by Ruth Houston
"Of course I do. I was one of the ones that did it… along with my girls." Haylee gestured toward where Ashley and her group sat in the stands chatting up three good-looking guys.
My eyes widened with disbelief as what she had just said soaked in. Haylee and Ashley had put up the posters… Haylee is friends with Ashley… Tristan didn't do it.
For some reason I felt a wave of relief wash over me, which was crazy because I'd just found out that one of my best friends had stabbed me in the back.
"Why would you do that, Haylee?" Georgia said.
Haylee snorted. "Why do you think?" When no one replied she continued, "Amber, you have everything and you take it all for granted. I'm sick of it! First you had Tristan and then you turn around and go out with Lucas, and still you're pulling poor Tristan along on a string!"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Are you stupid?" Haylee cried. "Tristan. Likes. You."
I stared at her, once again rendered speechless. There was no way he liked me! How could he? I've only been a bitch to him these past few weeks.
"You know what, I'm sick of your fake innocent act, Amber. I've had enough. At least Ashley actually takes in other people's feelings." With that, Haylee spun on her heel and stormed off over to Ashley without glancing back.
I stared at her retreating back with my mouth hanging open.
* * *
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
After that eye-opening talk with Haylee, I was only certain of one thing: I had to apologize to Tristan. This just happened to be one of the hardest things to do.
I swear, when I didn't want to see Tristan before I found out he wasn't guilty, I seemed to run into him around every bend. Now, when I wanted to find him, sighting Tristan seemed to have become as rare as seeing a penguin fly.
However, fortune seemed to smile upon me a week after Haylee had enlightened me about the posters. Well, when I say fortune seemed to smile upon me, I mean that I nearly caught him.
It was Friday afternoon and I was sitting in Science, staring up at the clock with my head propped up on my hand. Five minutes to go.
Everyone else's attention had been captured by Mr. Watson's 'captivating' dry ice experiment. They were all awed as the white mist flowed out of the container and rolled down to the floor. Penny was furiously taking notes.
I sighed at the Grade Eight type of experiment and returned my attention back to the clock just as the minute hand struck the twelve. Time to go, I thought happily as the end-of-the-day bell rang out through the school.
I packed up my things as quickly as I could and I was the first one out of the classroom. Penny had hung back to talk to Mr. Watson about our upcoming exams. I kept an eye out for Harry, knowing that Georgia was in the library for her free period and that she would stay there at least fifteen minutes late as you couldn't hear the bell in the library.
I rounded a corner on my way out of school, looking forward to the weekend yet disappointed that I hadn't apologized to Tristan yet. That was when I saw him standing at his locker, placing textbooks inside.
A smile lit my face as I quickened my pace with a shouted, "Tristan!"
Tristan looked up at me but before I could say anything more, he slammed his locker door shut, swung his bag over his shoulder and strode off in the opposite direction to me, out of the school's front doors.
"Tristan! Wait up!" I cried, frustrated.
As I passed his locker, the door creaked open and two books tumbled out. It seemed that in Tristan's hurry, he hadn't noticed the notebook that was preventing the locker door from shutting properly.
I glanced around to see if anyone was around. Luckily, everyone had left the school quickly in their eagerness for the weekend to start. I didn't exactly want anyone seeing me going into Tristan's locker, even if it was just to put some books back.
I bent down, scooped up the textbooks and tucked them inside his locker. Just as I was about to close the door, a flash of colour caught my eye.
Frowning, I turned back to the contents of the locker and my heart skipped several beats. I didn't know it was medically possible for your heart to act up from shock.
What was I so shocked about, I hear you ask? Well, let's just say a little blast from the past…
As I was staring down at the item that had caused my head to spin and my palms to sweat, a memory flashed in front of my eyes.
A sudden thought drove through her mind and Amber slid the pink ring Tristan had given to her so many weeks ago off her finger.
"I HATE YOU!" Amber yelled.
She threw the ring in the dirt at Tristan's feet and ran off, tears flowing freely.
