Undeniable Love For The Bad Boy

Chapter 9 EMMA POV

Melanie and I head to the mall and when we get there we immediately begin shopping to our hearts content. I head into Forever 21 and pick up some more jeans because I love jeans and this is the only store that carries jeans that fit my curves. I might not be stick thin like Tammy, but I like my body. Not changing it for anyone. Melanie stocks up on just about everything she sets her sights on. How much clothing can one person have? She doesn't even have a walk in closet. Where does she put it all? My mind begins to wander and Melanie pulls me out of my thoughts. She finishes trying on another outfit while I put the clothes I have tried on back on their hangars.

"I am f!cking starving. Let's go to the food court next." I agree while hearing my stomach rumble and hoping to god that nobody else heard it.

We get to the food court and stand there debating on what to eat. We both settle on Chinese food and order. I have my usual beef with broccoli with white rice and Melanie gets Sesame chicken with pork fried rice and dumplings. My bestie can eat like no one else. I manage to steal a dumpling and she fakes being mad and slaps my hand.

"Should've got your own missy!"

"Thought I'd just steal yours." We both c***k up. In the corner of my eye I see two people approaching us and when I move my head I see Noah and Allison coming towards us. Melanie goes into protective mode, seething, but I manage to calm her down and she just continues to eat.

"Hey Emma, Melanie. Didn't know you two would be here. Is it ok if we join you?" Allison asks sweetly. Melanie spits out her food and I can't help but laugh. I hand her a napkin to wipe her mouth and I nod to them. Noah and Allison laugh too. Melanie finds this very odd and doesn't hesitate to not ask why they want to join us of all people.

"Sorry, but why?" Allison sits right next to her.

"We spoke with Emma last night and apologized for our behavior towards her. We wanted to apologize to you also because I know we were not the greatest people in the world to you either and we just wanted to make amends."

Melanie sits there with a horrified expression.

"You all were and still are a big problem so please don't take offense to the fact that I really don't believe your so called "apology", especially to my friend. However, I will let bygones be bygones from here on out but if you dare say one more nasty comment to Emma it wont be pretty- for any of you." pointing her chop stix at both of them.

Noah and Allison don't say a word but I break the tension.

"Ok easy now let the past remain in the past. Let's start fresh. If you two are serious about actually treating us as human beings, then great, you can come sit with us"

Melanie glances at me and smiles.

"That's my girl. Ok Allison and Noah. Welcome to our world. Take a seat and let's all chill. Just do not touch my dumplings."

Noah decides to sit next to me. We all converse about anything and everything and get along fairly well. We actually have a few things in common and ai am shocked. These two are pretty nice when you get to know them. They are nothing like Tammy or Elijah.

After stuffing our faces, we decide to go to the movies, and that's when we all begin to argue about what to see. I'd rather watch a comedy but the other three are eager to watch the new horror flick that supposedly got such great reviews. I hate horror movies. I hate the dark. The two mixed together will undoubtedly provide for great entertainment. It makes me anxious, and I cower like a baby completely freaked out by the impending blood and gore. Unfortunately, I was severely outvoted.

Noah turns to me and whispers in my ear.

"I'm here if you get scared princess." I shiver at his words yet feel nothing for him. No spark. No connection. Nothing. He gives me a slight smile and I begin to feel weird. I have to admit that I get a sense of ease when Noah is around and it makes me feel good to know that he can become a really good friend, but that is all I will ever see him as- a friend, nothing more. Who knew one of the two male jerks was actually really sweet?

We first go to the concession stand for snacks and then go into the movie theatre. We grab fairly decent seats and Noah takes a seat next to me. Before the lights go out, I can sense someone watching me. I then see two eyes glaring in my direction. It's Elijah - sitting next to some girl from school- think she might also be in one of my classes- and all he does is just stare at me. His eyes scream anger as does the look on his face. Again, what is up with him? So what if I am sitting next to Noah? He is like another brother to me. Ugh. Boys.

