Bet. //Montgomery de la Cruz\\ AU

Chapter 1

//Emily\\

I walked into school with my best friend, Hannah Baker. We were just talking about everything and anything, a thing we do a lot.

"So, have you talked to Jeff?" Hannah asked curiously, sporting a schoolgirl grin.

"Well, I mean I talk to him all the time so technically yes I have."

"That's so not what I meant and you know it. Have you told him how you feel?" She pressed.

"No, I haven't," I said shamefully.

Jeff and I are really close, and I've come to the realization that I am crushing hardcore. I told Hannah and now she insists that I tell him.

"Come on Em, you can't hide this from him forever. You need to tell him," she paused for a second,"or I'll tell him for you."

I looked at her with wide eyes to see she had a smug grin on her face. Two can play that game.

"If you tell Jeff, I'll tell Clay." I told her, eyebrows raised, serious expression.

"You wouldn't dare," she said looking back at me with the same expression.

"Do you really wanna take that risk?" I said, eyes narrowing slightly.

We stood there for a moment just staring at each other with our poker faces before erupting into laughter.

"Fine I won't tell but you need to man up."

"Uh, I'm not a man?" I said jokingly.

"You know what I meant," she said hitting me on the arm smiling.

"What if he doesn't like me back? It could literally ruin everything and-" I was cut off by a familiar voice.

"What if who doesn't like you back?"

I turned around to face Clay Jensen.

"Just, this guy, I've been crushing on him for a while now and Hannah strongly believes I should tell him." I said quickly hoping he wouldn't press me on who.

Luckily he wasn't all that interested in who.

"So, why don't you listen to her? What's the worst that could happen?" He said confused.

"Well for starters, the worst that could happen is him not liking me back and thus ultimately ruining our friendship. Secondly, how am I supposed to follow her advice if she won't even follow it?" I said giving Hannah a pointed look.

"What's the big deal about it? If he doesn't like you back screw him," Clay said shrugging.

"Oh dear Helmet, you don't understand these things at all," Hannah said sarcastically, putting her hand on his shoulder in mock comfort.

Clay just looked at us with his brows furrowed.

"Clay, say you liked this girl, you thought she was the most amazing person ever, but you didn't know if she liked you back, would you still tell her even if it means tarnishing your beautiful friendship?" I asked, looking him in the face.

He stood there, opening and closing his mouth trying to find the words to say.

"Exactly, you'd be afraid to because you don't want to lose what you already have," I said, smiling proudly.

Hannah looked at me with a jokingly disbelieving look. "All I'm trying to say is it's at least worth a shot."

"Who is it you like anyway?" Clay asked curiously.

"Nobody of your concern," I said, eyes slightly widened.

"Okay fine, don't tell me, I'll just pay attention to who you stare at all day," he said smiling.