As the school year progresses, I find myself getting lost in a cycle of school, getting ready for the play and work. My friends and I barely hang out unless it's at lunch or Janet and I are working the same shift. It's kind of weird to me how lonely I've become in senior year when according to all the cheesy Hollywood films, it's supposed to be the best year of my life. Janet is occupied with Anthony and Ella's scheming so hard when it comes to getting Josh back. My life pales in comparison to theirs and I feel like they've forgotten about me a little.

In early October, we're all hanging out in David's house, playing blackjack. We've pretty much become a friendship unit now and our lunch table is a lot more rowdy. It's fun with the boys now though, even Ella seems to having a good time when she hangs out with us.

"Guys, can we do something for New Years?" Ethan asks, running a hand through his hair.

I look up from my cards and stop sucking on my strawberry lollipop. "Like what?"

He shrugs. "Go skiing, I don't know?"

"Skiing? We live in San Diego." Ella says smartly. Ethan's vein almost pops out of his head.

"We'd travel, smart ass." He says and she blushes. I don't think they've gotten over the whole dating thing a month ago because they've been awkward around each other. Ethan told me he doesn't know if he trusts her a few days ago and I didn't answer him.

David puts a two down, causing Janet to groan. "Road trip? Why don't we go somewhere corny like LA?"

"Too sunny. I wanna see snow." Anthony says.

"Then we might as well go to New York or something. Corny and snowy." I say passively, thinking that they'd just gloss over what I said. To my surprise, everyone stops what they're doing to stare at me. "What?"

"Give me two minutes." David stands up and gets his laptop out. He opens up a page and starts typing rapidly while we all watch him, baffled on my part. "Round trips to JFK are three hundred dollars." He says.

I stare at him blankly but besides me, Ethan gasps. He shoves my side and I fall over, staring up at him confused. "Dude! We could totally go!"

"Oh my God, yeah! A cheap hotel would be like, what, thirty to forty dollars a night? We can stay for like four days!" Janet bounces upwards and squeals. "That'd be so cool! New Years in New York!"

I pick myself off the floor and collect my cards, thinking that the game is rightly forgotten. Anthony pushes me down again as he stands up to join Janet and I decide to accept my new position lying on the floor as they all get excited over the possibility of New York. It's fun to watch them but someone's gotta be the bearer of bad news...

"How are we gonna afford this?" Ethan asks, ever the voice of reason. Almost immediately Anthony and Janet stop jumping around in a circle together and glare at him. "I mean, my dad will pay because he's trying to buy my love but do you guys have savings or something? Or will your parents fund this?"

Ella shrugs. "My parents will."

David and Anthony agree with this. Janet vows to stop buying flapjacks with her pay check money up until we leave. Everyone looks at me but Ella assures them that I'm definitely coming without asking me what I think. It's whatever though.

I think of the numbers in my bank account and figure that I have enough money for this little trip they want to plan. Though, my mom might be against me going, especially since she loves New Years and thinks that like Christmas, it's all about family. She really is like Barney.

I'm still considering this when Ethan eventually drives me home.

"You've been quiet, 'Leese." He says, parking in front of my house. "Excited for New York?"

I shrug. "Yeah, it'll be fun I guess." I say passively. He frowns at me. "What?"

"You guess? It was your idea, y'know."

"I was being sarcastic." I explain.

"Could've fooled me." He says. "So are you gonna get out of my car or what? You're spreading your cooties."

I roll my eyes at him and open the passenger side door, wondering why we can never have a conversation end nicely. He chuckles at my resigned facial expression, giving me a goofy grin as I step out and wave goodbye to him.

A few days later, I'm working a shift at McDonalds when someone taps on the counter in front of me. I look up with my best fake customer service smile just to roll my eyes when it's Ethan.

He gasps. "Ex-cuse me? Did you just roll your eyes at me, ma'am?! What kind of shitty service is this?"

"Ethan." I say, massaging my temple. He bursts into laughter and leans over the counter. "Are you actually going to order something?" I ask.

He nods. "Can I get the Oreo McFlurry?" He asks. "Also, when do you get off work, I wanna hang out with you."

I check the time as I punch in his order on the cash register. "That's two dollars. And I get off at seven."

