Hellooooooo my lovely readers. I'm so so sorry for such a late update, but this is my final year so I'm really busy. 

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I won't bother you further, enjoy <3

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Sleep. This was what I had been trying to do the previous night. I was unable to do so. Everytime I closed my eyes, the perfect image of that female dog appeared, how he was so close to me, looking at me straight in the eyes, how he so confidently said that he would ensure that I stopped talking to Taylor.

My inability to sleep caused me to now look like a walking zombie. Dark circles made their appearance on my face, showing me clearly how much time I lost tossing and turning, just thinking about that son of a female dog.

I was not in a mood to do anything today. If I didn't have to submit that mini Economics assignment today, I would have totally skipped. 

When I got to school, Ally was not at our lockers. Strange, because she's always the first to come. I quickly got to my locker and took out the books that I need along with my Economics assignment. Once I was done, I leaned against the locker and closed my eyes for a while. Might as well rest a bit before this long torture get started.

"EEEEEEEEEEE!" Somebody screamed loudly making me jump on my feet. That somebody has to be Ryan. That jerk!

"Damn it, Ryan, you scared me!" I scolded him, trying to calm my fast heartbeat.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, E. None of my friends were here, so thought I could hang out with you for a while." He said, pouting. Damn that boy knows how to manipulate people. No wonder why there are a thousand girls who are so in love with him.

"You're such a kid." I mocked him. He simply showed me his million dollar smile and put his arm around my shoulder as if we were close friends. If anyone would have done this, I would have backed off, but with Ryan, it felt good. 

"Anyways, E, what's up with you? You look like hell!" He pointed out. Well, thanks to Mr Asher!

"Yeah, I was unable to get some sleep yesterday." I kept my explanation simple. Not involving Asher in this conversation seemed much better. Speaking of Asher, where is he? Anyways, who cares.

"Oh, did someone keep you awake all night, huhh?" Ryan mischievously said. 

"Oh shut up, you." I slapped him playfully. But that didn't stop him from making comments.

"I wonder if you're much of a screamer, E." Ryan placed a finger on his chin, making as if he is thinking super hard. My cheeks grew scarlet at his comment. I took my book and shoved it in his chest making him laugh loudly. Certain girls were looking at us, unable to understand what a guy like Ryan was doing with me. My happy mood was now changed in a sullen mood. I mean, really, what is Ryan doing here.

"Hey, E, are you okay?" Ryan asked cautiously, all playfulness gone from his face. "I'm sorry if I hurt you." He sincerely said.

"No, it's not that. But--" I was reluctant to ask him, but I had to. "But what are you doing here?" Ryan was looking at me with a confused expression. "I mean what are you doing here with me? Your popularity might get tarnished if you are seen with me." He seemed to comprehend what I was trying to say.

"I'm with you right now because I want to. You're my friend, E and not just any girl who wants attention. I am with you right now because you're the most sincere and helpful girl I have ever met." Ryan confessed. Wow, this simply made my heart melt. All this time, I was judging them. These boys were good guys, well except from Asher. "And I don't really give a damn about my popularity, you know." 

"I'm sorry I asked you this question," I said "but I really loved your answer." I bashfully said, looking at my feet. "

"Aww, my little E is blushing." Ryan side hugged me. "Besides, if I wasn't here with you, Asher would kill me."

"Huhh?" Did I hear correctly?

"Um, nothing." Ryan scratched the back of his head. "Let's go to class." 

*

Class was absolutely boring especially with Ally not by my side. I wonder where she is. I quickly sent her a text and went to keep my things in my locker. No one was seen around. Even Ryan was long gone. I still remember his words , how he considered me as his friend. It felt so good to hear that someone trusts you enough to make you their friend. 

I was about to head to the cafeteria to get my lunch when I felt someone tap my shoulder making me turn around.

"Taylor." I squealed, throwing my arms around him. He wrapped his arms around me and spun me around. "Before I forget, let me tell you that I loved your gift. Thank you a million times." I told him. When he put me down on my feet, I took a chance to look at him. He looked great in this pair of khaki jeans with the t-shirt that stuck to his skin displaying his muscles. Oh boy, was he well toned, but not as much as Asher. Where the hell did that come from?

"Done checking me out, princess?" Taylor smirked at me, making me blush.

"Oh, shut up!" I playfully tapped him on the shoulder. "Anyways, what brings Mr Footballer here?" I asked changing the topic.

"Well, Mr Footballer was wondering if you wanted to have lunch with him and his friends?" He wrapped his arm around my shoulders making me walk along with him. 

"Um, let me go through my busy schedule and I'll let you know." I pretended to take out a diary, flipping through it and finally gave my answer. "Well, I'm quite busy today. Perhaps another day, Mr Johnson." I said, ostentatiously flipping my hair behind my back.