I blinked slowly. How could he still have it?
I picked up the small, plastic ring and stared down at it, tears flooding my eyes. The pink had rubbed off in places through age but it looked as though Tristan had attempted to preserve it as well as possible.
He does remember, sobbed a voice in my head.
Slowly, I slid the ring onto my left ring finger and gazed at it, my vision still blurry from my tears which were now crawling down my cheeks. I leant against the locker, closing it with my back.
"Amber? Are you alright?"
I glanced up, startled, to see Georgia walking toward me, obviously back from library. I quickly wiped away the worst of my fallen tears and turned toward her, smiling.
That was when I remembered the plastic ring on my finger and whipped my hands behind my back. I didn't want to be caught reminiscing about Tristan and our old relationship. After all, it was ancient history, wasn't it?
"What's wrong?" Georgia asked, frowning with concern as she reached me and studied my tear-stained face.
I sniffed, shaking my head slightly. "Nothing… I just feel bad about, you know, accusing Tristan wrongly and all. I couldn't get to him to apologize," I said. Well, it wasn't really a lie. I did feel bad… that just wasn't the whole reason why I was crying.
Speaking of the ring… I grabbed it behind my back and pulled. Er, and pulled. Keeping my movements as subtle as possible as Georgia rambled on about a plan to hold Tristan down so I could talk to him, I yanked as hard as I could on the ring.
Oh shit. Not stuck, it can't be stuck. Crap, looks like my fingers have grown a bit wider since I was six.
"Well, I'm going to go… I have to do some chores before Mum gets home," Georgia said finally. "Are you sure you're OK?"
"Yep," I lied in the brightest voice I could muster as I frantically tore at the ring concealed behind my back.
"Alright. Do you want a ride home?"
I shook my head. "I think I'll just walk… fresh air, you know. I hear it's good for you," I said.
Georgia laughed. "Well, OK then. I'll call you later. See you." She hugged me before walking off, disappearing out of the school's doors.
As soon as she was out of sight, I raised my hand to try and figure out how to get the ring off. I couldn't just take it home in case Tristan found out it was missing on Monday before I could return it.
Thinking back to a movie – My Best Friend's Wedding, I think it's called – I put my finger in my mouth and tried to pull at the ring with my teeth. Nothing happened, except that my teeth now hurt a lot.
"Stupid movies and their stupid ideas," I muttered darkly to myself.
I stared at the ring for a few more moments before giving up with a huge sigh and starting for the school's front doors. Looks like I'd just have to try and scrub it off at home.
* * *
'Bring, bring.'
I paused from my frantic scrubbing and grabbed my mobile off the bathroom bench. Holding the phone in between my ear and shoulder, I said, "Hello?"
"Hey, Amber, it's me."
I frowned as I rubbed the soap on the ring before dunking it in the sink-full of water. Who was 'me'?
"Er… Hi me," I said slowly, my brain whirring to try and figure out who it could be.
"You don't know who it is, do you?" the guy said and I heard a faint trail of disappoin
tment laced beneath his words.
"Uh, sorry, no," I replied awkwardly.
"It's Lucas," he said shortly.
My eyes widened and I gave a silent wince. Of course! How could I forget his voice out of anyone's? But I guess my thoughts were elsewhere… not that I could tell him that without him asking where exactly they were.
"Hello?" Lucas said impatiently.
Oh shit, I thought, realizing I had delved in a distracted silence for the past few moments.
"Er, right, sorry," I said quickly. "My head's just… in the clouds."
"Yeah, that's OK," Lucas muttered, but I could tell it wasn't. "I was just calling to see if you wanted to do something this afternoon but it's sweet if you're too distracted or whatever."
I winced at his hurt tone. "No, I'd love to get together with you," I said. "Um… How about I meet you underneath the pier at the beach in forty-five minutes?"
"Sure. That sounds good."
Silence. I racked my brain for something conversational to say but my mind seemed to be wiped blank except for one topic: Tristan. And, well, I didn't really feel like explaining that thought to Lucas.
