Chapter Thirteen: Making Things Right

"Twenty-seven, six and three." I mumbled, to myself as I spun the dial of my locker opening it, proceeding to exchange my bag for my books.

"Hey Ali.” I turned, my head to see Sarah smiling brightly at me. I looked at her curiously, she seemed happy but her eyes seemed sad, something I couldn't really decipher. 

 “Hey, Sarah.” I said, hesitantly.

“How are you?” She asked, still looking at me with an unreadable expression.

“Good.” I replied, grabbing my books for drama class.

“So where were you yesterday?” She asked, firing another question.

“I was out sick.”

“Yeah, just like Holly and Ben.” She explained, raising her eyebrows.

I nodded. “O-okay?" I was starting to get confused, "Sarah what’s this about?” I questioned, shutting my locker door and turning to her.

“If you didn’t want to be my friend, you could’ve just told me instead of playing the pity card.” She said, looking hurt.

“We didn’t ditch you.” I told her, disbelief clear in my voice.

“So where were you yesterday?”

“You’re not my mother you don’t have to know where I am every freakin’ minute of everyday!” I spluttered.

Sarah’s eyes widened her eyes glistened with tears. “No, Sarah. I didn’t mean that.” I said,  guilt overcoming me. “It- it’s just that, I got into a fight with Holly.” I whispered, my eyes casting down to the floor. “And Ben.” I added, under my breath.

“Unbelievable.” She muttered.

My eyes widened at her harsh response. “What is that suppose to mean?” I demanded.

“It all makes sense now, why Ben and Holly are ignoring each other, why you didn’t come to school and why they didn’t even show up to watch me perform even though you all said you were.” She said, looking hurt.

I wanted to tell her that I didn’t miss school to ignore Ben and Holly. But I knew I couldn’t so instead I just kept quiet. “I’m sorry.” I whispered.

She shook her head. “No Ali, until you get your head screwed on right. It’s best if you leave me alone.”

“Sarah.” I tugged on sleeve, but she walked away. 

“Forget it.” I heard her mutter, her red curls bouncing as she walked. 

“But what about the talent show?” I called, out to her. 

“It’s less than three days away, there is no point anymore.” She said, looking at me directly in the eyes, turning around and continuing to walk into the crowd of people swarming the halls.

I let out a sigh, as I watched Sarah fade into the crowd of people. I had to do something, but I just had no ida to what.

*

By the time lunch had rolled around, I had been able to steer clear of Ben, Holly and Sarah. Even with Sarah and Holly in my second period class I managed to get by, with keeping my head in my textbook with the occasional staring up at the board when the teacher called upon me.

I trudged towards the library to have lunch. I didn’t want to face anyone especially Ben knowing that he would be looking for me. After his confession, I didn’t feel the same about him and the fact I declined his apology didn’t make the awkward situation any better.

“Ow.” I said, walking into the person who was seemed to be walking in a fast pace towards me down the hall. “Sorry.” I muttered, looking up at the person I bumped into.

He was wearing a blue sweater with a hood covering his face, leaving only his mouth to show. He nodded trying to walk around me to leave. But I quickly moved blocking his way. “Aren’t you going to apologize?” I questioned, the masked person. “After all you bumped into me, as well.” I added.

The person just stood there not saying a word. I did assume however behind his hood he was glaring at me. “Sorry, nerd.” He spoke, trying once again to walk around me.

My eyes widened in recognition, there was only one person in this school who calls me that. “Hey!’ I turned around grabbing the back of his sweater, causing him stop and his hood to fall off revealing his bruised face.

“Oh my God.” I said, to Gavin whose eyes trailed to the ground as his jaw clenched. “What happened?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He spat. “And stop acting like you care.”

I was taken aback at his harsh response. “I am not acting.” I mumbled, hopefully not loud enough for him to hear.

He sighed, rubbing his jaw and looking at me with regret. “Sorry.”

I nodded. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me what happened to your face, it’s not my problem it yours.” I said, trying to be considerate.

“Thanks.” He told me, managing to give me a small smile. “I wouldn’t even ask why you are heading to the library, even though you are supposed to be heading that way.” He said pointing towards the direction of the cafeteria.

“I should, but I am not in the mood to deal with backstabbing friends.” I said, referring to Ben and Holly.

A small chuckle, as he rolled his eyes. “So, how is Garrett?” I asked, changing the topic.

