Only You

Chapter 32: Stockholm Syndrome

I haven't seen Stella since yesterday and I'm starting to get worried. She doesn't reply to my texts or answers my calls, I hope she's fine. I don't want see her suffering any longer, she's my best friend and I absolutely understand how she must be feeling.

I close my locker and see with the corner of my eye Jade walking next to me. I'm dying of curiosity about what she's about to tell me. I can't imagine the hundreds of lies she's planning to fill my head with. The good thing is that now I know how she really is and I won't believe anything coming out from her mouth.

"Hey, pal." Jade says smiling, placing her hand on the side of my arm. I quickly look at her from top to bottom, I really don't care if she notices. She likes it when people check her out anyway. I would really want to know how or why she changed so much, she is a complete different person, physically and emotionally. She's wearing a dark blue tight dress and nude flats, pretty decent for her.

"Hi, Jade." I calmly say. I will respect her and be friendly but I won't trust her and will neither be her friend again.

"Let's go out tonight, you really need it." She says, getting to the point, scanning my innocent looking face. "You should get drunk tonight." It's weird she wants to go out with me.

"Jade," I say and press my lips together before speaking, "I know about the mess you caused between Liam and me, you don't have to pretend to be my friend." I tell her, emphasizing the 'friend' term.

"Oh." She says surprised. I'm guessing she's embarrassed but she is still making eye contact with me, which is rare. "I'm sorry." She apologizes, "I know I made a mistake, you don't have to tell me that, I know it, but just be careful alright." Careful about what? "I know you don't want me as a friend anymore but I still care about you. So be careful who you're friends with." Jade says. What type of advice is that? Is that some sort of apology? I don't know and I won't ask.

"Okay." Is the only thing I say. Jade nods and walks away, moving her blonde ponytail from side to side, her curls bouncing with every step she takes.

That was honestly the weirdest and most awkward conversation I have ever had with Jade, she's always so not serious about anything, but this time she looked pretty convinced about what she was talking about. I don't know if this is another one of her insane games, because if it is, I don't find it funny at all.

On my way to my Spanish class, I find Zach and walk with him. It looks like he's been working out, his black short-sleeve shirt shows how big his biceps are getting and I am impressed, he never said anything about getting buff and strong. I hope he isn't noticing my indiscretion, which would be pretty embarrassing for me.

Before we enter to the classroom Zach stops me, "Allie, I have to tell you something." He says dead serious. "It's important." That sounded bad, I don't want to hear more horrible news, I want beautiful and cute things happening, not depressing heartbreaking stuff.

"What is it?" I ask. Even though his voice sounded as if he was about to tell me some bad news, I am still curious about what he is going to tell me, just like moments ago with Jade.

"Allie." I listen to Liam's voice behind me. I turn around and find him walking towards us. Are all the boys consuming steroids or something? Because they are looking pretty fine today, or maybe I just didn't notice before, I must be getting used to see them like this every day.

"Hey." I say and wave at him. He leans down a little and places a kiss on my cheek, as usual.

"Hey, Zach." Liam says and Zach half smiles. "We should get in before the teacher comes." He suggests and I nod. He lets me go in first and then he follows. I finally see Stella's face and I let a breath go. I walk to my seat and she's already looking at me when I arrive.