In The Midst Of A Crowd

Chapter 5

I'm walking to class, joking and fooling around, with James, Peyton, Colin and Lucas until I spot something that makes me freeze in my tracks. I completely forgot about having Austin in my Spanish class because I was having too much fun with my friends.

"Ashlynne? Are you alright?" James asks me, concerned, interrupting my thoughts.

"No, but I'd rather not talk about it. Don't be surprised if Srta. Rosa asks to talk to me." I reply.

"Oh. Okay. Would you like to sit with me?' he asks.

"Yes please. Let's go in now before I lose my courage and want to leave." I say. James casually slings his arms over my shoulders and Colin says something which makes all of us laugh.

As soon as we walk into class everyone stops talking and watches what James is going to do. There is a free desk at the back that Lucas and Colin take, Peyton sits next to one of her friends, Rosie I think, at the front of the class and there are two more desks with one person at each: Sadie Clarke and Austin Grey.

As soon as they see us Austin glares at James and Sadie glares at me as she gets up to talk to James.

"Hey sweetie. I saved you a seat." Sadie says to him.

"Thanks Sade, but I'm gonna have to get you to go and sit somewhere else." He says.

"Why? So you can sit with this thing?" She says with a smirk.

"First of all Sadie, Ash is one of my best friends and I'm here for her. She is the number one girl in my life next to Katie. And second I really don't like the way you are treating her. You even talk to her again and we are through. Do you understand?" James says angrily, pulling me towards the desk in front of the boys where Sadie was originally sitting. He must be acting like this because he's now heard the bullying first hand. I never knew I meant that much to him.

"Thanks James," I say with a sad smile "but I don't want to come between you and your girlfriend."

"Don't worry Ash. You're the most important person, remember? I-" James is interrupted by Ms. Rosa walking into the class. What was he gonna say? I wonder if he'll tell me later? I think to myself.

"Hola clase. Hoy vamos a revisar las reglas y hablar sobre el verano con su compañero de mesa. Empieza. Y Ashlynne, puedo hablar con tigo afuera? (Hello class. Today we will be going over the rules and talking about our summer with your desk partner. Begin. Ashlynne, can I talk to you outside for a minute?)"

"Por su puesto. (Of course)" I say, getting up. James gives me a tight squeeze before letting me leave (his arm never left my shoulders). Once again everyone stares at me and whispers but the most intent gaze was coming from Austin. Peyton gave me a reassuring grin before turning to talk to her partner and I step out of the classroom.

"Hey sweetie. I just came out of a meeting with Ms. England and Coach Hudson where she told us that you and Mr. Grey need to be apart. Is everything alright?" Ms. Rosa explains to me.

"I guess. He's just part of the reason that I moved here. Him and I used to be best friends, but something happened so I left for the ninth grade. It's not something I really enjoy talking about." I say.

"Okay sweetie. Just let me know if you ever need anything."

"Of course Srta."

When I walk into class it seems as if everyone is watching my every move. The most intense gaze is the one that captures my attention. James looks like like he's studying me, trying to figure out what just happened. We stare at eachother for a couple seconds, but I break it by looking to the side towards Austin who is also watching me. Something must have clicked in James' head at that moment because he immediately stiffens and glares at Austin. I quickly sit down next to him and he puts his arms across my shoulders protectively and gives me a questioning glance.

"I'll tell you later." I whisper to him and he just nods. We are quiet the rest of the class because we were given a worksheet to complete. When class ends we walk out of class and go to Algebra. It went by quickly because I was with my friends again. When we walk out of the class, with me and Peyton's arms linked and James's arm around me I prepare myself for probably the worst period of today: Lunch.

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A/N:
Sorry it's been so long guys. I've been really busy trying to jam as much time with my friends into my last week before school starts. I was in the mountains with my friend the past couple of days and it helped me think of what I wanted to do with this chapter. I know I told a couple of people what I wanted to do with this chapter, but some things didn't make it. Sorry, but plans change :)
Hope you guys enjoyed it. I won't be able to update for a few days because school starts tomorrow, but I will do my best!

-Caelen ♥ :)