"Hat,"

"What?"

Sighing deeply Ethan gave me a look. "Give me your hat Mara Moo,"

"What, why?"

"You ask way too many questions just give me the dang hat," Before I could blink my hat disappeared and I was left to smooth down my now messy hair.

"There's no need to be so aggressive Ross," I muttered.

Ethan faced away from me and tossed my hat into the car, joining me back onto the sidewalk a moment after. He started to lead the way and the feeling of self consciousness crept its way in as we walked past groups of people who were talking and laughing amicably.

The girls were all in short tight dresses paired with high heels, faces full of make-up and with their hair done. In comparison I looked like a plain little school girl.

As if he could read my mind, Ethan nudged me gently and put his left arm over my shoulder. "You look way more beautiful and hotter than all these girls put together. Any guy with decent taste would know that,"

"What are you talking about?" Of course I opted to play the dumb card.

"Nice try Mara Moo but I can read you like an open book,"

Sighing in defeat I replied. "Am I really that obvious?"

"Just to us who pay attention," He smiled at me warmly.

I immediately felt more at ease and I really couldn't ignore the shiver of excitement I felt as the music thumping from behind the club doors got louder. My inner geek was starting to come out of its cage, finally getting the club it wanted.

We stopped as we almost reached the front. "Wait here a sec for me,"

Nodding, I stood in my place trying not to look as awkward as I felt as Ethan made his way to the very muscular and scary bouncer stood by the glass double doors. He immediately had a look of recognition and gave Ethan a 'bro' hug. After a few short moments Ethan called me over and took my hand.

"You ready?" Ethan looked down at me with a grin. I took a deep breath and mimicked his expression. He was so right, I needed this.

More importantly, I deserved this.

"Hell yeah,"

As we walked in I thought that it was beyond amazing.

The massive room in front of me was busy, loud and bright. Red, blue and green neon lights were flashing everywhere with an enormous lively crowd dancing in the middle where the dance floor was.

People were crowding around the DJ deck, laughing and shouting. The loud Hip Hip music was booming and reverberating through every inch of space there was. Looking up there were several balconies where people were sat at tables and some were watching over at the centre crowd.

Waitresses in tight black dresses with trays of drinks and bottles maneuvering their way through the bustling crowds. This was way better than the house party.

I appreciated Ethan letting me soak our surroundings in as I watched around in awe.

"Hey come on, let's get a drink," He shouted over the music and started tugging me by my hand. We made our way to the long bar surrounded by crowds of people.

There were four bartenders in total and I was mesmerised by the movements of their hands and how they used the shakers. I started to get a little anxious as we reached closer. I'd never had a proper drink before. My dad letting me try a sip of his wine doesn't really count.

Or does it?

"It's your first time having a drink right?"

It doesn't. I looked over sheepishly at Ethan who had a warm reassuring smile on his face.

"You really are a good girl Mara Moo. Perfect for my dickhead of a best friend. It's a shame he's too stubborn to realise what he's missing out on,"

My heart started to race faster as I took in Ethan's words. I so wasn't ready for this subject yet. Even though I was so mad at Nixon and I was hurt, deep down I wanted him to talk to me. To apologise and to be honest about everything. But I also know the reality.

The bad boy doesn't fall for the good girls. It wouldn't work.

"What drink would you recommend for a first timer then Ross?"

Realising that the subject was one I didn't want to talk about, Ethan grinned at me, improving my mood already. "Oh you are not taking things slow tonight Mara Moo, I'm getting you drunk,"

"What?" My face dropped. "No Ethan I can't get drunk my dad will kill me,"

"Can you relax, I'll drop you off at Izzy's for the night. Your dad won't know," He signaled the bartender over and ordered tequila shots.

"But-"

"No buts I brought you here for a reason Mara. Look pass me your phone and I'll text Izzy so she knows the plan,"

"But-"

"Drink!"

"But-"

*****

"Woo! Yes you go girl! Now that's my Mara Moo!"

"That's a-all six shots Ross... P-pay up," I heard the slurring in my voice which made me burst out laughing. I sounded hilarious.

I have no idea why I've never done this before. I felt so free and confident, all I wanted to do was get up and dance the night away.

"Woah there, I don't think that's such a good idea," An amused Ethan caught me as I stood up quickly and stumbled forwards.

"No don't worry I'm good c-come dance with me,"

"Hey you're the boss," he replied laughing.

We were both amused at my drunken state, I knew for a fact that Ethan was loving this just as much as I was. I forced him to have at least one shot before we made our way to the dance floor but he said no more as he was our driver home. Grabbing his hand with my cast free one I tugged him towards the dancing crowd laughing all the way there.

"I should really do this more often! I love it! Screw you Nixon! You stupid pizza head!" I screamed with excitement and joined in on the dancing to the thumping music.

Ethan howled with laughter in response and twirled me round. "God I love drunk Mara,"

"And she loves you!"

Me and Ethan danced until we were both hot and sweaty.

I unashamedly admit there was a little twerking, some twirling and even some innocent grinding. Oh and I danced with a total hot stranger... It was so amazing. I also may or may not have had a couple more shots without Ethan knowing. Said stranger and I sneaked off when I saw him dancing with a random chick.

Hey he offered and it was free so how could I say no.

