I closed my locker shut with a slam, having stuffed as many of my useless textbooks inside it.

The halls were completely empty. School had ended ten minutes ago, and almost everyone had already left for the day. It was quiet, and almost peaceful. But, then again, it is a school.

The clicking of heels interrupted my thoughts. I already knew who it was; not many people are irritating enough to wear heels to class every day. I turned my head to see Lana, leader of the L-Squad was walking in my direction.

I rolled my eyes and groaned. I was already tired enough from school, I didn't need her to ruin my day further.

"Madeline!" Lana cheered. She stood right in front of me, with her plastered on fake smile. Her over-applied perfume was burning my nostrils.

"Lana," I smiled.

"How are you?" She asked.

"Well, I'm talking to you right now. But at least the rest of your group isn't here," I said, dropping the friendliness in my smile and attempting to make my getaway. Of course, it didn't work.

"Oh, you're so funny," Lana laughed, the sound ringing in my ears.

"You know," Lana started. "You and Luna could always sit with us. Me and my friends, I mean. We'd be delighted to have you as part of our... group."

I resisted the urge to laugh at her ridiculous proposal. As if I would want to have everything I do dictated by my 'leader.'

"Oh, I would love that," I feigned. "But then you wouldn't be the L-Squad anymore. Pity."

"I guess you're right," Lana nodded. "What a pity."

"Was there something you wanted, Lana? I can't imagine you came over here to suggest something as stupid a topic as lunch table seating."

"What? I can't just catch up with you, a dear friend of mine?" She asked.

"Right, okay." I turned and started heading to leave the school.

"Although," She started. I stopped in my place and took a sharp inhale. I turned back around, smiling again.

"I did hear something about you. And Carson. That you two, might be having a... relationship of some sort." Lana stated.

"Really?" I asked, now quite intrigued as to where this was heading.

She shrugged, "Yes, actually. A lot of my sources seem to think so, but I knew it wasn't true."

"And why's that?" I asked.

"Well, because Carson and I are in an agreement. Really, a relationship of the sort."

"How interesting, I had no idea."

"Yes, and I know that he wouldn't dare need anyone either than me. He would never cheat on a girl like me. Especially with you." Oh how this was just getting better by the moment.

"Is that so?"

Lana nodded innocently. She had to be kidding. Ad if anyone would believe such a stupid tale.

"Lana, has Carson even talked to you? Outside of the one hour you spent in a random person's bedroom at a random person's party?"

She huffed, "You know Madeline, I'm generous and far more patient than I should be. But one day, someone's not gonna let your commentary slide."

I shrugged, "And what? They'll slap me?"

"Stay away from Carson!" Lana blurted.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Stay away from Carson!"

I rolled my eyes, "Sure, I'll stay away from Carson. However, I cannot ensure he'll stay away from me. He's a big boy. He's capable of making his own decisions."

Lana laughed, "You know what? You're right. Carson can make his own decisions. And I know that he would never even think about getting in a bed with you. Especially after he's been with me."

I nodded, smiling at her, "Right, okay."

She smirked in a victorious fashion, "That's all you have to say?"

I shrugged turning away from her, but stopped after just two steps. I knew better than to continue this, but it was just too easy.

"You know, Lana," I said turning back to her. "I think it would serve you well to remember that while Carson knows my name and addresses me in public, you have amounted to just another of his faceless, nameless conquests."

Her mouth gaped open, as if she wished to say something back, but was too in shock to do so.

"I do wish you and Carson well in your... relationship," I smiled. "Best of luck on that one."

Lana turned away, storming off in the direction that she had come from. I watched her walk down the hallway before disappearing through the back doors.

I felt an arm fall around my shoulders.

"What was that about?" Carson asked.

"You didn't hear?"

"No, I did. It was just so hilarious I want to hear it again."

I laughed and led him to the doors, ready to get out of this school.

"Thanks for waiting for me," Carson said. "Sneaking out of detention was unusually difficult today."

I shrugged, "Well you're my ride home, so I didn't really have a choice."

We laughed as we hopped into the car. He pulled out of the school and started driving in the direction of my house.

"So, why didn't you set Lana straight? Y'know tell her she was wrong about pretty much everything?"

I shrugged, "It wouldn't have changed anything. At the end of the day, she's still going to be delusional and irritating."

He laughed, "I guess so. But wouldn't it have felt nice to rub it in her face? You could've told her that we've slept together, and more than the once."

I shook my head, "Besides the fact that she wouldn't believe it unless it came straight from you, I didn't really think it was a big deal."

"I think it is a big deal that I broke my only rule for you."

I scratched the back of my neck, "I thought maybe you didn't notice and we just wouldn't talk about it."

He chuckled, "I did notice, and we will talk about it."

"Now?"

"No, not now. You're not ready."

"How am I not ready? What does that even mean?"

He laughed, "Chill out, alright? We'll talk about it some other time."

He ended the conversation there.

"Not ready," I muttered under my breath.

* * *

"It's over," Luna said, standing in front of me, wrapping her arms around herself for protection from the cold. It was 1 in the morning, and rather windy.

I sighed, "Get inside, dumb ass, you're going to freeze."

She brushed past me, relieved to get out of the cold. She eyed Carson, who had turned from his spot on the couch to look at her. He paused the movie we had been watching.

Luna sighed, but sat down on the couch opposite of him.

"Would you like me to leave?" Carson asked.

Luna shook her head, "What's the point? You'll hear about it sooner or later."

Feeling polite today, Carson got up from the couch and left the room, passing off not a single comment.

I sat down next to Luna and waited for her to say something.

"He said he's 'given up.' He doesn't see the point in trying when our relationship is already over."

"What did you say?"

"I said I agreed and wanted to see other people."

"Do you actually?"

No."

"Luna-" I started.

"Maddie, what was I supposed to say? I didn't want to be the heartbroken one who got dumped! I love him, Madeline, and we don't work anymore. He's not happy, and neither am I. It was stupid for either of us to think we would last much longer than we did."

I didn't know what to say to her; she was usually the one everyone went to for relationship advice, or comfort after getting broken up with.

Honestly, I always thought Zach and Luna would be the high school sweethearts; they would get married some time in college, have a bunch of kids, live happily ever after, blah, blah, blah.

I wrapped my arms around Luna. At first she let out muffled cries, but some time after she fell asleep. I felt a blanket fall over the two of us, I looked up and saw Carson standing behind me on the opposite side of the couch.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He nodded, and leaned down to kiss my forehead before turning off the lights and going upstairs.