You should go back & read Chapter 5 & 19 :)

Cyrus blew the smoke into the atmosphere, clouding my vision with grey vapour. I wrinkled my nose but otherwise didn't react to the smoke, already being used to it.

"Man, Taro is really on my ass about this ambush." Cyrus sighed, running a hand down his face. Ian lazily turned to look at him.

"Cos he knows you're a good fighter." Ian replied, making Cyrus scoff.

"Nah, just cos I'm disposable," Cyrus spat out. "Everyone knows it's a death wish, going on that ambush, yet I'm the first person he calls up. He must be snorting coke if he thinks I'm going."

It was afterschool and I'd come to Cyrus' house. It was the hangout spot for me, Cyrus and Ian most days; because it was always empty, since he lived with his older brother that was always working. We were currently in his room, which you'd expect to be typically messy but was extremely neat with all his belongings lined up in a specific order.

The room was small yet comfy. His brother earned enough for them to live in a run down two bedroom apartment in one of the more sketchy areas of town.

I was listening to their conversation but my mind kept on flashing back to events that happened earlier today, because of a specific person.

Chloe Woods.

I couldn't believe she was back.

The shock I felt when bumping into her was indescribable. After no contact for two years I'd accepted the fact that we'd never cross paths again. When I heard rumours that she was back I made it my mission to avoid her.

Too bad I was unsuccessful.

The first thing I noticed when I looked at her was how gorgeous she'd become. Her blonde hair flowing down her back looked like gold, and those gorgeous blue eyes that could always see right through me. Pair that with her hourglass figure and I was a goner.

But almost as quick as they came, that feeling of amazement disappeared and anger soon replaced it. Especially when she had the nerve to causally greet me, calling me 'bestie'.

I wanted to grab her shoulders, shake her and ask her where the hell she'd been for the last two years. Instead I put on my best expressionless face and pretended like I didn't know her. I felt instant satisfaction at the way her face fell.

But then she started laughing. Her gentle, infectious giggles immediately brought past memories to my head. I could do nothing but stare at her blankly as those memories filtered through my head of our childhood together.

I felt like I could finally breathe when Maisie approached me and interrupted Chloe's rambling. I knew she dismissed her out of pure jealousy, but I was relived nonetheless. Seeing Chloe was one thing, but talking to her and hearing her laugh? I was in no shape or form prepared.

When I looked at Maisie as she demanded to know why I was speaking to Chloe, I wasn't seeing her. I looked at her and saw Chloe's soft, beautiful features and sweet blue eyes. My body was with Maisie but my mind was with Chloe.

"I need space." I'd told her abruptly, observing how hurt filled her eyes.

"What the hell, John? What's that supposed to mean?" She exclaimed, hurt lacing her words. I ran a hand down my face.

"I just need space to think. Chloe coming back has messed with my head, alright?" I'd snapped and watched as her face fell. She bit her lip to hide it wobbling and twisted her arms in front of her.

"So, you're breaking up with me?" Maisie had asked, her voice thick. I rolled my eyes at her dramatics.

"Maisie, I said I needed space, not that we were breaking up. Stop over thinking things, yeah?" I'd told her softly. She nodded and we'd walked to class.

At the time I felt a twinge of guilt at the fact that I was planning how to end things with her as we'd walked to class.

Even now I was still stuck. I knew Maisie would make a big deal out of it, which was the last thing I needed. I sighed, running a hand through my hair in a stressed manner. This seemed to catch my friends' attention as they ceased their conversation to watch me.

"What's going on with you? You've been distracted since we got here." Cyrus asked, sitting up on his bed. Ian hummed in agreement.

I shrugged, trying to seem less tense. "Everything fine. Just something I forgot to do for my mum." I lied smoothly. Cyrus looked at Ian and shrugged, taking another drag of his cigarette.

I fished out my phone from my pocket, playing a mindless game and trying my hardest to ignore Ian's gaze on me. After a minute of silence he spoke up.

"You're lying." He declared quietly, crossing his strong arms. I rolled my eyes; nothing could get past this guy.

"I bet it's about that Woods girl." Ian piped up. My head snapped to him and I frowned.

"How do you know she's back?" I demanded. Cyrus let out a low chuckle that sent shivers to my spine.

