Page 15 of Pages of Amber

“What Beverly means is,”Lexi cut in, her gaze dragging from their friend to Amber.“We stuck up for you. We tried to get you to stay and if you’d said the word, we would’ve gotten you out of there. It hurt that you didn’t even hesitate to ditch us.”

“I didn’t- I’m sorry, okay? I’m not trying to hurt anyone. I’m only trying to do the right thing.”

“Right by who?”Beverly flung her arms, her voice exasperated.“Your mom? When are you going to start doing right by us? By yourself?”

It felt like a hush had fallen over the cafeteria, like everyone’s eyes were on her. Prodding and poking, judging and condemning her. She couldn’t breathe, her jacket suddenly feeling constricting, despite being unbuttoned.

Lexi laid a hand on Beverly’s arm.“We need a minute, that’s all. We know you didn’t mean to hurt us, but it happened anyway. None of us can fix that, but give us a while to process it.”

“Okay,”Amber choked out.“I’ll give you guys your space. I– you have to know I didn’t mean bad. I’m sorry.”

They fell silent again. Lexi’s hand left Beverly, her lips pressed together and shoulders slightly shaking under her jacket. Amber closed her eyes, looking away. She wouldn’t be able to bear it if they cried because of her. Her hands trembled as she picked her spoon to resume eating but motion beside her made her pause. A blushing sophomore stood at the end of their table, wringing her hands. She flushed even more when Amber met her gaze.

“H-hi. Hi, Amber. The teacher, sorry, I mean Mrs. Wilson, she’s asking for you. She asked me to get you. Yes, that,”the poor girl rambled. She was obviously nervous and Amber smiled, trying to ease her.

“Thank you. What’s your name?”

“I’m… uh, my name’s Chloe.”

“Thanks for letting me know, Chloe. I really like your braid.”

The girl gaped for a moment, her hand flying to her hair like she wanted to be sure it was what Amber had referred to. She somehow flushed even deeper and squeaked a thank you before scurrying away from the table, her cheeriness leaving with her.

Amber turned back to her friends now watching her with curious eyes. She could feel the question sitting at the tip of Beverly’s tongue but she said nothing as Amber said goodbye, picked her tray and left the table.

The hallways were empty of students causing her shoes to echo in the high-ceiling corridors as she took the turns to Mrs. Wilson’s class. She ignored the ache in her toes as she climbed the stairs to the next floor. Instead, Amber reminisced the first time she’d stepped into the class. Her mother had been on a trip when she’d needed to pick her classes for the year. Amber had snuck in Contemporary Literature and Composition. She remembered being so excited for the lesson, only to come face to face with Noah in the doorway. They’d glared at each other for a minute before walking in and choosing seats as far away from each other as possible.

She’d had two classes with Mrs. Wilson since resuming, but she couldn’t think of any reason to be called in to see her. Amber knocked at the partly open door and peeked in,“Mrs. Wilson?”

“Come in.”Her answering voice was muffled, coming from the tiny closet off to the side of the classroom Mrs. Wilson used to keep assignments, class projects or equipment when she wanted them to do audiovisual analysis. Amber stepped in, shutting the door behind her as Mrs. Wilson emerged, carrying a mini watering can to her windowsill.“Hello, Miss Coleman. Have a seat. Give me a minute to freshen up my flowers.”

The flowers, beautiful freesias sat in four separate pots. She watched as Mrs. Wilson gently watered them, her arm going in smooth circles to feed the soil.

“They’re coming in beautifully,”Amber said, the words slipping out.“The flowers,”she clarified when her teacher paused.

“They are.”Mrs. Wilson beamed.“I received the seeds as a gift a few weeks ago and decided to add a little colour to the class. I heard it has a good scent too.”

“An amazing scent. It’s a sweetness tinged with a hint of citrus and feels like taking in a breath of fresh air. The combination might sound weird but it’s lovely when it kicks in. They have the prettiest colors too. Have you seen the petals reflecting off the sun? It’s gorgeous.”

Mrs. Wilson slowly set down her can and faced Amber, a half-amused and half-intrigued smile gracing her face.“I didn’t know you knew so much about flowers.”

Amber blinked, realizing she’d been rambling on to her teacher about flowers. She flushed.“I-it’s not a huge deal. I dabble in a little gardening sometimes.”

Her teacher nodded, her smile still in place.“Nevertheless, I’ll be cracking the windows open more often to catch the petal glow. You’ve got me looking forward to the scent of fresh citrus filling the room, Miss Coleman.”

Amber flushed even deeper, a warmth growing in her chest at the words. Mrs. Wilson sounded like she meant them. She’d listened to Amber’s babbling and had liked what she had to say. Amber smothered the crazy smile from spreading on her face, remembering she had been called here for a reason.

A knock at the door interrupted her from asking. At Mrs. Wilson’s response, it pulled open and Amber gulped at the sight of the two figures that came in. What was happening? And why was he here?

“Mr. Loughrey,”her teacher greeted her colleague, oblivious to Amber shuffling in her seat,“I see you brought Mr. Rhodes along. Thank you.”

Mr. Loughrey tipped an imaginary hat, the impression well done but Amber was focused on glaring at the dark haired boy who had insinuated she was stupid only yesterday.

“What is he doing here?”

She couldn’t keep the bite from her voice. No one seemed fazed though, Noah least of all, if the smile that tugged at his lips was any indication.

“What a warm welcome, m’lady,”he drawled. He pulled the seat from beside her and folded himself into it, manspreading into the aisle between them. Amber scowled at the nickname and focused on the two teachers now whispering among themselves. She politely cleared her throat to get their attention.

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