It wasn't right away that Zarek realized what a fucktard he was.

He had regretted his words and actions several minutes later, suddenly scheming other ways he could've reacted that would've ended up in his favor. Why did he say all those bad words to Eva, especially when he could've easily manipulated her into believing him?

It was too late. His slip up wasted two weeks of his life that he had spent chasing Eva, and costed him five grand too. It was the money he owed Hunter by losing the bet. He needed that money to change his Mustang's tires and oil, and to get his cigarettes and weed, but it seems like he wouldn't thanks to his big mouth.

It was funny, really. Five thousand dollars were nothing compared to his supposed wealth, but it was the only money Zarek got. His father was too cheap with his son, limiting him to a certain budget.

Even though they were among the rich, Zarek never felt satisfied or free.

Zarek drove off with his red Mustang, fuming more than his turbo. He drove all the way to his mansion, reaching there an hour before midnight. He sat inside his car's comfortable, leather seats, profiting to analyze the situation all over again.

Eva found out about the bet, but who told her? There was a number of people who knew about the arrangement between him and Hunter. Hunter being the first one. After all, he had been insisting that the bet was over. Maybe he told her to win himself some cash? That possibility was considerable, but less likely, especially since he and Eva shared no relationship whatsoever.

There was also Justin and Ryan. Both of them were aware of a bet going on, but none of them actually knew about who it was. Perhaps they were smart enough to figure it out by themselves, but again, that was unlikely.

What was likely, though, was that Trudy was the rat. How came Eva come angry only a few hours after he conquered Trudy and straight out told her he made a bet about her friend?

"That fucking bitch," Zarek mumbled, balling his hands. He stormed out of the Mustang, walking to Trudy's house down the street. In a daze of anger, Zarek only found himself punching the Green's mansion, even though a bell was there.

It was either the door or Trudy's face.

A few seconds later, Trudy opened the door, her eyes puffy and her nose running. When her broken, brown eyes met his electric green ones, Zarek only remembered what happened to her.

Shit. He wasn't ready to see her like that. Yes, he had been wanting to break her tough-girl act, but not quite yet.

Trudy's eyes widened, wiping her wet cheeks and holding her chin high. The action only made her look more broken. Zarek knew she wasn't expecting him at the door, but her pleading boyfriend.

Trudy attempted her best glare. "What?" she sneered, "Don't you know bells exist for a reason?"

"Save it, bitch," Zarek pitied her, yet that wasn't an enough reason to be nice to her. She was a snake, plotting her best friend's destruction. She had it coming. "I know what you did."

Trudy flinched at Zarek's insult. "What are you talking about?"

"Cut it," Zarek hissed, "I know you told Eva."

"Told her what?"

Zarek lost his temper, almost launching at Trudy and emptying it all out on her. "You fucking whore!" Zarek snapped, "Stop rotating and just admit it."

Like a button was pushed, Trudy regained all of her confidence. She stood up, seeming taller than she actually was, her eyes so intense that it almost made Zarek look away. "I don't have time for this." Trudy hissed every letter. "So you either tell me what the matter or get the fuck out of my sight."

"You told Eva," Zarek said, actually taking a step back, "You told her about the bet."

"I didn't tell her anything."

Zarek took a step toward her. "Yes, you did. She was fine when I saw her at the parking lot after the dance, until you-" He poked her shoulder. "-told her."

"For the last time, I didn't tell her." Trudy frustrated, "You said it yourself. I was with her at the dance, yet she was fine at the parking lot. Someone must've talked with her after, and no, it wasn't me; my phone has been off since the dance."

Suddenly, it all clicked. She was fine, until... "Dammit," Zarek hissed, "Ryan."

It was a mistake telling him in the first place. Ryan was a sucker for secrets, it was why Zarek wouldn't tell him who the bet was about in the first place. Even though he knew his friend would somehow tell, Zarek still felt betrayed. Him and Ryan were buddies.

When Zarek first stepped a foot in Dessertville Elementary, everyone were intimidated by him. He was that awkward kid who sat in the corner, a lethal glare stuck on his eyes and an annoyed scowl plastered on his lips. He was that kid who everyone blamed if something went wrong. Someone broke a pen? It was Zarek. A gum was stuck on the teacher's chair? Zarek must've did it. They found a dead bird? His fault.

While it was actually Zarek's doings, they didn't have any evidence most of the time. They just assumed it was him. Zarek knew he would be misunderstood ever since.

Zarek was socially awkward and depressed back in elementary school, and it was only natural. How else would a six year-old react if his mother died six months ago and was forced by his dad to move from Farmville in the countryside to Dessertville where it was more civil and judgemental?

