Pay attention to the style in the picture in the middle :) You should just keep the picture in your head for later ;)

Sorry for the delay though. I haven't been able to properly write because of the exams but i managed to get this chapter done. Enjoy

Ethan's p.o.v

The next morning

"And that's why I am so fashionable." Erika walked in the kitchen showing off her brand new shoes.

"Yes you are sweetie, now get your bag or you'll be late."

Mrs. Summers smiled at her and went on with her business.

Erika rolled her eyes and went after her bag.

Five minutes later I was alone with her, by the car waiting for Jackie and her dad.

"You look annoyingly happy. Why?" She eyed me suspiciously.

"I had a good night sleep."

"Yeah right."

"You sound bitter today Erika, something wrong?" I asked with fake kindness.

"Like I said, your smile annoys me."

I smiled to my self and then turned to her. "Thinking about it shouldn't we be on good terms because of Jackie?"

"No. And sorry to break it to you but you'll probably never date."

I decided not to respond to that.

"But you hate me?"

She scrunched her face. "I don't hate you."

"Huh?" Now I was confused.

"Just because you annoy me doesn't mean I hate you. Jackie annoys me too but I don't hate her either. In fact I like you because you don't treat me like a child, the way everyone else in this house does."

"And If I and Jackie start dating what would you think about that?"

"Keep on dreaming pal." She tapped my back.

"So you'll still be an evil little parasite?"

She grinned. "Of course. But..." She stopped to give me a look. "If that ever happens, you dating my sister...I don't think there would be any person better than you in figuring her out."

"Let's go." Jackie and her dad finally came and we drove off to school.

***

When we arrived at school and we were left on our own Jackie looked at me and then before she said anything she walked inside the school.

Jackie's p.o.v

As soon as I walked inside school I hurried to my classroom and covered my face trying to calm down. Boyfriend...Ethan's my boyfriend!!! Oh my god, what is happening with my brain.

I couldn't sleep so I stayed up all night studying which turned out pointless because all I could think about was him. Eating suddenly felt pointless too since I wasn't functioning properly.

"Are you okay?" I removed the hands from my face to see Tazia who just arrived and noticed me instantly.

"Yes I'm fine, thank you." I did my usual routine of answers.

"Thank god, I was worried about you. Did you fix things, about what you were worried yesterday?"

"I did." I nodded my head and turned around to take a deep breath. Should I tell her, I mean normally she's the one who talks about this and I just listen but I feel like my brain will explode if I don't say something to someone.

"Why am I getting a weird vibe from you?"

"Weird, what do you mean? I don't understand." Damn it I snapped too soon.

"I don't know either but I can sense a disturbance in the force."

That phrase sounds familiar but I shrug it off.

"You know...You usually seem very confident, calm focused and ready to take on the world but today...You are kind of shaky, flinching and unsure. Damn it, I know you're hiding something. Tell me, we've been friends for years."

I bit my lower lip and I noticed my leg was flinching in place the whole time.

"Come with me in the school's bathroom after this class and I'll tell you."

"Yes, yes, yes." Tazia was glowing.

After class we literally sprinted in the girl's bathroom. I immediately checked all stalls and breathed out in relief when I noticed no one was there.

"Tell me, tell me, tell me." Tazia was jumping in place.

"Ethan wants me to be his girlfriend." I whispered and she let out such a squeak I think a mirror cracked.

"Oh my god, what did you say?"

"Well bunch of stuff at first but the answer was yes."

Taz was melting in front of my eyes like an ice cream in the sun. Her eyes were glowing and I think there was a rainbow over her head.

"My little girl has a boyfriend."

"Shhhh." I shushed her.

"And she nails a hot one too. And a smart one...I am so proud of you, I have thought you well."

I raised a brow. You have thought me nothing but I'll let this one slide.

" Okay first things first. You'll go on a date which means fashion and make up. Yay."

"What? A date? Don't people do that before they are in a relationship?"

"Wrong!." She looked like she wanted to kill me for saying that. "People in relationships also date if they want to keep the spark alive."

"But exams are coming." I argued.

"Shh.You lost the right to freedom of speech for now. You are so going on that date."

"He hasn't even mentioned something yet. I barely remember saying anything more than good morning to him."

"He will, he will, sooner than you think. And that's normal. Today after school me and you are going shopping. And I am not talking about your pitiful half an hour walk in one mall kind of shopping."

"Fine." I sighed in defeat seeing she really wanted to do this.

"And of course I will have to give you all the important advice I prepared..." I lost her as she went on and on in Italian.

"Tazia?" I interrupted her daydreaming.

