Things have been......different.

Emily announced quite publicly that she was through with David. I mean like, she climbed on the stage during assembly and stole the mic and spouted a couple of unrepeatable things. Since the breakup things haven't been the same, Nate has kind of abandoned David which is strange with the whole 'bros over hoes' policy that rules the world. But I guess that didn't matter, he was stuck to Emily like glue, the two were unnaturally close now which made me uncomfortable and more like a third wheel than a girlfriend.
David had his friends and changed, he was with a different girl everyday and was throwing parties like if there was no tomorrow. He turned into the guy I've heard about, but I knew it wasn't really him, he was just quite obviously hurting. But he was too stupid to see his was of coping was hurting Emily every time she passed him in the halls, only to see his tongue down some girl's throat.
Matt surprisingly came out the greatest after the party, he was quiet for a few days with the whole stripper pictures, but now he's almost back to his old self. He found a job but still helps out in the shop, he's making fun of Emily again, he and Nate are getting along in their own way and he seems stuck to Zane like some super strong glue.

The balance had shifted and I missed my old group, it wasn't the same. I felt more like the old me before I knew Nate than the new me, who I liked a lot better. The one who went to Belgium, who got a tattoo and danced all day in a damn rave cave. Now I was reading books in the library by myself since nobody was around anymore to talk, I used to talk to David, but it goes without saying that that wasn't an option anymore.

Sighing, I grab my books, deciding to head to my next class since my free period was almost up. I mean I guess the free time was now constructive, my grades went up and I read more books than ever before if that counted for anything. Keeping my head in my book, I walk through the desolate halls before bumping into someone sending my things crashing to the floor.

"Sorry." I say not bothering to look at them as I bend down to gather my things.

"It was my fault." My head snaps up to confirm who I thought it was, staring into David's apologetic brown eyes I freeze a bit. He seems to understand why and continues to pick up my things before handing them to me. "Is she okay?" He asks before he leaves.

"She will be." I offer, he gives me a small smile before walking away, leaving me standing there watching his figure disappear.
When he's no longer in my sights, I head quickly to Math. I had a test today, they were preparing for the SAT's by giving us some insane practice ones. I already had a life plan for myself, I was going to go to Brown University and become a book editor. I chose that school because Serena wanted to go there, though I'd never admit it to anyone. I wanted to talk to Nate about moving across the country but he never seemed to want to talk about the future and he'd just brush it off.

I loved Nate, I really did. But if it came between what I've been working my entire life for or him, I think I knew which I'd pick.

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"You okay, you're really quite?" Nate asks pushing my book down with his finger so he could see me. I raise my eyes before nodding, he frowns at the action before taking away my book. "Seems like we need to train you again, interact with those around you, remember?"

"Yeah." I mumble before taking out another, putting it in my lap where he couldn't see it.

"So how have you been?" Emily asks making my eyes dart across to her. I think it's really depressing that we haven't talked properly in such a long time that she had to ask.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" I ask raising an eyebrow as I take a bite of my awaiting apple.

"I guess, but you've been really quiet lately. I thought it was because of David, you lost a friend and that you needed some time. But you're still in your hole." I stare at her with my mouth slightly open, why was she talking about him like if she wasn't dating him for the last few months? Wasn't she the one who needed time?

"I'd think that'd be you, who needs the time I mean?" I ask with a neutral tone.

"Nope I'm fine." She says smiling, I knew she was lying but I wasn't about to open up healing wounds. "Nate is coming with me to the game Friday, Dad got extra tickets. You can come too if you want?"

"I hate basketball, I'll be studying instead." I say standing up as I gather my things. "You guys do realise these exams are a few weeks away and determine our entire lives?"

"Yes mom, we do." She replies.

"Where are you going?" Nate asks watching me with concerned eyes.

"To go study, my book please." I place my hand out and surprisingly he lays my book in it. Turning swiftly I leave the cafeteria, glancing back once to see them already in their own world of new conversations.

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"You want a job here?" Zane asks narrowing his eyes as he looked over his magazine.

"Yeah after the exams, I want to leave with some savings." I say with pleading eyes.

"I have to pay you? You're my friend, do it for free!" He whines making me roll my eyes.

"I've seen your place Zane, Versace bathroom slippers really? You're loaded don't be cheap." I say dropping the sweet tone.

"That's how you stay loaded, by being cheap! Right Matt?" He shouts to Matt who was arranging the drinks in the freezers.

"Yep!" He shouts back with a smile. Zane stopped calling him Mattress since he was behaving these days, Matt was trying to keep the golden streak going desperately.

"Whatever, I'm serious Zane can I?" I ask hopefully.

"Yeah whatever. I don't want to see your face everyday though, I'm making you the manager of the other branch in town." He says before putting his head back in the book. I blink a few times in shock as my book refuses to move, my heart stops for a moment before jump starting again.

"W-what the h-hell did you just say?" I ask falling over my words.

"MAN-A-GERRRRR." He says slowly like I was a baby he was trying to teach how to talk.

"I got that, but why?" I ask completely. bewildered.

"Because I trust you. You've helped me work without pay or even being asked for months, you clean, you handle the money well and you're my closest friend. Here's an earlier birthday gift, or maybe belated.....when's your birthday?" I stretch over the counter pulling him into a deadly hug as I squeeze the living hell out of him. "Get off my me you witch!"

"July the sixth." I say letting him go. He clicks his phone to check the calendar subtly but fails as he asks me what day it was.

"That's like two weeks away! I'll get you a real gift." He says with a small smile that warmed my heart.

"I gotta head home, but I'll be back tomorrow." I say grabbing my bag as I give Matt a tight squeeze.

"Can't wait..." Zane says sarcastically as he grabs his magazine.

"Love you too." I shout as I leave the store smiling widely. Everything was coming into play nicely, I head home with a skip in my step as I thought about all the topics I'd have to cover today.

"Andy!" I look up to see Nate sitting on my patio steps waiting patiently, I smile as I walk towards him.

"Hey." I say softly.

"Where were you?" He asks suspiciously.

"At the store."

"I didn't know, you should've told me." He says looking at me with questioning eyes.

"I figured you'd be busy with Emily." I answer honestly watching him straight in his widening eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you've been there for her lately, which is great so I figured you'd be with her." I say with a shrug.

"Andy, are you mad at me?" He asks skeptically.

"No, things have changed, I get that." I say heading up the steps. "I have to study, we'll talk late okay?"

"Yeah..." I give him a weak smile before shutting the door. I let out an exhausted breath before heading to my room and pulling out my books getting straight to my studies.

That's how things were now. Emily was Nate's friend now, David was his own man. Nate was boyfriend in just name now, I wanted more but Emily needed someone to hold onto. She chose him because he was the closest thing she had to David and vice versa. Because they couldn't see that, I left it alone. Zane and Matt were having a good life working and stuff.

And I was here. With my head in a book like before but this time I didn't have an Emily and now I knew how it felt to have a Nate.

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Well that was depressing. It gets better
Sorry, the fingers did this not me.

Hope you enjoyed in some way,
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Thanks for reading, 3k wow! This is part one to the triple update. Hope ya like that!

I won't say until next time, cause you just gotta scroll down. Lol.