Special dedication: ILoveHotCoconuts2! Thanks a lot for your sweet,encouraging messages and the votes. Means a lot! You made my day sweetheart! <3

New chapter! Enjoy! ^_^

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CHAPTER 5

I go to the locker, take my books and head to the first class. I see Lin sitting alone at a desk, and run up to her. She looks pleased to see me early.

"Amy! You're early! Now that's a wonder!" She mocks, but there's something about her tone that proves she's faking the happiness. I wonder why?

"I know right. Surprise!" I yell throwing my hands up in the air, trying to cheer her up, earning a giggle from her.

"So where's the gang?" I ask, curious as to why she's sitting all by herself.

"Not a clue. Uh... Anyways how come you're early Ams?" She giggles and smoothly changes the topic, perking up my suspicions. I've gotta find out what's wrong!

"All thanks to our math teacher!" I say, rolling my eyes and she starts laughing. What is so funny!? I shoot her a glare. This ought to shut her up, or so I thought! It most definitely doesn't. She just continues to laugh harder now. Great!

"Lin, what's so funny?" I ask staring hard at her with a straight face, and she bursts out laughing like a maniac. Great! Is she OK!? I highly doubt.

"Lin!" I yell, frustrated at her incessant laughing. Finally, she sobers down from her laughing fit, which is a huge relief.

"Sorry Ams! It's just that I told you to stay away from trouble with Mr Nathan, and now I can't help but think how great he is to get you to college on time!" She giggles. Seriously!?

I roll my eyes to her statement, but the truth is, she's right! If not for him, I'd never be early in my life, but I hate him for doing this to me. The feelings I get around him, his presence, his scent, his eyes and his stupid detention classes to top it all! It's a torture, he's a torture! I push the thoughts away, only to see Lin looking sad and bothered. I hate to see her sad, so after clearing my throat, I decide to talk about it.

"Lin! I know there's something bothering you and knowing you, you'll just decide to keep it within you and suffer. I can't let you do that. I've always told you, I'm there for you, whether you need me or not, and I stand by it. Just tell me what's the matter. You'll feel better when you let it out Lin." I say trying to comfort her. She looks at me, little tears starting to form in her eyes, which clenches my heart. Oh god! Is it something serious!?

"Amy... Its just that... " She starts but trails off.

"What Lin?" I ask, a little scared of what I'm about to hear. My mind's back at work, imagining every worst possibility. Is she pregnant or something!? Oh freak! What am I even thinking!? I divert back to the present and focus my attention on Lin.

"Amy... It-its... I'll talk about it later. Look," she says pointing to the door. I turn around to find the gang heading our way. I'm just glad that the bitch I hate the most, Stella, isn't in any of my classes. A tiny relief!

"Hey Amy!" Everyone greets in unison, a little curiosity evident in their voice.

"Hey everyone!" I greet back, and everyone rushes to their seats as they hear the teacher.

"Good morning class!" He greets, stupefying me.

Oh shit! How did I forget its Mr Nathan's class. This guy! I look up to see him, looking hotter than usual and staring at me. I gasp, the weird sensations sending goosebumps, and the usual feelings starting to creep in. I lose myself in thoughts only to be shaken to reality.

"Do you intend on standing for the whole class?"

I look up to find him glaring at me, with an annoyed expression painted on his face. I scan the class to find every single person staring at me, and also that I'm the only one... still standing? Shit! I got caught gawking at him in front of the whole class! I turn fuming red in embarrassment.

"Uh... Sorry sir. I-I..." I just sit down, not even completing the sentence,  trying hard to hide my face. The class breaks into a fit of laughter.

"Class, let's get back!" His commanding voice breaks the stares and diverts all the attention on to him. He straightens up and speaks, "Let's start with..." and class begins, which I'm ever grateful to him for.

After an hour, full of silent whines and groans, class finally ends and he walks out. My eyes follow him, until he disappears at the door. There is still a few minutes before next class starts, so we head to get our books.

"Amy! We have plans to go out on Sunday. Care to join us??" Tresa asks excitedly.

