After that unsettling meeting with Mr. Gilinsky, my brain kept coming up with so many questions and theories that it all made me think I was going crazy.

Who was that person? Maybe a shy friend or one of Mr. Gilinsky's secret family members that nobody should know about.

What were they doing? Taking care of Mr. Gilinsky, duh. He had mentioned he was feeling unwell.

Was my teacher actually sick? Well, he looked like he was, not that he would gain something by lying, although he seemed completely fine to me when I spotted him during lunch.

I couldn't get a good look of the person before the door was shut in my face but, I was able to perceive that they had blue eyes and dirty blonde hair. What made it weird was the fact that those features seemed familiar to me. I just couldn't place them.

Why was I even wasting my energy thinking about it though? Whatever Mr. Gilinsky has done in his life was never my business to get involved in. Either way, I should be focusing more on my situation with Ethan and Elle, instead of meddling in someone else's business.

Walking down the school's steps, I saw Elle with her dark sunglasses, waiting for me by her car, arms folded over chest and a frown carved across her flawless face.

My heart started beating rapidly while I jogged over to stand in front of her, making sure I was not within her arm's reach. I couldn't potentially risk myself getting throat punched by her.

"My meeting got canceled," I began.

"Get in. We'll talk on the way," Elle instructed in a bored tone and got into the backseat.

It was funny to think that I was suddenly hesitant to get in the car with her when I was bold enough to be in one with Kaleb, the biggest source of my discomfort. Elle, who had realized I didn't budge from my place, rolled her window down.

"What's wrong?"

"We can talk here. I have Ethan to get home," I told her, hopeful that she would accede.

Elle tipped her sunglasses down and directed a bone-chilling glare at me. "I've already texted Ethan about giving you a ride home. Get in before I lose my patience."

And that was all I needed to jump into the backseat next to her, almost tripping on air while I did so. I felt so embarrassed when I found out through the rear view mirror her driver was laughing at my stupid action.

The car ride could be described as one simple word; unpleasant. Elle hadn't said a word to me and I was worried for both of us. Soft jazz music on the radio that was supposed to be relaxing only ended up adding tension to the air instead.

"Elle," I said, awkwardly clearing my throat.

"Want something to drink?" she offered, grabbing a bottle of Evian out from the cooler box between the seats.

I attempted a smile and shook my head politely. "No, thank you."

Elle caught my gaze and narrowed her eyes. "I promise it's not drugged or poisoned."

"Just not thirsty," I replied causing her to open herself one then take a quick drink before me as if she was proving how true it was.

"So how long has this been going on?" Elle went straight to the topic. The empty plastic bottle in her hand was crushed between her fingers.

Was that a move meant to intimidate me? Because if so, it's working!

"Two weeks perhaps," I quietly answered.

"Why didn't you let me know?" Her voice was still calm, but irritation glinted in her green eyes.

"I wanted Ethan to tell you himself," I told her to which she heaved a heavy breath.

"You let me down, Andy. I thought I could count on you," she reasoned and my heart clenched hearing that.

"I'm very sorry, Elle, I never meant to be the bad guy in your relationship."

I wish I could prove it to her. How I didn't mean for it to work out like this. How I was fighting my feelings days and nights to become rational, rather than listening to what my heart wanted.

"Relax, Andy. You aren't one," Elle attempted a chuckle though the sound came out as forced. "You've just badly fucked up."

"It's okay if you want to hate me after this," I said truthfully.

"Congrats, 'cause I'm not going to. I forgive you instead," she replied causing me to stare at her in shock.

"You shouldn't," I insisted and Elle eyed me warily.

"Why?"

As weird as it sounded, I genuinely wanted her to be at least angry at me. I put our friendship behind us and it was all because of my selfishness.

"Because..." I trailed, letting out a sigh. "I think I deserve it."

Elle scoffed at my excuse. "What kind of logic is that? You want me to hate you because my boyfriend cheated on me?"

This confrontation was turning out differently than I imagined. I was lost for words at how embarrassed I felt for even thinking she would be devastated, at the same time, impressed by how reasonable Elle was being about it.

"You aren't mad, so does that mean you're cool with the breakup?" I asked, carefully not to come off as too excited.

"I don't remember saying I want a breakup," Elle answered with a smirk.

I scratched at my nape and began to wonder what kind of game she was playing now. "I'm confused."

"There's no confusion here," she shot back confidently. I didn't like the way her smirk grew. It had my stomach turning itself into knots again.

"But Ethan said..." I began but she didn't let me finish.

"I know what he said and I'll do anything I can to prevent it."

The slight discomfort in my chest made the next question just pour out of my mouth before I could even think. "You think that's wise?"

"You think what Ethan did to me is wise?" Elle questioned back, lifting an eyebrow.

"No," I muttered and refused to meet her eyes, suddenly finding interest in my own fingers. "I just don't understand why'd you want to stay in a relationship when there's no connection between the two of you anymore."

"Ethan tell you that?" I sensed Elle's burning stare on me and I didn't dare to look up.

"Whatever," she continued after she got no answer. "Every relationship can be fixed, even the shaky ones. Now I'm just trying to figure out every possible way to heal mine."

My eyes snapped up to hers. Was she seriously not going to back up? It seemed like she only forgave me for her own peace of mind but still wouldn't let me be together with the boy I like. Either way, Elle wanted me punished nonetheless.

That fueled my courage to speak up. "What about me, Elle?"

Elle managed a smile before her expression turned impassive again.

"As I said before, I will not blame you. I know a lot of guys like to brag to their friends, which apparently includes Ethan about who they're fucking. You would've told me if it wasn't for him being your best friend, right?"

I gave Elle a strange look, my head cocking to the side. "Again Elle. I don't know what you're talking about. I'm so lost."

Elle stared at me for a long moment like she was reading me then started talking again. "Don't waste any more time, Andy, and give me the name."

"Whose name?" I wondered in shock but what she said after was what surprised me more than anything else.

"The girl Ethan cheated on me with," she replied harshly. "I've been waiting for the name drop so that I can wipe the bitch off the planet."

"I-I think, er, you've got it all wrong." I stammered, not sure how this conversation even got here.

I had no idea where she heard that or how she came up with it but then it all made sense to me. We both had the wrong idea from the beginning. Elle believed that Ethan had went out with another girl and knowing I was his best friend, she assumed she could get me to talk.

And here I was thinking Elle had found out about my affair with Ethan and wanted to confront me. I decided to hold back the truth for now. There was no reason for me to confess considering that could lead to Ethan being out. That was something he needed to do on his terms, in his way, and when he felt ready.

"Stop protecting that unfaithful son of a bitch!" Elle exclaimed, face ablaze with anger. "I warn you, Andy. I'm not going to be merciful so don't come in my way."

My mind was instantly filled with dread. "Elle. You're scaring me."

"No reason to be unless you're planning to cross me again," she replied, widening her eyes which were enough to creep anyone out. "Are you?"

I shook my head vigorously. It was always frightening when she was upset or angry even about a small matter. Terrified of what she was going to do, I found myself unconsciously gripping the seat while praying the ride would be over quick.

"Now I'm going to ask again and either you going to give me what I want or I'll ask someone else who will," she spoke in complete seriousness.

I started sweating bullets, debating whether I should say the next words which possibly would anger her more. The longer my silence stretched out, the more impatient she became.

"Tell me!" she yelled causing me to flinch.

"I can't," I refused.

"Yes, you can."

"Ethan will hate me."

Taking that as an answer, Elle sank back into her seat, the wrath, the rage, all of it simply vanished from her face as the blonde stared ahead.

"Then I guess you both better prepare for what's about to happen."

!