I pull away a few seconds after I feel his lips touch mine.

'What the…?' I ask bewildered. 'Why the hell did you do that?' I ask angrily.

'Um, I just thought…' Dan mumbles.

'Well, you thought wrong, you dick!' I retort. 'Hell, I've only known you for what? A day? And you decide to fucking kiss me?'

'We're going on a date tonight, remember?'

'Yes, well done. But that does not mean we're fucking dating! Jesus Christ' I slam my palms against the steering wheel, now thoroughly annoyed with Dan's attitude.

'Whatever. I'll see you later' Dan jumps out of my car and kicks the door shut with his shoe.

'OI! BE CAREFUL OF THE FUCKING PAINTWORK, YOU TWAT' I shout at him before driving off.

I sit down in my bedroom, with this month's Vogue in front of me. I flick through the magazine before wondering over to my walk in wardrobe. I had no idea what to wear. It was either the Organza dress by Stella McCartney with my plane white Fendi heels or my Peter Stom leather T-Blouse with a simple black skirt by Phillip Lim, along with a pair of suede Manolo Blahnik's to match my top. Whilst trying to decide, I take a shower and do my makeup. The makeup in itself is a complicated routine. Cleanser, toner, moisturiser and under eye cream for my skin; customised by a dermatologist even though I've never had a problem with acne. Then there's the makeup: foundation, concealer bronzer, blusher highlighter and a dusting of loose powder to set everything in place. My shades are custom, three times a year by a makeup artist in London whose clients are by appointment only. There's eye shadow, three lots of it: a neutral colour on the lid, a darker shade in the crease and a lighter shade in the inner corner and brow bone. Then there's the liquid eyeliner and mascara. Last but not least is a nude shade of lipstick, with a touch of gloss over the top.

Moving back to my wardrobe, I decide on the Peter Stom T-Blouse and the skirt with the Manolo's. I slip it on and look at myself in the mirror. I twist from side to side, looking at myself from every angle. I shake my hair out over my shoulder. I've been blessed with amazing hair; it's blonde and wavy and only needs a blow out to fall perfectly into place. I stick a pair of Cartier diamond earrings in and a thin Tiffany bangle on my wrist.

I grab my iPhone and sent a text to Ava and Isabella; telling them about the date I'm about to go on. I get replies within minutes, both of my girlfriends are shocked but find it rather amusing – a girl like me going on a date with a guy like Dan. It's like Kate Moss wearing Primark, it just doesn't go. Or wearing last season's clothes.

The doorbell suddenly chimes and I jump. Shit, is it eight thirty already? I grab my quilted, black Chanel bag and slide my phone into it before spraying some Dior perfume on my wrists.

'Miss de la Haye! It's for you!' Gerard calls and I sweep out of my room, flicking the light off as I go.

'Howell' I say, standing in front of him.

'Hello Sophia. You know, for someone who's been bought up so well, your greetings aren't exactly welcoming' he says, his eyebrow arched.

'They're welcoming if I like you' I say pointedly. Dan just laughs. 'Are we going to leave or are we going to stand on this damned doorstep all night?'

Dan sighs and holds out his hand as I walk down the marble steps.

'I can manage quite well, thank you Howell. Negotiating steps in heels isn't exactly challenging'.

'If you fall and break your neck, then don't blame me' he replies.

'Shall we take my car?' I change the subject as we stand in front of the garage.

'If you want' Dan replies.

'Your enthusiasm amazes me, Howell' I state as the garage door opens, revealing my Ferrari and Porsche.

'Do you want to drive? Or will you crash my car?' I ask Dan, whose eyes are wide as he looks around my garage.

'Do you trust me?'

'Do you want me to answer that?'

'Don't answer a question with a question' Dan looks at me, his brown eyes sparkling.

'It was a rhetorical question' I state.

'Which car?' I ask impatiently.

'I don't mind'.

'Just take the damned Ferrari' I snap, throwing the keys at Dan.

We slide into its cool, leather seats and Dan starts the engine and pulls smoothly out of the garage and onto the road.

