Hey there my lovely readers! Here's the new chapter and don't forget to check out the author's note at the end of the chapter.

Special dedication: @Hollycat558, @arpita44, @blondehazzard, @HazmanH! Thank you so much for your reads, votes, comments and messages. Means a lot and lots and lots of love to you all! It really made my day.  

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CHAPTER 6

I wake up feeling refreshed and with a beaming smile on my face! I haven't slept this well in a long time. The sun rays streaming in through the curtain leaving a golden glint on the wall. The smile I had a while ago is immediately replaced by a frown, followed by shock as I take a look at the clock. I'm late! Crap! A great start indeed!

I hurriedly run to freshen up and bath. Once done with it, I ransack through my closet and just put on whatever I can find. I have to hurry up. I run downstairs, stuff myself with a sandwich and gulp some cranberry juice in a jiffy.

"Amy! Slow down. You'll choke yourself." Mom yells clearly bewildered at the way I'm having breakfast!

"Mom, I'm getting real late. No time to slow down! Okay, see ya Mom! Bye! Love you!" I shout as I rush out the door and pace through the streets. I reach the bus stop finally, and looking around realise that there's no bus for another hour! Cursing my luck, I decide to sit down and wait, for I've no choice really.

As I sit, I can't help but think how different things are gonna be. No gang, no Lin, no more fights and problems and no more self-centered friends. I just have to find someone to hang around with. I'm pretty sure I can do that.

After multiple confusing train of thoughts, and random stalking of passerby strangers, the bus arrives.

I reach the college gates and looking into my phone, find some time left before my next class begins and head to the locker to get my books. Walking closer to my locker, my eyes widen and my heart shuts down in an unknown fear, as I spot Lin, who also telepathically looks at me. She starts stomping towards me, ready to explode.

"Amy! What the hell is wrong with you? Are you out of your mind? What did you even mean by that text?" She just bombards me with questions at a shot, that I take a step back and gasp. It's clear that she wants answers, and she's definitely making it harder on me.

"Hey Lin! Morning, or should I say 'Early afternoon'?" I just say with a chuckle, that earns me a hard-core frown from her. I sigh as I see the hard road ahead.

"Amy! What the hell is wrong with ya? Answer the damn question!" She yells, completely frustrated that she starts stomping around me.

"Lin, just listen to me. I've already given you everything you need to know and honestly, I'm tired of all this! I need a change! We need a change. Let's leave all this behind us and move on. We're getting late. Let's go?" I ask, with a hopeful smile.

"Am-" Lin starts but I cut her off.

"We're getting late. Let's go." I start  walking, hoping she'll follow and put an end to this uncomfortable discussion. My heart silently leaps as she starts to follow me. Thank god!

I walk into class and just look around for a place to sit. I spot a girl alone on a bench, a strange sense of familiarity to her face. I've seen her around but I did not know her name. Basically I'm terrible with names, I forget them in a second. Now's my chance to change that. I walk up to her.

"Is this seat taken?" I ask with a hearty smile.

"No, not at all. You can sit here." She mumbles and flashes me a cheeky smile.

"Amy." I respond, giving my hand to her. 

"Oh... I know you Amy! But I'm pretty sure you don't know my name, right?" She chuckles. Damn! I thought this way she wouldn't get to know!

"I'm so sorry...uh."

"Betty!" She chirps and takes my hand for a shake. "We've been in the same class for two years now and you don't know my name. We've spoken a couple of times and I've been your partner for a class too." She giggles. All I manage is a guilty smile.

"I'm sorry. I'm terrible with names." I acknowledge, honestly.

"That's okay. I'm pretty bad myself." She laughs and I join in, and we both end up laughing like retarded seals. I like her already!

"Good morning class!" He greets and my heart beats at the rate of a million beats per second. My earlier revelation fills me with panic, as I stare at him in awe.

Damn, not him to add on to my problems! Can't he just stop looking hot, sexy and adorable at the same time? Can't he just be out of my life for good?

I exhale, brushing away my thoughts  not wanting to get caught gawking at him, again. I look up to meet his eyes, and catch him staring at me. There in his beautiful, deep blue eyes I see something I'd never seen before. Is it hurt? Is it pain? Is it... I don't know. He quickly masks it with the cold authoritative gleam.

"Amy, you don't really attend a lot of his classes, do you?" Betty asks.

