*NOT EDITED*

Chapter 46

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I shut my locker with a bang that was drowned by the loud chatter of the crowded hallway. I made my way through the mass of people to Algebra with my books in hand, careful not to bump into anyone.

I felt a hand suddenly clamp my shoulder, making me jump in place. I snapped my head to the side to see Damon looking at me.

"You scared the living sh** out of me," I said with a relieved sigh as I started walking again but with him by my side.

"I just touched your shoulder," he replied. "What's up with you lately? You've been so jumpy and distant."

"I went to Ryder a few days ago," I said and ran a hand through my hair as we stopped by Mrs. Johnson's room.

"Oh . . . How did it go?" He crossed his arms and shifted from one foot to another.

The second bell rang, signaling the beginning of the period.

"I'll tell you later; we're both late."

He nodded and started walking away, slow at first but then changed his pace to a jog to catch his class. I knocked twice before entering the room.

Thankfully, Mr. Walker still hadn't arrived. I took my seat in the back of the class, opened my notebook, and started doodling meaninglessly. I didn't realize it, but my hand had moved with a mind of its own and drew two people - a girl and a boy, but they were in some kind of intricate position that disallowed them from touching. I was reminded when I was so into drawing and painting last year and I saved up for an expensive drawing kit with a sketchbook. I soon got over it, though like I did with any of my other interests excluding soccer.

A ball of crumbled paper landed on my book, interrupting my drawing. I looked to my right to see Drake giving me a lopsided grin.

"Welcome back, Foxy," he said and I couldn't help but remember my first days at Maviston High. Back when I was so closed up and rude. These people really did change me. It's too bad I discovered who they really are.

I gave him a half-hearted smile. "Hey."

"How's it going?" he asked warily. It made me think that Emma probably told him about what happened between Bex, Ryder, and I after I told her and Reece yesterday.

I laughed. "It is spectacular. It is going perfectly fine."

He grew slightly somber and I caught the pity on his face. "You don't deserve what happened to you."

I didn't reply and just stared back at him. Before any of us can say anything else, Mr. Walker walked into class slightly breathless.

"I apologize for being later. There was a fight in the hallway and I was the only supervisor outside that was able to stop it," he explained before turning to the board and starting to write today's lesson.

I turned back in my seat, facing forward as I started copying down the notes.

"Are we still doing our senior prank?" Emma adjusted the beanie on her head before walking with me in the cafeteria. The crowded hall was filled with loud chatter from everyone as they were still catching up over the short break.

To be completely honest, I had forgotten all about the senior prank. It's funny; I've been thinking about it ever since I started pulling silly pranks on Damon in fifth grade. I even had a notebook filled with tons of senior prank ideas.

"Of course. I can't miss that," I replied. We took our seats at our usual table but it didn't have the same occupants. Ryder and Bex were missing.

I tried to ignore their absence as I started on the turkey ham sandwich on my plate, only half listening to Emma talking about prom dresses.

"Why are you guys even talking about that? Prom's not due for another five months," Damon said with a roll of his eyes. Something caught my eye when Damon turned his head a fraction.

"Damon, what's that under your eye?" I asked.

He turned his head away. "Nothing. It's just-"

Gripping his shoulder, I turned him around to get a better look.

I inhaled sharply. "What happened?"

He shrugged my hand off and ground his jaw. "Ryder told me about what happened."

"Still a moron," I muttered and shook my head. "Why'd he purposely tell you that? He knows that you'd beat him up."

"It slipped; he thought I knew and came up to me to apologize and ask for my help in your forgiveness right after I left you. Of course, I didn't do that. I did, however, give him my help in reshaping his face."

"Don't be so smug, he returned the favor," I said grumpily as I inspected his face closer. That must've been the fight Mr. Walker was talking about.

"Don't worry about me now. Are you okay?"

"You don't see me dying, do you?" I asked, still feeling mad about the fight that happened between him and Ryder.

"Not on the outside," he replied with knowing eyes.

I exhaled defeatedly and slumped in my seat. Damon was one of the few people who could read me like an open book. At times, it weirdly comforted me, knowing that there was someone who could easily understand me without having to explain or go through the pain of saying it out loud.

Right before the end of lunch, Bex walked in to the cafeteria with Celeste by her side.

It was then that it occurred to me how close friends they really were. She'd sit with her before I came here and when I came, Bex had to put up an act and leave her. They were scheming on ruining my year the whole time which bought them even closer.

Bex had the guts to come up to our table.

"How's it going, Ashie?" Celeste asked with a smirk.

"What do you want?" I asked with a sigh. I had gotten to the point in the year where I was just so tired of everything.

"Nothing, we just wanted to invite you to Ryder and I's party," Bex said, flipping her dyed blonde hair.

"He's hosting a party?" Drake asked incredulously.

"Well, kind of. It's his birthday and we're hosting a surprise party for him," Celeste said triumphantly as if she were proud that she thought of it first.

Our first date jumped into memory and I was reminded of the our version of twenty questions. It seemed like such a long while ago—ages.

I shook off the longing and looked back at them. "We're not coming. Do you happen to know where he is?" The question tumbled out of my mouth before I could've stopped it.

Bex's smirk deepened. "Already missing him too much? He's at the hospital for his brother, Ben."

My eyes widened. "What's wrong with Benjamin?"

"He's had an accident of some sort." She waved her hand dismissively.

I looked to Damon. "I have to go, it's Benjamin."

He stared back, considering it before finally nodding. "Fine, I'll drive you."

"No, it's okay. I also have to see him," Drake said, standing up as well.

"You're going to miss classes," Emma said.

"We'll be quick," I said, sharing a look with Drake, "we'll probably only miss the next period."

We said our goodbyes and hurried out of the cafeteria, our quick footsteps echoing against the empty halls.

Outside of the school, the parking lot was fully occupied with cars since everyone was in the school. We spotted Drake's car and I followed him into it, stepping into the passenger's seat.

He turned on the engine and strapped his seat belt before looking at me. It was then that I realized we didn't know what hospital he was at.

"Can you please call him?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah, I'll take care of it," he said with a reassuring smile.

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Author's Note:

Hey, guys! Sorry for the short chapter, but next chapter's going to be a better one :)

Also, I'm sorry if you still didn't receive your book cover from me on my Book Cover Maker. I just have a lot of requests and it's hard to catch up.

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