Song: Problem - Ariana Grande ft Iggy Azalea

"I love the thought of you more than I love your presence."

Eva stared at the yellow note stuck to the refrigerator, her delicate mouth wide open.

"At the church. got a bible discussion. be back at 11."

Her mother left the house in the middle of a Friday night, leaving nothing behind her but an abbreviated sticky note. Eva had no idea how to feel about this. She should have been worried about her mother, but all of Evangeline's concern was the fear of being alone.

The house was too quiet, each gust of wind or noise outside multiplied thanks to her alert mind. She felt like the walls were about to shrink on her, pressuring her as if life wasn't heavy enough. So, without much thought to it, Eva picked up the phone and called the only person she had.

Trudy.

When Trudy picked up, Eva heard Trudy's laughter along with some other guys, blasting music in the background. "Yeah?" Trudy said, a light hearted giggle escaped her lips.

"Um, hi, Trudy," Eva said, her finger furiously twirling her red hair, "Is... is this a bad time?"

"Hey, Sandra! C'mon, we need to get home," Trudy shouted. She adjusted her phone, gluing it to her other ear. "I'm sorry, Eva, what were you saying?"

"I was wondering if you could come over? I'm alone and... yeah."

"Like, right now?" Trudy said, "Why? Where's Hannah?"

"She's not home," Eva said, feeling like a burden, "You know what? It's okay, never min-"

"No, no, wait," Trudy said, "I think I'll manage."

Eva smiled in gratitude. "Thank you."

Eva needed to busy herself till Trudy arrived. That isn't a hard task, Eva figured, I'll just watch TV.

Eva's eyes were staring at the screen, but not really seeing anything. Her feet tapped the floor as she counted the seconds for Trudy to arrive.

Finally, the door bell rang.

Eva jumped up to her feet and ran to the front door. Her paranoia defeated her obnoxiousness as she peaked through the hole before she opened the door to her best friend.

Eva wrapped her arms around Trudy, pulling her inside the house. "Thank you so much for coming," Eva whispered, tears building in her hazel eyes, "Only God knows how much I need you."

Trudy giggled again, probably drunk. "Whoa, Eva, take it easy," she said, pulling away from Eva's embrace, "How about we get in first?"

Only when Eva was about to close the door did she notice Sandra standing there. Eva couldn't help but give the girl a once over, astonished at how gorgeous Sandra looked in her black, knee-high boots and golden, silky top that was tucked in her black pencil skirt. When Eva met Sandra's sinister, turquoise blue eyes, Eva blushed and looked away.

She closed the door and glanced at Trudy's bodycon dress. "Were you two somewhere?"

"Yeah," Trudy shrugged, removing her Louis Vuitton boots and sitting on the creaking sofa. "We were on our way home from a party when you called."

Oh. Well, that explained the outrageous clothes and glam makeup. Eva attempted a smile at Sandra, not knowing how to approach her.

It was Sandra's first time in the West's property, her current facial expression mirroring how disgusted she must be. Eva knew that Sandra and Trudy were from a different social class than her, but at least Trudy wasn't so obvious as Sandra was at the moment.

Nonetheless, Eva smiled at Sandra, genuine hospitality in her eyes. "Hey," she said, voice as warm as her cheeks, "Please, make yourself home."

Sandra glared at Eva, making her gulp. She pushed her aside, not bothering to take off her knee-high boots and walked inside. She eyed the yellow sofa with disdain before she shook her head and sat on a stool from the kitchen, too disgusted to even touch the counter.

Trudy took a strand of dark, wavy hair and played with it, her brown eyes not leaving the television's secreen. "Are you still torturing the guy with your friendship bullshit?"

Eva chose to ignore Sandra's attitude. She sat on the creaking sofa, with Trudy, and groaned. "It's not-"

"Let the girl do what she wants." Sandra said.

Eva smiled at Sandra. "Thank-"

Sandra held her hand up, showcasing her perfectly painted nails. "Save it."

Eva shook her head as she blushed. She couldn't understand Sandra. If anything, Sandra intimidated her.

"Where's your mom again?" Trudy asked.

"She's at the church, having a Bible discussion with her fellows."

Trudy's plump lip twitched thoughtfully. "When will she back?"

"She said in the note she'll be back by eleven," Eva replied.

Sandra laughed, turquoise blue eyes glinting in triumph. "A Bible discussion? This late at night? You're naive, alright, but don't tell me you're also stupid."

Eva frowned. Suddenly, staying home by herself didn't sound so bad anymore. She didn't know why Sandra was so blunt and rude. The difference between Sandra and Trudy was enormous, despite their sisterhood.

"What's her problem?" Eva whispered so only Trudy would hear.

"She probably had a fight with Sanderson; her boyfriend," Trudy shrugged, adjusting herself on the creaking sofa. "God, how old is this couch?"

Eva was embarrassed she wasn't up to their financial standards, but she didn't let it get to her. The movie was over. Eva used that opportunity to busy herself, turning off the TV.

