Chapter thirty: Stick to one story (Ellie's POV)

"I have to go," I sang while grabbing my backpack. It was the next day and we were parked at the school. 

He was just here to drop me off and then he was gonna go back home. He didn't even change, so he has quite literally rolled out of bed just to be here. "No, you don't." He grabbed my bag and tugged it back, pulling me back down to my seat. 

"I have class." I gave him a pointed look. 

"It's Mr. Prichard," he deadpanned. 

"Class is class," I shrugged. 

"Fine, I'll drop by for lunch," he sighed in defeat while letting my hand go.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," I said while grabbing my phone. 

"I know. I want to," he nodded. 

"Okay, I'll see you then," I smiled before getting out. 

"Ellie!" he called out when I began heading to the building. 

I turned around and went over to his side of the car. He rolled his window down and I leaned forward, "What?" I asked in confusion. 

He put two fingers under my chin and tilted my head up before planting his lips on mine. I pulled away after a while and looked at him. "Bye," he smirked. 

"Bye," I smiled before walking into the building. I headed to my locker, taking one last glance at him. I noticed how he didn't drive off until I was out of sight. It was cute. I was at my locker, grabbing the books that I needed and a copy of the play that we were going to start studying when James popped up out of nowhere. "What do you want?" I asked. 

"I need to talk to you," he said while walking beside me. 

"We already talked yesterday," I replied. 

"I know, but I need to talk to you again," he said. 

"Well, I don't want to," I said while picking up my pace. 

"Ellie." He grabbed my arm and spun me around. "I said, I need to talk to you," he glared at me. 

"And I said I don't want to," I said through gritted teeth before pulling my arm out of his grasp. 

"Look, I'm being serious here. We have to talk," he huffed. 

"Fine, talk," I folded my arms across my chest. 

"Here?" he asked, looking around and the people that began to stare. 

"Yeah, here. Talk," I demanded. 

"I know I made a mistake doing what I did to you. But I really am sorry. Ellie, I want another chance," he sighed. 

"What?" I scoffed. 

"I want another chance," he repeated. 

"Okay, and?" I asked. 

"What do you mean?" he questioned. 

"You want another chance. That doesn't mean you're going to get one. Move on, James," I huffed. 

"I don't want to move on. I want to be with you again," he replied. 

"Do you have any idea how stupid I would be to let you back into my life?" I asked. 

"Ellie, come on. What we had was great," he sighed. 

"Is that why you cheated? Because what we had was so great?" I arched a brow at him. 

He rolled his eyes before continuing. "Ellie, I want another chance, please just give it to me," he pleaded. 

"James. Just stick to one story. You told me yesterday that exes can never be friends," I laughed dryly. 

"That doesn't mean they can't get back together." He gave me a pointed look. 

I was so tempted to throw a brick at his face right now. "Have you thought about the fact that I've moved on?" I asked. It's very hard to not raise my voice. The hallway is almost empty now, everyone is in class and I'm out here with James. 

"Please," he scoffed, "You were determined to never speak to Zach again after the way he left. What happened now, huh? You just went running back to him?" 

I will take my shoe off and hit it on his face. 

I rolled my eyes, "That doesn't concern you, and even if I did go running back to him, I would never go back to you, ever," I spat. I turned around and began walking to the library instead of class. 

I am not going to class right now. 

"Don't even think about following me!" I said without turning around to look at him because I knew that he was going to. I walked into the library and headed to the last aisle. There's a window seat in the corner of the room which I use every time I come here, right now included. 

I huffed while walking over there, running my hand through my hair. I got the seat and froze, staring ahead of me in shock. 

He was sitting on the floor with his legs straight in front of him, his back against the seat with a book in his hands. The sun was shining behind him and it made his already messy hair look messier and lighter. He looked up from the book and I could only see his eyes. He raised his eyebrows at me and even though I couldn't see, I knew he was smirking. 

"What are you doing here?" I whispered while walking over to him. 

"What am I doing?" he asked in confusion. 

I eyed him up and down, trying to figure out if I was hallucinating or not. He was still in his pajamas, the same grey sweatpants, the same navy blue v-neck, and the same bed hair. "Zach, you're supposed to be at the apartment," I whispered while sitting on the seat. 

"I didn't feel like going back there. I would just stay there all alone, I'd get bored to death," he groaned. 

I asked him the question but I wasn't listening, I was still angry about what had just happened. What was wrong with him? How did he just switch out and change his argument completely? 

"Are you okay?" he asked while leaning his head back on the seat. 

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, leaning forward and lifting his head while I straightened my legs out in front of me and rested his head on my legs. 

"Hmm," he narrowed his eyes at me, scrutinizing me under his gaze. 

"No, you're not. What happened? And why aren't you in class, Ms. Hart?" He raised his eyebrows at me repeatedly. 

"Well, I'm not in class because I'm here," I smirked, "And James happened," I huffed. 

"Again?" he asked, sitting up straight. 

"Again," I sighed. 

"What did he have to say?" he asked, raising a sharp brow at me. 

"Nothing, let's just hope I don't have to deal with him again," I huffed, leaning my head against the wall behind me. 

"Can I help? Please?" he asked before mumbling curses when I said no.

Everyone's been mumbling curses lately. 

"No," I shook my head, "I don't want to make it a big deal, I just want him to piss off and leave me alone," I huffed. 

"I can help with that if you'd let me." He turned and sat facing me completely, his arm resting over my legs. 

I sighed and pulled my legs out from under him, crossing my legs before leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "In that case, I won't let you," I responded. 

"Why? You know well that he deserves a punch or two," he huffed. 

"Yeah, but you don't deserve to be getting in any more trouble because you beat a guy up. Especially because of me," I sighed, looking out the window that had a direct view of the field. 

"It's not because of you, it's for you. There's a huge difference." 

I turned to him, surprised that he would say something like that. "I can't let you get yourself in trouble, that's all it is," I replied. 

"Well, if it's not in school then I can't get in trouble, can I?" he asked. 

"Not with Principal Withers but I'm sure with someone else. For instance, your parents," I said. 

"My parents that are in New York for the month?" he laughed. 

"I will snitch," I huffed. 

"Well, snitches get stitches," he smirked. 

"Ouch," I laughed, sitting back with my head against the wall. 

"Ellie," he sighed while standing up before sitting up on the seat by my legs. "Can you tell me one time where I've hesitated to help you when it comes to someone bothering you?" he asked. 

"Never," I answered. 

"So, what makes you think I'll hesitate now?" He arched an eyebrow at me. 

"Nothing. I didn't say you would hesitate, nor would I want you to. If I wanted you to get involved, I would ask. But I haven't. So clearly, I don't want you in this mess, get it?" I asked. 

This was my mess, my situation, my problem. And I will try my best to keep Zach completely out of it. Or well, as out of it as I possibly can. 

"I don't want him bothering you. And knowing you, you won't tell me if he does." He took a deep breath before slowly shaking his head in disappointment. 

"And I don't want you getting bothered," I shrugged my shoulders at him. 

"I don't get bothered when it comes to helping you," he said, sitting opposite me, his wall leaning on the wall on the other side. "Let me help you, Ellie." He nudged my leg with his. 

"No, Zach. I can't let you do that. When I need your help, I'll ask. I swear I will."

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Chapter thirty

Next Chapter: Cuddles

I think it's time to get that first date in