AN: Hello to all of you, I hope you're still with me and my story. I know it's been a while since I posted the last chapter, but I'm going through a rough time personally, and it's been hard to write something that I find worthy of reading. I always try to give you my best, so I was and still am a bit insecure about this new chapter. However I decided that you deserved more of me, so it is. I hope you'll like it, it's a bit short, but at least is something. I also want to thank you for all the new reviews, favorites and followings, it makes me really happy to know that there are people reading and liking my story. Without any further delays, enjoy reading, and as usual, any reviews will be very welcomed!

CHAPTER 8

NAOMI'S POV

Emily and I get to the cafeteria and start looking for a place to sit, "Hm Emily, you go ahead and get your food. I'll look for a table." I say making my way through the other students without even giving her a chance to answer me. I walk a bit more and finally find a table not too far away from the bar. When I sit there, I see Emily coming my way with a tray of food on her hands, so I motion for her to sit.

She does, and rests the tray on the table.

"Ok here I am! Now you go and get your food, although I can't promise I won't be done with mine when you return…" She smiles and looks hungrily at her food.

"All right, I'll be back in a minute." I say smiling back.

A few minutes pass and I'm back at the table, sitting down in front of her.

"Ah! I see that after all, you did wait for me to get started." I smirk, noticing the food still intact on her plate.

"I may have had one or two chips." She answers grinning.

I laugh at her and start digging at my own food. After a few bites, I start to speak again, but we end up speaking at the same time and she smiles embarrassed.

"Sorry, you go first." I smile encouraging her.

"I was just wondering… Why are you at this school?" She asks a bit nervous.

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion, "What do you mean?"

I see her hesitating before answering, "Well… I thought this was an exclusive school for the people who live inside the city."

"Hm… A few years ago yes, it was like that. Only the Royals and sort could attend this institution." I explain to her, "At least that's what I was told." I finish, shrugging my shoulders and turning my attention back to my food.

"Oh I see. I had no idea. My father always told me that this school was only for the finest families of his society." She says rolling her eyes, "I began to question many of his beliefs…"

I smile kindly at her and can't help but touch her hand, "It's ok. I do the same with mine. It's only natural; we start to grow up, seeing things differently."

She gives me a small smile while looking at our hands, "Yeah I guess you're right…"

"Hey girls!" I retreat my hand as soon as I notice that JJ is standing next to Emily.

"Hey JJ! Do you want to sit down?" She asks him smiling. I can't help but feeling jealous of the way she's smiling at him. C'mon Naomi get a grip, they're just friends!

"Yes, thank you!" He says sitting on the chair right next to Emily, of course!

"So J, did you find the book you're looking for?"

"Ah yes Emily, it wasn't so difficult after all." He smiles at her.

Emily and I return to our food, and after a few minutes JJ turns to me, "So Naomi, how are you liking this school?"

"Well… it isn't a funhouse, but it could be worse. At least the company is enjoyable." I say smirking at Emily, which makes her smile shyly at me. Cute!

"Naomi! There you are." I hear a voice very well known by me, calling.

It had to be my brother, again. As he gets to us, he sits next to me.

"Please, have a sit." I say with sarcasm, rolling my eyes.

"Hello Emily, pleasure to see you again." She gives him a fake smile, and looks at me. I shrug my shoulders at her displeased.

"And who might be you?" Nathan asks a bit rude to JJ.

"Uh… JJ, pleased to meet you." JJ says with a nervous tone to his voice.

Nathan snorts, "Funny hair kid!"

"Hey! Leave him alone!" Emily says angrily.

My brother raises his hands in defence smiling, "Calm down pretty thing, no need to snap at me."

"Nathan please just go away!" I plead to him.

He looks at me, and I think I see a look of hurt on his face, "What's the matter? All of a suddenly I'm not welcomed to your little group of friends, is that it?"

This time I feel guilt rushing through me, "Nathan, no, that's not…" I try to explain, but he cuts me off, "Oh fuck off! I have better things to do anyway!" He says, getting up and leaving.

I clench my jaw trying to control the anger building inside of me. Suddenly the air feels very heavy, and I almost forget that Emily and JJ are sitting with me, until I feel a hand on top of mine. Somehow that helps easing a bit of the tension inside me.

"Naoms… You ok?" Emily asks softly.

I sigh deeply, "Yeah, whatever…" I look at both her and JJ, "I'm sorry you had to witness that." I feel myself blushing embarrassed.

"Don't worry about that. We understand, right JJ?"

"Yes of course! Siblings' fights, everyone has them. Well at least people who have siblings, that is. Emily and I couldn't possibly know, since we don't have any brothers or sisters. Also…"

"JJ we get it." Emily says smiling at him, and then at me.

