"This is a bonus test for your assessment," Mr Franco walks around the classroom aisles with a stack of papers in his arms.

"Easy!" Evie excitedly mumbles. I turn over the sheet of paper on my desk and glance at the questions.

"I know, right?" I exclaim quietly, and we share a joyful smile.

"I bet it's not easy. Bonus tests aren't just about alphabetical ordering," someone from behind my desk derisively spits.

"That's the problem; you kids don't study after school. For next year, I will make sure to talk to the school boards, and every student shall spend an hour in the library each day," Mr Franco informs us.

"You're saying next year we're going to hell?" Eric mutters, and everyone around the class chuckles at the nonsensical statement.

"Mr Joseph?"

"Sorry, Mr Franco." He raises his hands in defence and stifles a laugh just as Lisa walks into the homeroom wearing a skirt that shouldn't be legal in high school.

"Miss Austen, you know the rules; no test for tardies. Please excuse the class."

"Please, Mr..." She begins.

"And no excuses." His stern voice interrupts her.

She frowns. "But I have to write my test or my grad..."

"You should have thought about your punctuality then." He throws her a strict gaze.

"Mr Franco, Lisa volunteered to give extra maths lessons for the disabled kids. I think that's generous." I lied, and her eyes instinctively dart to me, just like everyone in the classroom.

"You sure?" He suspiciously asks, and I nod. "Okay, Miss Austen, you can have a seat, but next time, remember to inform them that you have a class to attend when the bell goes off."

"Thank you, sir." She heads towards her usual desk and slides into it before she turns back and whispers, "Thank you, Ava, for returning the favour. I still hate you, though." She smiles sincerely and twirls around.

"You may begin," Mr Franco instructs.

***

"Hey, Ava." I hear a familiar booming voice, and I shift my gaze from my duffel bag to the slim girl comfortably dressed in yoga trousers and a sports bra. Her sapphire blue radiant eyes fix on me, and her lips form a smile.

"Hey!" I return the smile, curiosity filling my mind.

"I watched you swimming. You were great," Quinn remarks, and I let out an actual laugh.

"In my swimsuit, I ask. "I still suck, huh?"

"No, actually, you were enjoying the water and keeping your head above it. Aren't those the rules?" She wears a mischievous expression, and I nod. "Yes, I think the rest doesn't matter."

"I guess."

"Why don't you come back to cheering? I know the school year is about to end, but what about next semester? You were really good on top, you know?"

With my eyes downcast, staring at my thumbnails, I respond, "Cheering isn't my thing."

"We both know that's not true." She counters.

"Why are you here, Quinn?" I firmly change the subject.

"Can't I come to watch a friend swim?" She raises her brows quizzically, and I sigh.

"Look, Ava, I know we had some difficult moments and complicated issues that I have no idea how they started, but at the end of the day, I want you to know that I've always admired English people, and you're the first English person I've come to know who has surpassed all my expectations." She grins at my raised eyebrows.

"Is that supposed to be a compliment or an apology?"

"I'm not good at heart-to-heart stuff, I know." She pleads, shrugging.

"Kind of," I smile.

"Alright. For what it's worth, I want you to know that you're a very good friend. What you did? No one ever did that for me. No one cared enough to listen and help, even though I've been a bitch to you."

"It doesn't matter, I understand," I mumble in my clingy swimsuit.

"It does. That's why I brought you some homemade granola bars as an apology. The school literally ran out of chocolate and cookies. Honestly, I would've got you some." She smirks and holds out a half-filled ziplock bag.

"Thank you." I smile and accept the offered granola bars.

"Cool! Okay, I will go back to class. I will see you later." She smiles, takes a step back, and waves with her manicured fingers.

Honestly, I never considered Quinn and Suri's attitudes towards me as threatening because I knew deep down they were only doing it for obvious reasons, not because they had anything against me.

Embry and Lilith were the hardest to deal with. Not that Lilith hates me or anything, but she has one aim, and that is to get between me and the only man I've ever wanted. Embry? She's just a pure bitch who's obsessed with someone who doesn't want her.

It's prom season, and "promposals," as Lilith calls them, are happening around and beyond the boundaries of school. Gossip about who's going with whom, discussions about dresses, and prom themes are the most common topics in the hallways and cafeterias.

