Flag 3

- Amber Hills -

To my surprise, it was from Hayden. We talk a lot in school but we've never really messaged each other and when we do talk, it's mostly just him teasing me ALL THE TIME. What could he possibly want this time?

Hayden: Hello.

Amber: hey, whatchu want?

Hayden: nothing much.

Hayden: kinda just felt like messaging you cause i'm bored.

Our conversation went on till late evening, around 11 PM and he seemed surprisingly kind and sweet. It was an entirely different side of him. Although I didn't hate it, it was definitely a little weird seeing a series of questions typically asked when you want to know more about somebody and seeing loads of smiling emojis and hearts coming from someone who appears to be your bully but it was a good distraction from all my messed up thoughts, a good distraction from my thoughts of her.

Hayden: it's getting a little late, huh? it was really nice chatting with you but you should rest up.

Amber: thanks. you too, night night.

Hayden: goodnight.

- Elizabeth Andrews -

Here I am once again, waiting for Amber as I watch the leaves dance along the wind. I could feel the air turn a little colder day by day. Winter season is fastly approaching. She's taking a little longer than before. I turn my head to the open space between the branches and the bushes. I see a view of the school's quad and two familiar figures walking towards me.

The beauty and the boy, Hayden Burrows.

My jaw dropped in shock, (wait! that's Hayden from my class!) I know they were close and that they get along pretty well but I've never seen them like this. I usually see them spouting arguments about games and trivial matters. I usually see him forcibly taking something off of her hand, stretching his arm upwards until it's out of her reach, dangling whatever he took from her and teasing her about it. I see them talk after class but I have never seen them walk out of the classroom building together, smiling and even exchanging laughters.

I see the way her lips curl up into a sweet smile that brightens up her cheeks and it's the most precious little thing about her but why does my heart drop knowing the reason behind that smile right now is someone else? The reason behind that smile is someone who is less than an aquaintance of mine. I never really talk to that guy unless we're both put into the same group for some sort of school requirement. She looks so relaxed, so calm, so happy. I clench my fist to stop the water filling up my eyes and I feel a sudden ache in my chest.

She's happy but why does it hurt?

Upon reaching the intersection between the way to this peaceful spot and the way to the school's parking lot, they part ways. I turn to my right to face the library as I hear the sound of footsteps grow louder. Standing at my side is Amber. She bends her body over me, I see a face with a wide grin, "Lizzie, ready to go--"

"Let's head home".

The words spilled off my mouth uncontrollably.

Was it because of mad jealousy? But why would I be jealous? I have no right to be.

We're just friends. Just. Friends.

- Amber Hills -

I pull over to her house and she immediately walks out of the car.

"Bye", she says.

As I'm about to respond, I was once again cut off when she closed the door which made a louder bang than usual, it was as if she wanted to slam that door shut.

(WTF), I think to myself.

The ride with her wasn't as blissful as it was supposed to be. A deafening silence filled the car and I was too nervous to say anything. It felt like if I were to make a sound, it'd only make things worse but I can't help but wonder why she seemed so mad and so completely out of it.

The moment I enter my bedroom, a new notification appears on my phone. It's a notification that has grown quite familiar now.

A new message received from Hayden.

Hayden: hey.

Amber: hi.

Hayden: have you had dinner yet?

Amber: well, actually i'm about to.

Hayden: oh, ok.

Hayden: you should eat first and i'll hit you up later.

I'm still trying to get over how he sounds so much of a nice guy over chat.

"Amber, dinner's ready".

- Elizabeth Andrews -

I CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST DID THAT.

Great. Just great. Now she knows something's up. What excuse can I possibly come up with now? Ugh, I'm the worst.

"Whoa there, calm down, easy on the chicken" a chuckle coming from my cousin, two years younger than me, Rachel Andrews.

"I'M CALM"

"Clearly, you aren't" she replies.

"So who is it?"

"WHO IS WHAT?"

She chuckles, "Who's the girl making you like this?" and continues laughing.

"WHAT?" I yell as I smash the plates into the dishwasher, making a loud noise ring across the kitchen. Thankfully, no one else was home except for my cousin and I. Rachel laughs it off, "Ok girl, ok". She heads towards the living room and turns the tv on as I stomp off upstairs to my room and slam the door shut.

I allow myself to fall into the sheets of my bed and I scream into my pillow. I take a deep breath to calm myself down. What's with this rush of anger? I feel my heart beat erratically leaving me with scattered thoughts and twisted feelings. Was all of these really triggered by the sight of her with someone else?

I shouldn't think like this. We're friends. Just friends.

- Amber Hills -

And yet another long conversation with Hayden but it doesn't really stop me from thinking of her and how she seemed so mad earlier. Few minutes later, we greet each other "good night," but before I close my eyes and bury myself in the sheets of my bed, I send Lizzie a message.

Amber: hey, I hope you're ok, you seemed to be completely out of it earlier and it still bothers me. I mean if you wanna talk about it, we can talk about it tomorrow if you're up for a stop at a café or something.

Amber: I don't want you going to bed frustrated.

Amber: night night, Lizzie.

- Elizabeth Andrews -

Just when I'm starting to allow my eyes to fall shut and drift into sleep, I hear vibrations coming from my phone on the nightstand. I stretch out my hand to reach it. A wide grin heats up my cheeks as I see her name pop up. She's my favorite notification.

"I don't want you going to bed frustrated."

I feel relieved and sort of happy that she actually thought of me this late at night even though these feelings were spurred by her in the first place. Although, I know that she'd already be sound asleep at this time of the night, I still bring myself to respond to her message. She'd probably read it in the morning anyways.

Elizabeth: yeah, so sorry about that. and I would love to stop at a café after class! good night.

The message has been sent and I slowly drift into a deep sleep.

I can't wait to see her in the morning.