All I Ever Wanted

Chapter 6

Tuesday

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The next day, I saw Clayton approaching me as I headed to my first period class. "Abby!" He called out.

"No," I groaned. I needed him to go away. I didn't trust myself around him. I was going on a date with someone else - Tanner - the next day and I couldn't take any chances at accidentally falling for Clayton again. I wasn't sure I was completely over him, but I knew I was at least close. "Go away, Clayton."

"Abby, why are you acting like this?"

"Because you're a jerk! How many times must I explain it to you?" I replied while walking into class. The fact I had to sit with Alex - who was still mad at me - was bad enough. I didn't need to fight with Clayton in front of the whole class.

"But I need to explain!"

"No, you don't," I groaned, sitting down and pulling out my pencil. He wouldn't leave me alone.

"You misunderstood. I -"

"I understood just fine," I interrupted. I asked the teacher to tell him to leave me alone.

"Clayton, please take your seat," she requested.

He did as he said, but as she walked away I heard him whisper to me, "I'm going to catch you after school."

Near the end of class Alex glanced at me from her seat next to me.

"What?" I asked solemnly.

"I-I'm sorry, Abby." I wasn't sure if I wanted to forgive her. She had been a jerk, but still, she was my best friend.

"Apology accepted," I said. "I don't like that 'thing' anyway."

"You don't?" She looked confused. "But you guys ditched class together. The whole school thinks you guys are together.

"Well, we aren't." I felt anger rise inside of me.

"Are you sure?" She whispered. "What happened?"

"It's personal. Just know that he isn't perfect." I looked away, holding back tears. "I thought he was, but he isn't." I told myself I couldn't cry. I told myself I was over him and his idiocy didn't affect me. There were two lies in that sentence.

"Abby, what's wrong?" Alex wrapped her arm around me and squeezed my shoulder.

"Nothing, I'm fine." I closed my eyes tight - the only thing I could do to prevent crying. Why did my heart hurt so bad? Why?

"Fine can mean a lot of things," she responded. Alex was right. 'Im fine,' was the most common lie I used.

"I know, I know."

"So I saw you talking to Tanner yesterday. What'd he have to say?"

"He was just being a good friend." 'Unlike you,' I wanted to add. She was making me angry. I decided against it. "And then things took a turn and he asked me out on a date."

"Really?" She looked shocked. "What'd you say?"

"I said yes. God, don't look so surprised. It's not like he's some kind of alien."

"But he's a total downgrade from Clayton!" She yelled in a whisper.

"Enough with Clayton, I don't want to talk to or about him. There are other guys at this school, Alex. I don't understand why you are so obsessed with him." I scolded.

"You know exactly why I like him - just yesterday you liked him for the same reasons!"

"I said enough."

"Fine. But why'd you say yes? He's so quiet and awkward."

"He's not awkward, Alex. He's funny, nice, and a better friend than you are." The bell rang, dismissing us. "He has his reasons for being quiet, okay? You can't judge someone until you know them. And clearly, you don't know Tanner!" I scowled, packing up and walking away. Why was I pushing everyone away? First Clayton, now Alex. Then again, why did I keep thinking about Clayton? I did not want to be around him! Stop, brain. Stop, stupid emotions. In no time tears streamed down my face. I rushed to math class, hiding my face as I entered the class. Asher, who shared the class with me, looked at me and mouthed the words, 'Are you okay?' I shook my head side to side, realising there was no point in lying. I took my seat and stared into space, my surroundings slowly becoming blurry. The period dragged on forever. Science and P.E. lasted an eternity as well. I was relieved when lunch finally arrived. I shouldn't have been. I was walking around with Sarah, Haley, Daniel, Tanner, and Asher, having a great time and forgetting about Clayton. That didn't last long. As we turned a corner, I gasped. Clayton and Alex stood behind one of the school buildings, talking, laughing, and worse - kissing.