"Where's Sasha, Ivy?"

Theo asked, glancing at the door and I smiled, shaking my head.

"She has to go home first. And then she'll come to take you out."

"Oh, okay." He nodded, waiting for her to barge in.

I took some of my books out and started reading. I've got loads of classes to catch up.

"Are you studying, Ivy?" Theo asked, latching onto my arm and leaning in to take a look.

"Yeah, wanna help me?"

He just grinned sheepishly and Noel joined us. "Do you have an exam?"

"No,"

"Then why do-" he stopped himself on hearing a knock and jumped up to open it.

"Hey boys!" Sasha came in, followed by Zack.

Oh, was he going too?

"Hi!" they both chimed in and she wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Ready boys?" Sasha asked, grabbing their hands and they said a bye to me.

I smiled as they stepped out, but turned quickly.

Zack was still sitting on my couch.

"I thought you were going with them." I said, slowly walking to him.

"Nah." He said, watching TV.

Okaaay! I sat at the other end, taking my note.

"Are you going to study?" He frowned.

Was he planning to watch a movie or something? I do remember saying my  plan was to watch TV.

"No." I dropped the book back and shook my head. "I was about to take them back into my room."

"Oh, okay." He nodded a few times, eyes on TV. I was searching for my phone when he cleared his throat.

"Hey," he said, turning to face me and I stopped moving to look at him. "Actually, I was thinking..."

I waited for him to finish the sentence, but he didn't. He closed his mouth after a few seconds and shook his head.

Shit. He's going to talk about that night, isn't he?

Probably he's going to say it's better we don't talk anymore.

I never thought that words from my favourite song would be a punch to the gut like this.

"I just..." He started again and I swallowed a lump in my throat. "It's just, can I get some water?"

I was happy to hear that. "Sure." I mumbled before rushing into kitchen.
I stood a few minutes there, for nothing, and then went back with a glass of water.

"Thanks," he muttered before gulping it down.

The person who always asked me to save thanks and sorry!

"I was thinking about saying something to you." He said placing the glass back on the table.

"Yeah?" I was fiddling with my fingers, waiting for him to say it.

"Well, I-" my phone started ringing, cutting him off and his jaw clenched as he closed his eyes with a sigh.

"I..." I trailed off, pointing to my phone and he nodded smiling.

"Go on, it's okay."

I nodded, rushing to get my phone, expecting it to be Maria, but was surprised when I saw Seth's name flashing across the screen.

"Hello?"

"Oh hey, Evelyn. How're you?" He asked, making me sigh.

"I'm good, you?"

"Great. Hey, see, Zack will be there soon."

"Yeah, he's here." I mumbled, even though Zack wouldn't hear anything. He's out in the hall and I'm in kitchen.

"Oh shit. He's there." I heard him whisper to someone, probably Dean, Caleb and others.

"What? He's there?" It was Justin's voice this time and I said a yes.

"Shut it, guys." I heard someone else chuckle, not sure if it was Liam or Caleb.

"Oh, no way. He ruined mine." Justin's smirk was evident in his voice. "Oh shit, wait. Did he say anything to you?"

"Um, no? He was about to. Why?"

"Oh, Thank god. We called on time, dude" I heard a voice following, which I assume was a high five.

"So, dear Evelyn."

"Yeah?" The frown was still on my face, because I had no idea of what they were saying.

"Our guy Zack, is there to tell you that he likes you."

I stood still. Now it wasn't a frown anymore, it was quite a blank expression.

"What?"

"You heard me right. He likes you and he's going to ask you out." He said.

A while later, he added with a chuckle. "Oh man! This feels so good."

"Are you-"

"Serious? Hell yeah," Justin said. "And we're spoiling this for him because he did the same to me. Oh, he messed with the wrong guy!"

I was surprised for a minute. And then, a huge smile appeared on my face and then disappeared quickly.

"What about Rosaline?" I blurted out.

