Ethan's shocking confession has been spiraling in my head over the past hours. The guy wasn't bluffing, and he certainly was dead serious when he said, for some reason still not clear to me that he was ending things with his girlfriend.

The idea of them having issues had never occurred to me, to be frank, since the hot couple often appeared to be happy and unproblematic in public, though I might have overlooked something of course.

I knew no relationship would always be roses and rainbows; I didn't have to be in one to know that but, I had hoped for them to prove me wrong. Ethan and Elle are basically my comfort couple like if they break up, I think I wouldn't believe in love anymore.

"Dude, you're going to flood the whole place," a guy behind alerted, knocking me out of my trance.

It took a couple of seconds for my brain to tell me where was I and what was I doing. A running faucet with a nearly full sink came to sight, alarmed me right away to instantly turn it off. I knew I must have looked like an idiot when the guy shook his head at me.

I averted my eyes from him and looked around the bathroom as I stepped back so he could have his space to wash his hands. That was when I saw Kaden was coming out from one of the cubicle stalls and our eyes met.

Me and he never interacted again given what happened, not that I planned to though. Besides, I was intent on avoiding both him and Kaleb until it was time to return to school.

Kaden's eyes rounded in surprise when he took me in and the way his mouth parted as he tried to speak had me fleeting the scene quicker than a roach does after the lights come on.

Not three steps taken out of the bathroom, I heard loud footsteps coming towards me and my name was called out. "Andrew, wait up!"

I ignored it. As fear started to kick in, I speeded up my stride, bumping into several students maneuvering in the opposite way.

"Slow down, man," Kaden urged me, his voice now laced with annoyance.

I had last week's scenario replaying in my head when he and his football friends had caught hold of my arms and took me behind the school's building to be presented to Kaleb. I wasn't prepared then, there's no way I would let that repeat.

Soon as I glanced back, Kaden shrank closer. I was surprised at how fast he was able to catch up to me. Feeling the panic set in, I turned my fast stride into a run. Adrenaline would help me beat him good.

The second time I whipped my head back, Kaden managed to grip my arm and held me in place. Well, so much for thinking I could outrun a football dude. I attempted to pull my arm back but he grabbed it tighter, causing me to do what I have never done before, I threw a punch. A punch so pathetic he caught it with ease.

Kaden was greatly astonished by the move, he basically flinched. "Whoa, careful with that. My face has great potential in the fashion world you know?"

"Let go of me," I ordered while attempting to give him a stern look.

"I need to talk to you," he said, not affected at all by the scowl. "About last week."

"Talk, my ass," I growled.

"Come on, dude," Kaden pleaded. "At least, listen to what I want to say first."

"No," I quickly answered.

Kaden let out a huff of breath. "Okay, here's how it's going to be. I'll let go of your hands, but promise me you will not run off."

Despite his demand in return for my so-call freedom, I refused to exhibit any kind of reaction which caused him to give up and later on release his hold.

Kaden sighed as his eyes lowered to his feet. "I'm sorry for being horrible to you. Can you forgive me?"

"You mean that?" I looked at him questionably. He made eye contact with me and nodded.

"I never intended for you to be hurt or humiliated. Me and my boys only meant to scare you, but then Kaleb went out of control. We had no clue he would go that far," Kaden elucidated.

"It's alright, Kade," I assured, patting him on the shoulder. "I have forgiven you, and the other guys as well."

I couldn't help but notice Kaden's face lighting up after I said that. "Just like that? You're too kind."

"I just want to know why you agreed to do it in the first place. You hate me spending time with Ethan too, don't you?" I implied.

His expression morphed into a grim look. "In my idiotic mind, I thought I was being a good friend to him without realizing I shouldn't try to correct the choices of other people in the first place."

I flashed him a smile, relieved by his words. While Kaden might not have always been courteous but he's more tolerable, and following his apology, I've come to learn that Kaden was only a victim of negative peer pressure.

"You and Ethan have been friends since when? 6th grade? Who am I to break the worthy friendship apart?" he said and my smile intensified.

"You still didn't quite answer my question. Am I not cool enough to be your friend?" I pressed.

"If anything, it's me who doesn't deserve to be your friend. I'm a bad person," he replied in a strained voice making me feel bad for raising that question.

"That's where you're wrong, Kade. Making a mistake doesn't make us bad. It just makes us irresponsible or stupid but hey, you can learn from that to get better," I hoped my reply was reasonable to hoist his spirits back.

A grin overtook his features. "Now I know why you get along well with Ethan, man. You're such a positive soul."

"Thanks." How many times had Kaden complimented me already? Oh yeah, that's right, twice.

"I'd do anything to make it up to you. How about I give you any girl's number from my contact list? They're all hot and guaranteed good in bed." Kaden smirked, only for me to shake my head. Did he just offer me one of his side pieces?

He stared at me strangely. "You're a flaky introvert who hates socializing...noted... what if I give you a lift for a week?"

"Good luck arguing with Ethan for that because he's gonna ask questions why'd you do it for me," I warned him.

"This is so hard. Alright, what if I let you hurt me back? Do as you please. Punch me in the stomach, kick me in the nuts, pinch my nips. Well shit, you're not into violence. I can tell from that such girly punch you threw. Change of plan, ask me to turn vegan or go abstinent for a week. I don't care as long —" I cut his rambling with a punch to his left cheek.

The look of pure shock on Kaden's face after he got knocked was priceless. "Okay, I get it you're excited but, did you have to hit me in the face?"

"Relax, Kade, my girly punch surely won't leave a bruise on your future model face," I teased back, inducing a belly laugh from him.