Everly.
"Okay, which one of you knows the answer to questions one, two and four?" Isabel threw down her pen and put her head in her hands as she glared down at the book in front of her. "I really don't get maths, like why is this so hard?" She let out a dramatic sigh and placed her head on the table.

I looked down at my worksheet, chewing on the end of my pen lightly, a habit that always annoyed my mum. "So for question one, I got sixty-seven and I haven't done the others since I'm trying to finish Sir's homework," I said with a slight shrug as I glanced over at our maths teacher who was making his way around the classroom.

Isabel's eyes suddenly grew wide as she looked back and forth between me and her sheet. "I did not get that at all, I got two hundred and something. Why am I actually in this set? I'm going to fail maths," she groaned quietly.

"No, you won't. We're here to help you and you're in this set because you're obviously smart." I grabbed her hand and gave it a small squeeze as I sent her a reassuring smile.

"Exactly! And I'm going to make sure that you at least pass, but I'm sure you're going to smash these exams. We believe in you babe!" Kasey chipped in from the desk in front of us. She stood up and leaned over the table, hugging Isabel tightly. "We're all in this together-" Kasey let out a loud laugh as she belted out the rest of the lyrics to her all time favourite song.

"Kasey, outside. I don't know how many times I have to tell you this, my classroom is not a choir." Mr Pharrell stood up and pointed towards the door as he straightened his tie. His shiny bald head reflecting the bright classroom light.

"Well, I guess that I'm gonna end up with another detention. My dad is actually going to kill me, it was lovely having you guys as my friends. I will miss you dearly." Kasey wiped away a fake tear and let go of Isabel, making her way out of the room.

I shook my head at Kasey's antics and picked up my pen again. "I'm surprised she's still alive. The amount of times she's been sent out and given detentions for just running her mouth for no reason is pretty amazing," I said as I started working out the answers to the next couple of questions.

"I know right, we should give her an award for it. Maybe it can be our present to her for her birthday since it's coming up soon." Isabel turned to look at me with a small smile on her face.

"Yeah, we could even decorate it and make it just scream Kasey."

The door opened and Kasey sauntered back in and sat down with a massive smile on her face. "Guess who doesn't have a detention today, this beauty right here. Also, I have an idea that I want you guys to give me some feedback on, but we have to get some work done though or we're all going to be split up." She twirled around a strand of her hair as she popped a piece of gum in her mouth.

"Okay, we're listening," Isabel said while looking for something in her bag.

"Okay, so four words. Halloween Themed Birthday Party. Do I need to say anything else?"

"Is it going to have a specific theme or are people just meant to dress up?" I asked as I looked over at her.

Kasey shrugged and thought briefly, "I'm not sure yet. But if you're both still sleeping over at mine tonight then we can probably sort that out."

"I can't come tonight, I'm stuck babysitting my niece and nephew since my brother decided to visit unexpectedly," Isabel groaned. "Don't get me wrong, they're adorable but they're just a handful and get really annoying after a while."

"Good luck with that Izzy, I'm sure i you're going to be in for a right old treat. And Kase, I'm still coming tonight." My eyes darted to the front of the class where Mr Pharrell was seated. As he started to stand up, I quickly looked back down at my worksheet. "Guys, Baldie is coming over. Let's talk about this at lunch or something because we are going to get split up otherwise."

"Very good idea, because if I get a detention, my party is not going to be happening anytime soon." Kasey turned around properly so that she was facing the front and started scribbling down answers onto her worksheet.

The three of us more or less worked in silence for the remainder of the lesson until it was time for lunch.

◆◇◆◇◆◇

Kasey smiled as she looked around the table and she clasped her hands together. "Okay, so me and the girls were discussing this in maths but as we all know, my birthday is on Halloween which is in like a week or two. And so I was thinking, it's the big sixteen and I might as well go all out," she paused and glared at Nolan who was busy eating his sandwich.

