061.For a moment, Melissa was silent, her gaze shifting away from Amber's as if she was wrestling with her own thoughts. Then, in a small, hesitant voice, she whispered, “I don't know. Maybe…maybe not. But I'm scared to let go. What if I never find anyone else who makes me feel the way Tyler does?”Amber reached out, gently taking Melissa's hand in hers. "Melissa, I understand. It's hard to walk away from something that feels so good, even if it's not right for you,“ Amber reached out to touch her. “But you need to walk away from Tyler before he destroys you, before he destroys our friendship. You haven’t been yourself since two started this thing you call a relationship. He doesn’t love you,”Melissa shook her head, but Amber was determined to persuade her.“Mel, you are a pretty girl. There are tons of guys out there who would want to be with you. You will find someone who loves you and respects you. Not one who uses you. Please?”Melissa sighed. “Tyler might be a jerk like you sai
062.Amber wandered, her heart heavy with pain. She couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t believe Melissa would say such words to her. She couldn’t believe the only girl she had taken as a best friend, cared for unconditionally and loved would be so mean to say hurtful words to her face.She thought she knew Melissa, but right now, she felt she might not really know her. She found a secluded spot and sat down. She hugged herself and buried her face in her hands before bursting into tears.The tears came fast and hard, a waterfall of emotions spilling from her eyes. Amber couldn’t remember the last time she cried this hard. Melissa had been her rock, her constant companion through thick and thin. And now, it felt like all that friendship and all those memories had been shattered by just a few words.“Why?” she sobbed, her voice raw and broken. “Why would she say those things to me?”She rocked back and forth, trying to comfort herself, but it was no use. The pain in her heart was too much
063.Two days passed by in a blur and as much as Melissa tried to get close to Amber, she couldn’t. It was as if Amber was giving her the space she asked for, and she couldn’t help feeling bad about it. Jack was always left at the middle and since Amber wasn’t ready to say anything, decided to meet Melissa and ask her what’s up.“Amber, please see me in my office,” Professor Smith said, his gaze fixed on Amber.Amber nodded. “Yes, Professor.”Professor Smith turned to face the students. “See you all next week.” With that, he turned and left while Amber quickly packed her books into her bags.“Jack, I’ll be in the Professor’s office,” Amber said and without sparing Melissa a glance, rushed after Professor Smith who was already out.Jack turned to face Melissa who was just seated and hadn’t even packed her books. He took a seat beside her, his expression filled with worry. “Something is going on between you and Amber, isn’t he?” he asked.Melissa took her head and sighed, trying to figh
064.“Kiss my fist, Tyler!” Melissa hissed, her eyes flashing with anger. She clenched her hands into fists, ready for another strike. “You think you can just use me like I’m some kind of toy? Well, not anymore!”Tyler tried to regain his composure, clutching his cheek. “What the hell, Melissa?” he snarled, his eyes blazing with fury but Melissa could care less.“What the hell?” Melissa echoed, her voice filled with venom. “You think you can treat me like this and get away with it? No more, Tyler. I’m done. I’m done being your little toy to play with whenever you want.”Jack smirked, folding his arms. “That’s more like it.” he whispered, his eyes filled with pride at what Melissa just displayed.She turned to the two girls who were still staring at her in disbelief, their eyes wide. “And you,” she said, her voice filled with disgust. “Are you really that desperate for his attention? Open your eyes. He’s using you just like he was using me. He is a jerk who doesn’t care about how you f
065.As they walked out of the classroom, Jack signaled Melissa to use that as an opportunity to apologize to Amber, but Melissa was scared.Jack sighed and shook his head. “Amy, how about we grab lunch at the cafeteria?” he asked.Amber stopped in her tracks, her gaze resting on Melissa before averting it to Jack. “Um…” she trailed, rubbing the back of her head. “I have some files to compile and submit to Professor Smith. You guys eat without me.” she turned to leave, but Jack held her hand.He knew she was looking for an escape, but he wasn’t going to let her. “It’s just for a few minutes,” he began dragging her towards the cafeteria. “The files can wait. Your stomach comes first.” Amber sighed in resignation and quietly followed him while Melissa trailed behind them. They got to the cafeteria and each were given their orders.They took their trays and moved towards one of the empty tables at the far end. Amber seemed to be uncomfortable, her gaze focused on her food, while Melissa
066. “Your boyfriend’s house?” Amber scoffed. “Just so you know, I live here too. Why do you keep coming here like you have no home?” Candice’s eyes twitched, her face contorting into a frown as she stood to her feet to face Amber. “Says someone who he helped with a home,” she said, venom dripping from her words. “What?” Amber couldn’t believe what just came out of Candice’s mouth. “Do you think I’m some homeless person? Axel brought me here himself. Decorated and furnished my room for me all by himself. I don’t think I can say the same for someone like you. After all, you’re the one dating him and not the other way round.” Candice snorted, her expression turning into a sneer. “Oh, really? And who says I haven't decorated his room either?” she retorted. “Just because you live in this house doesn't mean you know everything that happens here. For all you know, he could be waiting for the right time to ask me to move in with him.” Amber rolled her eyes. “Keep dreaming,” she scoffed
