^^Nate's house

"How do I look?"

I observed Chloe posing in front of me in an off-shoulder beige top on which flowers were printed with dark blue denim shorts and beige heels.

"You look perfect." I smiled and gave her a thumbs up.

"Really?" she giggled, twirling her blonde locks on her finger.

"Yup." I bobbed my head.

"Louis will fall on his knees when he'll see you," Toby added as he lay on Chloe's bed.

"Eeek!" she squealed and bounced towards her dressing table. "I'll do my hair quickly and then we'll leave."

"You look beautiful too." Toby complimented, and I adjusted my glasses, ducking my head.

"Thank you."

I wore a maroon top that had shoulder cuts with my ripped, light blue jeans and white shoes. Mom bought me this top with a few others saying that I didn't have clothes to wear and I wasn't shopping for myself, so she got new clothes for me.

"And you look handsome," I whispered. "I'm sure Ben will be on his knees too," I repeated, his words teasing him.

He wore a dark purple check shirt over a grey inner with blue ripped jeans and white shoes.

His eyes widened, and he burst out laughing. "I didn't know you were a dirty little girl, Lilly."

"Huh?" I tilted my head and then I realized what I said. "I-I didn't mean it like that!" I panicked and felt my face heat.

"Of course you did." He snickered.

"You have a filthy mind." I groaned.

"What are you guys laughing about?" Chloe asked, curling her hair. "Don't leave me out!" She whined.

"Lillian is a naughty girl." He said, as his brown eyes gleamed with amusement.

"I am not." I huffed. "You took it the wrong way."

"Actually... I took it down the way." He joked, and my eyes bugged out.

"Ew!" I grimaced.

"To graphical Toby," Chloe smirked. "BTW, we never talked about your love life. Do you have a crush on someone?" She wiggled her brows. "Or maybe a secret boyfriend?"

"Um... I... Uh..." He panicked and gave me a pleading glance. "I really um-"

"Chloe, your hair!" I screamed, pointing at the hot iron curler wrapped around her hair.

"Oh, shit!" She shrieked and unwrapped her hair before it got burnt.

"Thank you..." Toby sighed in relief.

"You owe me." I narrowed my eyes. "Swear me, you won't ever mention this humiliating scene again."

"Never." He promised and crossed his heart.

"Phew! That was close." Chloe blew the smoke away. "I would have burned my hair and I'm not even married!"

"Glad you're safe." I beamed.

"So... where were we?" she asked, curling another layer of her hair.

"What are your plans for the spring break?" Toby asked, changing the topic.

"My brother is coming for the weekend. We'll spend some time together, then on Monday, he'll leave again to go out with his friends," I replied.

"What will you do after that?" I opened my mouth, but he cut me off. "Don't tell me you'll be reading books."

I ducked my head in embarrassment because that's what I was going to say.

"I have nothing else to do," I murmured.

"Think of something. Go out and have fun. We have read enough books for the exams."

"I don't know where else to go." I turned my head towards Chloe. "Where are you going?"

"I was thinking of going out with Louis before, but since the Clichés are back together..." She shrugged. "And he hasn't asked me to go with them. I have nothing left now."

"Clichés are together?" I asked, surprised.

"Yup." She nodded. "Louis texted me and told me that Andrew made up with Brittany and now they are going to the beach."

"That's great," Toby and I said simultaneously, but Toby sounded sarcastic.

"What are your plans?" Chloe inquired and Toby sighed.

"I had plans before, but they are ruined now." He grumbled.

He must be planning to go with Ben, but now since the Clichés are together, he won't be able to go.

"What were you planning?"

"Nothing much." He closed his eyes and grumbled. "I hate Andrew."

"Speaking of Andrew." Chloe darted her eyes to me. "Did he try anything else on you after Valentine's Day?"

"I-" I opened my mouth, but Toby cut me off.

"He's a jerk for what he did. He couldn't find anyone else to play with, so now he's coming after you."

"No-"

"Listen Lilly." Chloe looked at me intensely. "If he does anything funny, let me know I'll kick his a**."

"Me and her both." Toby backed her up.

They began talking about Andrew, and his player's ways, and why he was after me. I sat there listening to them and felt bad. I knew he was a player, but it was not his fault if the girl was after her. And those girls played the victim, but they weren't innocent either. I clearly remembered how Valma cried her eyes out. Despite that, she was with David, a guy who was in a relationship.

"He's not a bad guy." I interrupted, and they both paused.

"What?" they asked simultaneously.

"Andrew is not a bad guy-"

"You don't know the real him." Toby scoffed.

"You are being biased, Toby."

"Haven't you heard anything about him?" Chloe asked.

"They are just gossips." I shrugged.

They both gasped and looked at each other. "He got you under his charm!"

"What magic did he do on my poor baby?!" Chloe clasped her face.

"Don't worry, I'll help you get your senses back." Toby tapped my shoulder.

"I'll look for something on Google to get her out of his spell!" Chloe picked up her phone. I groaned, and without thinking, I announced.

"I like him." There was drop silence, and they both gawked at me. "Don't look at me like that. And I'm not saying because I'm under his spell or anything and I know he's a player and all, but he's not what everyone thinks of him."

