Eva's PoV

TGIF. Thank God it's Friday. That's pretty much how I felt every Friday, but this one even more than normal. This week had been awful; the glares of Ashton and his friends making every minute feel like I was doomed. Maya had been beside me through every one though, glaring back just as much as she put a hand on my arm and let me know someone was on my side. For once, someone in college made me feel good, wanted, not alone.

"Hey, umm, I kind of need your help." Maya had turned to me in registration, her face pleading before she'd even told me what was wrong. I already knew I was going to say yes before she'd explained her problem.

"Sure thing." I said instantly. She let out a laugh.

"I've not even told you yet." She said as she playfully shoved me. I let out a small laugh.

"Alright, shoot." I said, still knowing my answer was going to be a yes. Her body changed as she went to tell me the story, seemingly becoming more awkward and withdrawn. She was nervous.

"I pissed off Calum." She bit her lips together as I stared at her in shock. This was literally her first week and she'd made an enemy out of them.

"What?" I whispered, my eyebrows furrowing in worry. "What happened?"

"He came up to me and asked me to go out with him and his friends and I said no." She leant closer as she said the next bit, making sure people didn't overhear our conversation. The merely closeness of her sent my body into panicked excitement which I desperately tried not to show. "He said he wanted to show me better company than you, no offence, and I rejected him. I kind of made up that I was already hanging with you tonight. Then he threatened that I'd made my first mistake so I threatened him with a harassment case and to get Ashton in trouble for hurting you." I had no words. She'd stood up to Calum. I admired her just as much as I thought she was an idiot. No one messed with them.

"Maya!" I could barely believe my ears. "You did what?"

"Look, he upset me by speaking badly about you. And he is clearly looking to date me so he's got some kind of arm accessory... plus I'm not into men." She hesitated at the last sentence. "And I just lost it." She sighed. "I really need to be seen with you tonight or he's gonna be livid." Her pleading puppy dog eyes were back.

"You're trouble, you know that?" I smirked at her, almost flirting. "But fine, I'll reschedule my hectic night for you." She pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you so much." She beamed. "We can do whatever you want. Go to see a movie? Dinner? Hang out in the park? I don't care. It'll be so fun." And she was right about that. It would be.

*

It was the evening now and Maya was meeting me at the cinema to see the new tense thriller that had just come out 'Bright day, Dark night'. She'd been raving about our meet up all day, beaming as she spoke, her eyes glistening with happiness. It was so nice to see someone actually getting excited to hang out with me. This was a definite first. I was equally excited, dressing up a little just to show her I wasn't a loser as everyone had thought. I didn't bother to dress up at college because I kept to myself, hiding under my too-big hoodie and jeans as I went about my day alone. This time I had someone to impress. She had admitted to me she liked girls too, which had been playing in my head since this morning. Was it too early to say that I thought I liked her? She made me feel special, made me smile, gave me butterflies... was this all because I fancied her or was this just because I was excited to finally have a friend? It'd been years since Lina and I hadn't had a single friend since. I'd never dropped my walls for anyone until now.
I zipped up my black heeled ankle boots and admired myself in the mirror. Gone were the baggy clothes, replaced with skin tight grey jeans and a white top, the top of it lace until the bust area. I layered on a black leather jacket and smiled at myself in the mirror. I actually looked good. Not as good as Maya would ever look, but good enough. I had applied some makeup and curled my hair a little, ready for the first date I'd had - friend or not.

"You off?" Dad called from the kitchen as I skipped past, my happiness obvious.

"I'm going to the cinema." I said as I walked in, noting dad heating up a microwave meal as he typed on his phone. For a second he looked up and smiled, taking in what I was wearing and the excitement in my face.

"Who's the lucky guy?" He questioned and I rolled my eyes.

"Girl. Maya." I watched as his face contorted in confusion, not sure if he should ask if this was a friend or a date.

"Well, enjoy. Don't be home too late. Mums on an early shift tomorrow and I've got a client meeting." Of course they wouldn't be in on the weekend. How very repetitive this was all getting.

"Sure thing." I said as I headed out. "Bye!"

*

The cinema had been pretty packed, everyone talking in hushed voices as they took their seats with their large popcorn and drink, ready to see the film we'd all been anticipating. The lights darkened just as Maya and I sat down, our arms brushing each other as we fiddled to take our jackets off before the film started. I gave her a smile which she returned, it was meant to be apologetic but it seemed to come out more as something we liked. There were a few seats beside Maya that were free as the ads were playing so she put our jackets on the one next to her.

"I can't wait to see this!" She said, grabbing a handful of popcorn from the large one we were sharing. My mind raced with things to say to reply but everything seemed to suggestive, flirty or just plain stupid. Luckily I was saved by someone grabbing her attention.

"Hey sorry, can you move your coats? These are the last seats." Someone asked kindly, but as Maya and I looked up and came face to face with Ashton, the kindness dropped. "Oh fuck."