"Shopping and movie!" Chirps Aurora.

"Okay. That's cool. Isn't Lin coming!?"

"No, I guess not. Why do you always need Linda, Amy!? It's almost as if you can't survive without her." Tresa mocks and everyone starts laughing, which slightly annoys me.

"Come on guys. She's part of us. Makes no sense to say that, right? Why do you guys do this to her? Make her feel so lonely. This ain't fair girls," I utter in a cold tone. This is so not done! I won't let them do this to her.

"Oh boy... Here goes Lin's lawyer. Always defending her as though she's the loneliest person on Earth. She doesn't wanna be a part of this, so quit being her sissy and join the fun Amy! She's no fun and so are you these days." Tresa declaims.

"Tresa! What the hell girl? You guys know her. She's a bit different but that doesn't mean you always leave her out of everything. You should have at least asked her." I frown, expressing my disapproval at their treatment towards Lin.

"But Am-" Aurora starts but I cut her off.

"You know what, you guys go ahead. I ain't coming. Have fun!" I suppress a frown and walk away. Probing the corridors in search of Lin, I end up with no result and decide to just head to my next class.

I rush into class, eying every corner for Lin but there's no trace of her. As I turn to run away, I bump into our teacher, leaving me no choice but to proceed to my seat. I settle down and stare at the board, though my mind is distracted. I'm worried for Lin.

Why do they do this? Where could she be?

AN HOUR LATER

The bell signals the end of class. I hurriedly run to the cafeteria hoping to find Lin, but to my dismay, Lin's not there! I start to walk out when I hear someone calling out my name.

"Amy!" I turn around and find Jack, looking rather troubled. He continues,
"You're here for Linda ha?" His words shock me. How did he know? He starts talking again since he gets no response from me.

"Don't worry. She was here a while ago, looking frustrated and annoyed and when I went upto her to ask why, she just brushed it off and started to leave. But she told me to tell ya that she'll be at the library if you're searching for her." He says with worry apparent on his face. I sigh in relief, well, at least I know where she is now.

"Thanks a bunch Jack! I'll go and check on her. Thank you. Bye." I smile, waving whiling running away.

"Bye Amy!" I could hear his faint sound as I run away from the cafeteria. I start pacing through the corridors, and finally reach the library. I catch Lin sitting at the science section.

"Lin! Why yo-" I yell but am cut-off.

"Quiet please. This is a library." I should have known.

"Lin! What's wrong with ya? Why would you run away like that? You should have come to class. Now temme. There's no one here to disturb us. What's the problem?" I ask, panting and my face a contortion of worry and fear.

"Amy... Why aren't you going out with them?" I gape at her in shock. How does she know?

"Lin... How did ya kn-know?" I blurt, out of confusion.

"I just know Amy," she exhales as a sign of resignation. "You searching for me like this, them not around. So tell me? Why don't you go?" She enquires.

"Lin, just listen to me. You clearly know you mean more to me than any of them, and I prefer just sitting and talking to you the whole day than hanging around with people I don't even like much. You also know that I hate shopping randomly, without the mood for it and with them, it's gonna make it worst. So definitely, no thank you! And please, before you think I'm sacrificing it for you, hear me out clearly. Shopping with the gang means that, a certain someone will definitely tag along and I don't want to be anywhere near her. So you see, I'm genuinely happy to be out of their plans." I smile to reassure her that I am, indeed genuinely happy.

She lets out a weak, strained smile, showing no sign of opening up. I guess I have to press her to talk about her problem.

"Lin, I know there's something bothering you. So let it out. You'll feel a lot better after letting it out. Please." I beg her to talk.

"Amy... It's family troubles." She says in a defeated tone, clasping her hands indicating her nervousness.

"What happened?" I query, clearly worried. She's a very family-oriented girl so such things can affect her deeply.

She takes a deep breath, and starts talking.

