The next couple of weeks seem to pass in a blur. Each of us, Jenny, Micah, and I are separated. Things are awkward when we see each other and the eye contact is tense. I've tried to reach Micah but she has completely distanced herself. I can understand if she needs time. I haven't tried to contact Jenny nor has she tried to contact me. It gives me the impression that she no longer cares. Then it makes me so angry because she's not taking responsibility for the hurt she's caused.

"Emie, I don't understand why you guys are acting this way." Sebastian says as he plops down next to me. "Y'all have been friends for ages. It's been weeks, this should've blown over already."

I shrug, not even wanting to talk about the situation. There's not much I can do but give it time and patience. It seems as if I don't care, but how can I talk to people who don't want to talk to me? Not only that, but Angela was right. I was put in the middle of this without even wanting to be there. But I guess that's the price I pay for have two best friends who don't like each other.

"What's there to understand?" I pick at the lasagna the cafeteria chose to serve today. "Jenny is homophobic and she targeted Micah. Micah wants nothing to do with Jenny and because Jenny is one of my best friends, she has distanced herself from me. I stopped talking to Jenny because I won't stand for the hate she's spewing. I've been put in the middle when I don't want to be.

Since this school year has started, I have been getting shit on. I'm tired of it. First it's you, telling me you've been using me and that you don't love me. Now my best friends are feuding...no wait. Not feuding because what Jenny said is unforgivable. I'm tired of dealing with it! This school year has been nothing but terrible. So stop trying to pressure me, Sebastian, okay? I just feel so much pressure and I hate it."

I stand to my feet and grab my bag. Once it's firmly on my back, I grab my tray and throw it in the trash. Right now, I don't have to patience to deal with everything. So instead of listening to the boy who broke my heart and looking at the girls who are making me choose sides, I'll take myself to my next class early.

Only a force sidetracks me as soon as I step from the cafeteria. I stumble on my feet, nearly tripping and falling to the ground. Someone grabs my arm but they end up tripping too, causing both of us to fall. A pained groan leaves my mouth as this person lands on me. They not exactly light.

"So sorry," A male voice says as they lift themselves off. I look up to see an unfamiliar guy. "I wasn't paying attention."

My hand is grabbed and I'm pulled up. I come face to face with the tannest guy I've ever see. His ashy brown hair is long and messy, but it oddly works for him. Looking at his eyes, I see they're a pretty hazel when the green is pretty noticeable and it blends so well with the light brown. His teeth are white and pretty. No flaw in them making me think he's possibly had work done. Maybe braces and teeth whitening's? He's wearing a necklace with a seashell as the charm. As his top, he's wearing a tank top that says "Just Flow" and he has some khaki shorts on. He looks like a surfer boy.

"It's okay. I wasn't paying attention either." I tell him as I push the hair from my face. "You're very new." I say seeing as he's never been in this school or town.

The mysterious boy gives me a big smile. At least he's nice right?

"Hey, since we're rather clumsy together, can you show me to the office?" He asks taking a look down at the paper in his hands. Looking closer, I see it's a map of the school. "And yes, I'm very new."

He laughs lightly before showing me the map. I push his hand down lightly. "No need." I say to him with a small smile. "It's right behind you." I point past his shoulder towards the door that had a sign above and on it saying "Main Office."

The boy looks behind him and laughs. He shakes his head and facepalms before turning back to me. "Thanks. I guess I'll be seeing you?"

Giving him a nod, I wave him away. Before we both leave, though, I turn back and call out to him.

"What's your name?"

He turns, the breathtaking smile still on his face. "Cody."

Cody? Where have I heard that name before?

* * *

The school day ends with dull tone to everything. Midterms next week then we gear up for finals. The end of this semester can't come fast enough. I'm just a bit tired of school and it's still so early to say that.

Yet as I stepped off the last step of the stone stairs in front of the school, I couldn't help but wish things were different. Maybe if Sebastian and I had never talked to each other before then we would've never started 'dating' in middle school. Maybe if Jenny and I had fallen out earlier in life. Maybe if Micah had stayed to herself or if I had never started speaking to her. But then we'd have none of our good memories together and I just have a feeling the world would've been a little more mundane.

Shaking my head, I wipe the thoughts from my mind. I can't, in good standing, believe that I could be and sound so selfish right now. Life happens and I can't set the blame onto certain people. Moments like this are just learning experiences that I can use for adulthood.

I start to walk home, deciding that I just need time to myself. There's a chilly breeze going. Since we're nearing the end of October now, the weather has really dropped. Goosebumps repeatedly raise onto my skin as shivers overtake my body. I wish that I had work a thinker jacket than just the light sweater I have.

Even with the cold, I push through. Making it home in about twenty minutes, I realize the cold had sort of slowed me down. While it may have been better to speed up, I had walked slowly and stayed huddled within myself, somehow thinking it would protect me from the chill. It didn't.

