Milkshakes and Memories

The second wave of students were released, and it was a much like a game of lost and found as everyone went searching for their friends. Chloe and Paris were in a panic to find Zack, not knowing that he had already left. Kevin wasn’t far behind and came to check on Chloe, not that she needed much help. Kevin was lucky himself to make it out with minimum damage. The athlete walked up behind Chloe and gently put his hand on her shoulder, not knowing that she was still jumpy from everything. She turned with a raised fist and nearly threw a punch before she released who it was. She saw the shock and possible fear in Kevin’s eyes and all but collapsed in his arms. Kevin went from scared to confused but gladly welcomed the typically shy redhead. Paris balked at the sign of affection but was happy for Chloe. Jake and Alice made their way to the group next, to check in everybody. Jake had a busted lip but made it out pretty well compared to some others. The group kept trying to call Zack but couldn’t get an answer.

Zack tried to focus on driving with an ecstatic Amber next to him and a phone that wouldn’t stop ringing. To keep his sanity, he silenced his phone as he wasn’t ready to talk to anyone. Strangely, Amber’s chipper mood was actually helping distract him. She has continued to grow on him, and he actually liked having her around. Amber was just excited about being with him and that he took her up on her offer for a ride. The blonde girl has grown more confident since Zack befriended her and she liked that feeling. She was aware that she was still trying hard to be liked by the boy but felt an ease that she could be herself unlike with most any other guy that she’s met.

“Do you mind if I play some music? I found a new band that I want you to hear!” Amber belted out before trying to slightly tone down her enthusiasm. Zack was intrigued by her excitement and agreed. Amber filled with glee and quickly connected to the Bluetooth. The music was a pop band and not quite Zack’s type, but he liked to see Amber so happy as she bobbed her head side to side to the beat. It reminded him of when he first met her and how distraught she was. He’d like to say that he’s had something to do with her shift but was also proud to see her personal growth. The guy couldn’t help but chuckle as the bubbly blonde danced in the seat next to him to the tunes. Minutes later, they pulled into the local ice cream shop and Amber froze up when she saw a black luxury car that belonged to Harry. Sure enough, Harry, Naomi, and Sharon were sitting at a picnic table out front. Zack noticed her shift and reached over to squeeze her hand.

