"IAN!" I JOG down the stairs going two at a time just to catch up him.

He stops and turns around, his hands tucked deep into his pocket. He squints his eyes up at me, the sun rays blaring right on his face. I slow to walk and stand in front of him, effectively keeping the sun away.

"I just realized something awful." I start and his questioning expression doesn't change, I continue. "I don't have your number."

"How terrible." He deadpans and I smile stretching out my hand to him. He sighs and brings out his Samsung from one pocket, placing it on my outstretched palms. "Please don't blow up my phone with messages."

"Why not? That the main reason for this." I say and he tries to snatch his phone back but I quickly dodge, laughing slightly. "Kidding."

He drags a hand down his face, "why don't I believe you?"

I put in my number in his and saves it, then go ahead to call my own phone. With a triumphant smile I hand him back his phone. "Thank you and look forward to my texts."

"I will." He says tucking his phone back into his pocket and walking away. Once he has completed his journey down the bleachers, I turn around to a glaring Aiden.

"What was that about?" He asks.

"Number exchange?" I say waving my phone up at him.

"Why? What do you even have to do with him?"

"Friendship Aiden. In case you've forgotten that word, it exists." I say going down the bleachers. I need to get my bag then get this coffee... thing over with.

Its actually surprising that I'm mad about missing out on talking to Ian when the result is I get to spend time alone with Aiden. Of all times to want to have coffee, it just had to be now. A week ago I was denying to at least exchange greetings with Aiden and now, all I want to do is look at Ian.

"Friendship? Anna you don't know anything about this guy." Aiden says walking beside me as I try to find Jamie or Christine, one of them has my school bag.

"I know a few things and we're working on it. That's the essence of friendship you know." I say relived as I finally spot both Jamie and Christine. They were sitting on the opposite bleachers looking into Jamie's ... Ian's camera.

Aiden's hand clamps over my arm stopping me from walking any further. I turn to him with a frown. Since when did he get so annoying?

"I don't like that guy, Anna."

"And that is my problem, how?" I ask raising a brow.

Aiden doesn't get to respond because a third party appears, bearing gifts of glares and heavy perfume. "What's going on here?"

I retch my hand off Aiden's and he sighs, shifting his eyes from me to his girlfriend. "Nothing."

Evelyn Munroe glares, not satisfied with the reply. "Doesn't look like nothing to me." She takes a threatening step closer to me, "What's your problem Anna?"

"I don't have a problem." I answer her not looking the least bit intimidated. I didn't do anything wrong now and I know Munroe's not one to mess with but its her boyfriend following me not the other way around.

"Evelyn calm down and leave Anna be, I just told you nothing is going on." Aiden says sounding tired as he pulls her away from me.

"Why don't I believe you Aiden?" She sneers.

Because you're a sick bitch in need of immediate help.

In the mood to piss her some more, I place my palm over Aiden's shoulder and gently trail it down his arm. I'm treading on dangerous grounds but the look on her face is so worth it. "Aiden, if you're still up for our little appointment, I'll be in my car." I smirk at the gaping Evelyn and walk away to my friends.

"What was that about?" Christine asks having witnessed the little drama.

"Nothing." I grab my bag from between them.

"Doesn't look like nothing." Jamie says taking a picture of the couple. "Evelyn looks so red."

I smile, "I'll tell everything later. Got to go."

"Bye."

---

Just when I'm about to open the door of my car, I see Aiden practically running towards me and my face falls, I was seriously hoping that he wouldn't be able to meet up with me and his girlfriend would put a leash on him. Now that I've had at least five minutes to think, I realize that its a foolish idea to get on Evelyn Munroe's bad list. Since we stopped being friends I've successfully stayed off her radar and her off mine. Now her boyfriend and my ex is about to ruin things.

"Sorry for the delay Roxy," he asks slowing to a walk, then flashes his million dollar smile at me, "I'm here now."

"Aiden, Evelyn's gonna..."

He takes my hand in his and for something that always use to calm me, now it annoys me. Let me talk! "Anna, don't worry about Evelyn, I've taken care of that. Just... Just have coffee with me, it's been so long."

"Fine." I pull my hand back to me and cross them, "but only if you don't call me Roxy or try to dictate who I should or shouldn't be friends with."

He frowns but it only lasts for half a second. "Fine. I won't talk about the new guy but I can't promise not to call you Roxy, " he smirks, "if I don't, who will?"

