Max Ernest's POV

I couldn't stop staring. Cass was beautiful. And I haven't seen her in a dress since we were 13.

The meaningful moment of silence was broken by me. "Uh… I think we should get going. Don't you think we should get going? Yeah, we should get going. Are you cold? Are you hot? Boy is it hot in here!"

Cass smiled and took my hand. Score! Wait until Yo-Yoji hears what happened. But let's not focus on Yo-Yoji. I'd rather focus on Cass. And how amazing she looked. I probably looked like a hot mess considering it only took me approximately 27 minutes and 43 seconds to get ready.

"So, um… How's it going?" Cass started. Yes, a very awkward moment indeed. I know she was trying to make small talk, but we see each other every day anyways.

"What is 'it'? I mean, you asked me how 'it' is going and I can't answer that question unless I know what 'it' is." I told her. Some people need to pay attention to what they are saying.

"Never mind. Let's just leave before we're late." Cass said. I really blew it. I hope I can shut my mouth long enough for us to actually enjoy ourselves.

I led her to the car and opened the door for her and she sat down. She smiled at me then looked away quickly. I frowned and shut the door. That's how it has always been ever since Yo-Yoji left for Japan again and I told Cass that I liked her. I guess she wasn't ready for commitment.

I went over to my door and sat down and started the car. We drove to the fancy restaurant Cousin Randy works at. It's a good thing I didn't tell her that but I think things would've been different if I did. It'd be like two friends just going to a restaurant that their family member works at. But instead it's like a guy taking a girl to a fancy restaurant because he wants to. And I want it that way.

"Max-Ernest, why are you doing this?" Cass asked to break the silence.

I meant to say, "Because I don't want to be friend-zoned forever." But instead I said, "Because I wanted to show you special you are to me."

Cass stared at me when I stopped at a stoplight. I stared at her back. But instead of a look of fondness in her eyes I saw something else. Annoyance.

"Geez, Max-Ernest, why are you being so sappy?" Cass said in an angry tone.

What the heck?!

"Cass, can't you see? I like you!" I blurted out.

"I like you too, but you don't have to go and say that type of junk whenever you want! You're messing with my brain here, dude! We're friends, okay? Friends don't tell jokes like that to other friends. It's cruel." Cass said. I stole a glance at her and saw that she was looking out the window. Yeah, I'm forever friend-zoned.

We got to the fancy Italian restaurant. It was a name I couldn't pronounce but I'm pretty sure it translated to something about pasta. And having toasts with boots. Hetalia.

"This place is pretty cool." Cass said nonchalantly.

"Thank you." I honestly don't know why I said that, though I didn't even own the place.

I scurried out of the driver's seat to open the door for Cass. She glared and stuck her tongue out at me. I wonder why she can't even appreciate small gestures like these.

"You're welcome!" I called out to her back. She's obviously lost her manners as soon as she got here. And her shoe.

The dinner was awkward. And I guess, just to smite me for what I said in the car, she ordered champagne. It was in my budget, so that wasn't what worried me. It was how much of it Cass was chugging that worried me. Her cheeks were red and she was hobbling in her seat. Cass was telling me about the crazy dream that she was had the previous night when our waiter gave us the small folder crap thing for the bill. I slipped my card in the pocket and handed it to the waiter. A minute later, he gave it back to me and smiled. He told us to come again. We were just in the middle of leaving when Cass turned her head abruptly.

"Is...dat...is dat... Y-Yo-Yoji?" she asked in a daze.

"What?" I turned my head to see Yo-Yoji all cleaned up in a suit, without the ratchet weave in his hair, sitting with Amber.

"Sweet Anubis...Yoji!" she squealed. The whole restaurant turned to look at us. Cass smiled shamelessly and dragged me over to the table with Yo-Yoji.

Yo-Yoji smiled and stood up. He bowed first. "Ogenki desu ka, Cass-san? Max-Ernest-kun?"

Amber smiled. "OMG, Cass it's been so long since I've seen you! And your boobs totally don't look fake!" She gave Cass a tight hug. Cass made a face and started pouting. Blood rushed to my face. Fake. Boobs?

"Hey Yo-Yoji, Amber. We were just on our way out. I guess I'll speak to you guys later, huh?" I said, trying to end the conversation and leave before Cass embarrassed us.

"EH? WHY?!" Cass exclaimed.

"Curfew. Well later!" I dragged a kicking and screaming Cass out of the restaurant.

The drive on the way home was a very long one. Cass was complaining on how she wanted to talk to Yo-Yoji and punch Amber in the face. She rolled down her window and threw up. Multiple times. On sloshed on the window of a car as it went past us.

By the time we got home, Cass was nearly asleep.

I carried her into the house. Ms. Melanie nodded to acknowledge I was there. She wiggled her eyebrows and threw me a condom. I made a horrified face but kept the condom anyways.

I carried her up the stairs and crunched her cereal trail. Cass bolted awake. "Who's there?!" she yelled.

"Nobody." I said. I let her lie down on her bed. She pouted and stuck her arms out before her.

"Max-Ernest...no. Don't leave me." she whined.

"I've got to go. Sorry. I guess I'll see you on Monday." I whispered gently. She gave me a kiss on the cheek and I would've started jumping for joy if I hadn't realized that she didn't brush her teeth after throwing up. I gingerly wiped the bile of my cheek and kissed her forehead.

"Later, Cass." I said once more before leaving.

"Later...Max-Ernest" Cass mumbled sleepily.


Could you guys believe that it took like, a year for me to finish this thing? I hope you enjoyed it!