Don't believe everything you see in the movies, kids: turns out breakups aren't always followed by an dramatic, yet endearing, montage of days and days spent sobbing in bed. For better or for worse, the impending doom of final exams means that I can't afford to waste another minute moping about. Or, if I absolutely have to mope, I'll need to do it by a stack of revision flashcards.

I suppose it's for the best. School is a much-needed distraction that gives me a reason to actually get up, shower and get dressed, when all I really want to do is laze about in pyjamas all day. Today's bare face, grey cardigan, jeans and converses are far from runway-worthy, but hey, it's better than an old trackie.

Cara and I FaceTime on my train ride to school, and when I hold my phone above me, angling it downwards to capture the entirety of my drab outfit, she does her best to hype me up and hide her distaste.

"Aw, you look so cute!" She encourages, with a smile so toothy it's unconvincing.

"Thanks, Caz," I snort, positioning the phone back in front of me. She nods vigorously, and that's how I know she feels bad for me – Caz never passes up the opportunity to tell you an outfit's trash.

She's trying to be extra kind today, though, since I told her about what happened with Eric - sort of. I told her that Eric and I talked, and we both agreed that it would be better for both of our futures if we just went our separate ways. I don't have it in me to go over the depressing details again.

"Ange, babe, have you eaten today?" She asks, peering closer at the screen with uncharacteristic motherly concern. "Evangeline Juliana Channing, you better have had breakfast this morning."

"Uh," I hum, tilting my head as I try to remember. Shit, did I?

I recall the morning. I rolled out of bed (late), took a shower/zoned out after overthinking, got dressed and listened to 'Somebody That I Used to Know' on repeat until Mum said I had to hurry up or I'd be late. Nope, no breakfast.

"Ange," she frowns, "tell me you had a good dinner yesterday, at least?"

I shake my head sheepishly.

"Evangeline!"

I nod an apology to the passengers sitting across from me when the sound of Caz's shrill scolding is emitted from my earphones. It's my stop, anyway, so I pick up mobile-Cara and my backpack, and start down the platform towards school.

"Caz, relax, I'll just... grab a something from Maccies for lunch. I'll eat the chips and everything."

She's already shaking her head vehemently before I've finished, clearly unhappy with my proposal.

"Ange, just come to mine! Dad's on a business trip, and Mum's out shopping for some gala – we could order sushi and watch One Tree Hill, and make fun of how Macklin's trouser legs are always two inches too short!"

I laugh, and momentarily envy her blissful nonchalance. The length of his slacks has always been a little questionable.

"Caz, I'm on my way in to study," I say, tugging at the lanyard around my neck, holding the ID card up to the phone screen. "You know, study? As in: revise for the life-determining exams we're sitting in a few months' time?"

As expected, Caz waves a dismissive hand. "That's a then problem.  I live in the now, Ange. And right now, my best friend needs Nobu and back-to-back episodes of shitty TV – ideally American."

Her dramatics make me smile, but I know it isn't that simple. I haven't figured out what exactly I need to do to fill the void, or to make me feel even a little better, but this isn't a rainy day or a bad grade. All the Nobu and 90210 in the world won't be the answer.

Sighing, I give her my best excuse.

"I'm really behind on my Econ revision, Caz. Another time?"

She frowns. "Fine. You go 'study', but just know my offer stands. I'm here for you, Ange. You know that."

"I know, I know, and I love you."

"Love you too. As soon as Babe responds to the group chat, I'm organising an emergency girls' night."

At the mention of Babe, I look down at my feet, and hope that Caz doesn't read any of that night's events in my eyes.

"She's been off, Ange," Caz goes on. "Since, like, Sunday morning."

"Off?" I sniff, still studying the intricate patterns of my plain white trainers. "What do you mean?"

Caz screws her lips, trying to find the words. "I don't know. Just...off. Distant, I guess. Like, the day after the party, we went for brunch, and she kept, like, spacing out – like something was really on her mind, you know?"

"Hm..."

"She said it was nothing, but I don't know. I'll get to the bottom of it when the three of us hang out properly," Caz shrugs, satisfied with her solution.

I make a vague sound of agreement, but I hope to God she doesn't. And while I'm hoping, I hope to God that the next time I see Babe, she greets me grinning, with finger guns as she laughs, 'I don't have feelings for you! It was all prank! Gotcha!'

Somehow, I don't think that'll happen.

Besides, even if it did, there's still the fact that she's the reason Mum found out about Eric. And that's an entirely separate, but equally complex, headache.

"Oh!" Caz perks up, her bright eyes wide with inspiration. "Should I add her to this call? If we both ask her, she'll have to say what's wrong, right?"

"Um, I don't kn- ah, I gotta go, Caz; I'm at school," I say, swivelling the camera to prove it... and to change the topic.

"Eurgh. Just looking at that building gives me bad vibes. Alright, text me later, 'kay?"

I nod as I push against the double doors. "Love you, bye!"

I exhale as I tuck the phone into my pocket, and I can't help but feel like I dodged a bullet. Babe's been on my mind all weekend. She's been texting me all weekend. I haven't answered, yet. To be honestly, I've hardly read the content of the messages.

I've thought and thought about what I'll say to her when I can finally face her – whether I'll break down in tears, or curse her out, or sit down, give her a hug and really talk.

But I don't have a clue what I'll say or do. Which is why I'm glad that I can put it off a little longer.

Or so I thought.

As though the Greek god of coincidence was waiting in the shadows for the thought to cross my mind, I spot her instantly. Babe trudges through the double doors at the other end of the hallway, in a tracksuit, with her hair piled atop her head in something akin to a bun, and a stack of books piled precariously in her hold.

Shit.

Instinctively, I freeze, as though if I don't move, she won't see me. But she does, almost immediately, and her heavy-lidded brown eyes snap wide open. She hesitates too, frozen for a second; but the second passes, and suddenly she's moving towards me, striding across the hall.

No, no, no, not now! I'm so not ready to speak to her!

Survival mode: engaged, I scan my surroundings for the nearest and quickest exit, detecting the brown oak doors to the Sixth Form Centre. Sorry, Babe.

I glance at her approaching grey figure once more, and when I lose sight of her for a moment in the hallway traffic, I grab the opportunity, and duck into the building.

I give it a few seconds, waiting against the wall to see if she's seen me. Nothing.

Phew, I sigh, letting go of the breath I was holding. Bullet number two dodged.

As I settle at the only empty space in sight, a wobbly solo desk in the corner, I pop my earphones in, determined to try and distract myself from the events of this morning. Before I can start the playlist, though, I hear my name being called – or hollered, rather – from the ground floor.

"Evangeline!"

I follow the voice to a huddle of boys sat on beanbags around a low table, crowded with textbooks and phones. Jimi Coker's amongst them, and I assume it was him calling when he beckons me over with an enthusiastic wave of his arm.

For politeness' sake, I head down the stairs and towards him warily. Why's Jimi Coker calling me over? I've hardly spoken to him since he cut in front of me in line at lunch in Year 10 ...

But when Jimi turns momentarily to say something to someone sat on his right, he leans back, revealing a familiar face. Scott's sat slouched in his own plushy beanbag, and watches me as I approach the table.

"Hey," he says with bright eyes.

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Thanks so much for reading! It feels odd to speak directly to you lot within a chapter again, but I wanted to pop in and dedicate another chapter - this one is dedicated to JustinW11 - thank you so much for showing so much support! It's been so very encouraging!