"You bought a lot of stuff," I told Bella. After picking me up we drove back home so I could help her with all the stuff she bought.

"I bought every candy and snack he likes," Bella said, shutting her trunk and heading inside. I followed her into her house not before looking around the neighborhood. Axel and Vince's car were both parked home which meant they were both home.

Bella's plan on making up with Vince was to have a movie night and make it a cozy date. We entered her movie theater and threw the bags on the floor. She had ordered pizza and was frantically trying to place everything together. 

"Can you start setting the snacks up, I'm going to get more blankets," Bella said walking out.

I neatly laid out everything on the center table while she adjusted the blankets and some more pillows on the sectional sofa.

"So this is what you've been doing," a voice said in the doorway.

Bella and I both looked up, startled. Axel was standing there with two boxes of pizza and was happily munching on a slice.

"I was coming over and caught the pizza guy arriving." Axel plopped down on the couch and was instantly chastised by Bella.

"Get off, this is for Vince and I."

"Still not talking?"

"No and I hope this makes up for it," Bella said neatly placing the pizza boxes. She took a step back and looked at her creation. "All done."

"What's the plan?" I asked as I picked up the trash.

She looked at Axel and I. "You two scram. I'll take it from here. Thank you Mari."

"What about me?" Axel whined.

"You literally did nothing but eat some pizza."

I chuckled and dragged Axel out, "Let's go study or something. If I don't get a text I'm going to assume the night is going well." I waved goodbye and walked across the street with Axel who kept muttering things under his breath.

"Why are you dragging me to your house?"

"I need to change out of my uniform genius. Do you want to hang out at mine or yours? By the way, it looks like my parents are home," I said walking up the steps.

"Mine are home too, let's just hang at yours since we're already here."

"You literally live next door."

I opened the door and was greeted by the smell of delicious food. My stomach growled at the thought of my mother's cooking. I rarely had her cooking and just thinking about it made my mouth water at whatever she was cooking.

I glanced up at Axel who looked like he was drooling over the smell. I smacked his arm and motioned for him to follow me.

We walked into the kitchen and saw my mom looming over the stove.

"Hola mama," I walked over and kissed her on the cheek.

She smiled and hugged me. "Hola mija, hola mijo."

"Hola Mara," Axel also hugged my mom. "It smells good, what are you making?"

"Enchiladas rojas. I'm assuming you're here to eat," my mom said to Axel. I smiled, their relationship was wonderful. My mother loved Axel and would always bring up what a nice gentleman he was. When I started middle school she told me I should date him but I've always seen him as my best friend and I knew for a fact he never saw me as anything more than just his friend.

"Most definitely, you make the best ones."

"I'm going to head up and take a quick shower," I said, interrupting their conversation.

My mom nodded and continued with her cooking. I quickly went upstairs and threw my bag on the floor. I gathered my clothes and hopped in the shower.

I quickly changed into sweats and a cropped tank and brushed my hair.

I rushed downstairs before hangry Mariposa made an appearance. Axel was sitting on his phone, a plate full of food in front of him and one next to him. The one I presumed was mine.

"I made horchata, do you want some?" I asked, walking over to the fridge.

"Did you poison it? Am I going to get sick by something you made again?"

I grabbed the pitcher and scoffed. "No I didn't and that was one time."

A couple years ago both of our parents left us alone for a couple of days since they went on a trip together. There was nothing to eat so I had the brilliant idea to cook for the both of us. He was reluctant but I insisted. The plan was to make a simple orange chicken recipe but it was a recipe for disaster. We both got bad food poisoning. He vowed to never eat what I make again.

"Mmhmm, Mara went over to my mom's house. They're both eating dinner together."

"I suspected."

I served us both a cup and sat down in front of him. I grabbed my plate but before I dug in I turned on the tv in the corner of the kitchen. There was a Harry Potter marathon going on so I settled on that. I didn't like eating in silence so I always had something playing in the background.

