Fighting for You

Cola and Combos

★*ﾟ*☆*ﾟ*★*ﾟ*☆*ﾟ*★

I don't think I would have been able to get through the summer of tenth grade without Amber. The summer that my sister left, and my mom became an alcoholic. The summer I started to experience severe asthma attacks, and the summer Wes Hicks started to take an interest in me. I think that was probably the worst part. It was hard enough for me to navigate my own friendships, let alone my feelings for people. However I guess it was right around the end of that summer that I started realizing who I really liked.

Amber Freeman was always there. She was the kind of girl who sat in every way that wasn't proper in the back. She observed our group, made sure nothing got too out of hand. But she also wasn't afraid to speak her mind on things. She made it extremely obvious that she didn't approve of Wes' feelings for me, and honestly I wasn't really mad at her. I was kind of glad when she would always groan or roll her eyes when he said something remotely romantic towards me, because it would make him stop. Trust me, I in no way have anything against the sheriff's son, I just don't feel the same way, and sometimes it can be a bit uncomfortable to hang out with just him. That's why I was so relieved when Amber jumped in when he offered to help me study for our Algebra test.

"You know Tara," He said, eyeing me up, "I could uh, give you a hand. You could come over tonight, moms on duty." The last part of his sentence sounded way too suggestive. Luckily Amber picked up on it as well.

"Wow Hicks, could you be any more obvious? Really gonna try and get in her pants before sophomore year starts?" She rolls her eyes before standing up to walk towards me. We had all been hanging out at the park. The twins and Liv were going back to their house while I was planning on going home as well. With my mom being out of town I was going to have the house to myself. But apparently my night was going to turn out differently than I would have liked. "Anyways thanks but no thanks." Amber continues, "Tara and I have plans to binge Stab movies tonight." She makes a scary motion towards me at the last comment, she knows full well I hate the jump scares in Stab but for some reason loves torturing me with watching them. Amber knows I have a hard time saying no to people, especially her.

"What's your problem with me Amber?" Wes starts. They have been getting into this same argument almost everyday for the past month.

"Here we go again." Mindy says, rolling her eyes while she flips open her phone.

"I have no problem." Amber replies cooly, crossing her arms.

"Well it seems like you do. Everytime I try to hang out with Tara or even try and talk to her, you are always the first one to cut me off." He stops for a moment to study Amber but her face hasn't changed one bit. "It's like no ones good enough for her in your eyes."

"I'm confused Wes, are you asking me for permission to have Tara?" I continue to gawk at Amber, desperately trying to read her but I can't. She always has the same hard-to-read facial expressions. The only time I've ever seen her really express true emotion is when it's just me and her. Other times I always get the feeling that she's faking it. Then again, that could just be me thinking I'm special.

"I don't have to ask you permission for shit." Wes says in an angry tone while he starts to stand up. By this point their fights have usually stopped, but Amber's face changes to meet his anger. Her face is still cool and collected, but I can tell she is getting ready to fight back.

Amber's face changes again quickly, this time a slight grin plays at her mouth, "You know what, who even invited you here?"

"Don't start." Chad says, finally looking up from his phone.

I cut in quickly before Amber could make enemies with the rest of our friends. "Amber lets go, it's gonna get dark soon and I am not walking to the corner store to get you chocolate if it's not light out." I grab her hand, "Bye everyone!"