Nick didn't come over last night. He didn't come over this morning. He didn't walk me to school. I was pretty sure he was avoiding me. A little selfish part of me hoped he was avoiding me, that he hadn't moved on yet. I wanted him with me a little longer. And that scared me.

I kept looking around, waiting to hear his teasing, but he never showed up.

I went to the washroom to fix my makeup when I found Amelia standing in front of the mirror. She looked like hell. Like she hadn't slept in a while. Her eyes were red. Was she crying?

"You okay?" I asked her.

"Don't act like you care Montgomery," she sneered.

"I don't," I said honestly. "But you are going through something I wouldn't wish on anyone. As a person with a heart, are you okay?"

She sucked in a deep breath. "Nothing's okay Eva. My last boyfriend died and now Trey is on this self redemption streak, that means I'm alone once again."

Did Trey dump her?

"There is a life after high school," I reminded her. "It doesn't end here. Loneliness is not eternal."

She snorted. "That's something losers like yourself say so they don't off themselves."

I don't know why I even bothered with this bitch. I rolled my eyes and went towards the exit. I bumped into someone on my way out. "Sorry."

I turned to leave without a second glance.

"Eva," the person grabbed my arm. I looked back to find Trey. "I actually wanted to talk to you."

I remembered his promise to try to make up for his past actions. Seems like Amelia was right about this whole redemption streak.

I looked around waiting for Nick to pop out and tell me to tell Trey to go screw himself or something, but he wasn't there. God, where is he?

"Sure..."

I followed Trey to the bleachers outside. They were empty for other than the few students that like to sit alone.

"Whats up?" I asked him playing with the strap of my bag.

Trey rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "The way Nick left us so fast, I've realized how short and precious life is. I've been thinking how I would want people to remember me when I leave this world. I want to be remembered as a good guy, I don't want to be the kid I was before."

"That's really good Trey," I told him. "It takes a lot of strength to admit your wrongs and fix them."

I knew it killed Nick to get it out.

Trey nodded looking thankful. "That's why I want to speak to you. I've been thinking of how I could repay you for the way I had been treating you."

"And?"

"And... I want to take you out for dinner," he said.

My brows shot up.

Dinner seemed a little extra for an apology.

"Can't we just shake hands?"

Trey chuckled. "Oh wow, I guess I'm really bad at this."

"Apologizing?"

He shook his head and smiled. "At asking you out. On a date."

My jaw dropped.

"Oh..." I winced. "You don't have to take me on a date to apologize..."

Really unnecessary.

"I—uh... it's not just to apologize. I want to go out with you. Talking to you yesterday, I don't know... it made me feel free. Like I could speak to you about anything and you'd actually listen and care. You made me realize that you've always been sort of cool and since Nick made you untouchable we've all been too cowardly to approach you."

Wow... I really did not see this coming.

I really should be saying no. I had no feelings for him... but he was alive. He was real. I didn't get chances like these. I could never have a chance with Nick, he was dead, but Trey was here.

"Okay then, you know where I live. Pick me up at 7?" I asked.

Trey's brows shot up before he smiled widely. "Really? Wow.... Yeah, 7 it is. Dress nice."

I looked down at my shirt and frowned. "You got a thing against Marvel?"

Trey laughed. "Very funny Montgomery. See you tonight."

I was about to have my first date. With Trey Stinson out of all people. I never would have seen this coming. I also did not see myself meeting the ghost of my tormentor so I guess anything was possible.

The whole day went by without a glimpse of Nick. Could he really have moved on? Did our last day together really consist of us fighting? This can't be happening.

I looked through my closet for anything decent to wear. I was hopeless. My wardrobe consisted of black clothes, band T-shirts and leggings.

I decided to go with my nicest jeans and a simple fleece sweater. That was the best I could do.

I sat down to do my makeup when something moved in the corner of my eye. I dropped the brush from my hand and shrieked. "Nick!"

Nick stood in front of my door like a deer caught in headlights and I couldn't be happier.

I ran up to him and threw my arms around him in a tight embrace. He let out an oomph upon impact but then returned the hug.

I pulled back and punched his arm with a frown.

