"I can't believe him! I mean what a dick! God, I just wanna stab a fork in his eye and drag him down the street!"

"I think maybe you're overreacting just a smidge Kay. You still made it right?"

"That's really not the point Izzy. I was sabotaged and I went into full panic mode at the worst time possible. Mara, please tell our friend over here how I'm so not overreacting,"

Sighing I looked at Kayla with an apologetic look. "Sorry Kay but I agree with Izzy on this one. Besides, how do you even know it was him? What if it was just random? Stuff like that happens all the time,"

Izzy subtly nudged my good arm to give me a 'you're going to regret this big time' face.

"You're really lucky that one of your arms is already broken and in a cast right now Ellsworth. I know he's your friend so I get that you're blinded but I just know that asshole had something to do with it! My mom's car literally just got back, it's not random. And on the night I had a date? Come on!"

Izzy looked deep in thought. "I still don't understand why you said yes to Asher. Doesn't seem very Kayla-like,"

We both looked at her pointedly across our lunch table, our curiosity getting the best of us. For the first time in our many years of friendship, Kayla Woods was speechless. I smiled internally because I had a feeling that the reason she said yes had something to do with Ethan. Izzy gave me a knowing look, I knew she was sharing the same exact thought.

They would totally be perfect for each other.

"Stop looking at me like that,"

I put on my best innocent voice. "Like what?"

"Yeah Kayla, like what?"

Looking all flustered, she packed her things in a haste and started to get up. "I'm so over this. I'm leaving to find new best friends,"

"Good luck with that honey,"

Me and Izzy were left giggling to ourselves until we were interrupted by a new voice.

"Where's my favourite ginger off to?" Ethan was suddenly in Kay's spot.

"Your favourite ginger wants to murder you and dump your body in the river,"

"Damn. That is such a turn on,"

"Ew Ethan," I rolled my eyes.

He shook his head like he was getting rid of his thoughts. "Anyway, I didn't come for a certain feisty red head. I came for you Mara Moo," Ethan looked at me pointedly with a smile and my mood dropped.

"Hell to the no. Don't you dare even try it Ethan Ross, don't you remember what happened earlier this week?" My voice cracked a little mentioning it and my heart felt like it was starting to sink.

Against my wishes, Ethan had an attempt of trying to 'fix things' between me and he must not be named.

That's right. The genius sat across from me decided it was a good idea to get us to stand in front of each other and force us to talk because apparently we were both being 'stubborn'.

I really had no clue what was going on. I got told to stay by my locker and the next thing I know, I'm looking up and making eye contact with a familiar pair of light chocolate brown eyes. But they went as quickly as they appeared.

It was like my heart broke all over again.

I can't even say his name in my own head for crying out loud, never mind having a conversation face to face.

A part of me is still really hurt and admittedly terrified. The guy I was falling for made it clear he didn't want me and I was simply being used. I still remember his exact words. But mostly, after all this time, I was angry.

Talking to him is the last thing I wanted to do, just like how it was clear to me that he had no intentions either. I like to think I deserve some respect when being talked to and that the said person actually wanted to talk to me. I so didn't deserve everything he did, and I don't appreciate people keeping secrets. I had so many questions to ask it was ridiculous. So screw him.

"Come on Mara he's just being stubborn,"

"You shouldn't have to force him to talk to me Ethan, don't you get that? And do you really think I want to either after everything? I have the right to be mad and God I am so mad. Yes I really deserve an apology, but I'm too angry to hear it. He can shove it for all I care it won't make any difference. Self respect is a very important thing to me Ethan and I refuse to talk to him. Screw him,"

I pack my things and stand up wanting to get away.

****

It was safe to say that I was laying low.

I managed to avoid Ethan for the rest of the day after my little angry meltdown. I was tempted to find him and apologise but at the same time I really feel like he was in the wrong to meddle.

Izzy gave me some space before coming to find me and offering me comfort. Even Kayla joined, which helped. Who needs boys when you have your best girlfriends?

I later found myself sat at the breakfast bar of our kitchen sulking into a tub of Ben and Jerry's and the biggest spoon I could find.

"Is everything okay sweetheart?"

