Disclaimer: I do not own twilight.

Ok, hahaha, here is the new chapter, God, this is the longest one I've made so far, also the one I've taken the longest to post. Sorry, I need motivation and I got it!

Thank you everyone who reviewed, also a special thanks to those who've just recently reviewed : piercingemeralds2 and SUHAILAH (you are one of the main reasons I wrote this chapter, hahaha, death threats, what is needed to get me to do my job! Lol)

Also thanks to those who reviewed as soon as I post, you guys are great: NinjaHarryPotter4life, kiki, michelle7 and anonymous( just out of curiosity, what did you think would be in the chest, if you could message me with your answer I'd be really thankful, I'm really curious )

So about this chapter, it's a prelude to some of the drama, there isn't much Paul here but I hope you like the little I can give you and don't worry, next chapter is going to be filled with Quileute-y goodness.

Sorry again it took so long, I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 15: Birthday drama.

I splashed my paling face with a handful of cold water. After a deep sigh I straightened over the sink, purposely avoiding my reflexion as I left the bathroom.

-"Corinna!"

-"Voy!" (Coming!)- I called back at my mother, hurrying to the van where everyone else waited for me. I jumped in the back seat and closed the door in a rush. My mother sent me a look from the rearview mirror but stayed silent as she backed out of the garage slowly.

Relaxing my legs on the seat I stared intently thru the back windshield at the houses we left behind, speeding down the puddle filled street. Every now and then the van would pass over one of them and send a strong splash on the crystal windows, startleling me.

After dropping off Leo and Vicky at their respective schools my mom drove me down to my school in a strange silence where she would occasionally stare at me for a long period of time and then turn away with a worried frown.

Just about the time we got to the school's parking lot she fully turned to me, her eyes soft and tired. I looked back for a second, and when words didn't seem to come, I turned around and jumped out of the van, shutting the sliding door in one fluid movement.

She didn't try to talk to me and neither did I. There just wasn't anything to say.

I had a pretty good day, regardless to my lack of sleep, which in fact was a bonus for gym. We had a basketball game, even if I didn't know much of how to play, I was still the fastest one and thanks to a whole night awake, my reflexes were sharp as a blade.

But it did have it's low sides. I was too giddy.

By the time lunch came I was more than simply twitching, I was bouncing as I gathered my things and waited for Jamal. He caught up with me with a questioning glance from my face to my fidgeting fingers on the open door. I smiled.

-" I didn't sleep last night"

Jamal frowned as he followed me out, the day had turned out to be one of those few cloudy, but warm and non rainy days of the year. I looked up shacking my hair out of my face, enjoying the feeling of the whispering breeze on my neck.

-"Shouldn't it be backwards?"- Jamal asked after a short silence- "Shouldn't you be in zombie mode instead of…?"- His voice trailed off as he waved at my half skipping steps.

-"I have this thing..."- I started, shrugging indifferently as I thought of a sane way to explain- " kind of like an emergency energy storage, so I'm all pumped up for about a day but if I don't get some sleep tonight… it'll be the dawn of the dead for me"

Jamal shuck his head condescendingly at me but smiled with a strange sort of patience as I started humming the pink panther song.

As we entered the cafeteria I searched for Amber and was very surprised at what I saw…

Our table was full to the top with all of her and Jamal's friends. I thought they would be mad again for dumping them last Friday but apparently they didn't seem to mind at all. Elliott, the handsome brunet and one of Jamal's oldest friends turned my way, noticing me he taped Tara on the shoulder to get her attention and finally point towards me with a smile.

I frowned at this. Tara barely spoke to me even though she had been the first one to talk to me when I came here, we didn't exactly connect, but here she was now, smiling and waving me over as if we were the greatest friends.

I forced a smile on my face, trying hard to get Amber's attention so she could give me a hint on what was going on but she was far too busy laughing at whatever joke Melissa, another one of her friends, said to acknowledge me.

I reached the table and was greeted by a bunch of "hi" "hey" and "Wassup". I smiled wider and half waved as Elliott pulled out a chair for me, I mumbled a thanks his way and finally met Amber's eyes, which were thrilled beyond believe.