On a Wednesday afternoon, as I leave the library and head to maths homeroom with my backpack over my shoulder and the tea flask Leigh brought me this morning in my hands, my eyes are fixed on my mobile phone screen, admiring some of Auntie Catherine's summer dresses and ignoring the incessant notifications from the girls' groups. Suddenly, I hear applause from the next corner. I take the turn, lifting my head, and my eyes immediately seek out the source.

With a sharp pain in my heart, I watch Sofia hugging Leigh before briefly kissing him on the mouth.

Why is he kissing her? Did he kiss her? No, she kissed him.

Does it even matter? Everything has managed to crumble and fall into pieces.

I close my eyes, urging myself to breathe. With the support of the walls, I slowly step backwards and cautiously, yet weakly, turn on my heels, distancing myself from the scene. I wanted to get away from there, so I didn't stop until I was no longer on the school premises.

"Hey!" I hear him call from behind, but I increase my speed. "Hey, that's not what it looks like." His hand grabs my arm and brings me to a stop, but I shrug it off.

"I don't care," I breathlessly throw at him.

"Ava." He calls out, his eyes searching the empty surroundings before he leads me between the narrow space of two parked school buses.

"I said I don't care." I jerk my hands-free from his hold.

A tense expression lingers in his vibrant forest green eyes when they meet mine, and he says, "Stop lying. I know you do, and that's why you're angry."

With a dry throat, I interject, "I'm not an..." But he interrupts me, placing his palm over my chest. "That's why your heart is beating hard against your chest, that's why you can't control your body from shaking, that's why you're breathing loudly—I could hear it." Annoyed and embarrassed, I avert my eyes from his and look anywhere but at him. "That's why you're avoiding my eyes because you don't want me to see how much you care."

"I don't care..." I weakly and unsteadily defend.

"It's all going to be over soon. This world around us is going to be over soon."

"What?" My eyes widen as I practically yell in sudden terror.

His finger cups my chin and strokes it lightly. "I meant I'm soon graduating, and there won't be any more high school dramas." He smiles softly at my reaction. I frown and look away, fighting the urge to watch his lips stretch into the smile that usually crinkles his tiny dimples and reveals his perfectly aligned teeth. Leigh has the most beautiful and infectious smile that radiates like sunshine and brings a bright ray of joy in every season. It easily impresses everyone, be it men or women, and evokes irresistible laughter in anyone who encounters it. His smile is my salvation, my heavenly refuge.

"What makes you so sure it won't be even more complicated if you go professional? What if it becomes more twisted?" I bite my cheeks to stop my lips from quivering.

"If I go pro... it means I can hold your hand and proudly tell the world that you're mine. Ava, it means I can wrap my arms around you and kiss you freely without fear or any worries, because by then, I wouldn't want anything in life except to have you by my side. The world will be too vast for me to navigate alone." His deep voice is filled with emotion, just like his intense gaze that holds mine.

"What if by then you realise I'm not the one you want? What if I'm not good enough for you?" I nervously draw air into my lungs and exhale.

"But how is that possible when you already have my heart? Remember? Elizabeth and Will and the sailing stuff?" He smiles and rests his forehead against mine. I can't stop myself from smiling back, relishing the feeling of his warm skin against mine and recalling our words from last year. "I love you, Ava. You've permanently imprinted yourself on my heart. From the first day, I set my eyes on you, you managed to pierce my soul and fill every nook and cranny of my being. You're the most treasured blessing anyone could ever ask for. You have no idea how precious you are to me, and if that's not enough, let me include a quote of the day from 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks." My eyes pour into his, filled with admiration and love.

"I am nothing special, just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me, and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect, I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough. I hope you see me as the guy who's completely in love with you." He blinks for a second, letting his long lashes brush against his cheeks, momentarily hiding the soulful, electric sea that is his intense eyes, which meld with the weather and scream of spring. However, his expression flickers.

For he is beautiful, so perfect that women who couldn't have him are jealous of him.