"Umm... Yeah! Morning classes are really not my thing." I stretch out with a smile and she chuckles in response.

"Same here. We have a lot in common, and even I don't like that guy. He annoys..." She says pointing to him.

Nathan! I wish I could say the same. That I don't like him, I hate him, I wanna be away from him, I hate his presence. I wanna shout out my hatred for him. I so wish!

"Amy... Amy... Amy?!" I just shake out of my thoughts. I zoned out yet again, not even listening to what she was telling.

"Betty... I'm so-sorry. I just-," I stutter, but immediately stop.

"Can the rest of the class know, what important discussion is going on over there?" His voice startles us. We stand up hesitantly. He's staring at us, with clear annoyance plastered on his face.

"Umm... Sir..." I can't even utter words at this point. So I just stand there,  staring at him. Something is different about him. I didn't know why, but as a teacher he had all reasons to be annoyed now.

"Isn't it the first time you're in my class after a really long time, Miss Ross? You've been missing classes all this while and then when you're back, this is what you do. Distract everyone else. This kind of behavior is not accepted here. I want to have a talk with you after class. Take your seats now." He spits with pure disgust in his tone.

Great! Now this! But why only me? I didn't wanna be alone with him!

For the rest of the class, I just sit there wondering how meeting him will go, hoping that the bell never rings or the building just collapses. Unfortunately, it's easier said than done, and the bell rings, bringing dreaded the reality closer. As he's about to head out, he says the words that I hoped he'd forget, maybe due to temporary amnesia or something.

"In my room, Amy! Now!" He says as he walks out.

So much for him getting Amnesia.

Betty comes up to me with a look of pure concern etched on her face.

"I'm sorry Amy! It's my fault as well, so... I'll come along." She says unwillingly.

I wouldn't blame her, he is scary. No sane person would willingly walk into his room.

As I'm about to tell her that it was not her fault and brush her thoughts off, I recall something. The jittery feelings in my heart at even the thought of being alone with him, and also his extremely pissed off face. Taking her along is definitely better than being alone with him! So I just nod with a faint smile as she joins me, and we walk towards his room.

"May we come in, Sir?" I ask as I reach the room. He just looks up from his book and nods.

"I asked to see only Miss Ross. You can leave." He says in an authoritative voice, staring at Betty. It definitely sent shivers down my spine. I look at Betty and I can see the fear on her face. She does have to face this. His anger is towards me, for whatever unknown reason. So I just motion for her to leave. Poor girl!

Once she leaves, we are alone in the room!

He's staring at me intently. His gaze is so sharp and penetrating that even if I didn't look into his eyes, I could feel the intensity. It was burning me. Slowly, gathering courage I look up to see those beautiful blue orbs.

"Do you take me for a fool, Amy? Do you think that you're the person I wish to waste my time on? Well, you're so wrong my dear! My time is so frickin' precious and I care a damn to waste it on you! In fact, you wouldn't even be the last person I'd like to see! You're nothing but a waste of time. A spoiled, sad excuse for a girl! You think I have fun calling a detention and then end up staring at the damn walls! You think it's funny? You take me for a frickin' joke!" He yells at the top of his voice, without a pause. I just stand stunned! I'm speechless... I can't believe what I'd just heard.

"I asked you to be in class for detention and when I reach there, all I see are the empty desks and the board. You think it's that easy to get away huh? I'm afraid it's not! I need an explanation to this! Right frickin' now!" He continues to lash out. I could see frustration oozing off of him.

But wait a minute, what is he talking about. Detention? Blank walls?

Oh My Freaking God!!! Did I just? Oh Shit! No no no... How could I? Damn! I just deserted him and walked away from a detention class?! I totally forgot after yesterday's drama and issues that at the end of it, my teacher, sexy as hell but yet teacher, was waiting for me at a detention class! No wonder he's this annoyed at me. I threw that reason right at his face. I'm so dead! I didn't turn up to his class. Damn! How could I be this big an idiot?!

Stupid me! I curse, like that's gonna help.

"Do you plan on talking today or just stand there like a dumb rock?" He asks, irritated.

Why do I do this? He is crazy annoyed and I just zone out in front of him and worsen it. Can't the sky just fall down now and end this whole damn thing?

"Speak up Amy!" He groans, sighing in defeat.