"There's this guy, Chandler. He's my aunt's sister's son!" She pauses and, then continues. "We met recently at a family event and we kinda got close. We started meeting up a lot and he's really nice." Did I just see her blushing? I think I did! "...Amy? Are you listening? Amyyyy!" She waves her hand in front of me.

"Huh. Sorry Lin! Just continue. I'm listening."

"Yeah! So we speak a lot and now my parents oppose it. They're like don't talk a lot to him and don't meet up and stuff. I'm annoyed Amy!" She vents out her frustration.

"Do you like him Lin?" I blurt out. My hands immediately cover my mouth when I realise what I just did.

"Um... No... I mean he's my cousin and I don-don't know about that. He's just nice." She finishes with a shy smile.

"Lin, babes relax! It's just that you're not a lot around guys and he's like one of the first, that's why you feel so. I'm not sure if you like him but as far as I know, you enjoy his company. So why not? Hang around with him a lot more until you define your feelings for him, and about your mom and dad. Don't worry! They're just worried and it's completely natural. Chill out Lin. It'll all be fine soon." I assure her with a smile. She looks at me, with a new found curiosity and satisfaction, but something still lurking behind her eyes.

"Lin? Anything else that's bothering you?"

"No Amy. I'm fine. Let's head to the cafeteria. They'll be waiting for us," so saying, she drags me out.

"Lin, It's no-"

"Amy! I'm totally fine." She cuts me off with a smile. I don't really pester her further, as I feel we've already had a serious conversation and we need a change.

"Let's go!" I beamed.

We reach the cafeteria and looking around, I spot them seated on a table at a distance. We walk up to them.

"Natty, bitch! There you are. Finally out of your books. Yayy!" I run upto her and she hits me on the hand and gives me one of her 'supposed' frowns. I just burst out laughing. She looks damn cute when she does that!

"Amy! Where the hell were you? It's almost class time!" She whines, a faint pout highlighting her cheekbones.

"Sorry Nat! I'll tell you later. For now, I'm hungry. I need food. Go and get it Natty baby... Plwzhhh." I show her my best 'puppy face,' for which she giggles and hits me on the head.

"Lazy ass!" She retorts and goes to the counter. Lin follows her as well.

"So guys, Sunday the plan is fixed. Morning 10 am." Tresa speaks and turns to me, "Amy, Join us please." I perk up the moment I hear my name.

"Nah... I'm cool! You guys go ahead." I assure with a smile.

"Amy, you always do this. You always take her side. We're your friends too, right? Then why not choose us for once and let her go? Why not be yourself and not sulk with her?" Aurora rants, staring at me with twisted anger. She waits for a brief second, before riling up again. "I know you wanna come but you're just always thinking of her. You've forgotten yourself caring for her. Amy! It's just a few years that we're young and we can enjoy lives. You never have an opinion, you just go with hers. So why waste time on people like that? Stop siding with her and enjoy life! You're a real fun person Amy!" Aurora lectures, angering me to the breaking point, and I snap!

"Shut up!" I yell at her, the contained frustration, finally bursting out. "I'm so done with this crap called friendship, or should I say 'fake-friendship?' You said I'm fun! I'm your type of a person and Lin's not? So let me ask you this. What's your kinda fun?" I challenge her with accusing eyes, pausing and then talking, again.

"Talking about the number of random guys you've slept with, the crazy shit parties filled with wierdos that you go to, the number of times you drooled like horny teenagers over hot guys, the amount of alcohol, smoke, marijuana, shrooms and what not that gives you a high and all those times you pretend to be 'crazy' just to fit in? Well, I hate to break it to you, that does not make you cool and trendy, or popular or anything as such. It makes you a desperate attention seeking bimbo! Posting pics with random guys just to show off, makes you a clingy bitch who guys look to run off from." I pause for breath, and then continue, my anger fuelling my outburst.

