“Can anyone tell me what bone this is?” My teacher points to the humerus bone of a dog. Everyone stays silent, so I take the opportunity and raise my hand.

“Humerus.”

“That’s correct, Amber. Now what about this vertebrae along the tail?” She points to the small bones that would be inside a dog’s tail. I raise my hand again.

“Caudal vertebrae.”

“Yes. Now, not all breeds would have this vertebrae, such as Boxers and-”

She continues to mention the different breeds of dogs that don’t have a long tail. I rest my head in my hand, doodling into my notebook along side the margins of the notes that I have taken. Hearts instead of bullet dots and normal dots on the eyes. Pure boredom.

I hear the murmuring of my fellow classmates filling my ears, soon with the giggling and quick shushing. Suddenly a hand reaches for my notebook and is pushed out of my grasp. I didn’t have time to react and reach for it as I heard crash onto the floor. Great. The girls giggle, gaining the teacher’s attention from moving onto the horse skeletal system.

“What’s so funny?” She asks with a small smile. She is just so sweet, and innocent even if she had her back to us the whole time.

“Oh nothing.” Marissa chuckles. “Just Amber’s clumsiness.”

The teacher walks forward and picks up my notebook, scanning what I have written briefly. She sets the notebook in front of me and smiles softly, before continuing on with the lesson.

I look over to Marissa and her friend smiling at me sarcastically. She writes something down on her notebook before sliding it to her friend. The bell then rings, dismissing us from the class and school. I pack my stuff and try to fit them into my bag without it spilling out everywhere.

“Amber! Sweetie, hold on.” I feel a hand on my shoulder, turning me around forcefully.

“Marissa.” I exhale, adjusting the straps on my bag.

“Can we talk for a bit?” She asks, I’m unable to tell if she is being genuine or not. I notice that her partner in crime is missing. But that doesn’t mean she is genuine.

“Uh, not right now. I have to get home. Maybe tomorrow.” I rush out before she could say another word and find Chasity waiting for me at the door to the outside of the school.

“Hey girl, ‘bout time you came back. I was afraid that you would’ve dropped out and went for the fame life.” I chuckle and shake my head.

“Never, you know I need this class.” I tell her as we open the door out to school.

“Yeah, you being a vet tech right?” She nudges me to the side jokingly. We make it to my car and we hop in.

“The title is a Licensed Veterinarian Technician. But close.” I smile at her, knowing that she hates being corrected as such. She rolls her eyes and throws her bag to the backseat, along with mine. Usual routine.

“Whatever you say, ‘doc.” She picks her feet up and onto the dashboard and buckles in.

“Put your feet down, Chase. You know the rules.” I tell her as I start the engine. She groans but does as I say.

“So how was your first day back?” Chasity asks, starting light conversation.

“Overwhelming. All day I’ve been given glares, even Mrs. Martinez was giving me weird looks when I was in the library. And she is 60!” I love the fact that there are older people than 12 and 13 that are fans of one direction, but you should know how to be mature about this... Really. And she was so sweet too!

“Well, that’s what happens when you date one of the world’s hottest guys.” I couldn’t help but shake my head.

“Says the one that is dating his best friend.” I chuckle, making a right turn onto Chasity’s street.

“Whatever man.” She smiles, no doubt thinking of Niall. They are just too cute, even though they have opposite personalities. Niall is the kind adorable one while Chasity can be her own boss and a tough nut at times, but I’m sure that the roles would switch eventually.

I pull over to the front of Chasity’s house where her mother was watering the grass, along with a man that I haven’t seen before, using their leaf blower to get rid of all of the fallen leaves from their trees. The two adults chat and laugh about something. I know what both of her uncles look like, so it isn’t them. Maybe a cousin or a friend? They seem to be in the same age region. Not that I know for sure, its only an assumption.

“Who the fuck is that?” Chasity scowls, quickly getting out of the car and forgetting her bag.

“Chasity!” I call out to her but not gaining her attention.

