Chapter 9

**

"Hello?"

"Will?" I called, struggling to breathe as I was talking and running, all at the same time.

"Gwen? What the hell? You went to a club without informing me? Where the bloody hell are you? Shit! Why are you so breathless?" Will's frantic yell was all I could hear now. He had to be home because I could hear Ryan shouting, Max trying to calm him down and Blake calling Nate. Damn, Nate! "Answer me."

"I..I.." I can't, I have to stop. I quickly caught my breath. "I'm in trouble. There...there are some guys chasing me. Will..." I was cut off when I felt one of them coming really close to me. I ran faster in a zigzag manner, rounded few corners and went down an alley. I stopped at end of the alley to catch my breath when I was sure they weren't behind me.

"Gwen?" I heard Will continuously calling my name.

"Sorry." I breathe out because of all the running. "Please come and pick me fast before they catch me, Will. Come fast." I pleaded. I was really scared now.

"I'm using my tracker to track your phone. Don't lose it," he warned.

"Okay." I replied.

"Keep talking. You'll know that I'm here." He said as I heard a car door being slammed shut. "Nate and I are coming, don't worry."

"Will...I'm scared. Come fast." My eyes burning with unshed tears as I learnt my position. I'm running from some people who want to catch me and do hell knows what. Tears were now streaming down my face. I sniffed a few times. I have to be strong and not a crybaby. "I'm scared. What if they catch me? I don't...I just.."

"Hey, baby girl. Don't worry. We are coming okay. Shh! You're safe. We're just there. Almost reached. You're strong. You're not weak. You can fight."

"My battery is low," I whispered, checking the battery bar.

"Tell me your exact position?" He asked. I got up and ran out of the alley.

"There is nothing nearby. I came out of an alley. Can you track me?" I asked, hopefully.

"Yes I can." With that my phone switches off. Shit! I stared wide eyes at my phone. At the same time, I heard voices from left. I turned around and saw the guys looking at me.

Wide eyes, I turned and ran again. I looked back to see if they are following me and indeed they were. I ran faster, all the practice from my gym class paying off now. I looked back again as my hair flipped in my face. Looking straight again, I saw a car coming towards me, but it slowed down as soon as it saw us.

I stopped running as the car stopped in front of me, only two feet away. Will came out of the passenger seat. Relief washed through his face as well as mine and Nate. I ran towards him and flung myself in his arms, crying.

"Shh." He smoothened my hair. "It's okay."

"What about them?" I asked, my voice breaking.

"Leave them to me." I heard Nate say. I don't know what happened next. I just know that Will lead me to the car and settled me in. Checking me if I got hurt anywhere.

"Are you hurt?" He asked, checking my face.

"No. I didn't let them touch me."

"Good." He sighed in relief.

"Let's go." Nate said as he made his way back to us. He didn't say anything and backed from the place, making a U-turn. We left for home. Everyone is going to be angry at home.

I rested in my seat as we drove back. Exhaustion finally taking over my body. I felt my eye lid getting heavy and slowly, I drifted off to sleep.

**

I felt someone carrying me up the stairs, but didn't open my eyes as I smelt a strong smell of mint cologne. Instantly, I knew it was Ethan.

"You awake there?" He asked.

I sighed, so much for not letting him know. "Yeah."

"Hm." Was his only reply.

I don't know if he was angry or just plain expressionless. I only know that Nate is not happy, Will is worried and Ryan, Blake and Max, I have no idea but I can guess they are somewhere in between angry and pissed.

"Are you angry with me?" I asked, finally opening my eyes and looking up at him.

"Yes," he said without looking at me. Trust me when I say, it hurts. But I can't blame them. They said no, but I didn't listen and here we are. Before I could say anything else, we reached my room. He gently laid me on my bed and without sparing me a glance, he exited the room. I frowned.

"Sorry..." I whispered more to myself.

I got up and took a shower, changed, wiped my face clean and laid back on my bed. Tomorrow is not going to be my day. Already Ethan, a happy person is angry with me and I don't know what will be others reaction.

**

As I said tomorrow will be the worst day and indeed it is. When I came down for breakfast in the morning, no one greeted me like they usually do. Only Mom smiled at me, but when Nate saw, he abruptly got up and left, not sparing a gaze at me.

Mom was on the verge of crying. I remember what Nate said to her yesterday. I know it is my fault that he is not talking to her. While we were leaving, Ryan and Max didn't wait for me. They just left without informing. I had to go to the airport, but they still didn't see me.

My eyes burnt at their behaviour. I know it is my mistake, but I don't like it when they don't talk to me.

"Oh. It's okay. They'll come around," mom said, sadly. "They can't stay angry at you for too long."

I left to pick Amber who called last night to ask about my whereabouts. She said she tried to call so many times, but it won't connect. Reason: my battery died. Then she called the rest of us, taking a conference call. I told them what happened. The reaction I got was amusing.

"Shit!"

"Damn!"

"I'm so dead!"

The last one confused me. Alex was the one to say that and when I asked what did he meant, but he just dismissed it. I made a mental note to ask Alex about it later.

