I like you

CHAPTER 23

Sarah's POV.

I think we all fall in and out of love, compassion and trust. It is just a matter of time when it happens.

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Later that night I stood on the window feeling the calm air that blew my hair in all directions thinking where did James wander. I had text Zack to see if he has any knowledge about it since he knows a lot of people. James's parents seemed to pace around in the lawn probably waiting on when James would show up. Little later he did show up and was engulfed in the hug by his parents.

Sometimes we don't know how much importance we hold in someone else's life. I watched all of it with a small smile. I messaged Zack that he doesn't have to pull strings anymore since James came back. He replied with an okay and told me that there has to be something brewing up with James. Zack even told if anything, James seems like a little secretive with disappearing over the weekend and even today. I let the topic slide with an okay. Deep down I knew he was right but whatever. I shrugged it off when James came on the window with a small smile.

The week following it James was present every single day in school making light conversations with everyone. Making amends of all the crude comments and snide remarks and weird attitude all at once. If I were any one of the people from my group I would not ever make peace with someone but for me, everyone seemed to wave a white flag. Even with Zack, he was suspicious but didn't show it. When we worked together for our English literature essay, he ascertained me that he isn't very fond but he is willing to be civilized with him. I and Zack worked hard for the essay that included me and him being exhausted by the time it was due.

Today we had to turn in the essays and whatsoever the reason be, relief washed over the whole student body because turning one of the Shakespeare's play into modern day life story was quite a difficult task. However, everyone did their jobs well and we pretty much had the break after that. We lazily sat at our usual table away from all the school jocks and queen bitches.

"Hey everyone!" James came last while we all were sitting on the table already. I waved him, while the girls said hey in a decent manner and the guys nodded in response.

"So what are you all up to?" James asked.

"Nothing just bored." I said.

"Assignment is finally done and dusted!" Ellie sighed dramatically.

I chewed on my pizza and fries while the girls lived on salads. I swear I don't know how. I was just savouring my pizza.

"Don't you dare!" I warned Nate who just grinned in response. When he tried picking my French fry, I hit him hard on the hand.

"Oww. You woman, you're so violent!" Nate pouted while Zack grunted and other's laughed.

"So how about we hang out after school?" By now James was seated beside me and was staring at me. My best guess for that is I might have cheese smeared all on my cheek because of the pizza.

"Sounds like a plan!" Ellie nodded.

"My place then!" Zack grinned.

"Wohooo! I'll see you guys later." I retreat back to class since I have an early one. Once I reached the locker, I dump everything inside and take the book for the next class.

"Hey." A voice came from behind me. Startled I look at it.

"Are you always this creepy?" I narrow my eyes at James.

"No just for you!" He winked.

"Yes I am sure, every time you say it to a new girl it's kinda romantic." I rolled my eyes.

"No, it's just you Angel. I swear I have eyes only for you!" I turned to face him and raised my eyebrow simultaneously.

Yeah I know he had the hots for me, it was seen everywhere and by everyone. He flirted and made light notorious joke but he never said it outright.

"Yeah, I like you!" He whispered and the bell rang. Right now the phrase "saved by the bell" really Seemed to work just fine for me.

"I have to go to class. I'll see you later!" I duck away and move straight in my class. The rest of the day we didn't meet due to different class and the one class we had together we didn't get the chance to talk. Even though I knew how he felt, I think I'll need time. Either way, he will have to wait.

When the school was over, we all met at the parking lot since we were heading to the same place. We went as we came to school in our own respective cars but I didn't drive to school, I was picked up by Zack.

"Hey, you coming with me?" James asked gleefully.

"I.. uhh... I already told kate, I'll hitch with her!' I said softly and as soon as the words left my mouth his face fell.

"Yeah right. It's okay. I'll see you there!" He said dejectedly.

"See you!" I waved as I got in the car.

We reached there pretty quickly, knowing Kate we did have an awkward silence but it was better than riding with James. We dropped our bags in the living area of his house and went to his basement. Zack had this enormous huge basement with a big screen and video games.

"Hey, guys!" Garrett appeared beaming with a large grin. (A/N- In case you forgot, Garrett is Zack's younger brother)

"Hey, dimwit!" I smack his head and he stuck out his tongue at me.

"Hola!" He sings.

"We are playing CoD. You wanna join?" I ask Garrett while boys are helping Zack to set and load the game.

"Are you playing too!?" Garrett asks me hesitantly.

"Of course I am!" I smirk.

"Then no, you kick my ass every damn time!" He whines while everyone laughed.

"Wuss!" Nate called him and we all laughed again.

"Anyways, I'm hungry, let's order some pizza!" Nate yelled.

"Oh no. Salad for us!" The girls said together and I grunted. Yep. These girls are the ones who don't play games and certainly don't eat carbs. They are mainly so annoying for that and they'd rather walk in heels than sneakers. They are girlish to the extreme and me? Well, I am just me.

"I'm for pizza and pizza is for me!" I sang while Zack smacked me on the back of my head.

We played 2 games and I was continuously kicking everyone's ass. It was a sight to see the guys whining so much. They were all cribbing like babies or more specifically girls, the ones who just kept complaining. It was hilarious.

"Impossible. How do you beat all of us cupcake!" Abbott whined.

"Damn you are something tomboy!" Nate chuckled while the girls were amused. Just then the doorbell rang and the remaining girls went to bring the pizza to the basement.

Meanwhile, I slid down in the corner of the couch while throwing my legs over Zack and the subject changed to me.

"Where did you learn to play all of these games?" James asked clearly impressed.

"Because she is one of the tomboys who would throw away parties for game nights!" Kate grunted, a tinge of jealousy visible.

Weird.

"At least I don't go around sharing my saliva like some of the girls!" I gagged while Ellie and Rose grinned and guys laughed. Kate had some other problem, she was staring me and Zack intently.

"That's because no-one has approached you!" Abbott laughed.

"Imma perfectly fine being single!" I grinned.

"So you've never had a boyfriend?" James asked.

"I did, Clayton. Total dick!" I scowled at his name but nonetheless asked James further, "You tell us about where you come from and the people there!?" Everybody interested to know because we never asked him.

"Yes James, you haven't told us about it!" Ellie flashed him a smile and so did Rose.

"I come from Florida, moved here because of dad's business and kind of enrolled here!" He shrugged.

"So you never had a girlfriend?" Kate asked him sincerely.

"Are you kidding me, it's not a GIRLFRIEND it's GIRLFRIENDS." I air quoted the world girlfriends giggling with everyone.

"Absolutely, he might have gotten laid every other night." James looked like a deer caught in headlights when these words slipped from Ellie's mouth.

"Lucky asshole." Nate smirked. James sat there rooted to his place there was no expression on his face and even though we were joking it felt like it was a truth piercing through his heart. I shrugged off his weird behaviour, rigid posture and stuffed pizza like nothing happened.

"Err... Guys, I have to be somewhere. I'll see you at school tomorrow!" James got up and left after everyone said his goodbye.

And now I was left pondering about what happened.

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We have tons of reads. Honestly I couldn't believe it but it's true and I want to thank each and all of you. Yay I am so happy and so full of it. I can't thank you all enjoy.

Until next time.

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