As I walked behind Dylan, I realized that his demeanor hadn't changed much. He still walked in the confident, somewhat carefree manner that he used to when we were still friends.

I contemplated pushing him inside as we walked past it.

As soon as we got out of the hall, Dylan faced me and said, "I want to get back together with Aimee."

Straight to the point, just like always.

Stuffing my hands in my pocket, I smirked. "Well, it's a good thing you told me first-"

"I'm not asking for your opinion-"

"You're still going to get it, anyways. Aimee wants nothing to do with you."

Dylan's shoulders slumped. "Yeah, she made that pretty clear when she wrecked my trainers and threw them in the bin last week."

I laughed. "If you know that already, why are you talking to me right now?"

"Because... if she gives me a chance, I may be able to change her mind."

"Oh, I see." Still smirking, I rose an eyebrow at him. "And you thought I'd be the right person to convince her?"

He scratched his head. "Well, all of her other girlfriends have kinda blacklisted me, so..."

"Ok-wait, did you just call me one of her 'girlfriends'?"

Dylan's face flushed. "Look, are you going to help me or not?"

This motherfucker!

I replied, "Help you? I can do that. What'd you like me to tell her exactly?"

Dylan's brow furrowed, but he answered, "Just...invite her to meet me at the movies on Saturday."

I shrugged. "Alright."

Silence fell.

After a few seconds, Dylan asked, "You're...actually agreeing? Just like that?"

"If you mean agreeing to listen, sure. Actually passing your message across...that's another issue."

He glared at me. "Why would you listen to me in the first place if you never planned to help me?"

I scoffed. "Why on earth would you assume I'd ever want to help you?"

"You're the cause of all this!"

I snickered. "Wait, I'm the cause of all this? Did I force your lips onto Trisha's, or whatever her name is?"

Dylan took a step towards me, puffing his chest. "If you had stayed the fuck away from Aimee, I would have never assumed she was cheating on me! Why is it after I start dating her that you decide you want to become buddies with her?"

Furrowing my brow, I chuckled. "Wow, you must really think you hold much relevance in my life, don't you? The only reason I started talking to Aimee is that we have to practice for a play together. And you know what? I'm glad I got partnered with Aimee. She's great, and a waste of sperm like you does not deserve-"

I froze. What am I saying?

Fortunately, Dylan was too focused on my insult to notice.

Quickly, I added, "Anyways, seeing as you can't give me any reasonable reason, my answer is no. I'm done here."

I turned away from Dylan and began heading back to the cafeteria.

Before I got back in it, Dylan growled, "I hoped you wouldn't be such a selfish asshole, but I guess I was wrong."

I shot him a malicious smile. "Excuse-"

"So, I guess I have no choice but to offer you a deal."

I froze.

After a brief moment, I faced him. "I'm listening."

Dylan's jaw remained clenched for a few seconds before he replied, "If you do me this favor, I'll tell my guys to lay off you. No more talking shit behind your back, no more dirty looks, none of that shit. It'll just be positive vibes or nothing."

Damn, he must really like Aimee! Still though...

Raising an eyebrow, I scoffed. "Is that meant to be a joke? You'll tell your guys to 'lay off me?' Like I said earlier, you must really exaggerate your relevance in my life. I barely even notice any hate they throw, and even when I do, why would I care what people like them think? So thanks, but you're gonna have to bring a much better deal if you want to convince me. Now, if you offered up the services of you and 'your guys-'"

"No. No fucking way!"

I shrugged. "I suspected as much. Well then, good luck convincing Aimee by yourself. You should try, maybe this time she'd slap you-"

"One favor."

I rose my brow. "What?"

Dylan's jaw clenched so much that I half expected to hear the crunch of some teeth breaking. "I'll convince my guys to do one favor for you, nothing more."

I smirked. One favor is more than enough.

Stuffing my hands in my pocket, I drawled, "Well then, we have a deal. Onto the next phase of business-what exactly would you like me to tell Aimee?"

. . .

I went over to Aimee's house for practice that afternoon. After I'd settled down, she got us both ice cream.

She sat down across me. "So, you and a certain dickhead were walking out of the cafeteria together today."

I blinked. Damn, I even forgot about that!

I said, "Oh, yeah. Funny you should mention that. Dylan actually wanted to talk to me about you."

She rolled her eyes. 'Why am I not surprised?"

"He wants to get back together with you, and he asked me to help him."

"What?" Aimee scoffed. "I don't know what he's crazier for, expecting me to get back with him, or expecting you to agree."

She followed her statement with a laugh, which faded away when she realized that I wasn't laughing.

Slowly, she shook her head. "Tell me you didn't actually agree."

I replied, "I can do that...if you want me to lie, that is."