She stomps to Mrs. Simmons and no doubt asks quietly about the strange man at their house. The man turns off the leaf blower and smiles, but in a terrified, nervous kind of way. He walks up to the two girls and stands more tall and confident. I know I shouldn’t interrupt or try to be snoopy but I have to get home and start on my chores and makeup work. And find out who this is.

I reach for Chasity’s bag and look both ways of the street before getting out, walking around to join the now upset looking Chasity. Mrs. Simmons sees me, and smiles softly, before taking me in an embrace.

“Amber. It’s been too long.” She says quietly before letting me go.

“How are you, Mrs. Simmons?” I ask her kindly, not trying to look like I am purposely interrupting.

“Melissa.” She corrects me with a smile. I smile as well with a nod.

“How are you, Melissa?” I try again.

“I’m alright. How are-”

“MOM!” Chasity yells, cutting her off. “Can you please stop trying to stall and tell me who this is already??” Melissa looks taken back by her daughter’s sudden outburst, but takes in a deep breath.

“Girls, this is Greg, Greg this is my daughter Chasity and her best friend Amber.” I smile kindly to him, while Chasity on the other hand wasn’t looking pleased. “He and I, we have been seeing each other, for quite a while now.” And that was all that Chasity needed.

“So like, he’s your boyfriend?” Chasity immediately fires off.

From what I can remember, her actual father died in a car crash when we were about 9 or 10. It’s been tough for us, since he was a really kind man, just like his wife. Chasity was hit hard with this, since he would always treat her like a princess. But ever since he died, she didn’t get that feeling anymore and was just broken.

Of course I was here to help her and it worked most of the time. When it doesn’t she just runs to the cemetery on the other side of town to talk to him. I would usually get phone calls during the middle of the night, she would ask if she could get a ride home. It’s become a 3rd instinct to know where she is, and how long I would wait to ask if she is okay.

Personally, I’m glad that Niall had an interest in her, just as she had the same for him. I hope that he can truly treat her like a princess when she was younger. Maybe that’s all that she really needs.

“Yes.” Melissa answers.

“For how long?”

“Almost two years… But I wanted to tell you, believe me I just wasn’t sure you’d-”

“Just stop.” Chasity scoffs in disgust, grabs her bag from me and storms into the house, slamming the door behind her. Melissa sighs in disappointment, rubbing her dirt filled hands over her face.

“If you give her a week, I’m sure she will warm up to him.” I try to comfort her.

“Amber, can you do me a huge favor? Please?” Oh boy.

“Of course, what is it?”

“Can you please come join us for dinner tonight? Bryan is staying for the night and our families are attending as well for a huge meal. I don’t want Chasity to go on a rampage at the dinner table, or even leave and not eat. I’m worried about her.” She whispers at the end so Greg doesn’t hear.

“I’ll try to.” I tell her, not promising anything. I’m supposed to video-chat with Harry today, but I’m sure that he will be okay with this, right?

“Oh, thank you so much.” She sighs in relief.

I nod and say my farewells to the couple before hopping into my car. I see Chasity staring down Bryan from her bedroom window. This is going to be a long night.

---

“So, I’m not going to be able to video chat much longer tonight, but could we try tomorrow around the same time?” I ask Harry through video chat with a pout face. He chuckles softly. His groggy, sleepy voice being obvious when he speaks. He wipes his face before moving the stray hairs falling, sighing.

“You’re so adorable, sweetheart.” He smiles lazily at me.

“I try.” I laugh with a shrug. “So tomorrow can work or should we wait until next week?”

“Well, I have to do an interview with Zayn around 10ish, if it takes about a half hour and I could get back here without making any stops along the way back, then possibly. I may be a bit late. I’ll just text you when I can. I don’t want to wait a week to see your beautiful face again.” He says, making a kissy face at the end, making me giggle like a child.

“But you just saw me yesterday.”

“Yeah, but it feels like ages ago.”

“I know..I’m sorry.” I half smile, knowing he is upset still.

“Don’t be sorry, sweetheart. If the school wants you back then by all means. I don’t want to ruin your education progress. We have this, holidays, and when I’m in your town again. And I could always fly you back here whenever, too.”

“You say so.” I sigh. “I miss you though.”

