To say the drive to the Urban Moon Cafeteria was intense would be an understatement. I lost counts of the number of times my heart thumped to explode out of my chest due to anxiousness.

“Are you okay?” Shawn asked as he took a left turn, drawing us closer to the cafe.

“Let's be honest here, they hate me, don't they?” I asked anxiously as I rubbed my hand.

He raised his eyebrow, lending a glance, and quickly direct it on the road.

“They don't, Maya. Nobody does. We all understand what you went through. They might be a little upset, but they sure don't hate you.”

I forced my eyes shut as I winced my face tightly. I did not have any idea of how I was going to face them.

“Shawn...?” He looked towards me, motioning to continue as he diverted his attention on the road again, “Can we stop at the departmental store?” I asked.

“I wanna buy some chocolates for them. They never turn down chocolates.” I winked as a smile found a way on my troubled face.

“Sure.” He responded with a smile.

He pulled over the car to the nearest store and I jumped out of the car as soon as the engine shut cool. I jogged towards the chocolate section and picked up a few chocolate boxes and headed to the cashier.

“Maya...? Is that you?” A voice called from behind as I stood in the line. I turned around to see the person standing beside me.

“Where were you the fast few days? I missed your pretty face.” Bradley whispered in my ear.

“Bradley. Can't say the feeling is mutual.” I replied in a discontent tone.

“Why? I think we get along fine.” He placed his hand on my left shoulder.

“I don't think so.” I shrugged, removing his hand.

“Hey, there's a great cafe just around the corner. Let's go get coffee. It's a date.” He winked as he clasped my hand and was about to pull me out of the queue.

“I suggest you leave her hand right away or you're not gonna like what is about to come.” Before I could retaliate, Shawn appeared out of nowhere and stepped dangerously close towards Bradley.

“Hey, why are you always found sticking around her like a gum? Don't you have anything else to do other than following her? Get a life and move out of my way.” Bradley spat, annoyance evident on his face.

“I am not going anywhere. She's here with me and if you do not leave now, an intense scene might be created and I'll not be sorry for what might happen to you after that.” I could feel the rage that was emerging inside him by his rough tone.

He stepped forward, subtracting the distance between them, and had a gap less than an inch. I stepped in and placed a hand on his chest, pushing him slightly away from him.

“He's not worth it, Shawn. Just leave it.” I whispered in his ear as I rubbed his back to calm him down a bit.

Bradley let out a devilish chuckle and I turned around my head to look at him in confusion.

“Now I see. She's sleeping with you, isn't she? That's why you are being defensive. Bro, I expected better from you.” A devilish smirk appeared on his face as he remarked.

I felt an inevitable urge to beat the shit out of him as the words sank in into my mind. Before I could answer, I heard a hard, thumping sound and found Shawn's fist colliding roughly with Bradley's jaw.

Instantly, blood drops sprinkled around the marble floor as his body collapsed fragilely on the ground. I was least bothered and concerned about Bradley, to say the least, and looked over at Shawn's and found his knuckles turned black and blue.

I walked towards Bradley and lifted him, grabbing his collar as I looked into his eyes in despise, stirred with disgust.

“The difference between you and him is that he isn't desperate like you are, and never in a million years, I would ever sleep with you, you lustful prick. And before you question my innocence, make sure your thing starts to work within a month.” I announced as my stone-strength knee caps collided as hard as it could, on his little balls.

The scream of his that echoed around the store was nothing close satisfying than anything I've ever heard. I smirked victoriously as I turned back, grabbing Shawn's hand and paying the amount to the cashier. The astounding, confused eyes we received in the store, precisely that Bradley received, was enough a humiliation for a lifetime. I could feel Bradley's glares stabbing our backs as we walked out of the store.

“Are you okay?” Shawn asked from behind as he opened the door for me.

“You're asking me? Are you okay? You hit your knuckles pretty hard. You have to apply some ice real quick.” I asked in concern and took his hand to examine.

“It's nothing. Let's get going.” He walked over to the other side and got in.

I huffed in annoyance. I don't understand what is it with guys hiding their pain in front of others?

I got in the car, and we drove back on our way to the Urban Moon Cafeteria.
                                   ~
I pushed the handle of the cafe and encountered the squad sitting in the corner cozy table, my favorite table, browsing through their phones, and scrutinizing the menu. A weak smile immediately formed on my face as soon as my eyes spotted them. I saw them after quite a long time, after New Year Eve. I missed them, a lot.

Shawn entangled his hand with mine, sensing my anxiousness, and shot me an assuring smile. I smiled back and walked towards the table.