I had to laugh: -"Such joy, young Amber, has my presence bewitched you already?"

Amber made a face and rolled her eyes before throwing a small object my way. I caught it before it scored Elliott in the forehead. I paused to look at his shocked face: -"I believe that was personal"

-"Was not!"- Amber shot back but her face was too horrified to take seriously. I smiled and twirled the lollipop she'd 'given' me between my fingers. A loud sound at my left caught my attention, one of a throat being cleared. It was Tara.

She smiled widely now that she'd gotten my attention, fanning back her thick crimson curls out of her face.

-"We were all so worried about you!"- Tara squeaked, taking one of my hands that rested on the table, I quirked an eyebrow at Amber, fighting the urge to pull my hand out of Tara's grip- " it's ok"- Tara said, noting and misinterpreting my look of "get her off of me" for a look of "what's going on?"- "Amber already told us why you guys had to leave, but, you could of asked us for help, Dave's dad has a truck you could've borrowed"

-"Well, yes"- I started, an apologist smile on my lips as I spoke- "but I didn't want to bother any of you"

Tara snorted softy, waving a hand dismissively at me, an opportunity I took to retrieve my hand and rest it safely on my lap. Tara didn't seem to notice this but this time it was… Jim? I couldn't quite remember his name but his round face and mischievous smile was one to engrave in your memory, who answered.

-"Besides, you missed quite a show last Friday"

My face must have looked very confused as he giggled and Tara took over with the unmistakable gossip light shining in her light blue eyes.

-"Yeah, right after you guys left one of the Quileutes, I think his name was Paul, yeah, that's it, well he started to act really weird, shaking really bad, I mean, like blurring, then when Gilly asked if he was feeling ok and if he needed to go to a hospital he just jumped out of the both!"

Tara took a pause to breath or possibly just to give it the proper effect. I have no idea what my face might look like, but I felt it numb all over and for some reason, all that Tara said, didn't surprise me.

It must've showed by the way Tara continued, her voice insisting and eager: -"He all of a sudden stood up and jumped out! Like he was in the middle of the booth and in one leap he was gone! Then he started towards the front door and all but walked over one of the waitresses, smashing the tray all over the place!"

Oh, so that was the shattering sound we heard as we left. Tara's face brightened with whatever change she must've seen in my expression and kept going with a satisfied grin.

-"then, just as he was about to leave, I mean, he had his hand on the handle, out of nowhere two of his friends, Jacob and Jared had him against a wall and were talking really fast at him all the while the owner of the Lodge, Mr. Evergreen, came over and was telling them they were going to have to pay for all of it when something one of the Quileutes said to Paul got him really angry and he just punched the wall! Like, he left the form of his fist indented in the wood!"

Ok… that was a new one…

-"You should've seen Mr. Evergreen's face"- Tara laughed, everyone else joining in at the memory of what must have been a very disturbed old man – "his jaw was on the floor and his face was turning in a whole bunch of colors, first he went chalk white, then blue, then purple and then he was this really intense red that I really thought his head was about to explode! When he recovered or more like, when he managed to pick his jaw from wherever he dropped it he went all like: "get out of my restaurant!""

After Tara made her poor impersonation of Mr. Evergreen's imposing order she burst into a loud fit of giggles, soon followed by most of the people in the table. I discreetly turned my head to Amber, who smiled uncomfortably, her eyes shining with expectation.

So she already knew this…

I ignored her worries as I turned back to an already blabbering Tara, barely noticing Jamal's intense staring. I hadn't seen him arrive.

-"Oh Cory, you would've loved it! It was so cool, and you should've seen Paul's smile when he answered, OMG! It was the creepiest most scariest thing I've ever seen, and his voice!"- Tara shivered at the thought, a huge smile still on her freckled face- " he shuck his friends off as if their hands on him where air and then he gave Mr. Evergreen that smile and I swear, the old man looked about to faint, and just said, and I quote: "My pleasure" and walked out as if nothing happened!"

