Everything was exactly as Ashlyn and Aiden had planned.

The gymnasium was decorated with lanterns, heart-shaped balloons and confetti, colorful lights were shining and music was playing from the loudspeakers. There were tables with snacks along the walls, with a few people standing around them, but most of them sitting at separate tables made from school desks and on couches. A dozen or so people were already dancing timidly on the dance floor.

"The party is starting in five minutes", Taylor announced, looking at the delicate silver watch on her hand. "Where are Ben and Aiden?"

"They'll be probably late", Ashlyn glanced over her shoulder at Tyler and Logan, who were discussing something animatedly a few feet away. "By the way, where did you get this watch? I haven't seen it before."

"Oh I..." Taylor flushed a little, touching gently the glass. "I got it from Ben today morning."

"Really?" Ashlyn was suprised. "He bought it for you?"

"Yup", Taylor smiled, looking at the floor. "I think..." she stopped.

"What?"

"Erm, nevermind."

Ashlyn raised her eyebrow, glancing at her friend's smile.

"Well, it's kind of weird that I have to ask you about your love life with Ben, considering that you keep trying to do the same thing to me about me and Aiden."

"Does that mean you have love life with him?!"

"Of course no! You just didn't finished the thought."

"That's a pity." Taylor chuckled. "But about me and Ben... don't tell him, but I think he likes me."

Ashlyn felt amusement tickle her insides.

"And I see you like this idea."

"Maybe..." Taylor looked happy, and that made Ashlyn feel a bit less nervous.

A lot had happened between her and Aiden lately, and she wasn't sure what might happen on Valentine's Day.

Not that she wanted anyhing to happen.

She wasn't sure how she felt about him and she didn't even want to think about it. She stubbornly pushed away all the uncertain thoughts and doubts that knocked on her mind.

"Come on, we have to get a table", Taylor said and waved to the boys. "Ty, Logan!"

"What do you think about playing 'Party Walkers'?" Tyler asked, coming over the girls.

"I thought you didn't like that song...?"

"I changed my mind, okay?"

"Haha, okee", she gave him a flick on the nose.

"Ow! Stop, you dumbass!"

They started chasing and trying to pinch each other around.

Ashlyn and Logan exchanged amused glances.

"Ah, the youth of today..." she rolled her eyes.

"Come on, we have to book a table before these two take away our chance of getting a seat."

The Valentine's Day party was just starting and the DJ turned up the music. More and more students entered the hall and the dance floor began to slowly fill up. Ashlyn didn't know why she had decided to go to the party, but like it or not, there was no going back now. She adjusted her earplugs.

She felt a bit uncomfortable in the black, strappy, knee-length dress that Taylor had chosen for her, but she was glad that she hadn't been persuaded to wear heels and put on her favorite Doc Martens boots.

Taylor also talked Ashlyn into letting her do her hair and gave her a baid on top and some loose hair underneath. The hairstyle was beautiful, but in Taylor style and it didn't really suit Ashlyn. However, she didn't want to spoil it, so as not to upset her friend.

"This place is good", she said, looking at the table standing in the corner of the gymnasium. "Let's sit here."

"Agree", agreed Logan. "Do you think we can already eat? I'm a little hungry."

"Yeah", Ashlyn replied. She played nervously with her bracelet, turning the beads.

"Oof", Taylor chugged as she approached to Logan and Ashlyn. Tyler ran after her and the two of them fell into their chairs, exhausted from the chase.

"Conserve your strength," Logan chuckled, turning towards the food tables. "Cause you won't have enough for the dance."

"Haha, right.", Taylor laughed and Tyler rolled his eyes. "Take for me too!"

Logan gave a thumb up.

"Lol, Ashlyn, what's up with your fingers?" Tyler smirked. "Are you going to take this bracelet apart?"

"Stop nitpicking. There's nothing wrong with her fingers," Taylor snorted. "That's you with gay fingers!"

Ashlyn almost choked with an air.

"Gay fingers?!"