"And just cause Lin's different, she's not this type, doesn't mean she's not a nice person, or 'lame, boring and no fun' as you say. She's also a girl of our age. She has her opinions, feelings, her happiness and problems and clearly she's much stronger than any of you! Her words and actions also mean something and if you can't see it, then you don't deserve her for a friend. If you think I sympathise and stick to her, then you're so wrong. I see a side to her that none of you care to see! That's why." I screech out, losing all sense of what's right from wrong. This is what happens when I'm angry, it all just flows out like a fast, high pressure shower.

I take a deep breath, which surprisingly calms me and I tiredly voice out, "I can see that you guys just want friends for a gang and not cause you really care. Sorry, but I'm not like you and I never will be. So it's better this ends. I'm so fed up of being stuck between you people and Lin. It's sad that she always comes on that side of the equation. So you guys carry on, have fun, live life the way you want. I'm outta here and just so you know, I'll be there for Lin as far a she wants, but I'm done with this friendship. Bye guys. Take care." With this, I stand up and without looking at them, just storm out. I need time. I want to be alone. I have to clear my head.

I go to the library and sit down with a book, but for the first time, I don't feel like reading. I'm a complete book-worm, so this is highly surprising to me. As I sit down, my mind starts running, a vague frenzy of thoughts.

I finally did it. I left them, which means I have to stick to Lin, but there was something that I noticed over the past days.

Lin's happier with Cindy, who's her childhood friend that she met here after many years. Lin and Cindy go to some extra classes in college and there they bonded well, and Lin gets along with her friends too. I could see they're getting along well and Lin needed a change.

Lin's happier and those people were her type, really sweet and genuine people. I like them as well. She wanted me to join them in class, but I felt I didn't really fit in cause they were new to me.

After much contemplation, I decide to do what's best for now. Lin had a really tough time with the gang and hanging around with me, also meant being with Natty which she didn't want that, cause she feelz Natts was not the same to her but frankly, I don't know why. To add to it, she doesn't like Laura as well cause she believes that she'a the reason Tresa and Natty are going away from her. So I decide to let it go. I cannot force her to be with people she didn't want to be with, anymore. That's unfair. She deserves to be happy and have many friends who genuinely care for her.

I sigh as I come to a conclusion, one that breaks me apart. I have to let her go, and that means being alone in class until I find someone again. Also, a new realization dawns on me.

I need a change. All this drama's getting to my head. I need new friends. I need a change, so bad!

As if on cue, a faint memory brushes past my inner vision. A conversation with mom, about some extra classes out of college.

I've been in college for more than a year now and not found anyone other than Natty and Lin, who I really like. So yeah! That's it. I need a change and new people in my life.

Guess that solves two of my problems. One, mom's gonna be so happy! Two, I'll get the much needed change. I smile to myself, a firm resolve rooted in my head. 'I'm gonna go for it and I have to find a place where there's no one I know, a complete change. But will that help? I have to find out for myself now.'

I snap out of my thoughts, exhausted by all the drama and look around, finally phoning in at the book in my hand. I hadn't even checked the title when I picked it up. 'Astro physics-The world revolves'. I can't hold back the chuckle, that threatens to erupt. These books are definitely not something I would read.

Dropping the book back in the rack, I slowly start walking out of the library. I take out my phone and check the notifications.

3 new messages. 2 missed calls.

Woah! I immediately check for the senders and it's Natty and Lin. I click on Natty's two texts.

Where are you Amyyy??

-Natty

Alive? I'm so gonna haunt your ass if you die! Where are you Ams? -_-

-Natty

This bitch! I can't stop laughing as I type a reply.

Sorry babes. I was at the library. Be at gates in 5. See ya love!

Then I check the other message.

Amy! Where did you go? When I came back, you weren't there and the girls said something about you acting 'crazy'. Are you fine? I'm worried now. Please tell me where you are. I wanna talk!

-Lin

My face falls as I read that text, dreading how this is gonna go. This is it. I have to tell her and get over with it. I know it's not a big deal. So I start typing a reply.

Lin! I'm so sorry for not letting you know. I was at the library but most importantly I need to you to listen to what I'm about to tell. I had an argument with the gang and everything just tumbled out, I couldn't hold back. I let out everything! All the anger, frustration, accusations, faking it and everything. Like EVERYTHING! So we had a fallout. I broke out of it and I'm no longer part of their 'amazing' group.