A smile took over my lips before I could stop it, that sounded so Paul…

-"That does sound like quite a show" I agreed, nonchalantly, as I unwrapped my lollipop just in time to put it in my mouth before the bell rang. Now this is why Tara and I didn't seem to get along…

I was never interested in anything she had to say.

The next classes where to boring to even mention, but I survived them nonetheless, and as I was left with one hour to wait for Amber I was still to giddy to stay inside the car even with music pumping in the background, so I opted for laying on the hood of the car, enjoying the few sunrays that managed to pierce the thick and apparently never ending layer of clouds.

After a couple of songs I still felt itchy and decided that some fresh air would calm me down.

With a sigh I unzipped my hoddie and then pulled off the thin blue sweater to just lay on top of the hood in a white tank top. I shivered as the soft wind touched my warm and now unprotected skin. But it eased my twitching as I now had to concentrate in withstanding the cold.

I can't remember when I closed my eyes but as I heard and mouthed some Latino rap songs I didn't realize Amber in front of me until she pocked my left sneaker tentively, giggling softly. I opened one eye to see her and lazily sat up straight, noticing now that most of the school population was already streaming in the parking lot.

-"Wow"- Amber muttered after a second, holding up my near transparent sweater comically with one finger – "This is the most skin I've ever seen of you"

I smirked her way and grabbed my discarded hoddie: - "Not for long"

Amber rolled her baby blues and threw my sweater aiming for my face, which she propitiously missed and I had to catch the small piece of clothing with my foot. Amber winced embarrassingly.

-"We're going to have to work on that aim of yours" I laughed as I made a small ball with the extra layers of fabric. Amber nodded almost absently as she walked towards the driver side.

I quickly jumped off the car:-" Wait!"

Amber froze with a squeak and backed away of the driver's door like it was on fire.

Oops?

-"Can I drive?" I asked shyly, looking up to Amber thru my eyelashes as I lowered my face with a timid smile.

Amber blinked: -"You want to drive?"

I nodded once. Amber bit her lower lip doubtfully, looking from her car to my fidgeting self.

-"Do you know how to drive?" She finally asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow my way. I tried, really, really hard, to not be offended.

-" It's got a steering wheel, four tires"- I shrugged indifferently as I took the keys from Amber's stiff hands- "What else is there to know?"

I'm a very proud and revengeful person so I immensely enjoyed Amber's horrified face. I laughed.

-"I'm just kidding Amber, I've been driving ever since I was 12"- I opened the driver's side door and folded my arms over it to rest my chin on them and smile innocently to her pouting face-"Besides, I can do some really cool tricks"

Amber's face lit up with suspicion and most of all, curiosity. For some reason, I had always managed to amuse her with the simplest things, but I guess, living in Forks all her life anything can seem new.

Amber nodded after a long second of consideration and slowly walked around to the passenger side. I pumped my fist, giving a silent "Yes" as I jumped in the car. I nearly groaned in pleasure as I felt my limbs fit perfectly into the right places. It'd been quite a while since the last time I'd been behind a steering wheel.

It's good to be back.

-"What kind of tricks?"- Amber asked while I started the engine, this time I couldn't stop the moan that came with the soft purr of the car coming to life. It isn't much of a car, but at least it was one. I smiled devilishly at Amber as I checked thru the rearview mirror to see if there was anything blocking my way out. The parking lot was nearly empty by now.

I smiled wider: -" Oh nothing much, just a few little things I learned at my side of the river"

For some reason, Amber scrambled to pull her seat belt around her chest. I rolled my eyes and decided not to comment on that and rather turn the volume up on a song that I liked. I rapped along, the words coming to my lips before I could even think them.

It was almost like being back home, riding his trucks, music blasting and making the windows shake, the ones from the car and the houses we passed like souls running from hell.

I stared at Amber from the corner of my eye, then I proceeded to shift and hold the car in place as I made the wheels scrap and whine against the coal black asphalt, a little cloud of smoke slowly rising from the bruising tires.