“We can go somewhere else if you want?” He offered to Amber who turned to him with a soft smile and squeezed his hand back while slightly sneaking her fingers in between his. She simply shook her head and took a deep breath before opening the car door. Zack made his way over to her side and helped her out before shutting the door for her. He wasn’t a big fan of being around Harry but knew it had to be even rougher for Amber and put on calm demeaner for her sake. Amber blushed at his efforts and held her chin up high to not give the trio any satisfaction. The hyper girl attached herself to Zack’s side and only focused on being with him, not the three former friends of hers in front of them. Harry turned and saw the duo coming. After he saw Zack in a fight with Brandon, he refrained from saying anything to welcome that kind of wrath. Harry may like to stir up trouble, but fist fights aren’t really his cup of tea. After all it would surely mess up his skin treatment plan. Naomi saw the duo and was fuming from Amber’s earlier milk attack. She stared daggers into the blonde girl as she whispered something to Sharon, causing Amber to tense up and stop walking. Zack noticed as she froze up and placed his hand gently on her shoulder to help lead her to the counter. Amber softened and continued walking with the kind guy helping her. She wasn’t sure why he was so nice to her when they were basically stranger only a week ago. Amber was especially thinking that she didn’t deserve his kindness after what she did to him, but she was extremely grateful. Then the doubt started growing in her head at the memory that he said he was in a complicated relationship and had previously turned her down that morning. This coupled with seeing him kiss Madison. She was unsure if he was becoming interested in her or just an actual nice guy that she may be falling for. As she pondered these thoughts, they had made their way to the counter and had to place their order. Zack went with his usual chocolate milkshake and Amber chose a strawberry sundae. Zack refused her earlier offer and was glad to pay. This action received an even bigger smile out of Amber and put a temporary ease to her wandering mind. After the past few days, making Amber smile was rewarding enough to the guy. Amber grabbed her ice cream gleefully and snuggled up to Zack’s side, much to Harry and Naomi’s dissatisfaction. The blue-eyed guy was a bit taken back but after a moment welcomed the cute girl’s attention. It’s easy to say he is confused of where he stands currently with Ashley, Madison, and Scarlett. With Amber though, it’s just easier. She’s a cute girl and her happiness is radiating. There’re no difficulties like there are with the other three. He just isn’t sure if he was growing romantic feelings for her or just likes being around the happy cheerleader. Naomi couldn’t help herself and finally stood to approach them. After Zack saw the fear in Amber, he acted out of impulse and gently grabbed her under the chin to turn her attention to him. Amber nearly lost her breath at the eye contact that caught her off guard but suddenly melted into him while pressing her lips hard into his and further pissing Naomi off who turned back to her seat with a huff. Harry laughed at knowing that he had her first but was also a bit jealous to see her so happy after ditching him for his cousin. Harry stood and made his way to his car after seeing enough. Both girls were close behind. The kissing pair didn’t even notice that their nemesis’s had left. Amber didn’t want to let him go and tugged at his shirt to keep him close. The two stayed embraced as their ice cream started to melt. Zack finally pulled back, shocked by the kiss and now even more confused by what he wants and not understanding how he found himself with all of this girl trouble so early in the school year. He gave her a gentle smile wiping the remnants of strawberry jam from both of their lips. Zack and Amber ate the rest of their ice cream mostly in silence. Amber took turns taking bites and then holding the cold cup to Zack’s wounds. He smiled and only slightly winced at the sudden coldness each time. The girl was still starry eyed from the kiss while Zack stayed lost in thought about everything going on, suddenly remembering that he still has to deal with the fallout of the fight. Knowing he has to eventually face his parents filled him with dread; he decided it was time to get Amber home and face the music. Getting back in the car Amber simply pulled her knees up to her chest while wrapping her arms around them. Her awkward quietness wasn’t lost on the guy and Zack knew that he’d have to make his mind up soon to not lead the impressionable girl on. It was suddenly all clicking that when he thought she was being sweet, maybe she had more romantic intentions all along. Summer break suddenly felt like it was so long ago and made Zack envious of such simpler times.

____

Ashley was growing impatient as she set on Heather’s couch and tossed her phone down after scrolling through social media and seeing nothing but terrible reminders of the dreadful day they just had. A bit of her suddenly annoyed mood may also be affected by the fact that Zack has yet to text her and let her know how it went with his parents and that he’s doing okay. Panicked thoughts swarmed her mind that maybe his parents grounded him from her (and everyone else for that matter) or that his injuries worsened, and he had to go to the hospital. She has received messages from her parents, Tanya and a couple other cheerleaders, and even Brandon who she chose to ignore. Still no Zack. Her mind wouldn’t stop spinning, even when Heather returned with two fresh smoothies to help the two of them relax. Ashley was caught off guard as a book landed on her lap that was tossed by an annoyed Heather. “Last year’s Yearbook?” Ashley said looking up at Heather confused. “What do you want me to do with this?”

Heather rolled her eyes and laid across the Italian leather couch as she looked over impatiently at her best friend. “Don’t think of it as a yearbook but a catalog for rebound cock. Find some potential candidates to get you out of this funk. If you’re too chicken shit to make your move on Bishop, then you need to find someone else for both our sakes. Hell, I even tolerated you getting your head banged off my headboard by Brandon more than seeing you stuck in this rut.”

Ashley was a bit pissed at Heather’s crudeness but couldn’t argue that with everything going on, she probably was miserable to be around. She also knew that Heather looked out for her in her own bizarre ways. Was she ready for a new guy was the real question though. She opened the yearbook hesitantly to appease Heather. She flicked through each picture finding one reason or another to shut down each candidate. “Asshole… Creepy… Creepy Asshole…” Ashley continued with each judged picture. Every now and again she did find a couple guys that she found cute that also seemed to be sweet or she had kind memories of. Heather saw her hesitate on one particular picture and snuck behind her to see who it could be.

“Scott Coburn?! You slut!” Heather teased. Ashley slammed the yearbook shut with a panic. “He’s kind of bland in my book but hey do your thing. That’s a bold fuck you to Brandon, going after one of his close friends. He’s perfect.”

