"Aw, come on, Zara. You need to loosen up!" As usual, Becca's whines filled my ears, making me cringe in response. Resisting the urge to snap at her, I raised my head and gave her a weak smile.

"Becca, you know I don't do that kind of thing. Go find someone else to invite." Pester seemed like such a better term, but of course I held it back. Becca was the type of girl you wouldn't want to mess with, but even if her and my family were business partners, that didn't mean I was going to do whatever she wanted me to do.

"There's no one else worth inviting," Becca wrinkled her nose in disgust. "You know just how much people will do in our school just to avoid me. They hate me!"

Fear you, you mean. You have no idea how much you can scare a person when you're mad.

"Look, Becca." I took a deep breath and let it all out in small, stifling exhales. "Frankly, I am not the type of girl who likes to be daring just because. And secondly, I do believe that what you're inviting me to do is very illicit."

The girl rolled her eyes in reply. "Stop it with the big words, already. You sound like such a nerdie." She pointed to herself and giggled. "Get it? Already? Nerdie?"

And you sound like such a ditz.

"Yeah, I do," I faked a short laugh before inching my way towards the door. "Look. I really appreciate you inviting me to do this and all, but I have to refuse. Again. Sorry."

Just a few more steps to my freedom, and-

"You hate me, don't you." The words that came out of her mouth stopped me in my tracks. I turned around slowly to see her glaring at me full-on, her eyes like cold, penetrating orbs that seemed to decipher my hidden thoughts. "You're just like the rest of them, aren't you? You seem so nice, but whenever we're together, you're always so distant and cold!" She started to wail, tears pouring out from her eyes as fast as raindrops.

Oh God. Not another one of these drama episodes. "Becca, I don't hate you. It's just that-"

"Stop trying to make excuses! I know you already hate me!"

I sighed. If this kept up, her mom would soon barge in the room, demanding what was going on. And of course Becca would tell her her version of the story, and of course Mrs. Feldman wouldn't even wait for my side of the story. Instead, she'll demand that I get out of the house and then call up my parents.

Our business partnership, broken because of this idiotic crybaby. God...

I rolled my eyes and tried to amend things. "Fine. If I say I'll go with you - just this once - will you forgive me?"

And just like that, Becca was back to being her usual ditzy, cheerful self.

"Yes!"