"Uh... Sir... I-I'm so sorry. I totally forgot about the cl-detention class... And I was ex-sick... so I just went home. I'm sorry Sir! I'll do anything to make up for it. Sir... I mean the fights... anger... frustration... venting... I don't know." I just stutter words that make absolutely no freaking sense! I can't even talk. I can feel tears starting to form. I have to hold it from pouring out. I cannot cry in front of him, definitely not after this.

I look up to see him staring at me, worried and confused at the same time. He touches the back of his neck and looks away for a brief second and then starts walking towards me. I just stood there, feeling heavy weights clamping my feet to the ground. I try to move but to no avail. He's just a few feet from me now and he seems to be thinking. Then, he does something totally unexpected. He brings his hands towards me, but stops and pulls it back.

What!? Why?

"Err....Okay. Relax now. You'll be having detention today and for an hour longer. So be there. Now you may leave." He says and turns around, which is probably my cue to leave. I walk out of there with a very heavy feeling in my heart!

I wanted to cry. His words keep replaying in my head and this is it. The dam breaks and tears just gushs out. I couldn't even control it any longer, so I run to the washroom and once I realize I'm alone, I break down. All I can hear are the unrelenting sobs from my heart.

He really did hate me. He hated seeing me and spending time with me. He grudged every second he spent on me... He did it only cause he was my teacher! Just as I thought. He answered all my questions. He felt nothing for me. He just thought of me as a self-centered, rebellious student who was a pain to him! He made that clear! No more confusions about his feelings...

He made it clear! Crystal clear!

I wipe my tears away. I've had enough of all this shit and crying has become my favorite hobby these days. It has to change. Now that I know, it's for the better. I can move on, at least try to, instead of stagnating on the hopes of him liking me the same way. It was just a crush, I tell myself.

With that, I wash my face and stare at my reflection in the mirror. I look real sad, 'A sad excuse for a girl!' Those words... I push those thoughts away and smile at myself.

It's gonna get better! Hopefully...

"Amy! Did he yell at you, that mean piece of crap? Always picking on you poor thing!" Betty says with empathy as I come back to class.

"Uh... Not really. It's okay. It went better than I expected" I say, hoping she won't press on it and she didn't, for which I'm grateful.

"That's a relief! He's pretty scary when he's rude and rude is his middle name. Nathan-Rude-what's his last name?" She asks, squinting her eyes. I chuckle before responding.

"Jones."

"Oh... Mr Nathan-Rude-Jones!" She finishes with a proud look. I almost fall down laughing. I'm starting to like this girl!

"It's lunch time!" She chirps. "Amy, Wanna join us?" She checks in, pointing to a group of girls at the corner, who are waiting for her.

"No Betty! I gotta catch up with my friend. I'll see you later. Bye!" I wave at her and start to walk off before...

"Amy!"

I hear that, I thought to myself. I turn around and see Lin walking towards me.

"Lin! Heyy!" Is all I can manage to say.

"Amy! Got into trouble with Mr Nathan yet again? What did he tell? He seemed pretty annoyed." She spoke with a worried expression.

Oh gosh! Lin! You have to move on. You have better friends waiting for you, so I have to push you away.

"Lin... Um... Let's just drop it. I'm not having a great day and talking about it is definitely not gonna make it any better. Also, I'm really hungry so I'll go look for Natty! See ya around Lin!" As I say that, I turn around and walk away without giving her a second glance. It's for the better, I remind myself.

AT THE CAFETERIA

"Natty! We have to talk." I tell as I pull her out of the crowd in front of the cafeteria. She's about to join the gang as usual, as I assume she knows nothing about our scene yesterday.

"Amy! What happened? Are you alright?" Natty asks, perplexed at my statement. I fill her in on everything that happened, well, almost everything except the part involving Nathan! She'll freak out if she hears of my crush on my 'math teacher'.

She sighs after listening to the whole story.

"Amy... I get it. I know you don't wanna be around them, and to be honest I've felt the same way too, a lotta times. But then, it's friendship. It can't end just like that. No matter how rude they've been, how annoying or how frustrating, at the end of the day they're still our friends. That can't and will not change. All this happens in friendship and it's pretty normal Ams. Don't fret over it. They won't even remember what happened yesterday. Let's go inside." She lectures.

Damn Natt! She and her stupid logical thinking. She just has to analyze and complicate it. But no! Not happening.