"Well, see you then," Lucas said finally.
"OK, bye," I said and I hung up, feeling extremely bad.
* * *
I drew my jacket closer around me as the breeze blew at my hair, twisting it around in the currents of the wind. I leant against the one of the poles holding up the pier and gazed out at the water lapping at the sand. The sun had nearly reached the horizon and daylight was slowly failing.
Lucas was fifteen minutes late, which was strange considering I was usually the one late for our get-togethers, or dates, whatever you want to call them. I wondered how angry he was at our disastrous phone call earlier. I knew I would be hurt and upset if I was in his position.
I was ready to give up on Lucas meeting me when suddenly, there he was. He was walking down the beach toward me, his hands in his pockets and his feet shuffling along the sand.
I subconsciously touched the ring that still glinted at my finger before mentally slapping myself. There was no use dwelling over Tristan and how I was going to get the ring off until Monday.
I pulled my jacket's sleeve lower over my hand so as to hide the ring from Lucas. I didn't want him to see him because then I would have to lie about where I got it and why I was wearing it. I didn't want him to get even more upset.
"Hey," I said in my happiest voice when Lucas reached me.
"Hey," Lucas replied with half a smile.
I reached up and wrapped him in a hug. He hugged me back, but it was half-hearted.
"Sorry about that phone call earlier, by the way," I said, pulling away. "I was distracted… Veronica was yelling at me."
"That's funny; I didn't hear her voice," Lucas stated, his eyes staring into mine.
I cleared my throat, my eyes darting to the sand. "Er… yeah, I covered the phone when she was yelling," I lied, my cheeks burning.
Lucas grunted and looked away from me, staring out at the water. This was going even worse than I had imagined.
"Look, I'm sorry," I said. I reached up and touched his cheek to turn his face toward me when he didn't respond.
Lucas's eyes strayed to the exposed ring on my finger. Oh crap. I'd forgotten about that.
"Why are you wearing a plastic ring?" Lucas asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you were more of a silver type of girl."
I smiled slightly but my thoughts were troubled. I couldn't lie to him again, I'd felt bad enough lying about something as simple as fighting with Veronica. So, stupid me, I decided on the truth.
"When I was little…" I began hesitantly, "Tristan and I were really good friends. He gave me this friendship ring but I threw it in his face when he left town. I found it the other day in his locker and… well, I can't get it off."
I raised my eyes to meet Lucas's only to find that he was staring out at the ocean again. His eyes not only reflected the tossing water but also slight hurt.
"Look, Lucas, it was a long time ago," I began.
"Then why are you wearing it now?" Lucas asked shortly, his voice tightening.
I frowned. "It's stuck, I told you. I don't know why I put it on in the first place. It was stupid really…" I trailed off when Lucas turned and began to walk away down the beach.
"Lucas, wait!" I cried, grabbing his arm. "Where are you going?"
Without meeting my eye, Lucas said, "Look, I think it would be best, for both of us, if we just… took a break."
"T – Took a break?" I repeated, emotion clogging my voice. "Why?"
Lucas sighed. "Amber, I'm sorry. I'll… I'll be in touch."
He slid his wrist from my grasp and walked away into the growing darkness.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sunday afternoon found me dragging my feet out of my car and trudging across the road toward my favourite café, Cloud Nine. I walked through the door into the busy café and my eyes immediately found Georgia and Harry who sat up the back at our favourite table.
I made my way over to the table, smiling half-heartedly at my two best friends who stood to greet me.
"Hey," Georgia said, hugging me before we all sat down. "Are you OK?"
I shrugged, glaring down at the pink ring that still resided on my finger. The very same ring that had caused Lucas to suggest that our relationship needed 'time'.
"Not really," I mumbled.
"Why not? What happened?" Harry asked, frowning across the table at me.
I sniffed. "Lucas… wants a break," I told them.
Georgia gasped. "What? But you two were going so well!" she cried.
"I know. Well, we were until this came up," I said, holding up my hand to show them the ring.
