Tainted → Justin Bieber

SEVENTEEN.

L.

These days have passed by already and Noah didn't bother calling me. When I went to his house and asked for him, his step mother told me that he wasn't there.

It was a lie.

Noah doesn't know many people over here so where exactly would he be? Plus, I could've sworn I saw his curtain move when I looked back at his house after I left.

I laid in my bed and looked up at the ceiling, there was nothing else to do. I didn't bother changing out of my work clothes, I didn't bother turning on my a/c even though it was almost a hundred degrees, I didn't bother calling Justin over for company. I just didn't feel like doing anything. Maybe I was depressed, and not just because of this whole situation with Noah. I've felt so alone ever since Lianna left.

"Lacey." There was a knock on my bedroom door, and I sat up immediately. A few seconds later, the door pushed open and mom's head popped in.

"Mom? What are you doing home so early?" I frowned.

"Early?" Mom looked down at her watch. "Sweetheart, it's twenty after seven."

Have I really been laying in bed for three hours? "It is?"

"Yes, but there's someone downstairs who wants to see you." she smiled.

Upon hearing that, I jumped up and followed after her. Maybe Noah changed his mind about us after all. Maybe he got over whatever him and his father got into and realized how much he would miss me. As I made it to the top of the staircase, I was expecting to see that familiar blonde haired boy standing in the foyer but instead, I was greeted by the long dark haired, curvy girl, that I haven't seen since school was in session.

"Amber!!" I screamed. My mother jumped at the sound of my shriek and I apologized immediately as I ran around her and down the stairs. I wasted no time in embracing Amber in the tightest hug ever.

She giggled. "Lace, you're squeezing the life out of me." She barely got out.

"I missed you so much." I whispered through her hair.

"I missed you so much more." Amber chuckled. "I got home maybe an hour ago and I couldn't wait to see you."

I pulled back, still holding her forearms. "Why are you back so early though?"

Amber smiled, "I'll tell you everything at my house. C'mon."

I turned around to face my mother, a pleading look on my face. I know these past couple of weeks haven't been the best and I've been getting in trouble lately, but hopefully my mom will be understanding. Letting me hang out on the other side with my best friend who just got in town shouldn't be too much to ask for, right?

"Go ahead," mom uttered softly, an approving smile on her face. "But to Amber's house and only Amber's house. I don't want you getting into any trouble over there."

I briefly let go of Amber so that I could hug my mom, whispering a thank you in her ear after. Then I took a hold of my best friend's arm again and led her out of the door and down the street. I'm so glad she's finally back.

--

"So how was Puerto Rico?" I asked Amber. We sat in the middle of her bed flipping through magazines that she had picked up while away. It's funny how even though we've been away from each other for so long, our routine never changes. Anytime Amber and I hang out, we find ourselves either reading current celebrity gossip, painting our nails, or doing some gossiping of our own. We'd often throw in a few parties here and there if things began to get a little boring.