"How was your day out with Niko?" Axel asked.

I froze and looked up at him. It completely flew over my head to let him know of my whereabouts.

"I am sorry I forgot to tell you. I only told Bella ca-"

He cut me off. "It's fine, I know you would never ditch school for something bad. Niko did seem upset, you were helping him because you're friends."

I took a bite out of my food and watched the movie.

"What did you guys do?"

I glanced at him. "We went ice skating and that's about it."

There was a moment of silence and all that could be heard was the movie. "Nothing happened between the two of you right?"

I gave him a funny look. "What do you mean?"

I sipped my drink and watched as he struggled to respond. "I mean like nothing happened you know since you had a crush on him."

I set down my drink and gave him an unamused look. "Sometimes I want to smack you so hard. Axel why would anything happen? I told you I don't see him like that anymore." I picked up my fork and cut a piece of my food. "Niko is a good friend and that's all it'll be. I don't want to cross that line with him."

He studied me for a bit and then went back to eating. "You smack me all the time, what difference would it make," he muttered.

I ignored him and watched the movie. "How are classes?" I asked him. I felt guilty for not checking up on him or my friends as much as I should be.

"Physics is fucking me in the ass but other than that everything else is solid."

"Yeah physics sucks, I told you to take it with me and Bella during the summer." Prieto Prep had summer classes that were optional if you wanted to get ahead. Bella and I took physics during the summer because we knew it'll open up the chance to take astronomy.

He looked disgusted. "Yeah no, I was not going to spend six weeks of my summer doing physics."

I shrugged. "Lillian literally helped us and did most of the work."

"Doesn't matter, it was not worth it for me. I'll just ask Lilly or Bella for help since I know you're kind of dumb in the science department."

I glared at him. One thing I hated more than anything was constantly being reminded that Lillian was effortlessly good at every subject in school, especially science and math. I wasn't terrible at it and I know I'd be up to Lilly's level if I put in the effort.

"I mean she's in organic chemistry and I know that class fucks everyone up but she somehow has been pulling through. Do you know what her grade is?"

I stabbed my enchilada and looked at him. "You know I hate when people around me gloat about my sister, I believe she has an A."

He smirked. "I know which is why I'll continue doing it."

I huffed in annoyance. "You can teach yourself trig."

He feigned being hurt but then gave me a serious look. "Julian is in that class with me plus I have my dear friend Vince who is also better at STEM classes than you are."

I scowled and threw my used napkin at him but missed. I tried not to let his taunting embarrass me further.

"I'm going to convince him to not help you."

He let out a laugh. "Oh yeah? How?"

"I'll buy a signed jersey from his favorite soccer player."

Axel nodded and went back to eating. "Yeah, actually that'll convince him. How are your classes though?"

"Good except calculus is also fucking me in the ass."

"What topic are you learning?"

I shivered at the thought. "Derivatives."

"Yeah good luck with that."

He finished up his plate while I still had almost half left on my plate.

"I'm going to go get my homework really quick while you finish," he excused himself and exited the kitchen. I heard the front door open and then close. I quietly ate the rest of my dinner and washed the dishes.

Drying my hands, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I reluctantly pulled it out, hoping it wasn't Bella bearing bad news.

I let out a sigh of relief when it was only the weirdo that goes by the name of Greyson. Niko did in fact give him my phone number; he tried texting me a couple of times but I gave him dry responses. This didn't let the man down though, he always somehow found a way to make conversation.

Crazy Stalker Man: how was your day?

Me: I thought your lack of texts today meant I got rid of you

Crazy Stalker Man: aww you noticed my absence

Crazy Stalker Man: I was busy with dance, so sorry I neglected you. I'll be sure to put you first next time princess

I scoffed and gagged at his nickname.

Me: you're weird and don't call me that

Crazy Stalker Man: that's the best response you could come up with? What do you want me to call you then? Pookie? Sugarplum? Muffin?

