It's been two weeks since Candace's birthday party. Two weeks since I heard anything from Noah. Two weeks since Christian said Noah has a girlfriend.

I've canceled all my normal tutoring sessions at the football house. I need some time before I see any of them again. The boy's reactions to me seeing and finding out about Noah and that girl made me realize how poorly I've been hiding my feelings.

Embarrassment runs through me at the thought. Obviously, everyone knows how much I like him, and they all seem to feel sorry for me. That's a shitty feeling. Pity is not something I want or need from anyone.

Jackson has called me a few times but I ignore him. He tried to warn me, he told me to move on, to stop waiting around for Noah.

Its humiliating that he even had to warn me. I think I'm in denial. I know Christian used the word 'girlfriend' but I don't actually believe it. This is Noah we're talking about. Noah Johansson doesn't 'do' girlfriends. He doesn't want to deal with commitment yet. He's too young to be tied down to one girl. These are the fun years. I've been his friend for four years, I know him, probably better than Christian and Dylan. Thoughts of Noah and that girl swirl through my head as I get ready.

Every year after the first semester ends Sierra and I go to McAllisters, a fancy, overpriced, steakhouse downtown. Being seniors this year, we decided that we would go after every semester and we would dress like we belonged there.

As I pull my dress out of the closet I can't help but feel excited. Sierra hasn't seen this dress yet and I know she's going to freak out. The dress is a blood red velvet with long sleeves, a plunging neckline and a sexy mid thigh length. It's classy but also kind of slinky.

I do a deep side part and style my hair in loose, beachy waves.

When my makeup is in place I grab my shoes, stopping at the door to my room

"Sie, you ready?" I call through my door.

"Wait, wait" she yells "I need five minutes."

Laughing, I sit down on my bed waiting for her to finish. Our tradition is to come out of our rooms at the same time, revealing our outfits.

"Ok, three, two, one" Sierra yells from behind her door. We both swing our doors open and step out. The next ten minutes are spent in a loud, squealing frenzy. Both of us jumping around, yelling over each other about how beautiful and amazing the other looks.

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Sitting at our table Sierra starts talking about her plans after graduation. "I don't know, Eve" she starts "graduation is in a few months and I'm not sure where my life is going. I already have a job lined up but I feel like I'm in a rut with Chase."

"Really? I thought things were going well?"

"I mean, they are. He's so great. I just feel like he isn't serious about us. I don't know. I know where I am going to be in a few months after graduation. I'm pretty much set up. I try to talk to him about us, about what we will be but he doesn't have any answers. Almost like he hasn't thought about it at all."

Sierra is about to graduate with her Doctor of Dental surgery degree from the UCLA school of dentistry. Every summer since freshman year she has interned at a dentist office in Bel Air. Now that she is graduating she's been offered a position there.

"I don't think it's possible that he hasn't thought about it at all. He's crazy about you." I say, reaching across the table, squeezing her hand.

"Bleh, lets not spend McAllister night talking about that" she laughs "have you made any more definite plans for after graduation?"

"Um, actually. I submitted my application for the doctorate program in Boston."

"Oh. My. God! Evangeline! When? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Awhile ago. I haven't heard anything back yet. I check my application status like, fifty times a day" I laugh "its one of the best programs in the country and its really competitive. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, you know?"

"No, you are the smartest person I know! You have a 4.0 and your extracurriculars and recommendations are insane!" She says. "Don't doubt yourself!"

"I'm just trying to be realistic." I shrug

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"Oh, shit" Sierra says suddenly causing me to look up from my food. "Fuck, don't look Evie" she pleads with me, grabbing my hand.

Of course I look, but I wish I hadn't. Noah is leading Shiloh by the hand to a table behind a hostess. He pulls her chair out for her and kisses her quickly before sitting down, his back to us.

My breath catches in my thoat. He's on a date. A real, actual date. I bit my lip "shit" my voice come out shakey and quiet.

"Let's eat and get out of here. Don't let him ruin your night."

"Ok" I say quietly but my appetite is ruined.

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Walking toward Sierra's car both of our phones ping simultaneously.

"It's from Candace, there's a big party tonight" Sierra says as we reach the car.

"Want to go?" I ask.

She looks suprised "not tonight babe. I texted Chase a picture of my dress and he's meeting me at home when we get there" she says with a small embarrassed smile.

"Would you drop me off? I'll catch an uber home."

"Look, Evie. I know you're upset about seeing Noah in there. Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"It's probably a terrible idea but I want to go. I don't want to sit at home thinking about him."

"I get it" she smiles sadly "just be careful please."