"The pizza's arrived, lads!" Ian cheered as he entered Cyrus's bedroom, carrying three boxes on pizza. I hung out at Cyrus' house more than my own, honestly.

"I'll call you back, Chinks." Cyrus said to his phone, and I assumed he was talking to Maisie cos of the nickname. I'd gotten used to their relationship so seeing them together didn't bother me anymore, although it was still a bit odd. I wasn't too aware of my surroundings; I was just trying to finish the maths homework so Chloe could stop nagging me.

She'd really been on my back about my being lazy with my schoolwork, so I decided to make the effort for her.

"Hey, Nerd, don't you want food?" Cyrus asked as he hung up. I didn't bother looking up at him because I knew he wasn't talking to me that way.

"Yo, Allen?"

"Yes?" I answered, looking up with a small smirk. Cyrus rolled his eyes and handed me a medium pizza box and I nodded in thanks, accepting it and putting my notebook to the side.

"Since when did you care about schoolwork?" Ian asked opposite me through a mouthful of pizza. I rolled my eyes at his bad manners.

"My mum's been getting calls from the school so I've decided to step up." I answered, and it was partially true. The other half to the truth was Chloe, of course.

"Sure it's not because of your girlfriend?" Cyrus asked with a knowing smirk. I smirked back.

"Which one?" I answered and he and Ian started laughing, Cyrus reaching over to slap me on the back. I was joking; I hadn't being on dates or anything since Chloe arrived. That didn't stop me from having fun though, I was a free man.

"I'm talking about Chloe, specifically." Cyrus said once he'd calmed down. I tensed slightly, knowing what was coming next. "How are things with her anyway?"

"Yeah, update us on your progress." Ian added, sitting up on the beanbag he was on. I sighed, putting my untouched pizza slice back in the box.

"Things are going good," I shrugged, trying to sound causal. "We're going at a good pace, still trying to build up our friendship."

"Still?" Cyrus asked, raising his thick eyebrows. He looked unimpressed. "It's been over two months since the bet started bro."

"Yeah, and two years of being apart." I retorted. "Rome wasn't built in a day. Her heartbreak won't be genuine if she doesn't actually like me, Cyrus."

At this point I'd accepted what I was doing and was just trying to get on with it. I didn't feel too guilty anymore, as when I was with Chloe I'd forget it was for a stupid bet and actually enjoy her company. It was like I fed off her energy, I always felt more awake and energized whenever we were together, a feeling I could get addicted to.

Sometimes the ugly truth would appear in my thoughts but I would suppress it. I had nothing to feel bad about technically speaking, since I was doing the right thing, getting justice, like Ian said. If the roles were reversed I wouldn't blame her for trying to do the same.

"It seems like there's a bit of competition." Ian said, wiping his fingers then shaking out his long hair. His curly dirty blond hair reached his shoulders giving him this whole rock star look instead of a homeless one you'd expect.

"You need to get a haircut man." I said, distracted from his question. He shot me an incredulous look.

"No way, this hair is what pulls the girls!" Ian exclaimed. "It's part of my image."

"What image?" Cyrus snorted.

"The whole mysterious, good-looking delinquent image I have going on." I let out a loud laugh at that.

"More like dopey, drug-dealer image." I said and Cyrus burst out laughing while Ian flipped me off.

"You didn't respond to my statement." He said and I raised an eyebrow, indicating he should repeat it. "I think you have completion with Chloe?"

My head reared back and I frowned. "Competition?"

"Benjamin Silas."

"What about him?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows. Benjamin and I weren't really friends, more acquaintances as we had mutual friends.

"Chloe and he seem pretty close from what I've been told." Ian carried on.

"How do you even know?" I asked.

Ian tapped his nose with a secretive smile. "We've got connections, of course. Very reliable sources, who says he could win her over before you do."

The familiar feeling of envy started to build up inside of me. "No way, man. Chloe's mine."

Cyrus tutted mockingly. "Don't think so, they were even matching outfits the other day." He told me and I frowned, thinking back and remembering they were indeed matching. "Couples do that type of stuff, Allen. It's lame though, Maisie's trying to get me to do it but nah." He made a face and Ian chuckled.

"Anyway, the point is do you need us to take him out?" Cyrus asked and my eyes widened in horror.

"Kill him?" I exclaimed and Cyrus and Ian exchanged looks before bursting out into laughter.

"Nah, we're not criminals," Ian teased. "We mean just keep him out of the picture, so things can go smoother with you and Woods."

"You look like you need the assistance anyway." Cyrus shrugged with a smug smirk that ignited fury within me. They both leaned back, waiting for my response.

I knew what game they were paying. They were implying I wasn't good enough to win Chloe. By offering to 'take out the competition' they were suggesting that I was pitiful enough to need the help, like this wasn't something I was capable of doing by myself. It was a wound to my ego and pride, one that wouldn't be forgotten.

"I don't need help," I practically spat out the word. "I'm completely fine with where I am in Chloe, and from what I see, which is more reliable because I'm actually around them, they don't have anything romantic going on."

Cyrus let out a loud laugh, startling me. "Who says our source isn't around them?"

"Cyrus." Ian cut off, seeming to warn him to keep quiet. Cyrus raised his hands, a small smile playing on his lips. Me, I was confused. Their source went to our school then? What the hell?