Nolan suddenly jumped and rubbed his leg, "That wasn't necessary at all, I was actually listening to you. Why do you kick so hard anyways? You're literally tiny," he complained as he put down his sandwich.

"It was because you were making that face you do when you're not paying attention. Anyways, like I was saying, I'm really going all out this year and it's going to be amazing. Obviously you're all invited as you're the only people who are coming that I can tolerate minus one other person."

"Who's that?" I looked over at Kasey with an intrigued look on my face. "Is it the same guy from your holiday to Florida?"

Kasey nodded, a small smile creeping onto her face. "Yeah, he's coming over here for a week or two. It's going to be so fun, I can't wait for you guys to meet him."

"Him?" Nolan's eyebrows scrunched up as he quickly scanned Kasey's face before looking away.

"Yes, him. Aw, don't tell me you're jealous?" She got up and walked around the table, wrapping her arms around Nolan.

"Obviously not, I just didn't realise that your friend was a guy. Is he like your boyfriend or something now?"

"Clearly not, we all know how I feel about relationships. The day I'm in one might as well be the day that I start growing a second head. He's just a really good friend," Kasey replied as she ruffled Nolan's hair before sitting down next to him.

"What's his name by the way? Cause we can't keep calling him the guy from Florida," Isabel, who had been oddly quiet, chimed in.

"He's called Liam and I can guarantee you that you're all going to like him. His personality blends in nicely with this group." Kasey took a bite of her apple before continuing, "Anyways, Val said she doesn't mind if we throw the party at my house as long as we clean up properly. You'll probably be able to stay over too, the guys will just sleep in the living room or something."

"Guess that means that I'm going to have to actually spend some money on a costume this year. I'm actually broke though, I've spent all my money on food this month," I said whilst letting out a silent sigh. Isabel held her hand out for a high five which I quickly responded to.

"It's fine, we're broke but we're still thriving," Isabel said while standing up. "But, I'll see you guys later, I promised Nathan I'd help him with his Spanish homework. Bye lovelies." With that she took her bag and walked out of the canteen.

"Nolan, do you know where Evan is?" My eyes darted over to his table, a small frown forming when I couldn't see him anywhere. "I haven't seen him all day, but I know he's in."

"He's definitely in, I walked with him this morning and saw him at break. Maybe you should go and check the library," he said while looking around the canteen.

I stood up and grabbed my bag, walking out of the canteen. I froze as soon as I realised how cold it was outside and hurried over to the library on the other side of the school. I signed in and walked around, smiling once I found him sitting at a computer. I walked over and gently covered his eyes with my hands as I whispered, "Guess who it is."

"Absolutely no idea, is this the librarian or something?" He peeled my hands off and smiled, kissing one of them gently. "How's your day been? I feel like I haven't seen you at all."

"Maybe that's because you've been holed up in here for the majority of the day most likely. But my day's been good, it's a bit better now though." I kissed his cheek and sat down next to him, glancing over at his computer screen. "What are you working on?"

"My business homework, obviously I'm doing it last minute as usual. Are you going anything after school today? If not, do you want to come over tonight?"

"I would but I promised Kasey that I was going to hers for a sleepover. By the way, she's throwing a Halloween themed birthday party during the half term and you are going to be my date."

"I'll go with you on one condition, we wear matching costumes."

"It's a done deal then, do I get to choose what we're going to wear?"

"How about we flip a coin?" Evan searched his pockets and looked over at me. "Do you have any change on you?"

I shook my head, "No, but we'll sort this out later. The bell is going to go soon and you need to finish off your homework." I stood up to leave, a confused look appearing on my face as Evan grabbed my hand gently.

"Stay with me? I could use a bit of a company."

"Fine, only if you promise to actually finish your work though."

"I promise. Will you sit down now?"

I nodded and sat back down again, rummaging through my bag for something to do while I waited for him to finish.