"Hey," I said to Amber as she entered my car.

"Hey," she answered. "Is everything fine?"

"No." I said and reversed the car towards the airport. I had my learning license if needed. "They won't talk to me."

"Ryan too?" She questioned, stunned. Ryan and I; it never happened that we didn't talk. This was the first time he actually ignored my presence.

"He too." I forced a smile.

"Don't force a smile. It won't work for me," she said, softly.

"I know."

The rest of the ride was silent. Radio was on and One direction song was playing. I love One Direction too much, but today I wasn't in a mood for anything.

We reached airport in no time. I placed a charming smile on my face as I saw Mr. Helios. He was investing in our school and wanted to see the outing of it. He was also an inspector to see if everything was going good. He is from the child program group. Every year we have an inspection for our school. All the elite school in the country are being inspected to check the behaviour of the students and to know if they are engaged in any type of bullying or inappropriate actions. But Uncle Ben is a strict Principal regarding these matters and education is very important to him.

"Good morning, Mr. Helios." I greeted him politely with a polite smile on my face.

"Hello." He smiled as we shook our hands firmly.

"I'm Gwen Wilson, the head girl of Roseline High school. I'll be here to assist you till your stay, Sir." I introduced and informed him about my identity. "This is my friend, Amber Gosling. She will be here with me. If I am not available for any reasons, she'll be there to help you."

"My, my, I have to say, Ben has given responsibilities to two girls. He must trust you too much," Mr. Helios said. Something about his tone was off. I didn't like it and I'm just not going to listen, am I?

"Sorry for being rude, Sir. But this generation has grown too much to differentiate between a girl and a boy. Same goes for responsibilities. We can't always trust boys now, can we? Also, I'm the head girl. Principal Ben must have seen something in me to give me this big position. Am I right?" I asked and tried to keep my voice as polite as possible. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Amber trying to hide her smirk, but failing miserably.

"Yes. You indeed are right. My apologies for such a word. I must say, you are something. Your parents will be proud of you." His voice sounded impressed. I gave him a genuine smile this time. But if only he knew they aren't happy today, atleast my father isn't.

"Yes, sir." I nodded.

"Hello. Mr. Helios. It's nice to meet you." Amber greeted.

"It's nice to meet you too, Miss Amber." He said, smiling at her. He then turned to me. "If you don't mind me asking. Who is your father?"

"I don't mind at all, Sir. You must be knowing him, I presume. Richard Wilson?" I said, proudly.

"Ah! Yes, of course. I know him. He is the one of the best businessman in the world." His voice sounded impressed, yet again. "I'll like to have a chat with him."

"Sure, Sir." I nodded.

"We can go to the hotel that has been arranged for you," Amber injected.

"Yes. Let's go," Mr. Helios said. His airport bag wheeling behind him as we reached my car. Placing his bag in the boot of my car, we drove to the hotel Uncle Ben had told me to book.

Parking the car, we got out. I asked Amber to look after him as I talked to the hotel receptionist.

"Hello." I greeted.

"Yes. How may I help you?" The lady behind the desk asked.

"I have a reservation under the name Ben Mayer." I said, still smiling.

"Just a second," she replied and continued on whatever she was doing on her computer. "Yes. We have."

She handed me the key and greeted the next person in line. I went to the sitting area where I saw and Amber and Mr. Helios talking. From the look on Amber's face, I think she wasn't happy with the conversation. "Here you go, sir."

"Thank you." He said after taking the key.

"We'll meet you here for tomorrow's meeting with Principal Ben?" I asked.

"Sure." He said and left for the elevator.

"Damn. I don't like him." She muttered.

"Why?" I asked as we sat in my car to go back to school.

"He called your father!" She exclaimed. Instantly, my feet pressed the brakes. We stopped abruptly, making Amber jerk forward. "What the hell?"

"Sorry," I muttered, apologetically. Again, I started driving the car and made sure not to repeat my mistake. "What did he talk about?"

"He talked about how talented you are and that he must be so proud of you and all that. I don't have a problem that he said this. In fact, I'm glad he said something good. But seriously, you just don't sit and call anyone you like, especially a businessman like Uncle Richard. The way he spoke to us when we greeted him, made me want to punch him." Amber said, quickly and angrily.

"Relax. Chill out. He just talked to Dad." I said, trying to calm her down.

"I'm meeting Uncle Richard and yelling at him to do something about this man." She grumbled.

"I'm sure Dad will listen to you," I said, chuckling.

"Ha ha. Very funny." She said, sarcastically. "Have you decided what to do now?"

I know what she was referring to. "No. But first I have to make sure things between Nate and Mom is alright."

"Don't worry. You'll do something." She patted my back.

"Guess so."

**

Sup, readers.

Nothing interesting happened so far in this week. Except for the fact that I'm not well. Got fever. But I'll try updating sooner.

Also thank you all my readers who are reading my story. I have an idea. Evey time I update and if there's like something you can guess, you guess. Who ever guess is correct, the next chapter goes to that person. So if any guessing comes, do guess!

Until then.

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