Saving Him • editing/rewriting

twenty-without you

Thankfully, this morning's bus driver was kind enough to spare a few moments to wait for my slow, unfit ass. After I safely got on, I regretted taking the bus. I wished I had gotten up earlier and walked to school. Because sitting at the back were Tom and Lola. I quickly looked away though and sat at the very front, avoiding them completely.

And that's how it started. That was how everyone started avoiding each other like their life depended on it. Like we were Romeo's and Juliet's forbidden to see each other. Like we had a restraining order to stay at least a couple hundred metres away from each other.

Hunter stayed away from everyone but he still sat next to me in all our classes. We just didn't talk. At all. I didn't know what to say. And I'm guessing, neither did he.

Tom avoided all of us, but me especially. He would literally turn and walk the other way when we saw me. He even moved spots in English.

Lauren and Lola also stayed away from everyone, and each other. I never had any classes with them though so it was hard to bump into them anyway.

So at lunch, things got extremely awkward. Since I usually but my lunch from the cafeteria, I bumped into Lola in the line. She bit her lip and looked the other way while I just kept tapping and doing meaningless things on my phone. Once Lola got her food, since she was in front of me, she walked away quickly and sat down by herself at an empty table.

When I got my lunch, I decided to eat outside. I walked over to a shady spot under a tree and started to eat my lunch. It felt so different without them. It was so lonely and so boring. I hated not being with them. But if none of them were ready to talk, or apologise, then neither was I.

+++

The next day, I was ready to endure another day of possible awkward encounters and lonely lunchtimes and of course a whole heap of ignoring. But that was not an option. For any of us. As soon as it hit lunch, we were all called to the principal's office. And I'm sure we all had a pretty good idea of why we were being called there.

I saw Tom walk towards the outside of the principal's office when he spotted me. He gave me a small nod of acknowledgment but looked away soon after. We waited in silence while the other's arrived. It just made the awkward air even worse. I could just sense all the fidgeting and nervousness.

Finally, after what seemed like a billion years, Principal Leonard opened the door and let us all in. I almost breathed a huge sigh of relief but controlled myself.

As we all took a seat in front of his desk he started talking, "I'm sure you all know why you have been called here today." He started. "To address the matter concerning Ms Georgia Tate and Ms Lauren Birchgrove."

My palms started to get sweaty and my heart raced. I had absolutely no idea what he was going to say. I was curious but at the same time, I wanted to just run out of the room.

"I received a video filmed by a fellow student," He continued looking at Tom. "And he stated all of whom were involved."

Wait, were we in trouble for being part of this as well? I really hoped not. Mum would kill me. Well, if she even noticed or cared what was going on I life. I laughed bitterly inside my head feeling stupid for thinking that she would care even for a second.

"We were all just trying to help sir." Hunter told the Principal politely.

He nodded, "Yes I am very aware of that. And I am not implying that any of you are in trouble." He said which made us all relax a little. "I am here to inform you that the incident has been alerted to the police and Georgia Tate will be sent to court for questioning."

I gasp at that news. I didn't know what I expected from doing this but I didn't expect her to go to jail. Well, court but there was a very high possibility. Wow, this was big news. I glanced over at Lauren who probably masked my exact expression. She was shocked as well. But yet none of us spoke.

"Ms Birchgrove, you will be expected to speak in court. Will that be alright?" He asked Lauren. "Of course I will get your parents in and a few members of the police force to speak with you this afternoon but this will be a heads up."

Lauren just nodded looking like she was about to cry. I decided to wrap and arm around her and give her a one-arm hug. She leaned into me and have me a grateful look. This was going to be really hard on her. And I had a feeling we all needed to be there for her.

+++

Once we walked out of there Lauren was a sobbing mess. She was crying and shaking and on a verge of a panic attack. With Tom's quick thinking though, he gave her a piggy back and we all ran out of the school. We ran until we reached the park we went to usually to hang out.

Tom set Lauren down onto one the ground as he told her words that calmed her down. She was still breathing a little heavily but she seemed to have calmed down exceptionally. By this time, we were all seated in a circle. I guess it was a habit from group therapy.

"Well, to be really honest, I was not expecting that to happen to her." Tom spoke up after a minute's silence.

"Same. I don't know what I expected to happen but I was shocked when he told us that." I confessed. Everyone else agreed and we started laughing. I guess that meant we were all talking again.

Lauren smirked, "I'm glad we're all talking. Shame it had to be such an awful reason though."

Lola sighed, "I know. But I want to apologise. To you Katie." She looked at me and guilt was definitely evident in her eyes. She then looked over at Hunter. "And I want to apologise to you too Hunter."

"It's okay." Hunter smiled.

"Yeah, all is forgiven." I said. "And I'm really sorry for snapping at you like I did."

"If we're apologise to each other now, I want to join." Tom said sticking up his hand excitedly. I laughed at his childishness. I missed him.

"This isn't school Tom. Just say it." Lauren laughed.

He looked me in the eyes and reached our for my hand, "Katie, I'm really, really sorry for how I acted. I was a jealous idiot and I was so stupid for doubting you." He said. "I'm so sorry. And I missed you so much these couple of days."

I leaned over to hug him, "You're definitely forgiven. And I missed you too Tom."

"So the lovebirds are back." Lauren stated. "And it's also my turn. I want to say sorry to everyone for being so ungrateful. It means a lot that you guys would go that far to help me."

"Of course! What kind of friends do you think we are?" Tom asked, putting a hand to his chest and pretending to be offended. We all laughed. But we knew we also had to discuss more important matters.

"Guys, I know I have to do the right thing and tell the truth when I go to court." Lauren said. "And I will. I just... Can you guys come with me? I know you won't be allowed inside but it would keep me at ease knowing you'd be waiting afterwards."

"Of course!" We all answered in unison and then bursting out with laughter. I really had missed these idiots. They made life so much better just with their presence. I guess that's what really mattered. Having people in your life that made everything better just by being there.

A/N
I love the song I chose for this since it explains just how important their friendship is. And it explains how Katie realised how much they impacted her life:3 so this chapter was quite cute.

Anyway, YOUVE GOT A CHAPTER A DAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS HOORAY!

Also I've changed the actress that plays Katie from Chloe Moretz to Lily Collins because she's goals and I love her.

Guess the song:

I must've called a thousand times.