-DEVON’S POV-

It was Saturday morning, the day after I had called Amanda, and I still had yet to get an answer from her. Why was she being so damn stubborn? Was I going to have to go to her damn house just to talk to her? Did she hate me that much?

The voicemail… well I think it sounded pretty damn convincing to me. Sincere… and it was all true. I did miss Amanda, but maybe it was to much… maybe it sounded to creepy.

Then all of a sudden my phone vibrated, and I didn’t even look at the caller ID and I answered, “Hello!?”

A deep voice echoed through the phone and my heart sank, it was just Emerson, “Hey stranger! Where have you been? I miss you…”

I rolled my eyes, sure, Emerson was a great friend, and really cute… but he was the last person I wanted to talk to right now. I hated that, waiting for someone special to call or text and when you do get one you’re al to excited and it’s not even the person you want it to be.

I sighed, “Hey Emerson, I went away, family time… but I’m back now.”

I heard the smile in his voice, but it also held concern, “Would you want to hang out?”

There was really nothing better to do, and maybe it would get my mind off of Amanda even though I was still pissed she hadn’t called me yet. I sighed, “Sure, when?”

“Right now, I can come over and we can watch movies, or go to the mall and shop, have lunch… you name it.”

I sighed, “Let’s go to the mall.”

I heard the negative-ness in his voice toward my answer but he complied, “Ok, I’ll pick you up in a few.”

I clicked the phone off and stared at it, waiting for Amanda’s name to popup on the screen. I waited five minutes, then ten, then fifteen, then Emerson was knocking on my door.

I stood, opening it and being pulled into a tight hug, and I smelt him, he smelt good. Maybe this wasn’t a bad idea… maybe this was something I needed… something I needed to do to help me.

We were on our way to the mall, he had even managed to make me laugh at one of the stupid jokes and I looked at him. His dark hair falling above his grayish blue ones, his smile was dazzling… so why wasn’t I physically attracted to him?

I hadn’t been attracted to anyone since Rachel… well, except…

No, not her.

He parked, looking at me, “You seem really absent. You okay?”

I nodded, trying to push the recent thoughts out of my head and answer him smoothly, “Y-Yes, why?” But I obviously failed miserably.

He shrugged, shoving his car keys into his pocket, “You just look down, that’s all.”

I shook my head, “I’m fine… just tired.”

He tilted his head, “It’s only noon.”

I smiled, “Long night.”

“You’re lying, liar, seriously, what’s wrong?”

I looked art him, would he listen if I talked about Amanda? I sighed, “I miss Amanda… a lot.”

“Amanda? Phillips? She hasn’t talked to you yet?”

I shook my head, “Nope, she’s ignoring me… and it’s pissing me off. I’m about to just give up…”

“Why do you miss her?”

I shrugged, “She was close to me… and I wanna know if she’s still alive. She hasn’t spoken one word to me in two weeks, and we all have a class together.”

He started to take a seat on a bench near the mall and I sat next to him, wondering why we were stopping. He looked at me, “Sounds like she’s being a bitch.”

I punched him, “Emerson, you’re supposed to help me!”

He laughed, rubbing his arm, “Sorry I’m not to sure what to do about you’re girl issues.”

I rolled my eyes, he really was no help at all. I looked at him hard, Why was I even wasting my time with this jerk? He didn’t care about me or what I was feeling? He wanted to know why I wasn’t hanging all over him.

He sighed, “We’re throwing a party next Friday night, will you please be my date?”

I looked at him oddly, ok maybe I misjudged him, “A date? To a party? Since when?”

He shrugged, “Since I think you’re really cool and I miss hanging out with you. So please?”

I nodded, “Sure, since you asked me so nicely.”

He smiled a big boyish smile and that made me grin like an idiot, then I felt my phone vibrate. I immediately thought it was going to be my mom or someone but when I pulled it out and saw Amanda’s name written on it my heart sank.

I slid my finger and put the phone to my ear, hearing her sweet familiar voice.

“Hey, you called?”

I stepped away from Emerson, holding up a finger and returning to Amanda, “Yes, yesterday… Amanda… it’s so good to hear your voice.”

I heard the smile in her voice, but she returned to the conversation, “Yea… I know. It’s been awhile…”

I shook my head, “Awhile Amanda? No… It’s been two weeks since you’ve talked to me… you moved out a month ago… and we haven’t hung out since… that’s not cool.”

She sighed, “I’m sorry… I just… I don’t know.”

“Can I please see you?”

It was a weird and sudden response, but it was the absolute truth. I needed to see her… it was no longer a want anymore.

She paused for a bit, then replied, “Sure.”

I felt my spirits lift, and I wanted to cry because I was so happy. I didn’t even want to be here with Emerson anymore, I wanted to run back to the dorm room and wait for her.

I smiled, “You’ll come to the room?”

I could almost hear the happiness coming out in her answer, “Yes, I’ll be there in about and hour.”

I couldn’t contain my excitement any longer, and I replied, “Thank you… please, drive safe.”

“Always do.”

Then she was gone, just like that.

I looked at Emerson, and he was obviously annoyed, but trying to hide it. I smiled, “Amanda, she called me, and I want to go back to the dorm.”

He held up his hands, “But we just got here…”

I sighed, sitting next to him, “Please? I need to see her.. Talk to her…”

He rolled his eyes, standing up and grabbing his keys, “Jeez, you sound like you’re in love with her.”

Then he was off towards the car, and I was taken back at his response. He didn’t have to say it like that… it was completely unnecessary. But in a way… why had the call with Amanda mad me so happy? Because I missed her so much? Or was there something more behind it?

Sure, she looked like Rachel, and acted like Rachel, and made me think that she was Rachel sometimes… but that didn’t have anything to do with it…

Did it?

I joined Emerson in the car and he was silent the entire way, giving me time to sulk in my thoughts.

Why did I even agree to hang out with Emerson? Sure, he was a good friend, but I knew he liked me, and I knew I didn’t like him at all…

So why was I still leading him on?

Why didn’t I like him in the first place? He was cute, tall, intelligent, sweet… so why wasn’t I attracted to him? Normally I would be… but what was different?

Rachel’s death?

We were driving down the highway, on our way back to the university when I snuck a glance at him. He was mad, of course, but he was way to defensive. I hadn’t hung out with Amanda in an entire month! How could he be so inconsiderate… and selfish?

Maybe I had told him to bring me back, but he hopped in the car before I could call a cab. I would’ve took one home if I had to.

We drove up to the dorm, I looked at him, “I’m sorry…”

He shrugged, “Later.”

Then he was gone.

I rolled my eyes, heading straight to the dorm.

He needed to calm down, get over himself, and al of a sudden I wanted to ditch that stupid party next weekend he had invited me to. If he hadn’t have been a complete ass about it I wouldn’t be so mad about the fact. It wasn’t my fault I missed Amanda, and she had avoided me for an entire month. I missed her, and I wanted this chance to talk to her, and maybe convince her to come back and live with me.

I needed her more then I realized.

Up until now.

I hadn’t noticed how much time passed, and then I heard the door jiggle, and my heart stopped in my chest. Then in walked a tall, reddish brown headed girl, and my heart stopped.

Rachel.

I smiled, “Hey Amanda.”