"hm?"

"Can we please not mention this to anyone else for now?"

"Of course. And I am certainly not letting those twins ruin everything for me."

She had that evil look on her face.

"Even Dom started hanging out with them more. I will not let them steal you."

She hugged me tight I almost lost air.

"Can we please go back now? I don't want to miss class."

"Yes. I have preparations to do." She pushed me off so easily.

"And don't forget about shopping." She reminded me.

"I won't, geesh."

***

I stayed alone in the classroom during lunch break writing my homework upfront because I was certain hanging out with Tazia, as always will take up a lot of my time.

Knock..knock..

I lifted my head as Ethan walked through the door. I seriously was hoping I wasn't blushing.

"Are you hiding?" He asked.

"No, um...I'm just writing my homework up front because Tazia is taking me shopping after school."

"And you agreed?" He asked surprised.

"She was very convincing." I added.

"Anyway..." He came closer with his hands in his pockets and leaned over my notebook.

"You are working too hard." He told me in a calm gentle tone.

"I..." I had to stop the stuttering. I cleared my throat. "How else am I going to surpass you?"

He then leaned on my desk with his elbows and took one of my hands playing with my fingers. It was confusingly annoying because I couldn't focus on anything else but his touch.

"You will never stop impressing me." With that he kissed my inner wrist and I felt like one of those cartoon characters when they turn into a thermometer and heat all the way up.

"You are so cute when you do that." He smiled and I got nervous. Now why does he always have to tease me. He knows I hate it.

"I'll leave you to your homework then." He rose up and his hand lingered as he was pulling away.

"Oh and I almost forgot." He walked towards my chair and leaned over me patting my head. "I think it's only right I take you on a date, tomorrow after school, okay?"

I just nodded my head.

He was slowly walking towards the door when I figured I almost forgot something.

"Where are we going?" I asked standing up looking around if anyone is about to enter.

"A walk around town." He smiled and turned around to see check the hallways and then he leaned placing a small kiss on my cheek.

"I'll leave you with that so you can focus on the homework."

And then he left for good.

"The damage is already done you idiot." I murmured and touched my cheek. So much for homework.

Next day

"Stop blinking I can't put on your mascara."

"Do I have to wear make up?"

"Don't act as if I'm making you a prom queen. I am just putting a little eyeliner, mascara...I skipped the blush because you are already red as it is."

I grind my teeth so I don't make a comment.

"And done." She pulled away and breathed out in satisfaction.

For a whole day spent on her precious shopping, doing some routine she called "fashionazing", I would say more like fashion agonizing she managed to spend a lot of money from my credit card for shoes clothes and make up. So once I look myself in the mirror I better be able to recognize myself or she's dead.

I looked in the girl's bathroom mirror and shock came over me.

"This is..."

I was blankly starring at my reflection. My face looked better and I was kind of shining with the whole new outfit. (picture at the beginning)

"Not bad." I breathed out relaxed Taz managed to make it be fashionable and more like me. It felt natural yet good. I guess presentation is something I am also going to need as a good detective. Everyone needs an upgrade.

"Not bad? Girl I am great, you look perfect."

I smiled at Taz and kept on looking in the mirror. Not bad at all.

I walked outside anxious but excited. I wondered how Ethan was going to take this new style. Would he tease me and tell me to go change?

My heart was racing as I was approaching the school exit. I knew he was going to wait at the usual spot. He was looking in another direction so I had to clear my throat as I was approaching him.

"Plush?" He stared at me for whole five seconds.

I smiled blushing. "Taz said if you made that face she did a good job."

Ethan suddenly relaxed and gave me a sweet smile.

"She really did...wait does she knows we are dating?"

"She's the only person I told, I thought she was the only person I could tell for now."

"Come here..." He took my hand and wrapped his fingers in mine.

"I know it's kind of chilly but the weather is nice for a walk."

I smiled agreeing and we headed towards the center of the town.

After a while holding his hand felt completely natural. The nervousness was gone and we were talking about his case. It didn't feel awkward now that I knew he was going to stay with me. Other wise I would have been hell pissed off.

But he didn't leave. And that was great.

"You seem to be daydreaming Plush. Want to tell me what you're thinking?" He asked me.

"I was thinking..." I smiled. "I'm glad you stayed with me."

He went over my hand with his thumb and gave me a stunning smile that made my heart race. "I'm glad too. But I'm certainly going to ask you and your plush panda to switch beds. He can stay in your bed and you can sleep with me."

I crushed his hands in mine and he flinched in pain.

"Keep talking and you'll see no mercy." He just laughed and kept on walking.

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