CHAPTER 3 | Amber
(^ Pic of Zack's crazy fujoshi friend: Amber)
"We should get you your schedule to see what classrooms you'll be attending classes in." Amber said and I agreed.
The three of us walked around the school until we arrived at some office and asked for my schedule.
"So, Amber, why exactly did you get poor Zack in this trouble with Mark?" Vincent asked while we waited.
"I already told you, I thought they would get along, but it turned out bad."
"Yeah, but why precisely with Mark? You know he's not a nice person, at all."
Amber was silent for a moment.
"I have no idea, he was the first one who came to my mind. And besides, I saw Zack was so lonely walking around there, so I did it."
Thank God she didn't mention the part where I was looking at him.
"Alright, but I still think there's something off about this." Said Vincent crossing his arms.
Amber scoffed. "You think I planned this whole thing or what?"
"Maybe I do."
"Guys, please, just get over it." I decided to intervene before they created a scene.
"You two know something I don't. I feel excluded." Vincent said pouting a little. "Don't you trust me?"
"It's not that, Vincent. It's just... uh-"
"It's ok, Zack." Amber looked at me with a smile. "I'll explain everything to you guys later."
We stayed in silence until finally I received my schedule and we walked out of the office. We found an empty bench near the garden and we sat on it, while I examined my schedule.
"Let me see if we have any classes together." Amber said and I handed it to her. Her and Vincent looked at it closely.
"So, do I have classes with any of you?" I asked after a while.
"Uuhhh... I don't think so..." Amber said as she kept her eyes on it.
"Actually yes, look." Vincent said pointing to it. "English C2! We have English toge- no, wait... Ah, my classroom is C3, I forgot. Well, at least you'll be next to mine."
"Oh, ok." I said quite disappointed. It would have been cool if I had classes with them, and have someone to talk to.
"Sorry, my little friend, no classes together." Amber handed back my schedule with a sad smile.
"Well, that sucks."
"Wait. Give it back!"
She snatched it off me and looked at it again, more closely this time. I heard her gasp.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Chemistry D4!" Amber said quite loudly.
"...And?"
Vincent had a confused look on his face, just like mine. But then his eyes widened as if he had realized something. "Isn't that where... he goes to?"
Amber nodded with her mouth slightly open.
"Who?" I asked again.
Vincent looked at me. "Man, today is definitely not your lucky day."
"Why? Tell me now!" I demanded for a response.
"That's the same classroom as Mark Pierce. You and Mark Pierce have Chemistry together!" Amber said.
"WHAT?!"
That could not be possible. No freaking way. They were just kidding, right? They must be kidding.
"But that's impossible! He's older than me, isn't he? He should be a grade higher."
"Mark failed Chemistry II and now he's repeating it. He's literally 1 year older than all the boys at that class." Amber explained. "It wouldn't have happened if he had paid attention in class and did his homework."
"Wait, how do you know that?" I asked.
Just at that moment the bell rang, indicating the beginning of class. Everybody around us started to leave the place.
I sighed. "Well, guess we have to go to class now." I said standing up and saving my schedule in my backpack.
They both stood up as well.
"Zacky, don't worry. You don't have that class until Tuesday."
I gave her a serious look. "Tomorrow is Tuesday."
She laughed. "Oops."
Vincent approached me. "Man, don't worry about it. If he ever insults you, hurts you, or anything, you know you can tell me so I can beat his ass."
I laughed and so did he.
"I'm serious, though."
"I will. Thank you, Vincent."
"Aw, you're such a guardian angel, aren't you." Amber said pinching at one of Vincent's cheeks.
He shoved off her hand with a chuckle. "I'd like to call it being a good friend." He smiled and I returned it.
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School went by quite quickly. It wasn't so hard after all, except for the part where I had to introduce myself to the class as the new student. That sucked, I hated introducing myself.