"Oh, you know about her? Well what to do? Poor girl gotta look for a new one. Maybe me."  Seth said.

Something isn't fitting.

"What?" I heard him mumble, but not to me. "Oh, okay. Hey, Evelyn, Sasha's calling. We'll connect it, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Did he say?" I heard her voice.

That little traitor!

"You knew?" I asked and she gasped.

"Is she on the phone? Oh shit, hi Evelyn." She mumbled.

And then I heard Justin saying, more like giggling, how he didn't let Zack tell me.

"So he didn't tell?" She asked.

"I won't let him. So, now go back and hear him out. Act like you don't know anything and make him a fool. And then say yes. Wait you're going to say yes, right?" Seth asked, but my mind was still on Rose.

He had a crush on her!

"Sasha? What about Rosaline?" I asked waiting for her to answer.

"We'll talk about it later? I've just sent you a text. Read it. And I promise we'll talk about it." She replied and then they hung up!

Those Idiots! Even five year old kids are more mature than them. But I won't complain though. They saved me from a mini heart attack.

I scrolled up to see Sasha's text.

Sasha : Rose has a crush on him. Not vice versa. I was looking for a reaction. :p

Oh my god, this girl!

You said he had a crush on her.

Sasha : I only said he had a crush on someone. I didn't say it was her. I just casually asked if you know Rose, I never said it was her. It's a psychological trick. Thank me later.

Thank later? What's there to be thankful?

And, oh shit. Thinking about it, she's right. She never said she was the person.

I remembered her saying about how Zack had a crush and the next thing she asked was,

"You know Rose? Well, it's great because I knew she had a crush on him before."

How did I miss that? She never said it's her! She only brought up her name and I assumed it was!

I'm the stupidest of all.

But I was smiling. He likes me!
I squealed inside like a fourteen year old who just got asked out for the first time.

I took a few deep breaths and went back to see him, sitting peacefully on the couch.

"Hey," I said, sitting next to him. I was still nervous, for which the reason is still unavailable.

"Yeah, right." He nodded looking away and I hid a smile. "Evelyn, I need to say something."

I nodded, asking him to go on. It was adorable how he sat next to me and struggled to get it out.

But I was relieved. If he had chose to say it later, it'd be me at this very position, too nervous to speak.

"I..." He started, looking at me. "I'm not sure how you're going to take it, but I think it's better... you know?"

No, I don't know. Justin wanted me to say that but I couldn't help myself. He looked like he needed help badly.

"I think I have an idea of what you're about to say." I gave him a nod. But it made him more confused and maybe a bit nervous?

"You do?" He asked and I nodded. "No, wait. I think we're talking about different things. I don't want to make it more complicated."

I couldn't help but smile.

"Okay, so.." he said as his phone made a sound and he looked at it.

The moment he read whatever it was, he closed his eyes with a groan and looked at me with a funny expression, somewhat between an embarrassed face and a grimace.

Oh, I'd like to click a picture right now.

"Justin called y-you?" He stammered and my smile lost it's control.

"Yeah, he did."

He groaned again, cursing under his breath. "You knew when I came, didn't you? I'm officially embarrassed."

"No, I didn't know until the call."

"What? He called you right now?" I answered with a nod and he clenched his teeth. "Shit."

I was chuckling by now, his expressions were too adorable.

"Go on, laugh at me. I'll get back at you, remember." He rolled his eyes, slightly smiling. "Damn Justin."

"So... Is that a yes?" He asked a few seconds later, raising his eyebrows expectantly.

I could feel my heart beating faster, not out of nervousness but of pure excitement.

"I think so." I said making him sigh and smile.

"Think so?" He said again and I smiled. "I wasn't sure about how you feel though, that's why it took so long."

I loved how he said so long.

"I... was about to tell you the same thing, actually." I bit my lip, looking away and continued. "But I was sure I would end up being friend zoned."