-"Cory!"

Just a second before Amber could try to stop me, I shifted the car into reverse and bolted out of the spot and whipped the car around so it ended facing the exit in a move so fast that made Amber shrink in her seat and scream like a rabid banshee.

I couldn't help it. I started laughing my head off, now driving in a moderate speed towards the road and home.

-" You…sh-should've se- seen… your-face!"

Amber made a sound that came out like something in between a groan, gasp and growl, and punched me hard on the shoulder. I was accustomed to far worse, but coming from Amber…

-"What the Fuck!"- Amber yelled, detaching herself from where she'd clawed in for safety.

Ok…

-"Where the hell did you learn that messed up trick? The fast and the furious?"

My lips twitched into an uneasy smile while mumbling an amused "no", which earned me another punch. For Amber's sake, and maybe because it kinda hurt a little being punched in the same place twice, I winced.

-"Pull over!"- She ordered, her sky like eyes burning with fury. I nodded and slowly parked the car at a side of the road, eyeing nervously as Amber breathed in and out flames-, "Never again, you're never driving my car again in your life!"

I nodded once more, pressing the button mute on the stereo's remote control, guilt making me frown as I watched Amber tremble. I didn't think she'd react like this, but well, not that the stunt would've killed us, or that I didn't know what I was doing, but I didn't give a damn, I shouldn't assume others don't care either.

I sighed, resting my chin on the steering wheel, while occasionally casting short glances towards a slowly relaxing Amber.

How stupid of me, Forks isn't México, this Honda isn't his trucks and most defiantly, Amber is not him.

I felt most of the giddiness ghost out of my system and closed my eyes, only listening to the slightly agitated breathing at my side. After a while, there was only silence.

-"It's weird "

I opened one eye to find a slightly blushing Amber, staring guiltfully at me. I frowned.

-"What's weird?" I asked turning my face towards her, now resting my cheek on the hard plastic wheel.

-"Hearing you speak Spanish"- Amber explained, a tiny smile starting to form on her rosy lips- "I know your Mexican but well, you don't look or even sound like it… it's weird to see it's true"

I nodded, lifting my head from its resting point and stare out windshield to a strangely cheerful forest. She was trying to change the subject… so like her really.

-"My great grandfather"- I mumbled absently, remembering the elderly face that had always troubled and confused me- "from my mother's side, he was Italian, I guess I got a lot of him"

I felt Amber nod and there was an awkward moment.

I shook my head: -"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that"

Amber stayed silent for a little while before letting out a shaky stream of giggles:- "it's ok, it was cool I just wasn't expecting it, that's all"

"I won't do it again, I promise" I vowed anyways, sitting up straight now with my hands griping the wheel firmly. Next to me, a soft snort echoed thru the cabin.

-"Of course you aren't, your never driving my car again, remember?"- Amber laughed.

An evil smirk played on my lips as I slowly turned to face Amber one more time.

-"That promise will have to wait then, as fr as I can see, I'm still on the driver's side"

Amber's eyes widen with fear as I started the engine again, pretending to shift aggressively, as if I were going to try burning another inch of the tire. But instead, slowly drove back on the road. Amber's sigh of relieve made me smile wider

-"Don't worry Amber"- I started, mockery dripping from my tongue-"if you play nice I might teach you how to drift"

I could feel the heat of her glare as I drove off. I was bluffing of course, I didn't know how to drift and quite honestly I would never try it. Mostly because the one time I was with someone who did give it a shot, we ended up wrapped around a telephone pole.

I admit, it was hell of fun, but it did hurt.

I dropped Amber off at her house first, because I wanted to walk a little, the weather today being too good to not appreciate it. She was ok with it and finally walked in her house after waving goodbye.

I started walking towards home in a lazy step, occasionally playing with my fingers, my clothes and fanning out my hair whenever I felt the chilly wind pick up. It was nice to be like this, just walking, with no care in the world.

By the time I took a turn to my block I heard the loud laughing of children, something I hadn't really paid attention to since kids were out playing in every street I'd walked thru, but what sparked my interest was seeing Salvador outside, playing with some other kids, somewhat older than him.

