"Want to hang out after school today?" Jack asked as he walked me to my locker.

I had to get my books before our usual class together begins. I woke up late this morning with barely enough time to get myself breakfast. I rushed to make myself a cup of coffee and a cream cheese bagel.

We were already in a rush because Mr Hayes is an ass when it comes to students who are 'tardy'. Jack and I agreed that he would drive us both to school today instead of us both taking our separate respective vehicles.

"Sure, what did you have in mind?" I questioned. Jack leaned against the lockers beside me with his arms crossed.

"See, I know where I want to take you but it's a secret," he smirked.

"And you want me to trust you?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Do you?" he replied with another question. He looked me in the eyes. I contemplated my answer despite already knowing.

"Yes, yes I do," I smiled. Jack sighed with relief before his lips turned upwards. Sometimes I wish he did that more. Smile I mean. It would make my heart skip a beat but it's worth it.

"Great, then it's a surprise," he winked.

"Looking forward to it," I chuckled. I then closed my locker and followed Jack to class when we heard the bell go off.

We're almost coming to the end of the school year. There's only the SAT and then it's all over. I'm looking forward to it as I've already prepared my college applications and I've planned when to start sending them out.

The main one I'm hoping deep down to get accepted into is Juilliard in New York. Despite my mind being away from music, I know that it's still my passion. I know it'll be a tough battle to get in but it's worth a shot applying to see if I can get in, even if the chances are small.

While we sat in chemistry class, my mind began to wonder to thoughts about where Jack would be taking me after school. I was curious yet excited. Surprises are nice but sometimes agonising because the curiosity and waiting beforehand are what keep my mind running.

I glanced towards Jack on my right as he stared at his work in concentration with his brows furrowed. He looked cute that way. I found myself unintentionally smiling at the sight.

"Ladies and gentlemen, put your pens and pencils down and listen to me!" a familiar voice boomed through the speakers of the intercom throughout the school, making me jump in my seat.

Wayne?

"What's Wayne doing?" Jack whispered. I shrugged.

"Who knows," I replied.

The last time I talked to Wayne was on Monday. It was Thursday. I was going to wait until the end of next week to try and convince him again to tell the truth but if it were to fail then it was useless. I don't know what he's doing now though. This is just unexpected.

I doubt he would tell me anything anyway. We're not friends, we're barely even acquaintances. Despite the fact that I understand the reason he did what he did, it doesn't excuse it. I only wanted him to do the right thing.

"So, as most of you, if not all of you, know Thalia revealed a book that you're all familiar with and pointed the finger at Jack, now, you all have a vendetta against him, except Amy Prescott, of course," Tristan started. I gaped at the last part, my cheeks heating up.

That little shit. I know what he's doing but he didn't have to drag my name into it. Now the class is staring at me while the teacher ran out of the classroom to most likely try and stop Wayne. He will regret mentioning my name.

I looked down at the desk when I felt Jack's eyes on me. That was the one I didn't want looking at me. I didn't want to answer any questions on that last part. Maybe I can run off and hide once Wayne has shut up because, after that, I don't want to stay here any longer.

"She convinced me to tell you all the truth, that that book is fake, created by Thalia to make Jack look bad and it worked according to plan; it's not mine and it's not anyone else's, just a prop to frame Jack Reece," Wayne admitted. Our peers in the classroom began murmuring to each other while glancing our way.

I ducked my head lower onto the table, using my hair as a shield. The attention is killing me. Can't they look away and just look at each other. Why do they have to stare at us? What did I do to make them so interested in staring at us with wide eyes? It's creepy and uncomfortable.

I'm already attempting to resist the urge to run away now rather than later because I can already imagine the talks, the shit I'm going to get when Thalia finds out, and the explanation I would have to give to Jack.

"I know a lot of you believe Thalia because you either love her or do so out of fear of her; I did, but I'm telling the truth, Thalia is no saint, she lies and manipulates, like she did to me, thank you by the way on breaking your promise Thalia," Wayne sneered with disdain. Looks like he found out the hard way that Thalia lied to him to get what she wanted.

"If you don't believe that this is the truth, then think about it harder, Thalia was jealous of Amy and wanted revenge on Jack for moving on," he stated.

Jealous? Of me? For what?

"Give me that microphone young man! You're not supposed to be using it!" we heard an unfamiliar voice shout over the intercom before it cut off and everything went silent.

"Amy?" Jack spoke up. I closed my eyes, dreading what he'd ask next.

"Don't ask," I begged.

The bell rang, signalling the end of class and that it was break time. I instantly ran out of the room, ignoring the whispers, stares, and my name being called out by Jack. There was no way I was going to sit with them or stay here for another second.

Wayne fell through and helped Jack with getting his name cleared but in the process, brought attention to me and now I can't be hidden in the shadows anymore because of it.

I got to the carpark of the school before I started to slow down. I huffed in annoyance. I wanted to both thank Wayne but also slap him for what he did. I told him it was because I cared but the way he said it made it seem like it was because it was more than that even though it's not. At least, I think it's not.

"You bitch!"

Before I had time to react, I was shoved to the concrete ground. I winced on impact. I wasn't surprised when I looked up to see it was Thalia who pushed me. She was glaring at me with pure hatred, her nostrils flaring as if she were a bull.

I'm just waiting for her face to turn red like a tomato because of the anger building up inside her. I guess she heard and ran to hunt me down as soon as Wayne finished the confession. Great! Now I have to deal with a raging Thalia if I want to escape from here but it's going to unfortunately create more unwanted attention.