Harry frowned. "Honey, why are you wearing a crappy little plastic ring on your finger?" he asked as though afraid for my mental health.
I took a deep breath and delved into the story, explaining all about the Tristan, the ring and Lucas's decision to 'take a break'. By the end of it, Harry was frowning with his mouth hanging open slightly and Georgia had tears in her eyes as she hugged me tightly.
"Don't worry, Amber," Georgia said. "You and Lucas will get back together; there's no doubt about it."
I nodded slightly, brushing away a stray tear.
"I don't want you to get back with Lucas."
I looked up at Harry, frowning. "What do you mean?"
Harry was staring over my shoulder, seemingly in deep thought. "You say Tristan kept this ring for, what, eleven years?" I nodded, causing him to sigh with exasperation. "Well, then, can't you see, Amber? That's the sweetest thing anyone has done for you!"
"But he didn't really do it for me," I reminded him. "I found it."
"Yeah, Amber's right. If Tristan wanted to be romantic, he would have given her the ring straight up," Georgia said.
"Well, then, he's a shy romantic," Harry shrugged.
I snorted with disbelief. "If there's one thing Tristan is, it isn't shy," I said with a short laugh.
"Romantic or not," Georgia began, "I'm rooting for Lucas."
"I think Lucas is a pussy," Harry said.
"Harry!" I cried indignantly.
"What?" Harry said. "It's true! If Tristan had to fight for you he wouldn't wait a second whereas Lucas… well, I think that pretty-boy would have a few second thoughts. And no one should have second thoughts about defending you, sweetie."
I sighed. "But, Harry, we don't even know if Tristan likes me, remember?"
"Exactly," Georgia overtook me. "Amber doesn't want someone to fight over her. She's told us herself that she hates guys who get into fights just for the hell of it. Amber would be much happier with a safe guy like Lucas."
Harry shrugged. "It's your choice. But, personally, I think Tristan would be much more exciting."
I propped my chin on my hand and listened to my two best friends bicker over which guy would better suit me. As the two fought, my eyes strayed to the door of the café and I s
aw Henry and Zach walking in.
Oh great, here comes the love fest, I thought as Henry let out a squeal and slid onto the booth's bench next to Harry.
I stood up and allowed Zach to take my seat next to Georgia. He immediately made good use of the spot by gluing his lips to my best friend. Turning, I saw Henry had done the same to Harry.
OK, then, I'm out. I headed for the door, deciding on a quick, silent getaway… but I was in no such luck.
"Hey, Amber, where you going?" called Georgia. "We can move over!"
I turned slowly to face them with a slight smile. "Uh, I think I'll pass. I'll catch you in the next make-out session but maybe we could…" The rest of my sentence was lost as the couples resumed their passionate kissing.
Sighing, I walked to the door, turning back again to glance at the two couples longingly for a few moments before heading out into the street.
As I stepped out into the warm sunshine, the answer to my problems seemed to come to me. If I found a way to put the past behind me, Lucas and I would get back together… somehow.
And the first step to putting the past behind me was, in fact, the hardest. I had to apologize to Tristan.
* * *
The next Monday morning happened to be one of the longest mornings in history. My first two periods seemed to drag by for hours on end. Each second seemed to trickle by as slowly as an hour.
Finally, lunch came. Before I could reach Tristan, however, nature called. Great timing, huh?
So there I was in one of the girls' bathroom stalls when I heard the bathroom door open. High heels clicked against the tiles and high-pitched giggles filled the small room.
I tried not to eavesdrop on the girls, but that was kind of hard considering it just happened to be Ashley, Haylee and another girl whose voice I identified as Hannah Haserworth's. Bad name, huh? The subject that they were tittering on about was of course, none other than Tristan.
"Oh my God, he is so dreamy," Hannah said.
"Back off, Hannah," Ashley's cold voice snapped. "Remember, he's mine."
"Why does he have to be yours, though?" Haylee whined. "Why can't I have him?"
