A Friend Of A Friend

Technically, I got some sleep last night. But it wasn't actually sleeping, more like cat naps throughout the night. I feel like a zombie as I walked into the school. I can feel the bags under my eyes. I probably look worse than I feel.

I reached my locker and stared at the lock. I lifted my hands up to enter the code into the lock but my fingers wouldn't move. I let out a sigh. I had no energy.

"Woah, you look terrible." A loud screeching voice came from beside me. I jumped out of my skin as I instinctively moved away in surprise.

After seeing Skylar standing by my locker, I placed my hand over my heart. "You gave me a heart attack." I worked my way back to where I was originally standing and this time entered my code into the lock.

I pulled my locker door open as I grabbed my books. "But seriously, you look like me after I pull an all-nighter. Are you okay?" Skylar asked with concern.

After grabbing my chemistry books, I closed my locker. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just couldn't sleep well." I explained as I rubbed my eye.

"Maybe you should go home." She suggested.

This made me giggle. "Like you ever go home when you're like this. I'll survive the day. Now come on, we have chemistry to get to."

We wandered our way to the classroom before sitting in our seats. I scanned the room before my eyes stopped on someone just in front of me. "Quil?"

The boy turned around to face me, recognition crossing his face. "Maddi? I didn't know you were in this class." He said with a grin.

"I didn't know you were either." I replied with surprise.

He just grinned even more before he went serious. "Hey, are you okay? You don't look too good."

I sighed. I think I'll be getting this question a lot today. "I'm fine, just tired. Didn't sleep well."

An expression I couldn't recognise passed his face. It was hard to explain. Like pity and guilt, maybe sadness. He probably had a rough idea why. I mean I learnt a lot yesterday and he probably realised it.

Quil opened his mouth to speak but before he could say anything more, Mr Wyatt came in. "Okay class, settle down." He placed his books on the table and went straight to the board. "Today we are going to talk about Periodic Table trends like electronegativity and ionisation."

I was silently listening to him drabble on while taking notes. It was hard to focus since I was tired but luckily I understood the concept and could keep up. My attention broke when I felt a stab in my rib. I turned to see Skylar elbowing me.

I gave her a questioning look. She flicked her eyes upwards. I followed her line of sight to Quil. I looked back at her still not understanding what she wanted. She sighed before whispering to me. "I didn't know you two were so chummy. He even called you Maddi."

I looked to make sure no one could hear us. The class was in light chatter mode even as the teacher taught so we were safe. "He's a friend?" I asked more than stated.

She let out a sigh. "Why are you talking with him and the others still?"

"Because they are my friends." I explained without hesitating this time.

We stared at each other for a minute before the bell rang. Skylar sighed before gathering her stuff. I did the same thinking the conversation had ended. However, I felt something wrap around my arm. Skylar had linked our arms and she dragged me out the door.

"We have a break now before lunch." Skylar said while she dragged me to the girls' bathroom. Once we were in, she let me go. "Why are you so tired?"

Now I was confused. That was a weird change of subject. "I told you. I couldn't sleep."

"Fine. Where were you last night? Did you go out?" Skylar pressed.

I swallowed. I know what she is doing now. She's not dumb. Not point hiding it. "Yeah. I was with Kim and the others."

"Thought so. I don't get why you're hanging with them. They're a bad influence." Skylar explained.

I leant against the wall. "You say that because you don't know them that well. I've told you they aren't a cult. Why are you so against them?"

"I'm not." She tried to defend but that wouldn't work with me. I raised one eyebrow at her. "Because you're spending more and more time with them." She said with sadness.

She's jealous. No, more like lonely. I walked up to her and gave her a hug. "I promise I'm not just ditching you for them. But please understand that they're important to me too." She pouted. "Besides, you aren't alone. You hung out with those other girls before I came. They're your friends, not mine. Kinda the same situation."

"You got me there." She said with a small smile. "I guess when you are busy with those guys, I can always go back to my girls."

"You make it sound like a bad thing." I pouted this time.

