Changing You ✦ 𝑍.𝐷.𝐻.

Chapter 18 {R}

My hand left Zach's as I got up, not thinking twice about going after my just stormed off friend.

"Daniel!" I called after him, chasing him down the hall, but he only quickened his pace. "Daniel, wait!"

Taking a sprint, I watched him enter the boys locker room and slam the door shut after him.

Not caring about the fact that I, as a girl, wasn't allowed to go inside there, I pulled the door back open.

Walking into the locker room, I remembered the many times I had been here. Times when Daniel had lost his control and I helped him gain it back. Only at those times, the room would be empty.

Right now, it was far from.

I was met with shirtless, some close to naked, guys whose eyes widened in shock as they saw me barge into the room.

I didn't care about them though. My eyes were searching for one, dark haired person in special. I found him dropping himself down on a bench somewhere in the back.

Breathing out, I started making my way over to him, pushing past the unclothed guys who were trying to get dressed as fast as they could.

"What the hell, Avery?" Peter, who just stepped out of the shower, quickly covered up his crotch with a towel.

For a second, I slowed down. Shaking my head at him, I remembered how he was going to try and have sex with me for their alphabet game. A bitter chuckle fell over my lips. "Oh, shut up, Peter. It's not like you've got anything to cover up down there."

He was at a loss of words as I pushed past him, only to be met with a very amused looking Jackson. With a grin on his face, he positioned himself in front of me, blocking my way.

Coldly, I stared up at him. He still had a cast around his damaged nose, thanks to Zach. The only other thing on his body, was the towel wrapped around his waist.

"Can I help you with something, sweetheart?" He asked, licking his bottom lip.

"Yes," I said, tone flat. "You can get the hell out of my way."

A chuckle fell over his lips and it disgusted me. "Oh, but baby-"

"I will make sure your nose is double broken if you don't step aside now," I cut him off harshly. Raising my eyebrows at him challengingly, I continued: "Wanna see if I'm bluffing?"

He let his gaze linger on me and seemed to come to the conclusion that I meant it. As soon as he moved aside, I rushed past him and finally reached my best friend.

Daniel was sitting on the bench, shoulders sunken down in defeat and hands rubbing over his face. "Riley, you should go," he said softly.

I shook my head. "Not until you tell me what's going on with you."

He didn't look at me. "You shouldn't be in here. Go away," he said stubbornly.

I looked down at him. "Not until you talk to me," I responded just as stubbornly.

He sighed. "I did talk to you, and I told you to leave. Now please," he went with his hand through his dark hair. "Just go."

Shaking my head once again, I folded my arms over each other. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on," I stated.

When he remained silent, my tone softened. "Daniel, you're my best friend, please just tell me what's going on with you. You know you can, right? Whatever it is."

"That's all I'll ever be, right?" He looked up at me shortly, hurt lacing his blue eyes. Turning his eyes away again, he scratched the back of his neck, a deep sigh escaping his lips. "Ri-"