Uh... I also told them about you. You can't let them push you around Lin, and I know how much you hurt to hang around with Natty and being around Laura and stuff. So I decided that you no longer have to deal with it. You don't have to hang around with me or them anymore.

You should stick to Cindy! She's an amazing person and her friends are real nice as well... You're happy around them. So Lin, no more pressure to be with people you don't like for you or me. As for me, I'll be happy alone or find someone. Don't worry. I'll be fine :)

Okay... Take care Lin! I'll see you around. Bye.

I press send and surprisingly, I feel relieved, like something heavy is out of my chest finally!

I smile as I see Natty at the gates. Walking towards her, I hear, "Amy! Hurry up. I'm getting late," her whining.

"Late?" For what!?" I stare at her with a confused face.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I haven't told you. I'm going to these extra classes after college. It's t-" She says but I cut her off with a question.

"What? Since when? I never knew. You-You've never gone, right?" I ask, all at once.

"Amy! I have been going for almost 2 months. We just had a tiny break for about 10 days." She says beaming. 'She'd be the only person on this planet to be happy about extra classes!' I frown at her excitement.

"What's so fun about extra classes Natt!?" I ask with a straight face. I don't understand.

She giggles and says. "Nothing. It's just that I was excited to tell you about it." Oh boy! Here we go. Epic reasoning!

"Fine. I believe you're getting late. So let's go." I nudge her to move and we leave.

"Bye Ams! See ya." She waves me off as she gets off the bus.

"Bye Natty! Will text you once I reach home." I chirp with a genuinely happy but tired smile.

AT THE END OF THE DAY

"Hey mom! How was your day?" I ask as I walk down the stairs. I took a shower and changed into a nightie.

After I reached home, I thought a lot about the things that happened today. I'm gonna miss Lin. It's not like I'm going away or something but I have to be alone. None to annoy and none to irritate, that's a little scary. But since I chose this, I have to live with it. I'll cope up, soon, hopefully... It's not new to be alone, but it's weird after all this time!

"Honey! My day was tiring as usual. How about yours!?" Mom answers.

"It was ok, Mom and yeah, a good news for you! I've decided to join extra classes, which is kinda like tuitions, so yeah. I'll go." I announce with a grin.

"That's great hon! I'm really happy now." She twitters. It feels nice to see her happy, even if it's short-lived.

"I know mom!" I give her a knowing smile.

If this makes her happy and it's something I need the most, then I'll definitely do it. Who knows what changes it could bring to my life!

"Where does Natty go?" Mom's question snaps me out of my thoughts.

"I'm not sure mom. I haven't asked." I tell her. I think back to how I don't want people I know around there. I want a fresh start. So I try to protest,  but then as I think of it for a second longer, I realize that I can't do it all alone. Natty can help me through.

"Mom! Don't worry. I'll find out and go with her. Okay... Now I'm hungry. Lets eat!" I beam.

A new beginning! That's exactly what I need, but that doesn't mean throwing away people I love and care for, especially Natty! So this is gonna be fun!!!

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Hey everyone! The chapter's finally done. Sorry for the delay, was a little caught up with work. Hope this makes up for it! ^_^

I know there's been a lot of drama lately in the story and you might even feel some parts have been exaggerated. But the truth is, in life certain things affect us a lot and our thoughts are occupied day and night with it. When it comes in a story, it looks all blown up but its actually all our feelings expressed in words. And characters also need to vent out their frustrations. So that's why this chap! I promise, its gonna get less dramatic..No, actually I can't, coz that's how life is- A dramatic bitch! But It's gonna get interesting.. So stay tuned!

If you like the book, make sure to vote,comment, share and let me know what you think about it. And if you can predict what could happen next, I'll dedicate a chapter to you. I'm open to all forms of criticism, you can pm me about your views.

That's a huge author's note. So I take your leave! Until next time, as I always say, Keep smiling! :)