"I was just guessing, but you just confirmed it." Ian replied with a smug look on his face. I made a face, relaxing into my seat.

"Alright, you got me. We bumped into each other today and she's all I can think about now." I admitted, waiting for their mockery.

They didn't disappoint, with Ian shouting 'whipped' several times and Cyrus making whip noises. I waited for them to stop patiently.

"Shouldn't you be happy she's back?" Ian questioned. I gave him an incredulous look.

"She left without a trace yet saunters back here thinking everything's fine! I'm telling you, that pissed me off differently. If she was a guy I would have sparked her when she greeted me." I grumbled.

"Wow, you really do dislike her then." Ian observed. My fists clenched and I turned my burning gaze to him.

"Dislike? I hate her. She ruined me when she left!" I practically shouted.

"Bet you wish you could do the same to her." Cyrus mused, taking a final drag of his cig before snubbing it out on his wooden floor. I watched quietly as he threw it out of his open window.

"I guess." I mumbled uncertainly. Cyrus rolled his eyes.

"Come on John, you were just raving about how you hate her and now you're unsure about revenge? She broke your heart, bro. When you first started hanging out with us you were always so depressed and forlorn. And now she thinks she can come back, ignoring the damage she caused?" he scoffed. "I hate females like that."

"I'm getting a drink." Cyrus stated after a while of silence, standing up and stretching. He glanced at me and Ian. "Want anything?"

"Coke please, babe. Oh, and a ham sandwich while you're at it." Ian joked, dodging Cyrus's fist.

"For that you're not getting shit." Cyrus spat, trying to stop the smile growing on his face. "Allen?"

"Water's fine, thanks bro." He nodded at that, exchanging a look with Ian that I couldn't decipher before leaving.

I ran a hand down my face, standing up and moving to sit in a beanbag in the corner of the room. But I couldn't stay still, so I started pacing the room.

It was quiet for a minute or so before Ian spoke up. "Why so stressed?" He asked, ruffling in his bag and bringing out a zoot. He nodded at Cyrus's desk, gesturing for me to pass him a lighter.

"I don't know, man. I hate feeling like this. She's been back for less than twenty four hours but look at what she's done to me." I complained, running a hand through my hair.

"Lighter."

"Huh?" I looked at him, irritated. Ian had an amused look on his face, and he nodded to the desk again. I aggressively grabbed it and tossed it at him, and he caught it perfectly.

"Here." Ian threw something at me. I instinctively caught it, glancing at the zoot in my hand. I shrugged, getting the lighter off him.

I immediately felt its effects as I inhaled deeply. I sat down in the bean bag, finally feeling at peace.

"If you could get back at her, would you?" Ian asked causally. I thought for a minute.

"Dunno. Do you think it would make me feel better?" I asked. Ian shrugged.

"I don't know anything about your feelings, man. You have one messed up mind." He stated truthfully. I didn't take offense, agreeing slightly. "But I know it would be only fair if you did. Like justice or something."

"More like karma." I mused. Ian shook his head, sitting up.

"Nah man, justice. It would be the consequence for her actions. Everyone has consequences for their actions, right?" I nodded. "Cool. So you doing what she did to you would be helping things go in their natural order. You know, setting the balance as equal again."

Maybe it was the spliff that was messing with my internal state, but Ian's words began to sound very right to me. I nodded eagerly.

"You're right, Ian. And me doing this would be helping others in a way, ya know? Like after I mess with her she won't have the opportunity to mess with anyone else. So it's for the greater good in a way." I rambled. Ian chuckled, leaning over to fist bump me.

"Of course, Allen."

"So, what do you think I should do?" I asked expectantly. Ian snorted, his head lolling backwards.

"How am I supposed to know? Ask Cyrus when he gets back."

I glanced at the door. "What's taking him so long anyway?"

"He's making my sandwich for me. I told you, he's my bitch!" Ian replied, and starting laughing which set me off anyway. Cyrus entering with a perplexed look on his face, holding a plate with a sandwich and a drink made us laugh harder.

"You two are off it, man." He mused, handing Ian the plate and me a cold bottle of water.

"Thanks, bitch." Ian grinned. Cyrus laughed loudly, snatching the plate back.

"Oh, you thought that was for you?" He laughed, taking a large bite of the sandwich. Ian immediately frowned, grumbling to himself.

