Why Don't We? // Jack Avery fanfiction

Something Different

I give Jack a quick kiss on the cheek as a thank you for driving me to school, and step out of the car. I walk around to his window, and he puts his hand out. I take it in mine. "Bye baby, have a great day, okay?" He says, looking into my eyes. "I'll try" I whisper in a low voice. "You'll be great Em! You're the smartest person I know. He quickly kisses my hand, and drives off, yelling "good luck" out the window as he speeds off. I can't help but laugh. He always knows how to make me feel better.

As I'm walking up to the front of the school, there are so many people I don't recognize. Probably 9th graders. Someone taps me on my back, and I quickly spin around. To my surprise, 4 girls that I don't know are directly behind me. They look quite a lot younger than myself.

"Hi! Uhm.. we don't mean to be rude or anything..  but we are huge fans of Why Don't We.. and like.. we just think that it's so cool how you're dating Jack.. and yeah.. uh, could we get a picture?" One of them stutters nervously. I'm shocked. Nobody from school has ever treated me like this before. "Of course! Are you guys in grade 9?" I ask. They nod and tell me that they're really nervous for their first day; I assure them its nothing to worry about. We quickly take some selfies, and I ask them if they would like me to show them to their classes. They all nod rigorously. As I'm walking the girls to their classes, I see Madeleine pressed up against a locker. Her friends had all graduated over the summer, so I guess it's just her now, out to find her popular group. "Okay, heres room 112. I'll see you guys around!" I say cheerfully to the 9th graders. They too say their goodbyes and tell me that they hope to see me again. Madeleine and I stare each other down. This time though, this time I'm not afraid of her.

"Hello Emily." She says with a sinister smile. I think back to all the things shes done to me in the past, and decide not to even bother entertaining her. Instead of responding to her, I flip my hair, and walk down the hall. In my mind I'm panicking, but I try to keep myself as calm and collected as possible. Fortunately, I run into Rachael in the hall. She skips up to me and links arms with mine. "Emily, Jonah is just the best. I can't believe he's mine. I saw some girl in the hallway had a picture of him as her lockscreen. Isn't that crazy??" She asks me, as we walk to the line up where we recieve pur schedules. "Crazy." I agree, nodding my head. We both giggle and search for our schedules in the 12th grade folder. "Got mine!" I say. Shortly after Rachael has hers too. "We have 4/6 classes together!" She squeals. I laugh at her enthusiasm, but I'm secretly glad we have so many classes together.

~~Lunch~~

I walk over to the table where Rachael and I used to eat with our friends. I greet eveyone, and they're all eager to hear about my summer with Jack, and everything that's happened. I begin to tell them all the stories, and they listen, eyes wide. That's when the unthinkable happens.

Rachael walks up to the table, head held high, with Madeleine directly beside her. "Em, can I talk to you for a second?" She asks, walking over to the side of the hall. I follow her with a questioning look on my face. "Emily. I know we hate her.. but.. ugh I can't be a bad person Em, I was going to the bathroom and I heard someone in the stall next to me crying, so I asked if she was okay, and she kept crying and well.. it was Madeleine and she spilled her heart out to me. Em she feels so badly about what she's done. She really does. And honestly, it was kinda nice the conversation we had. She's really changed, and she'll be nice to you now Em, I promise. I told her she could eat with us today, but if it doesn't work, she doesn't have to come back."

My jaw drops. I can't believe Rachael is doing this. I try to respond but the words don't come out, so we all sit together. Eveyone is talking and laughing, but I've drowned the sound out. I can't bare to hear Madeleine talk, even for a minute. As I'm daydreaming, and poking at the food in front of me, Rachael taps my shoulder.

"Madeleine was asking you a question Em"

"Oh." I say, unenthusiastically, poking at my lunch with a fork. Madeleine begins talking even though I didn't bother looking up.

"Emily, I was just wondering.. why are you dating Jack?" She smirks, and crosses her arms.

"What do you mean - why am I dating Jack?" I say, looking up for the first time; clearly unimpressed.

"Well, I was just wondering. I mean clearly Corbyn likes you. I've seen their snapchats and insta stories. It's obvious he likes you. So why are you with Jack? He's the shortest, and honestly the least attractive if you ask me. He cheated on you anway. Just go for Corbyn." She says nonshalantly.

I feel the anger rise in my throat. Madeleine is getting exactly what she wants. She's nudging her way into my life just to make it miserable for me. "I'm dating Jack because I love him, and really, it's none of your business." I say, sounding annoyed. Thankfully, Elora, a friend of mine speaks up. "Yeah Madeleine. I'm not trying to be rude, but really it's none of your business." Thankfully Madeleine stays quiet for the rest of lunch, even though I wished she had said something to make eveyone mad so she would be kicked out of the group.

"Hey, Jonah just texted me! The boys are throwing a party on Friday!" I already knew about the party because  the boys had told me. I guess they didn't tell Rach until now. "Let's all go together!" Rachael practically danced in her seat. "Can I come?" Madeleine asked, acting nice to Rachael. "Yeah of course!!" Rachael smiled.

"Perfect!! I'll make a move on Corbyn since Emily clearly isn't interested in him." She snickers and sends me a glare.

"Oh God." I think to myself. This is going to be a hard school year.