"Really?" He smiled amusingly and then frowned, "Why would you think that?"

"That's because of Sasha. She said that you had a crush on Rosaline." I said.
"Technically, she didn't say. But she sort of implied."

"Evil witch." He muttered, staring at the ceiling. "I thought I was good at dropping hints. You know, like the one at the film." He sighed.

"The love triangle thing?"

"Yeah, that one. Either I'm bad at it or you're stupid." He smirked.

"Oh, I bet it's the first option." I said, even though I know it's the second. "But how's that your thing? I thought it suited my situation."

"How's that yours?" He frowned with a smile and I shrugged, grinning sheepishly.

"Tyler said he likes me and I like you..." I trailed off looking at him and he smiled.

"Feels good to hear that. I was thinking the opposite, you know, I like you but you like..."

"Like who?" I narrowed my eyes and he rubbed the back of his neck, not meeting my eyes.

"Maybe...Tyler?" He bit his lip, anxiously waiting for my response.

"Really?" I tilted my head to look at him and he winked with that sheepish grin of his.

"Yeah...kind of. Because, you were all friendly with him and stuff. So I thought, maybe..."

"But seriously? You thought I like Tyler, in that way?"

"Well..." He shrugged, without anything to say.

"I thought you knew me better than that."

"Oh, hey, I do. It was just a.." he trailed off with a smirk. "Are we fighting over this?"

I couldn't help the grin on my face.
"Are we?"

"I think we should go on a date first, then fight. We'll postpone this." He smirked, pointing between us.

"That's not a bad idea."

"It sure isn't." He sighed, leaning onto the couch. "Ha! It feels good."

True. It does.

"Sasha planned this, didn't she?" I asked, leaning back as he did. That's why she took boys with her.

"Yep. I owe her." He said, turning his head to look at me. "So, you were saying you had a crush on me?" He smirked again.

Oh boy, there you go.

"I didn't say that." I crossed my fingers, hoping I wasn't blushing too hard.

"Yes, you totally did. I should've waited for a few days more."

"Shut up." I smiled, closing my eyes.

I'm lucky! Or I feel like I am because of Sasha's bloody psychological trick.

"Evelyn, I-" before he could speak anything else, his phone rang, making him sigh. "It's them."

"Yes?" He said plainly into his phone and I stifled a chuckle. "Why? No I won't." He shook his head before finally muttering an annoyed "Fine."

He smiled at me, putting the call on speaker. "Yeah, it's on speaker."

"Good." I think it's Justin's voice.

"My Eve-ly-nnnnn!" A loud call came from the phone.

Yep, it's definitely Justin.

"Welcome to our family!" Seth hollered, making me smile.

"Hey, how was the epic performance? Did he tell you or just went on stuttering?" Caleb asked and I chuckled, glancing at Zack.

"Shut it."

"Don't shut me up, man. Remember I was your cupid. Hey, Eve, you hearing this? I was your cupid!" Seth shouted and I shot a confused look at Zack.

"Cupid?"

"Yeah! How do you think this dumbass came to know you were alone at the balcony that night?" He asked. "And guess how you two ended up sleeping together when you actually ended up sleeping on Liam's shoulder?"

Oh. Ooh!

"Yeah, it's all me. I know, thank me later. It's god's gift, you know? I think I was made for this." He kept on blabbering.

"But the horror movie was a flop. She wasn't all over him." Dean yelled.

Oh, everything fits!

"This is why I don't put you idiots on speaker." Zack said through clenched teeth.

"You owe my shoulder." Liam's voice came and I smiled.

"Did you guys kiss?" Justin asked and I looked away, gulping.

Don't blush. Please?

"Jesus! Justin, stop talking." Zack hissed.

"Woah, calm down man. Stop acting like you haven't kissed anyone before."

"I'm hanging up." Zack said and I heard everyone at the other end laugh.

