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I stared at him in shock, realizing that he probably just heard all of that.

“You’re really dating him?”

“Did you hear all of that?” I whispered.

He made a sound of disbelief. “So I guess it is true.”

“Noah… It’s not what you think.”

He leaned against the wall and stared at me. “He’s a good guy? Maybe you can be friends? You’re clearly more than that already.”

“Just let me explain,” I sighed.

He folded his arms as he waited for my explanation. I licked my lips, trying to figure out what to say to him. He didn’t exactly like Ashton, so I could see why he would be surprised by that. But I didn’t want him to think I’d been lying to him this entire time. He was my best friend. There was no way I would do that to him. And to top it all off, he sounded really hurt.

“It’s complicated between Ashton and me. We’re not ‘dating dating’.”

He raised any eyebrow. “’Dating dating’? What’s that supposed to mean?”

I sighed and took his hand, pulling him outside. “Noah, we aren’t actually dati-”

The words died in my throat as an all too familiar black Ferrari came into view. I stifled a groan. What was he doing here now? He came out of the car and the hint of a smile that he wore vanished when he saw Noah.

“What is it?” Noah asked, looking behind him.

Just perfect. I didn’t even get a chance to explain everything to him yet. I closed my eyes with a sigh as Ashton came over to us. His eyes glazed over Noah, before he turned to me.

“I’m driving you home.”

“Kevin was going to do that.”

“But I’m here now,” he smirked.

I rolled my eyes. “Go away, Ashton.”

“Ashton?”

We looked over at Noah, whose mouth hung open in surprise. I almost forgot that he’d never met Ashton before. Wait! Maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing after all. Ashton could just help me explain to Noah that we weren’t actually dating. Yeah, that could work.

“I don’t think we’ve met,” Ashton said coolly.

“This is Noah. He’s my childhood friend.”

Ashton nodded and extended his hand, which Noah shook slowly. Ashton wasn’t being a complete jerk. This could end with him and Noah being friends. I smiled happily.

“I’m Ashton. I’m also Elizabeth’s childhood friend.”

My smile froze as I turned to look at him. What was he doing?

“I thought you two met at school,” Noah said, visibly confused. “You know, high school.”

Ashton draped an arm around my shoulder. “Yeah, well.”

Noah narrowed his eyes at the action and I internally face palmed myself.

“What Ashton means,” I said, shrugging his hand off me, “Is that we actually met when we were younger. But I don’t remember it.”

“Okay?” he gave me another confused look. “And what about now?” he asked Ashton.

“Now?”

“Yeah. Are you friends now?”

A slow smirk spread across Ashton’s face. For some reason, I could suddenly feel the tension between the two of them. Noah narrowed his eyes at him and I sighed. I guess they didn’t want to be friends.

“You’re wearing the necklace,” Ashton commented, sounding pleased.

This prompted a glare from Noah. “Queen E, this is from him?”

I nodded.

“Queen E?” Ashton chuckled.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Noah spat.

“But I’m talking to you,” Ashton said, stepping closer to him.

Noah fingers drummed quickly along the sides of his jean. Judging by the rhythm, he was getting angry.

Kevin was leaning against his car, taking in the scene. I came up between Ashton and Noah before either of them could lose their temper.

“Since you’re here, I’ll just clear this up,” I said, rolling my eyes at Ashton, “Ashton and I aren’t really dating.”

Ashton glanced at me and Noah loosened up a bit. He looked at Ashton and then back at me.

“For real?”

“Yep,” I said, popping the p. “It’s all a misunderstanding.”

A bright smile lit up Noah’s face as he took my hand. “I’m sorry. I probably jumped to the wrong conclusion. I just thought…” he trailed off.

“I can’t really blame you,” I sighed.

“What conclusion would that be?” Ashton asked. His voice was devoid of any friendliness now.

“That Elizabeth would date someone like you. Sorry.”

Ashton’s expression darkened as he pulled my hand away from Noah’s. “That’s not such a bad conclusion.”

Noah pulled my hand away from Ashton and stepped closer to him. “Don’t touch her.” His voice and expression held a warning.

Ashton scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Who do you think you’re talking to?”

“I don’t care,” Noah spat. “Don’t. Touch. Her.”

They were almost toe to toe now and I was anxiously hoping that one of them would come to their senses. Noah wasn’t the confrontational type, but he was looking really angry now.

“Guys, stop,” I said, trying to pull them apart, but they both refused to budge.

“I don’t have time to waste with you,” Ashton growled. “But you’re seriously pissing me off right now.”

“Then piss off and leave her alone.”

“Where did you find this clown?” Ashton asked me, his voice stained with irritation.

He cracked his knuckles and I suddenly felt like I was back at school. I saw what he’d done to guys who upset him before and I was not going to allow him to hurt Noah. Not on my watch or anybody else’s.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into both of you, but you two need to chill,” I said, trying to pull Noah away.

“If you want the smoke, then I’ll bring the fire,” Noah growled. “You’re nothing more than a bully.

“Bring the fire,” Ashton smirked, “I’ll put out whatever measly flame you can muster.”

Noah took his glasses off and thrust them at me. I threw my hands in the air exasperatedly. Was any of them going to listen to me?

“Can you even see anything?” I sighed, trying to put his glasses back on his face where they belonged. “Don’t get into a fight with him, Noah. Please.”

“I’m not backing down from this,” he seethed. “I’ll put this kid back in his place.”

I sent Kevin a panicked look, but he was already on his way over to us.

“Calm down,” he said, glancing between them. “What started this?”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You did, actually”

Kevin blinked in surprise. “Me? What did I do?”

“Noah thought Ashton and I were dating.”

Kevin became quiet at that. He looked over at Noah with a frown. “You like her?”

“Yes.” Noah’s ears turned pink again.

“What did you just say?” Ashton growled.

Kevin backed away from them, taking me with him. “Yeah, they might need to fight this one out.”

“What? No!” I yelled. “Why would you even think that that’s a good idea?”

“You haven’t figured it out?”

“Figured what out?”

“They’re both fighting for the same reason.”

“Their mutual hate?” I seethed.

“Not hate. It’s the opposite.”

“What are you talking about?” I huffed.

“Noah likes you.”

“I know. He’s my best friend and I like him too, but he doesn’t have to fight Ashton to prove it!”

“That’s not what I mea-”

I didn’t wait for Kevin to finish and I managed to break away from him and dashed over to them, just as they started throwing punches.

I ran between both of them and luckily, they managed to stop before hitting me. Very lucky.

“Elizabeth, what are you doing?” Ashton growled. “You could have gotten hurt.”

“Why do you care?” Noah spat. “Giving her a hard time is your specialty.”

“Stay out of this.”

“No. If you think you have a chance with her then you’re dead wrong.”

“And you think you do?”

“Stop fighting!” I yelled at both of them.

They both looked at me, in surprise.

“Oh, so you hear me now,” I scoffed. “What is wrong with you guys? You just met, how are you already fighting?” I glared at Ashton. “I think you have a special skill for ticking people off.”

“Whatever,” he scoffed, still shooting daggers at Noah with his eyes. “Let’s go.”

“You’re really going with him?” Noah asked in disbelief. “Are you really friends with him now?”

“It’s complicated.”

“It’s not that complicated,” Ashton smirked, draping an arm around my shoulder again.

The irritation in Noah’s eyes flared.

“We’re not simply dating. We’re betrothed.”

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