Chapter 28...

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Semi-Edited

I really like this cover someone made me! It is so perfect!

Song above is Bright by Echosmith. I feel like it fits this chapter pretty well :)

Enjoy! 

The next morning I woke up late and severely sore. Thankfully I had no classes today because I would have been late. I didn't even hear Macey leave this morning so I must have been really out. My body was exhausted after everything that happened yesterday and didn't feel all that bad for sleeping in.

I laid in bed for another 10 minutes contemplating if I really needed to get up today. I knew I had to get up and do something, like Gage's and I's english assignment, but I didn't want to. Sighing I forced myself to get out of my comfortable bed and try and do something today.

When I got up I let out a huge groan as my whole body ached and popped. Who knew fighting took a lot out of you, seeing Gage after a fight he didn't seem to hurt like I did. I waddled like a penguin out of my room and to the bathroom. Maybe a good warm shower would help loosen my muscles. With that in mind I went to the bathroom and started the showering on warming up.

I started on stripping out of my clothes and winced as I pulled my shirt off. My sides and back throbbed making my glance down. Right where the guy from yesterday held my waist tightly had slight bruises. You could make out that they were fingerprints because of the spacing between the bruises. I scrunched my nose up at them hating that the guy held me that tight to make bruises.

Bracing myself to see what my back looked like I slowly turned around. Looking in the mirror I let out a gasp as I saw my entire back was one huge bruise. It was a dark black and purple color, so no wonder it hurt. Apparently the guy did shove me hard into the wall a few times, I thought I would just have a small back ache but not this. I grimaced just looking at it. I wasn't going to tell anyone about it especially Macey and Gage. Both would freak on me.

Not wanting to look at my horrible back anymore I quickly finished stripping and stepped under the warm water. At first it did hurt almost like I had a sunburn but after a few minutes the feeling faded and my muscles loosened a little. The bruises were going to take a while to disappear sadly.

Not taking too long in the shower I got out about 10 minutes later feeling better than before. Maybe with a few Advil I would be fine. I made my way back to my room to change and maybe text Gage to ask if he wanted to met up and do our assignment. Sure we had until Monday to do it but might as well get it done early.

As I went over to my closet to find something my phone buzzed on top of my desk. Thinking it was Gage or maybe even my brother I quickly went over and grabbed it. I frowned as I looked at the text on the screen.

Amy: Hey. Do you want to met up in 20 minutes at 95 Degrees?

Amy texted me. For a moment I wondered what she was talking about until I remembered her texting me yesterday asking if we could met up today. I had completely forgotten about it and to be honest I kind of didn't want to go. I didn't want to hear what she had to say.

I stared down at my phone nawing at my bottom lip trying to come up with a decision. I knew deep down that I would say yes and go. I had to hear her out and see what she wanted to say to me. As much as I wanted to just ignore the text and do something else I couldn't. With a sigh I sent her a quick text in reply.

Carter: Sure. I'll see you in twenty.

Now with only 20 minutes to get ready I set my phone down and headed back for my closet. I really had no clue what to wear but feeling a little chilly and just plain tired I opted for my maroon sweater that had little gold studs along the shoulders. If I got to hot I could just roll the sleeves up. Along with that I picked out a pair of light washed blue skinny jeans and my matching red converse. 

As I put my outfit on I had a small flashback to high school when this is all I would wear. This was a total Carter outfit. Since I didn't wash my hair I kept it in its high ponytail state not even caring. I was just meeting Amy for coffee, not like I was dressing up to meet a prince or something.

Going back to the bathroom I quickly put on some mascara and a little bit of concealer under my eyes to hide the huge bags I had. With a dab of pink lipstick and a few Advil pills I was good to go. Grabbing my hand bag along with my phone, money, and apartment keys I left through the front door. At the last moment I grabbed my school bag that held my english stuff in case I ended up over at Gage's.

If I say so myself I did pretty well for getting ready in 20 minutes. I pushed aside the ache in my back and in my hand, which was just as swollen and bruised as I knew it to be. The pain pills would hopefully start working soon.

The moment I stepped out of the building I was glad I decided on a sweater and jeans. Today it decided to be overcast with a cold breeze. It is crazy how one day it is super nice and warm out and the next cold and windy. I knew this was just the start of winter though, soon the streets would be filled with white snow and everyone would be inside drinking hot beverages.

Walking against the wind I headed in the direction of 95 Degrees craving a nice cup of coffee. The entire walk there I wondered what Amy wanted to talk about. I knew it had to be about Ethan or she wouldn't have made it sound so important. I really didn't want to get into the whole thing with her.

Sure I had kissed Gage yesterday and may have started getting feelings towards him but that didn't mean I was over Ethan. Something like that just doesn't disappear over night. Hell even when I was going out with Quinton I still thought of Ethan, he never fully went away from my thoughts.

I still couldn't believe her and him were dating. It happened so suddenly that I was still in shock of it all. My best friend dating my crush...of course this would happen to me. If I thought that some random girl dating Ethan was hard well this was harder. I felt almost betrayed by her. It was basically against girl code.