He was having so much fun.

I smiled and walked past the bunch of kids to my house's front door, where my mother sat, watching Salvador with strangely dull eyes.

I didn't have to ask why; I knew what was consuming her inside.

I opened the door with not much of a greeting and a I passed her I took a risk, my heart stopping while faced to the unknown, gingerly passing my fingertips over her brown head, a soft touch along her velvety hair.

I didn't dare look back once I was inside and just walked into my room, my heart still pounding off in my throat.

I let my backpack fall on the floor next to the head board and jumped carelessly over the bed, lifting my feet into the air and lay over the head board. I unsheathed the knife I'd gotten earlier from my backpack and began to throw it lightly in the air and catching it again.

Throw…catch, throw…catch, throw…catch.

For a moment, I held the knife in my hand, turning my head back in order to see the door that lead to the back yard.

"I opened my eyes groggily, still half sleeping when I noticed something on the wall.

There was a long, slim rectangle of moonlight from my door lightly cracked open and a shadow of a person seemingly staring inside."

It was true; I hadn't slept at all after that. It had taken me a while to find the courage to get out of bed and another long while to peak my head out to search for something I was entirely positive, was no longer there. And after I'd locked the door and pulled the chest to block it, I'd stayed awake the rest of the night, either walking around the house, checking the doors and on my family, and then simply worrying over it.

-"¿Quien era?" (Who was it?)I whispered to myself, staring intently at the shut, locked and blocked door.

My first thoughts had been that that I'd probably dreamt it, but I knew I was just avoiding reality there, and after some outrageous conclusions, I finally fell for some teen just playing pranks on people.

I was in no way convinced, but it was defiantly the most possible reason.

Well, I was not putting my guard down anyways. I started throwing the knife unto the air a bit higher than before and catching it, in a faster rate than I had initially planned. But practice is practice and I needed to be able to throw this thing good in case who ever gave me a visit yesterday decided it wanted a second date.

Later on I distracted myself with thought's of Amber… tomorrow was her birthday.

And I still haven't gotten anything for her.

I'd pondered on the possibility of getting her a teddy bear, I'd been in her room and I knew it was full on them, but It didn't seem good enough. Now I was considering giving her something more special.

A thought hit me and I smiled. Perfect.

While I fixed up Amber's gift I remembered another thing she'd told me after lunch and before I could take my leave towards class. She was going to ask Jamal out on a date...

At first I'd been shocked, Amber was usually so shy, then happy and proud of her, but then I began to worry. She'd said some cousins of hers were going to take her out to port angels, right after school to go to celebrate her birthday, and as they were taking their boyfriends with them amber had decided it was time to take the first step.

What if he said no?

I sighed as I searched thru the things scattered in my chest for a little pink box.

The day was over before I knew it and as I sat on my bed, pajamas on, gently combing my still wet hair with my fingers, I stared at the door, nervous again while a thought kept drilling my brain.

What if he/her/it came back?

That night had resulted in me not sleeping again, while checking that the house was locked and secure and waiting for something that never came.

I splashed water on my drossy face.

-"Entonces si fue un chiquillo pendejo" (then it was only some stupid kid)- I said to my reflexion on the mirror. I felt very stupid as I looked at the darkening circles around my emerald eyes. yup, so, so very stupid of me.

I yawned as I went over to the van and got on the back seat, trying to have a little nap on the way over to school. But the nap only made me even more tiered.

When my mom drove off , after asking me for the millionth time if I didn't want to stay home and rest, I surveyed the parking lot for a blonde spot and sky blue eyes.

My eyes traveled across the chattering teenagers while my fingers played with the soft surface of my present, then I spotted Amber walking next to Jamal, talking away happily. I smiled in relieve.

He'd said yes.

I started to walk their way, hiding the little box behind my back. Amber was fast in finding me and she ran to meet me, dragging Jamal with her in the process, my smile widened, they were already a couple.

