my eyes. What an ass. “ You have a girlfriend and I would rather die then be with you.” I said. He stared back at me then let me go. I don’t know what’s going on with him and Sophie but it must be bad because he’s talking to me. They usually ignore me. I got to Mrs. Diaz’s desk and got out a piece of paper and a pen. I wrote: Call me or my mom, I will take you up on the offer if it still stands. I felt someone put their hands on my back. I tensed up and said “Get your hands off me.” “Don’t be mean, Emily. I just came to talk to you.” Zach said. I finished writing: They’re moving this weekend. Get back to me ASAP. Emily. Zach slid his hand down to the small of back. I slammed the pen on the desk and turned around to face him. He pressed his body against mine. I tried shoving him away but he bent down to my ear and said, “I just want to spend some time with you. Like old times.” Okay, gross. Now I know he’s trying to get back at Sophie. Maybe she said something and he didn’t like it. “You’re forgetting about Sophie.” I said. “We had a fight.” He said with a shrug. Then he leaned into me even closer. What is he doing? I tried pushing him off me but he wouldn’t budge. This reminded me of the party and what happened over the weeke nd. I panicked and slapped him. Shit. It sounded like it hurt. I don’t care. He backed off me and pressed his hand to his face. I shoved him against the white board because I wasn’t thinking. “C razy bitch. Nobody wants a whore anyways.” Zach said under his breath. Okay, I know he’s got problems and he wants to act tough in front of everyone but that was what he said that night at the party. He said I was a whore and nobody would want me. I stared at Zach and stepped closer to him. I felt all the rage build up in me. All my strength that was weakened at that party. How I couldn’t defend myself. It all flowed to my right arm and I punched him. It must have been hard because he was on the floor holding his nose. I took a step back and saw Tiffany walking toward me. I walked out of the class and slammed the door behind me. I ran down the stairs and left through a side door. Thankfully I left before teachers and the principal found me. I don’t care where I end up. I just need fresh air…and Bryan. So that’s where I went. I ended up at Bryan’s in less then ten minutes. I knocked on the front door and rang the doorbell. I heard noise coming from inside then Bryan opened the door wearing only sweats. OMG! Hot! “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at school?” He asked covering up a yawn. “I could as k you the same thing!” I said. He let me in and we walked to his room where he put a shirt on. “Emily… what are you doing here?” I sat down on his bed. “I don ’t know. I just needed to talk. Why didn’t you go to school?” I asked. The curtains where closed but it was still bright in his room. He laid down beside me and told me to get comfortable. “I didn’t want to. You hav e been avoiding me all weekend so I guess you didn’t want to see me there.” He said. I looked up at him. “Why would you think that? I just had a rough weekend. Seeing you at school is what brightens my day.” I said. And that’s true. We stayed quiet for a while until Bryan turned on the TV. “Where’s your sister. I thought she starts work at ten.” His sister, Ella, hates me. I don’t know what about but she just does. I kind of got Bryan into drinking and she found out. It’s not like I planned it. I didn’t shove the beer down his throat. I glanced at my phone, it’s only eight-thirty. “She left with Mom. They had to do something. They’re coming late if that’s what you want to know.” I smiled. That was great news. A whole day with Bryan…I couldn’t ask for more. “That’s good. I can take one Vincent mad at me, not two.” I said. He turned to look at me. Oh…those eyes. Bryan put his arm around me