Ok, so I don't really have anything to say so I'm just going to go ahead with the chapter. Enjoy! :D

Chapter 26: School Life.

Gabriella's POV

I walked to class feeling ecstatic with a smug smile on my face. It felt so good to slap Jasmine in the face; she was the one who caused me pain after all. I tried to stop smiling as I entered class but to no avail. The teacher was still busy typing away on her small computer, pushing up her glasses every now and then, all the students were messing about and here I was confused about where to sit. I noticed Danny at a table chatting up some girls with I think his name was Quil.

I waved over to him and he smiled brightly at me before acting all flirty with the girls again. I rolled my eyes at him and made my way over to the teacher.

"Hi miss." I said.

"Oh, hi. I assume you're Gabriella? The new student?" she asked, not taking her eyes of the screen.

"Yep, the one and only." I answered.

"Well, you'll be seated right next to Mr Call over there. I'm sure he will be kind enough to explain what you'll need for class." She instructed, making a fluttery gesture with her hand to where Embry was sitting.

"Thanks." I said, walking over to Embry's table. "So partner, apparently you have to explain stuff to me."

He raised an eyebrow at me as he smirked, "Explain what?"

"I don't know, I wasn't really listening."

"Well, that's just helpful Gab."

"I know, isn't it?" I said as he chuckled.

The teacher announced that we were starting class and everyone scooted to their seats. The door opened and in walked Jasmine, an icepack against her left cheek. I couldn't help but snort as Embry looked over at me, a confused expression on his face.

"I'll tell you later." I explained and he nodded his head in agreement.

"Ok class, I thought it would be a good idea to give you all group projects to work on during your Christmas Break. I'm giving you enough time to work on them so I don't want to hear any excuses. There will be two people in each group and one person will step up and pick a topic from this hat. Got it?" the teacher said, as the entire class groaned and she had a miffed expression on her face, muttering something incoherent as she stalked back over to her desk.

I looked over at Jasmine who was staring right back at me. We glared at each other and I noticed that she was sitting beside Danny. Just my luck. She smirked at me before gripping Danny's chin and pecked him on the lips. Danny looked over at her with an incredulous expression and scooted his chair further than it already was.

"Ok, so your partner will be whoever you're sitting beside; now I don't want to hear any complaints. You take what you get." The teacher said solemnly.

"Great." I muttered under my breath.

"What, you don't want to work with me?" Embry mocked gasp.

"Well, unless you're willing to do all the work I guess I don't mind." I teased, playing along.

He gasped, "Why me? It's usually the boys who chill while the girls do all the work for them. I'll just sign my name onto the project."

"Well, if that's what you were expecting, you're sadly mistaken." I replied, an eyebrow raised.

He pouted and I couldn't help but laugh at how cute he looked. "But Gab!" he whined, "I'm not good at Chemistry."

I scoffed, "And you thought I would be?"

"Well, kinda yeah."

I was just about to reply when the teacher interfered. "Miss Russo, please come on up and pick your topic."

I sighed and walked over to her. I was really hoping that we got an easy topic so I wouldn't have to do too much hard work. I reached my hand into the hat and looked at the small piece of paper. It read: Chemical equations.

I showed her the slip and she handed me a sheet, "You will have to balance out the equations." She clarified as she took in my confused expression.

I walked back over to Embry and handed him the sheet, "Looks easy enough Emb."

"Emb?" he asked.

"What?" I said confused about what was wrong.

He shook his head, "Nothing Gab. Now back to chemical equations."

"Yay! We're going to have so much fun figuring these out." I responded with fake enthusiasm.

We glanced down at the sheet and I started biting my pen; one of my habits when I was trying to do school work. Embry looked at the sheet with such a look of concentration that I was tempted to ask if he was trying to shit his pants or something. I started flicking my pen between my fingers but somehow managed to flick it halfway across the room. I groaned and stood up to retrieve my pen. I bent down to pick it up and returned to my seat. But I didn't notice the small puddle of water on the floor and slipped. Embry grabbed my wrist but also lost his balance so he fell on top of me.

