As I amble into school, I'm ambushed by my mob of new friends. Well, not in the sense that they all charge up to me together and look all cool. More like Eva runs up to me like normal, Jared is running for his life, and Cody is chasing him. Suddenly, Jared bolts behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders while Cody crosses his arms. It honestly takes all I have not to burst into guffaws. Sadly, Eva doesn't take the same initiative.

"What in the world did I just walk into?" I wonder, shoving Jared out from behind me by the hands.

The two wrestle each other to the ground while Eva rolls her eyes.

"So, that- that arrogant rich boy is going to be part of our group now?" Eva scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest and narrowing her chocolate eyes.

"Group?" I ask, baffled.

The two idiots seem to have worked out their quarrel and now stand brushing themselves off.

"Yeah, we can be the Chip Busters gang," Cody cheers, lowering his voice at the mention of 'Chip Busters.'

His cousin nods, face twisted into a pompous smirk. "Since I'm in it, the group is awesome by default."

"No!" Eva exclaims, shoving her palm in front his face. "I don't wish to hang out with the likes of you."

Jared seems genuinely shocked, face scrunched up in a mixture of shock and disgust. "Well, no one wants you here, either."

Emitting a sigh, I wrap my arm around my simmering friend's shoulders. "You know, Jared, I don't think I've formally forgiven you."

Cody bursts out laughing and Eva slightly shakes as she giggles. Actually, I have already forgiven him along with Cody. I'd like to believe that the troubles of the past are behind us. I'd love to believe that maybe, just maybe, I've finally made some friends.

Jared's mouth opens and closes, eyebrows furrowed as he fishes for a witty response. His expression is actually quite comical, the way his pointy nose turns up and his dimples peek from beneath his porcelain skin. "Well, Autumn," He finally exclaims, rummaging through his pocket and thrusting a wrapped object in my direction, "Would you like the remains of my breakfast? You know, as a peace offering."

Scrunching my nose in disgust, I shove his hand back by his side. "No thanks."

His face falls and he tosses the remains to the ground, much to horror of the rest of us. However, the mood considerably lightens as Kaylee's foot catches on the foil. She staggers, arms failing about. Finally, her bum collides with the linoleum floor. My group erupts in snickers, Eva's face turning red. For some reason, I can only emit a small chuckle.

Awkwardly, I extend my hand to Kaylee. She stares at it as though I'm about to smack her across the face. Once she comes to terms with the fact that I mean to help her, she shoves away my arm and pushes herself up. My used-to-be friend flicks me a stormy glare before storming off. Her light red hair perfectly represents her mood.

Immediately, my feet seem to move of their own accord. The other students littering the hallway sway out of focus until Kaylee's back is as clear as a cloudless day. The sound of our footsteps mingle into one. I begin to run until my fingers grasp her thin arm, yanking her towards me and halting her in her steps.

"I was trying to help you, Kaylee," I seethe, anger instantly battling for dominance.

Her gray eyes bore into my own until hers become no more than slits. "Yeah, you really helped me by stealing one of my best friends. Way to go, Autumn. You should win friend of the year."

Honestly, her sarcasm stings. "Excuse me, but you didn't even fight for her."

My words seem to affect her as well. She indignantly huffs, which sounds more like a sharp intake of breath. "She-she won't even acknowledge me!"

I shrug, emerald lasers challenging her own. "I allowed you to toss me aside for years. You strung me along, feigned to care and be my friend. In reality, I was clinging to all I had left. Or rather, all I thought I had left."

"You should have spoken up if you felt that way."

"You didn't even let me mourn my cousin's death in peace! At first it was all movies and ice cream hangouts. Now, it's all of that excluding me!" I hiss, tears prickling my eyes. "You don't care about anyone but yourself. I hope you realize that you believe it's all about the popularity and perfection. You don't care what it takes to get to the top; you just wish to conquer everyone else."

