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6

We began to walk towards the school so Charlie could change out of his uniform and take a shower. I told him I didn't mind waiting, so there I sat, on the floor next to the door of the boys locker room.

I was scrolling through Instagram when I saw someone's shoes in front of me. I looked up to see Alyssa, anger apparent on her face. Before I could speak, she was yelling at me. She was telling me how stupid I was and that I ruined everything for her. What was she talking about? I asked her what this was all about but she wouldn't give me that answer so I shot back with the anger I had been holding in since the end of the football game. "You are completely the wrong person to be angry right now. I'm the one who should be angry! You kissed him Alyssa! You kissed the boy I have liked for four years and act as if I'm the problem. Are you shitting me right now?! So are you dating him now or something? Is that what the holding hands was about and is that why you interrupted my conversation with Charlie? I get that if you liked him but you should have told me. I would have stepped back, but no, you just went ahead and took something that I wanted just like you always do. Then you preceded to parade it in my face! I can't believe you would do that! You're my best friend, or does that mean nothing to you anymore?" I finally took a breath, my head feeling like it was going to explode due to the amount of heat that it was holding.

It was silent until laughter filled the hallway. "Wow, I do one thing wrong and the fangs finally come out. You know if that's all it took for you to finally fight back, I should have kissed Logan sooner." Those words hit home. Is that what my "best friend" really thinks of me? She thinks I'm a pushover?

Now it was my turn to laugh. "So that's what you really think of me, huh?" She looked straight into my eyes, never losing eye contact. "Always did." My heart dropped and I began to feel tears form in my eyes. I stuffed them back, refusing to let her see me cry.

Before I could reply, she spoke again. "Oh by the way, consider yourself without a best friend as of now." She turned on her heel, walking off down the hall but just before I was out of earshot, she spoke one more word. "Bitch."

Suddenly, my bones couldn't hold the flesh of my body and I leaned against the wall for support. Soon afterwards, my legs gave out and I slid back down to the floor, sitting there with my head resting against the wall. I closed my eyes. I was too tired to fight my eyes to stay open. Besides, it was an easy way to hide the tears that threatened to pour out of me like a river.

I lost track of time as I sat there motionless. I only opened my eyes when I heard the locker room door opening. I looked to my right to see Charlie standing there looking down the hallway, most likely looking for me. He then looked to the other hallway in my direction, eventually seeing me sitting on the floor. Upon seeing me, a huge smile appeared on his face. I stood up and tried to return that smile but it was weak. One of Charlie's eyebrows rose and he looked concerned. Before he could speak however, we were cut off by the very person I never wanted to see again.

"Charlie!" Her high pitched scream rang through our ears just like they had at the end of the football game. Within seconds, she was standing in front of me acting as if I didn't exist. "So you're driving Logan and I home. Are we leaving yet?" Charlie seemed to notice how Alyssa didn't even acknowledge me and I could see anger slowly starting to rise inside him. I caught his glance and he locked eyes with me. I shook my head. I didn't want to be anywhere near this girl anymore. Just the thought of her made me sick.

"Actually Alyssa, I'm already driving AJ home." Wow, he's angry. Charlie only ever calls his sister by her fully name when he's mad. Ever since we were kids, it's always been Aly. That thought made my heart flutter. He didn't even hear what happened and he already took my side, not his sister's.

A smile formed on my lips without even having to think about it. "There's more than one seat in the car Charlie. All of us could fit. You're giving Logan and I a ride." Alyssa fired back and I looked to Charlie to see what he would do. His gaze was always on me, never his sister. "I'm not giving either of you a ride and if you have a problem with that I'm sure you can call mom and dad and while you're at it you might as well explain to them that you're being a bitch to your best friend." Charlie brushed past Alyssa, grabbing my hand and we headed for the exit of the school, towards the parking lot.

I slid onto the black leather interior seats inside his Mustang, Charlie closing the door behind me. I sat motionless staring at the car parked in front of us until the door on the other side of the car opened and Charlie slid in. I continued to look at the parked car in front of us as Charlie backed out of the spot and began to drive. He didn't say anything as we drove. He knew I would tell him what happened between Alyssa and I anyway and he didn't want to force me to do anything I didn't want to do.

After what seemed like an eternity which in reality was only four minutes, I began to tell Charlie everything.