Chapter seventeen: Stares and whispers (Ellie's POV)

I plugged my phone on charge and turned the lamp off. Nathan left a while ago, dropping in to say bye, Brett came home, I had dinner with him and Zach and now I was trying to sleep while he and Brett had a conversation about something, I wouldn't know. I huffed, tossing and turning but one thing I just couldn't get off my mind. 

How the hell did he crack my password? 

He's not supposed to remember that, especially the exact date. Why would he remember that? Why would he think of it? Why would he even guess that? 

I'm sure you're all wondering what is, why don't I just tell you. It's the date that he kissed me. Which first of all, I don't even know why that's my password, second of all, why does he even remember that? I know I remember it because it was my first kiss. 

I changed it after he left, to Vodka's birthday but Nathan cracked that, so I changed it back because at the time, I still liked him and I missed him deeply, I never bothered changing it after that and I was never put in a situation where somebody was trying to get into my phone. Until now. 

And suddenly, I find myself wishing I did change it. 

I groaned into my pillow. 

God, he's going to think I'm such a creep, he's gonna think I'm in love with him or something. 

Oh, no! 

Is he gonna use this against me as part of that stupid bet? 

Speaking of that bet, I don't think we're gonna go through with it. He would have done something by now if he was planning on it. If he's not gonna do anything then I wanna go back home, because living with him is difficult, living with a guy is difficult in general, I almost fell into the toilet earlier because he left the seat up. I used to think girls exaggerated when they said that but no, it's true, you really do fall in, not ideal. 

I heard footsteps nearing the door so I sealed my eyes shut and just acted like I was asleep, hoping to doze off in the process. I heard shuffling, the bathroom door closed and a little while later he came back out and got into bed. 

"Ellie," he whispered. 

Just continue pretending. 

He then poked my cheek softly and slowly before retreating his hand and lying back down on his side of the bed. 

"What the hell are you doing?" I laughed. 

"Your poke test. I thought you'd be asleep by now," he replied. 

"No, I'm still awake, why?" I asked. 

"No reason, I just have something to ask you." 

I turned to face him and found him lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling with an amused smirk dancing on his lips. "What?" I questioned. 

"Why is your password our first kiss?" he teased. 

"Why were you able to guess that?" I shot back. 

"I asked first," he shrugged, "I get the answer first." 

I huffed, "Because that's the one date that nobody knows and could guess if they tried. They all kept getting into my phone when I started talking to James, they-" I stopped when I realized who I was talking about. 

"They what?" he asked. 

"They always wanted to read our texts and um- they would always crack the password. So I just changed it to the one date that nobody knows." 

"Nobody but me," he nodded slowly, "Fair enough." He then turned his back to me and turned the lamp off of his side. "Night," he said. 

"Night," I replied. 

I woke up the next morning, having the same argument I did the day before. I'll repeat my question, who the hell sets an alarm for seven-forty-one? 

We got up, dressed, and headed off to school. I met Ashley on the way in and we headed for English Lit together. 

Halfway through the class while we were working, writing our essays on the extract that we were given, the door swung open and in walked Zach. "Mr. Prichard." He saluted him with two fingers before placing a sheet of paper on his desk. 

"Very well, take a seat," Mr. Prichard responded. 

I turned to Ashley and we looked at each other in confusion. "What is he doing here?" she whispered. 

"I have no idea," I replied.

She didn't ask further while he came and took a seat beside me. 

Why is it that the only empty seats are always beside me? 

"Hey," he smirked. 

I glanced at him before going back to my work. Maybe acting like he wasn't there could work. 

Boy, was I so wrong about that. The more you ignore him, the more he annoys you. The bell rang and I rushed out of my class, eager to get away from him in my next one. 

He is so freaking annoying. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"Are you staying back today?" Ashley asked while I packed my bag at my locker. 

"Yup. I have to ride with one of them and they both have practice. So, I've gotta wait," I shrugged while throwing my bag over my shoulder. 

"Right, makes sense. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow," she smiled before heading out with Nathan. 

I headed to the library, I'd rather wait there than in the field. It's hot outside. I headed over there to see our librarian locking it up already. 

"Oh, dearie. Were you about to head inside? I'm sorry, I'm in a rush, would you like me to open it up again?" she said while juggling her things around. 

"Oh, um- no, that's all right. Where are you headed, Mrs. Welsh?" I asked. 

She's the oldest member of staff at this school, I'm surprised she hasn't retired yet, she says she loves this place too much. "My daughter has just had her baby, oh, I must go!" She squeezed me in a tight hug before heading off. 

"Congratulations!" I called out before heading over to the field. There goes the huge room with an A/C running in it, here comes the scorching sun down on me. 

I headed over to the bleachers and took a seat, putting my bag down on the seat beside mine. I could watch or I could do a little bit of my homework. Unlike many other sports, I actually understand soccer, so I'll just watch, for now, do a little homework later. Most of the guys were already on the field, a few others came out and started practice. 

Just because I understand it, doesn't mean I enjoy it. I think homework is a little more entertaining than this. 

Practice ended after an hour and I packed up my stuff, waiting for Brett or Zach. The first one out is lucky enough to drive me back. Brett and Zach came out together, seeming deep in conversation with Isaac not too far behind him. 

I have no idea who gave him my number and I haven't spoken to him since the call yesterday so I'm hoping it's not too awkward. I think Ethan gave it to him because he's called me a few times for inviting me to parties personally. 

"Hey," Isaac smiled while walking over to me. 

"Hi," I replied. 

"How's it going?" he asked. 

"It's going great, you?" I asked. 

"Yeah, good," he nodded, "So, what are you doing here?" 

It doesn't make sense to tell him about the bet. "Um- I'm waiting for my ride." That's not a lie, it's just not the complete truth. 

"You didn't drive yourself today? Almost kill Zach in the process of parking?" he joked. 

I guess everyone did see that, huh? 

"No, not today," I laughed. I could see Brett and Zach staring and I felt extremely uncomfortable knowing they were listening in. Stares and whispers. That's all I get. How come I don't do this when I see them talking to a girl? I should do this to them. 

"I just wanted you to know that I'm not just trying to get to know you out of the blue or anything. I actually quite like you, I just never got the chance to do anything about it. I thought I'd ask you out now that my coast is clear," he chuckled. 

"Coast is clear?" I asked, slightly confused. 

"Oh yeah, I talked to Zach a couple of days ago, asked him if anything was going on between you two, some people were talking, it's nothing, really. He said there isn't, so I thought I'd shoot my shot," he shrugged. 

"Yeah, well uh- I guess you scored?" I chuckled with a small shrug. 

"Right," he nodded with a grin, "See you Friday?" 

I nodded in response, "See you Friday." And then he left. I walked over to Brett and Zach. "Right, which one you lucky bastards are driving me home?" I asked. 

"Zach has a date, so I'm up," Brett sighed. 

"It's not a date," Zach mumbled. 

I watched him shuffle uncomfortably before turning to Brett. "Let's go then," I said. 

Enjoy your date, Zach. 

If I can go on a date with someone, so can he. I mean that I just hope he's serious with a girl for once. I hope he finds someone who he treats right. I hope he finds a keeper.

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Chapter seventeen

Another question, who's your celebrity crush???

Mine is 10000%, Harry Styles. And Dylan O'Brien <3 

Next Chapter: Know your worth

Looks like Ellie has a word of advice for all the girls who's hearts Zach has broken. It is weird running into a one night stand the next morning, it's even weirder when that one-night stand is your roommate/friend/enemies. 

Let's hear what she's got to say.