Ana POV

It's Thursday, and I've just finished my last final, the last final I will ever have to endure. As much as I love to learn and read, I can't wait to get out of having to cram for tests and finals anymore and to read the books I want to, when I want to.

Elliot and I have texted every day, I considered canceling the date and even wrote the message but I couldn't get myself to press send. I already have pretty deep feelings for him as well as a connection I can't explain. I also haven't had the guts to talk to him about what Kate said about him, I tell myself it's because I'd rather do it face-to-face but it's mostly because I'm dead scared of the answer I might get.

Kate and I have kept all talk on graduation and our move to Seattle completely avoiding the subjects of Elliot and dating. I've actually tried to avoid her as much as possible as I'm still trying to figure out why she said what she did. Or at least the way she went about it. The only reason I can think of is that she still had some residual feelings from her disaster morning interview with Elliot's brother and she took it out on me. It still feels a little extreme for Kate but she does have a horrible habit of speaking before she thinks.

As I was walking to my car, I turned my phone back on seeing a text from Elliot. Seeing his texts always made me laugh as he still texted like a teenager, apparently, he started doing it to annoy his brother and then it just became a habit.

Elliot: Hope ur last final went well, pls let me know. Can't w8 to c u ;-) L8rs baby

Ana: It went really well! I'm so glad it's over though, no more cramming and late night studying :-D Can't wait either, still not giving me any clues as to the where?

Elliot: Nope, no more clues Ana Banana. Am abt to board my bro's chopper so I'll be in Portland in abt an hr. L8rs baby

Apparently, Elliot's brother had business here in Portland today and Friday, so Elliot had decided to hitch a ride with him, although he hadn't told me it would be in a helicopter.

Ana: You're flying here in a helicopter?! Let me know when you land. Fly safe E.T.

After Elliot took to calling me Ana Banana, I had decided I needed an affectionate nickname for him as well. Kate and I had seen the movie E.T. just last week, so when I found out Elliot's full name was Elliot Trevelyan Grey, I decided on E.T.. Elliot, of course, thought it was hilarious and is absolutely loving the name.

I arrive at the apartment and take a deep breath before going inside as I know Kate is in there and I have no reason to avoid her anymore. Opening the door, I see Kate is on the couch with her laptop in her lap. She looks up when I come in, I know she wants to talk but she also knows I'm not particularly happy with her at the moment. She's letting me control what happens next, which is pretty unusual for her but I take it as a sign that she regrets what she said the other night. I also know I have to talk to her, as I promised to help with the interview by answering some questions and despite our issues at the moment, I don't want to risk ruining this for her.

"Hi Kate," I say trying to break the uncomfortable silence.

"Hey Ana, so how did your last final go?" she asks me.

"It went well, how about yours?" I ask her trying to be polite.

"I think I did good, thanks," She answers.

Great... We're back to awkward silence. Chewing on my bottom lip trying to decide what to say but end up just getting straight into it.

"So do you still need me to answer those questions on how funds have helped English majors?" I ask her.

"Are you sure you still want to? I mean, I completely get it if you don't want to do it anymore," She says nervously.

"Of course I will, you're my best friend and I'm here for you," I tell her, genuinely not wanting to lose our friendship.

Kate's entire face lit up like the 4th of July, obviously, she's been worrying about the state of our friendship.

"Thank you so much and again, I'm so sorry about what happened! I need to learn the whole think-before-you-speak thing and I promise to control it better," Kate rambles.

"Thanks Kate, I appreciate it, now let's get started so I can get ready for tonight," I tell her with a genuine smile on my face, hoping this is us returning to our usual friendship.

"Okay let's go sit at the kitchen table, I'll just go get my recorder and notes," She says excitedly while running to her room to presumably get her things. While she got her things ready I made a cup of tea for myself and a cup of coffee for Kate.

We finished our little mini-interview just as Elliot texted me, letting me know he had arrived in Portland and was driving to the Heathman Hotel where he'd be staying with his brother. I thanked him for letting me know and told him I'd see him soon when Kate asked me about tonight.

"Do you know where he is taking you tonight?"

"No, he won't tell me what we're doing only to dress dressy casual," I tell her.

"Well, then let's start getting you ready for tonight, you need to look smashing!" she tells me. This is the Kate I know and love and she made her reappearance at the perfect moment.

"Okay let's go!" I tell her. We run to my room and while I take a quick shower, Kate starts going through my closet to try and find the perfect outfit for my date night. Coming out of the bathroom with my hair wrapped in a towel and wearing my favorite plush bathrobe, Kate immediately pushes me back into the bathroom to do my hair and makeup.

"Okay blow dry your while I go get my curling wand," She says walking out of my bathroom to go to her room. I quickly finish blow-drying my hair and Kate starts curling my dark hair with the wand and then we start on my makeup. Thankfully she agreed with me, that I should go with a natural look so it doesn't take too long to finish. We move back into my room and start going through outfit choices.

I try on multiple outfits both jeans, skirts, and dresses but end up deciding to wear jeans. I'm gonna be nervous enough as it is and I'll feel way more comfortable in jeans than in anything else. We are trying to decide on what top I should wear when my phone beeps with an incoming text.

Elliot: A lil tip, wear comfy shoes ;-)

Comfy shoes? What the hell was this guy planning?!

Ana: Comfy shoes? What is your definition of comfy shoes?

Elliot: Shoes u can stand to walk around in

Ana: Are you really not going to tell me what we're doing? Pretty please :-)

Elliot: Sorry Ana Banana but its a surprise, maybe u should look up the word in the dictionary u clearly dnt understand its meaning

Ana: haha very funny E.T. see you soon

Elliot: Very soon, I'll b there in 30

"What is he saying?" Kate asks me, obviously having figured out who I was texting probably because of the smile on my face.

"He said to wear comfy shoes that I can stand to walk around in," I tell her.

"Okay, I've got it. Hold on!" She says as she is walking out of my room, leaving me looking as confused as ever. She comes back a minute later with a gift-wrapped box, making me even more confused.

"This is actually part of your graduation present from me but I think it'd be perfect for tonight, so open it," she says while handing me the beautifully wrapped present.

"Are you sure Kate?"

"Absolutely! Now hurry before he gets here," she says, all excited.

I open the present and see a beautiful cobalt blue top and a fitted black leather jacket. I quickly put it on and it fits perfectly, the blue color along with my makeup are making my blue eyes pop. Kate hands me my black ankle boots that I quickly put on.

"It's perfect!" Kate squeals as I go over to look at myself in the mirror and I can't help but agree with her.

I check my phone and see that Elliot will be here any second so I quickly put my phone and other things into a small purse I'm borrowing from Kate and go join Kate in the living room.

I can tell that Kate wants to say something to me but she is interrupted by the ringing of our door phone.