Our skin made contact with each other and my skin started to have this tingly feeling from where his touched. We looked into each other's eyes, dazed. It felt like we were the only two people that existed right now as I got lost in his brown eyes. I heard the teacher coughing and I snapped out of it. Embry stood up and took me up along with him. We returned to our seats, me blushing uncontrollably. I opened my notepad and started writing down the equations but got stuck. I looked over at Embry's notes and saw that he was whizzing through them. So much for not being good at them I thought as I started copying his notes and he smirked over at me. The bell finally went, ending the awkward silence that had crept over us. I packed my stuff and made my way to the door.

"What class do you have next?" Danny asked, as I bumped into him on the way out.

"Algebra." I replied.

"Cool, I'm in that with you aren't I?" Danny said.

"Unfortunately." I said jokingly, which earned me a light push from Danny.

"Hey Gab! Wait up!" Embry called after me with Quil. "Hey Danny."

"Hey." Danny replied, he was still quite bummed at Embry after the whole Jasmine issue.

"So... you and Jasmine huh?" Quil teased.

"Once I'm dead it's a possibility." Danny responded, rolling his eyes.

They walked on ahead of me and Embry and we walked together. Jasmine barged past us, elbowing me 'accidentally.

"Oh, sorry." She said, glaring at me.

"How's your cheek Jasmine?" I asked innocently, fighting the smile that was starting to appear on my lips.

She huffed and stalked off, flipping her straight hair behind her as her two minions ran after her.

"So what exactly did you do to her?" Embry asked as we walked up the stairs.

"Oh nothing... you know, just slapped her." I answered, shrugging my shoulders nonchalantly.

Embry looked at me with wide eyes, "You what?"

"Slapped her."

"Why?"

"Because she deserved it, duh!"

"I mean, I love that you slapped her but didn't she say anything back?"

"Nope. And why are you so worried anyway?"

"I'm not worried!"

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever."

"So how are you and Leah?" I asked, curious.

He looked hesitant about answering the question, "Okay."

We were silent for a few moments until we reached the classroom. We walked in and everyone was standing up. We joined everybody as the teacher looked at us all up and down individually. Pervy much?

"Ah, Gabriella. Good to have you back, tell me why did you leave?" The teacher, Mr Dean, asked.

"Oh, just the slut and cheating boyfriend thing." I answered eyeing Jasmine who cringed. I felt Embry stiffen next to me and remembered that he was really sensitive about the whole issue. I really didn't know why because it was his fault in the first pace but dropped it.

"It's always that reason. But anyway, I have arranged new seating for everyone so please sit down immediately once I call out your name." Mr Dean instructed.

"Okay, Embry take the first seat in the first row with Quil please."

Embry walked over to the seat and high-fived Quil. Danny was chosen to sit beside Toby. I remembered him; he was the guy I used to sit beside in English.

"Gabriella you will sit in the second row at the first table with Jasmine."

My mouth dropped open as I'm sure hers did. Was he fucking kidding me? He chose to put me beside Jasmine of all the other people in the class? I begrudgingly took my seat and glared at the board in front of me.

"Gabriella, do you not like your seat?" Mr Dean asked.

"No, it's fun to have to sit beside the slut I was telling you about." I answered sarcastically.

"Oh, well I'm sorry. I can't change your seat, it's too late." He said, with apologetic eyes. Well sorry isn't going to change things now, is it?

I had to sit beside Jasmine for a full hour? One hour? I might aswell be dead. This should be fun I thought.

Mr Dean finished giving out the seat arrangements and started explaining what we work going to be working on today. I hadn't really missed that much, in fact I was actually ahead of them but I hadn't really payed attention in class back in LA so it felt like I was still on their topic. He started handing out sheets that we were supposed to work on and everyone started while I just stared blankly at the sheet. I didn't know what to do and I was NOT about to ask the she-devil right beside me. I looked over to my left where Embry was seated and gave him pleading eyes. He just shook his head and carried on. I sighed and attempted to do the work.