"You guys are weird man," I simply stated.

"You mean powerful." Ian retorted. "We got people working for us who will do anything at our beck and call. We ain't no ordinary gang members, Allen."

"Yeah, you're just ordinary drug dealers." I replied sarcastically, dodging the cushion Cyrus threw my way with a laugh.

"You gonna eat your pizza then or nah?" Ian asked, bringing out a zoot. I rolled my eyes, picking up my box.

"I would if you guys would stop interrogating me." I replied, taking a bite of the cheesy goodness. Cyrus clapped his hands.

"Speaking of interrogations," He started. "Taro's ambush has been moved back by like a month, so you have more time in total. Three months now."

I didn't show it but I felt relived in time. Getting Chloe to fall for me in two was impossible, so having three made it more attainable.

Ian lit his zoot just as his phone rang. He lazily glanced at it, and a small smirk appeared on his face when he read the name. A smirk that meant trouble.

"Hey, Kimberly." Ian answered in a low voice, after letting it ring a couple times. I glanced at Cyrus who was watching Ian curiously.

"Yeah, I'm not doing much, well other than thinking about you." He answered with a cheeky smile. I fake gagged and Cyrus started laughing, but the giggling on the other end of the line indicated Kimberly fell for his cheesy line.

"Why haven't I been calling you?" Ian went on.

"Put it on speaker!" Cyrus whispered, looking thoroughly entertained and Ian complied. A female's voice came through the phone.

"Yeah, you said you would the last week but it's been radio silence until now." Kimberly replied with a slight whine in her voice. Ian rolled his eyes.

"You're right, and I'll be truthful," Ian started. His sincere tone completely contradicted his expressionless face. "I was nervous to speak to you after we hooked up that first time, I just feel like you're way out of my league."

I was thoroughly impressed with how skilfully Ian lied through his teeth. I assumed he was lying is his unbothered expression was any indication. I glanced at Cyrus to discover he didn't seem surprised at Ian's skill at all.

"Awww," Kimberly cooed through the phone. "You're so sweet. I'm so flattered you opened up to me, I'm glad you're not one of those emotionless, macho guys."

"Course not." Ian answered sweetly with a blank face.

"So, I was wondering if you're free today..." Kimberly asked with a flirty tone. Ian's expression cracked as a mischievous smirk appeared.

"Not really, but I'm sure I can sort something out for you. Why, what do you have in mind?" He asked, staring to stand up.

"Well..." Kimberly started and I made a face before returning back to my maths homework. Ian thankfully took his phone of speaker, exiting the room to finish his conversation.

"Is Kimberly the girl he was talking to at your party a couple weeks ago?" I asked Cyrus and he shook his head.

"Nah, she's a different girl. You know Ian doesn't like to settle with one for long."

"Just like you, well in the past." I commented and Cyrus smiled slightly.

"Yeah, but I'm a changed man now. I guess there's something special about Chinks." He replied wistfully.

"Simp." I coughed and Cyrus punched me roughly in the shoulder before texting probably Maisie.

My phone pinged, and I looked down to see a text from Chloe. An involuntary smile appeared on my face as I read her text, asking if I was doing the homework. I replied affirmative then looked up at Cyrus to see him watching me curiously.

"You really like her, huh?" He asked.

"Who?" I asked, acting clueless.

"Chloe, there's no other girl that would make you smile like that."

"Cap." I immediately retorted as he was making it sound like I was whipped or something.

He wasn't wrong though. My feelings for Chloe seemed to be capricious; I'd hate her for abandoning me then love her for returning. I hated the way she dominated my thoughts, my emotions and mood yet loved having her on my mind all the time. I hated the power she had over me, leaving me again would leave me crushed and damaged beyond repair yet I wouldn't want anyone else to hold that effect over me.

It was like my mind and heart were at constant battle, hate or love? Stay away or remain close? Punish her or forgive?

I hated her with all I was, yet loved her with every fiber of my being. My feelings for her were conflicting, selfish and noxious, yet I wouldn't have them any other way.

There was something about Chloe Woods that made her hold a special place in my desolate heart, the heart I would gladly remove from my body and offer it to her if she promised to never leave me.

I would do anything for her except let her go.

The selfish part of me longed to see her happy and smiling, but only because of me. Thriving and glowing, but only at my side. Like a pretty songbird, contained in a cage, singing only for me to admire.

The idea of her and another guy together made me shake with rage and grit my teeth. I would never be able to stand by and watch her enter into a relationship with someone other than me. No way.

All of this was selfish and wrong, but it was the purest form of love I could offer her.

I was determined to break her heart; I knew it would make me a better person. Simply because I would be able to let go of the hate and loathing, and maybe if she forgave me we could start afresh, and be together the way we were always meant to.

I couldn't find it in me to just let go of the past.

Forgiveness was golden, but grudges were priceless.

*****

One could only be pushed so much before they snapped. Before they shoved back.

I'd been told that sometimes in life, you'd have to do what you didn't necessarily want to in order to get what you want.

I wanted payback.

People said revenge solved nothing, my mother often telling me vengeance belonged to God.

But now it belonged to me.

In order to get rid of the competition I had to play dirty. Filthy.

I stared at my slightly foggy reflection, my hazel eyes staring coldly back at me.

It was time to strike.

Starting with Chloe Woods.

*****