"Wow." Aimee turned her eyes to her ice cream container, ripping it open. "So, how much did he pay you?"

"Do you really think I'll accept bribes of money?"

"Touche'. What did he offer you then?"

"A favor."

"A favor?" Aimee's eyes snapped up to mine. "You sold me out for a fucking favor?"

Shrugging, I opened my container. "When did I say that I sold you out?"

She frowned. "I'm confused. Didn't you say that you agreed to help him?"

"Yes, but you didn't let me tell you how."

I took a spoonful of ice cream, relishing in the impatient look that was growing on Aimee's face.

Slowly, I brought the spoon out of my mouth. "Mm, this is some quality ice cream. Where did you get it?"

"Would you still be so focused on getting an answer to that after I kick you in the balls for keeping me in suspense?"

"Hmm...I don't know, would-"

"Angelo! Get on with your story!"

"Oh, that. Okay, no problem."

"Thank you!" She groaned. Her face lightened up.

Mission accomplished.

I said, "Anyways, Dylan wanted me to ask you if you would meet him at the movies this Saturday."

"Seriously?"

"Mm. Dylan only said I should tell you, by the way, he never mentioned anything about getting you to agree. So, feel free to decline his offer, and I would happily pass on your response tomorrow."

Aimee didn't respond for a while, so I turned my attention back to my ice-cream.

Not too long after, she said, "Tell him I accept his offer-"

I nearly choked. "What?"

"-but on two conditions. He has to pay for whatever I want, and you're coming as well."

"Wh-I never agreed to that!"

Aimee furrowed her brow. "Oh, sorry, would you prefer Dylan and I had some alone time together instead? I've heard a dark theater is an excellent spot for making out."

Oh, no fucking way am I letting them rekindle their spark!

I nodded. "Good point. I'll let Dylan know."

"Great!" She smirked. "Tell him to make sure he brings a full wallet. I'm an expensive girl."

. . .

Although Dylan didn't come up again that day, our practice session went roughly. Maybe it was because of all the relationship talk, but my mind began to drift Annie and Aiden's engagement.

Eventually, the thought of their relationship became too distracting. Cutting Aimee off from her reading, I asked, "Mind if I ask you something?"

Looking up from the play, she frowned. "What?"

I took a few moments to phrase my question, then cleared my throat. "So...hypothetically speaking, let's say someone I know got engaged-"

Aimee's eyes widened. "What? Do I know the person?"

I frowned. "This is hypothetical."

"Right, right. So, hypothetically, what would the name of the said person be?"

I shook my head. "Wow. Good try, though."

She winked. "Whatever do you mean? This is all hypothetical, right?"

After a few moments of just staring at her beaming face, I said, "Annie."

Aimee let out a loud gasp, dropping the play. "Oh my goodness!"

I rose an eyebrow at her. "Isn't this meant to be a hypothetical situation?"

"Right, sorry." Her eyes were still alight with excitement. "So, what's the problem?"

I scoffed, "Apart from the fact she's marrying a simpleton she barely knows? Nothing at all."

"Hmm-"

"Honestly, how doesn't she see that marrying him would be a waste of time! She barely even knows him! I mean, she's probably only jumping into this because he's somewhat good looking-"

Aimee chuckled. "Oh, there's no 'somewhat' about that."

I glared at her. "Was that necessary?"

"Well, if you want to accurately describe the situation-"

"You know what, never mind. Let's just go on reading."

I dug out a chunk of ice cream and stuck it in my mouth. I fixed my eyes on the container I held.

A short while later, Aimee said, "Is it possible that Aiden isn't the only reason you're not a fan of this engagement?"

Looking up at her, I scoffed. "What? Need I remind that she has only been dating him for four months?"

"I know, but...would you mind the engagement if Annie was engaged to someone else instead, even if she'd been dating him for years?"

"Of cour-" The words got stuck in my throat.

Damn it!

Aimee said, "My point exactly."

"In-in my defense, she's not even in her late twenties! Why would she want to tie herself down so quickly? Plus, why are we all ignoring the fact that she has only dated him for four months? "

"Yeah, this definitely is a little rushed-"

"A little?"

"-But I still don't think that's why you don't want Annie to get married. I think the reason for your disapproval is that you feel Aiden would somehow take her away from you."

I frowned. "What? That doesn't make any sense! It's not like Ann is gonna move away."

A pitying look came over Aimee's face. "Do you really think Annie is still going to live with you when she's married?"

"Of course, she would! There's plenty of empty room in the house. Space isn't an issue."

"Romeo-"

I cut her off. "You know what, forget it. As I said, this is a hypothetical situation, nothing more. Just continue the reading."

"Alright, then. But you should at least respect Annie's decision. Hypothetically speaking, of course."

I held my book in front of my face, blocking Aimee from view.