I suddenly felt a kick on my leg and winced in pain. I glared at Jasmine and kicked her back harder. She let out a tiny yelp and Mr Dean looked over at us skeptically. I tried to look as innocent as possible and he rolled his eyes and glued his eyes back to the computer.

Jasmine quickly composed herself and looked back down at the sheet. I pretended to casually reach into my bag but dug my hand into Jasmine's instead. I found her phone easily enough and abruptly threw the small device in my bag. I smiled happily at myself and continued on with my work.

The class went by quickly and before I knew it the bell was ringing for lunch. I sighed in relief and stood up, packed my belongings quickly and walked over to Embry's table.

"That was torture!" I hissed in frustration as Embry chuckled.

"It couldn't be that bad." Embry remarked.

"But it was! She kicked my leg and she's just... Ugh!"

"Come on, a little food might make you better." Embry said and led me to the cafeteria.

We sauntered through the halls until we reached the cafeteria. It was already filled with students and was noisy as ever.

"Come on over to our table." Embry said, a gleam in his eye.

"Uh, no, I'll be the only girl there!" I responded.

"No you won't, Kim's there with Jared. Please." He begged.

I sighed and let him drag me to the table that was occupied with Quil, Jacob, Paul, Jared, Kim and Seth. Oh boy.

"Hey, look who's come to join us!" Embry announced as I took the seat next to him and Jacob.

"Hey." They all greeted before continuing to stuff their faces into the pile of food on the tray.

I eyed the mountain high pile of food that they boys were currently eating and took my own food out. I looked like an anorexic compared to them. All I had for lunch was a small chocolate bar and a can of soda.

"Is that all you're going to eat?" Kim asked as she stared disbelievingly at my lunch.

"Yeah, I'm not really hungry." I answered, as I started nibbling on the chocolate and taking a sip of my drink.

"Not hungry? Why not?" Embry asked, his mouth full of food.

"Eww! Close your mouth. And yes, I know it seems impossible compared to you guys but I don't really have an appetite." I said, throwing as napkin in Embry's way so he could wipe his mouth.

"It's not healthy to not eat lunch." Jacob commented.

I shrugged, "It's normal for me, I don't eat that much at home anyway. Well, unless my parents force me too but that's it."

"I'd die without food!" Paul said, as he took another large bite of his sandwich, "Food is like my life."

"Aww, are you admitting you're a loner?" I teased, pouting my lips.

He rolled his eyes in response, "No, I mean that I love food."

"But-." I started before I was interrupted by Kim.

"Do you guys want to do secret Santa?" she asked enthusiastically.

"But isn't it like two days before Christmas?" Quil asked.

"Yeah, but it's easy to buy a gift." She said.

A phone rang in my bag and I reached in to retrieve it. It was Jasmine's and I set it on the table.

"Isn't that Jasmine's?" Quil asked as he stared at the phone.

"Yep. I took it because she was annoying me in class." I answered.

"If she finds out there's going to be a cat fight." Paul warned.

"So? I'm not scared of her." I remarked. "I already slapped her this morning anyway."

Everyone stopped eating and started at me with disbelief in their wide eyes.

"You what?" Jared asked, "Do you have a death wish or something?"

"No, I just gave her what she deserved." I said.

"But she'll start spreading rumours about you." Kim added, looking anxious.

I snorted, "Only someone stupid would believe those rumours. Besides, I've got better things to be worried about."

"Baddass!" Paul said as he high-fived me. "You should tell Leah that. She'd be proud of you and it might snap her out of her pissy mood lately."

"You better watch your back though." Quil said.

Everyone went back to eating and I stared at Embry as he did with me. I was wondering why Leah was in a pissy mood; was that why Embry was hesitant to answer my questions this morning? Were they in a fight? I smiled at him and I noticed Jasmine walking up to the table. I quickly hid the phone and faced her.