"Ouch!" Nick yelped as he rubbed his arm in pain. "What was that for?"

"I thought you moved on you asshole!"

Nick gave me a sheepish smile. "Miss me that much?"

I scoffed. "Well you are my only friend."

"Admit it Montgomery, you can't live without me," he teased.

I rolled my eyes. "You're still an asshole. Where were you all day?"

"Better question is where are you going looking like a snack?" He asked as he leaned back looking me up and down.

I couldn't help but blush. Yup... feelings still there. Unfortunately. "Well if you haven't been avoiding me all day you would know that I'm going on a date."

His eyes widened. A million different emotions crossed his face. "W-What? How? With who?"

I rolled my eyes going back to my mirror to finish with some lipstick. "Hey, I'm just as surprised as you are."

"Not much of a surprise," he sighed under his breath. He eyed my tube of lipstick as I coated my lips. "And with who pray tell?"

This time I blushed in embarrassment. He was not going to like this. "Umm... Trey?"

I was right.

Nick threw his hands in the air, his face contorting in anger. "Trey! Out of all people?! The girlfriend stealing, captain snatcher, lying coward, fake best friend?!"

"Surprised you didn't throw in son of a bitch," I tried teasing but Nick wasn't having it.

"His mom's too good for that insult, not that his cheater of a father would know. I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from tree. Remember that," he paused, his brows furrowing in concentration. He then shook his head and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Isn't he with my ex?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Amelia said he's been avoiding her."

"You're speaking to Amelia now?"

"She looked like hell so I asked her what's wrong? She spilled her heart out then proceeded to insult me. I know, I know, why bother to try," I raised my hands in defeat.

Nick smiled a warm smile. "Because you're Eva. Brave, smart, strong, forgiving, and you have the biggest heart."

I think my heart skipped a beat. Did Nick really think that highly of me?

I had no idea what to say or do.

I cleared my throat and stood up pointing to myself. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful," he said, his smile not as bright. Instead, he looked rather sad. "Are you really going through with this?"

I raised my shoulders. "I guess so... he reminds me of you. His whole world suddenly changed and he's trying to change for the better. I don't want him to go back to the way he was if I reject him. It's just one date."

"Eva, I know this guy. We were best friends, I know his dark and dirty side. He's not a good guy," Nick tried to persuade me.

I shook my head. I wasn't having it. "Nick, I'm doing this. On the plus side, Trey was the last person to see you. I'm hoping that he might say something new about you that might help you remember."

As much as I tried convincing myself to give Trey a chance, all I could think about was Nick— How doing this could help Nick.

Nick frowned. "You don't have to do this for me. In fact, I don't want you doing this at all. This is your first date, it shouldn't be with someone like Trey."

"And who should it be with," I sighed. He really was not having it.

His expression softened. "With someone who cares for you."

I let out a short laugh. "Well that list is a very short one."

Nick shook his head. "The world is missing out on you Eva Montgomery. You are a diamond in the rough."

"Nick..." I didn't know what to say. All I could feel was my heart crying to jump out of my chest. "It's not a date to me." I don't like him the way I like you. "I just need information." I'm doing this for you. Because I want you to be happy.

His shoulders slumped. "Alright... just don't let him kiss you. Trust me on this. We don't know his real intentions. Save it for the right person. And if he does try anything, at least I know that you throw a nasty right hook."

He rubbed his arm almost absent minded.

I threw my head back in laughter. "Hey, I'm the only child of a divorced lumberjack."

More like a carpenter, but close enough.

"Kudos to you Mr. M!"

The doorbell rang.

I shared a look with Nick. I could see him begging me with his eyes. Don't go. Sometimes you need to sacrifice for those you care for most.

"Will I see you tonight?" I asked hopefully. Although Trey had my first date, I wanted to end the night with Nick.

His smile was warm. "You will."

"Eva!" My father's voice came from downstairs.

"Wish me luck," I said as I picked my phone off my bed. Nick sighed in defeat. I ran down the stairs to find Trey standing at the door with a bouquet of flowers. My first bouquet to not come from family.

I smiled at him. "Thank you, they're lovely."