"What'd you guys discuss as I was making this delicious sandwich?" Cyrus asked with his mouth full.

"I was thinking of getting Chloe back, but I'm not sure how." I told him. A smirk appeared on his face.

"It's obvious. You were practically in love with her and she broke your heart. So do the same." Cyrus replied. Ian started laughing hysterically.

"Allen? Break her heart? As if! Let's go for something more realistic." He laughed. I frowned at that and sat up, glaring at him.

"What are you saying, asshole?"

"I'm saying you don't have it in you," Ian shot back, an annoying smirk resting on his face. "We all know you still have feelings for her."

This time it was my time to laugh. "I have more feelings for half a tuna sandwich than I do for Clo."

"Clo, huh?" Cyrus immediately picked up. I felt my face redden as they started mocking me.

"Alright, enough!" I shouted fed up. I groggily stood and glared at both of them. "Let's make a bet."

Cyrus and Ian glanced at each other, knowing smirks on their face. "You sure you up for it, simp?" Cyrus mocked. My fists clenched.

"Yes."

Cyrus's face turned serious.

"Cool. You have until the end of the school year to make her fall in love with you. And to break her heart."

I smirked, sitting back down. "Light work."

"What about the forfeit?" Ian drawled, looking completely unbothered about the situation.

Cyrus frowned slightly. "Hm. Yes, there has to be a forfeit. Any suggestions, Allen?"

I shrugged, trying to hide my nervousness. "Dunno, just come up with something."

"Hey, how about he goes on Taro's ambush instead of you?" Ian suggested lazily. Cyrus made a face at him.

"No way, don't be stupid."

"Why not?" I asked, a bit irritated. "Taro's already familiar with me, plus you kept bitching about how you didn't want to go on it."

Cyrus gave me a mocking smile. "Trust me Allen; you wouldn't be able to handle the heat." Ian instigated by laughing loudly.

I felt a familiar rage build up as I took in Cyrus's smug face. How dare he? He was acting like I hadn't been on an ambush before, although it was definitely smaller. But I knew how to fight, and Taro didn't mind me.

"Shut the hell up." I snapped at Ian, stopping his laughter. I turned on Cyrus. "The forfeit is I'll go on the ambush. Either way it's a win-win situation for me, I'll get revenge or have some fun and let anger out."

Cyrus raised his hands in surrender. "Whatever you say boss." He replied mockingly. I ignored him, going to take another deep inhale of the zoot when I realised it was practically finished.

"Pass me another." I ordered gruffly at Ian. He tossed it at me with a mischievous smile.

"That's two of my finest now, Allen. You're going to have to pay me somehow." He said in a sing-song voice.

I rolled my eyes; I already knew what he was thinking. "I'll go make you a sandwich then." I sighed, and he cheered as I stood up and headed to the kitchen, hearing them muttering to each other as I left.

*****

When Chloe told me Cyrus and Ian had been waiting for her after school, I immediately felt anger explode in me like a firework. But when she mentioned Cyrus and Maisie were dating, I only saw red.

I had no clue what they were planning, but I knew I didn't like it at all. I had to leave and confront them, to put my mind at ease and also because I didn't want Chloe seeing me in my raging state.

I was shaking with anger as I got on my motorcycle. I sat on it for a few minutes to calm myself down because I couldn't drive in that state. Once I stopped physically shaking I drove way past the speed limit to Cyrus's house.

I could hear music blaring from inside as I sloppily parked my motorcycle on the filled driveway. He had friends over. Good, more people to hold me back from beating him to a pulp.

I stormed up to the door, pulling up my hood and banging on the door. After a few minutes an unfamiliar girl opened it, looking at me confused with a drink in her hands. After a second or so she beamed at me.

"Allen!" She cheered. "Come on in, Cyrus is up-"

I didn't give her time to finish her sentence as I grabbed her drink and shoved past her. I gulped down the contents all at once, the familiar burn of alcohol lingering in my throat. I dropped the empty cup and shoved past people on the cramped staircase.

Cyrus' house was tiny yet he still had the nerve to throw a party? Typical.

I barged into his room, waiting for the smoke in the air to clear as I looked around. Ian was sat in the corner, talking animatedly to a girl who looked like she was about to fall asleep.