"That was something you pulled back in class." She said, her eyes narrowing in my direction. Everyone stopped eating again and was listening intently to our conversation. "I mean, YOU are the slut after all."

I snorted and stood up to face her. "Well, that's ok. Because at least I'm not a bitch trying to get laid."

I heard Paul and Quil struggling to keep their laughter in and saw Embry smiling at me encouragingly form the corner of my eye.

Jasmine scoffed and lifted her hand to slap me but Embry caught her wrist just as it was inches away from my face.

"You better watch what you're about o do or Gabriella won't be the only slapping you today." He spat as he glared at her.

She cowered under his glare and pulled her hand back to her side before walking away, looking frightened as she did so.

Everyone at the table then let out their contained laughter and I smiled victoriously as I sat down.

"That was a good one." Paul commented, gaining his breath back from his laughter.

"Yeah, but back to secret Santa. I've already put everyone's name in this small bag including Sam, Emily, Leah and your brothers Josh, Danny, Andrew and Jasper plus your sisters Asia, Jilliane and Irish." Kim informed me.

"Ok, me first!" I exclaimed as I dug my hand into the small bag.

I looked at small piece of folded paper and gasped as I saw the name that was written. It said Seth. Oh shit.

Embry looked over at me concerned but I smiled back to reassure him.

"Has everyone got theirs? I'll ask the others to do the same when I see them later on." Kim explained.

The ball went which meant that lunch was over. I only had three more classes until it was time to go home. History, Art and Music. Unfortunately, Embry wasn't in my history class.

I walked to the second floor where my history class was situated at and saw Seth walking into the classroom. I groaned; was this really happening to me today? I took a deep breath as I walked into class and took the only seat left; beside Seth. Danny was also in this class but he sat beside some other dude I didn't know.

Seth watched me as I made my way to the seat. I offered a small smile which he returned with a big grin. I took the seat and the teacher walked over to me.

"Miss Russo, if I'm correct?" he asked gruffly.

I nodded and he handed me a textbook and notepad, "Luckily for you we'll be starting a new topic so you won't have to be confused." I snorted when he said lucky. If only he knew.

"Okay." He smiled and walked back to his desk at the front of the room.

"He seems creepy." I whispered at Seth who laughed.

"Trust me, you haven't seen anything yet." He responded.

I decided to swallow my pride... for now; I mean, what good would it do me if I just ignored Seth the whole class? Oh yeah, that's right. None.

The teacher introduced the topic of Henry VIII and the whole class groaned. I couldn't blame them. Who wanted to know about a fat English guy who had six wives and killed some of them when he got bored with them? Talk about a jerk.

I zoned out and started copying the notes he was writing on the board. They were pretty long notes and since this was only a single class, it ended quickly.

The rest of the day passed quickly and before I knew it, the last bell was ringing for the end of school. I was walking out of the building and waving bye to my siblings who were going to be driven home by Danny. I saw Embry waiting for me by his car and grinned at him. His face brightened up and he opened the door for me as I laughed as his silliness.

"I can open my own door you know?" I teased.

"Yeah, but I would be more of a gentleman if I opened it for you." He replied, smiling smugly.

"Won't Leah mind?" I asked as he visibly stiffened.

"No." He said quietly. "We're not even together anymore." I gasped and faced the road ahead. So they were having problems?

He pulled up outside my house and I got out carrying the presents he had given me this morning.

"Oh Embry, I'm not coming in on last day tomorrow. I have to pick up my cousins at the airport. I'll see you at Emily's house on Christmas Eve though, maybe sooner, I don't know." I said.

"Okay, I'll text you." He responded before driving away.

I smiled as I walked inside and made my way to my bedroom upstairs. I couldn't wait for Christmas! I just hoped everything went smoothly though; I mean, with my cousins arriving and Seth seeing Alex plus Embry and Leah breaking up... who knows what would happen?

So, it's my last day of Easter break and I have school tomorrow :/ I still don't have anything else to say so yeah... Remember to review and Thanks! Xx