ELLY
   We get back on the bus after regrouping. This time, I sit in the row in front of Griffin, but next to Chase. Noen sits in front of us but at an angle so we can talk to each other.
   "So, what all did you get at that place?" Chase asks, peeking over the side of my bag. I pull out a pair of sunglasses and show it to him.
   "I like that," Noen comments. "I went for the metallic pair."
   "Nice." I nod and put the glasses back into my bag, then set it down on the floor beside my seat.
   "I'm already bored," Chase whines. "Griffin, when do we get the Wauds on here?"
"Just over a half an hour. Stay patient, little man," Griffin replies. Chase huffs and turns back around in his seat.
"That's not that long," I say. "Are they nice?"
"They're cool, yeah," Noen says with a nod. "I think you'll like them. You seem to like everyone else."
"Yeah. They all seem pretty good." I give a little shrug at the end.
"Jaden seems to like you," Chase whispers, smirking at me. Noen rolls his eyes with a sigh. "What?" Chase groans.
"Elly," Noen begins quietly, "I just want you to know that Jaden is a good person. He really is. But he has a girlfriend, and I'm not saying that you are interested in him, but this is like him. He dates a girl, but also has side conversations with his female friends. Sometimes, it seems that he gets a little too friendly. Jaden likes to push the boundaries on flirting."
"Alright." I push my hair back behind my shoulder. "I'm not interested in him like that, though."
"Yeah, we kind of figured. You don't seem like the type of person that lets people mess with their heart like that. But Jaden...just be careful, alright?" Chase asks. He looks genuinely concerned about it.
"Yeah, I will."
"He is a great friend," Noen adds. Chase nods in agreement. "Don't think that we are trying to turn you against being his friend."
"Oh no, I don't." I shake my head, looking between them.
"Good. We just don't want to see anything happen to you." Chase smiles, then goes to answer a text on his phone.
"Does he talk to a lot of girls, though?" I ask.
"I wouldn't go so far as to say a lot, but I'd definitely say he talks to more girls than he probably should." Noen shakes his head. "Especially for someone that has a girlfriend and that big of a flirtatious personality."
"Yeah. Hey, if he does make a flirty comment, don't think he wants to get with you," Chase says. "He might be wanting to, but don't let it get to you. He's just a flirty kind of person."
"Alright, I'll remember that." I give a small smile. "I feel like I'm in on all the gossip now."
They both laugh, but Noen calms down first. "All of the gossip. All of the girl drama."
"All of it," Chase sighs.
"So, are either of you two dating anyone right now?" I ask with a smirk as I lean back against the window.
"Charli is kind of my girl now." Chase smiles, a small blush creeping across his cheeks. "Yeah. I haven't asked her out yet, but we are kind of together."
"Aww, somebody likes Charli." I poke his shoulder, which causes him to blush again. "Are you with anyone right now, Noen?"
"Not really," he replies. "How about you? Anyone special in your life?"
"No." I sigh.
"Have you ever dated someone before?" Chase asks. We all look over as Griffin pops up.
"You're dating someone?" he asks.
I laugh. "No."
"Good. No dating until you're at least eighteen." Griffin puts his earbuds back in, leaving no room for his apparent argument. I roll my eyes and turn back around.
"No," I tell them both. "I'm not dating anyone right now. Or until I'm eighteen, if Griffin has anything to say about it."
"Well, that's alright. You're only sixteen. You don't have to date anyone, but if you wanted to, you're old enough." Noen shrugs. "And, there are lots of options."
"Lots of options." I raise my eyebrows in fake shock, smiling, and then sitting back against the seat while Chase laughs.
   "Any options that you might be exploring?" Chase asks.
   "Are you asking if I have a crush on anyone?"
   "Yes! Do you?" He leans forward, smiling wide.
   "Not really. Unless maybe Shawn Mendes counts." I fall back against the window and start laughing as he pouts in disappointment.
   "I mean, he's hot, but anybody realistic? Like, anybody you already know?" Noen asks.
   "No," I sigh.
   "We have to find someone!" Chase falls back against the seat. "We have to get you a boyfriend."
   "Why?" I ask.
   "Yeah, why?" Noen pipes in. "I mean, I'm down for finding Elly a boyfriend, but why?"
   "Because," Chase begins, "I can't be the only one in a cute TikTok couple here." He begins to laugh as Noen and I roll our eyes.