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Chapter XVIII

Chapter 18

A m a n d a

I gather my things from my locker and check for perhaps another stupid note. I find none, but just as I'm about to shut the door and set my bag on the ground I notice a folded paper on the floor next to my shoe. Similar to the one from Friday.

We're not done yet.

I glance around, but neither her minions or herself are in sight.  She must have done this earlier. It would explain her car parked in one of the closest spots to the back entrance. 

The paper wrinkles in my hand as shove it into my pocket. Just as I'm about to sling my bag over my shoulder my eyes are covered. My body goes rigid and a bit a fear that I've been trying to push back creeps into my system. 

"Amanda?" He drops his hands and I finally relax. It's just him.  "Sorry are you okay?" I close my locker and turn to face him. Only to find a big smile on his lips. He looks happy. More relaxed than I've ever seen him before. Almost as if a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders. 

I nod. "Yeah, just took me by surprise. What about you, you had a good weekend?" I ask.

His smile widens as if that's possible, and nods. Well I'm guess he and Luke are good then- nothing must have happened after. "Are you sure you're okay?  You seem tried." He suddenly asks. His eyes turn to concern real quick as he scans my face, most specially under my eyes. "Did something happen?"

Yeah, your ex has been bothering me with childish notes taped to my locker. There's someone else who's most likely watching me beside her. I was the one you talked to Saturday. Overall I'm hiding a ton of things from you and everyone else, and you might hate me when this is all over. You know the usual.

"I just didn't sleep well, but I'm okay." His eyes narrow and that beautiful smile drops a bit.

But before he gets a chance to interrogate me any further, my name flows in the hallway causing me to turn and notice Eva who's already making her way towards us. Her eyes holding curiously as she catches sight of Derek beside me.

"Eva!" 

She pulls me into a hug swaying us back and forth before she lets go.

"Hey, Derek" She waves as he nods back- his eyes not leaving me.

"Do you mind if I borrow her?" She states.

He pulls out his phone, surely checking the time. "I'll just meet you in class." He gives us one last smile, his eyes briefly glancing at Eva, before disappearing into the small crowds.

I look back at Eva. Shes staring at me then back to where Derek had gone, raising her brows as she does. "So you and Derek huh?" I roll my eyes "No, we're just friends." She puts a hand on her hip "Okay then don't tell me, but what's going around states the opposite."

Of course, how could I forget rumors here run fast.

"You know, I'm surprised Zo-" her words cut off as her eyes settle over me. The smile she had on slowly disappears and her shoulders tense. I glance behind me. Speck of the devil... She stands a few lockers away, talking to some girls from the soccer team, not noticing us yet. 

"You good?" I ask, looking back at her. Eva nods dropping her gaze to the floor. "Yeah, I gotta go." and with that she walks the opposite direction away from me and Zoe who's now gone as well.

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During Lunch, my eyes wander to everyone at the table, each one at ease, until they land on Zoe. Who for the first time doesn't notice or acknowledge me at all, not a glance- nothing. A part of me wants to go up to her and confront her about the notes, but that would only cause problems and a speech from Brenda no doubt. Surely she saw that hug from Friday, but why the notes? Why not brother me about it or threaten me again as shes known for. Has she finally moved on?