"It's because I have dislocated fingers", he mumbled. "Her stupid idea."

"They are not straigh, they're bent", Taylor smiled. "So gay fingers!

"What the-" Ashlyn didn't know what to say.

"But now. Tell me what's up?" Taylor crossed her arms. "You look like you just saw a ghost."

"Umm, I'm just stressed", Ashlyn replied, looking away and noticed a blond figure at the entrance. "Y'know, this is my first Valentine's Day party."

"Seriously? Don't worry, it will be fun!" Taylor smiled and Ashlyn nodded.

"Yeah, surely."

For you, she finished in her mind. But she didn't say that aloud. Ashlyn didn't want to worry her friends, especially since Taylor wanted her to have a good evening. Besides, it would be good for her to break away from the daily worries associated with the Phantom dimension.

Her eyes moved again to Aiden, who was walking towards them with Ben.

Taylor looked in the same direction and a understanding smile appeared on her face.

"Is it a real reason why you are stressed...? "

"Yeah?" Ashlyn felt her cheeks turn warm.

Why is she making everything harder between me and him? We're not even... a thing. Of course we are not.

Taylor smirked and opened her mouth to say something, but then they heard Aiden's voice:

"Heyyy guyyys! How are you?" His smile was wide as always, but now it looked more genuine than usual. Ben standing next to him waved, looking at Taylor. "You looks great."

"You don't", Tyler replied. "For real you can't wear something else than these creepy smiles?"

"Smiles are great", he smiled.

But he didn't actually wear a hoodie as usual, but wore a leather jacket over a black T-shirt with a smile. He put on Doc Martens, similar to hers, and - Ashlyn blinked, not sure if her eyes were wrong - tiny black beads were wrapped around his neck. He looked like a bad guy - which is basically who he was.

(Pookies I'm sorry I needed him to be bad boy I love bad boys sorry T_T a/n)

"I brought snacks", he announced and Ashlyn quickly looked away.

"Yesss", smiled Logan who stood behind him with a plate full of sweets. "I love snacks!"

"Matching brooo!" they dapped up.

Ashlyn rolled her eyes.

"Aiden, we have snacks there."

"But now we have more!"

"Oh, look", Taylor interjected. "photo booth! How about going to take photos?"

"Nice idea!" Logan replied and Ben nodded.

"No. Bad." Tyler mumbled.

"No. AMAZING!" Aiden threw all the snacks that he brought on the table.

"So, let's go!" Taylor stand up energetically and pulled Ashlyn and Tyler with her.

"What if I mind?" asked Ashlyn, trying to break free, but Taylor's grip on her wrist was like iron.

"Too late", the girl laughed, and Ashlyn exchanged suffering glances with Tyler.

They piled into the photo booth and Taylor enthusiastically started the countdown.

The first photo didn't even turn out too bad.

But the next - on the contra. Two seconds before the number 0 appeared on the screen, Logan's panicked scream split the air and Ashlyn was pushed aside, straight into Aiden's arms (who of course stood next to her).

"What was that?!" she blurted out, trying to hide her red face from his sight.

"Sorry!" Logan groaned. "But there's a spider!"

The countdown to the third photo started, but they ignored it.

"Bro, seriously?" Tyler snorted. "It is so small!"

"But I have a phobia", Logan cried.

"Okay, okay", Taylor raised her hand to take the spider away. "I'm throwing away this little guy, Logan. Don't worry."

The flash blinked, announcing that the third photo had been taken.

Aiden leaned over the display and burst out laughing.

"look at this! hahaha!"

"Poor Logan" Tyler snorted in amusement.

"Look at Taylor with a spider, hehe...!"

"You hugged Ashlyn, lol!"

"Did you guys finish?" Ashlyn asked, annoyed. "Take the photos and come."

Hard to believe it was her idea.

________________

Whoaaa this is so long!!! And I already have almost the entire next part :D

Ah and btw the idea with gay fingers wasn't mine (I say it so that it won't be on me later) ^^