She broke out into a grin. "I'm just messing with you, they're fine, but they can't replace you."

I grinned back. "They won't have to. We are still best friends, just we have other friends too."

We both nodded in agreement before the bell went. Guess it was lunch time. "But I get to have lunch with you today." She shot-gunned.

"Fine." I joked with her. We both left the bathroom and headed to the cafeteria.

After waiting in line for ages, we finally sat down with our food. Skylar got herself some more yogurt while I had another sandwich. I scanned the room to see the pack sitting where they always do. I could see Embry looking my way. He had sad eyes but they brightened when we made eye contact.

I glanced away to focus on eating. I'll talk to him a bit later. "So, what happened yesterday?" Skylar questioned as she took the lid of her yogurt off and picked up a spoon.

"Not much. Went to a girl named Emily's house and just hung out there." I lied, well it was the truth just with some things left out.

Skylar put a spoonful of yogurt in her mouth. "Liar." She deadpanned. I felt my heart race. How did she know. "Who is it?"

I relaxed slightly. She didn't know about them. But I was still lost. "Who is what?"

She placed her spoon down. "The guy you like obviously."

I felt my cheeks flush. She was staring at me intensely. "None of them." I blurted out.

"You're a terrible liar. Just tell me." She stated.

I sighed. I couldn't hide it from her. "I think Embry." I mumbled.

Luckily she didn't cause a big commotion about it. Instead she leaned back in her seat. "Hm. I guess I can approve." She suddenly leant forwards, close to my face. "Kay, I support it. Go get him, girl."

I know I was blushing at this point. I couldn't tell her about imprinting. I didn't even know where I stood with him. "What do you mean 'go get him'?"

"This." She abruptly stood out of her seat and picked up her tray. "I'm going to sit with my other friends. You better go join yours." She told with a wink before leaving.

I was left dumbfounded. This girl. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my lips as I stood up and took my tray to the bin. I'd finished anyway. I took a deep breath and headed towards the pack.

"Hey, look who it is." Jared stated making everyone look at me.

Embry tapped the empty seat beside him which I accepted and sat down. "So, what brings you here? Thought you were with your friend." Paul asked.

I smiled and rubbed the back of my neck. "We kinda came to a little agreement. Don't worry, we are all good."

Everyone nodded their heads and continued with their meal. Their chatter continued again as Paul stole an apple from Seth. The latter complaining about it and the former telling him to grow bigger.

Jacob and Quil were playfully bantering about some movie, trying to decide if it was good or not.

Kim was snuggling up to Jared as he gave her forehead a soft kiss.

My eyes carefully glanced to Embry's direction. He was joining in with Jacob and Quil. He had a goofy smile as he joked around with his friends. I still wanted to talk to him about the whole situation with imprinting but I didn't know where to even begin.

"I swear, if you take anything off my tray again I'll-" Seth growled at Paul who had picked up half of Seth's sandwich.

"You'll what? Bark at me." Paul laughed as he took a mighty bite out of the sandwich, purposefully rubbing it in Seth's face.

Seth grumbled before placing his arms either side of his tray to protect it from anymore snatchers. I smiled at the two. It was harmless banter between the two. Seth is usually so calm. Trying to act tough definitely didn't suit him. Paul knew Seth wouldn't really be mad and wouldn't hurt a fly and is just teasing him.

"How have you been today?" I turned my head to see Embry talking to me.

"I've been fine." I smiled at him. "Though, I didn't know Quil was in my chemistry class." I looked in the boy's direction.

"Neither did I. Guess we both just never realised it." Quil responded as the three stopped talking about their movies.

"Wow. You two must be oblivious." Jacob teased.

"Do you know every person in your class?" Quil challenged Jacob.

"Yeah, I do. It's you who doesn't." Jacob defended.

Quil refused to lose. "Oh really? Name them."

Suddenly the bell rang out, signalling the end of lunch. Jacob grinned while standing up. "Can't. I have to get to class with my classmates who I know."

