Hey, guys! The response I got on chapter 23 is amazing! I love all of you!

Please keep voting on what you like and commenting on what you want!

I know this took a while, but I was recently occupied! thanks for waiting!

Also, I'd like to thank the people who commented on previous chapters telling me to update. It's really nice to know that some people are anticipating the next chapter.

Sorry to bore you, guys! I should just stop talking, so without further ado, I give you...

Chapter 24- My Chips

S. A. A

____________________

It was lunchtime now, but I was still thinking about what Raven told me about Aaron and Avalon. It felt as though the more I dove deeper into popular group, the more cracks I found. Yet these cracks didn't ruin them, it only made them human.

"Alex" someone chirped. I turned around to see Elliot, smiling at me.

"Eli" I chirped back. He laughed at me.

"I think it'd be an injustice to have someone as entertaining as you to be walking alone in the hallways." He joked with a deep laugh and I scoffed at his goofy lines. He could always make me laugh, even in the most troubling times.

"I am going to lunch. Care to accompany me?" I said, hoping he would. I really needed to see a friendly face.

He smiled sadly.
"Wish I could, but I promised Miss Edwards that I'd help her set up the equipment for her after school session, but next time I'll accompany you" he promised, smiling earnestly.

I smiled back, liking him a bit more knowing that he was so helpful to the teachers.
"Sure" I said, laughing when he extended his arms out to me for a hug and I relented, hugging him back casually before making my way towards the lunch hall. He watched me intently as I walked and I felt the heat crawl up my neck at the attention.

When I reached the lunch hall, I took a deep breath. Please, let everyone's attention be elsewhere. I opened the doors and made my way to Aaron's table. Most people were doing their own thing now, but some people were looking. I ignored them and looked at the table.

Aaron was sitting and talking to this guy I didn't know. I didn't want to interrupt so I sat near Justin instead.

"Hi" I said, trying to be friendly.

He looked up from his food and just stared at me blankly for a moment, making me squirm uncomfortably.

"Hi.." He said simply before turning to talk to a guy on his left.

I felt myself dampen at his rudeness but, nevertheless, I cleared my throat and continued the conversation.
"So, how's your day been?" I questioned politely, looking to him and I watched as he let out a sigh.

He looked from the guy to me.
"Fine" he said shortly before looking down at his food, making me feel as though I was being an intrusive parent.

"Really? Tuesdays are always my worst days. What's yours?" I said with a small laugh. It was a pathetic answer, but it spilt out and I had no control over it.

He looked at me again, no emotion showing on his face as usual.
"I have none" he said before turning back to his food. I raised an eyebrow at his words, leaving forward slightly.

"Well, you must have one-" I was cut off by Justin who was looking at me blankly.

"You know you remind me a lot of my sister" he said, looking back down to his food.

My eyebrows furrowed at his sudden words, but I smiled in thanks.
"Thanks, I guess?" I smiled in confusion.

He looked at me again blankly.
"My sister ran away with her boyfriend. I hate my sister." He said, turning around to talk to someone else.

I felt my cheeks redden and my anger rise, so I just clenched my teeth as he turned. I stopped trying to talk to him and pulled my food out from my bag, chewing it angrily.

"Woah, make sure you don't break your teeth there, Lexi." someone taunted. I turned around to see Aaron sitting beside me.

He grinned and took one of my chips.
"What's wrong?" He questioned.

I rolled my eyes.
"You taking my food is what's wrong, loser." I said, pulling my food out of his reach.

He laughed.
"Someone hasn't learned the concept of sharing" he tutted, trying to reach for the food.

I sighed dramatically.
"Why can't you get your own?" I asked.

He smiled at me.
"Already ate mine. Now, can you pass me a chip, Lexi?" He said in an exhausted tone, reaching out again to grab a chip.

I gasped and swatted his arm.
"Pig" I accused, but couldn't help my lips curl up into a smile at how childish he was acting.

He shrugged at me.
"Fine, don't give me a chip, but don't blame me when your boyfriend withers away into nothing." he said sadly.

I snorted in disbelief and looked at his body before I could stop myself.
"Trust me, that won't happen anytime soon" I muttered, my eyes widening as I realised what I said even more so when Aaron let out a teasing laugh. I hated it, but it was true.

The simple black v-neck clung to his skin. He wore simple black jeans that outlined his long toned legs. A necklace hung from his neck. A neck that I remembered touching last night.

"Thanks for the chips" Aaron said, taking me out of my thoughts. I looked at him. He was grinning and eating my chips. He must have got them while I was thinking and I whined loudly reaching for my chips.
"Give me back my chips" I asked, trying to grab them.

He swatted my hand away easily and carried on eating.
"Trust me, you can live without these chips." He then looked me up and down smirking.

"You won't starve anytime soon" He said playfully, repeating my words.

I gasped.
"Did you just imply that I'm fat?" I questioned, getting ready to hit him.

A shocked expression covered his face.
"No, of course not." he said, sounding appalled.

He then smirked and put his face closer to mine.
"I implied that you're one chip away from breaking your chair" he said and with that he finished my chips. I repeatedly hit his chest while he laughed.

"Aww" someone cooed. I turned around to see Raven behind us, smiling.

I smiled back.
"Hey, Venni" Aaron said, reaching out to ruffle Ravens hair.

She grunted in distaste, sorting out her hair.
"Hey, bird brain" she muttered, ruffling his hair in response, but with a closed fist instead.

He frowned and swatted her hand away, sorting his hair out. I laughed and so did Raven. She then turned to me.

"Hey gorgeous" she said, smiling and I laughed at her words before smiling back.

"Hi, Raven" I said.

She smiled widely before linking an arm through my own and pulling me a little to the side.
"So, how you lovebirds doing?" She asked in a suggestive way.

I turned to look at Aaron to answer, but he was talking to the guy that Raven had come with.

"We're doing fine" I laughed nervously.

"Oh, really?" She questioned, raising an eyebrow.

She then came closer.
"Fine as in making out 24/7 or fine as in fine?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowed in genuine curiosity.

"Er.." I stuttered. "Fine as in fine?" I said, sounding more like I was asking a question than giving an answer.

Raven rolled her eyes.
"Boring." She drawled. I laughed in response.

"Well, I'm gonna go to my locker. Come on Drake" she said, pulling a brown haired kid with her.

I turned around and looked at Aaron. He was laughing. I smiled at this. The kid who had his heart broken by the girl he loved was happy now and that made me happy.

There was indeed more than meets the eye.