"Excuse me."

I turned around to see a boy standing there with chocolates in his hand. Not any chocolate, but my favorite ones. "Yes?"

"These are for you," he said, handing me the chocolate.

This isn't the first time I'm receiving chocolate. Since the time I entered the school building, one by one people are coming and giving me chocolates, flowers and a sorry card.

Just now, the boy came and handed me the chocolate and without saying a word, left. I looked at the chocolate and there was a note attached to it- I'm sorry. Please forgive me.

I sighed. I was glad to know she is sorry for what she said.

"So, other one?" Ashley asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Yeah. I don't know when she is going to stop this," I said and looked at the chocolate in my hand.

"Until you forgive me."

I looked up at the voice. Leah was now standing a few feet away from me, looking down.

"Why should I?"

"Because I'm your friend?" She said, unsure. I raised an eyebrow at her. She sighed. "Please, Chloe. I was angry. I know it's not right for me to snap at you while you were just trying to help, but you know when I get angry, I just spat the words without thinking. I'm really sorry, Chloe," she said in one breath.

She looked like she would burst out in tears any seconds. I walked towards her and without saying anything, pulled her into a hug. She hugged me back tightly.

"It's fine, Leah. I can't be angry for a long time," I whispered. I felt her nod against my shoulder. We broke apart and I smiled at her.

"You know it's all Alec's fault. I'm going to kill him. If anything goes wrong, blame it on him because later on you'll find out that he is the only one behind it, not that I'm trying to blame what I said, but still..." she said. By now Laura was also there with us. She came and hugged me.

We looked at Leah, confused. There is some story behind it that she isn't telling us about.

She thought about something and then her eyes lit up and she had that mischief glint in her eyes that would scare you away. I'm scared to know what she is thinking about. Leah rubbed her hands together and let out an evil laugh.

"Girls, it's time for another prank."

Understanding, we looked at each other and then back at Leah. We all let out an evil laugh and clapped each other's hands. This is going to be fun.

**

"Okay," Leah said and looked at us, each one of us. "Now listen. Me, Ashley and Chloe are going to set this," she pointed at the main object of our plan, "over there, while Laura you are going to distract them and do as I asked you to. Understood?" Leah asked, daring us to say no.

You see, she already explained us twice and we still kept on asking her questions. We had reasonable questions, though. First time, she said it so fast that we didn't pick any words she said. Then, the second time, Laura and Ashley didn't understand. As for third time, you'll see because I think someone might have a doubt.

Personally, this is my favorite prank.

"But I don't under-" Ashley was cut off by Leah who hissed at her. She closed her month immediately, nodding as if she understood. Laura snorted and Leah glared at her, shutting her up. I tried to hide my smile, but failed miserably. Lucky for me she didn't see me smiling.

"Okay. So? Ready?" She asked. We nodded. "Good, let the plan begin." She hooted.

We parted our way. Ashley, Leah and I went near the classroom, where currently Alec, Chase, Ryan and Jason are sitting. Peeking through the window, I saw Alec looking around in boredom. It looked like he'll be anywhere, but here. Next I looked at Ryan who was making fun of the person sitting next to him. He, himself was not paying attention and wouldn't let the person next to him concentrate. Jason, well Jason was staring at the board, trying to understand that was being explained.

Then my eyes shifted to Chase, who was flirting with the girl next to him. Wait, what? Flirting? There was a pang in my chest. He was twirling a piece of her hair in his finger. I swallowed a lump that formed in my throat. It seems like he found a new girlfriend. I can't believe it. But why do I care? Oh, yes! How can I forget I like him. I guess I have to get over it.

You make it sound so easy. Is it possible? A voice in my head said.

Yes, it has too.

"Hello? Chloe? You there? We don't have time to daydream. We have to hurry," Ashley called out. I snapped out of my self-pity and nodded at her.

We continued doing what we came to do. Well, Ashley and Leah were. I was a bit wary about Leah, but tried my best to ignore that feeling. She tried her best to apologize, so I gave in. But still wary. I was looking around so I can give Ashley and Leah signal if anyone passed by. I don't exactly know how are they going to do it, but it seems Leah knows what she's doing.

"Here, all done," I heard Leah breath out a relief. She came down the ladder that they had apparently brought from the janitor closet.

"Okay, all done," Leah repeated. We nodded and smirked at each other. Now we just have to wait and watch. I giggled.