"You look lovely," Trey gave me a charming smile.

My dad cleared his throat. I heard a chuckle. I found Nick leaning against the wall in amusement. "Go Mr. M."

"Remember what we talked about boy," my dad said sternly. I could see him flexing his muscles. Oh god. I remember his talk earlier. That rich boys often think they could get away with anything. That if he tried anything to break his nose and run away.

"Ever tell you I liked your dad?" Nick asked from the side. A smile tugged on the corner of my lips.

"Yes sir," Trey nodded. "Your princess will come home on time untouched."

"Can we go now?" I rolled my eyes at the macho show.

My dad let out a grunt before Trey guided me to his car. The infamous Mercedes that stalked me down the streets every morning and splashed me with puddles on bad days.

Trey opened the door for me like a gentleman before taking his seat.

It was so odd being on the inside of his car.

"Where we going?" I asked curiously.

"Rousseau's," he said, a little proud. It was an expensive restaurant. "You good with that?"

Of course I was good with that, but he didn't need to know how excited I was. Instead, I shrugged my shoulders. "Sure."

"Do your friends know about this? Our date?" I asked him.

He winced. "They know I'm on a date, just not with who. Did you want them to?"

I shook my head. It was not something I want advertised. Even though they haven't teased me in a long time, I couldn't help but feel scared. That this might all be a joke. Nick didn't trust Trey, but it might just be the jealousy talking.

"Do you have some music?" I asked trying to fill up silence so I wouldn't have to talk to him more than need be.

Trey turned on some R&B. Rousseau's was a twenty minute drive from my house.

We stood in line to be seated.

"Reservations under Stinson," Trey told the hostess. She nodded and grabbed two menus giving them to a server.

"After me please."

We followed her to a table towards the end of the restaurant. There was a very romantic atmosphere.

I looked through the menu. "Any recommendations?"

It was my first time here.

"Their salmon is really good, I like their steak, their Alfredo is good," he suggested. Mmm, I wanted them all.

"I think I'll go with the salmon," I told him.

He nodded. "Good choice."

We waited for our waiter to come back before ordering. The silence was deafening.

"Sorry, horrible starter, but I have to ask," I sighed. Trey raised his brows curiously. "What happened with Amelia?"

Trey furrowed his brows, his lip dipping in disdain. "Why are you asking?"

Because I overheard you talking to her about being with her while she was dating Nick.

"People talk," I lied. "Heard you two were a thing. Amelia said you weren't talking to her?"

"You've been talking to Amelia? What else did she say?" he frowned.

I shook my head. "She's just upset. So... were you a thing?"

Trey sighed rubbing his temples. "Amelia has a complex. She likes the hottest thing, first Nick, now me. I didn't like that. She's desperate. I prefer someone like you. That's why I had to let her down."

But she was with him while she was Nick. She kept it secret.

"You're a good friend to Nick, I mean were-- I mean..." I tried, causing Trey to chuckle.

"Thank you for saying that, I mean... I could have been better. Every time I think back, I see everything I could have changed. Nick didn't deserve what he got, he had so much to live for," Trey sniffed, as if trying not to cry. I reached over and grabbed his hand trying to comfort him. Trey squeezed my hand in return. "You're his neighbour, I mean did Nick ever say anything to you. Did you see anything?"

I shook my head. "No, I wish I knew something. At least then people would stop looking at me like I'm a murderer-- I'm not by the way. The cops had no evidence."

Trey nodded. "Right, but if you ever find out anything can you let me know? I dunno... maybe it'll provide some peace."

"Yes, of course," I answered warmly.

Trey's smile stretched. "Thank you, you know.... I think I really like you Montgomery. You're kind."

Like or like like? I can't do like like now. This all felt too fast to me. We've only talked twice prior to today without him bullying me.

We had gotten our food and proceeded to talk about school, work, movies, shows, music, anything and everything. It was fun talking to Trey, he was a people pleaser. I could tell.

Trey paid for our meals before leading us back to his car. He drove me all the way back home. Maybe it wasn't a good sign that the whole time I was thinking that I couldn't wait see Nick. I thought this date could help me get over him.

I needed to get over him.

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