BEEEEEEPPPPP

   Sitting with Dylan and his annoying posse was honestly not as bad as I thought it would be, which was exactly the problem. I spent the past 45 minutes getting along with the guy I hate. Well, the first 20 minutes I spent just sitting there giving Dylan and his crew death glares and throwing out colorful insults if they tried to talk to me. It wasn't until Dylan threatened not to help me unless I loosen up and give them a chance when I started realizing that they're not so bad. Just annoying. 

     I rushed to the fitting room to hurry up and change before the rest of the girls file in and as fast as I came in was as fast as I changed and left. My legs automatically walked to Dylan once I spotted him waiting for me by the gym doors, silently praying that my plan works out flawlessly because Emma forgives easily so if I don't get through to her now, that means I royally fucked up.

   "Ready to get this show on the road bestie." Dylan teased once he noticed me walking up. I rolled my eyes and walked straight past him while grabbing his arm.

   "Let's just go dipshit." 

    The walk to the cafeteria had never felt this long and awkward in my 4 years of being at Star Crest High and Dylan attempting at small talk the whole way didn't help one bit. The minute we stepped into the cafeteria Dylan's crew swarmed us, or rather him, and I instantly felt relived that they broke the awkwardness. It shocked me how Dylan already managed to gain so many friend when he's only been at our school for 3 weeks now. 

   I moved out the way and observed as the boys started playfully teasing and shoving each other around not even noticing me there. I was gradually getting pushed further towards the outside of the group as we approached the table. I jumped as Dylan's fingertips skimmed lightly around my waist pulling me back in the center closer to him causing my body to immediately tense up. I whipped my head up to him ready to tell him to get his hands off of me when I realized he was guiding me to a seat before any of the other guys could take it.

    I mumbled a quick thank you as I sat which he responded to with a quick smile and nod as he sat in he seat next to mine and placing his bag in the seat on the other side of him saving the seat for Emma. I looked around anxiously waiting to see her,  it's been 4 days too long since we spoke and I honestly would even settle for a simple "hi" at this point. I missed her so much and it was slowly eating me up inside; I'm relying on this plan or I might literally go crazy.

    "It's going to work Sky." Dylan flashed me a reassuring smile as if he could read my mind, but I'm pretty sure it was my face that gave it away. 

   "I hope. I miss her."

   "She'll come around. You're her best friend." He reassured me once again.

  "Well, she's taking to long," I groaned as I put my chin into my hands.

  "Patience, young one. That pout isn't going to help convince her that we're getting along, so come on flash me," Dylan jokingly nudged my arm. 

   I scrunched my face up at him in disbelief. Did this idiot really just tell me to flash him? Dylan rolled his eyes as I crossed my arms in front of my chest and scowled at him. 

  "Get your head out the gutter Halon, I meant your teeth. Smile. See like this." Dylan pointed to his face as he flashed a me big toothy smile. A small smile crept up on my face in return eventually turning in to me full out grinning and laughing as he went through various different goofy smiles.

   "Well this is surprising." 

   Both our laughter slowed as we were greeting by Emma's suspicious gazed as she stood over us. Dylan stood to greet her and give her a quick kiss on the cheek before he removed his bag from the chair next to him and pulled out her chair. 

   "How was the make-up test, babe?" 

   "I think I did  a lot better then I did the first time," Emma responded to Dylan while still side-eyeing me.

   "Hi Emma," I greeted nervously.

  "So what's going on here?" Emma looked back and forth suspiciously between me and Dylan trying to figure out what changed between us. Dylan shifted uncomfortably between us running his fingers through his hair. He and I exchanged looks trying to figure out how to answer that, realizing we didn't really come up with a exact plan on how to answer any questions like this. 

  "Well, uhm, I noticed that you and Skylar haven't been glued to the hip this past week and I remember you telling me that it's because you're busy and I felt bad for taking up all your time that you can't hang out with your best friend," Dylan said after a moment, adding extra emphasis one best friend", so I invited her, more like convinced her  to come sit at our table. I think she's warming up to me babe!" He proudly said the last part winking at Emma. She raised her eyebrow surprised, taking a moment to process the shift before she beamed at me clapping her hands, smiling back and forth between Dylan and I.