"Stop Natt! I'm sorry but just hear me out. Friends are those who're supposed to be the ones we laugh with, cry with, who make us happy and when we're sad, bring us up. They should be the reason we enjoy life, but what if it's the other way around? Instead of being there when we're sad, they're the ones that cause it. "

"Haven't you had enough of this crappy shit Natts? Friends are the reason for our craziness and happiness and if they're not and only cause problems to us? Then I guess we should move on. Sticking around just for the sake of it is not gonna help. Anything or anybody that inhibits our growth is not a friend and you have to face it Natty! They haven't given us happy memories to cherish, have they?" I stop to look at her, compassion and understanding brimming in her eyes.

"Natty! We're just teens and our life is already fucked up. I don't want all this drama. Our lives are more like a sad daily soap with a lot of unwanted melodrama. Let's just leave it behind and start fresh Natts." I sigh, letting out all the air I held onto. "Come on. Let's go get ourselves some food. We'll think of it later." I say cheerfully, hoping Natty will see my point. For once, she actually does.

"Let's go!" She says with a smile.

A FEW HOURS LATER

Classes are finally done and I'm just packing up to leave. As I'm about to head out, I'm stopped by someone calling me out. I turn, exactly sure of who the person is.

Lin...

"Amy! Stop. Listen to me. I don't get what's wrong with ya? Please explain Amy! What's the matter? Please..." She  begs with pleading eyes, and I feel a stabbing pain in my heart.

Stop! Don't fall for it. Remember, It's for the better, I keep telling myself.

"Lin! This is getting tiring. I already told you everything you need to know. Just accept and move on. Don't be stuck to it. It's not like you can't survive without me, right? Or is it?" I ask with my best fake-smirky face. I know that sounds extremely arrogant, but then somethings have to be done.

"Lin, I've got detention. Don't wanna get into any more trouble than I already am, so see ya later. Bye." I don't wait for her response, and just run out.

MINUTES LATER

I walk into class, and the first thing I notice is that Mr Nathan is nowhere. Phew... At least I'm not the one to enter last. I just put my bag down and sit at the desk, waiting. I don't know what to do.

What was taking him so long? Is it... Revenge? Is he be doing this for what I did yesterday? No! He's a mature person and he would never do that. Or would he? For a fact, I hardly know anything about him!

What if he did? Crap! How could he? That is so damn immature for a man of his age, a frickin' teacher, my teacher!

I hate him so damn much! I fucking hate you Nathan Jones!!! I get so frustrated, that I don't even realize when I start pacing the room, mumbling curses to him and holding my head, clearly annoyed.

"You alright?" A deep voice startles me. I'm stunned to reality, as realization hits me on my stupid face. I did all this just assuming all this crap and a lot more! Damn me, I'm such an idiot!! A major one! My mind had worked overtime, for way too long now.

I look up to face him. I'm extremely embarrassed on the inside and I just hope he's no mind reader cause, that won't be pretty!

"Sorry sir. It's just... uh... nothing." I say as I look away to avoid his stare, feeling guilt already gnawing on my insides.

"Amy! Are you sure? You look worried and b-" He softly says and the evident concern in his tone, intensifies my guilt so I cut him off.

"Sir, I'm fine!" I look away from his face and walk to my seat.

He just stands there, staring at me. From his dumbfounded expression, I can bet he never expected this reaction. He's clearly shocked, but as smooth as he is, he quickly manages to compose himself and put on his usual cool face.

"Uh... Amy! This will be your last detention class as I won't be available for a few weeks. That's the reason why today will be extended for an hour." He states, leaving me with a  confused array of emotions.

I feel happy and sad, at the same time. Happy for the fact that I won't have to be alone with him anymore and no more of his tortures!On the other hand, I felt sad cause I'd miss his sweet tortures. I'm growing frustrated with the game my mind is playing with my heart!

"Okay sir."

An awkward vibe follows the rest of the class. Finally it's time. Time to go!

As I see him walking out, I gather my stuff and head out. It's really late and there's none except for me and him in the campus. I take out my phone and shriek in horror.

8missed calls. Mom!
2messages. Natty. Lin.

The messages are fine, I can check them anytime. But why did mom call me so many times!?

And my brain answers to it in the sweetest way possible! 'Idiot! Cause you're late af.'

