The loud buzzing of my alarm woke me up. I got out of my bed and went to my en-suite. I brushed my teeth and took a shower. Walking out of the shower, I headed into the room. My wardrobe had a huge collection of outfits so it took me a while to decide what to wear. Finally I went for a dark blue skin tight jeans and a loose fitted white shirt and paired them with ankle length boots. I put on a gold chain with an owl locket made of metal. I let my hair fall on my back and set them in loose curls that made them look even better and applied make-up. Just some eyeliner, a light blush, lip gloss and I was done.

Taking my backpack I went out and towards Stacey's room and knocked.

Once. Twice. Thrice.

No answer.

She might have gotten ready already. I headed downstairs for breakfast and saw Sam on his iPad.

"Morning kiddo," I said and ruffled his hair.

He looked at me angrily and pointed a finger at me, "Do. Not. Touch. My. Hair."

At this, I burst out laughing. He was so cute, I couldn't stop myself. He was glaring at me with disbelief spread all over his face. I was still laughing so he just huffed and went back to his game.

I took my phone out to check for any messages. I had two text messages and some Facebook notifications. I went on to check the texts. One from Jason and another one from Stacey.

Jason : Good morning Ash. Today's your first day in school and I am so sorry I'm not there. But I know you'll be great because you are my rock star. Take care babe.

Jason was so sweet and understanding to me that he always managed to make me smile.

I quickly texted him back.

Me : Morning Jase. I really wished you'd be here but thanks anyway. You take care too.

I noticed Sam was still busy with his iPad and his half eaten pancakes were lying on his plate.

"You don't have to play with that stupid thing all day, kiddo. Not good for the eyes," I said to him without looking up from my phone.

"Says the girl who's busy texting someone herself," he said.

"Good one smartass!"

"Language Ash!" I heard my Mom from the kitchen and just then Henry arrived with a plate of pancakes for me. They looked so delicious.

I started eating when it clicked me that I haven't seen Stacey around.

"Sam? Have you seen Stacey around?"

He shrugged his shoulders at me when Mom came with her glass of juice and sat next to Sam.

"She left for school Ash. Joey had come over to pick her up. They decided it all last night and apparently when she tried at your door today morning, you didn't answer and she waited downstairs for a while. Then she left because she was getting late and she asked me to apologise to you on her behalf. Which reminds me, you sweetheart, are getting late too. You should have left by now." Mom said checking her watch.

Anger was boiling inside me. I didn't expect Stacey to do this to me. She could have told me last night itself. It wasn't like I would spoil any of her plans or something. This was so not done.

I got up from my chair and without saying a word, I left. I reached for my car keys that were on the shelf by the door and headed towards the garage. I started the engine and drove off. In the rear view I could see Sarah wave at me for something as I was riding along the lawn. But right now, I was too frustrated to stop for anything.

As I passed the gates, Freddie gave me a short nod which I returned.

School was just a ten minutes' drive from our house. But the speed at which I drove didn't take me any more than five. I parked my car where I found an empty spot, got out, slammed the door shut and pulled my backpack on.

I looked around for Stacey but couldn't find her. Just then the bell rang and everyone started moving towards the school building.

I headed for my locker and took out my English books, which was my first lecture for the day.

Entering my class, I saw everyone busy in their groups or pairs, talking with each other and having fun.

I had planned of having fun too. And here I am, ditched by my only best friend.

I spotted a corner with two empty chairs and went to sit on one.

Everyone quietened down as Miss Avelyn, our English teacher entered the class. I knew Miss Avelyn personally and had met her before in some of Mom's kitty parties so I was comfortable around her. Besides she was pretty talented and I appreciated her a lot. She was only twenty five and looked so beautiful in her tight fitted formal skirt and her button down shirt.

"Good morning class," Miss Avelyn said. "So today being your first day, we won't be studying." The class cheered at this.

She raised a hand for silence to follow and continued. "Instead we'll be talking. That is, each one of you, one by one, will come over here," she pointed to the spot next to her, "introduce yourself, and say something about yourself that you would like everyone here to know. Is that clear?"

Wow, that was interesting. We all nodded in agreement.

"Great! We'll start from the back. Ashley?" she said looking at me and all heads turned in my direction. Well, this will be fun.

I didn't have any self-esteem issues. In fact, Stacey always said that it's my confidence that's going to take me ahead in life. So I got up and went up to stand next to Miss Avelyn.

