Yoho, guys! How are you? Here's the chapter :D If you have nothing to do after finishing this chapter, you should check out my new story 'Room 27' is up in my profile. Don't worry that new story won't mess with the update for this. That story is already written off wattpad, I'm just uploading it now. Take a look, you won't regret it.

Love, 

Ariana. 

Chapter Twenty-Three.

I'm going to have fun.

I decided, unpacking my things. I knew it was going to be hard to ignore all the tension around but I was going to try. My birthday would be next morning and everyone I cared about had prepared this gift for me hence I would enjoy it.

The fact that we had zero privacy didn't quite help with my decision though. We were all forced to stay in the same area. I wondered if Shane’s parents couldn't have wait a little to restyle their vacation house. Maybe it was just fate having fun with my life once again.

As for my group of friends, they were all around doing different things. Jane, Jason, Helen and Nadia were using their phones. Jordan was watching a football game. Lau sat next to him but didn't seem quite interested in the game. Nash seemed to be evaluating the house in his nerdy way. Shane had gone to the bathroom and my boyfriend was currently leaning against the window, staring at the outside absent-mindedly.

I sighed. My birthday resolution of not letting the tension ruined this was not going to be easy to accomplish. I stood up and cleared my throat.

“Hey, guys.” I called out, getting everyone's attention. I swallowed, being on the spotlight wasn't my thing but I had no choice, “we should explore our surroundings. These mountains are beautiful.” They all stared at me in silence.

“It's too cold outside,” Jane gave her opinion even though I wasn't asking her.

Lau got up from her seat, “Jules is right. We should wander a little.” I couldn't believe she was backing me up. Did that mean she wasn't mad anymore?

Jordan grinned from ear to ear, “We could have a bonfire and all. I'll tell you guys some creepy stories I know.” He rubbed his hands excitedly.

“Erm,” Jason made a face, “not creepy stories. I still have a nightmares about that movie night in Jules’ house,” he shuddered, “What about some jokes?”

“Really, Jason?” I couldn't believe he hadn't gotten over that.

Helen sighed, “You’re a lost cause.” Jason seemed surprised to hear Helen talk to him. I frowned. Was she giving him the cold shoulder as we planned?

Evan remained in silence. His eyes never left the window. He was acting so distant. What was wrong with him? Was this about Shane?  

It was then I remembered Evan’s capacity to act like he cared about nothing. I realized there were two sides of him: the sweet side, the lovely poet who wrote me beautiful poems and tickle me roaring playfully and the cold side, the one I was mostly afraid of because it had hurt me a lot in the past.

Evan was a complicated person. I knew it had a lot to do with his past. It was like he had two different personalities. Or maybe he just built a cold wall around to protect himself, not letting anyone in, anyone but me. He'd let me in. He let me see how sweet and tender he was in the inside.

However, as his dark eyes moved from window to land on me. I realized his cold wall was back up. His eyes had no trace of the love and longing they usually had. They held a glint of anger instead. I wanted to ask him what was wrong but once again there was no privacy in this room to do that.

“Jules?” Someone snapped her fingers in front of my face, “Are you in there?” Nadia pretended to knock on my head.

I smiled at her, “Yeah, I was just…”

“Admiring your boyfriend,” she said for me and she was right but I wasn’t admiring him in the way she thought. In reality, I was actually trying to understand him.

“What’s up?” I struggled to keep my eyes on her and not let them wonder back to Evan.

“Who’s that girl?” Nadia gestured Jane, who had approached Evan and was chatting with him rather lively.

I pursed my lips, “That’s Jane, Evan’s best friend.”

“I know that. I mean, who is she in your life? Why is she here?” that was a great question.

“I…” I trailed off while noticing how touchy Jane was getting with Evan. She caressed his arm once in a while. I glared at her.

“Oh,” Nadia said, getting my attention, “You don’t like her, do you?”

“I’m not a good liar so I’m not gonna deny it.” I let out a long breath.

“We’re celebrating your birthday,” Nadia folded her arms across her chest, “She shouldn’t be here.”

“Tell me about it.” I grumbled, dropping my backpack next to the bed.

Nadia caressed my arms in a comforting manner, “Don’t let her get to you, alright? It’s your birthday and you should be having fun.”

I gave her a grateful smile, “I’ll try.”

“Jules,” Jordan called out, “It’s getting dark and we need to find wood for the bonfire so let’s move!”

Jason groaned, “Are we seriously doing this?”

“Perhaps, we should reconsider your proposition, Jules,” Nash chimed in, “These mountains are national heritage. Therefore, they are kept in their most natural way possible. Do you know what that means?”

