A/N Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for reading. It's so wonderful to read all your reviews after such a long break from writing, and don't worry, things between Amber and Tom will get better. Be prepared for serious fluff! As ever, love Ghostie.

TOM'S POV

WEDNESDAY

I woke up the next morning to find my bed empty. I rubbed my eyes as I walked downstairs to find Amber hunched over a Biology revision guide. I went over to her and kissed her on the cheek.

"Morning" I said brightly. She grunted and carried on. I made us both some toast, which she just pushed away, and muttered that she wasn't hungry. I dismissed it because I, on the other hand was absolutely starving. We both went upstairs and got ready, but it didn't feel the same. Something was different this morning. Even the car journey was awkward. I actually had to put the radio on. I must have done something. But what? When we got to school, I wished her good luck, but she didn't even respond, she just walked off with Maddie and Imogen. I turned round to see Chris smirking.

"What's so funny?" I snapped. Chris held his hands up.

"Woah, easy. I'm not the one in the doghouse here" he said, laughing.

"Yeah, but I don't know what for" I sighed.

"Well, if I were you, I'd want to find out, it doesn't seem fun" Chris replied sympathetically.

"Tell me about it. I mean, has she mentioned anything to you?" I asked.

"Well, funny you should say that mate, she actually came to see me yesterday, to see what was going on with you" he replied.

"Me?" I asked.

"Yeah you. She said that you're engrossed in your phone, and something about your laptop. She even asked me if you were cheating" Chris said.

"Cheating?" I spluttered.

"Ridiculous, I know. I set her straight and she went on her way" he replied.

"Well, I definitely don't know what I've done then. Chris, I actually wanted to ask you something" I said.

"What is it dude?" he asked.

"I want you to be my best man" I replied. His face broke out into a big grin.

"Of course I will. I can't belive you asked me. Aww my 'ickle Tommy all grown up" he said, pinching my cheeks and hugging me.

"Fuck off" I said laughing. I hugged him back.

"I just can't believe you're getting married. It only feels like 2 minutes since we were getting pissed every night and clubbing in bars" Chris said.

"I still do that now" I retorted and we both laughed.

"On a serious note, I'd love to be your best man, which means stag do tonight, no ifs, no buts, you are having a proper knees-up" Chris replied, with a wicked grin.

"There's no saying no to you is there?" I gulped.

"Not a chance Clarkson" he said

"Bring it Mead" I replied. I left Chris in the staffroom, and walked towards my classroom. I looked at my watch. 10:45. The exam should be finished by now. I carried on walking, in my own little world, when I heard a familiar voice calling me, getting louder and louder.

"THOMAS CLARKSON, GET YOUR BACKSIDE HERE RIGHT NOW!" I turned around to see Maddie, stood looking very angry, by the door of an empty classroom. This could not be good. I noticed that this had attracted the attention of several students, and several teachers, including one Grantly Budgen. I reluctantly walked towards her, until I reached her, and she ushered me inside, locking the door, and shutting the blinds in the process.

"Maddi, what the hell is going on?" I asked angrily.

"Zip it, I'm talking here. Now, I demand to know why I've had Amber crying on my shoulder this morning, saying she has been cheated on by you" Maddie replied, just as angry.

"I don't bloody know, she was barely fucking talking to me this morning" I said, exasperated.

"Not good enough, she wouldn't come to me for no reason, so if you have been cheating, I'd own up to it, because I really will kick your sorry little arse" Maddie replied, arms crossed. I was about to reply try it, and then something clicked. Of course.

"Maddie, I'm not cheating, really I'm not" I said honestly.

"Then what's going on Tom?" she asked. I sighed.

"For the past week or so, I've been planning a surprise wedding for Amber. I've roped Mrs Treneman, and Miss Mason into help me, so I've been on my phone a lot, and the other day she came to see me, I was on my laptop, booking a honeymoon to the Bahamas, and looking at dresses. The dress thankfully arrived, and is with Kim. Everything's sorted, I just haven't told Amber anything. I never wanted her to think I was hurting her, I just wanted to do something nice, you know. I love her so much." I replied. I looked at Maddi, and she was crying, to my amazement.

"Tom, that's so sweet. I wish I had a guy like that, who would do that for me" she replied.

"Well, I need you to do me a favour" I said.

"Anything" she replied.

"I need you to invite Amber round to yours on Thursday. Spoil her, like films, chocolate, like an indoor hen night. I'm going out with the lads tonight, and you'll have to help her get ready on Friday. I'll meet you at about quarter to 3 in my classroom. I want you and Imogen to be her maids of honour" I said. Maddi nodded, and hugged me.

"Of course we will. I'm so happy for you Tom. Just do right by her, yeah"

"Of course, I will, I love her more than anything" I replied, hugging her back. She left my room, leaving me alone. Thankfully, I was free the rest of the day, and it was lunchtime. I went to the canteen to find Amber. I spotted her sat down, with 2 trays of food. I kissed the top of her head, and sat down next to her.

"Hey" I said softly.

"Hey" she replied.

"How did it go?" I asked.

"It was ok, a bit hard, but I think I did well" she replied.