While I was angry at her in some way I wasn't. I understood why she wanted to date Ethan. He had the looks, the personality, the brains, he had the whole package. It was a miracle he was single before this. It was only a matter of time before someone snatched him up, I just never thought it would be Amy who would.

This whole thing was just crazy. I wasn't even sure myself of what I thought of the whole thing. I did still love Ethan, he was still the guy I could imagine myself being with forever. He is and will forever be my first love. Now enter in Gage who is the complete opposite of Ethan. Gage didn't care about sports or what people thought of him. He was the 'bad boy' of campus while Ethan was the 'good boy'. Ethan was the footballs hero (along with my brother) and Gage was an undefeated underground fighter.

Yes they both used girls, so I guess one thing they did have in common. It was common sense that Gage has been with plenty of girls in his life and I know Ethan has, I have been there for every one. But while Ethan made butterflies erupt in my stomach, Gage set my nerves on fire. He brought out something in me that wanted to be set free. I wasn't the timid, semi sarcastic girl around him like I was with Ethan. You would think that since I have known Ethan longer I wouldn't still be that way around him but I was. I was a little girl with a huge crush on the older, hotter, football player.

I wasn't sure of my feelings towards Gage at the moment. Yes we kissed and it was the best kiss of my life but I didn't know what to think of it. Last night after he dropped me off at my door and kissed me again I felt like I was on cloud 9. I had gone inside with a giant grin plastered on my face and a feeling that I knew wouldn't fade for a while. I went to bed smiling and reliving the kisses, not wanting to think too much into it. I just wanted to think about the moment without overthinking it.

Even now I didn't know what to do or think. I didn't know if I should bring it up to him or play it cool. Didn't know if we were going to kiss again or if Gage was going to say that after he had all night to think about it he regretted it, in turn breaking my heart. I didn't know. All I knew was there was some sort of feeling I had towards him and I wasn't quite sure yet if it was lust, or the start of a crush.

Pushing all those thoughts to the back of my mind I came up to 95 Degrees. Before opening the door I took a deep breath getting myself ready for a conversation I wasn't sure I was quite ready for yet. Once I had my bearings a little bit I opened the cafe's door and headed inside.

I glanced around the kind of packed cafe searching for Amy. It wasn't surprising that this place was full and with it getting colder more and more people will start coming in to drink warm drinks and to get away from the cold outside. Right when I thought she wasn't here yet I spotted her raising her hand off in the far left corner of the cafe. Peeking past some people I noticed she already had two coffees in front of her. I smiled at that glad she ordered mine for me.

"Hey." I said once I made my way over to her. I slid into the seat across from her, neither of us making a move to hug one another. It saddened me that we weren't even hugging each other now. Before both of us would have went for a hug the moment we saw one another.

"Hey." She said back a small smile on her face. She was holding her warm coffee in her hands almost like she didn't know what to do with them.

"Thank you for the coffee." I commented bringing it to my lips. The moment the warm latte filled my mouth I practically sighed, just what I needed. I tried to lean back in the chair but the metal bit into my back making me wince so I stuck with sitting kind of forward.

"No problem, figured I would get it and a spot before it became too busy."

We sat there awkwardly for a few minutes not really knowing what to say. I did not want to be the first to talk and it seemed neither did Amy although she is the one who asked me here. In the silence I looked at her and noticed how different she looked.

Instead of the Amy I have come to know the one sitting in front of me made me think of the girl who first moved here and had no friends. The girl who didn't really care too much about her appearance or what people would think of her. Her blonde hair was pulled into a messy ponytail. Instead of a makeup caked face she looked natural with only the bare minimum on like me. She looked a lot younger and dare I say pretty not all dolled up. She was wearing a really cute leather jacket with a tan looking sweater/scarf thing underneath. She definitely looked different than her dressed to the nines look she always had. 

(I don't think I have put a picture of Amy (Blake Lively) in the chapters before) 

"Carter I want to start off by saying I am sorry." Amy suddenly said. She glanced at me while she traced her finger along the lid of her drink.

"Why?" I asked even though I kind of knew what she meant.

"I shouldn't have started dating Ethan without telling or asking you first. I know you didn't straight out say that you have a crush on him but I knew and it wasn't right for me to do that." She looked away from me and down at the table. "I always kind of knew you liked him but never thought much about it. I mean I didn't even think for a second I would date Ethan at all.

"Its just that...things happened and before I knew it we were kind of serious. I knew I had to tell you but I couldn't bring myself to tell you so I avoided you hoping it would solve its self out."

"You could have just told me." I said. I can't say I wouldn't have been mad but it would have made me feel better if she would have told me instead of finding out on my own.

"I know and I am so sorry about it. I wanted to tell you straight away but I was afraid it would ruin our friendship. I mean I'm a total bitch for taking the guy you have a huge crush on." I wasn't going to argue that she isn't a bitch because honestly she kind of is, especially after that.

