Removed

14

 As I amble into school, I'm ambushed by my mob of new friends. Well, not in the sense that they all charge up to me together and look all cool. More like Eva runs up to me like normal, Jared is running for his life, and Cody is chasing him. Suddenly, Jared bolts behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders while Cody crosses his arms. It honestly takes all I have not to burst into guffaws. Sadly, Eva doesn't take the same initiative.

"What in the world did I just walk into?" I wonder, shoving Jared out from behind me by the hands.

The two wrestle each other to the ground while Eva rolls her eyes.

"So, that- that arrogant rich boy is going to be part of our group now?" Eva scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest and narrowing her chocolate eyes.

"Group?" I ask, baffled.

The two idiots seem to have worked out their quarrel and now stand brushing themselves off.

"Yeah, we can be the Chip Busters gang," Cody cheers, lowering his voice at the mention of 'Chip Busters.'

His cousin nods, face twisted into a pompous smirk. "Since I'm in it, the group is awesome by default."

"No!" Eva exclaims, shoving her palm in front his face. "I don't wish to hang out with the likes of you."

Jared seems genuinely shocked, face scrunched up in a mixture of shock and disgust. "Well, no one wants you here, either."

Emitting a sigh, I wrap my arm around my simmering friend's shoulders. "You know, Jared, I don't think I've formally forgiven you."

Cody bursts out laughing and Eva slightly shakes as she giggles. Actually, I have already forgiven him along with Cody. I'd like to believe that the troubles of the past are behind us. I'd love to believe that maybe, just maybe, I've finally made some friends.

Jared's mouth opens and closes, eyebrows furrowed as he fishes for a witty response. His expression is actually quite comical, the way his pointy nose turns up and his dimples peek from beneath his porcelain skin. "Well, Autumn," He finally exclaims, rummaging through his pocket and thrusting a wrapped object in my direction, "Would you like the remains of my breakfast? You know, as a peace offering."

Scrunching my nose in disgust, I shove his hand back by his side. "No thanks."

His face falls and he tosses the remains to the ground, much to horror of the rest of us. However, the mood considerably lightens as Kaylee's foot catches on the foil. She staggers, arms failing about. Finally, her bum collides with the linoleum floor. My group erupts in snickers, Eva's face turning red. For some reason, I can only emit a small chuckle.

Awkwardly, I extend my hand to Kaylee. She stares at it as though I'm about to smack her across the face. Once she comes to terms with the fact that I mean to help her, she shoves away my arm and pushes herself up. My used-to-be friend flicks me a stormy glare before storming off. Her light red hair perfectly represents her mood.

Immediately, my feet seem to move of their own accord. The other students littering the hallway sway out of focus until Kaylee's back is as clear as a cloudless day. The sound of our footsteps mingle into one. I begin to run until my fingers grasp her thin arm, yanking her towards me and halting her in her steps.

"I was trying to help you, Kaylee," I seethe, anger instantly battling for dominance.

Her gray eyes bore into my own until hers become no more than slits. "Yeah, you really helped me by stealing one of my best friends. Way to go, Autumn. You should win friend of the year."