She sat cross-legged, focused on the TV on which Keeping up with the Kardashians was showing. She looked really comfortable like she's used to this place. She probably is.

"Oh, am I that late?" I asked turning to Blake.

"Nope, she's just really early" he replied, scratching the back of his neck "wait here, let me get my stuff"

"Sure" I replied, sitting on the couch adjacent to Stacy's. I didn't bother to say hello, because she'd just end up being unnecessarily mean so I just waited in silence. She was practically inside the television, she barely even noticed me.

"Come on guys, let's go to the study" Blake said entering the room seconds later. Oh of course they had a study. Won't be surprised if they had an indoor pool, which they most probably have.

"Why can't we go to your room?" She whined getting off the couch.

"Because the study is more appropriate Stacy, now let's go" he said as I walked up to him and Stacy led the way.

I was led to yet another big room with books lined up on shelves, resting on both walls. It was more like a library.

There were four tables at the centre of the room, each with four chairs, two on either side. I took a seat on the right side of one of the tables, Blake took the one opposite to me and Stacy took the one right next to Blake, no surprise there. She then decreased the distance between their chairs, making me roll my eyes. She really couldn't be any more obvious.

"So, our topic is Household Waste Management Practices and how it affects our environment" Blake read off his phone.

"Ewww, waste management" Stacy sneered.

"I think it's an easy topic" I said "And Stacy, we don't literally have to deal with waste. Just some research here and there and that's it"

"Whatever" she replied, rolling her eyes.

We researched the topic online and also used some textbooks. The one I brought didn't have much on waste management but some of the ones in Blake's library had. There was even a book that was just on this project topic. Lucky us. I'd like to add that Stacy did nothing but text, chew gum and file her newly made nails.

"So what exactly do we have to do?" I asked after we had gotten the textbooks we needed.

"We have to type and bind our research and also do an oral presentation" he explained.

"Oral?!" I shrieked. Uh-oh. I hated talking in front of a crowd. I mean I could do it, but that didn't mean I liked it.

"Yeah, why?" Blake asked, an amused smile on his face "Stage fright?"

"What? No? I don't have stage fright" I denied.

"Sure, you don't" he replied sarcastically. He obviously didn't believe a word I said. "Not to worry, two people have to give the presentation, so I'd be right there to hold your hand when you start to chicken out"

He teased, earning him a smack from me.

"Shut up, Blaky" I said wiping the stupid smile off his face.

"Dani" he groaned.

"Hey, remember how you got that name?" Stacy suddenly said. Apparently she was bored texting and her nails couldn't be anymore sharper.

"Yeah, let's not go into that" he said, his cheeks a light shade of red, as I watched in amusement.

"Alright, alright, but do you remember how close we all used to be?" She asked, clinging to his arm this time. Okay, I was wrong, she could be more obvious.

"Remember that time, we were freshmen and we went for our first Halloween costume party? You were batman and I was batgirl?" She asked again. Oh she was trying too much.

"That was pure coincidence, but why are you bringing all this up now?" He asked looking confused and uncomfortable.

"Oh it's nothing, I just remembered how we all used to be friends, you, me, Cynthia, -" she continued but I couldn't keep watching her embarrass herself like that.

"Uh Blake, where can I find the toilet?" I asked standing up.

"Here, let me show you" he said eager to leave but she dragged him back down. Poor Blake.

"What is it Stacy?" He sighed.

"You don't need to show her to the toilet. Just give her directions and if she has any brains, she'll find it.

"Stacy - " he started but I interrupted.

"No, just tell me the directions" I said, sending him an apologetic look.

"Alright, take the first turn on your left when you get to the end of this hallway and you'll see two doors. One with a male sign and the other with a female sign"

"Thanks" I replied and speed walked out of there. Stacy was such an angel, I thought as I made my way down the hallway. I found the toilet, went in and shut the door. I didn't really need to take a wazz so I just stared at myself in the mirror, hopefully, when I went back, she'd still have a shred of dignity left.

