Chapter 8

The weekend comes and I'm somewhat excited to be spending the day with my friends. Ever since that incident with Brooke, she hasn't really bothered me much. I guess Alex knocked someone sense to her finally.

Sitting outside on the porch I wait patiently for Alex to come get me. Where is he? Weren't we suppose to meet up together at the park today? Did he forget me? Before long my thoughts are stopped as I see his car pull up. Grinning to my self I hope up from the step and walk to the passenger side and get in. "Hey Shorty." Alex says as he backs out of the drive and start heading to the park. "Hey." I say back. That name still annoys but I have learned to just ignore him as he clearly won't stop calling me that. As we park I see Emily and Chase standing by the entrance waiting for us to join them. I hop out of the car and head over to them only to be greeting with a hug from Emily. Squealing she wraps her arms around my neck, "Sam! It feels like forever since I last saw you!" Giggling I can finally see how Chase and Emily are twins. They look nothing alike however their personalities are exact. "Hey Em, you saw me the other day remember?" I ask her still giggling as she waves her hand. "That was the other day silly." Shaking my head I start to walk around the park with the other three following behind.

As we continue walking and talking about ridiculous things Alex stops talking instantly going stiff as he looks at something in front of us as well as Chase. Curiously I turn following their line of sight to a guy standing in front of us around our age with a smirk on his face that looks like he just got news worth telling. "Well fancy seeing you here, Alex." The mystery guy says walking towards. As if by insect Alex quickly steps in front of me as if shielding me from this guy. "What are you doing here Dayton." He says with a glare edged onto his face. Dayton? Who is he? Hearing someone chuckle I'm snapped out of my thoughts as I see 'Dayton' eyeing me curiously. Ignoring his question, he instead asks one of his own. "Who's this cutie Alex?" From the way he was looking at me, I can only assume he was talking about me. Noticing Alex has no desire to speak to him I step to the side just a smidge to where I can see but am still behind Alex as I don't know why but I feel as if I should.

"I'm Sam." I tell him quietly. Simultaneously, Daytona smirk widens as Alex snaps his head toward me with eyes telling me to shut up as they both hear my quiet voice speak. "Well Sam, it's nice to meet you. Tell me, why are you ah going out with this guy huh?" He asks me titling his head to the side as if trying to look innocent but fails due to the smirk still plastered on his face. Not knowing what to do or say, I decide on staying quiet like Alex was doing a minute ago. However not caring about my silence Dayton keeps going as if he never paused for an answer. "I was just walking around and figured I'd say hi and tell you, Sam, that you should pick your friends wisely. The only thing Alex is going to do is hurt you and leave like he does to every other girl." He tells me as he subtly makes a step towards me only making Alex step away further, taking me back with him. Why is he telling me this? Surely Alex wouldn't do that, not after what happened between us the other day. Right? "I'll only tell you this one time little Sam, leave him now while you can otherwise you'll only get hurt." He adds before quickly turning around and leaving seeing Alex about to pounce on him.

A long silence falls between us as I try to make sense of what happened. As if remembering something, Alex quickly turns around to look at me and tells me, "Don't listen to him Shorty, every word he said was a lie." He pleads as if I would believe a stranger. Smiling, I nod my head slightly. "It's okay Alex, I don't know him so why would I believe anything he said about you? Someone I do know." Relieved he lets a smile show before we quickly start talking again as if nothing happened. "Oh! Sam, we should go shopping tomorrow!" Emily squeals while jumping in place seemingly ecstatic about going shopping. "Sure Em that sounds fun." I reply to her while the other laughs at Emily's antics. "Oh yay, this will be fun I'll meet you at the mall tomorrow at noon, is that fine?" Nodding a yes, I laugh silently as she continues to jump and squeal excitedly about our plans for tomorrow.

"Oh girls...and shopping. Yeah I think I'll pass thank you." Chase says dramatically like always as he skips ahead of us and walks along side Em. I feel Alex grab my hand in his suddenly making me pause for a second and look at his direction. "You okay?" he asks me as we slowly continue walking and continue holding hands. I nod my head as I glance downwards thinking over what just happened. "Yeah, I'm fine. I promise. I mean if I had a reason to worry, you'd tell me right?" I ask him. He becomes silent for a few seconds and looks as if hesitating before he answers. "Yeah, I promise." He says with a slight smile.

What are you hiding?

After being dropped off by Alex I head to my room and lay down as one question runs through my head that is yet to be answered.

Who is Dayton and why would he try to get me to doubt Alex?