"So," Trudy said, her body twisted to fully face Evangeline, "You still haven't answered my question."

"What question?" Eva asked.

"Evangeline, you're so out of this world." Sandra eyed the worn out living room with disgust, running her manicured hand over her golden, silky top that complemented her dark skin beautifully. "She asked you if you are still friend-zoning Zarek."

"Yes. I mean, in my opinion, you are being ridiculous." Trudy said, "And after all the things he did for you- you're losing him, Eva."

"All the things he did for her?" Sandra questioned, "Like what?"

"First off, he's persistent. He'd try to leave the friend zone; he'd call her 'baby' 'love' 'sweetie' and she would tell him to not pet name her. He'd ask her out on private places as an indirect date, and this stupid here-" Trudy pointed at Eva. "-would invite me over. And even if I refused, she'd invite someone else or cancel it - caging the guy and pushing him away."

Sandra's eyes looked at Eva, an unfamiliar emotion -that Eva couldn't put her finger onto- gleaming in her turquoise blue eyes.

Trudy grimaced. "Not only that, but whenever he went a little flirtatious with her, she would laugh at him. If he checked her out, Eva would avoid his gaze and look everywhere else."

"It's either you're too braved, or too chickened." Sandra said.

"Definitely a chicken." Trudy snorted, causing a mocking chuckle from Sandra.

Eva felt herself blushing, the atmosphere uncomfortable and awkward. "You two are so mean," she mumbled.

Trudy looked at Sandra. "And I haven't told you the worst yet." Trudy pulled at her wavy hair in exasperation. "Eva turned him down for the spring dance, again!"

Sandra looked at Eva in disbelief, her turquoise blue eyes wide. She tossed her straight hair over her shoulder as she nodded. "I'm proud of you."

Trudy's eyes widened. "What?"

"He hurt her, Trudy. You don't expect Evangeline to run back into his arms. She can't forgive him just because he's treating her nice after months of bullying." Sandra looked at Trudy, her gaze levelled and challenging. "Just because he realized what he lost, doesn't mean he can have it again."

"No words can describe how happy I am right now. You understand, Sandra." Evangeline appreciated. It felt nice for someone to know how she felt and to support her decision, instead of continuously encouraging her to do the opposite.

Trudy nudged Eva. "Hey, I understand too."

Sandra picked at her nails. "But you keep pushing her to be with him."

Eva playfully smirked at her best friend. "Sometimes, I think I should befriend Sandra instead."

Sandra shook her head, holding one hand up. "Nah, I'm good."

"And then I remember how rude she is," Eva mumbled.

"Look," Trudy started, "I know you aren't ready blah blah blah. But he's changing for you, Eva. Ever since he asked you to the spring dance, I haven't heard one single rumor about the girl he slept with - he's committed to you."

"You're mistaken," Eva countered, "He's still smoking. He said he'll stop, but I don't see him trying."

Trudy snorted. "Things like that take time, Eva. You don't seriously expect him to quit his addiction immediately. He will -eventually- but you have to wait for him."

"Here's the thing, Trudy," Eva said, "I'm done waiting for him. Let it be the other way around for once."

"Touché." Sandra laughed.

Trudy glared at Sandra. After a moment, Trudy nodded her head thoughtfully. "Okay, suit yourself. Just consider what you're losing here. Don't forget you love him, and love is stronger than anything."

Eva bitterly chuckled. "Yeah, right. Love." she said, "If there is one thing I know for sure, it is that I don't want to have anything to do with Zarek."

Sandra eyed her sister. "Seems like your efforts put into the surprise were for vain, huh?" She barely glanced at Eva before she brushed her fingers through her blond hair ends in disappointment.

Eva glanced at Trudy, who was fiddling with her nails awkwardly, and frowned. "Surprise?" Eva was lost. She didn't know what the two sisters were on about. "Did I miss something?"

Sandra smiled sweetly. "Why don't you go and see for yourself? Maybe..." She put her red painted index on her chin, pretending to think. "In your room?"

Eva was confused, she still stood up and went up the stairs. She headed towards her room. She took a deep breath -for the heavens knew she needed it- and twisted the doorknob. The sight in front of her was unexpected.

Zarek Black was in her room. He was the first male stranger to ever step in her private bedroom. The mere presence of him made Eva feel nauseous. She felt as if her virgin room would never be the same anymore, for he, with his existence, polluted it. She wondered how she would sleep afterwards, being aware that a devil was here.

Not only did he enter -more like sneaked in- her room without her permission, he also was going through her underwear drawer. His flithy hands caught a hold of her most intimates, and he shamelessly leaned his head and sniffed her red laced thong.

Creep! Call the cops! her common sense screamed at her, yet her feet were planted where she stood, frozen. She had no idea how she was supposed to act in such situations. All she wished for was for her to be alone in the house, for it was far more convenient than this happening.