My hands shake as I pull my keys from my bag. Shoving it into the keyhole, I unlock the front door and walk in, welcoming the heat that comes with my home. A content sigh leaves me as my body starts to regulate its temperature. I look over and see my mom sitting in the living room.

"Hey, sweetheart." She turns and gives me a small smile. It slowly drops as she takes in my shaking figure. "You walked home?"

Giving her a nod, I make my way over to her and plop down next to her. I lay my head on her shoulder, needing my mothers comfort.

"What's wrong?" She immediately asks, her tone tinged with worry. "Oh, mie, you should've called me. It's too cold to be walking home."

"It's okay," I mumble. "I needed the alone time."

My mother pushes my head up. I look at her to see a frown firmly on her face. The skin between her eyebrows are wrinkled as she furrows them. Her gaze is intent as she looks into my eyes and it feels like she already knows everything. It's like with just one look, my mom knows all of my secrets.

"Mommy," my voice cracks as tears well up into my eyes. I can't take this anymore. Too much is happening and I have no one to talk to. "Everything is falling apart. I started this year with so many hopes and an actual smile, now...it's so hard to be happy. I'm just so stressed out."

"Oh, Emie," she sighs before pulling me into a hug. A sob leaves my mouth and suddenly a weight is lifted off of my shoulders. It's like I'm just now realizing how bad I needed this cry. I had been bottling everything and feels so nice to let it out.

"Baby, what's going on with you?" My mom asks. She rubs my head, her fingers going through my hair to massage my scalp. "What has you so torn up and how come you've waited so long to tell me?"

My mom sounds so supportive in this one moment. It makes my heart swell knowing that my mother is still my biggest supporter. I know that she won't judge me or hate me for some of the decisions I've recently made. So it's like word vomit once I open up. I tell her everything from Sebastian's sexuality all the way to the sleepover.

A small bit of guilt starts to form in my body as I tell her Sebastian's secret then Micah's. Even now, I feel as if I've betrayed them despite me knowing that my mother wouldn't go and spread this information through town. Throughout the story, my mother's face remains the same; encouraging. She takes everything in, nodding for me to continue when I pause and just letting me take my time.

"I feel like I'm drowning mom." I end on that note.

My mother gives me a small smile and lets a breath out. "That's a lot. Who knew small towns could have so much drama." She chuckles lightly and it actually makes me laugh with her.

"Understatement of the century." I mumble, shaking my head.

She sighs and moves to the edge of the couch. "To me, it sounds like you have made yourself he mediator. Unconsciously, because baby, you do not have to deal with this. I know you guys are a tight knit group of friends, but that does not mean every problem of theirs is also yours. You want to keep the peace, but they all need to figure things out themselves.

As for Sebastian, you know I love that boy, but he was wrong in this situation. You do not need to cover for him if this is hurting you. You don't need to cover for him at all. This is not your problem to handle, okay? I know that it's scary for Sebastian because of him holding the Caldwell name, but he needs to figure out his feelings. Honestly, baby, I think he's confused for his feelings. I think you need to separate yourself from your friends for a little."

"But, mama," I whine, not liking her advice. She's probably right because, you know, mother knows best, but I feel as if I cannot just leave my friends like this.

"No, buts, baby." she speaks sternly, shaking her head and I know that she's completely serious. "This is too much to put on you. You're in your senior year and that's what you need to focus on, not who's in a fight with who, best friends or not. Now, I hate to say this, but there could be a large chance you won't even keep in contact with all of your friends once college ends. I hate that this is what you're worrying about rather than worrying about yourself."

I slouch back into the couch. An involuntary pout is on my face, the action being a normal for me. I let my mother' words circle around my head, thinking that maybe she's right. Why am I letting these situations bother me so much. I've been so worried about Sebastian, Jenny, and Micah that I've kind of let myself fall off of the deep end. I should know better than to do that.

A hand patting my knee pulls me from my thoughts. My mom gives me a small reassuring smile when I look over at her. "I'm going to my room to let you think about this, okay? Remember Emie, not all problems are yours."

She gets up and leaves and I'm left to my devices. I mule over any possible outcomes that could come from this situation. Jenny, Micah, and I might never recover and we part ways completely. Jenny and I become friends again, but Micah decides she doesn't need either of us. Micah and I become friends again and Jenny decides she hates me too. Then I don't even want to get into Sebastian. The name Cody abruptly comes into my mind and I'm promptly hit with a realization.

Cody is the guy Sebastian was with in Hawaii.

*Bam! Hello, hello, everyone. I hope this chapter was enjoyable for you all to read. I struggled a bit, but eventually got through, heh. Everything is kind of messing up, right? So, what do you guys think Emie will do? Will she follow her mothers advice and choose to distance herself and worry about herself, or will she ignore it and choose to continue to keep being the peace maker? Will she end her little thing with Sebastian? And holy crap! Cody is here, y'all. Looks like Sebastian really made an impression with Elderwood for him to choose to move there. I kind of feel like I should've made him older...but most of this happens in school so oop. Anyways, please don't forget to vote and comment, I love seeing what you have to say. And thanks for reading.*