David was the first one to spot us walking towards them and smiled brightly.

“Hey! You look good, Maya. I missed you.” David said as he stood and embraced me in a soft, quick hug.

It grasped the attention of the others and I felt weird under their unreadable gazes.

“Maya? How have you been? It's been a long time. I'm mad at you for ghosting me. But it's not hard to make it up to me. All you need to do is buy me food.” Andy greeted and expressed his discontentment and then suggested the way how I could win him over.

I smiled and nodded my head in agreement.

Lexi and Maddie stood up altogether and eyed me blankly. I opened my mouth to greet them but Lexi grasped my hand tightly and took me out of the table. Maddie followed us. We reached the loo and Lexi let go of my hand.

“You have some serious explaining to do, bitch.” Lexi quoted as both of the girls crossed their arms and formed an attacking position.

“I am so sorry, girls. I know it was selfish of me to shut off all of you. I am not going to explain whys because I don't even know how to do it. Just know that I missed you girls, so much.”

Lexi dropped her head and Maddie shook it. I stared at both of them simultaneously and they suddenly embraced me in a rib-crushing hug.

“We missed you too,” Maddie exclaimed as she broke away from the hug, followed by Lexi.

“This should be the last time when you pull out something like this. You had me scared, bitch. Now let's go.” Lexi added as she clasped my hand.

“Where to?” I asked in oblivion.

“Remember we planned to select a dress for your prom? We're going today.” Maddie reminded.

Before I could answer, she dragged me out and waved at the boys who were sitting idly on the table a goodbye. Shawn telepathically asked what's going on widening his eye and I responded I don't know by shaking my head.

Soon, we were on the road, with Lexi driving and Maddie reading her the location. I didn't know where they were taking me but I figured, this was going to be an interesting day.
                                  ~
After a long, ear-blasting ride, we pulled over right in front of a pearl color painted architecture that gave it an edgy and elegant outlook. I could say the store surely did cost a fortune.

We walked into the store, pulling the cold, polished metallic handle of the stored and entered it. The aura was enough to guess that this place had a very high standard, and undoubtedly, very expensive. I stole glances from the beautifully hanged clothes that perfectly fit the standards, worthy to wear and walk in Fashion Week's Ramp Walk. I suddenly started to feel out of place and looked down at the ragged school uniform that I was still wearing.

“Lexi? Where are we? This place looks very expensive. I feel out of place here.” I whispered in her ear, making sure I was inaudible to the others.

“You're not. Since you belong with us, you belong here as well. And yes, this place is incredible. It's one of the bests in the country.” Lexi added.

“Where exactly are we?” I asked, looking around. The dresses looked out of the world, so I supposed it would be some renowned designer.

“Aunt Arlene!” Lexi ran away towards a seemingly nice lady that came out of the changing room, probably helping some of her clients. She embraced Lexi into a sweet hug as she smiled brightly. She looked somewhat in her mid-thirties. I focused on her more prominently and gasped in astonishment.

“Arlene McDowell! She... is your aunt, Lexi?” I asked incredulously. This felt like a dream.

They walked closer towards us and I stood there, fixed on the ground, in awe.

“Aunt, meet Maya. The one I told you about. And Maya, this is...”

I cut her off before she could finish.

“Arlene McDowell, I know. Who doesn't? She is one of the best fashion designers in the country.” I chirped. I trembled in excitement just like a child does when it gets its favorite toy.

“Hello Maya, I've heard so much about you. You were the one who threw off her phone in the pool right? That was hilarious. Nobody ever dared to pull out anything as such with her, but you did. Great job!” She patted my back.

“Oh no! Did you hear that? That was kind of embarrassing when I think about it. I'm still sorry for throwing off her iPhone on the pool” I covered my face in embarrassment.

“Haha, don't be. You did us a favor. She just wouldn't look up her mobile screen. At least, that did the work for a few days.” She winked.

“I'm still here you know. Anyway, we are here to get this pretty lady a pretty outfit for her prom.” Lexi asserted motioning her hand in the direction of dresses.

“That's great. We received a new collection this week. They're stunning. You'll look marvelous, Maya.” She informed.

“Uh-yeah.” I pulled Lexi to the corner, “Lexi, I don't think I can afford it. It's Arlene frigging McDowell's outfits! They cost a fortune. I remember her winning outfit in the Fashion Week last year was 200k dollars. It would take me years to pay for it. I just can't.” I stated the fact.

“Girl, you need not worry about it. It's a gift from me.” She held my hand in reassurance.