◆◇◆◇◆◇

The rest of the school day went by quickly and before I knew it, I was sat having dinner with Kasey and her step-mum.

"Val, you have no idea how long I've been waiting for one of your apple pies. They've been calling my name for a while now."

"Well hun, maybe if you came here more often then you'd get to eat them more." Val pointed a finger in my direction. "Why have I only seen you twice in the past couple of weeks? What happened to the girl who was basically living here?"

"She's got a boyfriend," Kasey sang as she poured herself a glass of water, smirking over at me.

"Is it that boy you've been hung over for like a year now? What's that boy's name again?"

"Evan, and he's not my boyfriend. We just both like each other a lot and spend a considerable amount of time with one another." I shrugged and tried my hardest to look at anything but her.

"Oh hun, you sound just like Kasey every time she goes out with a new guy."

"At least I actually get to the boyfriend stage though, sorry babe." I smiled sweetly over at Kasey who had a shocked look on her face.

"I didn't realise that it was let's attack Kasey day. We all know where I stand on the relationship platter, I don't mind having a boyfriend. It's less of a hassle for me."

"It's fine, you know that we both love you a lot," I said as I stood up and started clearing up the plates.

"Speak for yourself, I'd love her a bit more if she actually helped clean up after dinner like she's meant to." Val shot a glare over at Kasey and motioned for her to take the plates from me which she did rather reluctantly.

"Val, it's only been tonight. Did I not clean up the other night? I even did the dishes for you! Ev, can you take my phone upstairs and put it to charge? Thank you babe." Kasey put it in my hand and ushered me out of the room.

I went upstairs and plugged her phone in before getting changed and ready for bed. I could hear Kasey walking about as she got herself ready.

Kasey soon walked into her room with her hair up in what might have been considered, the world's messiest bun. She sat down besides me on the bed as she grabbed her pimple cream and carefully applied it to the areas that she needed it on.

I pulled the hood up of my onesie and wriggled under the covers. "You know, I've missed how warm your room is. Mine might as well be a freezer or something." I turned to face her, a wide smile on my face.

"Maybe you should come over more often then. And Ev, why are you smiling at me like that? That's really creepy."

"This smile isn't creepy at all."

"Ev, you look like a Jack-O-Lantern that's about to kill me."

I placed a hand over my heart while gasping rather dramatically. "That was uncalled for and hurt my feelings very deeply. I'm really considering revoking your best friend privileges." I bit back a laugh as I tried to keep my face as serious as possible.

"You'd give them back instantly, after all, who else is going to be finding things to compare you to? No one is the correct answer by the way."

"You know, you're lucky that I happen to love you a lot."

"Aw, I love you too." Kasey gave me a side hug and then got under the covers with me.

"So tell me about Liam, like you've talked about him a few times but I've never gotten all the details," I said as I studied her face, noticing the way that it lit up at the mention of his name.

"His parents are really good friends with Val, they all grew up together in Florida. We met in the summer as you know and we've talked like everyday, he's like one of my closest guy friends now apart from Nolan. He's coming over because his parents are thinking of moving here and they're going to check out some houses."

"We should totally take him up to London, it could be us, him and maybe Evan?"

"Yeah, let's do that. It'll be so fun, we can do it before my birthday."

"That sounds like a plan, we'll just have to organise it properly and set an actual date."

"Now that you've mentioned him, how are things going with Evan?" A grin formed on her face as she looked at me.

"Really good actually, so I kinda told him that I like him."

"Are you serious?Oh my god, Ev! I'm so proud of you for doing that!" She grabbed my arm as her smile got even bigger. "I want to know every single detail! Leave anything out and I am making you sleep on the floor tonight and I won't give you a blanket."

"And you said my smile was creepy. Also, you're going to get every single detail possible from where we were sat, what colour our table was and everything else you want to know."

"Now that's what I like to hear! You can start telling me your story now." Kasey clasped her hands together and sat up properly.