He checks his watch and hands me two dollar bills. "Two hours, huh? I can wait."

Only half of me is listening at this point because I give him a thumbs up and head off to collect his McFlurry. Once I give it to him, I expect him to leave but he just stands and stares at me.

"What?" I ask, slightly perturbed. It's not that busy in the restaurant today so I figure I can afford to chill a little.

"Aren't you gonna wish me a good day?" He asks, pouting a little bit.

I put on my cheesiest grin and watch him perk up. "I hope you choke on a piece of Oreo."

Ethan puts a hand to his heart and pretends to be hurt. "You really know how to lead a guy on, 'Leese."

"Well what can I say?" I say and then chuckle as he takes a spoon of his ice cream. "I'll see you when I get off?"

"So you actually wanna hang out with me?"

"Why not?"

It's only slight but Ethan's eyes light up a little. It catches me off guard because he looks genuinely happy by my agreeing to hang out. "Okay."

Funny enough, I find myself in a better mood after Ethan leaves me alone. He hangs around the store for a bit, making faces when I'm serving the odd customer but then at around six thirty, he disappears. My manager, a perky blonde lady from the South named Betty notices the change in my attitude and asks me what's up when I'm about to leave.

"I saw you smiling with that pretty brown haired boy earlier," She says as I close up my checkout. "Who is he?"

"Oh Ethan? He's my neighbour and friend, I guess." I take off my cap. "Why, what's up?"

She raises her eyebrows and then sends me a huge toothy grin. "Y'all dating or something?"

I try my best not to laugh in her face. "No, we're really just friends."

"You sure? He seemed to lighten your spirits..." She shimmies a little and notices the door open behind me. "Oh! And here he is now!"

I turn around and sure enough, Ethan's coming into the store holding a plastic shopping bag filled to the brim with... snacks? He grins at me when we make eye contact while I continue to stare dumbfounded.

"Howdy!" Betty takes it upon herself to introduce herself to Ethan, offering him her hand. "I'm Alisa's boss, and you must be her boyfriend."

I almost faint. "Betty, I just –"

"Is that what we're telling people now, Alisa?" Ethan interrupts, shaking his head and sighing. "So now you're returning my affections?"

I roll my eyes at his antics and throw my cap at him. "Shut up, fool."

"Whatever you say, Wise Girl."

Betty looks between the two of us, the smile on her face way too darn big for my liking. Unable to do anything else, I stick my tongue out at him and then go to the back to get my stuff before heading out. Ethan's wearing my cap and still talking to Betty when I come back out and I almost have to drag him away from her.

"You are so annoying." I tell him bluntly. He laughs.

"You're honestly the only person who sees this annoying side of me." He says, slinging his arm around my shoulder and leaning down on me. "I like being a kid around you because you never tell me to grow up. You just embrace it."

I mimic him and he laughs.

"And you're always a kid with me. Which is why I bought us colouring books and crayons."

I pause and so does he. "Wait a second. You bought us colouring books? Is that the hanging out we're doing?"

Ethan nods. "Colouring, cartoons and your mom's jello. My house?"

It actually doesn't sound like too bad a deal. I've been feeling super stressed this week and I don't really know why but this sounds like a great stress reliever.

"What if I say no?" I ask coyly. He puts a hand to his temple.

"Alisa, stop flirting with me and let's go eat some jello."

My mouth drops to the floor and I guess he is amused by this because he starts laughing. "What do you – Ethan! Take me home now."

He gestures in the direction of his car. "Whatever you say, Wise Girl."

I roll my eyes and walk over to his car silently while he whistles. Once in the front seat, I fold my arms and face my front, pouting like a kid. He takes one look at me with my hair dishevelled and smelling like McDonald's fries and bursts into laughter.

"Wow. You really are a big kid, 'Leese."

"Shut up." I grumble as he starts up the car.

He sends me a cheeky grin. "Make me, sweetheart."

I try not to blush as I brush away whatever he's implying. "Why do you give me so many damn nicknames? Wise girl? 'Leese? Now sweetheart?"

"Because you're just that kinda person, sweetheart." He says. "Now, my house?"

My cheeks are only slightly warm at this point and I decide that I'm going to blame it on the fact that it's warm outside. "Whatever."