The high shrill of my annoying ringtone that I keep forgetting to change drags me from my sleep and a string of ungodly noises leave my mouth.

I reach over somewhere to grab the phone and I squint my eyes open to look at the caller id: Zoe. I decline the call and turn my phone off and fall back asleep. Right before I fall asleep, I look at the clock in front of the bathroom.

11:00 pm.

Skip school....check.

I drift back to sleep with one image floating around in my brain: my father turning his back on me and leaving me.

They always leave, don't they?

...

Deep breaths Bay. No one should be home.

Mom is at work. Zoe is at school, The house is empty. I turn the key into the door and push the door open. No sign of any human being is in the house as far as I know. I hope mom didn't let father stay. I quickly walk upstairs and into my room. I grab my duffel bag underneath my bed and start piling it with clothes for 4 days. I pack my soap, hair products, and diffuser and straightener. I look through my closet and contemplate what I should wear to my date with Brett. I know Brett's favorite color is black.

An outfit idea pops up in my head and I dig through my closet for the pieces of clothing that will make up my outfit for the date. I pack it all into the duffel bag and I zip it up and get ready to head out of the house.

"Bay?" A familiar voice says and it sends chills down my spine causing me to shiver. I turn around slowly to meet my father. He looks like he just rolled out of bed and he is rubbing his eyes.

"She let you stay?" I scoff and look at my father who is wearing a shirt and boxers.

Make yourself at home.

"Bay. Shouldn't you be at school? You didn't come home as well."

"Last time, you aren't my parent. You don't get to butt into my life and tell me where I should be and what I should and shouldn't do. Where the hell do you get off thinking you should!" I bite back and turn around and head for the door. I open the door and slam it behind me.

I hop on the bus and make my way back to the hotel, intending on catching up on TV marathons to distract my mind from the chaotic thoughts bouncing around my mind.

...

"Why weren't you at school or answering my calls you selfish bitch!" Zoe's voicemail plays. I can't help but snort in laughter at her attempted angry voice, but behind it is worry and annoyance.

I dial her number and on the 2nd ring, she answers. "You stupid bit-"

"Too much profanity."

"Rich coming from you."

"Whatever."

"Where are you?"

"I am staying at a hotel for a few nights. I can't be in the same house as him. He is sleeping there, you know that right? He needs to leave by next week Wednesday before Leo comes back and his whole world crumbles."

"I agree, but what can we do? I hate him there. I saw him this morning and we had this big argument this morning before I just ran out the house. Oh, and Issac was asking for you all day."

"He was?" I ask and feel the blood rush to my cheeks.

"Yeah. And also Brett, but he said he will text you. Speaking of, did you get your two boy toys texts and calls."

"Of course I got them, but there is something called not reading and ignoring everything including my best friend and my friendly friend boy."

"You shouldn't ignore them. They are worried sick and they won't stop bombarding me. Brett is nice though. He sat with me at lunch today because I had no one to sit with. He is really nice. I see why you said 'yes' to him"

"We are just friends."

"Good. Because I ship you and Issac."

"How is he?" I ask ignoring her last statement.

"He is good. He has been parading around school with his girlfriend. Some traitors even think they are....goals!" she whispers the last part in an ominous voice

I gasp and end up laughing. "Zoe, he is happy. That's what matters."

"You know, you being all happy for people is very foreign to me."

"As it is to me, but I care about him. If Mackenzie makes him happy, then so be it."

"Are you coming to school tomorrow?"

"Yeah. 2 days in a row will get a call to mother and I don't want her finding out where I am."

"Okay, where are you staying?"

"The hotel near the city, CityPoint Hotel"

"Ohhhh I heard they have nice shampoo. Steal for me?"

"Steal it yourself. Come over. I will buy an uber."

"I can't. Mom will be suspicious and she may figure out where you are."

"True. OK fine. Did you get my homework for me?"

"Yeah. I will give it to you tomorrow."

"OK. Well i'm going to sleep so I will see you tomorrow."

"Gotcha. Bye" she responds and hangs up the phone.

...

As usual, school is crowded and I haven't missed it one bit. As I walk through the hallways, I have to elbow my way through the crowd a little. Not too much though. When I reach my locker, Issac is there digging in his locker. I walk over to him and tap his shoulder.