"Hi!" I said to her first and then turned to the class and begin, "Hey everyone. I am Ashley Summers. I moved to Oregon just yesterday from Washington so this is my first day her---"

"Come again?"

I turned to look at the source of the voice that interrupted me only to find a guy standing by the door. I raised a brow at him questioningly.

"I didn't hear you. What's your name again?" the guy said.

Without bothering to reply him I looked at Miss Avelyn who was throwing the guy a stern look but he was busy staring at me. Miss Avelyn cleared her throat to catch his attention which she successfully did.

The guy scratched the back of his neck nervously, "I'm sorry Miss, I'm late. Can I come in?"

"Yes you can Raymond. Go take your seat."

He went and sat next to my seat seeing that it was the only empty seat available.

"Ashley, you may continue." Miss Avelyn said to me.

"Yeah so, I'm Ashley Summers," I repeated myself and stressed at my name looking at Raymond. He gave me a light smile and boy wasn't that thing deadly?

"It's not that I'm completely new here, but yeah it's been years since I visited. Apart from that, there's nothing more I want you guys to know." I finished looking at Miss Avelyn who didn't seem so impressed with what I ended with.

But that was me. That was what I wanted to make clear in front of everyone from the very beginning. I wasn't here to make friends and let strangers enter my life. I was here to get education and that was all I would do.

I went back to my seat only to find Raymond eyeing me cautiously.

"Raymond Stratford." He offered his hand and I shook it. He was still holding my hand and his eyes never left mine. It was as if he was staring straight into me.

This is bad.

I pulled my hand out of his hold and went back to hearing other's introductions.

"Finley Hill. I'm hot and handsome. Vice-captain of the school football team and all you girls love me, don't you?"

"Maya Patel. I love studying and hate disturbance."

"Tina Gressner. I'm in the cheerleading team and I aspire to become a dancer."

The bell rang and I got up from my seat and started for the door.

"See you around later Ashley!" I heard Raymond call from behind.

I waved my hand without looking back at him. I reached my locker and found Stacey leaning against it. Anger and frustration flushed inside me the moment I saw her. I turned on my heels and began walking in the opposite direction. Stacey noticed it and followed me.

"Ashie, wait! You need to hear me out once! Please, stop! I'm sorry!"

I ignored her and checked my bag for my biology textbook for the next lecture. Thankfully, it was there so I didn't need to return to my locker.

I entered the classroom to notice that the teacher was already seated in her chair. I went to sit in the third row and Stacey followed. Seeing there was no empty seat on both my sides, she sighed and went to sit in the front row.

The rest of the lecture consisted of our teacher explaining us all about the human respiratory system, Stacey shooting me pleading 'I'm sorry' looks and me ignoring her. I needed her to realise that she hurt me.

After class, I quickly got up to leave and as soon as I was out of the door, Stacey caught me by my arm and turned me around so that I was facing her.

"Ashie, look, I'm sorry. I didn't do anything on purpose and you know that. Please just try to understand. I tried at your door last night but you didn't answer. Today morning too the same thing happened."

"Oh please Stace, you could've just called me! Or a text would be great too!"

"C'mon Ashie, we live in the same house for heaven's sake! Why would calling you cross my mind? But I still texted you in the morning, in case you didn't check your phone as usual." She looked down at the device in my hand and my eyes followed hers.

"Whatever Stace! You chose Joey over me. You knew we had planned so many things for today. Where the heck did that sweet boyfriend of yours come from?"

"It's not about me choosing anyone over you Ashie and you know that. I thought you'd understand like you always do but I don't get why you are so mad at me. I said I'm sorry, okay? And that's not just for the sake of saying. I mean it."

"Forget it Stace, I don't want to talk about it." I didn't want to fight with her. I knew she was sorry and I so wanted to forgive her but I wonder why I couldn't. So instead, I walked away.

"For once Ashley Summers, stop being so selfish. It won't take you anywhere!" I heard Stacey say that from behind me.

Without looking back I replied. "For once Stacey Stone, stop being so blind that you don't see what your best friend is going through." And with that I left her standing where she was only to let Joey pull her into his arms.

In the lunch break, I entered the cafeteria to find Stacey seated on a table with Joey, another girl, three guys and... Raymond?

I looked away and went to order a grilled sandwich, some fries and orange juice. Taking my tray, I glanced around the cafeteria for an empty table and fortunately found one in the far left corner next to one full of girls in frilled short skirts and numbered tops, supposedly the cheerleaders.