I hung out with Amber and Vincent at lunch break. It was nice being with them both. Occasionally, I would see Mark's group walking around. I felt scared only by seeing them approaching, but for some reason, I kinda liked looking at Mark for a brief moment. Even though he was a jerk to me.
I tried to avoid them as best as I could. But then I couldn't stop thinking about tomorrow. He was going to be in my same classroom. That would make avoiding him more difficult. I didn't know what was going to happen.
I exited through the big double doors to the yard, with my friends at my sides. I felt a bit bossy right now, with me in the middle and my friends following me, like I'm their leader or something.
Vincent turned to us once we went down the steps. "Hey guys, can I have your numbers? I'm going to add you to a group." He said as he pulled out his phone.
"A group? About what?" Amber asked.
"Oh, nothing, really. Just to keep in contact between us three, ask for the homework, talk about whatever, send memes."
Amber laughed. "You convinced me with the memes part."
"We're going to call it..." Vincent said while thinking of a name.
"The fabulous threesome." Amber completed and we all laughed.
"What the hell? That sounds so..." I said a bit embarrassed.
"What? It's a good name."
"Actually I was thinking of something better, like... The Back Benchers." Vincent said.
"Yeah, that sounds cool. I like it." I commented. "Better than the fabulous threesome."
Amber laughed again, and we gave our numbers to Vincent.
"Ok guys, I'll add you when I get home. So, I'll see you tomorrow. See you Amber, Zack."
We said our goodbyes and then he walked away.
"So, Zack." Amber started as we walked towards the road where my aunt would pick me up. "About the problem with Mark's group..."
"What about it?" I asked.
"I just don't want you to think I planned that thing, because really, it wasn't my intention. And I'm truly sorry."
To be honest, I didn't know what to think about her, but I guess she was being sincere about it. And I would feel bad if I rejected her apology. She had already apologized, though, maybe she just wants to make sure I do forgive her.
"Don't worry about that, Amber. Once more, I forgive you." I gave her a reassuring smile.
"Aw, thank you so much, Zacky." She pinched at my cheek quite strongly.
"Ow!" I said shoving her hand away. "Be more gentle!"
She just laughed. "Sorry, I like pinching cheeks."
"No doubt." I said rubbing my cheek.
We kept walking until we stood by the road, watching the cars pass by.
"Now, Zacky... about Mark himself..." She said slowly.
"Yeah?" I replied waiting for her to continue. Although I knew what she was going to say.
"Do you really like him or something? I'm not going to judge you, you can be sure of that."
There she goes with that question. Well, yes I kinda like him, but I wasn't going to tell her yet... I couldn't trust her just now.
"No, Amber. I don't like him."
But maybe she already suspected by the way I was looking at him in the morning.
"Ok. Well, if that's the case, then there's no reason for him to hate you. The problem is that he already thinks that you like him, and getting that idea out of his head will be so damn hard."
"Yeah, I know." I simply said, not wanting to keep talking about this and just looked to the road.
"You're waiting for someone?"
"Yes, my- Oh, there she is." I said as I recognized my aunt's car approaching. She parked a few feet from us.
"Is that your mom?"
"My aunt." I corrected.
"Oh, your aunt. Ok, so I'll see you tomorrow, Zacky. Take care." She gave me a small hug.
"Yeah, you too. See you." I patted her back and she smiled, walking away.
I walked to the car and entered.
"Hey." I greeted.
"Hey, Zack. How was school? Who was that girl you were talking to?" My aunt asked while she kept her eyes on Amber who was walking.
"She's my friend, Amber."
"Oh, you made a new friend?" She said as she started the car.
"Actually two. Her and a boy, Vincent."
"That's very nice, Zack! I told you you'd make a lot of friends! Well, you only made two but that's more than fine. You should bring them home someday."
"Yeah, I'll see."
Not only had I made two friends, but also five enemies. AND I have a crush on one of them.
And his name is Mark Pierce.