The moment we reached each other, after hesitating just a second, I hugged her gently and whispered in her ear:- "Happy birthday Amber"

-"Thank you, Cory"- Amber whispered back while slowly releasing me from the hug.

-"This is for you"- I chipped, popping the little box out to her. I could practically see the inner flashlight beaming thru her eyeballs. I laughed and pushed the box unto her face- "Come on, open it already, you know you want to"

Amber giggled excitedly and took the box with glee, I smiled and nodded at Jamal next to her, he smiled back at me and nodded 'hello'. Then everything was silent.

I turned to see Amber's astonished face as she held the little box open before her. I bit my lip and came closer, gently taking the thin gold necklace out of her grasp and held it up, a golden 5.56 mm Carabine M4 bullet dangling lightly in the air.

-"Where I come from, a bullet is considered as a symbol of life, the difference between one fate and another, it represents luck, courage and fortress"- I mumbled to her frozen face as I opened the little clip on the delicate chain and carefully clasped it around her neck to finally smile shyly up to her:- "And that's what I wish for you"

I didn't see it coming, because honestly, Amber's shocked face didn't even twitch, but all of a sudden she was already on me, suffocating me in a head lock that I'm sure was supposed to be a hug.

-"Oh Cory, thank you so much, that was so sweet"- Amber squeaked in my ear. I groaned, my body wasn't strong enough to fight her off due to the lack of sleep so I had to recurre to other methods.

-"Amber, I know you love me and you worship the filthy ground I walk on with great devotion and all but, if you let me keep my neck intact I might consider letting you lick my sneakers, how about that?"

Sure enough, she let go of me as if I'd told her I had coodies. Jamal laughed and I joined in right after at Amber's irritated face.

-"Good Amber, but I would rather you did not lick my sneakers , I have a reputation to maintain"

Amber laughed sarcastically and yanked a thin strand of softly curled hair that rested on my shoulder with mock strength. But in my near comatose state, that was enough to make me yelp in pain.

Amber gasped and jumped to hold my face in her hands with worry. I winced, her hold on my face was making my head throb, Jamal's hand held on to my arm, as if to steady me, but I didn't wobble, or so I think.

-"I'm so sorry Cory, I didn't mean to hurt you, it was just a joke"- Amber cried, I nodded and kindly waved both of them off, but their eyes were still on me, Amber frowned:-"Are you sure you're ok? You don't look so good"

I nodded as the bell rang:- "I'm ok, I just didn't get much sleep again"

Amber's eyes sparked with realization:-"So that's why you were so hyper yesterday"

I rolled my eyes at her and started walking off to my class, not a second later I felt a bigger form catch up on me. I turned, half interested, to see who it was, never stopping my retreat. It was Jamal, and he looked really concerned. I smiled

-"Don't worry"- I said before he could say anything, patting his shoulder uneasily:- "I plan to take a snooze in English class"

Jamal laughed:- "Oh, Mr. Warner, that man can lull anyone to sleep"

I laughed too and waved good bye as I reached building number 4. The class started and yes, it was as boring as I remembered it to be, I was out even before Mr. Warner started reciting the poem of the day.

I'm not sure just how long I was out but a little after I shut my eyes, or so it felt like it, a small, cold hand glided across my forehead. My eyes snapped open so fast it still took me a second to actually be able to see, but it was enough to get the unknown hand of me with a soft gasp of surprise.

-"Sorry, Tara"- I said groggily, barely noticing that everyone was already picking their stuff up, I must of sleep all class, how I managed not to get caught? Man I am lucky.

Tara smiled and brushed another lock of hair out of my face… and there another reason why we didn't get along, Tara had this motherly touchy way, and I don't even let my own mother do what she was doing. I sat up straight and yawned into my hand.

-"You didn't get much sleep last night right?"- Tara asked as I packed my notebook and pen, I nodded, and she smiled wider while fetching something from her backpack:- "Here, this might help"

I looked at what she offered and smiled gratefully. I took one bubblegum from the pack:- "Thank you so much Tara, I really needed it"

Tara's smile turned into a full blown grin:- "You're welcome"

We hurried out to our next class and split ways, the bubble gum was quite convenient since the chewing kept me busy enough to not pelt the table with my forehead. But by algebra all the flavor was gone and it started losing its effectivity.