“You remember him?” He asked, a little shocked that I could remember the cutest four year old, I have ever laid eyes on. 

I nodded my head. “I just met him yesterday and I don’t think I have short term memory loss, so of course I remember him! He’s adorable, so how can I not?”

“He’s doing well. Believe it or not he really likes you, which is shocking because he doesn’t adjust well to new people.” 

I nodded., "l I like him too.”

Gavin simply just nodded as he stared down at his old beat up trainers. A comfortable silence fell upon us, while he stared at his shoes like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

I stared at his face, feeling something at the bottom of my gut as I stared at him. His left eye now had a black eye which seemed to be throbbing, his lips was busted open and he had a deep scar at the top of his right eyebrow. The rest of his face was mainly scratches that would go away in time.

Gavin looked up from his shoes his brown eyes looking back at mines. A sigh escaped his lips. “I bet you want to know, why I am all bruised and battered.” I opened up my mouth to protest but we both knew it was true. So I simply just nodded. “I got into a fight- with my father.”

My jaw dropped as Gavin’s eyes filled with hatred. How could someone do this to him? “I am sorry. It wasn’t my business.” I said, quickly feeling regret as I saw as he looked uncomfortably at me.

He simply nodded. “It’s okay, but for the record if you tell anyone I will simply deny it nerd.” He said, giving me his signature smirk.

I rolled my eyes. It now looked like the old Gavin was back. “Whatever.”

He laughed as the bell rang signaling the end of lunch. “Well I got to get going nerd, see you around.” He turned around and walking the other way as the hallways started to pile with students heading to there third period class.

“Gavin?” I called out to him.

He turned around a questionable look on his face. “Yeah?”

“I am sorry and not for your face, for that day in the parking lot.” I said, staring into his eyes hoping that he would forgive me.

“It’s fine.” He said, “I am sorry too.”

I gave him a small smile. After what he seemed to be going through at the moment I felt that I needed to apologize and not out of pity but from the bottom of my gut. I looked at him one last time as he pulled his hood back up and disappeared into the crowd of people.

I sighed as I looked at my uneaten tuna fish sandwich in my hand. I was never a big fan of tuna, so I was thankful that something came up or I would have no choice but to eat it.

I kept walking down the hall heading to my locker and then to Algebra when I saw a familiar red head walking down the hall. I automatically knew it was Sarah due to her being the only one in the school with bright red dyed hair.

I ran up to catch up with her as she turned around the corner. I wanted to make things up with my friends just like I did with Gavin even though technically he isn’t really my friend. “Sarah!” I called as I saw her stop. I quickly jogged over to her as she looked at me with an annoyed look.

“Yes?” She asked, impatiently. “Could you please make this quick I have to get to music.”

“Listen, Sarah.” I said, ignoring the tone she used with me a few seconds ago. “I am sorry, that I lied and wasn’t honest with you and if you forgive me I can promise that I will be honest.”

A smile broke out on her face. “I was going to forgive you sooner or later. But I am glad I picked sooner and if it is any consolation I am really sorry too I was acting like a real bitch.”

I let out a chuckle. “Its fine, I would react the same way. Well I kind of am with the whole Ben and Holly thing.”

“What happened between you guys anyways?” Sarah questioned, I was quiet for a few moments; Sarah must’ve noticed that I didn’t want to talk about it. “I am sorry, I am prying. It’s none of my business.”

I only nodded having nothing really to say. “But, if you do have any questions feel free to ask me. Alright?”

“Okay, I have one.” She spoke.

I knitted my eyebrows in confusion. “Already?”

She nodded. “Why does Ben always follow you around and drive you around everywhere? Is he like your bodyguard or something?”

My eyes widened. For a short little girl she really did pay attention to her surroundings. I gulped, not knowing how I would answer her question- honestly.

*****

Hello Lovelies,

Sorry for the late updating been super busy! With school, band and my extra curricular as well as Arabic classes but not going to make any excuses. What did you think of this chapter, IT IS UP TO YOU AND LITTLE OF ME, IF SARAH FINDS OUT ALI'S SECRET WILL SHE REVEAL WILL SHE NOT? IT'S UP TO YOU SO COMMENT! i promise that Ben and Holly are back next chapter and the truth is fianlly revealed. 

This chapter is dedicated to @Leperksofbeingaloser. You gotta love her user name! For her lovely comments on the book and message board, as well as votes. 

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