"Okay, okay. You get what you give jackass. So, you told you like her, she said she like you back. Didn't you Evelyn? Of course, she did. Who else would accept you, loser? No offense Evelyn."

Oh my god. They're not going to stop.

"And I guess you've asked her on a date. If not, ask now. Boom, it's only the kiss that's left now." I bet Justin's having fun with this. "Did I miss anything, Seth?"

"Oh, you didn't." Seth said.

"Okay, that's the list and I've checked it out. So, here's your love master and cupid signing off." I bet Justin's doing a salute now and Seth is definitely trying the cupid pose.

And just when I thought they hung up, someone hissed,

"Hurry up, kiss already!"

Oh god.

Get your shit together, he only said kiss!

"They're crazy." He muttered, shaking his head.

"Yeah, but I like them."

"Glad to hear that." He snorted before turning to face me. "Anyway, what they said is right. Don't you think?"

He smirked, raising his eyebrows and I knew exactly which part about their speech he meant. I could feel the heat growing in my cheeks and the very same unnamed feeling whirling inside me, again.

Zack leaned closer and the moment his lips grazed mine, the doorbell rang.

He sighed, smiling. "I knew this would happen."

I kissed Zack. Or Zack kissed me!

It was only a brief contact of our lips, but still.....

"Oh hello, Zack." Maria smiled, when he opened the door, "Where's my boys?"

"Sasha took them out." I said, gesturing her to come in. She smiled, nodding and then turned to us with raised eyebrows.

"Oh! I'm sorry I barged in, I'll come later." She turned back and I grabbed her arm.

"No! Come in. We were just starting to do our project." I said smiling.

Maria is like my very own grandma and I don't want her to think we were doing anything other than study.

"Are you sure?" She glanced at Zack and I grabbed her in.

"Positive."

Zack smirked behind her. 'Project?' he mouthed and I turned back, leaving him at the door.

"Coffee?"

"Nah, I'll make it. You two can do whatever you were doing." She gave me a knowing smile.

"No, Maria. We were just starting to write." I whispered, assuring her that nothing is going on. But she went to kitchen anyway.

"Shall we start the project, Ms Ridge?" Zack said, standing right behind me.

"Why not? You can help me write these physics notes while I go help Maria. Okay, Mr Smith?" I shoved my notes into his hands with a smile before joining Maria.

"I'm a very patient person. I can wait!" He called out and I smiled.

"That's good. Because I'm a slow person." I said back, joining Maria.

"Oh that's okay, I love slow people." I heard him mutter.

The smile isn't going anywhere from my face.

By the time Maria was about to leave, Sasha came back with my brothers, happy as hell, with a whole lot of chocolates with them.

"Sorry." She mouthed, coming in and hugged me. "But I'm happy it went well."

"You are insane."

"True." She mumbled before punching Zack's shoulder.

We talked for a few minutes... or to be precise, Noel and Theo explained their outing for a few minutes before they said it's time to leave.

"Aren't you staying for dinner?"

"No, I'm sure we've got way more dinners to come." She winked at me before turning to boys and that left Zack and me.

"Good night, partner. Sleep tight." He said, smiling and then added. "How about going on a date with me tomorrow night?"

"I'll think about it."

"Gee, Thanks." He grimaced, rolling his eyes and crouched in front of the boys. I didn't get to hear what he said, but whatever it was, had made them smile. That was enough.

We waved them a bye as usual and got back in.

"Today was awesome!" Noel sighed, plopping onto the couch.

"It was." I mumbled, hugging them both.

I'm happy nothing changed between us. All those teasings, rants and talks were still the same. But something more got added.

Nothing changed, yet everything changed. But it was a good change, though. So no regrets.

I tried wiping the smile off my face, but couldn't and quickly sent a text to both Sophie and Jake, filling them in before rolling onto the bed.

*************

There you go! It's not a great way or scene, but still finally they're together.  *Sighs*

Thanks again, for reading. You people are the best😘