"Oh, shit." Toby blinked his eyes.

"I'm so happy to know you can like a guy." Chloe sniffed. "And I will not judge. Even I am still thinking why, Andrew, because I thought you liked Nate, but I'm still happy for you."

"Nate?" I asked, a little panicked. "Why did you think that?"

"It was a dead giveaway." She shrugged and continued curling her hair. "I was waiting for you to tell me, but guess I was wrong."

And here I thought Chloe was the oblivious one. She guessed it right, but I kept my mouth shut.

"Now what?" Toby leaned his back on the bedhead.

"Did Andrew ask you to go with them?" Chloe asked.

"No..." I shook my head and their shoulders slumped.

"Oh, I know! We can go somewhere together!" Chloe exclaimed as she combed her hair.

"That's a great idea." Toby jerked up and sat straight. "I've never met a quickest plan maker as you. You and your brain Chloe. Love you."

"Geez, Toby!" Chloe blushed and waved her hand in dismissal. "Stop exaggerating."

"F**k all the guys. We are going to spend this vacation and have the fun of our lives," Toby said, and they both darted their eyes at me.

"I'm in." They beamed and cheered, making me laugh.

"Imagine. We'll spend the entire week together. How awesome will it be!" Chloe squealed and Toby and I grinned.

That it will be...

I blinked my eyes as I stood on the porch of Nates's house. Dropping my head back, I glanced at the glowing chandelier on the ceiling. The modern exterior was painted in black and white, with a lot of enormous windows around the house.

Nate's house screamed elegance... just like him.

I could see silhouettes of many people from the windows. On my right was a greenhouse, and I peeked through the windows to see what inside was, but because of the darkness, I couldn't see it. The size of the house was the same as the others.

Why do I even get surprised after seeing all those mansions?

The day was dawning when we reached here. I was tired from all the exams, but everyone was eager about the end of the semester and a party before the breaks.

Through the glass of the door, I saw Nate coming towards the door with a grin on his face. He opened the door, and the music boomed but not ear preaching.

"Good evening." Nate greeted. "Glad to see you guys here."

"Hi, Nate." We said simultaneously.

"You got a remarkable house," I exclaimed without having control.

"Thank you." He chuckled and motioned inside. "Please come in."

We stepped inside in the foyer and my eyes wandered up the stairs to see many people standing with the railing. We walked to our right in the living room and observed that the party was in full swing.

"Nice." Toby whistled.

The lights of the living room were dim and 'Shape of you' by Ed Sheeran was playing in the background. No one was dancing anywhere, but everyone was busy gossiping. The room was filled with everyone as they talked and laughed.

The party looked sophisticated.

"Come on. I'll show you guys the kitchen." Nate lead us to the enormous grey marble kitchen that was also filled with a lot of students.

Guess everyone from the school showed up.

"Here are the drinks and snacks." He gestured towards them on the island. "And for those who don't drink." He glanced at me with a smile. "There are juices."

"Thank you." I smiled.

"You guys enjoy the party. I'll be back." He said and walked out of the kitchen.

"I'm hungry!" Chloe grabbed a slice of pizza.

"Me too." I picked a plastic glass and poured red grapes into it.

Hmm... This is nice.

We stood in the corner as we ate and drink and watched everyone coming and going from the kitchen.

"I'm jealous," Chloe mumbled with a full mouth, staring at the couple in front of us.

The guy poured drinks into two cups and gave one to the girl. She thanked him and kissed his cheek, then they both walked out holding hands. My eyes lingered on their hands and I felt my heart pinched.

I want this-

"I want that with Louis," Chloe grumbled, cutting my thoughts.

"You already have him." Toby pointed.

"Yeah, but I want more." She swallowed greedily her drink. "I want to be his girlfriend."

"How long you have been dating?" Toby asked and Chloe answers without wasting a second.

"A month."

I sipped my drink as I watched them discuss.

"How are you planning to be his girlfriend?" Toby inquired. "You guys haven't even kissed once."

"I know!" She whined. "Whenever I tried to, someone always interfered with us. Once my dad did then my mom, and she apologized saying it was-" she air quoted, "-accidental, which I know she was lying."

I remembered Louis also mentioning he wanted to kiss Chloe, but I kept my mouth shut or else there will be questions that how I even knew about this.

"You guys are miserable." Toby sighed.

"Says the guy who won't even tell about his love life." Chloe retorted, and Toby and I peeked at each other.

Does she know?

"I don't have a love life." Toby cleared his throat.

"And I don't love Louis." She narrowed her eyes at him and they both glared at each other.

"When are you planning to ask him?" I question changing the topic.

"Tonight," Chloe answered as she continued the staring contest with Toby.

"Tonight?!" I squealed.

Is she serious?

Chloe's phone pinged, finally ending the staring competition. Chloe picked it out of her shorts pocket and her eyes bugged out as she gulped.

"They're here."

"Chloe..."

"Chloe..."

"... Will you?..."

"... Will you?..."

"...Be my girlfriend."

"...Be my..." He gulped.

"Girl... friend..." I repeated slowly.