I cringed at the names, it kept getting worse and worse.

Me: don't call me anything, you weirdo. I have to study so don't expect a response from me.

Crazy Stalker Man: Alright mi corazon, don't study too hard. See you tomorrow.

Tomorrow? This guy was crazy. The rational side of me thought I should block his number, but my other half said to keep it going and see where it leads.

"Why are you glaring at your phone?"

I looked up startled, Axel gave me a weird look. I turned around and did one last take to see if something else had to be cleaned. From the corner of my eye I could see him shrug and walk back out. As soon as I was done, I walked out and went to get my bag to join him in the living room. He already spread out his work and got comfortable.

I set down my bag and decided that studying right now wasn't for me. I walked back into the kitchen and looked for a small smack. I grabbed a few tangerines and walked back into the living room.

"TV off or on?"

Axel didn't look up from the book he was reading. It was The Tempest probably for his Shakespeare class. I don't know why the dude willingly put a Shakespeare class as one of his classes.

"Off, you'll get distracted."

I frowned and sat across from him. I started peeling a tangerine as we sat in silence

"Hold out your hand," I said.

He held out his hand and kept reading. I placed the neatly peeled tangerine in his hand. He looked up from his book and grinned he popped the whole thing in his mouth. I cringed at the wet sounds he was emitting from his mouth.

Axel never peeled oranges or anything of that sort. The feeling is something that made him gag so I kinda made it a habit of always peeling them for him.

I started peeling another one. "Who's going to peel them when you leave for college?"

"We're going to the same college, don't even joke about that."

I hoped what he said was true. I was afraid of the future and who would all stay in mine. "You're gonna have to get a girlfriend who peels them for you."

He flipped the page. "I plan on it."

I ate the rest and went to go wash my hands to get rid of the smell. I walked back into the living room.

"Are you finally going to do homework or are you going to keep procrastinating?"

I mimicked him and sat down. I pulled out my calculus homework and laid everything out neatly.

"Are you thirsty?" I asked.

He looked at me and shook his head. "Do your goddamn homework."

I sighed and cracked open the textbook. Seeing all the numbers made my head hurt.

"You think if I call Lillian she'll do my homework for me?"

Axel rolled his eyes and didn't respond.

"I'll just call her."

I unlocked my phone and facetimed her. It rang a couple of times before she finally responded.

"What do you want?"

"Where are you?" I could barely make out her face.

"Are you an idiot Mariposa? I'm walking back to my dorm." She flipped the camera to show me her surroundings. The sun had set and only the streetlights illuminated her face.

"Why are you out so late?" I asked.

She looked at me with a bored expression. "I just finished tutoring some students. Now, what do you want?"

I tucked a stray piece of hair. "Can you help me with calc?" I heard her sigh. "I'll take that as a yes. I need to find the derivative using any method of three x squared plus two x plus one."

She stayed silent and didn't respond.

"Lilly, you still there?"

"Mari, are you really my sister? Even a fifth grader can solve that. Do you not pay attention in math?"

I heard Axel chuckle I glared over at him which shut him up.

"I do pay attention," I scoffed.

"How come you can't solve the easiest problem?"

I didn't say anything and looked at my sister who wasn't paying attention. "It's six x plus two. If you have any questions just text me and don't call me."

"Wait Lillian, one more question." I wanted to get intel on the bet Axel told me about maybe it was a mistake asking but my curiosity got the best of me.

"What?"

"I don't know if you know anything, but I've heard people talk about a bet that took place last year between Mariano and Draven."

My sister stopped walking and looked down at the phone. "What?"

"Yeah, people are still talking about it. How come I never heard about it until now?"

"Mariposa don't get involved in things like that and I told you to stop being nosy. What happened with Mariano and Draven is none of your business," she said defensively.

I tried to take hold of the situation that was unfolding. "What? I'm not trying to be nosy; I just want to know if it was bad or not."