My hands come to his face, sliding around his sharp jawline. I gaze into his penetrating eyes, which hold no deceit. "I don't know much about love, for you're the first person my heart has ever responded to. But if it feels like wanting someone's presence so badly, caring for them more than necessary, or missing them even when they're right before you, then, Leigh, I'm sure I'm in love with you."

His smile fades, and his eyes become glassy, his breathing shallow. "How? I mean, are you sure?" He asks with disbelief in his voice.

My brows furrow, and I nod. "Yes, Leigh, I love you," I repeat, and his chest rises and falls. "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depths and breadth and height my soul can reach when feeling out of sight for the ends of being and ideal grace." I whisper, quoting Shakespeare.

He smiles, a smile that only heaven can create. "Thank you," he says in a low tone and hastily looks away just as I catch a tear escaping from his eye.

"Hey?" I softly call. "Are you crying?" Why is he crying?

He tilts his head and wipes his eyes with the back of his hand, smiling back at me. "No, I just... You have no idea how much I've longed to hear this from you."

I smile and pull him closer, holding his neck.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to say it."

He shakes his head instinctively. "This is the happiest day of my life, Ava. You really love me?" He asks, bewildered.

"Yes." I suppress my laughter.

"You're in love with me?"

"Absolutely." I close my eyes and let the laughter escape from my body. "Leigh, I think we should tell our parents about our feelings," I add.

"Yeah, we should, so I can shout from the top of the tower how much I love you... Ooo, I love you." His silvery tone whispers, and his chiselled nose brushes against mine. He leans in to kiss me, but I pull back and furrow my brow. "What?" He cautiously asks, sudden fear in his eyes.

"Sorry, babe, I really want to kiss you, but Sofia just kissed your lips. I'm not going to kiss you when another girl's lips have been all over yours minutes ago." I look downcast.

"Shit! I'm sorry, baby. I promise I'll wash my mouth, and we can kiss until sunrise again."

"Are you going to prom with her?" I timidly ask the question that has been on my mind.

"I don't know."

"Seems like you said yes in front of many sets of eyes," I mumble.

"I don't want to talk about her, please, Ava. Can we talk about something else? Or get away from here? How about we grab some ice cream? Do you have your bag with you?" He inquires.

I know I shouldn't dwell on this, but I can't help it. He's going to the prom with Sofia Halt. He's going to dance with her, probably be crowned the prom king and queen, while I, on the other hand, would be at home doing nothing since anyone below junior year cannot buy a ticket. And let's say I could; I don't see myself dancing with Leigh like every other couple, nor do I see myself having fun where trouble awaits me.

"Please, take me out of here," I plead.

***

Snuggled on the soft sofa with Evie at the other end, we're watching marathons of 'House of Cards' and devouring a giant bowl of popcorn we ordered along with two boxes of pizza.

Evie's parents took a drive with Jacob to the hills to visit Evie's grandmother, although they promised to come back today since Evie refused to leave with them. I came over to keep her company for the day.

Ping*

My mobile phone buzzes beneath me, and I retrieve it from the cushion, tapping the screen twice to reveal an unexpected message from the witch.

Embry: You should know better than to attend a place where you're not welcome. No kids are allowed, and if everyone is, let me remind you; you're specifically banned. Take this as a special warning, stay away, or don't blame anyone when I tear you into pieces.

I swallow the stab of contempt her words inflict on me.

Why would she send this? She should know I have no intention of attending the prom, even if I had a ticket. I had managed to forget today's twenty-ninth of June; the day Lilith wanted to take me as her plus one to the prom, the day Leigh pleaded to go along with him, but I refused to show great tact and discretion, to avoid embarrassment and distress, and to crash a party where I'm literally not wanted.

That's why I shoved my mobile phone under the cushion, to stop myself from seeing the push notifications from kids getting ready for today.

"You okay?" Evie asks. I'm sure the scowl on my face is pretty obvious.

Exhaling, I answer. "Yes." Just when the doorbell rings. "Your parents must be back," I say, grateful for the distraction that pulls me away from her daughter's impending question, which she seemed to have swallowed and stood on her foot.

"Not quite, my parents don't ring. They have a key to their house." She states and heads for the door, letting the truthfulness of her words sink in.

Yes, Mr and Mrs Kyle wouldn't ring the doorbell of their own home.