"As long as you tried your best, that is all you can do. I am so proud of you" I said, squeezing her hand. We ate our lunch in silence, before Amber left for her lesson. I pulled out my list, and had a look what was still left to do. Flowers, done. Decorations, done. Invites, sent. Honeymoon, booked. Dresses, done. Stag/hen, done. Bridesmaids, picked. Best man, picked. I still have a lot to do. Thank god for these free periods. I can actually get stuff done. I went to see Ruby in the kitchen.

"Hey Ruby" I said.

"Oh, hi Tom, what can I do for you?" she asked.

"Well, I was wondering if you would put some food out for the reception, you know on Friday" I said.

"Of course, I would love to" she said grinning.

"Thank you Ruby, you are a hero" I replied gratefully. Food, sorted. Another thing off my list. If I can everything sorted before tonight, I'll be rocking. I went to Amber's class, and knocked on the door.

"Excuse me, Mr Chalk, could I borrow Amber please?" I asled.

"Sure, but be quick" he replied.

"Cheers mate" I said. I took Amber to an empty classroom.

"Tom, what's this all about?" she asked worried.

"I just wanted to know, how could you doubt me? Chris came and told me this morning that you told him that you thought I was cheating on you. I thought you trusted me" I replied.

"I do, just you've been really weird lately, and really off with me, I just thought maybe you had lost interest" Amber replied, looking down. I tipped her chin up to look at me.

"How could I ever?" I said, before kissing her. She kissed me back, comforted by my words. I apologised to Chalky before winking at Amber, and leaving. I grabbed my coat, and drove to the ring shop. I felt quite nervous as I walked in, knowing that this was the ring I would be putting on Amber's finger to seal the deal. The friendly old woman at the counter spotted me and came over.

"Can I help you dear?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm looking for a ring. I'm getting married on Friday" I replied.

"Ah, I see. Well, right this way" she replied, and an hour later I was finished. I had two perfect eings, both with my own little surprise for Amber. Rings, check. When I arrived back at Waterloo Road, I went to find Chris straight away. He was in the staffroom.

"Already for tonight mate?" he asked with a grin.

"No way. I need you to look after these for me" I replied, showing him the rings.

"Wow, mate. I know you're engaged, but yes, of course I will" he joked. I punched him on the arm.

"Shut up" I said laughing.

"Seriously though, Amber is very lucky. I wish I was marrying you now" Chris winked. I passed them over.

"Do not lose them" I said.

"Not a chance mate. You'd end me" he replied.

"Damn right" I said, grinning. I left him, and went back to my room to assess what was still left. It only looked like the suits. How productive am I. See guys can plan weddings. I'll pick up the suits tomorrow and then I'll be all done. The last period went really quickly. I met Amber at my car, and we drove home.

"How's your day been?" I asked.

"It's been ok, yours?" she replied.

"It's actually been really productive. I'm going out tonight with the lads, if that's ok" I asked.

"Yeah sure. I was hoping for a night in, but it doesn't matter" Amber replied.

"I know, remember I'll make it up to you Friday night, I can't really say no to Chris" I said, kissing the side of her head. "You could always join me in the shower"

"Well, I suppose that would be a start" she replied, with a wicked grin. I took her hand and led her to the bathroom. An hour later, we were in my room talking as I was getting ready.

"I'll never get ready at this rate" I sighed.

"Why wouldn't you?" Amber asked.

"Well, you're distracting me, lay there looking all sexy like that" I replied. She stuck her tongue out.

"I'll take my sexiness elsewhere then, shall I?" she asked, and started walking away.

"God no" I replied, and pulled her close to me. "I suppose I do have a spare hour" Her lips touched mine, and we were gone. An hour later, I was ready for whatever Chris had in store. I was dressed in a dark blue shirt, jeans and black shoes.

"Now how am I going to cope without you, looking all sexy like that?" Amber asked.

"Well, unfortunately I do have a prior engagement" I said. I went to walk out of the door, and Amber pulled me back for a deep kiss.

"I love you" she said.

"I love you too" I replied. I met Chris at the pub. Everyone cheered when I went in, and they already had drinks on the table for me. Chris raised a glass as we started to take on more

"I just want to raise a glass to Tom. He is the best guy I have ever met, a loyal friend, a great teacher, and I can't believe that in 2 days, my little Tommy is going to be all grown up. I love you man. To Tom."

"To Tom" everyone cheered. The night passed by and we drank and drank. I think we had a competition at some point. I stumbled over to Chris, and Andrew, and hugged them tight.

"I love you guys" I slurred. They both nodded, a little better off than me, but not by much. We stumbled out some time later, all of us bladdered out of our minds, even Grantly. As we walked, Andrew tackled me to the ground, and held me there, as they stripped me, and tied my hands together. When I reached home, they knocked on the door, chucked my clothes over me, and stumbled away laughing. Amber opened the door, and tutted as I looked up at her.

"Come on, let's get you to bed" she said sympathetically. She untied my hands, and tucked me in bed. She stroked my hair, as I drifted off to sleep.

"I'm so lucky" I slurred.

"Ssh, get some sleep" she whispered. 2 days to go. Can't wait.