A week after Tierwood High was closed, the students were admitted back to the school. Ethan and his friends were in juvenile detention center, and Amy, Kai, and Ellie were called to the principals office along with other students who came in contact with the shooters.

"How did it go?" Amy waited for Kai outside the office.

"They say im suspended for a week. So I won't be going to school this week. It's not that bad I guess.

"Im sorry.."

"Don't worry about it. I get another week off school. It's chill. My mom is fine with it."

Ellie passed by the office and she saw them. She glanced at them and then looked away.

"I think Ellie is terrified that I actually shot someone."

"You didn't even do it though..."

"She'll get over it.. I mean, I did it to protect you guys." Kai stretched out the I.

Amy smiled. She was happy to be friends with him.

The next day in English class Ellie and Amy didn't talk to eachother. Ellie talked to Ian.

Amy couldn't help but overhere their conversation.

"Honestly it's weird that school was only closed for a week. I'm not just saying that because I hate school but like, we need more than a week to recover from what happened."

"I know! I don't even feel safe being here anymore. I can't even look at ... his seat."

"Devin said he was going to skip this week too."

"Yeah he is.."

Devin.. Is she still dating him? Amy thought.

"Alright now, the teachers had a meeting and we've agreed to give you less work this week because of our current situation. I've put you all in pairs of partners to complete some readings. Discuss among yourselves and find the literary devices."

It wasn't a coincidence that Amy would be paired up with Ellie. She got up and sat next to her.

"Hey."

"Hey.." Ellie looked down at the paper. She didn't make eye contact.

They read without talking much.

Amy felt like she was the weird kid again. That someone like Ellie was out of her league to be her friend. She was nice but, her social circle was 10 times more than Amy's.

For the whole week, Ellie started noticing Amy more and more. They only had one class together, but Ellie felt her presence in other places, even though they didn't talk.

On Friday, Ellie went to the library with Nicole and she bumped into Amy in the hallway.

"Sorr-"

"-Why can't I get away from you?" She blurted out. It sounded mean but, she was being blunt.

Amy said nothing and hurried away.

"I shoudn't have said that... ugh.."

Amy spent the weekend trying to forget her goal of being friends with Ellie and Kai. It was stupid to predict a friendship. After all, friendships aren't planned. She was friends with Kai but, there was no point of trying with Ellie anymore. And to imagine Kai and Ellie together was worst. It doesn't even make sense. Ellie has a boyfriend and Kai was talking to other girls. She finally gave up.

The shooting made me realize that I shouldn't force things that won't happen. Everything happens for a reason and we can't predict the next event.

On Monday, Amy didn't bother to talk to either of them. Kai noticed and he felt like he did something wrong. He saw her in the morning.

"Hey Amy-"

"Hi" He watched her pass by him.

"I feel shitty." Ellie placed her drink on the counter.

"Why?" Nicole asked.

"You know that girl Amy right? The one I hung out one time at lunch with Kai?"

"Uh.."

"Whatever. Shes in my english class and I kind of yelled at her but I didn't mean to. That was an asshole move."

"Then say sorry," She ate her sandwich.

"We don't really talk. I just met her last year."

"..well.. then it doesnt matter?"

"Yeah. Okay." Nicole didn't get it.

So at the end of the day, Ellie saw her at their lockers and she stood by her.

Amy almost fell after seeing Ellie next to her locker.

"Hey."

She looked down. She thought she was going to say something mean.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you."

".."

"I just.. I don't know. Ever since what happened I kept seeing you everywhere. I felt weird."

"I'm probably just paranoid you know. I get that I overreacted."

Amy didn't say anything until Ellie started walking away.

"It's okay."

Ellie turned around for a second. Amy closed her locker.

Kai- 5:52 pm

"Hey is everything alright?"

Amy- 5:53 pm

"Yeah whats up"

Kai- 5:54 pm

"nothing i just thought u were mad at me"

Amy- 5:55 pm

"No I'm not."

"I'll see u tmrw Kai"

Kai- 5:55 pm

"Ok"