"You're running away because you can't name them." Quil stated as he stood up too. Jacob quickly turned and walked away, taking his tray with him. "You were just saved by the bell." Quil shouted as he chased after his friend.

I chuckled to myself at the two. They are comedy gold. And I don't have to pay to see it. "Hey." Embry said to grab my attention. "Can I see you once school ends?"

"Of course. Meet me at my locker, number 56?" He gave me a nod.

"I'll see you then." He said as he walked off to his next class. Guess I better do the same.

I headed for my next class. English with Miss Alexanders. She was a lovely teacher, as long as you stayed on her good side. I entered the room and sat in my usual seat. It wasn't long before Skylar joined me.

"So, how was it?" Skylar asked.

I gave her an incredulous look. "Honestly, not much happened at all." I replied while resting my chin on my hand.

"What?!" Skylar practically screamed causing the whole class to look at us. She quickly lowered her head and raised her hand slightly as if to apologise. When everyone turned back to what they were doing, Skylar whispered. "I gave you that precious time and you wasted it."

I pouted at her. "I didn't waste it. Besides, I'll see them again sometime."

Skylar leaned back in her seat. "When? You don't see them in your classes. They do different subjects or they are in a different classroom. Well, except for Quil. But otherwise, your only option is lunch."

"I hang with them after school remember." I told as I got my books out.

Skylar thought for a second. "I guess so. But girl, you gotta get in there."

A gave a half-hearted laugh. If only she knew. Our conversation ended as Miss Alexanders walked in. "This isn't over." Skylar stated before she focused on the lesson.

After learning about our next assignment, which happened to be another essay, class was over and school had officially ended.

Skylar and I were walking out, and like she promised, our conversation wasn't over. "When are you seeing him next?"

I bit the inside of my mouth. "When I'm at my locker."

We stopped walking. We were at my locker. Skylar stared at me, then my locker, then at me. She suddenly clicked. "Oh my- I gotta get outta here." She rushed around like a lost kid. She turned to face me. "You gotta message me the details." And with that she ran off.

I chuckled as I opened my locker and placed my things inside. "Number 56 would be right here."

"That's correct." I turned to face Embry as he leant against the lockers next to mine.

He smirked. "Glad you gave me good directions."

I closed my locker and turned to face him. "What now?"

"I walk you to your car." He replied smoothly. I playfully raised my eyebrow at him as I began to lead the way.

We walked in comfortable silence until we reached the carpark. My car was nearby. "I was talking to Quil today." I glanced out the corner of my eye at Embry. "He said you couldn't sleep last night."

I stopped walking as I reached my car. "Is that why no one commented about how terrible I look today during lunch?"

Embry instantly rejected that idea. "You could never look terrible." I could feel my heart beat a little faster at his compliment, even if he was lying. "Was what he said true."

I lowered my head slightly. "Yeah. I just couldn't fall asleep." I tried to brush it off as unimportant.

"I'm sorry." My eyes snapped to Embry. "It's because of everything that happened yesterday, right?"

I couldn't lie to him. "It is." I saw the sadness in his eyes. "But it's not what you think. Just finding out about vampires kinda scared me. The only reason I felt like I could even close my eyes was because you guys were protecting everyone from them." I knew I was rambling but didn't know how to stop.

Embry rested a hand on my shoulder. I could feel the warmth of his hand even through my jumper. "Don't worry. I'll always protect you." This time I know for sure he could see my blush from his smirk. "Next time you get scared. Ring me. I'm just a phone call away."

"Sure. Sorry I haven't yet. I kinda see you a lot so…" I said awkwardly.

Embry flashed me a grin. "It's fine. Just know I'm here for you." He looked around himself. "I better go."

"When will I see you next?" I questioned in desperation before realising I even said it.

Embry smiled. "Tomorrow probably. At school."

"Right." I mentally facepalmed. I'm such an idiot. Judging from his smile, I think he liked that I asked that question. I thought it best to get out now before I regret it. "Well, see ya." And with a wave, I hopped in my car and drove off.