A week later, the whole soccer team gathered in the gym to vote for a captain for the boys. Carson and Dylan were standing up at the front, sort of away from the ballot box. 

I decided to join them up front because I didn't think Becca was here yet. 

"I'm gonna go find Shane," Carson said, separating himself and walking off as soon as I reached them. I rolled my eyes. 

Dylan shook his head, but brightened up after a moment, "Guess what?"

"What?" I asked hesitantly. Whenever Dylan says 'guess what,' you usually don't want to know what. It's often very, very disturbing. 

"Last night, the L-Squad-"

"Dylan, stop. Please stop, ew."

He laughed, "You don't even know what I was gonna say."

I glared at him, "I beg to differ."

He chuckled. We stood there for a few minutes. 

"So, who are you voting for?" he asked. 

I smirked, "I can't tell you, that's against the rules." I mean obviously I was going to vote for him, he had to know that. But it's still fun to play with him.

"I won't be mad if you vote for Carson," he said. "Really, I won't. I just... I think you should know that."

Another silence fell on us. I hadn't even thought about voting Carson. I mean, he was the best on the team and he would be a good team leader. But Dylan is my best friend, and Carson... Carson is anything but my friend. 

"All right everyone," Coach said, walking in with his clipboard. "Everyone grab one ballot, check one of the boxes, fold it once, and put it in the ballot box, blah blah blah."

Everyone dashed up to the coach, all wanting to get out of here as quick as possible and not wanting to wait in line at the box. 

Once the crowd had mostly cleared away from coach, I went up and grabbed a ballot. 

"So I probably shouldn't be counting on your vote?" Carson said with his signature smirk, coming up to stand next to me. I noticed that he had a ballot in his hands. 

I rolled my eyes, "Putting in an extra vote for yourself?"

Carson looked down at the ballot and laughed, "Nah, I'm voting for Dylan."

I turned to him in utter confusion, "You're gonna throw the vote?"

Carson shrugged, "It shouldn't matter who I vote for, I highly doubt the result is going to be separated by a single ballot. People made up their minds about who should be captain long before we were nominated."

"Well, I still think it's dumb."

"You think everything I do is dumb, Princess," He handed me his pen, so that I could fill out my ballot, and walked off. 

"You got me there," I said to myself. 

I looked back at the ballot. It wasn't rocket science to fill out, you just put a check mark next to Dylan or Carson's name. 

But for some reason, I was having a lot of trouble putting a check on that paper, specifically next to Dylan's name. Almost like I felt guilty doing so. I don't know. 

Maybe Carson was right. Maybe one ballot doesn't make a difference. But why on earth would I ever listen to him?

I don't know, but it was really easy to put a check next to Carson's name, fold it up, and stick the ballot in the box. 

* * *

"Come on, Mads, we're late to second period," Luna moaned, pulling me down the hallway.

"Chill, like Mrs. Roberts would give me a detention," I said. 

"Okay, just because your mom performed a life-saving operation on her husband last year and you're invincible, doesn't mean I am!" She exclaimed. 

We walked into class, and of course everyone stared at us as we walked in. I waved to Mrs. Roberts and she smiled back. I really shouldn't be using my parents to my advantage, but hey, it's better than detention. 

Luna and I sat in the back row, a few desks down from where Dylan was being buried alive by girls. 

"See?" I said to Luna, "You get a pass because of association."

She rolled her eyes, "Okay, but let's not test that theory out a second time."

Our conversation was interrupted by an alert on my phone:

Today's Friday... - Grey

You ready? - Maddie

I don't think I'll ever be ready to break up with you. - G

lol... see u at lunch ;) - M

"Texting Grey again?" Luna smirked, wiggling her eyebrows. 

"Yup, we're planning our breakup," I smiled. 

"I thought you said you two weren't a thing?"

"We're not."

Luna groaned, "I really should not have asked."

* * *

"How could you do this?!" Grey screamed, slamming his lunch tray down on the table. All eyes in the cafeteria were on us now. 

"ME? What about you? You're so clingy! And I've got better things to do than listen to 'football this' and 'football that'!" I screamed. "You're no Tony Romo, you know!"

"Maybe I'd talk about something else if I ever got a chance to say anything! You NEVER shut up!"

"So you think I'm fat?!" 

"WH-WHEN DID I EVER SAY THAT?!"

Grey let out a frustrated groan and sighed, "You know what? We're over!" He stormed out of the cafeteria.

"Fine!" I exclaimed. I stormed out on the other side. 

I met Grey in the back hallway, where no one else seemed to be. 

"That was some great acting," Grey laughed. "Thank you."

I smiled, "My pleasure. You sure this is where you wanna end our relationship, though?"

"Maddie..." Grey started. 

I had place a single hand on his chest, getting ready to lean in. He was now also leaning towards me, our lips almost touching. 

Almost, being the key word. 

A obnoxiously loud cough broke us apart. I groaned but turned around, Grey's hands still on me. Behind us was Zach, Jason, Dylan, Carson, and Luna. 

Why do they always have to ruin everything?

"I'm gonna go," Grey whispered in my ear, before leaving me alone to deal with these vultures. 

"We were coming to make sure you were okay after such a harsh break up," Dylan said. 

"But it looks like you're both doing just peachy," Luna finished. 

This would be an interesting story to explain.

* * *

I wobbled through the house, trying to find Jason or Luna, or someone who was more sober than me right now. 

This had to be the most packed party Jason's ever had; I didn't recognize most of the people I passed. But that could also be explained by my distorted vision. 

I just needed to find someone I knew, I didn't realize how hard it was to do so. 

"Hey, Maddie!"

I turned around, a little too quickly for my head, and saw Grey standing with a bunch of his friends. I made my way over to him, happy to find someone I knew. 

"Grey!" I smiled. "Come dance with me!"

He laughed, "Maybe later. You look a little out of it."

I batted my eyes, "Maybe you can snap me back into it then?"

"Okaaaay," He said, grabbing the cup from my hands. "I think you've had enough tonight. Where are your friends?"

I shrugged, "They said to meet them outside at 2 to leave."

"Well, that doesn't help you because it's almost three. C'mon, I'll take you home."

* * *

I woke up in my bed and immediately ran to the bathroom the throw up half my body weight. 

"Ugh," I groaned. My head hurt like hell, and I wanted nothing more than to go back to bed. 

After brushing my teeth, I grabbed my phone off the nightstand, and checked my notifications:

txt me when ur awake... just need to make sure ur safe - G

im awake lol.. thank you for taking me home - M

np.. question tho: care to explain why Carson answered ur door? - G 

long story and it's really not that interesting. i'll explain when I can think again - M

I'm never partying again after last night. That was too much, even for me. 

Without any warning at all, my door burst open. Carson stormed into the room with a scowl plastered on his face. 

"May I help you?"

"Are you a fucking idiot?!"