Bring Out The Best In Me

Chapter 19.

Chapter 19.

**Now**

As me and Sam walk out of the classroom, hand in hand, and head over ot his locker, Sarah joins us. She has a mysterious smile on, and I remember that she was talking to Sam. 

I want to slap her and wipe that grin off her face, like I should've 2 years ago,

but instead I just glare at her. 

"Where's Ash?" I ask her, a hint of jealousy in my voice. 

She shrugs. "Probably staring at some hot girls in the corridors, I don't know, we're not official or anything. We just make out sometimes but date other people." 

What a whore! 

I bet it was her who thought of this idea, since Ash would agree to that. 

Sam wounds his arm around my waist, and kisses me on the lips. I feel like slapping myself when I think of Ash's lips on mine, and wish that he was in Sam's place. 

Do I really love Ash that much? 

I'm meant to hate him...!

"I'll let you girls talk, the guys are probably looking for me now anyway." Sam grins at Sarah, winks at me, and walks away. I stare at his back, not able to believe that he just left me alone with Medusa! 

"So...I have a lot to say, Taylor." Sarah breaks the silence, and I reluctantly look at her. 

"spit it out, Sarah." I muttered, annoyed.

She sighs, dramatically, and continues. "well...I want to say I'm truly really absolutely sorry about what happened 2 years ago. And thank you, again, for helping me-" 

"Oh, thanks!" I fake smiled. "I always wanted a backstabber as a friend." 

I try to walk past her but she stops me. 

"I know I hurt you and embarrassed you-" 

"You completely humiliated me after I helped you!" I snapped.

Sarah nodded. "I know. And that's why I'm saying sorry right now. And I want to make it up to you..how about we hang out tomorrow?" 

"How about we don't?" 

Sarah sighs. "Please, Taylor. I gave you a chance, give me one now. Please!" 

I narrow my eyes. 

I'm not going to be fooled by Sarah, ever again. 

"Sorry Sarah. If you're looking for a friendship then you're going to have to try harder than that." I bump my shoulder against hers and feel triumphant but she grabs my wrist and turns me around. 

"Ash likes you, you know." 

I feel absolutely annoyed and pissed off. Can't she get it, I want her to leave me alone!

"Of course I know," I nearly shout. "He kissed me last night!" 

And that's when everybody in the hall looks at me and starts whispering. Something flickers in Sarah's eyes, but then she pulls me into the bathroom. I catch Sam's eye before the door closes. 

"Oh my god. I can't believe I just said that in front of everyone.." I held my head in my hands, nearly crying, close to tears. 

Sarah hugs me, an awkward hug, and her perfume fill my nostrils. Makes me want to gag. 

"Sorry about that, Taylor. I think right now you need a popular friend, someone who can back you up more than your...not so popular...friend." 

"Lauren?" 

"Yep." Sarah nods, happy that I get what she means. 

But I would never replace Lauren with Sarah!

"Sarah-" 

"Shush! You have some explaining to do to Sam, but I apologised now, so I'll see you around. Unless you want a ride home..?" she looks at me, but I shake my head. 

"I have my own car. But thanks.." 

She smiles a sweet smile and walks out of the bathroom. 

This is just what I needed on top of everything else with Ash...it's all Ash's stupid fault, he kissed me! I kissed him back but..UGH. I go into one of the stalls and sit down on the covered toilet seat. 

"Tay, you here?" I hear Lauren's voice. 

I stand up. "in here." 

As I walk out of the stall, Lauren quickly hugs me. 

Then she hits me on the arm. "Ouch!" I rub it and stick my tongue out at her. 

"What was that for?!"

"For not telling your best friend that Ash kissed you!" she rolled her eyes and wiped my eyes with a wet handkerchief, then handed me her mascara and eyeliner. "Here, fix your make up." 

I took it and started to re-apply my eyeliner, then my mascara. "Thank, L."  

"No problem. But was that Sarah I saw you talk with earlier?" she asked, curious. 

"Yeah." I sighed. "She's completely trying to make me her friend.. I don't even know if she's going to be a real friend at this point. I'm so confused." 

"About Sarah?" 

I look at her, tears stinging my eyes. "About Ash!" 

"Well, he was trying to talk it out with you today but you refused and avoided him-" 

"Ugh, know it all!" 

Lauren laughed. 

"But I'm not ready to face him yet. I don't even know if he'll slam the door in my face or not. The things I said to him last night..." 

"Listen, Taylor. I know you, and you're incredibely sweet and pretty, and you and Ash have been best friends since the sandbox  times, so don't worry. Think before you act first, though.." she smiles and I give her a big grin. 

"Thank you so much, Lauren." I squeeze her. 

"Yeah yeah. What are friends for." she laughs when I finally release her. 

"Best friends." I correct her. 

"But you still need to go out there..." Lauren nods to the door. 

"I know." I sigh. "But Sam's out there...he'll be so mad." 

Lauren bit her lip, sympathy in her eyes. "Well, just tell him how you feel." 

I nod and we walk out into the corridor, and I'm about to approach Sam but he's nowhere to be seen. His locker, where he was a couple of minutes ago with his group of friends, is deserted. 

I sigh Lauren hurries to her last class of the day, but I know I'm already late so I take my time. 

Then I think that maybe I should skip it altogether anyway. 

With a slight shrug I get my stuff from my locker and walk out of the school, into the parking lot, get into my car and drive home. 

Yes. I'm a coward.