Zarek saw her in his parallel vision. His hand dropped the red thong, and it fell back where it was. His leg quickly kicked the drawer closed, smiling sheepishly in the process. "Hey, didn't see you there," he said awkwardly, "I'm just here to talk."

Talk again? Eva mentally snorted, for the last time he wanted to talk he had shamelessly pressed his erection on her, and now this. The guy needed to work on his poor and awkward approaching skills.

Zarek approached Eva, his horrendous cigarettes' smell a step ahead of him. Eva cringed, stepping away from him. Zarek got the message that she didn't want to be near him, so he retreated away from her. Eva's eyes widened when he sat on her bed. She hated how comfortable he made himself, for every bit of of it she would be uncomfortable afterwards.

Zarek didn't dare look her in the eyes, staring at her pink Power Puff Girls' carpet. He cringed, and settled his focus on his feet instead. He sighed, before he ran his hand through his blond hair. "Hear me out, okay?"

If Evangeline didn't know better, she would have thought he was pleading. Curious to know what he had to say this time, Eva didn't protest. However, she kept a safe distance from him, standing in the doorway just in case she had to give it a run.

"The Spring Ball is tomorrow," Zarek reminded, "What's your final final answer?"

Eva squinted her hazel eyes, trying to figure out where he was going with this. "It's still a no, Zarek."

"The same one from last year, huh?" To Eva's astonishment, Zarek fiddled with his hands. "I don't understand why you're so hard on me," he said softly, "I know I hurt you, but turning me down again and again? I don't deserve such a cruel punishment."

If by cruel punishment he meant her taking her time to forgive all the awful and inconsiderate things he had done, then yes. She was such a horrible person, wasn't she? However, Eva didn't voice her internal opinion since her courage slipped out of her.

"And I understand, okay?" Zarek said, "I know it's your pride, or whatever. But even after all the things I've done for you, you still can't trust me."

Eva found her voice. "All the things you've done for me?" She chuckled. "That's funny. Last time I checked, you said you'll stop smoking and you didn't. You don't keep your word, totally trust worthy."

"Stop already." The softness left Zarek's voice as he glared at her. "I'm so sick of it. I'm so sick of you blaming me for everything. You don't think I do that to myself?"

Evangeline was taken aback. She gulped, her hazel eyes looking at the hallway. It would take her approximately thirty seconds to reach the stairs, but she doubted Zarek would let her get that far.

"I reached out to you, thinking you'd help me." he mumbled, "But you can't keep your grudge aside, can you?"

That caught Eva's attention. "Help you with what?"

Zarek smiled, his eyes flickering with hope. "Would you date me?"

"I'm sorry, I can't." she said, looking down. But then, her hazel eyes met his green ones. "But I still want to help you."

"It doesn't matter." Zarek shook his head dismissively. "And don't apologize, you're making it worse." He sighed. "Look, Eva, I'm not forcing you to be with me. I just don't understand why you're so uptight. You keep pushing me away, and I don't understand why."

Evangeline could see the things from Zarek's perspective. She knew she was playing hard to get. She couldn't drop the act, not when he wouldn't be interested in her otherwise - and because he also deserved it.

Zarek stood from the bed, running his hand through his blond hair, making it tousled. "I'm sorry," he breathed, "I'm being a dick." He took a step away from her and toward her window. "It's your decision after all, and I respect that. Just know that I'll always have a place for you in my heart, and I will always care about you."

"Stop saying all these things." Eva frowned in defeat. "You're breaking my heart."

"You already broke mine."

"Despite everything, I never wanted us to be apart." Eva said, eying him as he stood by the window. "Even if we weren't together romantically, I still wanna be with you. I don't want us losing each other. I want us to stay friends."

"Fucking friends." Zarek muttered bitterly to himself, sliding her window open. He gave her a sideways glance. "Stop pulling the friend card on me. I can't be friends with you, Eva. I tried, but my feelings for you are too strong." he said, "All or nothing."

"I know," Eva practically begged him with her facial expressions. "But you gotta think a little of my side.

"Alright. Decision made." Zarek smirked as he sat on her window sill. He lifted both of his feet over and turned around. As he was about to jump down her one-story house, he paused and gave her a glance. "Don't forget, dear Evangeline, I'll be waiting for you."

Eva sprinted towards her window, getting a chilly spring breeze hit her face. She was afraid that Zarek got hurt. She reached there in time to see him running into the the darkness and past her neighbor's yard, and to witness her mother's Fabia park in the driveway.

She quickly hid from her mother, closing the window and dropping the curtains. Hurriedly, she left her room and went downstairs to her living room. She wanted to give Trudy and Sandra a head's up to leave before Hannah came and judged them. Although, nobody was in sight.

The house was empty, but not for long. Eva would be in the company of her mother. Evangeline wondered which was worse; being lonely in an empty house, or in the company of someone who couldn't care less about her.

hello, readers. how are you holding up? hope you haven't dozed off just yet. remember, we're still playing hide and seek. i'm afraid motivation chose a really good hiding spot this time. so help me win to finish the story by voting and commenting.

enjoy.