“No, enlighten us,” I said tiredly.

“There’s most likely to be wild animals such as bears and foxes. Plus, a variety of poisonous reptiles.”

Jane frowned, “Poisonous reptiles?”

“I think he means snakes,” Lau commented. 

“Oh hell no!” Jason’s expression morphed into a determined one, “I’m not getting out there!”

“I meant snakes but they are not the only reptiles we should worry about,” Nash said seriously.

“There’s more?” Jason’s face was white as paper.

Nash opened his mouth to continue, “That’s enough, Nash.” I spoke before he could, “Thank you for igniting the fear in everyone.”

Nash grinned at me, “No problem.” Did he not get my sarcasm?

Jane sat down on a single bed, “No one is getting me out of this comfy, warm cabin.” I didn’t invite you, anyway.

“Yeah, you should stay,” Nadia said to her, “It’s dangerous out there.”

Jane smiled at her, “Exactly! You get me, girl.” Nadia winked at me. She knew I didn’t want Jane around.

“Can we go already?” Jordan sounded impatient, “I’m forgetting all the scary stories I want to tell you, guys.”

“Scary stories? Snakes? Angry bears?” Jason laughed nervously, “I’m so not going.”

 I walked closer to him and grabbed his arm, “You’re so going, my dear.” I pretended a British accent.

“Your British accent sucks,” he tried to get away from my grip.

“So does yours and you don’t see me complaining,”

“What?” he cleared his throat to perform his attempt of a British accent, “Excuse me, milady. You cannot say that. My accent is the bestest accent in the entire world.”

“Bestest, Jason? Really?” I rolled my eyes, “You should be practicing grammar instead of learning a new accent.”

Jason shrugged, “Yeah, I make up words, sue me. I’m original,”

“Can we go already?” Jordan spoke with a stomp of his foot.

Nash glanced at Jordan, “I feel like you’re the only one excited about this,”

“No, he’s not,” I defended, dragging Jason to the door, “We’re all really excited.” 

“I find that hard to believe when you’re dragging someone to the door,” Nash chuckled.

“I’m excited,” Nadia backed me up, walking to us. She held her hands in the air, “No one is dragging me.”

“Pity is dragging you,” Nash blurted out.

Nadia glared at him, “Tais toi!”

“Pourquoi? C’est vrai!” Nash replied a foreign accent.

“Ce n’est pas vrai, Nash.” Nadia retorted. 

“What the hell?” Lau scowled at them.

“Is that French?” Evan spoke for the first time in a while. We all shared confuse glances.

“Einfach den Mund halten!” Nadia sounded exasperated.

“Ich will nicht,” Nash stuck his tongue out.

“Sehr ausgereift,”

“Stop! You’re freaking speaking in German now,” Lau said surprised.

I frowned, and Jane spoke for me, “How do you know?”

“I listen to Rammstein, duh,” Lau rolled her eyes.

“What’s Rammstein?” Shane walked back in the room. Evan glared at him.

“It’s a band, man,” Jordan replied, hurrying to the door, “Can we go?” I nodded, pushing Jason towards the door.

We all walked out, moving down the porch’s stairs.  When we were getting closer to the forest, I looked back and didn’t see Evan.

I furrowed my eyebrows, “Where’s Evan?” I asked nadia who seemed to be the last one to get out of the cabin.

“He said he wasn’t coming,” she replied with a sad smile.

And he was staying alone in the cabin with Jane?

Hell no!

“Guys, wait a second. I’ll be right back,” I said and they all stopped walking and started chatting.

I went back to the door and opened it. Evan was already chatting with Jane about this place.

“Evan?” He tensed up at the sound of my voice. He looked at me, no expression whatsoever on his face.

“Yeah?” He replied in a cool tone.

“You're not coming with us?” I asked the obvious but I wanted him to say it to my face.

“No,”

I clenched my fists at my sides, “Why not?”

“Isn't it clear?” Jane chimed in, increasing my anger, “What's fun about bonfires?”

“I think I'm not asking you,” I snapped at her and her eyes widened.

“Jules,” Evan warned, “Don't be rude. I just don't feel like going.”

“Can I talk to you for a second?” I was containing my anger, “alone.” I gave Jane a nasty look. Jane looked at Evan and he nodded at her.

“Alright.” She walked past me to the door. Now that we were finally alone, I didn't feel the need to hold myself back anymore.

“What's going on?” I asked straightforwardly, “What's the matter?”

“Nothing, I'm fine.” He stuck his hands inside his jacket’s pockets.