067.“What was that about?” Melissa asked as they walked into Amber’s room.Amber placed Melissa’s bag on the shelf before plopping on the bed with a sigh. “Just Candice being her normal self,” she snorted, her expression hardening. “That darn lady doesn’t know when to beat it.”Melissa lied down as well, facing the ceiling. “I had no idea she and Axel were stood together. I thought he would break up with her again after his father gets your project done.”Amber rolled onto her side and placed her jaw in her palms, her elbow resting on the bed. “It’s not that easy, Mel. I mean… I don’t know.” she groaned.Melissa tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. “What are you two going to do then? If he is together with Candice, and you two are still—”“Mel!” Amber called warningly.“I’m serious, Amy,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “That means he is cheating on Candice with you. Isn’t that cruel? Even for her?”Amber let out a heavy sigh, staring at Melissa with an unreadable expr
068.With a sly smirk, Amber pushed Axel gently against the shower wall, pressing her lips against his, the water from the shower cascading over their bodies, their tongues tangling together in a passionate kiss.Axel’s hands found Amber’s waist, his fingers digging into her soft skin as he gave in to her touch. “Amber,” he groaned against her mouth. “We can’t.”“I know,” Amber whispered between kisses, her breath hot against his skin. “But I’ve been craving you all day. And it’s not fair for Candice to have you all to herself.”Axel let out a low moan as Amber’s hands trailed lower, her fingers running along the length of his manhood, the tension between them palpable. “Amber…” he whispered, his resistance crumbling.“Shhh,” she shushed him, pressing a finger to his lips.Amber’s fingers teased Axel’s length, stroking him slowly and gently, the steamy water from the shower only heightening their desire. Axel’s eyes closed in pleasure, his head falling back against the wall as she kis
093.“Girl, calm the hell down, okay?” Melissa held Amber’s hand and gave it a pat. “You and I know Axel didn’t mean for all these to happen. He loves you and I know that. The person we should focus on is that fucking girl called Hazel.” Melissa balled her fists, her face twisting in disgust. After what Hazel did the other day, Melissa developed a certain hatred for her. She wished she could pull the girl’s hair and give her a brain resetting beating.Amber sighed and sat down, taking in what Melissa had said. She ruffled her hair, realizing the girl was right. She was blinded with the rage of seeing Hazel with Axel that she didn’t even notice the disgust on Axel’s face while Hazel was being all over him.“Do you think I overreacted?” she asked, her voice taking on a calmer tone.Melissa took a seat beside her. “I don’t think you overreacted, you actually overreacted,” she said and Amber threw her a glare. “I’m being serious. Who knows what Axel would be feeling right now? He loves yo
092.Axel tried to talk to Amber, Amber’s gaze didn’t leave Hazel. “What are you doing with Axel?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest.Hazel took a step forward, trying to sound as convincing as possible. “Amber,” she began, her voice laced with softness that only irritated Amber more. “It’s not what you think. I was just trying to—”“Trying to seduce him? Trying to get him to notice you?” Amber asked, her frown deepening. “Don’t you have boundaries? Aren’t you contented being the untouchable captain of the cheerleading squad?” Axel held Amber. “Let’s just go.”“No, allow me to talk,” Amber moved away, stopping in front of Hazel. “Listen, I will overlook many things as long as you stay away and do not cross me. Nothing you say today will dispute the fact that you’re trying to get Axel’s attention, and it beats me that you have no ounce of shame at all.”Hazel shook her head. “I’m sorry if that offends you, but you and Axel aren’t officially dating. Like other ladies, I have
091.A week later…“Girl, it’s only a week until first semester exams starts, and I’m freaking out like crazy!!!” Melissa paced back and forth, literally panicking. Amber chuckled. “Girl, relax. It’s just exams.” Amber rolled her eyes, pulling out a book from inside her backpack.Melissa stopped pacing, her gaze settling on Amber, who didn’t seem the least bothered about the exams. She was literally freaking out here and Amber? Amber was seated there, calm and composed like she had this in the bag.Well… of course Amber had this in the bag. She was one of the smartest persons Melissa know. “Amy, this is my first exam in college. I feel so pressured, and I’m panicking right here.” “Melissa, breathe,” Amber said, patting her on the shoulder. “It’s not as hard as you think.”Melissa huffed and plopped down on the seat next to Amber, her face a mask of frustration. “Breathe, huh?” She let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes. “Easy for you to say. You've probably already read all the