“I miss you too. But you should be getting ready to go to Chasity’s house. Go get ready love, text me whenever.”

“But it’s already 11pm over there. I’ll text you tomorrow.” I bargain with him.

“Alright, alright.” Murmuring in the background on his end interrupt us. “The boys wanted to say hello.” Suddenly, four more funny faces come onto the screen, making me laugh.

“Hiiii Amber!!!” They all say at once, waving frantically.

“Hi guys!” I can’t wipe the smile off of my face as I wave back.

“We miss you already!”

“How are you doing?”

“Tell Chase we said hi, too!”

“BAMBI, PLEASE COME BACK! I MISS YOU!” Louis just screams over the others, in a whiny manner making me crack up in laughter.

“In good time, Louis.” I tell him as I try to calm down, which made Niall laugh, making the rest laugh. “Okay, I really have to go now. I’ll hopefully be able to video chat with Harry tomorrow but if not then next week. Bye guys!”

“Don’t leave me, Bambi! I love you!” Louis pretends to cry, making Harry push him off the bed. I guess that Louis took the laptop on his fall because the camera was now showing Louis on the floor. “Bambi your boyfriend is being a meanie! Send help! SOS-” The screen then goes black, either because they just broke the laptop or someone shut it off by accident. I shrug it off and get ready to leave for Chasity’s house.

It only took a short few minutes later, as I was on the steps to Chasity’s house, ringing the doorbell.

“Did you invite the president too, or some shit?” I could barely hear Chasity say before opening the door. When she sees me dressed up she sighed a huge breath of relief and hugged me tightly. “Finally someone that I know and is cool.” She mutters. I hug her back with a laugh, explaining to her that I was invited to come tonight.

“Are you gonna let me in or what?” I ask her. She quickly lets me go and lets me step in. We walk to the dining room where there were a lot more people there than I thought.

“Ah, you did make it, thank you so much for coming!” Melissa greets me with open arms.

“Course. Just had to rearrange some stuff and all was set to come. It’s been awhile since I had some of your delicious cooking.” I tell her honestly. Her cooking is unlike anything that I have ever tasted. I should be paying to eat something this tasty.

“Yes, yes. Please take your seats, I’ll start to pass out the main course, now that we are all here!” She squeals at the end, running into the kitchen.

Chasity and I take a seat next to her grandparents, having light conversation on how big we got, and what we were like as children. Honestly, I don’t remember anything that she is telling us. Chasity is laughing as she apparently recalls them. How come I don’t?

Melissa passes out the main course; Chicken Macaroni Casserole with French Bread. Looks and smells delicious. She announces that there is more in the kitchen for seconds. Definitely going to take advantage of that. Maybe even take some to go. We all chow down and enjoy the food.

Halfway in Chasity nudges me and shows me her phone from under the table. She was on Twitter and on Harry’s account. There was a picture of his laptop on the ground, smashed. Underneath it had a caption:

Note to self, and everyone else other than Louis: Don’t push Louis off the bed or else he takes something valuable with him. Amber, I’m sorry I failed thee. x

Underneath was the of course Larry shippers, saying stuff like ‘Yes, Larry confirmed here! They were sleeping together!’ and ‘Does that mean Amber is out of the pic? LARRY AF YAS!!’

“What happened?” She asks me. I was about to explain what had happened when Bryan taps on his glass of wine with his fork, pausing the side conversations.

“Excuse me everyone? May I have your attention for a moment please, I have something to say.” He stands up and takes the glass of wine in one hand and Melissa’s hand in the other. “I would like to thank you all for coming on such short notice, but this isn’t just a reunion of both families, this is something more.” Melissa stands up with him, hugging his torso.

“After two beautiful years, we decided to finally settle. We’re now engaged.” She says out of nowhere, holding up her left hand, displaying the large rock on her ring finger.

My eyes quickly fall onto Chasity, who was in pure shock. The whole table cheers and congrats the soon to be husband and wife, except for Chasity and I. She silently gets up and pushes her chair in calmly. Melissa tries to call out for her but she just walks out the door, slamming it shut for the second time in a matter of hours.

Notes

comment/rate/subscrible ily xxx