Her mouth opens, jaw slack and eyes narrowed. Fiery hair splashes her shoulders as she spins around. I smile, watching her walk away as though I just won a duel. It feels like I won some fight that was never vocalized or acknowledged until this moment.

"Autumn?" Eva whispers as a hand is delicately placed on my shoulder.

I jump, slowly turning around to face her. The boys stand cautious behind her, all of them eyeing me as though I'm a vicious tiger; like I'm prone to attack at any given moment.

"I'm okay," I breathe, my breathing still rapid and mind still spinning.

As the warning bell ringing, Eva places her arm around my shoulders and leads me in the direction of my locker. "Don't fret boys, I got this."

*****

*****

Lunch approaches rather rapidly. Soon, I'm hoisting open my light blue locker and shoving in objects. As I close the door, I rest my head against the cool exterior. My eyes squeeze shut. I just stand here, the hallway eerily silent. Since I lingered in the young lady's room, most people are already in the cafeteria. So, it's just me, the inanimate locker, and the whisper of the AC.

As my eyes pop open, a folded paper catches my attention. Creases cover the tan exterior and it seems to have been folded several times before the folder was satisfied. Curious, I reach down and grasp the paper. Of course, my knees lock then give out. So, I tumble to the floor, my body sprawled out beneath me as I grasp a square of paper.

Not bothering to pick myself off the ground, I quickly unfold the note. The folds give way to a thick, black font. The font in plain and simple, no little curls or slants in sight.

Dear Autumn,

I hope you didn't take our kidnap attempt yesterday too lightly. Just because your friend saved you once doesn't mean it'll happen again. I know so much more than you think, and if you dare to show this to anyone, you're not the only one who will get pulled under.

Goosebumps rise on my arms as I refold the note and shove it in my pocket. My body trembles slightly as I jump up and dash outside where the Chip Busters had agreed to meet for lunch. Sadly, that name stuck.

"Autumn!" Cody calls as soon as the door slams shut behind me.

I cock an eyebrow as I hear intense bickering in the distance.

He sighs, running a hand through his blond locks. "Eva and Jared are at it again."

"Oh," I murmur, letting out a nervous laugh. "Wow, those two must really hate each other, huh?"

Cody gives me a funny look, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinizes my own expression. "Are you okay? You look a bit-spooked."

I shrug, wiping imaginary dust off my pants. Immediately, my imagination runs wild with things that could happen to any one of my friends. The note might not be legitimate, true. But how did that person know what they supposedly knew?

"Autumn?"

"Oh- I was just thinking about this rigorous homework I was given. Haha."

He looks like he doesn't buy my lie, but doesn't question me further. Instead, we rush over to the side of the school. I almost laugh at the sight before me. Eva is holding Jared in a headlock, her eyes gleaming with malice. Jared's eyes are wide as Cody rushes to help him.

I begin guffawing, glad for the comical relief. I'm doubled over, my hand clutching my stomach as it heaves with each intake of breath.

"Autumn!" Jared exclaims, shooting me an icy glare that isn't terrifying at all. "Why didn't you help me?"

"Because," Eva smiles sweetly, gravitating to my side, "She agrees that you're an pompous jerk."

"I-"

"No! She thinks you're a maniac and was scared to get in your way!"

"No, I-"

"She thinks you're full of it."

"The only person full of something is you, and it's hot air!"

"Guys!" Cody intervenes, "stop putting words in her mouth. Let her tell you what she thinks."

I plop down on the cool cement, the breeze whipping my hair every which way. "I think I need a break from the drama of life."

They all look at me weirdly before shrugging and returning to bickering with Cody as the middle man. Between Kaylee this morning and that note this afternoon, I just want to close my eyes and sleep. So, that's what I try to do.

"Hey, that's my sandwich, jerk face!"

"Now it's mine."

I hear someone slide down the wall beside me.

"I'm done," Cody sighs.

"Me too," I murmur. "Me too."