**

The bell rang. I saw Laura enter from the back door and went to Alec. She made sure no one was out before Alec. From the small window, I saw Alec hurrying towards the door. I have no clue about what Laura spoke, but whatever she did, it was pretty good because Alec didn't bother to check anything else and hurried towards the door.

Just as he opened the door, the bucket that we had put up that was held by the door, came flying down towards Alec and the content in it was splattered all over his head. Not only head, but the whole body. His hair and clothes were both ruined. In the bucket, we had put some gel with the blue paint. I heard, too much gel is not good for the hair. And Alec loves his hair more than anything. So it worked. It was funny to watch him like that.

Laura came out from the back door, along with Chase, Ryan and Jason who stood there mouth open and watched their friend drenched in paint. Everyone who was present there in the hallway gasped at the sight of Alec, who now looked pretty angry.

Then suddenly, we started laughing and by we, I mean, every one of us in the hallway. Serves him right.

We laughed so hard that tears started coming out of our eyes. The four of us looked at him and started laughing all over again.

Alec, then looked at us with murderous expression. Leah went towards him and said, "Next time, think twice as to whom you're dealing with." She winked at him and smirked at the other who were still standing there with mouth open.

She walked towards us with a smile on her face. We mirrored her, turned around and were out of sight.

**

"Alright, that was tiring," Ashley said and slumped on my couch and let out a breath.

"Yeah, I agree. But it was hell of a fun. After seeing their expression, I'm quite satisfied," I said and slumped next to Ashley.

"Yeah. Alec's face was priceless..." Leah said with a content sigh.

"Guys?" Laura called as she came in with a coke in her hand. "Can we go to the mall, please?"

We looked at her pretty surprised. It's not always you see Laura asking something like that. I thought we don't like going to the mall? Traitor.

"The new game has launched and I want that. That's why I'm asking to go to mall and nothing else," she reasoned out.

"Oh? I was quite surprised when you said that you want to go the mall," Ashley mumbled.

"You're crazy then," Laura simply answered. "And I wouldn't do such a horrible thing to Chloe, would I?"

I smirked at her. She winked back at me. Ah! How much I love her.

"Hell, yeah," I said and laughed.

"Okay. So it's done. Now, I'll call Beth and ask if she wants to come," Leah said and picked her phone.

"No use. She not here. Out of town," Ashley said and snatched the coke from Laura's hand.

"Doesn't she have school or something?" Laura asked and I gave her a look.

"Really? Do you even have to ask?" I said.

She just shrugged. Okay then. "So are we up for the mall?" We nodded and got up.

We made our way out of the house and I locked it behind me. Just as we came to my driveway, we saw the guys come out of the Chase's house as well. I raised an eyebrow at them. Now, what in the world are they doing here?

"Well, if it isn't the pranksters," Ryan said while the others snorted.

Laura glared at him. "What the hell do you want?"

"How about revenge on your little prank?" Ryan said, sarcastically with a raised eyebrow.

"You bet," Alec grumbled from beside him.

"It would be fun like the last time, wouldn't it?" Chase said and gave me suggestive smirk. This time I kept my face blank. I remember him and his new girlfriend. I'm not giving him the satisfaction of hurting me.

"I think we should just leave them here. I don't want to waste my time and breath. Can we just go or else you all can go and I'll be going home," I said, nonchalantly with a bit of irritation.

Alec, who was grumbling under his breath stopped immediately after hearing me and looked up with a surprise expression. Everyone had the same expression. I felt really annoyed. If they don't answer, I'll just leave.

I know I shouldn't be jealous, but I can't help it. I didn't like the way he flirted with her and now he behaves like everything is just fine? Like nothing happened?

I looked at them, most specifically Ashley. When she saw me looking at her, her eyes widened.

"Uh..no. We'll j-just leave, right girls?" Ashley nervously asked the others.

They hesitate, but eventually nodded their head. With a curt nodded, I walked towards Ashley's car without sparing a gaze to anyone.

There was a bit whispering outside, but I ignored it. Soon enough, Ashley came in and without another word, started driving. I assume Leah and Laura will be taking Leah's car, so I didn't ask her anything.

After a few minutes, Ashley decided to break the silence. "Chloe? What happened out there?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, not bothering to face her.

I heard her sigh. "You know what I mean. You were fine a few minutes ago and then suddenly, you become rude? Tell me what it is?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Just no."

"Come on, Chloe. Please?" She looked at me for a second.

"No." I said. She was about to say something, but I cut her off. "Not now atleast."

"Okay. But when you're ready tell me." She said and squeezed my hand, giving me small smile. Again, I looked out of the window.