   "Oh my gosh! Really?" Emma grinned excitedly. 

   I smiled nodding me head in confirmation. A sense of relief washed over me, knowing I got my best friend back. "Yea, I guess he's not that bad." I joked.

   "See I told you! Oh I'm so happy! I missed you so much!" Emma beamed before changing seats with Dylan so she can fill me in on everything that happened over the past week and I simply smiled trying to keep up with her and her a million and one stories. I had never been so grateful to hear all her stories in my life.

   The lunch period went by quicker then I expected and Dylan and I managed to actually get along even with the occasional insults and side comments we threw at each other here and there. He actually wasn't that bad when he wasn't being an arrogant fuckboy asshole. Soon the bell rang sending a swarm of bodies shuffling to the doors. Emma linked her arms with me and Dylan while we moved along the current of bodies heading towards the door. 

   Emma and I usually leave lunch a couple minutes early because of this exact reason but since we we were so busy catching up neither of us was paying attention to the time. I tensed up being in the middle of the crowd as people pushed and shoved their way forward bumping into me. My chest tightened and my breathes turned shallow. I pressed my self closer into Emma as I felt the familiar sense of panic made it's way to the forefront of my emotions. 

  I clenched and released my hands as my eyes darted around feeling like I was never going to get out from this crowd. I winced as someone's elbow made it's way into my side with my bruise causing me to stop which then lead to someone behind me bumping into me. Thoughts of my mom made my heart race as bodies just seemed to surrounded me.  Emma squeezed my hand as she pulled me along closer to her flashing me a sympathetic look.

   A moment later we finally made it through the doors into the main corridor where Emma pulled us into a empty corner and I let out a relived sigh, closing my eyes and taking deep breathes to  try calm myself down and keep the tears back. " You okay?" Dylan questioned as I felt his hand fall gently on my shoulders. I nodded slowly feeling my heart rate go back too normal.

   "She's claustrophobic."  Emma made an excuse for my anxiety as she took my still slightly shaky hands in hers and rub her thumb against the back of the hands. 

   "I'm okay," I said opening my eyes and giving them a small smile. I caught Dylan's eye and I could see the worry held in his eyes that watched me. I tore my gaze away growing uncomfortable. "Didn't I tell you I hate being stared at, I'm fine now okay." I said crossing my arms while shaking Dylan's hand off my shoulders.

   "Yup, and she's back to normal. I'll catch up with you guys later." Dylan joked as he departed from us. I couldn't help to watch his retreating back, he took long graceful strides as he walked down the hall with his confidence just radiating off of him. I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion feeling as if I knew that walk from somewhere. The feeling of his hand lingered on my shoulder reminding me of his touch on my waist.  I closed my eyes once again mentally slapping myself thinking why such a small touch like that is having such an affect me.  

    "I really appreciate you giving him a chance Sky." Emma's arms were suddenly tight around me pulling me out of my own thoughts and my arms moved on their own hugging her back. "It really means a lot to me."

    "I just want you be happy Emma. I'm sorry, I stepped out of line. If he makes you happy then I support you." I moved out of Emma's arm and shot her a genuine smile before linking my arm with hers as we walked down the hall to our lockers.

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    I can't believe it's been 3 years since I last updated any of my stories. I can't believe that I would do that to you guys. Any of you guys that are still reading this I can't even express how much I appreciate you guys. To any new reader I really hope you guys like what you've read so far! I was lost when it came to writing and doubted my ability to write, but I gone through a tough time and writing has helped me through it and I remembered the reason why I started writing and fell in love with it in the first place. I'll be trying to update more regularly since I'm no longer in high school and college has given me more free time.

[Edited 08/16/2020] Another revised chapter! I hope you guys are still enjoying and I love the feedback I am getting. You guys are really amazing. I appreciate all the positive comments and the constructive criticism that helps me get better. Before I end off, there is a important detail that symbolizes something in the chapter so let e know what you think it is and what it symbolizes!

Love you all! Bye!