"Alright, masks have been worn. Pizza has been eaten. Friends has been watched. What say you we hit the town?" Marcus asked as he wiped his hands on a napkin.

"B-but, my outfit!" I complained loudly.

Marcus shrugged, "Wear whatever you want. You pull off the cute, nerdy girl thing anyway."

"I'm sorry, your entire spiel was about me dressing trendier and now you're like wear what you want, Mabel," I pointed out, deepening my voice to mimic his.

"To get your football star man, yeah," He stated matter of factly. "But we're just heading out. I've already seen you in your embarrassing pajamas. I don't care what you wear. Also, a tad of a higher pitch next time you try and imitate me, Maybie." He teased playfully.

I shot him a glare, which was becoming a norm at this point. He was making fun of me, I just didn't know how yet. "Fine. I'll be quick."

Marcus grinned at me lazily, leaning back and resting the back of his head against both interlaced hands. "I'll wait."

I waited a minute to see if he was kidding and apparently he certainly wasn't. So I sighed and stood up, intent on changing and making most of the night. This would work in my best interest in terms of snagging Jackson anyway. I needed practice.

I walked into my room, closing the door behind me and pulling my phone out. I texted the group I was in with Amanda and Connie.

Mabel: Wardrobe advice for going out?

Within seconds, Connie replied.

Connie: Where are you off to?

Mabel: Marcus is finally teaching me the ways of the force

Amanda: English please

Mabel: We're going to a bar

Mabel: To meet guys!

Mabel: To practice. Not for fun

Connie: You look amazing in anything, but your leather jacket looks great on you

Amanda: Pretty sure you mean my leather jacket

Mabel: Oh right. You still remember that? It's a nice jacket. I get so many compliments on it

Amanda: I remember getting those

Mabel: Maybe you can guilt trip your parents into getting you another?

Amanda: ...thanks Mabel

Connie: You both look amazing in it. Wear it with that black wrap dress I got you for Christmas, Mabel. You got this

Amanda: Take the rape whistle with you and remember the knee to the crotch move

I was so lucky to have them. I pulled the prized leather jacket out and slipped it on over a black long sleeved dress that came above my knees, taking Connie's advice. The dress was so tight that it cushioned my stomach flab, which I was always grateful for.

I put on some light makeup before grabbing my phone and walking out. Marcus was typing away on his phone, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

He looked up and back down to his phone before darting his eyes back at me, his gaze widening. He locked his phone and stuffed it into the pocket of jeans. "I look pretty hot, right?" I teased as I raised the collar of my leather jacket, pulling out a pair of shades from my pocket and sliding them on slowly. "Don't be intimidated."

"You ruined it," Marcus laughed, his eyes crinkling at the edges.

I always managed to. I'd forever be the easy-to-get girl. How did girls manage to pull off being unattainable and hot? I felt like I would always be waiting for a guy to notice me. To want me.

"Aren't you changing?" I quirked an eyebrow at Marcus.

"And alter this masterpiece? Nah," he shrugged into his own leather jacket and grinned at me. "We match."

Marcus pulled out his keys from his jacket pocket and walked towards the door. I trailed after him, locking my door on our way out.

"Wait, wait," I waved my arms frantically.

Marcus lifted an eyebrow at me in the hallway, but waited for me to continue.

"I don't think you're realizing how inept I am. You're not going to give me any advice? An inspirational speech? This is like Dumbledore dragging Harry into that cave to get the horcruxes and giving him no extra information. Give me the info, Marcus. I need the info. I'm not a chosen one," I jumped up and down on the spot nervously.

"Would you relax?" Marcus chuckled, putting his hands on my shoulders to hold me in place. "You'll be fine. Just remember eye contact and smiling." He turned around and began to walk towards the elevator before stopping and looking at me again, "And you know, you can touch his shoulder or something to express your interest."

"Touch... shoulders?" I gaped at him. It was clear he wasn't understanding how socially awkward I was and how little I knew about any of this stuff.

"Like a gentle, flirtatious touch. Don't maul the guy," he clarified.

I nodded, "Okay. Don't maul. I can do that."

He paused before reaching the elevator, "And you know, just flirt to show him you're interested."

I glowered at him, "Oh just flirt? I'm sorry, why didn't you just say that? You're a genius, Marcus. I have so much to learn from you."

Marcus laughed loudly, pressing the button for the elevator and we made our way through the foyer and into the parking lot.

Marcus swung his key ring on his finger and pressed the fob, a black pickup truck beeping in response.

"You drive a truck? It's huge."

"That's what she said," Marcus winked at me, opening the door for me. "Let me know if you need a boost."