090.“You two haven’t answered me.” Cole folded his arms while Amber and Axel stared at each other. It wouldn’t be good to tell him about their relationship over the phone anyway.Amber took a deep breath. “Calm down, Cole. There’s nothing wrong with Axel being my date to the school dance. You know how I am with crowds. He was basically helping me. I put him up to it.” she replied, throwing a glare Cole’s way.Cole wanted to believe them, he really wanted to but whenever the dance between them popped up on his feed, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that something wasn’t right. Call it insecurity, but he’d prefer to call it “brother instinct”.His gaze flickered between the two of them before he let out a sigh. “We will talk about this when I return, okay? And don’t you dare try anything funny until I’m back.”Amber nodded with a smile. “You can count on that.” Cole scoffed before fixing his gaze on Axel. “I asked you to take care of Amber, Axel. I trust you, so just do what you are
089.Amber quickly pulled away from the hug and stared at Jack, her eyes widening in shock. “W-what?” Amber took a step back.Jack lowered his head, sighing heavily. “I know it’s shocking given that I am your best friend and all, but I really like you,”Amber didn’t know what to say as she just stared at him, she couldn’t believe that Jack liked her. Could it be…“The crush you said you had—”“Was you,” Jack replied and that was when it all began to make sense to her. All those times he key mentioning Axel as her brother’s best friend and how she shouldn’t be together with him and things like that. “I couldn’t tell you to your face that I liked you, so I just decided to use something else. I know you don’t love me back and I’m not expecting you to. The person you love is Axel, and I understand that,” he forced a smile. “I just wanted you to know how I feel.”Amber was quiet for a moment, trying to process everything that Jack had just said. He was right, her heart belonged to Axel, an
088.The school halls buzzed with students dressed elegantly with music blasting from the halls. The school dance was already in full swing by the time Amber and Axel arrived.Axel held her hand as they walked in, stealing the spotlight immediately as all eyes were.“Wow, you guys really know how to make an entrance,” a voice exclaimed, and Amber turned to find Ricky and Melissa walking up to them, a smile stretching wide across Melissa's face. “Everyone is staring at you two like you're the prom king and queen already.”“Well, I can't blame them,” Axel said, his tone playfully cocky. “After all, I am the best-looking guy in the room, and I'm with the most beautiful girl.” He paused and added in a softer voice, “And I think everyone can see that.”“You're such a dork, Axel,” Amber giggled, punching him playfully on the arm. “But I guess you're right. It's just everyone else recognizing what we already know.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.“I'm just glad we made it here togeth
087.“And… for the final touch,” Melissa took the silver necklace Axel has gifted Amber and helped her fix it around her neck. Amber stared at herself in the mirror, but believing what she was seeing.“You look stunning,” Melissa exclaimed. “I'm sure you're going to steal the show at prom today. Axel won't be able to take his eyes off you.”“He shouldn't,” Amber smiled as she stood to her feet, admiring the elegant blue prom dress Axel had personally handpicked for her. The dress was a vision. It shimmered like the gentle waves of a midnight sea, clinging to Amber’s curves in all the right places. The deep blue color brought out the golden flecks in her cat eyes, accentuating her natural beauty. The expert beading and delicate embroidery around the bodice, glittering like stars in the night sky, made it clear this was no ordinary dress.“Wow,” Amber breathed out. “He’s really outdone himself. I look amazing and I know it.” Amber touched her hair that Melissa has style and curled into
086.“Rejecting every girl who comes to you and sitting like you’re gonna die the next minute isn’t gonna make Amber like you back, you know?” Gideon, one of Jack’s teammate and friend, said as he watched Jack sit on the bench in the gymnasium like someone who got beaten to a pulp.Jack sighed, frustration lining his features. “I don’t want those girls, Gideon.,” he answered, running his tongue over his chapped lips. “Amber is the one I like, dude. I don’t see myself being happy dancing with a random girl.”“But you said she likes someone else. Isn’t it better you stop this now before you fall deeper for her?” Gideon cautioned him, but Jack didn’t look like he was ready to listen.He had loved Amber from the very first day he set his eyes on her at the library. The first thing that attracted him to her was her cat eyes — he found it rare, amazing and unique. After they became friends, he would always stare at this mesmerizing set of her eyes whenever she was talking. And whenever she
085.Bryan walked up to Amber with a smile on his face, his face showing his charming dimples. “Hi, Amber.”Amber forced a smile as she looked at him. “Oh, hi,” she said, trying to stop herself from feeling awkward around him. He was Tyler’s friend after all, and he wondered if Bryan acted the same way as well.Bryan noticed that Amber wasn’t comfortable with him like she used to. “Amber, you don’t have to be awkward around me,” he said, giving her a warm smile. “I’m not like Tyler.”Amber’s eyes widened. How did he know that was the reason? She cleared her throat and looked into his eyes. “You are his friend. It’s only normal that you two are involved in things like that.”Bryan shook his head. “Can we sit somewhere and talk?” he asked.Amber wanted to decline, but when she saw that the students had their gazes on them, she nodded slowly and Bryan led her to the cafeteria. They took a seat, and he placed his plans on the table.“What would you like to drink?” Amber shook her head, n