"Chloe?" Ashley called, rather nervously.

"Yes?" I asked this time looking at her. She chuckled nervously and bit her lips.

"Actually, um..you see we have a little problem," she said and scratched the back of her neck.

"That is?" I asked.

"Theguysarecomingwithus." She said it so quickly that I couldn't even understand a single word.

"Ashley?" I called out.

"Yes?" She said rather nervously, again. For a girl like her, I should be surprised, but I'm not.

"Can you enlighten me with what you said just a second ago?" I asked and paused for a second before adding, "Oh! In English, maybe?"

She growled, not appreciating my sarcasm. But it was pretty cool.

"Chloe?" She said in a tight voice. Just a few minutes ago, I was in a shitty mood, excuse my language please, and now I felt like laughing, looking at Ashley all nervous and getting worked up.

"Yes? What's the matter, Ashley?" I said, innocently. Maybe, I'm bi-polar? Nah, I don't think so.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"You see, I already know that you are going to give me some bad news," I said. It's obvious when a person is scared to tell you something, they're usually nervous. "So I figured why not?"

"For a friend, I don't like you sometimes," she grumbled.

"Yeah. That's because you love me."

"Whatever. Now as I was saying, I'll clearly tell you in English, by all means," she started, sarcastically. I raised an eyebrow at her, letting her know that I'm listening. "The guys are coming with us."

Oh? That's what she wanted to tell me, that the guys are com-

Wow, wow, wait a second. Go back please. Did she just say that I have to face Chase? No way.

"What!?" I shriek. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Look I'm sorry. I tried to tell them no, all of us did, but they wouldn't listen. They said they're going, not with us, but as an independent citizen they are, they have the right to go," she explained.

"Well I don't want to face Chase," I snapped. Face-chase, that rhythm. Get a grip, Chloe.

"Why?" She asked, curiously.

"Not the time, Ashley." I growled at her.

"Okay. I won't bring it up, but please atleast be nice with Jason. You know I like him, right?" She batted her eyelashes at me. Of course, it's Jason we're concerned about here. Not me facing Chase.

"Fine."

"Thank you, Chloe." She said, softly.

**

We reached the mall soon after that. We met the girls along with the guys. I ignored them all at the best of my ability.

"Let's go to the Victoria's secret there," Ryan pointed out and then looked at Laura. "Maybe you could walk for me?" he wiggled his eyebrow, suggestively.

For a second, I though Laura blushed. I did a double take and indeed I was right. She was blushing. Looking at Ryan, I guess he saw that too because he was smirking at her.

"N-no," Laura stuttered. "We are going to that shop," Laura said and pointed at the shop down across from Victoria's secret. "Let's go."

Before any of us could protest, she was already making her way to the shop. We followed her and as soon as we reached the shop, we all scattered. Ashley showed me some dress and told me to try on, but I said no and then I was thrown in the changing room like a cloth by her.

It was a black dress. The front of the dress was covered in silver beads making it shine through the light. It ended at my mid-thigh, making me feel a little self-conscious. It wasn't that bad, but it surely wasn't the dress you always look for. This dress was nice, but not worth it. The dress had a zip behind which was out of my reach.

I pushed the door open and stuck my head out. "Ashley?" I called.

"Yes?" I heard her voice from a distance.

"Can you help with the dress?" I called out blindly.

"Sure. Just a minute. Go inside don't lock the door. I'm coming." I heard her say.

I went back inside and waited for her. I heard the door open, but I didn't look up as I was looking at length of the dress with concentration.

"Ah! Thank God you came," I said and moved the hair out of the way so she can zip it up. I think I heard a faint lock behind me.

I felt her come close behind me. A finger trail down from the back of my neck upto the zip near my lower back, not too low, but low enough. I shivered. That can't be Ashley. The finger reached the zip. I could tell that the person came closer, almost touching my back to its chest. I felt a familiar feeling of warmth from the person.

My heart started beating fast as I swallowed, hard. The fingers reached the zip and slowly began to pull it up. Along with zipping me, the fingers left a trail behind it, causing me to arc my back. When I was zipped completely, the hands of the person went from my arm to my waist and pulled me back, so my back was tightly pressed against the chest.

I knew the person who was holding me wasn't a stranger, nor was the finger foreign to me, it was quite familiar, but I never would have guessed I would be in this situation, ever.

"Thought I'll let you leave without an explanation." The voice whispered in my ears. I dared not to look up after what just happened. But I still did. "By the way, you look beautiful. I have never seen you in a dress before. You should wear them often, it suits you."