Chapter 13

Rachel's POV

I decided to walk to school by myself this morning. After last nights turn of events, I wasn't in the mood for anything. It took my parents a great load of convincing me to go to school today. I guess they can see through my sickie act.

I gave a sigh, as I lifted my head to the sky and closed my eyes. I tried so hard to stop the tears from falling. I don't think I've ever cried so much last night. One of the worst moments of my life.

Hanging my head so my hair covered my face, I opened my locker and put my books in, as well as taking a few books out. As soon as I shut it I saw Fanny storming towards me from the corner of my eye and judging from her expression, I could tell she was pretty pissed. She came close to my face and looked me straight in the eye.

"Im only going to say this as a angry raving bitch." She spat, causing me to cringe. "Thanks to you my…" She paused suddenly in frustration as if she seemed to have a problem with the word boyfriend. "… Hoagie is questioning our relationship."

Guilt took a hit to my stomach and I made it as obvious as possible. Her expression though softened slightly.

"And now, I'm going to say this as a friend." She raised her hand and gave me a nice slap on my right cheek. I held it as she spoke, taking every word in, in fear she might slap me again.

"Stop believing Patton is unfaithful." She stated. "Do you honestly think he'd ever go behind you back? He doesn't love anyone else but you and only you. I love Hoagie. And you honestly think I'd hurt my best friend harder than that slap?"

I slumped down a little against my locker. She kept going one, making me feel like the worst person alive.

"And what's this about a temporary breakup? You may as well have ended it, because that's how he'll take it."

She gave me a look of spite, continuing to look me sternly in the eye and stormed off. I slid down my locker till I was sitting on the cold floor. I banged the back of my head hard against my locker and tears started streaming down my face. I hugged my knees tight and hid my face in-between them. I could feel peoples eyes on me, and I could hear them murmur, but I didn't care. All I could think about was what Fanny had just said to me and Patton.

"Hey are you okay?"

I looked up and there stood my lanky friend, Hoagie. I rubbed the tears from my eyes and nodded hesitantly. He helped me up and I gave him a big bear hug.

"I'm so sorry!" I sobbed into his shoulder. "It's all my fault. I'm sorry…" I bit my lip in frustration.

"Shh…" She whispered, stroking my hair. I broke apart the hug and stared him in the eye.

"What's going on between you and Fanny now?" I asked softly.

"Well I'm going to have a good talk with her." He replied. "Patton convinced me that there is nothing going on between the two."

Once again I felt the guilt hit my stomach. Hoagie pulled me into a hug again and I merely returned it. We broke apart and spotted Patton looking at us a good three meters away. His expression read confusion and suspicion.

"Patton." I choked.

"Don't worry dude." Hoagie said. "I was just being here for Rachel. Nothing happened."

And with that he turned and walked the opposite direction. I turned back to Patton.

"Nothing's going on." I whispered.

"And what makes you think I'm going to believe you?" He asked sternly, folding his arms. "After all, you didn't believe me about me and Fanny."

"That's not fair." I stated.

"Isn't it?"

I froze. He did have a point. I sighed, folded my arms and looked at my feet, shuffling them against the floor.

"Look, I know nothing's going on." He said calmly. I looked up and stared into his eyes, something I've been fearing since last night.

"I'm sorry." I said and before I knew it, I jumped onto Patton and gave him a massive hug. "I'm sorry!" I sobbed into his chest. "I should've thought better of you. I should've known you'd never go behind my back. I should've… I'm a horrible girlfriend."

I could feel him stroking my hair, but it didn't make me calmer. He pushed me away and kissed me passionately. I closed my eyes and kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck. I could hear people wolf whistle behind us but I just shrugged it off.

We broke the kiss and rubbed our noses together.

"Come on." He said. "Lets get to class."

He pulled his arm over my shoulder and we proceeded down the corridor and for the first time since last night, I wore the biggest smile.