"What the fuck did I do that's made you so frustrated today, Thalia?" I asked sarcastically, rolling my eyes as I pushed myself up. I had some scratches on my elbow but I'm sure they'll heal. It's nothing I can't handle.

"You got Wayne to blab; you ruined everything!" she shouted. I rolled my eyes.

Dramatic much?

"That's not my fault, I never pressured him, it was his choice and I guess you backing out of your promise to him didn't sit too well with him, that's what happens when you lie and piss people off huh?" I smirked. Thalia's eyes narrowed as she clenched her fists.

A crowd of people started to form around us. I tried to focus my attention on Thalia rather than the school now watching us. I didn't want to lose the confidence and vexed feeling I had. It was the only thing keeping me from backing down from this fight that I was determined to win.

"You just had to be the good guy in this scenario and try and clear Reece's name like a hero because of your feelings for him, you couldn't leave shit that was none of your business well enough alone," she seethed.

"You're right, it wasn't my business but you lied and tried to make Jack look bad for no reason and then you made it my business when I found out you also went after me," I replied calmly as the rage within me pulsed through my veins. Her eyes widened before they narrowed again.

"You little shit, you should have kept your mouth shut," Thalia sneered.

"You deserve every bit of scrutiny you get after this," I said.

Thalia growled as she raised her hand but before it could connect with my cheek, Jack stepped in to catch her wrist with a stern glare as he stood in front of me. My eyes widened as I tensed up. Oh God, not now. As much as I appreciate his interference, it's not something I needed when firstly, I wanted to be the one to defend myself and secondly, I still wasn't ready to face him yet.

"That's enough Thalia, no more fighting, you lost, get over it and move on," Jack said coldly.

"Fuck you, Jack, you moved on to her when I'm much better," Thalia retorted.

"Get over it," he slowly said, calmly. It was silent as they both glared at each other until Thalia ripped her wrist out of Jack's grip.

"Fine," she spat before turning around and stomping off.

"Shows over everyone! Time to leave! Nothing to see here!" John shouted from the crowd.

I looked over to see him, standing with Amanda and Sarah as they ushered the crowd away. They looked towards me and Amanda and Sarah gave a nod before following John inside. I know they want me to stay and talk to him but I can't.

I spun around to run off again but before I could take a step forward, Jack gently grabbed onto my hand. I froze as the touch sent tingles throughout my arm.

"Wait, enough running away, it's time we talk, please," he pleaded. I bit my bottom lip as I closed my eyes and looked down.

"There's nothing to talk about," I mumbled.

"There's plenty and you know it, that's why you're running away from me to avoid confrontation," he pointed out. Damn it, I hate that he's right. As much as I wanted to avoid everything, especially this conversation, I can't.

"Fine, we'll talk," I gave in. He let go of my hand. I instantly felt cold without the warmth of his touch. I turned around to face him and looked him up in the eyes.

"Firstly, why'd you go to Wayne? You didn't need to go to him to try and help me when I deserved the shit that I got," Jack started off as he crossed his arms.

"I didn't want everyone to believe in a lie because I care," I repeated the usual reply whenever someone asked me that. Deep down, I knew the real reason; although, I couldn't admit it out loud, let alone in my own thoughts. It would make it real and I'm scared of that.

"I hurt you years ago, you should want me to suffer," he said. I frowned.

"I don't have a vendetta against you, I already forgave you for what you did, I moved on from it because I see that you've changed, you've proved that to me," I admitted. His eyes widened as he visibly tensed. "Jack, are you alright?" I asked, placing my hand on his arm.

"Hm? Uh yeah, I'm fine, just trying to comprehend what you said," he replied before clearing his throat. Before I could ask him any more questions on that statement, he changed the topic. "Ok so that's the reason you went to Wayne? To help me because you cared?" Jack questioned with a raised brow. I bit my bottom lip and looked down at the floor before nodding.

Lies

"Essentially," I muttered. Jack went silent as he put his hands in his pockets and nodded, staring off into the distance with his brows furrowed and a frown on his lips.

"Ok," was all he said. "I'll see you later?" Jack asked. I nodded again. He turned around and walked back into the school.

"What was that?!"

I jumped, almost screaming in surprise at Amanda and Sarah standing behind me with a glare on both their faces. My heart beat rapidly as I took deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself. Fuck, I thought they went inside but I guess I was wrong. I don't even know how they got behind me.

Was I that lost deep in my thoughts or that out of focus that I didn't see them walk behind me? Oh god, I must be out of touch.

"God, I think I should put a bell on you two so I know when you both will sneak up on me," I grumbled. Amanda rolled her eyes while Sarah put one hand on her hip. "What? What did I do?" I asked with a frown.

"You're really going to ask us that?" Amanda questioned with a raised brow.

"Yes, yes I am," I answered with a nod. Amanda sighed and rubbed her temple.

"You let him go! He was waiting for you to say that you had feelings for him!" Sarah exclaimed. My eyes widened as I took an instant step back.

"That's not true-"

"Don't you dare try and deny it or your feelings because we both know the truth on that matter, you just haven't admitted it to yourself because you're stuck being in denial," Sarah said sternly.

She's right. I know she's right. But I can't bring myself to say it despite the feeling deep down being very much there and growing with each day that goes by I've been around him ever since I crossed paths and hung out with him in his own house.

I can't get away and it's not helping. So, I have to bury my feelings down so that they don't ruin me in the end and drag me down. I just ended one with heartbreak, I can't go through another; I can only take so many.

"This is ridiculous; we're only friends, I care about him, nothing more, nothing less," I denied.

"You're scared, I get it, but sooner or later, you're going to have to admit to yourself the truth," Amanda said softly with a frown. I simply nodded.

One day, whenever that may be.