Ashley huffed while preparing to defend herself. “I’m not into Scott Coburn! I was simply looking at the stupid pictures in this stupid book because of your stupid plan.” Ashley continued ranting to no benefit as the longer she went on, the more Heather realized her flustered response was hiding something. It is true that Ashley always considered Scott a sweet guy who she never recalled acting out rudely to her after she broke it off with Brandon. She was also impressed earlier in the day when he appeared to be helping others instead of joining in the fight. The more she thought about it, he was very different than all of the other football guys. She also couldn’t argue against him being her type as he had an athletic build and was a clean-cut all-American type of guy. She cursed herself as she realized that she was falling in Heather’s trap. After a few moments of actually considering trying this, it donned on her that she wasn’t thinking about Zack and that actually brought her some peace. There’s no harm in daydreaming about it right? At that moment Ashley heard the clicking of a phone screen as she peered over at Heather texting away. On her phone!

“There. You DM’ed Scott some cheesy shit that I can imagine you saying. And one final thing to seal the deal” Heather hurried through Ashley’s pictures before the blonde girl could react and take her phone back. She found a hot selfie that Ashley had taken previously and sent it to Scott with the message. Heather tossed the phone back to the horror-stricken Ashley as she kicked back on the couch once again. Heather seemed without a bother as if she didn’t just put this half-schemed plan in motion.

____

Zack pulled up to Amber’s house finally ending the awkwardness and getting one step closer to facing his doom. Amber smiled at him with flush cheeks as he walked around to let her out of the car. It was still new territory for her to have a guy being so cordial and gentleman like. Even if this wasn’t a real first date, it was still the best one that she had ever been on. Zack was a little confused on how to act but chose chivalry all the same. He walked the cute blonde up to the front door and thanked her for taking his mind off everything for a bit. Amber responded nervously while reaching for his keys thinking a lot would be determined by him going for another kiss or not. It was now or never she figured. While focusing on Zack it finally donned on her that she keys she had been reaching for were clearing not in her purse. A look of panic crossed her face which confused Zack before having much of a chance to plan his exit. Amber begins to freak out as she frantically searching for her keys thinking that she couldn’t possibly do something so stupid to ruin their great afternoon. Zack still wasn’t sure what was going on but offered his help to calm her all the same. “Amber? Is everything okay?” He studied the girl for a moment who never once looked up from her purse as she scrambled through the items inside for at least the fourth time. “Amber!” Zack said with a gentle hand on her arm that finally caused the brown eyed blonde to look up at the guy as her eyes began to tear up.

“My keys. I can’t… find my keys.” Zack saw how upset she currently was and began to rub her back to sooth her.

“Do you have a spare anywhere or is there anywhere else I can take you?” Zack offered. Amber studied his face once again, surprised that he wasn’t in the least bit upset at her screw up. Or yet another screw up she figured. Amber thought it was only a matter of time before he got annoyed by her constant mess ups. She softly shook her head when he asked about a spare and timidly responded with the only place she could think of.

“My mom’s Salon. She has the other key.”

____

Brandon didn’t think his day was ever going to end after he was finally released from the school. Most of the football team was held last to prevent any further ****. He quickly ran into Trent and a few others who were fuming and waiting for his response on how to get the basketball players back. It certainly didn’t go well when he tried to convince them all to drop it. Even some of the girls and other students around seemed annoyed that Brandon was willing to let it go. He did his best to explain the harsher punishments that were in store for any retaliations but simply didn’t have the energy to go through it all again. Trent cussed a bit under his breath as he had no plans on keeping the peace. Louis and Russell saw the unsatisfied look on Trent’s face and followed him from the crowd to see what he was thinking. The majority of the remaining crowd seem to vanish one by one leaving Brandon in peace to make his way home. All but Victoria that is. She stood back a bit quietly observing until the rest had vanished. She slowly made her way up to the razzled guy while currently split between wanting to go full reporter mode and interview the injured athlete or just check in on her friend. Brandon glanced at her, and she suddenly forget anything she was going to say as she quietly rushed forward to hug him. Brandon slowly put an arm around her and returned the hug.