Some minutes later, I heard some noise outside. I came out of the toilet and went back to the library but Blake and Stacy were gone. I decided to check the living room and just as I got to the entrance, I saw that Steve had come home and he wasn't alone.

He had brought some of his friends, none of which I recognized except Peter. They lounged around the living room, drinking and making noise.

I spotted Blake and Steve in an argument in the kitchen and went over to the door, where I overheard some part of their conversation.

"Look Steve, I'm not saying you can't have friends over, all I'm saying is they are a bit too loud, if ya'll can just tone it down just a bit, oh and the drinking, the house reeks" he complained.

"You're not the boss of me Blake and just because this is your house doesn't mean you get to boss me around" Steve snarled. Blake's house? What does that mean?

"I'm not trying to boss anyone around....it's just, I'm trying to study and all of this noise is distracting" Blake replied.

"Why don't you go study elsewhere?" Steve replied harshly "That seems to be all you know how to do. My mom and dad aren't around to support you this time, so just leave me alone"

Blake was fuming now. Why was Steve being so harsh?

"What's going on?" I asked entering the kitchen.

"It's nothing Dani, come on let's go" he said as he turned to me, the rage in his eyes dying out. He walked over to me, took my hand in his and led me out.

"Oh, I see now, you're angry because the noise is disturbing your hang out with your little wh - " he started to say, but in a split second, Blake had dropped my hand, walked up to him and landed a punch right on his jaw. I swear, I heard a crack.

He was going for another one when I went over and tried to pull him off Steve, who was also going for a punch. I don't know if you understand, but there's not so much a girl like me could do to stop two teenage, muscular boys from fighting, so I kept calling Blake's name until some of Steve's friends heard me and came to separate the fight.

"Calm down Blake, let's go" I said dragging him out as soon as he was peeled off of Steve. I dragged him back to the study but as soon as we got there, he picked up both our stuffs and dragged me  up the stairs to what seemed to be his bedroom.

"We won't be able to get anything done with all the noise down there" he said locking the door and going over to his bed. I stood at the door in shock as I looked at him, I'd never seen him this angry.

He seemed to have noticed my shock because he said "I'm sorry for losing my cool."

"It's just......Steve frustrates the shit out of me." He continued, running his hand through his hair "I'm sorry you had to see that"

"It's fine," I shrugged walking over to seat beside him on the bed "I'm a big girl, nothing I can't handle"

My attempt to lighten the mood seemed to work because he laughed a little.

"Where's Stacy?" I asked, recalling that we were a group of three.

"Oh, she went off with some of her friends that came over with Steve" he replied shrugging.

"Ah, she finally dumps us" I muse.

"I totally expected that" he said "still surprised why she pretended to be interested at first though" Oblivious, little, Blake.

"It's a good thing you have me then" I said wriggling my eyebrows.

"Cut it out, that's creepy" he replied laughing.

"So, do we continue with the project or just call it a day?" I asked "Are you okay?"

"No, I mean yeah, I'm fine" he replied "we can continue"

He moved to face me on the bed and placed a textbook in between us.

"So waste - " I started to say but was interrupted.

"Don't you wanna know what happened?" He asked.

"What?" I asked.

"You know, with Steve?" He replied.

"Oh, that" I replied "well for starters, his friends were a bit too loud and the house does reek of alcohol, so just between us, I think he deserved that punch"

"You were eavesdropping?" He asked, an amused smile on his face.

"What? No, I won't call it eavesdropping" I defended, my face going red "I just happened to stumble upon your conversation is all"

"Yeah, right" he replied, laughing.

"Shut up" I said, taking a textbook in hand.

We were discussing more on our project topic, gathering as many points as possible on each part when my curiosity got the best of me and I asked the question that had been on my mind since the fight.

"Why did Steve call this house yours?"

*  *  *  *  *

Phew! That was a long one. I hope you liked reading it as much as I liked writing it.

Sorry if it wasn't as dramatic as you expected 😅.

Please VOTE, drop COMMENTS and SHAREEE. xoxo. ♡