"Girlfriend."

"Now say it all together and in a soft and loving tone."

"Chloe... Will you be my girlfriend?" He finally uttered.

"Yes!" I clapped and patted his shoulders. "That wasn't hard, right?"

"Easier said than done." He huffed and leaned his back on the car seat.

"Give him some break, Drew." Brittany glared at me from the rearview mirror.

"I'm just trying to help him." I shrugged, and Ben chuckled from the driver's seat.

We were sitting in Ben's car on our way to Nate's house. Phase one of the mission was already complete, which was making up with Brittany, and now it was time for phase two.

"Let him do it at his one pace," Brittany grumbled. "Don't force him."

"I'm not forcing." I held my hands in surrender.

"Really?" She spun on the passenger seat towards me and pointed at Louis beside me. "Look at his face. He looks constipated."

I glanced at Louis, who darted his eyes between me and Brittany. He looked pale like he was about to throw up.

"He's just frightened," Ben said, also peeking at him. "As his friends, we are here to support him."

"This is not support." She rolled her eyes at her twin.

"Louis has been dating Chloe for like what...?" I darted my eyes towards Louis and waved me a hand.

"A month."

"Right..." I turned to Brittany again. "A month, and that's enough for him to ask her to be his girlfriend."

"There's no need to be afraid of her." Ben shrugged. "Everyone knows how much Chloe is into him since day one."

"Exactly." I bobbed my head. "I still don't know how you even stayed oblivious to a hot girl being into you."

"Hot?" They raised their brows at me.

"I'm just stating the fact." I rolled my eyes, and they looked at me deadpan. "No, she's not my type."

"I don't know if it's the right time." Louis shuddered.

"This is the right time, buddy." I plopped my arm around his shoulder and shook him.

"How do you know?" He inquired, trying to get out of my grip.

"It's spring break," I smirked.

"And that way-" Ben opened his mouth but Brittany cut him off, completing his sentence as she got what we were trying to do.

"That way, you will ask her to come with us to the beach house." She finished, narrowing her eyes at me and Ben. "Now I get what you're trying to do."

"What?" I acted innocent. "We are helping our friend here."

"Of course you are." She rolled her eyes and whirled her head towards the window. "A**holes."

"You like her Louis?" I questioned, facing him.

"Of course I do."

"Do you want her to be your girlfriend?"

"Yes." He bobbed his head.

"Then his is your chance." I hyped him.

"Here we are." Ben parked his car with the others in the driveway, and we got out of the car.

"Are you ready?" I beamed and glimpsed at Louis, who looked shit-sacred.

"I think so." He gulped and Ben chuckled, pushing him forward.

"Let's go do this, buddy. It's now or never."

We entered the living room, and I looked around for Lillian and Chloe so Louis could ask them. We saw the Clichés on the couch and walked towards them.

"Finally, here!" Maddie screamed and wiggled her brows at Louis. "Ready?"

Everyone knew about the plan.

"I don't know." He grumbled and plopped between David and Jordan. "I'm shaking from inside."

"Are you scared?" Jordan and David laughed, making fun of him.

"Of course he is. This is the first time he's asking someone to be his girlfriend."

"I'm still surprised that you even asked her out," Maddie smirked. "I thought she would be the one doing all the work."

"Give the poor guy some space." Tiana frowned.

"That's what I have been saying." Brittany rolled her eyes, sitting beside Tiana.

"There you are." Nate came from behind, shooting daggers at me.

"Nate, my friend, how are you?!" I grinned.

"You're a jerk, Casanova." He glared. "You asked me to gather everyone on the ground and give the speech-"

"And that's what you did, bro." I patted his shoulder. "I'm proud of you."

"Then why did you interfere?" He raised his brows.

"For a moment I thought something was going on that I wasn't aware of." Maddie huffed. "You changed the plan and didn't tell us."

"What are you guys even talking about?" Brittany asked, and we all eyed each other.

"Andrew planned to gather everyone on the ground today," Tiana answered her confusion. "So he can make up with you and we can go to the beach house." I narrowed my eyes at her.

Snitch.

"You all knew about this?" She arched her brow.

"We were part of the plan." Jordan shrugged.

"But Andrew's speech was not." David pointed out.

"When did you even write it?"

"I just said whatever was going in my head." I shrugged.

"I get it now," Nate smirked. "You got jealous, didn't you?"

"Of what?" I asked nonchalantly.

"That someone was getting impressed by me." He gave me a smug look.

"I do not know what you're talking about." I crossed my arms around my chest.

"Lillian was standing there with Chloe." Louis intervened with a grin on his face.

"I didn't take you to be the jealous type," Jordan added.

"Seriously Lillian?" David grumbled. "You can do better than her, dude." I was about to punch the hell out of that guy but halted when his girlfriend defended Lillian.

"Don't talk about her like that. She's a nice girl." Tiana blurted, and we all looked at her, shocked. "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

"Are you now friends with her or something?" Brittany scowled.

"I'm saying what I observe." she shrugged and sunk into the couch. "Besides, you are getting distracted here." She pointed at me.

Everyone turned their attention toward me again, and I groaned.