I remembered the words I spoke to Lydia that morning. "And, she lives."

The girl simply rolled her eyes, gave me a thumbs up -as in the plan was going well, and headed off to school. Carson and Vienna thought this interaction odd, but I couldn't tell them what she did. So, I simply followed them to Vienna's convertible, and then I arrived at school.

I didn't particularly enjoy the looks cast my way, but I also didn't pay them any mind. When I reached my locker, Asher was waiting for me, his face set into a grimace. People stared at us, mainly me. Different colored eyes bored into me as I unlocked my locker and gathered what I needed for first and second period. I heard the whispers, but I ignored them. I felt their gazes, but I also ignored them.

"Hey, Lemonaide," Asher greeted, but his voice sounded strained as he leaned against the locker next to my own.

Finally, I spun around, ignoring my friend for a second as I shouted, "What?"

People's eyes widened, and soon their attention turned elsewhere. I shook my head, a familiar feeling settling in my stomach. A feeling similar to after that party got busted.

"Good morning to you, too," Asher muttered, his sky blue eyes cast towards the floor.

"What's going on? Why is everyone looking at me like I killed someone?" Then, it hit me. Chris's words from yesterday. You could've been so much more! Lexus and Cara hate you. Good luck. And, once everyone knows what you did to Amara- just know that a lot of people like her. When they know what you did to me, you'll be sorry. It hit me. I knew. But, I didn't regret standing up for myself, or for standing up for my friends. "What did Chris do?"

"He told everyone what you did on his social media. He made you sound like a villain. Amara talked about you, too. About- that you should go back to where you came from and all you've caused is trouble."

Anger burned within me, but I forced it aside. It didn't really hurt me. Not after everything. So what, that my plan to be popular and liked had backfired? I still had my friends, and in the end, that's all I cared about. I learned who were my friends and who weren't. I also learned that I could make friends just being me, not someone like Lexus or Cara.

"They can all go to hell." I looped a surprised Asher's arm through my own, spotting Chris and his friends amidst the crowd. Nathan offered me a small smile of encouragement and I smiled back. The smile I gave to Chris, Logan, and Justin wasn't as- genuine. It was sickly sweet one, one made of fire and candy at the same time.

Asher simply flipped him off and I laughed, tugging my friend through the crowd of gaping, chattering, and outright annoying teens.

"Wow. You're tougher than I thought," Asher whispered once we arrived in homeroom. He dropped my arm, but stayed close to my side as we sat in the back of the classroom. It was pretty empty at this point, the warning bell choosing to ring. A few students sat around, mostly alone, a few in groups or pairs.

I allowed my bag to fall off my shoulder and onto the tile. It was then that I finally answered him. "I'm not. I've just- learned a few things. Not only that, but I've been through worse. At least I have friends now. I'm okay." I truly meant it. I was okay. "I'm proud of what I did to Amara, and I don't regret helping you. Lexus and Cara hate me? Good for them. And Chris? I don't need any toxic relationships or friendships."

Asher smiled. Full on smiled, and his eyes glowed the brightest I'd seen them since his breakup. "You think my friendship is worth this? You think helping people is worth this?"

"Of course," I said softly, and my own smile grew. Looking to his eyes, looking into the eyes of a boy, I felt accepted for once in my life. Accepted for being me. Accepted despite everything that had happened. This guy, and Tala, Carl and Shell, and even J, had taught me the true meaning of friendship. Cheesy or not, it was true. Vienna and Carson? They'd shown me a new side to having a sibling- or siblings. Even Lydia- she taught me to look deeper. Even the people that screwed me over had taught me things about life.

The final bell rung, and someone plopped into the set next to me. Tala smiled, running a hand through her violet hair to brush it away from her face. "Hey, Ada. Whats up?"

She acted like nothing was happening, or had happened. So, I did the same. I had a feeling she knew, but didn't care. Or, at least didn't want to bring it up. "Just chatting with this idiot." I jerked my thumb in Asher's direction and laughed.

Tala laughed as well. "Nice."

Before we could continue our conversation, Cara sat next to 'her best friend.' Her eyes seemed to leek venom and her eyes held hatred. She yanked on Tala's arm. To my surprise, Tala turned towards her and began talking. Then, she turned back towards me, her lips tugging into a frown.

"I want you guys to get along," she voiced, and I nearly choked on the air entering my lungs. The expression on her face told me that she was dead serious, solemnly concerned for her friends. That made her such a sweet girl, but there were times when she needed to stop being so much like a-pushover.

Lexus whipped around from her seat in front of Tala, and so did her boyfriend sitting in front of me.

J's eyes flicked to mine. It wasn't over, I realized. None of the drama was yet over.

"Tala..." Cara trailed off.

Lexus shook her head, her blue eyes blazing. "Tala, I don't think you understand-"

"That Ada is my friend?" She suddenly snapped. Then, she sighed, running a hand down her face. "Don't worry, I understand that. Cara," she faced the girl in question, "you've been my best friend for years. I get that some people don't like each other. Trust me, I know that my own brother hates me. But, so what? That doesn't mean that all hell needs to break loose. Just- let it go."

