, vibrating through him and into her. His spicy musk was the familiarity she’d longed for.
                  “What’s all this?” He stroked his palm over her hair.
                  “I’ve missed you.”
              “Well, I’ve missed you too, baby.”
                  She held him for several minutes in her awkward stooped position, but it was worth it. She loved her mother something fierce, but she’d always been a daddy’s girl. When her back started to throb she stood up. He held her hands in his large ones. “Everything okay?”
                  She nodded. If she spoke she’d cry.
                  “You sure?”
                  If she told him about the attack he’d never let her out of his sight again. Oh, but she’d have to tell him. Later. “I thought you’d be gone longer.”
                  “Your mother needed to get back to