In the other hand, Ryan was that kind boy who everyone liked and were impressed with. All the teachers were persuaded with his nice manners and cuteness, and all the other kids were mesmerized by his enthusiasm and charm.

So for Ryan to approach Zarek and stick around after Zarek's pulls at him to push him away, and endure him at his worst days instead of judging him - Ryan deserved Zarek's friendship. Ryan helped Zarek overcome his depression, and while Ryan was a good friend at their childhood, over the years, their relationship changed.

The credit goes to Hunter on that one. When Hunter came into picture, that was when Zarek's life took a turn from healing - Ryan's method - to coping - Hunter's method. He started doing drugs, sleeping around, and he ran out of the fucks to give too.

Zarek became more closed-off, dangerous, and evil, but Ryan remained the same childish boy; inexperienced, innocent, and naive. Zarek tried many times to open Ryan's eyes to the world, to help him see that there was no place for the good, and that he needed to man up. Zarek genuinely wanted to help Ryan, after all, Zarek owed it to him.

Ryan wouldn't listen. He preferred being that nice guy, that good friend, and that dude in the corner who would always be taken for granted. After a while, Zarek gave up trying to change his friend. They remained friends nonetheless.

Zarek sent a message on his phone to Ryan, telling him to get out in five. When Zarek pulled over to Ryan's house, he was already outside waiting for him. Zarek removed his belt, the engine of his Mustang still running, and walked over to Ryan, leaving his car door open.

Ryan frowned, watching Zarek's angry steps towards him. "I guess you're not here to say sorry, are you?"

Zarek poked Ryan's shoulder, almost knocking him off of his feet. "You'll regret what you did, Ryan, I promise you that."

Ryan's lip twitched up, looking at Zarek in mock fear. "You're threatening me?" Ryan yawned, rubbing his tired eyes. "That's funny, but I'd rather go back to sleep. I thought you'd apologize for before, not threaten me again."

Despite the darkness of the night, Zarek could clearly see how Ryan's hair was still styled to perfection, even though Ryan claimed he was asleep. Ryan's eyes glinted, probably waiting for an apology. Ryan must be delusional if he thought I'd apologize to him, Zarek thought.

Zarek lurched at Ryan, pushing him to the ground. Electric green eyes were striking lightnings as Zarek looked down at Ryan. "I would do it again with no hesitation. You snitched on me, Ryan. I will never forgive that."

Ryan's sleepy, forest green widened, not believing the situation he was in. "Is this about that stupid bet?" Ryan snapped, jumping to his feet, "You'd lose your friend for over a decade for what? Five grand?"

"Exactly!" Zarek shouted, stepping closer to Ryan and fighting his throbbing fist not to do something he'd definitely regret later, "We've been friends for over ten years yet you sold me for a pussy."

Ryan knotted his eyebrows, his analyzing gaze on Zarek. "You mad 'cause you feel like I betrayed you?"

Despite Ryan hitting home, Zarek forced a smirk. "Nah," Zarek shook his head, regretting choosing anger as his strategy instead of manipulation, "I just can't believe how desperate you are for pussy. You're pathetic."

Ryan watched Zarek, his eyes hesitant. "You don't mean that," Ryan said slowly, doubt lacing his voice.

Zarek laughed, the sound echoing in the silent night. "She'll never look at you that way, Ryan." Zarek stated, grinning down at Ryan, electric green eyes mischievous, "Well, she might. That is, if she looks down, you shorty!"

Ryan's eyes broke, satisfying Zarek's sadistic hunger for pain. Surprisingly, Ryan's fists balled and attacked Zarek. Zarek was fast enough and stopped Ryan midway through the swing. A vicious smile played at Zarek's lips as he clenched his own fists and prepared to smash it against Ryan's straight jaw.

Before he could though, someone caught his hand and twisted it, punching him in the stomach in the process. Zarek raised his other fist and was about to hit the intruder but stopped once he saw who it was.

"What the hell?" Zarek roared, probably waking up the entire neighborhood, "This is none of your business. So stay out of it, Raven."

Raven's fearless eyes cut deep into Zarek's face. "Go home," Raven growled, voice deeper than Zarek's, "This isn't the right time."

Zarek glanced at Ryan who was hiding behind his sister. What a scrub. Ryan averted his eyes away, but it was too late as Zarek glimpsed how broken Ryan was.

"We're not talking about this right now," Ryan muttered, "You're clearly not thinking straight."

Zarek stared at the twins, hiding his true emotions with a hard glare. "Fine." he hissed, going back to his running car. He must've hurt Ryan too much, because the devastated look on Ryan's face alone managed to twist Zarek's guts in regret. It was the only reason Zarek dropped out of the scene.

Gone the days of elementary and middle school. Zarek had a feeling that this argument would, most likely, scar their already distanced friendship.