"That's not how things work-"

"In Richbrooke," I finished for Lexus, who shot me a glare. "Yeah, it's not, but maybe Tala has a point. Does everything in this town need to be about pounding people to bloody pulps, or about dealing with everything yourselves?"

"You're not even a local. You don't know anything, newbie," Cara snarled.

"I know more than enough," I spat.

I heard Asher let out a breath from behind me. "Cara, Lexus, if you don't like the fact that Ada is here, then go find somewhere else to be."

They both gawked at him, but Lexus soon shook her head back and forth.

"Why don't you and Ada leave?"

"No," Tala spoke. Firmly, with pent up rage in her eyes. "I've watched you girls hurt people for too long. Terrorize the halls. Bully people. You guys appointed me a position of 'power' in this group." She used air quotes for 'power'. "So, I'm going to use it. Finally. You've chased away most of the good friends I've tried to make. You pushed me towards one night stands and guys like Drew. But, Ada pushed me towards my boyfriend."

We were all momentarily shocked.

"It's official?" Cara squealed.

Tala ignored her. "Not all popular groups have to be stereotypical. And, frankly, all I've seen you guys as is friends. I still do, except for Lexus and Cara. Get away from me, and stay away from my friends, or you'll be sorry."

Lexus set her mouth into a firm line, glancing to her boyfriend for support.

Cara looked like she was about to scream. "Tal, you don't mean that. I'm your best friend! You'd be nothing without me, or Amara back when she came here."

Tala shook her head. "Don't. I'm my own person." Tears welled in her eyes, and she swiped them away. "Please. Just- go."

Cara huffed, grabbed her bag, and stormed out of the classroom. Lexus ran right after her, but paused. "J? You coming?"

J let out a breath. He looked from me, to Asher, to Tala, and back to his girlfriend. I thought he would finally come to his senses. I thought he would tell her to get out, that it's over. But, he didn't. He silently obeyed, walking with her out of the classroom. Teacher and students stared at the door, but no one did anything. No one bothered to do anything in that town, it seemed.

I turned to Tala, who sniffed softly. "I'm proud of you for finally standing up for yourself."

She shrugged. "Thanks. I just- I don't like the drama. I didn't like their influence, and realized people like them don't deserve to be in a position of power."

"But so many horrible people have been in power," I pointed out.

"Yeah, but at least we learned from them. Maybe. But two less is still nice," Asher spoke up. "But, I am proud of you, Tal. Way to go, shy girl."

Tala rolled her eyes at him, but her lips tugged upwards. To my surprise, Tala wrapped her arm around me, and then extended the other towards Asher. One of Asher's arms went around me and the other Tala. We had to awkwardly lean this way and that, but it was still a nice hug. It felt kind of- interesting hugging Asher.

We all pulled away as the bell rang. Hurriedly, we all slung our bags over our shoulders and walked out of the room. It was the three of us against Richbrooke Highschool. Well, at that moment, anyways.

Some people clapped as we walked past lockers and clusters of students. Others shouted some unkind words in our direction. But, I don't think any of us cared. Well, Tala might have, but she still held her head high. She was to my right, Asher to my left. Being in the middle of the 'popular' group might have been an honor to some people. To me? It was an honor to have amazing friends by my side. I saw them as amazing friends, not popular, not as an asian, or a guy who had been through a breakup. I saw them as two people who I had faked my way towards, but would now take a bullet for; and that wasn't at all fake.

But, Richbrooke had it's own way of handling drama. It wasn't going to be all lollipops and unicorns. No. Because, there, blocking our path, stood Drew, Chris and his crew, and the two girls. J was a substitute for Nathan, who was nowhere to be seen.

Drew looked at me and smirked. Asher took a step in front of me, but I pushed him away.

"Oh, go to hell, Drew."

"Nice to see you again, Ada. It seems that you've been hurting my fellow students here."

I took a step towards him, anger burning in my heart. Not just for me, but for my friends. "I said, go to hell."

In an instant, there were two more people beside me: my siblings. Not Lydia, who was nowhere to be seen.

"You heard her. Or do we need to kick your ass again, Drew?" Carson hissed.

"Yeah, leave my sister alone!"

Drew simply raised an eyebrow. "Nice to see you again, V-"

"Don't even look at her!" I snapped, ready to hit him where it counted. "Get out of our way! We don't need some big stunt. I just want to live my life, and I suggest you find one as well."

It was Chris who laughed. "Tell me, do you go around kissing everyone while you're drunk?"

Shit. He remembered.

Heads turned in my direction. I could have sworn hurt flickered in Asher's eyes.

"Ada-"

I shook my head, cutting off Tala. "It doesn't matter what mistake I made when I was, in fact, drunk. Girls are allowed to have feelings, and guys just come and fuck them up." Hurt twisted within me. Not just for him, but for the others I had dated. Chris- we hadn't really developed much of a relationship. But, I had kissed him. There was that. I thought that maybe, he could be the right guy. But, maybe I had a right guy right next to- oh hell no. "Anyone can come and fuck up everything."

With that, I shoved past Chris, not caring if anyone followed me to my next class.

____

That was- intense. Thoughts? Also, 14k? Thank you guys so so so much for all the support! This story is even 491 in teen fiction! What the heck?

-Sarah