Cyrus and Maisie were sitting on his bed, Maisie with her head on his shoulder and eyes closed and him smoking a cigarette, staring directly at me. My nails dug into my palm as I tried to keep myself under control.

"Hey, Allen's here!" Ian cheered as he noticed me standing in the doorway. The look I shot him quieted him down.

"Everyone. Out." I said through gritted teeth.

Ian gently picked up the girl he'd been talking to and Cyrus turned to Maisie. "Hey Chinks, sleepy times over. Get out for a second, love." He told her gently. She looked up at him blearily.

"Huh, why- oh hi John." Maisie greeted when she saw me, a smile immediately lighting up on her face. I didn't reply, my steely gaze on Cyrus.

"Give us a few minutes, yeah? I'll meet you outside." Cyrus told her, pulling her in for a deep kiss. I looked away in disgust, about to lose it.

Thankfully they broke apart and Maisie unsteadily got up from the bed, singing to herself as they left.

Cyrus leaned back into his bed, looking at me with a small smirk. "You alright Allen? Take a seat-"

I was across the room with his shirt balled up in my fist before he could finish his sentence. "Don't tell me what to do, asshole. You're really starting to piss me off."

Cyrus looked completely unfazed. "Really? Tell me more."

"Was she high, Cyrus?"

"Huh?"

"Was Maisie fucking high?!" I shouted. Cyrus made a face.

"Yes, but on her own accord. She saw Ian a few days ago doing weed and wanted to try it, who am I to tell her what to do." He shrugged. I let go of him and started pacing.

"What are you doing with her, man? Why are you dating her?" I demanded. Cyrus smirked slightly.

"Look, you could either take this two ways bro. One, I'm actually helping you out. Do you think Chloe will be interested in you if you still have Maisie on the side? Course not; females hate that type of thing."

"Two, look at it as a... little push for you to get a move on. Seems like you've barely made any progress with Chloe, and times running out." He informed me. I stopped pacing to frown at him, confused.

"What do you mean? I have a few more months, until the end of the school year."

Cyrus made a tutting noise and smirked. "Nah, terms have changed. Taro wants to do the ambush sooner than before, so you have two months, at most."

I scoffed. That was impossible. "Forget that, man."

Cyrus was about to say something but was interrupted when the door opened to reveal a sober looking Ian. I knew better though, whenever I saw him he was either drunk or high. I was surprised when he moved past me and the stench of weed or alcohol didn't follow him.

"Might want to check on your girl, she's puking her guts up in your toilet." Ian informed Cyrus who groaned and stood up.

"Give me a couple of minutes, Allen." He told me before taking his leave.

Ian took his place on the bed, watching me as I started pacing again.

"I'm guessing he told you about the ambush being moved forward?" Ian asked. I nodded. He sighed, leaning forward.

"Look Allen, I'll be honest with you. Cyrus doesn't think you'll go through with the whole getting justice thing." He told me. "He thinks you still like her and you're not brave enough to go through with it."

"But I believe in you." He carried on. "I've never seen someone so angry and full of hate because of another person. Two months may seem like nothing, but it's all the time in the world if you're tactical. Then at the end not only will you have done the right thing by breaking her heart, but Cyrus will get to eat his words, and you know how prideful he is so that'll suck for him." Ian finished with a satisfied grin.

I stared at him, thinking. Out of the two, I felt like I could confide in Ian a bit more. Mostly because nothing ever got past him, so he would always know when something's on my mind anyway.

I sat down on a chair, putting my head in my hands and sighing. "Look, what I'm about to tell you, let's keep it between us, yeah?" He nodded. "I don't think I want to go through with it anymore."

Ian looked completely unsurprised. "Suspected as much, Allen."

"Why?"

"There's something I noticed about you. Every since Chloe left, you never go 100% with things, only halfway or so. You don't put your all into anything anymore."

I made a face. "That's cap."

"You first started hanging out with us, and you did runs occasionally but backed out when Taro offered you a proper job of it. You used to do drugs religiously but vowed to stop, yet you smoke weed here and there. You hang out with us and the gang but back away when you're asked to become a member. Maisie was your girlfriend yet you break up with her every other month and mess around with different girls. Now with the bet you're forfeiting halfway through."