I start power-walking towards the bus stop when all of a sudden a car halts in front of me. I look into it, and the owners face fills my eyes.

Nathan! Damn! Why him?

"Get in the car. It's late!" He commands. I fidget with my fingers and look around, clearly hesitant to get in. Probably sensing this, he speaks again, this time much more softer.

"See, in a way it's my fault that you're here this late and I wouldn't want you to travel alone at this time. So just get in the car!" He says this time stressing on each word.

Maybe he's right. He just feels responsible for it and I shouldn't read too much into it, but my main problem is not him. It's me! My feelings for him that I decided to shut forever.

I fear it will resurface and ruin me!

"Do you plan on getting in!?" He asks, a mix of irritation and worry lacing his tone.

So I decide to just get in.

AN HOUR LATER

I had a really tiring day. So I take a shower and plan to hog something before jumping into bed. I pace downstairs to get some dinner.

"Did you check out the place?" Mom asks as we have dinner.

"Oh! Sorry mom! Totally forgot about it and today I was really occupied. Will do it tomorrow mom!" I apologise and take up the plates to the kitchen. Once done, I walk back in, "Okay... Me sleepy. So gunnite!" I kiss her goodnight and head upstairs.

Before sleeping, I recall the messages. I click it open.

Amy! I thought about what you said today and you're right. It's been a lot of drama lately and honestly speaking, I'm fed up as well. So we'll be on our own and start fresh just as you said. But I was kinda hoping we could, you know, have Laura along with us. She's a really sweet and nice person Amy! You'll definitely like her. Please say yes!

-Natty

I frown so hard on reading the last part. Can't this girl get the whole point? I wanna be away from all of them and Laura definitely belongs to that 'all'. I don't even know much about her and surprisingly, I'm not her biggest fan already! Maybe that's cause all I know about her is what I've heard from Lin. It doesn't seem fair to judge her so soon. But wait a minute...

The Laura we're talking about here is my classmate and I don't even know half about her. Natty just met her a handful of times and she's standing up for her like she knows her a lot. Weird.

Natt! I'm happy you get my point but about Laura, I'm not sure. I don't really know her well, and the little I know is not that great. 

I send it. I don't know if I'm right or wrong. I'm just not in a mood to think. Then I proceed to the other one, Lin's message. I've started dreading any news from her. I felt bad though.

Hey Amy. I'm not sure what's going on with you and I tried a lot to find out and stick around. But it seems like you don't want that. I thought you just texted that day out of impulse but no! You were serious about it and I never realized that. I pressed on and annoyed you. I'm sorry Amy.

You're actually right! We've had a lot of bad times going on and it's a lot to bear. I wanted to talk to you about it but you beat me to it. Your decision to leave the group and me is in fact, for the best. You must have really had a hard time stuck between me and them. I'm sorry about that. 

I know you're trying to push me away and that's why I've decided to let you go. I know you care a lot for me and you'll always be my special friend. And as you said, Cindy is amazing. I'm really happy with them. So thanks Amy! Bye! Good night. Thank you once again for being an amazing, crazy friend!

I don't know why, but, I had a smile on my face as I read that. It's the much needed closure to all that happened. Finally, She's moving on. It worked!

My phone beeped yet again. A new message.

Amy! Please give her a chance and I'm sure you will like her. Anyway, it's getting late. Go sleep. We'll talk tomorrow. Goodnight Ams! Sweet dreams. May you start dancing at midnight.

Haha... That got me cracking. I don't know what was that for, but this girl sure had weird ways of wishing.

Gn Natty! Love U! One more thing... Where's this place you're going for classes? Mind taking me there?

New text.

Yes yes yes!!! ^_^

With that I just throw my phone away and drift in to a deep slumber, with a smile curving my lips. 

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Hey everyone! Firstly, thank you so much for reading this book. All thanks to you guys, I've made it to one of my writer goals. 500 reads! I'm really overjoyed with the response the book has got, cause all I wanted was for my book to reach out to people. Love you all!!

And to those who've encouraged me with their messages, votes and comments; I really thank you all and that's why I've dedicated this chapter. But seems like I can dedicate it to only one person at a time, so I'll be dedicating the future chapters to the rest of you. Sorry about that!

Another thing being, the delay in update. Had exams going on but now its done!  And hopefully since am free now, I'll update again this week.

So until then, Be happy and keep smiling! Love you all! <3