Taylor understood the game and started to play along. "Well, what can this poor guy do to get you have lunch with him?" He gave me a sort of pleading look.

"Um," I looked at my nails, making as if they were perfectly manicured, "You could pay me the food." I looked at him mischievously.

"Deal." He put his hand forward, for me to shake.

"Deal." I replied, sealing the deal before both of us started laughing like maniacs.

"We are totally crazy." We said in unison before breaking in another round of laughter.

Taylor being the perfect gentleman actually bought my food and brought it for me. However, instead of sitting in the lunchroom, we took a seat on the bleachers, where all his friends also known as the football players of my school were present.

"Hey guys, this is Emberly." Some said hi, certain said hello and few waved. I never thought that I would be sitting with the football players of my school and having lunch with them. "And Emberly, this is Luke, Caden, Jonathan, Dylan and Benjamin. We are all on the football team. I'll introduce you to the other football players when they are around." Taylor said, taking a seat next ti me.

"Hello, guys, pleased to meet you." I smiled at them. I took a bite of the pizza that Taylor bought me and listened to their conversation. However, what really caught my mind was that the way Taylor was talking to them didn't feel as if he has just known them. It seems as if he knew them from long time back. 

"Are you enjoying your food?" Taylor asked me making me snap out of my thoughts. 

"Yes, thank you." I replied. "Um, Taylor, if you don't mind me asking, but for how long have you known these guys?" I gestured to Luke, Caden, Jonathan, Dylan and Benjamin.

Taylor smiled as if he knew I would ask this question.

"You're asking me this because of our closeness, right?" I don't whether he really asked me a question or it was a rhetorical one, so I simply nodded.

"You came in this school last year, right?" Taylor asked. I nodded at him, wanting him to continue. "Well, when you were here last year, I was somewhere else." He seemed to notice my confused expression because he took a deep breath before starting the explanation.

"My school has always been Alexander High. Just like all kids here, even I was a student here but last year, when you shifted to this school, I was not here. I had taken a break from school. Basically, you thought I was a new kid here, but I was not. This year I resumed my studies in Alexander High. This explains how I know everyone here and how everyone knows me." Oh, now I understand, Taylor was never the new kid. He was just someone who had taken a small break.

"But where were you?" 

"I'll tell you some other time." He forced a smile at me. I noticed that his fists were clenched. Shit Emberly, why do you always have to mess everything up?! My inner voice chastised. 

I felt bad for asking this question since I had clearly put his mood off. Not knowing what else to day, I gave his hand a small squeeze, making him turn to me and smile at me. Thank God this was a genuine smile.

"I'm sorry I asked you this question." I apologized.

"Hey, it's fine. You're my friend. There's no need to apologize." He reassured me.

We were both looking in each other's eyes, when he suddenly threw some leaves of lettuce on me, making me yelp in shock. 

"It's on mister." I said before throwing my salad on him and soon a salad war begun. 

*

Before going to my next class, I went to the washroom to wash myself up. There were still some lettuce leaves on my top and hair. I had to get rid of them or else everyone would laugh at me. Once I was done, I quickly took my Art stuff and ran to my class. Thank God the teacher was not here. I noticed that most of the places were taken. 

The only place that was left was next to Caleb. I remember him. Ryan had described him as being the most quiet one in the group.

"May I?" I gestured to the empty seat next to him. He nodded and I proceeded to take my seat. Ryan was definitely right, he is very introvert. 

"Where were you at lunch today?" I snapped my head towards him. Well that was a weird way of saying hello.

"Um, somewhere." I replied somewhat confused. 

"With whom?" He pressed on. What is it with him? Why is he asking me such questions.

"Someone." I said, wanting to end this conversation as quickly as possible.

"Well, Asher will not be so happy if he learns with whom you were during lunch." Caleb emphasized on the word whom making it clear that he knew exactly with whom I was.

"I don't care what Asher thinks and he should not be concerned about me or with whom I am." I snapped, emphasizing on whom, just like how he did.

"You are his concern Emberly. The sooner you understand this, the better it'll be for you and everyone else." He said coldly. 

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, trying to keep my temper in place.

"Nothing." He replied cryptically. 

I was about to question him more but the teacher came starting his class.

"You are his concern Emberly. The sooner you understand this, the better it'll be for you and everyone else."   

Damn! How am I going to figure this out now?

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New update :D 

I'm sorry it's a bit short but I knew you were all waiting for an update. And Asher fans, I'm sorry but promise in the next one you'll find him.

I know in the author's note I said that the following chapter would be where Emberly goes to a party. That would be chapter 8.

I hope you enjoyed this one. Keep commenting and voting.

Love you all

And don't forget, if you're on Instagram, feel free to follow me: Ina_f23 but DM first saying that you're from Wattpad.

Big hugs and kisses

Ina