I gave him a dry look and shuffled my way into the passenger seat in an unladylike manner.

Marcus opened the driver's door and slid in, buckling his seatbelt and starting the ignition, his truck roaring to life.

"So elaborate on flirting," I encouraged.

Marcus drove with one hand on the top of the steering wheel, his watch glistening in the moonlight, the other arm lazily hanging out of his open window. He stopped at a red light and turned to look at me.

"Hm," he hummed while locking his eyes with mine, a small smile playing on his lips, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"What?" I laughed.

He looked out the windshield before turning back to me with that same smile, "You look beautiful in that dress, Mabel," He said quietly.

I quirked an eyebrow at him, "You literally saw this on me five minutes ago. And laughed at me."

He leaned towards me and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, tingles running down my spine. "You're hilarious."

I gave him a dry look, "What is this? Are you making fun of me? Fine. I won't ask you again. You don't have to be a jerk about it." I huffed, crossing my arms in frustration.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He asked as he began to drive forward again.

"Well, you practically dragged me out of the house so that'd be nice. Thanks," I muttered.

"I bet I know what you like," He murmured.

"How would you know what I like? Honestly I don't even know what I like. I haven't had many drinks. I mostly get what Amanda and Connie get. They have good taste," I rambled.

I looked at Marcus whose eyebrows were furrowed in confusion, "You're so dense."

"Hey! That's rude. Also, not the first time I've heard that."

"I'm not surprised," Marcus laughed, pulling into a pub - The Red Lion.

He parked the car and we walked into a dimly lit pub. Bar stools sat at the long counter, different bottles adorning the walls. Leather couches and booths were spread around the floor.

"This is cute," I stated as I looked at the decorative lights made of hanging bottles of liquor.

"It's a great place to pick people up," Marcus smiled.

"Oh, is this where you pick up your girls from?" I asked, actually curious about how he met so many women.

He shrugged, "I'm not going to divulge all of my secrets to you." He sat at the bar and nodded at the bartender. A beautiful woman approached us and Marcus gave her his order, "I'll have an old fashioned."

I sat on a stool next to him and eyed the menu board above the woman. "Can I have a peachy keen?" I asked nervously. I felt so mature sitting here, ordering a drink, preparing to scope out some guys. Like an adult. Like the women I'd spent my entire life watching in movies.

"Coming right up, hon," the bartender replied mixing drinks like a pro.

"Anyone catch your eye?" Marcus asked as he sipped at his drink slowly.

I surveyed the crowd, some men in groups playing pool, some sitting and having conversations. I spotted a guy wearing a suit and gestured to him. "What about that guy?"

Marcus scanned his figure, "He's a douche."

"Wha- what makes him a douche?" I asked taking a sip of my drink and making a face. Not a favourite.

Marcus smiled at my expression, "He has the look."

"What about him?" I asked pointing to a tall man wearing a turtle neck.

"He's wearing a turtleneck," Marcus mocked.

I huffed, "Fine. Who do you think?"

Marcus surveyed the room before nodding to a guy sitting in the corner with his friend. They looked normal-ish.

"So what do I do?" I asked eagerly, straightening my posture.

Marcus looked away from me before responding, "First you have to get their attention, so do the eye contact thing that we worked on."

I looked over at their table and stared. One of the guys caught my eye and gave me a questioning look.

"Don't stare like a creep, Mabel." Marcus covered his mouth to hide his smile. I glared at him. "Just look over and look away. Shoot a smile. Don't be so rigid."

I let out a breath and looked back over at the table in question. I tried to look over and when the same guy looked back at me, I let out a grin.

"Whoa," Marcus stated in shock, "It looks like you wanna eat the guy, Maybie. Just a small smile."

I unscrewed my jaw and gave a small smile. The poor guy looked so confused at this point. He whispered to his friend who looked up at me suddenly. I gave him a smile as well.

He said something back to his friend before they both got up. This was it. They were both walking up to me. I had such talent. I was a natural. I just got a guy's attention. Me. Mabel. This was a glorious day—

They walked behind me, shooting me a strange look and moved to a table at the opposite corner of the pub.

I put my forehead down on the counter and groaned. Marcus, who could no longer hold in his laugh, was now chortling so loudly that if I didn't just embarrass myself to my core, I'd be even redder than I currently was.

I looked up at Marcus to glare at him, putting my hands on my cheeks to ease the blush that had travelled all across my face and neck, "Marcus," I hissed.

He put his hands up, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He used his thumb to wipe the corner of his eye before letting out a huge breath and reaching for his drink.

I hated him.