As Alannah stared down at her notebook she could feel her cheeks flushing a dark shade of red. Ms MacNathuna continued droning on as Zach walked through the aisles. As Zach began to get closer to Alannah's desk, Alannah realised the desk was free right next to her seeing as her "friends" had chosen different desks. Crap. As Zach arrived at Alannah desk he bent down and whispered in her ear very silently, "Hey beautiful. Is this seat taken?" Through grimaced teeth Alannah replied with a swift "no," and continued to stare at her notebook. She was too scared to make eye contact with anyone. The class seemed to last a lot longer than usual and Alannah could feel Zach's eyes fixed on her the whole time. She remembered her and Zach's past and cringed to herself. When the bell rang she sighed with relief, scooped up her books up and bolted out of the classroom before someone could utter a word to her.
Alannah kept to herself for most of the day until lunch time. She spotted Tatum at her new locker by herself and before Tatum could escape, Alannah approached her.
A: Look Tatum I am so so so so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I know how much you like Jonah and that is why I plan on doing my very best to set you two up to make it up to you!
T: Sorry Alannah but I don't want your sloppy seconds. *Tatum pushed by Alannah forcefully*
Alannah grabbed Tatum's arm which forced her to stop in her tracks.
A: Please Tatum...It was a mistake. What can I do to make it up to you?
Tatum stood, staring at Alannah for what felt like an eternity, thinking. Finally Tatum came up with a solution.
T: To make it up to me, you have to never speak to Jonah again.
A: Done.
T: If I see you even saying hi to him, this is over for real.
A: Okay, I promise Tate...I promise.
Alannah and Tate walked to the canteen together and sat down with Sarah and Emma. Sarah and Emma looked terribly confused when they saw Tate with Alannah.
T: Guys, it's over. Can we all just forget about it?
S: Okayyyy...
E: Anywayyy...have you guys seen the new guy? I think his name is Zach. I think he's so dreamy! What about you Alannah?
Alannah wanted to cry. She thought that her friends would move past this but obviously Emma likes to hold a grudge. Emma knew about her and Zach, unlike the others and chose to remind Alannah about it too.
A: Emmm...haven't really thought about him.
E: Funny that. I personally thought your thoughts would revolve around him.
T: What do you mean Emma?
A: NOTHING. She means nothing.
The rest of the lunch was fine. They chatted about normal things, avoiding the topic of Tate and Jonah but Sarah kept flashing Alannah looks of confusion. When the bell rang for the end of lunch, Sarah pulled Alannah aside.
S: What did Emma mean back there about the new guy Zach?
Alannah's stomach dropped. She already felt guilty enough and didn't want to keep any secrets from Sarah.
A: You promise you won't tell anyone?
S: I promise.
A: Well...back when I was dating Dylan, we went to a party on the Northside. Emma was there with her ex, Paul. I drank wayyy too much beer and everything got a little crazy. I was talking to Zach and next thing I knew we were kissing. Things got pretty heated with us. *Alannah sighed remembering the dreaded night* Well one thing led to another and Dylan and Emma caught Zach and I together.
Sarah gasped. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
S: Wait but I thought you said YOU broke up with Dylan because HE cheated on YOU?!
A: I know what I said.
Sarah didn't know what to say to Alannah. Dylan was a d*ck but she couldn't help but feel bad for the guy. Sarah knew how much Dylan liked Alannah and was surprised when she heard he had cheated on her.
S: So...what are you going to do about Zach?
A: I don't know...He keeps texting me and trying to talk to me but every time I see his face I remember Dylan's face when he saw me with Zach. Any advice?
S: I don't Alannah maybe try limit yourself to one boy?
A: What's that supposed to mean?
S: I just think you are...involved...with a lot of people some being male and maybe you should...lay off.
A: You're just jealous because Daniel isn't here and is probably on the road meeting a new girl every night.
Sarah gasped, again. She was angry now...very angry. She wanted to hit Alannah across the face but instead she picked up the nearest glass of water and threw the contents in Alannah's face. She then left a dripping wet Alannah standing in the canteen and briskly walked away.
Alannah didn't know what to do. She couldn't lose her friends again. She had to win back their trust before it was really too late. Alannah picked up her phone and began to text furiously. As Alannah was walking back to her locker, she ran into Jonah. She ignored him as she was still composing her text.
J: Hey Alannah!
No response.
J: Hey so seeing as the debs are coming up I was wondering if-
Alannah looked up from her phone. She had completely forgotten about the debs. Alannah felt bad but remembered what Tate had said.
A: No, sorry.
She cringed as she left him standing there but then, she thought of something.
A: Hey Jonah. I'm sorry I can't go with you because...I already have a date *"Yeah right," Alannah thought.* but...my beautiful and hilarious friend Tatum Dahl doesn't have a date and I'm sure you two would have a blast together.
Jonah stood there thinking for a while.
J: Yeah sure why not. *Alannah's heart sang* what's her number?
Alannah gave Jonah Tate's number and continued to her locker feeling very happy with herself. She had put the thought of Tatum in Jonah's mind and had started to repair her mistakes with Sarah. All she would have to do was find herself a debs date. Just like fate, as Alannah thought that, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Alannah secretly hoped it to be 1 of 2 people but she was very disappointed when she turned around and was met with the smiling face of Jace.
Jace: Hey Alannah. Haven't seen you since the party on Friday. How are you?
A: Yeah yeah I'm fine thanks.
She seemed distracted as she talked to Jace. Jace noticed her looking around and not focusing on him, something he had hoped she would do since they were 7.
J: Are you okay Alannah? You seem distracted...
A: Yeah yeah I'm fine thanks. Have you seen Dylan?
"There's that question again," thought Jace.
J: No he's probably with his new girlfriend.
A: His new what?!
J: Didn't you hear? Dylan and-
But before Jace could finish, Dylan walked through the school door with none the other but Emma under his arm.
