Resisting Temptation

Chapter 26

"I'm so sorry!" Emma was the first one to talk. As she said it, she burst out crying at the same time. Connor put a arm around her to comfort her and she cried into his chest.

"Shit, Autumn....I..." Elle gabbled off not knowing what to say.

"I'm sorry I failed you." Ellis said bowing his head.

"Yeah, we're all sorry." Tiffany said swallowing back the tears.

"I didn't realise what a horrible best friend I've been since Seth yelled at us." Elle said her face streaked with tears. "We could have helped you, we could've-" She stopped, eyes wide.

"We could've done something." Emma finished for her in a whisper. "We could have listened to you, we knew about it and we just ignored it. We were selfish."

"Well," I said not knowing what to say. I mean yes, they were my friends who just completely forgot about me and that hurt but at the same time it wasn't their fault. It was going to happen sooner or later and I just sped it up getting less people involved and hurt.

"Sorry."

"Stop apologizing." I grinded out through my teeth making them look at me shocked. I sighed, shit, what was wrong with me? "It's not your fault. It's my mess. Yes you could have been better friends but what's done if done. It was my decision. It was bound to happen at one point anyway." I said rolling my tongue over my teeth.

"Autumn," Elle asked desperately looking at me. She'd been my best friend for years, I knew this was hurting her the most. "We've been best friends for longer then anything else. Nothing should have gotten between us, I should have paid more attention, you're the reason I came here. To be here for you, so you wouldn't have to go through it alone."

When she put it like that, it seemed to hurt even more. I didn't blame them but knowing what she said was right I suddenly felt like I wanted to break down crying. My best friend had forgotten about me, finding a mate was huge and I was happy for her but was she just going to ignore me then?

I shook them thoughts away.

"As far as I'm concerned, none of you are to blame. Can we forget all this now please?" I asked and they nodded in turn. I felt the warmth of a body behind me and looked up to see Jake. "Really?" I asked and he adverted his gaze to me.

"What?" He asked innocently.

"It hasn't been ten minutes." I scoffed and crossed my arms.

"Well, it felt like longer." My heart sped up and I looked away so he wouldn't see the faint blush on my cheeks. Aw, he wanted to be with me. It was cute but I could see it being annoying in the future. "Excuse us," He said to our friends. Well, my friends, Jake didn't act like they were his anymore.

"Why?" I asked put his hand on the small of my back and started leading me out.

"There's someone I want you to meet." He smiled.

"Who?" I asked frowning.

"Be patient." He chuckled and I pouted. "Did you forgive them?" He asked as we stood in the hallway.

"There was nothing to forgive." I shrugged. "I mean, it was my decision and it would have happened but this way avoided less people getting hurt, or so I hope." I grimaced knowing Dean was still out there. "Did it hurt that they stopped acting like friends towards me? Yes but I can understand why." I said now smiling at him.

"Yeah well, I prefer your new friends. And Seth of course." He smiled and leant down to quickly kiss me before opening the door we were stood outside of.