reputations | dreamwastaken high school au story

chapter 46

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"apology"

The school days returned and the group was noticeably divided. They didn't take sides, oh no, they just wanted to make sure that Willa and Clay didn't push themselves away from the group.

Well, George, Will, Niki and Karl were upset with Clay and they let him know but not to an extent where they would shun him out. That was until George and Karl were the ones hanging out with Willa.

The three of them were walking through the hallways from Science class with Kara. Willa wasn't different from when the semester finished but Will said it was different the last few days of the holidays.

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"She wallowed that day. I don't know if she cried because the next day she changed her sheets, cleaned her room and just busied herself. She started to steal my guitar again so that's terrifying knowing that she's writing. She even helped dad in building the trampoline, she did some crazy flips with Toby. She started to bake with mum which is also a bad sign, remember the last time she got angry at Clay, she did an actual bake sale because she was angry baking. Tom had to hide eggs and flour."

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Needless to say the friends knew that Willa wasn't doing okay. She may be joking and smiling around but they would see her zone out. And every lunch, the girl will eat at the gym where she knew Jordan lets her.

So that afternoon, Willa was placing her things in her locker and when she closed it she saw him. Clay Thompson was looking around and her heart sunk. She let out a sigh and turned to George and Karl who saw her panicked face.

"Get me out of here." She mumbled. In reality, she hadn't seen Clay face to face in weeks and she didn't want to. And from the way her eyes started to water the two friends knew they had to hide her.

So they did. Pulling the girl through the crowd, excusing themselves but this ruckus was just what Clay needed. He saw her, her brunette hair let down. "Willa!" he yelled.

This made George and Karl rush to turn to the corner and push Willa to the nearest room which was coincidently her big brother's. She leaned her back on the door as George and Karl stood in front of it.

Clay caught up to them but the two friends sent them a look. "Away with you." George dismissed him. "I know she's there-" "I don't know about you Clay but I think whether or not Willa is in there, I don't think she would want to see you." Karl said with a frown.

"Then she doesn't have to see me." Clay mumbled and pushed George away. "Clay-" "I know you're in there Willa." He spoke making George sigh.

"You've been avoiding me. And it's my fault. I'm sorry." He started as he leaned his forehead on the door. "I know I hurt you and embarrassed you but please. Let me explain." He whispered.

Willa slid down the door as she hid her face on her knees. "I- I panicked okay? I didn't mean to- Fuck. Willa, I really didn't know what came over me but Willa please, I'm so sorry." He said as he clenched his fists.

"You mean the world to me and yet I pushed you away. Goddamit Willa, I always liked you. Since Middle School. So I guess you actually won." He whispered.

Then to the shock of the three boys, the door unlocked, expecting to see Willa, they saw Dave Baker. He stared at Clay blankly. He gulped and moved away from the door.

"No matter how heartfelt that is Mr. Thompson, I'm sure it would have meant more if my sister heard that when she was ready." He said. "But-" "Leave." he said.

Clay's heart fell but it broke when he saw her. Her hair covering her face as she had her head bowed as she sat on her brother's chair.

"Willa-" "Leave Thompson." Dave said. This made the three friends to look at Dave. They saw the disappointment in his eyes, "I'm not saying this as your teacher, I'm saying this as Willa's brother. Now leave." He said.

Clay gulped and turned around, pushing past the now crowd they had attracted. George sighed and looked at Karl. "Go." Karl said as he stayed behind. With that George ran after his best friend.

Dave scoffed, "What are you all looking at? Get back to you businesses!" he yelled as he pulled Karl inside the classroom where Willa was. Karl closed the door as Dave moved the chair and crouched in front of her.

"He's gone." Dave whispered. She sniffed and only looked up when Dave brushed the hairs away from her face. "It's okay. You don't have to forgive him yet." He reminded her.

"But finals..." she trailed as she glanced at Karl. The boy sighed and frowned. Clearly the two of them knew that Willa had to face the boy and Dave sighed. "You can do this. You're Willa Baker." He said.

She looked at her brother with a frown. He sighed and cupped her cheek, "You can do this." He whispered. "You won't be alone." Karl said. Willa sighed but nodded, "Okay."

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