And that's when an unexpected guest walks further into the room. Evie scurries next to me, wearing the same look of confusion on her face.

"What is she doing here?" I ask Evie in a hushed tone.

"You tell me, I'm the last person Sofia Halt should be walking into my house." I nod in agreement and turn back to the girl, who looks like a goddess in her beautiful dress.

"What are you doing here?" I ask Sofia this time.

With her usual self-confident smile, she simply says, "I'm taking you to the prom."

"What? No. There's a reason you found me in my pyjamas watching TV at this time of the day," I sarcastically say.

"Come on, Ava. It's already started." She ignores my response and says.

I exhale a laugh and shake my head in exasperation. "What is it with hills, high school students? You all want to push me until I break. Thank you for your offer, Sofia, I appreciate you thinking of me, but I'm a sophomore and probably the party crasher. I'm fine staying at home." I huff and turn back towards the sofa.

"I thought maybe Leigh would need his plus one around." Her words carry a weight that makes me stop dead in my tracks. My breathing ceases.

"I must have misheard, even though the sudden deafening silence has enveloped us, and I feel my heart racing.

"Pardon?" I ask, breathless.

She narrows her eyes, a playful smirk on her lips, and starts taking steps towards me. "Ava, you two were never subtle enough." She stops opposite me, and I can't even look her in the eyes. My heart pounds like the beats of a nightclub disco, and my knees weaken, struggling to hold me upright. What is she implying? "I've been watching carefully and I've noticed; from the tea deliveries, your secret meetings in the janitor's room, and the hidden moments you spend together after school. I've seen how angry you get when you're mistaken for Leigh's sister and why you quit cheering because he was there. I might be busy, but I'm not blind. I had to find strong evidence to confirm my suspicions, and when you saw me kiss Leigh in the hallways last week, it was enough to validate my hunch. I know you love him, Ava. And I know he feels the same way; he told me."

"What?" I swallow hard and push back against the couch, gripping it tightly for support.

"I caught him staring at your pictures yesterday." And my eyes meet hers. Surprisingly, they hold none of the things I feared. If anything, they're warm and radiant with generosity and admiration.

"Wow!" Evie blurts out. "How did I miss all those signs right in front of me? You should be a detective; you have great observational skills." Evie praises the girl who now knows my biggest secret.

"Evie..." I warn her.

"What? Come on. You have to admit she's really observant. If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have figured it out myself."

I ignore her and shift my gaze back to Sofia Halt, still unable to find words for her.

What does she think of me?

Does she hate me? Is she disgusted by me?

"I'm not going to tell anyone. It's not my story to tell, but I hope you two have the courage to fight for what you want and don't let people's opinions define who you are and what you have."

"You don't despise me?" I ask quietly.

Her eyes widen, and she smiles. "What? Because you're in love? I could never hate you, Ava, especially because you're in love with someone who loves you back."

I chew on my lip. "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, Ava."

"Mmm, okay! Thank you," I nervously add, and the two girls giggle.

Okay, that's a bit over the top.

"But if you know about us, why did you keep..."

"Clinging onto Leigh?" She interrupted me with a smile, knowing exactly what my question was. I embarrassingly nod once. "I told you I suspected and needed to get a reaction from you and Leigh. I really like him, and everyone does. He's designed to be loved and admired wherever he goes. But when I realised he wasn't into me, I decided to stay as a friend. You can't force someone to want you; otherwise, you'd end up like Wesley in the end." She giggles, and I join in. "You need to change into something beautiful, and let's get going before we miss the show," Sofia suggested.

"Thank you for considering me, Sofia, but I really can't go." Just because I have Sofia's approval doesn't mean everyone in that room wants me there. I can't go. I'm better off here. I have no tension or fear, no options to weigh. But if I dare make the mistake of leaving this house tonight, I might end up returning in shattered pieces.

"Why?" The two girls ask in unison, with confusing expressions on their faces.

"I'm really sorry, but please don't make me go." I sigh.

"Leigh's there. That's a reason for you to go." Sofia urges.

"You can't expect me to walk in there and freely kiss him. Leigh and I are a secret, no one knows, and I can't start risking that in the middle of a school with dozens of phones ready to attack, including Lilith." I explain, and Sofia purses her lips.