"Mackenzie?" He says and turns around to see me.

"Not the girlfriend." I say feeling a little hurt. I open my locker and stuff in my bag.

"Sorry. She just taps me like that. You usually try to scare my or just go straight to hug me. Where were you yesterday? I was worried sick."

"I just needed some time to myself. To think and stuff." I half lie.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah" I say a little too quickly.

"I know when you lie, you know that right?" He tells me and moves closer to me, so close that we are breathing each other's air.

"I'm fine Issac." I respond looking into his soul-piercing grey eyes.

"I got you something. Call it a late friendaversary gift."

"You are a few weeks late."

"Oh shut up." he mutters and takes something out his bag. It's a long velvet box that usually fits necklaces and stuff. He hands it to me and I look back up at him with a crease in my eyebrow. I open the box and a gasp leaves my parted lips.

"Issac...this is beautiful" I say and take the necklace out the box. It's a necklace with an 'I' charm. It's like what...Troy gave Gabriella in high school musical. That necklace with the T on it, but instead this one has an I.

"You are so sentimental" I murmur and he lightly chuckles. Flashbacks of the first time Issac stayed over my house and we watched High School Musical in my bed and we danced around my room to the stupid songs they sang pop up in my head.

He takes the necklace from my hands and comes behind me to put it on. I move my hair to the side and he brings the necklace around and starts clasping it. His cold finger brush against the skin on my neck causing me to shudder from the tingles I am feeling all around my body. It's like where he is touching me is setting on fire and sending electricity all around my body.

He moves from behind me and goes back in front of me with a smile on his face as he looks at the necklace proudly on me.

"This is beautiful Issac."

"Not as beautiful as you."

"Still a charmer." A smirk plays on my lips as I look up at my grey eyed friend.

"Always." he says and then takes something from out of the inside of his shirt. He has in his hand a dog tag.

"What's this?" I say and take the dog tag from his hand and look at it. On it is a picture of Issac and I when we went to Disneyland and on the back of the dog tag is our names.

"How long were you planning this?"

"Since friendaversary" he says and take the dog tag back and puts it on. "Never take that off."

"Never take that off." I say and point to the dog tag around his neck. "And that too." I add and point to the blue Burberry watch.

"Gotcha." He says and looks at something behind my shoulder and his gaze hardens.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask and rest my hand on his chest. His chest rise and falls faster than its regular pace, goving more evidence that somethimg is wrong.

He shakes his head and looks at me with a smile. Footsteps behind me cause me to look behind me. Brett is walking toward me. When he catches my gaze, a smile spreads on his face.

"Where were you yesterday?" Brett asks and envelops me in a hug. I can't help but laugh at his worried state. I reciprocate the hug and let myself drown in Brett's clean musk. I am waiting for the sparks, the feeling of wanting to melt in his arms to come, but it doesn't.

"I needed a me day."

"OK. So about our friend date as you call it, I can pick you up at 6, is that good?"

"It's perfect. You texted me and said wear something casual, so that's still the plan."

"Yep. Text me your address to your house."

"Actually, I will send you a different address."

"O-okay"

"Thanks. See you tonight." I say with a small smile on my face.

"Can't wait." He says and walks away. I turn back to my locker and dig around for my books.

"You are going out with Brett Cruz?" Issac asks next to me.

"Why do you say his name like that?"

"I just didn't think...that would happen. He isn't really your type."

"And what exactly is my type Issac?"

He stays silent and looks down at his vans. I release a deep sigh and shake my head.

"Brett and I are just friends Issac. I don't see why you care so much." I respond and close my locker shut with my books in hand.

"You are my best friend. I will always care."

"Yeah. No need to worry Issac." I tell him feeling very uneasy inside. Why would he care about Brett or what we are doing? He is dating someone.

"Gotta go." I say and walk away. I walk through the hallway not really paying attention to anything besides my thoughts. A bump in my shoulder snaps me out my thoughts.

I look up to see Mackenzie.

"Oh I'm so sorry Bay." she apologizes and her eyes flit to my chest at the necklace Issac just gave me.

"It's fine. I have to go." I tell her and walk away and disappear among the crowd.