“Really? You've been giving me the cold shoulder since the moment we got inside your car,” I remembered it clearly, “So what's the problem? Why are you mad at me?”

“I'm not mad at you. You're imagining things, I'm fine.”  He shrugged.

I huffed, “Fine you say? Evan, talk to me for God sakes. I'm not a mind reader to know what's bothering you.”

“Why do you always have to make a big deal out of things?” That stung.

“Why? Because I'm supposed to be celebrating my birthday and I'm not enjoying one bit of it because of you.” I had to say it.

Hurt crossed over his face, “You want me to leave? Say it and I'll leave.”

“That's not what I meant!” I exclaimed exasperated, “You know exactly what I'm talking about. You brought Jane even though I don't like her much, you're ignoring me. And you don't even tell me why.”

“I'm not ignoring you. I'm fine.”

“Stop lying!” It was getting on my nerves. He clenched his jaw, and stayed in silence. That was it. If he wasn't going to say it, I'd speak for him, “Is this about Shane coming with us?” Evan stilled.

“Yes.”

His short, honest reply surprised me, “That's not my fault. Shane is part of my group of friends, they couldn't cut him out like that since he was the one to get us the cabin.”

“Yeah yeah, Lau explained it all to me to make sure I was okay with it,” his tone was cold. It reminded me of the Evan who had rejected me under the rain some long ago, “but of course I'm not okay with it but I don't have a choice, don't I?”

“He's just my friend.”

“Is he?” He spat out angrily, “He's always around you like waiting for a moment of weakness to gain your heart. It makes me sick.”

“He's not like that, Evan.” I defended, “you need to trust me on this.”

Evan let out a sarcastic laugh, “you really don't wanna bring trust into this conversation.”

“So that's it? You're gonna ruin my birthday because of something I can't control?”

“No, I'm not ruining anything. I told you I was fine.”

I huffed, “We're back to the I'm fine attitude? You're clearly bothered about Shane being here.”

“Bothered?” He cocked an eyebrow, “I'm furious. What the hell is wrong with your friends? How could they bring him here?”

“There's nothing wrong with my friends. They were just trying to be nice. Besides, whatever happened between Shane and me has nothing to do with them. They're friends with him.”

“Whatever happened between you and Shane? You mean the fact that you cheated on me with him?”

I looked at him surprised. Of course he would bring that up, “We're back to that, huh? Did you actually forgive me, Evan? Because it feels like you didn't.” He kept his mouth shut, “You didn't, did you?”

“I'm trying to but how can I? That jerk is always around you.” He hasn't forgiven me… That saddened me and he seemed to noticed, “Jules…”

“You know what? Do whatever you want. Stay here or go to the bonfire. It's your choice.”

Evan’s cold expression was back on, “I'll stay with Jane.” That hurt but I pushed through.

“Cool. I'll go with Shane.” I replied bitterly.

 Evan clenched his jaw, “Oh yeah? Well, maybe I'll kiss Jane out pity. That's trending nowadays, isn't it?”

That was a direct shot to my heart. Tears welled in my eyes. I didn't say anything, I was afraid if I spoke I would break into sobs. Evan stared at me and his expression softened.

“Jules…” He took a step forwards. I raised my hand for him to stop.

“Don't,” my voice broke.

Evan reached out for me but I backed away, “Jules, I didn't mean to say that, I-”

 “Just don't.” I gave my back to him, “Enjoy yourself, Evan woods.”

I opened the door and immediately cold air received me, cooling my burning heart.

Jane was on the porch, looking to the other side. I pushed my tears back and headed towards my group of friends. They were waiting for me next to the beginning of the forest.

“Finally!” Jordan raised his hands in impatience. I struggled to fake a smile. Lau gazed at me as if reading my face.

“Let's go!” I tried my best to sound cheerful. We started moving towards the woods. I glanced back at the cabin and saw Evan standing next to Jane on the porch. His eyes were fixated on me. I swallowed the bitterness that scene caused me and looked back ahead. 

In that precise moment, my phone buzzed in my jacket’s pocket. I knew it was the unknown number. How? Well, all my friends were here and mom didn't know how to text so that only left the unknown person.

From: Unknown

Liars won't enter the reign of heaven.

Me: I'm getting tired of these scripted messages.

Unknown: Your boyfriend won't enter heaven.

Me: You think he's a liar. You said that already.

Unknown: I don't think he's a liar, I know he is one.

Me: What are you talking about? I’m not in mood for your guessing game.

Unknown: I'll give you one-worded hint about what he's lying about.

Me: ????

Unknown: Jane.