Everything Changes

Chapter 16: Ripped pants

                                                                     Aria's POV

The weekend went slower than I would have liked. Zack stayed the whole weekend, like usual but this Pizza girl a.k.a Cindy kept showing up. She said she wanted to spend time with "Her" man. Barf.

Lucky for me Em never left my side. We mostly stayed in my room just so we didn't have to deal with her. I am not sure why she would really even want to come to my house. When she showed up with them that night it really surprised me.

Speaking of that night when she showed up. Ryder and the other guys left quickly. I'm not sure why they left so fast. But what I did know was that I was in some real trouble with Alison when she found out. I wasn't looking forward to that. There are lots of throwable objects in P.E. I sighed just thinking about what was going to happen to me today.

I took a quick shower before getting ready this morning. Afterwards, I ran downstairs and got some breakfast. Mom was already gone this morning before I even got up and my brother well, he was still laying in bed sleeping. I ran upstairs and grabbed my phone pausing to take one look in the mirror and walked across the hall to wake up my brother.

I was in for a surprise when Zack opened the door. For a moment I didn't know what to say. I stood there with this stupid frozen look on my face. He didn't say anything, just stared at me.

"Can you tell my brother that he should get his lazy butt up before we are late for school." I stood there for a second but then he went to say something to me, and honestly I didn't care to hear what he had to say so I walked away without a word to him. I looked at my phone and shot Em a text letting her know I would have to be stuck in the car with him yet again.

Sticking my phone in my pocket I walked downstairs to grab my brother a pop tart and headed out to the car. Climbing into the passenger seat. I wasn't going to sit back and just stare at him from behind. Forced to think about what could have been. I was better than that and I wasn't going to let him treat me the way he has been treating me. Not anymore. I refuse.

The car ride went by quickly. Thankfully. I waved bye to my brother and ran towards Em, who was waiting for me by the entrance. "Who's ready for another crappy day?" She gave me this fake cheery smile. I looped my arm through hers while we walked to my locker.

"I think I might have to walk you to your lockers every time now." Even though it was obvious I asked, anyway. "Why?" She lifted one eyebrow at me. "Because Cindy saw you, and I am pretty sure she is going to help Alison target you and take you down." She grabbed my books out of my locker for me. "You got me so you don't have to worry too much."

I knew Em had my back, but I wasn't sure I wanted to drag her into my mess. Sighing, I looked up in time to see Zack making his way over towards his locker. Shutting my locker I went to walk away when a figure bumped into me, slamming me against my locker. "Oh, no I am sorry, I tripped and couldn't catch my balance. It was an accident, I swear." Looking up I realize it was Alison with Cindy. "It's fine Alison, don't worry about it, accidents happen."

Emma stepped in front of me. "Yeah, she's right, accidents can happen." She gave Alison what I knew was her best death glare. Alison took a step closer towards Em and I pulled Em back just as Zack reached us. "Everything okay here?" Cindy walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist while laying her head on his chest.

"Yeah, just a misunderstanding." He looked down at her biting his lips probably wondering if he should question it or just leave it. I guess he decided to leave it because he squeezed her slightly and looked at me.