Not long after, I was ditched and Ethan was still on the dance floor. I was on a high and felt so much more confident than I ever have in my entire life. I was smiling to myself, thinking about my best friends and how I really wished they were here with me. My thoughts slowly ended up drifting to a certain someone who I was fighting so hard to push out.

And then I was sad.

"There you are Mara, you had me scared shitless. Don't do that again," A worried looking Ethan found its way into my view. I started laughing at how lost he looked. Like a puppy.

"Sorry doggy," I reached over and patted his soft hair whilst giggling. He wasn't laughing with me. Why wasn't he laughing with me?

He sighed deeply and surprised me by giving me a hug.

"Promise me you won't do that again," Ethan looked at me with a serious expression.

"I pwomise," I said nodding at him. Wait, that didn't sound right. Ethan looked at me with amusement, I think I definitely said that word wrong.

"You looked like you were in a daydream, what were you thinking about?"

"Pizza! A-and your best friend,"

"My best friend?"

"Yesh,"

"What about my best friend?"

"W-well his face and his hair. It's so soft. Like a pillow. I want to sleep on it," I replied sighing. My heart suddenly felt heavy and I wanted to cry.

"Mara Moo what's wrong?"

"He made me sad," I peered up at Ethan with tears brimming in my eyes. He looked conflicted. A few moments later, he replied.

"Call him,"

"What?" I wiped my eyes and looked at him with confusion.

"I think you should call him Mara. Tell him how you feel," Ethan looked serious.

He reached into my side bag and took out my phone, handing it to me. Wide-eyed I stared at Ethan with a 'are you sure' expression. He nodded in response and told me to go somewhere quieter.

Nodding vigorously I was a woman on a mission and realised he was right. I should use this new found confidence and give him what he had coming.

"I'm going to call that pizza head and tell him how I feel!"

"Yes Mara Moo, you tell him!"

Determined, I left Ethan and made my way to the ladies' room.

You could still hear the thumping music but it was muffled. I was the only person in here so this will do perfect. Unlocking my phone, I scrolled through my contacts until I landed on Nixon. Well here's to nothing.

"Mara?" His voice. His voice was so smooth and deep. My heart sunk hearing it and I was breathing deeply to calm myself. Come on Mara, you've got this.

"Y-you listen to me pizza head! You're a jerk and you made me sad!" My voice was trembling and tears had escaped.

"Are you dr-"

"No let me speak. You made me so sad and hurt me when you s-shouted at me. You ignored me and p-pushed me away I did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong but you did. You made me fall for you like a w-waffle head. With your soft hair and n-nice face and nice arms. Why were you mean to me? You scared me sometimes b-but I still was falling for you. You have too many secrets a-and I know I should stay away from you but I can't stop thinking about you. I-I just want to put your head in the oven and b-bake you because you're a pizza h-head. You make me so mad," I was a crying babbling mess. The only noise was me crying and sniffling. The phone was silent on Nixon's side. I took a deep breath to calm myself down to a few sniffles. Half a second goes by and I hear his voice.

"Where are you?" It sounded pained.

"I-I'm on the floor," I sniffed.

"On the floor where Mara?"

"C-club bathroom,"

"What are you doing in a club?" He sounded angry.

"Ethan-"

"I'm going to fucking kill him," Oh uh. He was definitely angry. Maybe I wasn't supposed to say that.

I'm sorry Ethan please don't hurt me.

"Which club Mara?" Nixon demanded. Oh sugar balls I really screwed up.

"Erm v-venus. Club Venus,"

"I'll be there in five minutes,"

"Fiv-" He hung up. Five minutes? Is he crazy? There's no way he'd get here in five minutes. Who am I kidding? He won't show up. He's a liar.

Standing up, I put away my phone and wiped my eyes dry. Staring at myself in the mirror I looked like a horror movie. Red puffy eyes with a matching red nose.

"Ha! I'm a sexy Rudolph," Giggling to myself I made my way back to Ethan.

"Ethan! I did it!"

"Woah woah Mara, what happened? Have you been crying? What happened?" He looked worried but I brushed him off.

"No it's good I promise. I let it all out a-and told him everything. I feel better," I smiled at him widely. Ethan looked at me skeptically and grabbed a hold of my right hand.

"Come on, let's get out of here,"

"Damn fucking straight,"

I was confused at the new voice and looked up to the ceiling. "God?" I asked.

"Oh shit," Now that was Ethan's voice.

"What the actual fuck were you thinking Ethan? And getting her fucking drunk?" Following Ethan's gaze I realised who was in front of us.

"Pizza head!" I pointed and laughed. So he didn't lie then. I then realised he shouted at Ethan. "Hey don't shout at him, we were having fun." I took a step forward and poked his chest but he was staring directly at my cast.

"Mara Moo don't," Ethan gently tugged at my good arm but I was ignoring him.

"What happened to your arm?" Nixon looked at me with a softened expression with concern in his eyes.

"I got pushed down the stairs. No biggie," I shrugged.

"What the fuck?"

"Wait what?" Both Nixon and Ethan spoke at the same time and that made me giggle.

"Mara Moo you never told me that," Ethan came round to face me with a concerned look. Why were they both looking at me like that?

"We'll get answers later, let's just leave this fucking place right now. Mara with me. Ethan you follow. I'll deal with you after,"

A warm electric feeling shot through my arm when Nixon grabbed a hold of my hand and pulled me behind him, Ethan in tow.

"Pizza head's so bossy am I right Ross,"