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"Hey... Elizabeth, right?"

"Yeah?"

"How did it feel when Ashton pulled you out of the water?"

I frowned at the girl beside me. Her expression was expectant as she waited for my answer.

"I don't really remember. I kinda passed out."

"Oh," she looked disappointed. "Why did he though? I mean so many other people could have helped you. Aren't you friends with Kevin?"

"Well, yeah, but-"

"Speaking of Kevin, can I get his number?"

I sighed after she walked off. People were still talking about Ashton's heroic deed from the party. I mean he did save me and I was grateful for that, but I was being bombarded with questions like this every day. And it was already almost a week and a half ago.

Kevin had reappeared at school, but he seemed to have acquired an evasive skill. Whenever I tried to talk to him, he disappeared. That was frustrating me.

I stepped into the cafeteria and immediately felt comforted by the sight of my other two best friends. Ashton had made it abundantly clear that he hated me and Nicole and her friends were just as bad as ever. He had gotten into trouble for fighting because Xander had reported him and apparently that was my fault too.

"The next person who asks me if you and Ashton have a thing going on, is going to see my ugly side," Callie grumbled.

"I've been getting those a lot too," Melissa informed, taking a bite of her lunch.

"I don't know why they think anything's going on," I mumbled. "He obviously hates me."

"He doesn't hate you," Callie smiled, trying to cheer me up. I stared at her.

"Okay, so maybe he does. It's not the end of the world."

"It isn't, but it's annoying." I sighed.

"Hey," Alexis said, sliding into the seat beside me. Before I could react, Ramona slid into the other side, trapping me in the middle.

"If you're here to make trouble, leave," Melissa warned.

"Don't be so hostile, Melissa," Ramona smirked. "We just heard some rumors and we want to see if they're true."

"I don't have time for this," I glared at them.

"Well make time." She plastered on a smile. "I heard that you jumped into the pool on purpose."

"Why would I do that?" I scoffed.

"So Ashton would save you."

"That doesn't make sense," I said, rolling my eyes. "If your brain cells were functioning, you'd realized that."

"B*tch," she growled, grabbing my hair.

Melissa and Callie sprang to my side, but I shook my head. I'd deal with this. However, I didn't get a chance to.

"Both of you, stop!"

We looked over to the source of the command. Ashton? He glared at me, his lips pressed in a thin line.

"I'm tired of these damn rumors too."

The whole cafeteria became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Elizabeth and I have nothing going on," he announced with a frown. "I didn't ever think I'd have to say that. She's obviously not my type. At all"

"I'm glad I'm not," I told him. "But you're so obsessed with me, I might just start thinking you're lying."

He narrowed his eyes at me and I stood up.

"Just leave me alone, that's all I'm asking you to do."

"You're an eyesore."

"And you're a jerk. Why do you have to make my life miserable? Does it feel good?"

"Do you think I enjoy any sort of interaction with you?!" he yelled.

"Then leave me alone!" I yelled back.

"Then just disappear!"

"You disappear!"

"I'd never date a pathetic nerd like you!" he growled.

"You..." I started, but I was too upset to continue and the comeback died in my throat.

I dug my nails into my palm as I willed myself to calm down. Everyone was staring at us and some of them had their phones out.

"That's enough," Kevin growled, coming into view.

He was glaring at Ashton now. His jaw was set and he stood between us.

"Ahem," a teacher said as she entered the cafeteria. "Ashton Rivera and... Elizabeth?"

I sighed. I shouldn't have let my anger get the best of me.

"Both of you come with me."

Ashton rolled his eyes and followed behind her. I was still shocked from the events that had occurred. Alexis and Ramona laughed and walked back over to Nicole who was smiling too.

I shot Callie and Melissa a worried look before going to catch up with the teacher.

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"Mr. Rivera," the teacher sighed as we stepped into the empty hallway. "You, I expect to see here." She turned to me, "But Elizabeth, this is a surprise."

I sighed unhappily.

"What did you do?" she asked Ashton. "I could hear you guys from all the way in the staff room."

"Why do you think I started it?" he asked with a smirk.

"Just a feeling."

"It was my fault too," I added softly. "I started the yelling first."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Mr. Rivera here is already on a thin line so I'm going to have to punish him. Unfortunately, that means I can't overlook your actions either."

I waited with bated breath for the judgement she would lay on us.

"After school detention for both of you."

"Detention?" I gasped.

Ashton slouched on the wall beside me looking unbothered. This was normal for him.

"Isn't there anything else we can do?" I pleaded. "I've never gotten a detention before."

This was a big deal to me. The university I wanted to go to was far too competitive. Good grades alone wouldn't cut it.

My record would have to be spotless. I couldn't afford the tuition, so I was working towards a scholarship. I was not about to throw all of that out the window. Especially not because of Ashton Rivera.

She thought about it. "Well, I can give you an unrecorded detention, since it wasn't a very serious offense," she offered. "You'll do your time, but it won't get put on your record."

That wouldn't be so bad. I nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

Ashton scoffed beside me. "Are we done here?"

The teacher glared at him and waved him off. He rolled his eyes at me before walking off. I didn't let him under my skin though. I couldn't believe I had fought with him like that.

I went back to the cafeteria, ignoring all the stares that were cast my way. Melissa and Callie were anxious to hear about what had happened. I filled them in as I picked at the rest of my lunch.

"Cheer up, Liz, it's just detention," Callie said, rubbing my arm. "I've gotten too many of those to count. Don't worry about it."

I nodded. I'd have to take responsibility for my actions. Looks like I was a rebel again.

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