“And here I thought I had my work cut out for me before. The early polls certainly don’t have you in the favorable side of all of this. If I had any chance before of getting you and Ashley back together, this really didn’t help.”

____

Zack pulled in front of the salon and put the car into park as he looked over at a much calmer Amber. Amber gave him a short smile as she was again appreciative of him. She gently rested her hand on his right forearm as she turned to thank him. Zack nodded with a nonchalant expression to let her know that it was no bother at all.

Cora Evans wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead as she did her best to keep up with the late afternoon rush at the salon. The pretty blonde woman resembled her daughter Amber in many ways with the same shade of hair and matching brown eyes. Life hadn’t always been kind to Cora but she has done her best to raise Amber right and give her everything that she can. A failed marriage and a few failed relationships after having caused the two to relocate a couple times. Amber seemed to be adjusting to Azure Rocks ok but was quiet and distant all the same. That was until recently when Cora saw a major change in her daughter. She was much happier and even helpful around the house. She’d catch Amber snickering at texts and even occasionally mention a few new friends she sat with at lunch. While new friends are great, friends don’t typically cause a girl to turn red when reading certain texts or to be lost in daydreams. She suspected there could be another cause for her newfound happiness. Cora really did hope that this place could be different for them both.

Cora quickly made her way around her client when a blue car in front of the salon caught her attention. She studied it quickly while also trying to focus on the task in front of her. Cora’s focus shifted as she turned her head with a surprised expression as Amber opened the passenger side door. As she wondered what her daughter was doing there, a good-looking young man walked around the car to offer his hand and help Amber out of the car. Amber looked at said guy with a look that only a mother could recognize so quickly. She noticed the two teens standing awfully close as they both seemed to hesitate before acting. The taller guy took a step forward with his arms open to the shorter blonde. Amber leaned in quickly and wrapped her arms around him. Cora then saw the unrecognizable guy lean down and give her daughter a sweet and tender kiss on the cheek. Amber’s face turned flush, and she smiled into his shoulder. It may not be what she was hoping for, but expression showed that she appreciated it all the same even if it didn’t clear anything up. The brunette guy broke the embrace and closed her door before making his way back to his side of the car to exit. Cora grinned largely, nearly forgetting about the woman in her chair as she saw the happy expression on her baby girl’s face. ‘She has good taste…’ Cora thought as she also worried a bit for her daughter, hoping that she has better luck in love than she does.

____

Zack had a good time with Amber as always and was caught out of his trance by the vibration of his phone that he had stuffed into the bash compartment of his car. He felt chills as his phone represented real life and he dared pick it up to check it. His worst fears came true as it was flooded with texts, calls, and even social media notifications. If he had any intention on keeping the altercation private, he was largely mistaken. He skipped social media for the time being instead skimmed the texts and calls. Amongst the many he saw a couple messages from Madison, one from a worried Gavin, and even a few from Taylor and Peter. He panicked thinking that this reached them so quickly at college. This was really bad. He next opened a surprising snapchat from Hannah. It was a super hot selfie of Hannah in a royal blue sports bra that showed off plenty of cleavage. She was posing with a dramatic kiss face and one eye winking. The caption read *Save some of that aggression for me lover boy!* Zack tried to settle his mind from the hot image on his phone and in his head before checking the missed calls as well. As much as he hoped he was wrong, the calls included three from his mom and two from his dad as well with a final text demanding him to be home right away. This worried Zack even more as his dad was typically at work until the evening and doesn’t often come home early without reason. Zack took what felt like the deepest breath ever and made his way to the house. As he pulled the car into park, he rested his head on the steering wheel momentarily which brought back the harsh reminder of the soreness on his face. He glanced up slowly and saw Daniel standing in the front window with a coffee mug in his hand. It was now or never.

____

Ashley finally had enough **** from Heather and had decided to make her way home as well. She was ready to decompress and just needed some time alone to process. As she pulled into her driveway, she was surprised to see Madison’s green sports car in the driveway with a fidgety Madison leaning against the rear bumper. Ashley parked before hesitantly making her way over to Madison as it would be pretty hard to avoid her at her house of all places.

Madison had a blank expression on her face as she merely stared in Ashley’s direction. She took a breath and decided to speak up to the approaching blonde. “Can we talk?”