I looked at her as she nervous played with her coffee cup. She actually seemed upset about the whole thing and I could see she felt terrible about it. If I was in her shoes I would have done the same thing, well maybe not the same thing but I get what she means. I am pissed she is dating Ethan but did I hate her for it? No. I think the more time goes on I don't necessary hate her for it. Still angry...yes, but hate her....no.

"Do you like him?" I found myself asking. I had to know if she truly liked him, not using him like other guys before him. He meant too much for me to get played by her. Amy glanced up at me, her blue eyes shining, and a soft smile on her lips.

"Yes I do. A lot actually." From the tone in her voice I knew she meant that. I have never seen that look on her face before which meant she did like him as she said. "He makes me feel like a better person than I am. He is more than I deserve." Hearing those words my heart ached but not as much as I would have a month or so ago. It was odd but I didn't dwell on it.

"Than I am happy for you." Her eyes went wide at my words.

"Really?"

"Yes. Amy I know you didn't mean to hurt me by dating Ethan and I understand. Yes I am still mad at you for not telling me that you even liked him or that you were seeing each other but I don't hate you for it. I know something happened to put you two together and I am not going to ask what it was because I know you need to tell me when you are ready; but I am glad you are now talking to me. You avoiding me and even Macey hurt and at first we thought you were just busy with school. You should have just texted us."

"I'm sorry. I was just afraid I'd spill it all the moment I saw you and break down." That is how I felt thinking of telling Ethan how I feel.

"Next time don't do that. Just say it okay?" I reached over to grab her hand on the table. "I want you to be happy and if Ethan makes you happy than I am fine with it. Just as long as you don't break his heart or that he does the same to you."

"I won't Carter. I can't imagine hurting Ethan in anyway." I softly smiled at that. At least he wouldn't be hurt and that is all I can ask. Sure I still didn't like the idea or the image of these two dating but I had to get use to it. I can't just avoid them like the plague the entire time they go out. I wanted them to be happy and if that meant giving up Ethan than I would. It wasn't like he was a former boyfriend that I had to give up, he wasn't mine to begin with. I had no claim on Ethan what so ever.

I squeezed her hand. As much I silently wished Ethan would one day like me back the way I like him I had to slowly let the idea go. If he was happy with Amy than good, he did deserve to be happy and same with her. Who am I to break up something like that? If I didn't forgive Amy than I wouldn't feel right about myself.

"Are we okay now?" Amy asked. I nodded at her. We were and I was just going to have to push aside my feelings; like I have always done. And besides I now had Gage to help get my mind of this. "Good cause I missed you."

"I did too and I know Macey did as well." She let go of my hand to stand up. I stood up as well and she pulled me into a tight hug. I hugged her back pushing aside the sad feeling inside of me. The feeling that Ethan will never truly be mine. Right now I just had to focus on having my friend back and being happy for her.

****

After an hour of catching up with Amy she had to leave to go to class, leaving me alone. Macey wouldn't be done until 3 and it was only a little after 11 so it would be awhile. Standing out outside 95 Degrees I sent Gage a quick text asking if he was busy. Might as well see what he was doing.

I thought the weather would have cleared up a little during my talk with Amy but instead it seemed to get a little darker like it would rain any moment. I liked this kind of weather, where you could wear a sweater and be warm enough. Plus I loved the smell of rain.

When I got a text back from Gage saying he was free and to come over I almost yelled and almost did a small happy dance. Something about being able to spend the day with Gage was very appealing. Thankful that I brought along my school bag I headed in the direction of Gage's place.

It didn't take my long to get there and to get to their door. This place was slowly becoming as familiar to me as my own place and even Luke's. I liked that Gage didn't seem to mind that I came over and that he asked me to come. I barely knocked before Gage swung open the door.

As per usual he looked really good in a pair of black sweats and a white long sleeved shirt. While it covered his tattoos that I liked, it did cling to his muscular arms. His brown hair was laying flat agains his head instead of his normal style but I liked it. So yeah, he did look great.

"Hey." I said smiling at him.

"Hey." He moved to the side to let me in. My arm brushed against his side as I slide past him into his dorm. Once again looking around the place it was all neat and clean. I almost wanted to ask him to come clean my place.

"So why did you want to come over?" He asked moving over to the bar by the kitchen. He went around the other side and leaned against it looking at me.

"I was thinking maybe we could get started on our english assignment." I said going over to him and setting my now empty coffee cup on the counter.

"Princess seriously? He assigned it yesterday." He said looking at me like I was crazy.

"Well we don't know how long it will take us and what not. Plus it doesn't hurt to get a jump on it." I shrugged. It was better than just sitting around bored off our asses.

"I don't have my notebook." Gage said looking serious.

"Really Gage? This is your apartment idiot." I pointed out. "You are still going to do this with me." We stared at one another waiting to see who would break away first. It wasn't going to be me and I knew I would win for I have done this with my brother so many times. I had eyes of steel.

"Trying to intimidate me, really?" He asked, a small smile spreading over his face.

"Don't make me re-enact what happened yesterday at the gym. I can take you down." I said, smiling as well. Gage shook his head at me.

"Why did I get stuck with you as my partner." He muttered looking away from

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net