"It ended their friendship so what do you think. Now don't ever bring that up again or else I won't help you with math, ever. I've got to go, talk to you later."

She hung up before I could even respond. "What do you think it was?" I asked Axel who was now on his phone.

"You need to take her advice and stop digging into a rumor that happened last year."

I huffed in annoyance and pulled out my laptop from my bag. I let it boot up and then typed in 'Derivative Calculator with steps' in the search bar. I almost jumped with joy when the first link gave me what I was looking for.

I started humming and doing my homework.

"How are things with Charity?" I asked after half an hour passed. We were working in silence since Axel was reading and I knew he couldn't concentrate unless he listened to classical or it was completely silent.

"There's nothing going on there. We're getting to know each other."

I looked up from my laptop. He was typing away on his laptop, his forehead was wrinkly, a sign he was concentrated on whatever he was doing.

"It seems like she's interested in you," I said hoping to get something out of him.

"Yeah well I'm not interested in her."

I bit my lip and leaned back, a thought suddenly came into my head. "This completely flew over my head but why doesn't Val like you, you know the dance captain. Everyone loves you cause you're too freakishly nice which you aren't, you're a bully."

He stopped typing and looked up at me. "Did I forget to mention?" He went back to typing. "Val confessed she liked me I think freshman year and I rejected her which she took offense to."

I snorted and held back my laughter. "She liked you? No way, you were a scrawny kid back then, who would want to be interested in you."

He raised a brow and looked at me. "So you're saying I'm more muscular now?"

I coughed and went back to looking at my laptop. "That's not what I meant."

"I bet."

--

Next Day

"The weather is soo nice today."

"Mari, it's cloudy. That's a sign it'll rain sometime during the day," Axel said handing me my bag.

"But it's not as cloudy as most days," I reasoned with him.

I saw Niko walking towards us. He was looking around, bag over one shoulder.

"Good morning, Nikolaus," I grinned.

He tossed me a container that I nearly failed to catch. I gave him a questioning look.

"They're banana nut muffins. My mom made some and we had too many leftovers."

"None for me? Ouch," Axel pouted.

I gave him a disgusted look and put the container in my bag.

"Ready for another day in practice?" I slipped my arms through both of my friends arms.

I was way shorter than them so I bet we looked funny together. "You know what we haven't done in a while? We haven't gone roller skating, we should go roller skating," I said.

"You took a break roller skating cause you almost ate shit and your parents told you if they caught you roller skating one more time, they'd take you out of dance," Axel said.

"So? I went ice skating with Niko and nothing happened. It'll be fine!"

"Niko, help me get through her thick head," Axel told Niko.

I looked up at Niko and waited for his response. "Listen to Axel."

I scoffed and let go of both of them. "I thought you two were my best friends." I walked ahead of them and looked back at the two. Axel rolled his eyes and stuffed his hands in his pockets; Niko was staring at me confused.

"You're so dramatic."

I stuck my tongue out at Axel and walked a little bit faster toward the athletic building.

I opened and held the door; they were purposely walking slowly. After a couple of seconds, I got impatient and just walked in. I'll let the two catch up and talk.

It's crazy how things change. Niko, Axel, and Vince were the trio, inseparable. Obviously, with Niko leaving, it caused a hinge in the friendship. Axel and I got closer while Vince hung out with his girlfriend more. Now with Niko back, the group was slowly getting closer including Julian. Charity and Bella were also becoming great friends and I tried not to get a tad bit jealous since I've known Bella forever. I had noticed there was something up with Vince since he was no longer a jokester, he had gotten more reserved and quieter. I brought it up to Bella, but she told me he was just going through a rough patch and he'll go back to normal soon.

I walked into the dressing room and threw my things in my locker. The girls were all quietly changing, I had a feeling they were nervous about Loretta going off on us again.

I quickly changed into my shoes and headed into the dance studio. Everyone was silently warming up; I went back to the corner Niko and I had claimed and started stretching. Everyone started trickling in, it was still