I want to frown but a smile escapes, "Fine, I'm going in my car."

"I'll be right behind you." He smiles and jogs over to his Harley packed at a corner. I love that bike, I can't forget how many times we've roamed around town in it.

I check the text on my phone for the second time just for the heck of it.

Daad >> I'm back home Anna. Deli's mum dropped me off so, no need to go to the school. And mum's back too so I'm not home alone.

Me << Is mum mad at me for not picking you up on time.

Daad >> No.

I sigh starting up my car and driving out of the school's parking lot. My father always leaves his third phone at home and since Ellie's not allowed to have a phone yet she always finds and uses his for emergency purposes. According to her, the landlines is for grannies and who wants to talk when they can text? Speaking of texts, now I have Ian's number, I can text and call him. But in his case I think I'll rather talk than text, who wants to miss out on his amazing voice.

I pull into Mr Bean's coffee shop, a place far away from school, really small and quiet. The probability of seeing someone from school over here is really small but then again we're not doing anything wrong and Evelyn already knows we're together.

"Mr Bean?" Aiden asks pulling his helmet off and staring at the building in distaste.

I laugh, "not your usual right?"

"You know it." He says winking as he drops his helmet and walks beside me.

I roll my eyes, "it's great in here. Don't judge a book by its cover." The cover isn't even that bad. Aiden's parents are pretty well off so he's used to grand, flashy and splendid things and places. I don't think he's ever been to this part of town before.

"Whatever you say." He says and we enter inside immediately enveloped with the smell of fresh coffee. I was right, the place wasn't bad at all. In fact the inside was a lot better than the outside. There was only one booth and fortunately it was occupied so Aiden and I settled for chairs and a round table instead.

I ordered soy latte and he got iced coffee – his usual.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I ask my tongue wiping at the top of my lip to eliminate soy mustache.

"Honestly, I don't really know." He said smiling, and I'm over here like seriously?! "I just wanted to see your face. Like I said, I've missed you. How are you Anna?"

"I'm fine. As you can see." I carefully answer sipping off my drink. This isn't my favourite and I can't even tell why I ordered it.

"Not what I can see. Not what everyone can see." He says, "I want to know how you are."

I gulp, "fine. I'm fine."

"And Ellie? I've missed her too."

"Ellie's fine."

And this conversation is awkward.

Aiden sighed, "Anna, you broke up with me after what happened with Rachelle. You said you needed time to heal."

"Yes and what did you do? Jump into the arms of my friend." I say, anger brimming up to the surface.

"Anna, you wouldn't pick my calls. You disappeared without any explanation. I tried reaching you. I tried finding you..." He trailed off, looking down at the table. "I was in a bad place. A moment of weakness and Evelyn showed up and..."

"So its my fault?"

"Anna..."

"My sister disappeared Aiden!" I shouted without even realising it and Aiden's eyes went wide. "Like, she could be lying dead somewhere right now. I'm sorry if I wasn't a caring girlfriend. I'm sorry I needed space. I'm sorry I broke up with you and I'm freaking sorry for not explaining better."

I got off the seat and headed to the door. All this time. All this time I kept thinking that I was the one wrong. Maybe but he was way more wrong.

"Anna wait!" Aiden shouted catching up to me before I got into my car.

"What do you want, Aiden?"

"I want to fix this. I want to fix things between us."

I looked at him for a solid minute before I burst out in laughter at the absurdity. "You're a week too late."

"What does that mean?"

"It means if you've come to me last week Monday or Tuesday I'd have actually considered. Now, I'm sorry Aiden but I'm not interested." I say to him before getting into my car.

"Is it because of the new guy?" He asked glaring.

"Maybe but it could also be because you're an ass. I'm over you Aiden." I fake a smile at him and speed out the lot.

After a minute of driving, I park by the side of the road and send a text to the added name on my contact list.

Me << can I see you?

I sit there tapping my foot as I count and wait for his reply. It comes when I'm mentally at the number forty.

Ian >> when?

Me << now.

Ian >> I can't.

Me << today?

His reply isn't instant like others and I nervously bite on my lip. I'm I acting desperate? Too much?

Ian >> the construction site? Same time as the other day.

I smile widely.

Me << its a date.

What do you think? Is Anna being too forward?

Vote and comment.