Thankfully I survived the endless lecture and walked out with Jamal discreetly holding his hands ready around my back to catch me in case I collapsed. It was sort of funny. And even funnier when I still managed to open the door to the cafeteria before him.

The whole lunch time I spent eating an apple I'd bought and some of Amber's grapes when she wasn't looking. Which was a lot since she was busy being fondled by everyone and there happy birthday presents to stay focused on her food slowly disappearing.

-"Wow"- I heard Elliott breathed, tentatively twirling the smooth bullet hanging around Amber's proud neck- "Where did you get a bullet?"

-"It's a little souvenir I kept from someone back home"- I explained simply, smiling at Amber's obviously satisfied grin. I guess she actually liked my gift.

The next hours I can't remember, though I'm not entirely sure if I did or didn't fall asleep, but there were parts were I blacked out and thanks to the mighty Lord, I wasn't caught

When I was finally free I did the only thing I'd been thinking about all day. I passed out in Amber's Honda back seat.

-"Are you alive?"

-"Yeah, but you won't be for long"- I snapped back to the amused voice over me, but it only came out as an intelligible 'ham mmnnh gmnsnnnmm'

A soft round of laughter erupted and only then did I force myself to open my eyes. Amber was standing outside the car, holding the door open with a condescending smile on her lips, another thing I noticed. I was already home.

-"Huh". I said, shrugging while sliding out the car.

-"You die when you sleep, don't you?"- I yawned a 'shut up' to Amber's little joke, pulling my backpack onto my shoulder.

-"Thanks for the ride"- I said, now fully awake and gave one final pat on her silly head- "and good luck with your date with Jamal"

Amber's eyes widen like saucers: -"How did you know?..."

-"I'm not blind"- I said and yawned again:- "only sleepy, anyways, good luck, go at him girl"- another yawn while Amber's blushing face smiled, then I finish my sentence:- "Bite his ass"

I only had a second to run off and I made it out before Amber could shake herself out of the shock and glare. I laughed and waved while I opened the door of my house: -"Bye and happy birthday!"

Amber drove off, mumbling something to herself and I prayed inside that everything when ok for her.

After that I left my backpack in my room and went to Mr. Logan's house to work, but I was immediately sent back after one look at the darkening circles under my eyes.

-"But I'm ok, really"- I said as Mrs. Logan ushered me out the door. The sweet old lady shook her silver head stubbornly.

-"You go get some sleep dear, you can come next week, no problem"- Mrs. Logan ordered and there was no more fighting back, I reluctantly nodded and made my way back home, with Mrs. Logan's tender eyes following me all the way.

The next day was like being reborn, I felt good and light as a feather, but once I was at school, I noticed something was very much off.

For starters, Jamal was acting weird, like stealing glances my way in algebra and pretending he was looking out the window when I caught him looking, and then, when I began to worry something had gone wrong with their date, Amber's avoiding confirmed it.

All lunch she spent talking to everyone but me, and I avoided to talk to her too, since what I had to say wasn't something we could discuss in public, but what bothered me the most was the way she looked at me, well the few times she dignified me with a glance.

Her eyes were immensely sad and full with despair.

Exactly what happened yesterday?

I thought of asking Jamal but I decided against it, what if she hadn't said anything to him and I was the one to spill it. But I needed an answer.

The bell rang

-"Amber wait"- I called at her retreating back, loud enough for some of her friends to hear and make it impossible to pretend she hadn't. I reached her: - "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Amber looked at m with the same sadness and reluctantly nodded, following me to a lone corner with her head cast down. As soon as we were far enough from the crowd I turned to face her but she kept avoiding meeting my eyes, I scanned her in search of something that could give me a hint, that's when I saw it. I frowned.

-"You aren't wearing the necklace I gave you"

Amber said nothing

It wasn't much that she wasn't wearing it that bothered me, but what that meant.