I look up to see a worried Carla. "Yeah Carla I'm sorry I guess I was just daydreaming," I forced myself to smile.

"I know you mi querido and that wasn't your daydreaming face. Qué pasa? Is it your arm?"

"Oh no my arm is fine. It doesn't hurt anymore, I guess I'm just tired,"

"Okay well if it's anything else you know you can always come to me," she smiled at me warmly and I looked down, biting my tongue to stop myself from crying.

Forcing myself to keep it together I looked back up and smiled. "I know Carla, thank you,"

The next thing I knew, a pair of warm arms and a homey floral scent that I was so used to surrounded me. I immediately hugged her back and showed her how much I appreciated it. Kissing me on the forehead, she left the kitchen and I was alone again.

I really needed to pull myself together. But how could I? It was the only thing I could think about. Sighing, I stood up to put the ice cream away and my phone started to vibrate.

Ethan.

After a little hesitation I clicked answer. "Hello?"

"Mara Moo before you say anything I owe you the biggest apology. So please let me make it up to you,"

Smiling internally and the fact that he made the effort to call, I decided that the best thing to do was to let it go. "It's okay Ethan, really. I should be the one apologising for flipping out,"

"No I deserved that and I get how you feel, you have every right to be mad. So will you accept your cutest and bestest friend's apology?"

"First of all, bestest isn't a word but yes Ethan Ross. I accept your apology,"

"Oh God how have I got such a nerd as a best friend,"

"How have I got such an idiot as one? You know it's dangerous to be driving and calling right?"

"It's called hands free sweetheart, we're in the twentieth century,"

"Alright smartass so what have you got in mind?"

"For what?"

Sighing dramatically on purpose I replied, "You said you were going to make it up to me, so spill what is it?"

"Be ready in fifteen minutes I'll be outside to pick you up. Dress hot yet casual,"

"Wha-"

And then he hung up.

Fifteen minutes later and I was ready. These boys and their demands is something which still baffles me. I attempted to meet Ethan's request for hot yet casual, with my high waisted denim shorts and a full sleeve black v neck. I paired it with my black sandals and a black hat over my wavy hair. My cast was also unfortunately a part of the outfit.

I got a little reminder of someone else who had made a similar request but I forced myself to push the thought to the back of my head.

Grabbing my lipstick, purse and keys I made my way downstairs and told Carla I was going out and not to wait up for me. I was grateful that Dad and Jacob wouldn't be home tonight, otherwise I'd get asked a ton of questions. Carla asked me none which I was thankful for and the best thing is, she also doesn't give me a curfew.

Making my way out the front door the excitement was getting to me as the familiar Audi TT caught my eye. It never fails to make me swoon. I was greeted by a wolf whistle as I got into the passenger seat.

"Damn girl,"

"Hello to you too, you don't look bad yourself,'

"You don't have to tell me that Mara Moo I'm already aware,"

Rolling my eyes I replied, "Just drive you idiot,"

"Aren't you going to ask where I plan to take us?"

"Where are you planning to take us Ethan?" I retorted back in a robot voice.

"Well I'm glad you asked Mara, because I'm taking you to a club. We're having a night out,"

My head whipped round so fast to glare at Ethan's face. Was be being serious?

"A-are you being serious?"

"Why wouldn't I be? You need to let loose, have some fun and forget about everything for a night. It's the least you deserve,"

"But Ethan it's a school night who on earth goes out to the club during the week? And I've never even been to a club, we're both underage, I've barely had a drink before and are you forgetting the most important thing?" I waved my left arm around as much as I could on purpose.

"First of all, you'd be surprised at how many people go during the week. Second, life is all about trying new things and I know the bouncer we'll get it no problem. Third, don't worry about the drinking we all gotta start from somewhere and fourth, just dance one handed. We're lucky it's bright red, it ain't hard to miss,"

"But E-"

"No buts. You need a distraction Mara so let me do this,"

Sighing in defeat and looking over at Ethan's puppy dog face, I caved.

"Fine. But if you ditch me for a hook up I will cut off your balls and feed them to my next door neighbour's dog. Capiche?"

Ethan looked horrified.

"I capiche,"