"Thank you guys…" I brush my thumb over hers and give her a small smile.

Suddenly the bell rings, marking the time for the afternoon classes.

"Well girls, I should go, I have to be on time for my next class." JJ says to us, getting up, "Aren't you coming?"

Emily looks at me uncertain and then turns to her friend, "Uhm… I think we'll need a few more minutes. I'll see you later yeah?"

He nods and goes into the corridor while other students do the same.

After a few seconds of silence I began to speak, "Uhm… Emily… You didn't have to stay here with me. I mean, this is nothing new to me. Nathan and I are always getting on each other's nerves like this."

She lets go of my hand to rest her chin on hers and looks at me kindly, "I figured that much already. I also know you can handle it yourself. However, I couldn't stand leave you here alone to your thoughts. I felt your tension, even more when I put my hand on top of yours."

"Hm I see. Thank you for staying then."

She waves her hand, "Ah forget it, it's no big deal!" And laughs, making me laugh along.

"Although…" Emily looks at me seriously now, "I remember what you told me the night we met, when we walked together through the woods, so I know it hurts when you get mad at Nathan." She pauses for a bit, noticing my look of discomfort, and reaches for both of my hands now, "That's why I want to tell you, I'm here for you. Count on me, ok?"

I squeeze her hands in mine and smile, "Ok, I will." And give her a small smile.

She smiles that magic smile of hers, "Good! Now enough of sappy talk, what are you going to do this afternoon?"

"Hm… I have… History I think." I reach for the schedule in my bag, "Yep. That's it!"

"Although on second thought, I'm not really in the mood for listening about the importance of the Royal family for an hour and half, so I'm gonna skip it."

She looks at me terrified and I can't help but laugh, "Please don't tell me you've never skipped class?!"

"No, never…" Emily says with a low voice and blushing.

I grin at her, "Well there's a first time for everything." And now she just looks at me confused, "Do you want to skip class with me?" I ask her raising my eyebrows and smirking.

"Actually… I've always wanted to try skipping class. And with you it sounds like it could be fun. Also it's only the first day of school right?" She smirks back.

"Oh Ems, it will be fun, I promise." I get up, grab my bag and wait for Emily to grab hers, and lead the way to the door that gives access to the main entrance.

After two minutes we find ourselves breathing the fresh air outside. I inhale deeply, "Ah, finally some freedom!" And give Emily a big smile.

She grins and looks up at the sky, "It sure is a wonderful day, no clouds at all."

"Yep! But it's best if we keep moving, I'm sure you don't want to get caught."

"Oh that would be dreadful! As soon as my father found out, I'd probably be sent away or locked up in my room." She said a bit bitterly, following me.

"I really hope you're joking Em." I said concerned.

Emily didn't say anything more and I continued to lead the way, only stopping when I reached a black motorcycle in the parking lot.

"Uhm… Naomi? Don't tell me that's your vehicle?!"

"Indeed it is." I say proudly, "Emily meet Babe!"

She gave a husky laugh, "Ahah! You really named it?!"

"Well yes! She's my best companion on the road, I had too!"

"Sure, it makes perfect sense." Emily said trying to contain another laugh.

"Oh just shut up and hop on the damn thing!" I said and couldn't resist smiling when she gave me a frightened look. I sat first to reassure her, "See it's safe! Don't be scared."

Even with my insistence Emily still didn't make a move towards me, "I don't know Naomi… It looks really dangerous."

My heart almost leapt at seeing her look at the floor embarrassed, and I had to resist the urge of hugging her in a tight embrace. Seeing as I couldn't do that, I got up and went to her, "Look, first time riding a bike is scary, I know that. I also understand that you're not used at getting out of your comfort zone." I paused and cupped her cheek with my right hand so that she could look at me. When she did her eyes were black, a bit different from the brown I've been seeing in them. Somehow that made me a bit nervous, but I proceeded with my speech, "Despite all that, I'm an experienced driver and not a complete stranger to you, I think."

"Yeah, you're not." She spoke again in a low voice, "A stranger to me, I mean."

I smile kindly, "Ok then we'll make a deal! You get up on the bike, and as soon as you don't feel safe, I'll stop."

She nods, "Ok. We have a deal." And gives one of her signature smiles.

"Ah there's that beautiful smile again!"

"Stop it!" Emily says smiling blushing.

"Ok, let's go then! Put your helmet on and hold on tightly to my waist, got it?"

"Yeah, I'm ready!"

And with that I turn the engine on and drive into the road outside school. During the ride I feel Emily tighten her grip around me, and I know this will sound bad, but I couldn't help the huge smile on my face because of the rush that went through my whole body for having her so close to me. I just hope she feels the same.

AN: Well there you have it, I'll see you until next chapter ;)