Ever since the incident with Kyle at the movie theatre, I've tried my best to avoid the entire group bar Scarlett. To say I was mortified would be an understatement, I was afraid that they could suddenly see through me, and they were able to piece together what happened. At first it was easy, Scarlett was beyond understanding, she didn't push me to start having lunch with them again.

What actually broke me was Sammy coming up to me in the hallway with a sheepish smile, he was worried that one of them made me feel uncomfortable or unwelcomed, and he wanted to assure me that everyone enjoyed my presence in the group. It was the innocent sparkle in his eyes, I nearly melted. Logically, I knew all of them, even Lucas as much as it pains me to admit, wouldn't judge me. They've proved that by not paying attention to any of the rumours that are still circulating around me.

I twirl my rings around with my hands before pausing, I can see Sammy and Toby sat at our usual table, laughing together. Part of me afraid, that me going over there would ruin their happiness. But I quickly try and shake them thoughts away.

Autumn, come on.

You can't keep letting your anxiety rule you, it's already been ten days.

You can't be weak anymore.

Just go over there.

I let out a shaky breath before mustering a fake smile on my face, 'H-Hey everyone.'

Sammy's head snaps up, he gives me a smile, 'And she returns!'

Toby's eyes lock onto mine as he gives me a nod, 'We share zero classes, so part of me was worried that you died.'

I raise an eyebrow, 'You thought that I was dead?'

He shrugs, 'Honestly, I was scared for a minuet there.'

Sammy turns to look at him with a confused stare, 'Don't you think, we would have mentioned it?'

'Maybe, you just didn't want to upset me!'

'We still would have told you, if she died.'

Toby holds his hands up in surrender, 'When my dog died, my mom didn't tell me for six months, she pretended that he went off to some farm.'

'You didn't realise your dog was dead for six months?'

'I thought he was on a farm!'

A familiar voice from behind me causes me to startle slightly, 'Is he talking about Sparkles again?'

'Your dog was named Sparkles?' I ask, amusement lacing my tone.

Toby shrugs, 'He looked like a Sparkles, what can I say?'

'Nice to see that the princess, can interact with us mere mortals again.' Lucas says as he takes a seat next to me.

I roll my eyes but play along, 'It was hard to convince the rest of the royal family to let me do so. But eventually they caved.'

He turns to me with a heart-stopping grin, my heart didn't stop though obviously, 'What a shame that they did.'

'Oh, shall I leave?'

'It would be for the best.'

I roll my eyes as I bite the inside of my cheek to stop a smile from forming, I perk up slightly as I see Scarlett bounching over to us, her smile so blinding, I nearly went to cover my eyes.

'Autie! You're back!' She cries out as she takes a seat next to Sammy, 'I waited for you at the library, and you weren't there, so I thought fuck where is she? I literally searched everywhere and I found you!'

The tall boy nexts to her turns to look at her, his expresion softens slightly 'You seem extra happy today, Scar.'

She nods excitedly as she claps her hands together, 'That's because you are looking at the lead in the school play!'

For the first time all day my smile wasn't fake, 'Scar! That's incredible, I'm so excited to see you perfom.'

Sammy wraps his arms around her into a tight hug, 'I knew, you could do it. First the school play, next stop Hollywood.'

She laughs as she looks up at him, 'I couldn't have done it without you and Toby, helping me read my lines!'

Toby peers over at her before he frowns slightly, 'Wait, the casting list went up?'

The blonde-haired girl nods with her expression twinkling with excitment, 'It did and before you ask, I did check what part you got.'

'Tell me! Wait, don't I want to find out for myself. Actually, I don't know. I feel like if I got a shit role, you'll let me down easy.'

I raise an eyebrow as I lean forward intrigued, 'You auditioned for the school play?'

He nods proudly, 'I don't want to brag, but I've been called the Christian Bale of this generation.'

'Seriously?'

Scarlett sighs as she nods in agreement, 'I hate to admit it, but he's pretty fucking good.'

'Tell me, Scar. I can take it, what did I get?'

'Well lady and gentlemen, you are in the prescene of both of the lead actors of the school play!'

Toby grins wildly as he shoots out of his seat, 'Seriously?!'

She laughs, 'Seriously Tobes, you did it!'

His smile widens as she rushes over to tackle her into a tight-hug both of them laughing between themselves as he nearly knocks her out of seat.

Sammy's expression falls slightly, 'So, what is the school play?'

'Romeo and Juliet.'

Them three words cause his expression to fall entirely, which prove the suspcions I've been having since I've joined the group. Sammy has feeling towards Scarlett, big fat feelings.

'I'm so proud of us, Scar!' Toby whispers with sincerity lacing with every-word.

'I'm prouder!' She says as her face softens, she reaches forward and squeezes his hand.

I turn to look up at Lucas, I can't help but stare at the way a grin carves onto his handsome features. If he was anyone else, I think I would have melted at the way he looks when he's genuinely happy.

'Done, staring?'

And that's why I didn't melt.

I scoff, 'I wasn't staring, asshole.'

'Keep telling yourself that, princess.'

I purse my lips before a sudden thought hits me, 'Do you still teach boxing?'

A lazy smirk falls onto his face, 'How did you know that I teach boxing? I don't think I've ever mentioned that before.'

I falter slightly, curse younger me for harbouring such a stupid infatuation with him, 'I-I feel like you did.'

'Nope, I did not.'

I roll my eyes, 'Just shut up. Do you or do you not?'

'I do.'

I bit my lip as nerves settle into my system, 'C-Could I book a session with you?'

His eyebrows furrow together as he examines my face, probably to see if I'm being serious or not, 'You want to get into boxing?'

I shrug, 'I kind of just want to learn how to fight, you know so I can quit my day-job and start protecting the neighbourhood from crime.'

He snorts, 'You would be the world's shittest superhero.'

I gasp dramatically, 'Just for that, I'm not saving your ass whenever you're in trouble.'

'Wow, you would let one of your citizens get hurt, that's cold princess.'

I roll my eyes as a slight laugh escapes my lips, 'Can you help me or not?'

He shrugs, 'Sure, I'll text you my availability later.'

'I really hope, I don't regret this.'

'I'll make sure, you regret it. I'm going to give your lazy ass, a hard work-out.'

'Kinky.' Toby pipes up, 'I wish you'd give my ass, a hard work-out.'

Lucas winks at him, 'Just give me a time and a place babe.'