After the movie is over, I realized that the whole entire time I was covering my eyes or hiding my face in Noahs arm. I feel ashamed and silly but Noah doesn't call me out on my fear of scary movies. Kevin would be tugging my hands away from my eyes just to make me watch as the poor people get butchered. He always make fun of me.

"Great movie right?" Noah asks as we walk out of the theatre. I roll my eyes at him.

"I barely watched it and I know you know that Noah." He laughs a genuine laugh and pulls me towards him by wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"You got me. I noticed. Told you I'd be there for you princess." I raise an eyebrow at him. This is the second time he has called me princess.

"Why the sudden need to call me Princess?" I ask curiously.

"Figured you for one of those fairy tale fans. I mean you do have decals all over your binder of them. I found it cute. Therefore, I thought I'd give you the nickname Princess." Huh. He actually noticed me?

"Wow, you noticed that?"

"Of course. Well, I really noticed during tutoring this morning."

"Hmm..ok." I shrug at him. What can I really say to that? I just smile and walk out of the mall with him by my side. Melanie and Allison are rambling on about how good the movie was and I can't help but notice that our friend group of two is now quite possibly a group of four. I couldn't be any prouder thinking we just dismantled The Quads of Torment. It has now become the Duo Torment. I am actually beginning to feel really good about the future.

As we are walking, I hear my name being called, loudly. I turn to see who it is and when I see that it is Elijah I stop everyone and tell them to wait a minute to see what he wants. Noah takes it upon himself to come with me. That's his friend too so I don't mind. I walk up to him with Noah right by my side.

"Yes, Elijah?"

"No hi, how are you? Guess getting straight to the point huh?"

"You called me over here, remember? Secondly, we just saw each other this morning while you were acting like an arrogant jerk and then rudely left tutoring. What do you want Elijah?"

Noah chimes in while I await my response from Elijah.

"Hey man, knew I seen you at the movie theatre. Where's your date?" Elijah glares at Noah.

"I was but she went home." The sudden feeling of jealousy rises in me and I can't understand why.

"Oh" Noah says before taking his phone out of his pocket and beginning to scroll through it. I bring my attention back to Elijah and I have to ask once again my same question from before.

"What do you want Elijah?" He stares directly into my eyes.

"Don't tell Mrs. Russo about the whole not needing tutoring anymore. I'm still going to be going every Saturday." Umm okay.

"Are you sure? I don't see the need you to be there is you already know what you are doing. I think Noah and Allison need more help. I don't want you to waste your day sitting in school getting tutoring when you don't actually need it." It is like he is not even listening to the words coming out if my mouth. If looks could kill, the look Elijah is giving Noah when Noah isn't even aware because his face is staring at his phone is murderous. I clear my throat to get his attention and he snaps out of his glare on Noah.

"Listen. I'll be there every Saturday whether you like it or not. I don't have to be there for tutoring. I can easily catch up on missed assignments or homework. Doesn't matter to me but I will be there so stop pestering me about it. What I do with my time is none of your business." Rude. He looks away from me and to Noah.

"I'll text you later to hang." Noah finally looks up from his phone.

"Yeah, sure man. Hit me up." We all walk away from each other but my pitiful self decides to turn my head and look back at Elijah. I may be going crazy but the face he has on is.......sad? What the actual hell is going on right now?

"What was all that about?" Melanie asks while Allison talks to Noah.

"I don't really know. Elijah has decided to keep coming to tutoring when he clearly doesn't need it." Melanies gasps.

"Seriously? Sh!t Emma. You think he's up to no good? I can go punch him in the throat for you if you want."

"Oh god, don't do that. He hasn't hurt me in any way. He is just his regular moody overbearing self. Yet, something is definitely different with him when it comes to me. He stares at me way too much lately. It feels like I am the only one in the room with him. I don't know whether to be flattered or creeped the f!ck out." I sigh.

"Listen, Allison was telling me that Noah and Elijah were arguing about you at last night's party after you left. Allison also left because of it. They both wanted to apologize and Elijah was trying to make them feel bad about it." I eye her questionably.

"Just be careful around him, okay?" I nod my head at her request. If anybody should apologize to me, it really should be him.