-"Say something please"

My plead landed on deaf ears; Amber stayed silent, eyes still seeing anything but me. I started to seriously worry.

-"Amber… did Jamal…?"

This got her to meet my eyes, hers red and puffy with unshed tears. She gritted her teeth.

-"He didn't do anything"- Amber choked, wiping the traitorous tears that escaped her eyes-"Nothing, I just need to be alone ok?"

I stared at her, still searching for anything that could help and the only thing I could be completely sure of was that she was upset about something that happened with Jamal and she was mad at me for it.

I nodded.

Amber turned her back to me and walked away with not even a goodbye.

The last hours I spent thinking about it, and the only logical thing that came to me was that Jamal had rejected her and since technically, I'd been the one to tell her 'go for it', she blamed me for her embarrassment. And I didn't blame her, I had doubted Jamal felt that way about her since the beginning and I said nothing to her.

-"I'm a shitty excuse of a friend"- I said unto the cloudy sky as I walked towards the parking lot, I stopped on Amber's car and sighed.

I heard a soft chuckle to my left and the deep tone of that sound sent chills down my spine. Oh God, not him…

It was him.

-"Paul"- I greeted, and turned to stare at the car again, a headache starting to hit me. Come on! I was supposed to have a week before this. Another silent chuckle, another chill.

-"You lied"

I started at him from the corner of my eye, crossing my arms over my stomach: - "About what?"

Paul's smile caught me off guard, it didn't seem angry at all, considering the context of it. And for some reason, it felt like an eternity from the last time I'd seen it…

I wish it been longer… like, a week, the one I was supposed to have.

-"Your teacher having the flu"- Paul answered nonchalantly, walking over to sit on the hood of Amber's Honda, thus, leaving him right in front of me. Eye contact was inevitable. I felt the same rush I always felt whenever I looked into his melted chocolate like orbs, and of course, the discomfort of it. I raised an eyebrow.

-"I never said he had the flu"

Paul smirked, imitating my pose, strong bronzed arms crossed over his hard stomach: -" You never said it was cancer either"

I smiled against my will, which only made the weirdo in front of me grin his head off.

-"You don't have a last period class, do you?"- Paul asked bluntly, his eyes sharp and amused

I shook my head, that silly little smile of being caught in a lie and really not care never leaving my lips.

Paul's grin turned to a tender smile and as he stood up straight, towering over me with what should've been a threatening stance, he offered me his hand: -"Walk with me"

It wasn't an order, but it didn't feel like I had a choice either. But right now, for everything that had happened these last few days, seeing Paul, I must admit, made me feel happy and even though I was scared of what it meant, I didn't feel the need to be scared of anything else. I felt somewhat safe with him, well, as safe as I could possibly feel with a 6 foot something a-hole.

I began to be aware of the fact that I'd been staring at his outstretched hand for a while now, I glanced at his eyes one time and they were patient and oddly happy. I was startled to find out as to why.

I'd actually been considering taking his hand.

I nodded and started walking towards the parking lot's exit, gallantly ignoring his waiting hand as I spoke: -"How does ice cream sound?"

Ok, so… please review and tell me what you think, and maybe drop off any playlists please? Oh and since I've been very mean by abandoning you all for so long here is a small preview of a far in the future chapter that I've been writing, it's going to be filled with Paul torture, so here it is…

I started the engine. It came to life with a loud roar, rising Goosebumps on my skin, my body suddenly felt looser, lighter. I felt a crocked grin spread on my cold lips.

-"Ok, so take it slow, we have plenty of time so don't get nervous, it looks a lot more complicated than it really-"

-"Tony?"- I said, interrupting his voice thru the small speaker in the helmet.

-"Yes?"

-"Do you know how to pray?"- I asked sweetly as I made the motorcycle give another pair of animalistic groans.

There was a confused silence.

My smile widened into an evil grin: -"Well you're gonna learn"

Yeah I know, to little to say anything, sorry. Please tell me what you think of this.