Sipping at my juice, I noticed someone walk towards my table. That was when I really noticed him. He was tall, with dishevelled jet black hair falling slightly on his forehead; almond shaped deep black eyes with long winged lashes that were dancing between me and the table next to me. He had a fine jawline and high cheekbones. His skin was olive and his broad shoulders and perfectly carved muscles were a delight to watch. He was wearing a full sleeved grey tee that hugged his torso perfectly and black washed jeans that made his shapely legs look longer.

He gave me a crooked smile as he neared me and that was the sexiest smile I had ever seen.

"Done checking me out?" he said to me as he pulled the chair opposite to me and sat down.

I cleared my throat. "Why are you here?"

"You mean, in the cafeteria? To eat." He said taking some fries from my plate and popping them in his mouth. "You see, I am famished."

"No. I mean, why are you sitting with me?"

He grinned. "Because you want me to."

"Raymond. Look, let me make this very clear. I am not interested in being friends with you so stop trying. Besides, I am having a mood right now."

Shit. Why did I say that to him?

"Ashley, I know you and Stacey had a fight. But be reasonable here. It wasn't her fault."

"I know it that and believe me when I say I want to forgive her. I just.. I just don't know why I am not able to!" I raised my hands in frustration.

"Hey," he took my hand in his, slightly stroking it's back with his thumb. It was comforting somehow.

"Don't be so hard on yourself."

He said that one line so casually. But for me it was so deep. It was like it held the solutions to all my problems. And in that very instant, a smile made its way to my lips.

I noticed Raymond look at the group of cheerleaders. Then he turned to me and said, "I don't know why I am telling you this. I didn't even say it to the guys." He scratched the back of his head, "But I feel easy talking to you.

"You see that redhead?"

He said pointing at a girl sitting at the cheerleaders table. She was hot, I give her that. With her perfect curves, she could have any guy go head over heels for her.

I nodded and Raymond continued, "Abigail Finch. I am after her. I asked her out last week but she denied."

I let out a low laugh at how cute he looked saying that he got rejected by the high school diva.

"So now are you going to flirt with her like this? By staring at her from a distance?" I said to him.

"No no no. I am going to ask her out again. And again. And again. Till she agrees." He said with his head held high.

"All the very best to you then!" I said getting up from my chair.

"Where are you going?" He asked me.

Just when he was about to get up, the bell rang signalling the end of lunch and I smirked at him.

"Ashley?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I tell you something?" he said with concern in his voice.

I nodded for him to continue.

"Please talk to Stacey."

With that he got up and left. I started towards my locker considering his words. He was right. I needed to talk to Stacey and sort things out. I needed to forgive her.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice that I already passed my locker, so I turned around and bumped into someone.

"Hey! Ash, you okay?" Joey said to me.

"Umm, yeah. I'm fine." I put on a smile and continued, "So, what's up?"

"No lying to you. I just spent my entire day trying to cheer Stace up but she wouldn't listen." He let out a defeated sigh.

This was bad. I not only upset Stacey but Joey too. But now I was going to fix everything.

"She's got Drama now, right? I'll go talk to her." I said to Joey who instantly brightened at my words.

"See you later, Joey."

I reached the auditorium, knocked at the door and went in. The teacher waited for me to continue.

My eyes caught hold of Stacey who was shocked to see me there.

"Ma'am, may I borrow Stacey Stone for a minute? It's kind of an emergency." I said in the most sincere of my tones.

With the corner of my eye, I saw Stacey relax as she understood what I was here for. This was our code since we were kids. Whenever we used the word emergency in front of anyone, it simply meant that we wanted to talk.

"Yes, you may." The teacher said, "Just make sure you don't take long."

The teacher was Joey's paternal aunt and she knew me and Stacey well. So I knew she wouldn't disagree.

As soon as Stacey was out of the auditorium, I caught hold of her hand and took her out in the garden to sit on one of the benches under the trees.

She was about to say something---probably ask me if I was out of my mind or what---when I raised a finger at her to stop her.

"Stace, I'm so sorry. I over-reacted."

She gave me a million dollar smile and pulled me into one of her famous bone-crushing hugs. I gladly hugged her back.

"I am sorry too."

This was us. Best friends or no best friends. Didn't matter.

When it came to understanding one another, we would both step forward and make it happen. We knew we couldn't stay mad at each other for long and that we always came back to each other. No matter what.