"You can't give up such a great opportunity, Ava. Not every sophomore is allowed to attend the prom tonight. You shouldn't miss it, not even for Leigh. Do it for yourself." Evie states beside me.

"That's why I need you to go," I inform her, and her eyes widen immediately. I turn to the captain of the cheerleaders and ask, "Sofia, can you please take Evie with you as your plus one? She's going to take note of everything for me in detail."

"Are you sure you don't want to go?" Sofia suggests questioningly.

"Positive." If only they saw the threatening message I received recently from Embry; they wouldn't be persuading me to leave this rooftop at all.

"Ava, no, I can stay with you." Evie frowns, and I know she means it, but she needs to leave here and have fun. It's exactly what she needs.

"I'm not a baby. I don't need babysitting tonight, at least. Go, I'll tell Mr and Mrs Kyle you got a VIP ticket to the prom at sixteen. Besides, you'll be popular on Monday." I smile genuinely, and she bites her bottom lip to suppress her rosy cheeks.

"I don't feel okay." She sighs doubtfully.

"I feel great. You should go, get ready." I assure her and urge her.

She looks down at her pyjamas and back at me. "I don't know, maybe I'll just go like this."

My eyes narrow as I disapprovingly inspect her Disney pyjamas and shake my head.

For once, I agree with Lilith's exaggeration, because I know anyone who walks into a junior/senior prom wearing Pinocchio pyjamas is undoubtedly attempting a suicide mission.

"What, darling? Let's stop at my place and get you changed. Hurry, though..." Sofia clasps Evie's wrist and pulls her towards the small entranceway. "Ava, call me anytime you want to talk, okay?" She says to me, and I agree with a nod. "Okay, thank you for everything."

"I'll be back soon, I promise. Don't play House of Cards without me." Evie assures before the door closes.

For the past forty minutes, I've been nestled on the sofa, finishing the leftover pizza while watching an animated movie that I can't concentrate on.

Bored to the core, I decided to give in and scroll through my Instagram feed, where many worried students are desperately seeking the whereabouts of Leigh Boyce. It's not surprising at all, considering that if you're a student at Hills High, you must know that Leigh is absolutely the centre of attention as the prom king.

I smile when I see a video of Lilith dancing with the same guy who took her to the homecoming dance. Just as I'm lost in thought, a knock comes at the door, and I mentally hope it's not Evie giving up so quickly or maybe her parents returning from their visitation.

In my sports shorts and crop sweater, I stride towards the entrance and swing the door open. Instead, I find the least expected person standing on the doormat in the most charming tuxedo, with a smile spread across his face.

"Hey, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the dance?" I ask in confusion.

"Shouldn't you be coming with me?"

I roll my eyes and place my hands on my hips. "I'm serious, Leigh. You need to go back. It's prom, the day every high schooler has been waiting for. You probably don't want to miss it. And in case you don't know, they've got you crowned as the king. You should go claim your title." I state.

His eyes hood in the most seductive manner, and he takes forward steps, closing the door behind him. "I'm claiming my title right now." His lips curl up.

"Leigh..." I forget whatever I intended to say when he corners me against the wall.

Damn, he smells amazing.

"I don't want to miss a second without you. I don't give a damn about prom or anything that isn't you. All I want and need is to be wherever you are."

I smile and step forward, closing the small inch of space between us. My hands pull on his neck and tangle in his soft, styled hair, tilting his face lower until I can feel his soft, delicious lips pressing against mine. "You do know this isn't my house, right?"

"Evie says we can use it for two hours, so what do you have in mind?" He questions, wrapping his arms around my hips.

"I think I might." I bite my bottom lip, and his eyes widen excitedly.

"And what's that?"

"The people who own the house next door have travelled overseas." I point out, blushing at my own words.

"Okay?" His brows furrow together, clearly confused.

"They have a swimming pool..." I innocently mention.

"Are you saying we should sneak into some abandoned house and go for a swim?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Maybe you can teach me?" I bite my lip.

"I like this daring side of you. It's badass. Let's do it." Smiling, he interlaces our hands and lets me lead the way.