“What? No! I can't. Are you out of your mind, Lexi? I can't take such an expensive gift from you.” I withdrew my hand, rejecting the offer.

“Oh yes, you can.” She pulled me back to where we were standing and stepped closer to her aunt.

“She is worried that she might not be able to pay for it. Dearest aunt, please explain to her.” Lexi told Arlene.

“You need not worry about it, Maya. I had already discussed this with Lexi. She agreed if I would give you one of the dresses from my collection, she would go to her Mom's and spend a week with her.” She informed and a bright smile formed on her on the mention of her sister.

I watched Lexi in awe as she shot me an assuring smile. Lexi wasn't on speaking terms with her mother. They didn't share the greatest bond and had their differences and so, Lexi moved in with her aunt. And so, it was a big deal for her, as much as it was for me.

“Y-You'd do that for me, Lexi?” I asked hesitantly.

“To give you the prom of your dreams for bearing my mom for a week, doesn't sound such a bad deal to me.” She winked.

I strode towards her and hugged her tightly, as a tear of happiness rolled down my cheek.

“Enough of an emo moment for a day. Let's get you a dress, bitch.” Lexi said as we broke the hug.

“Language, Lexi!” Arlene warned.

“Oops!” We all burst into fits of giggles.
                                  ~
“This looks so good!” Maddie commented as I walked out of the changing room for the sixth time.

“Ugh, I know. You said that for the last five outfits as well. Everything looks so pretty.” I whined. I never had such a hard time selecting an outfit, but it wasn't Arlene McDowell's outfits either.

“Try the two other outfits as well. We'll shortlist some then.” Lexi suggested.

I nodded my head and went inside the changing room.

“How was your birthday, anyway? We didn't get to ask you”. I heard Lexi questioning me from outside.

“Uh... It was good. It was great. We went someplace where there was this majestic view of the stars.” I reminisced.

“Shawn's secret place? Oh, God! We remember it took us weeks to convince him to take us there. The irony is we don't remember the route as it was very dark, and he took so many turns. It was impossible to remember.” Maddie groaned.

He took me directly there. And I'm pretty sure I remember the route. Does that mean he wanted me to remember it?

“I see.” I stated while zipping the chain.

“What did you guys do there?” Maddie asked nonchalantly.

Shit! Exactly the question I was trying to avoid.

“Uh... We lied down. We talked. We laughed. And...” I stepped out of the dressing room.

“W-we kissed.” I announced nonchalantly like it was no big deal.

They didn't react for a few seconds but as soon their brains registered my words, they jumped out of their seats.

“What? OMG! I knew it! It was bound to happen.”

“Gosh! I was shipping you guys for so long! Finally, the day has come!”

“Oh my God, girl we're so happy for you.” The girls sang non-stop.

“Girls, chill! Don't make it such a big deal.”

“It is a big deal. I told you he likes me, a lot.” Lexi added.

I went inside the changing room to try the last outfit.

“So, what are you going to do about it?” Maddie asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked, unzipping the dress.

“Are you guys a thing now?”

“What? No. I mean, not yet. Ugh, I don't know. We didn't talk about this.” I quoted.

“Then you guys should. What exactly are you guys, now?” Lexi questioned.

What are we?

I shook my head to snap out all the bizarre questions and looked into the mirror. I quietly walked out and watched me in awe, glued at their positions.

“This is it!” Lexi exclaimed.

“Girl, you look a-mazing.” Maddie whistled.

We burst into fits of giggle and I stole glances of myself in the mirror.

“I'm sure after looking at you, he'll surely make up his mind and propose to you right away.” The girls high-fived and mentally patted their backs.

My phone pinged with a text and I unlocked my screen to find a text from Shawn.

'I hope you still remember I am your date for the prom.'

'I have to ask you something on the day of the prom.'

'Be ready. ;)'

Regardless of any other things, one thing was for sure. Prom was going to be fascinating.
                                  
Little did I know, my life was going to take a full-speed turn.

Hey guys, thank you so much for reading this chapter.
If you managed to read till here, you have no idea how much that means to me.
I have some real good news!

My book got featured in Wattpad's Official Romance Featured Romance Reading List!

Thank you so much, guys! It wouldn't have been possible if not for your love and support! I can't thank you guys enough.

Dropdown your views, please.

If you liked this chapter, don't forget to tap on the star icon right at the bottom.

Feel free to vote and comment.

I'll see you guys soon.
Stay tuned♡.

~Loveya~( ˘ ³˘)♥