If Not For Her

Chapter 40. "Bethy"

Emmalyn sat next to Annabeth and smiled at her, testing the waters. Annabeth smiled back and soon Nick along with everyone returned to their seats. Madame Andrea stood there proud with her dark eyes scanning the faces of the students. "I hope you all are aware of the date of the project submission, I require the best work of yours, and remember the winner is sitting right in this room at this moment is it you? you have to decide"

"Now for the topic, we were learning about....." she started her lesson. Annabeth seemed a bit stiff the whole lesson, never looking once in her way. Was she embarrassed about the kiss? Did she not feel anything? Emmalyn could not stop thinking about it as she occasionally looked her way. "Miss Cole, I would rather like you to look at your books rather than the person next to you" it was then the whole class looked at her, including Annabeth. She felt some girls giggle as the boy beside her blushed. As if she was staring at him, he was surely pretty but not her type at all.

"I am sorry Madame," she said. "Pay attention," she said. Emmalyn nodded. Annabeth's eyes lingered on hers for a moment before returning to her books. Only ten minutes were left of the class and Emmalyn couldn't bring herself to focus on the lesson, she tried to steal another glance at her. She looked around and caught Nicolas's eyes. He looked at her briefly with a knowing look and turned back, shaking his head. She found it quite weird.

As soon as the bell rang, Annabeth was the first one to rush out, maybe they shouldn't have kissed. She decided to talk to her, the longer they would deny what happened the harder it would get. She learned her lesson with Grace and didn't want to repeat the same mistake ever again. She did not want to mess it up with her. She picked up her books when she overheard Chris's and Adam's conversation and started putting her books in her bag as slowly as she could.

"I am worried about her" she heard Adam say. "Me too," Christina said. "I don't think they are into each other anymore" Emmalyn's lips curled up. They were definitely talking about Annabeth and Nick. "I don't think she likes him anymore," Chris said. "Do you think she likes someone else?" Adam said as they walked past her.

"Maybe," Chris said. "By the looks of it, she definitely likes someone," Adam said. She realized she was one of the last ones to leave. She walked out of the class. If Annabeth likes someone else, could it be her? the thought kept her up all night and today Annabeth's cold behavior made her question everything but now after hearing their conversation, she was filled with hope once again, but before she gets way ahead of herself she should.

She saw Annabeth avoid her like a plague, but Emmalyn was determined to get to the bottom of it. If Annabeth didn't like her, she could and absolutely would accept it but what if she did like her. That slight hope kept her chasing the brunette. She saw Annabeth dodge her. Why was she not facing her?

At last, Emmalyn took Annabeth by her arm and pulled her into the same deserted corridor she saw her with Nick. "Let go," Annabeth said, immediately Emmalyn let go of her hand. "We have to talk," she said. "Or maybe we should not" she shrugged, "just a mere suggestion" she added. "A horrible one that too," Emmalyn said. "See, Annabeth we can't deny what happened," she said and noticed that Annabeth looked everywhere but her eyes. "Would you just look at me?" Emmalyn asked.

"I don't know what you want?" Annabeth said. "A bit of clarity would be nice after you kissed me," she said. "You kissed me back" Annabeth countered. "You could have stopped me if you wanted to see I am not going to hide it any longer" "Emma" came Sofia's voice. Emmalyn cursed her luck. She stepped back from Annabeth and watched her brown eyes narrow. "Nice conversation, Cole," she said as she pushed past her.

"Annabeth," she called out. "What were you doing?" Sofia asked and after a moment Emmalyn saw realization draw upon her. "Baby Reed?" she asked, her voice high. "You were, are I don't know crushing on baby Reed?" she asked. Emmalyn looked at her, "Scream a little louder I don't think the school has heard you yet?" she said. "Save the sass and go after her, she looked pissed, what did you do?"

Emmalyn answered with an "I will explain it to you later to see, Nicholas and Annabeth talking. She took a deep breath and walked over to them, she put her arm around Annabeth's shoulder and looked at Nicholas. He smiled, "Hey there Emmalyn," he said. "Hello, Nicholas," she said. "As I was telling Bethy here," her eyes widened, and she looked between them. Annabeth was Nick's Bethy, the girl he was in love with. She removed her arm. "I am hosting a house party tonight, would you like to join?" he asked. "Sure," she nodded. She took one glance at them, "See you two there" she walked away as she felt her chance slowly slipping away.