'Crash my car and you'll be dead, Howell' I say deadpanned.

'That's very unlikely, I'm a good driver' Dan replies, nearly crashing into an oncoming BMW.

'Oh really?' I cock an eyebrow at him. 'Will we get to this destination in one piece, Howell?'

'Maybe' he comments, his arm resting on my shoulders. I pick it up and place it back on the steering wheel.

'Either keep your hands to yourself or on the steering wheel' I say firmly.

We eventually came to a standstill in the middle of a car park.

'Where are we Howell?'

'Come and see' he says, exiting my car and walking around to the passenger's side. 'Come on' he says, gently taking my hand to help me out of the car.

'I am capable of getting out of a car by myself, thank you Howell' I said haughtily.

'Oh, but then you would have gotten your designer gear all dirty. We wouldn't want that now, would we?'

'Of course not. My outfit probably cost more than your car'.

'I don't have a car'.

'Exactly'.

'Are you always this stuck up?' Dan asks me as we face each other.

'That depends'.

'On what?'

'Whether I like you or not'.

'Well, you're going to have to like me for tonight otherwise this evening won't be very enjoyable' he states simply.

'Can we get going?' I ask, already walking off. 'Wait, where am I going?'

'Wrong way' Dan comments, trying to hold back a laugh as I turn and walk back to him.

'Then show me the right way'.

'That would be easier if you would wait for my instructions, instead of acting like you know it all'.

'That would be easier if you gave me the instructions straight away, instead of standing there like a knob for half an hour'.

'You think you're so clever, don't you?'

'Still makes me a whole lot cleverer than you'.

Dan's quiet for a moment.

'You have answer for everything, don't you?'

'Yes'.

Dan laughs and it makes me smile, much to my surprise.

'Reservation under Howell'. Dan says to the server, who's got green eyes and curly brown hair.

'Haven't seen you in a while, Dan' the server says as he leads us to our table. 'Who's this?' he says, locking his eyes with mine.

'This is Sophia' Dan replies.

'So you're Dan's-' the server asks.

'Friend' I interrupt. As I do, I see Dan's shoulder's sink. What? We aren't anything more. 'Who are you?' I ask the server.

If he sees my comment as rude, he doesn't show it. 'PJ. A friend of Dan's' he smiles at me as he hands me a menu. 'Have a good night'.

'And you' I reply.

'Sophia?' Dan asks and I lift my head to look at him.

'What?'

'I think we got off on the wrong foot'.

'Did we?' I take a moment to check Dan out. He's wearing a grey shirt with black skinny jeans. 'You look presentable Howell. I think this is the first time I've seen this happen'.

'Or maybe there's no right foot with you'.

Silence. Dan laughs nervously and runs a hand through his dark hair. People always get uncomfortable when I decide to shut up. You think it'd be the opposite, but no.

'So, are you with anyone?' Dan attempts to converse with me.

'If I was with someone, do you think I'd be on this date with you?'

'I was trying to make conversation' he says defensively.

'Then at least make it decent'.

We're silent until we order.

'What made you move to The Forest?' I say, trying to defuse the tense atmosphere. It had gotten so bad that even I didn't like it.

'My parents split up' he says simply. 'My mum cheated on my dad and wanted a new scene. He hasn't forgiven me for staying with my mum'.

'Ouch' I attempt sympathy. 'Do you like it here?'

'I don't hate it'.

'That's a start'.

The conversation begins to flow from then on and I have quite an enjoyable dinner with Dan.

'Are we ready?' Dan asks me as he catches the server's, PJ's, eye. I nod and he imitates signing for the bill.

'How are you getting home?'

'My mum's taking me'

'Aw cute, a mama's boy'.

'Shut up'.

'Sorry'.

'Wait' Dan looks shocked. 'Did I just hear Sophia de la Haye apologise?' Shit, get BBC news on this. Girl, you're gonna be famous' he laughs.

'Fuck off'.

'It's on me' Dan says when the bill arrives.

'No, don't worry. I'll handle it'.

'Honestly, it's fine. I'm paying'.

'Dan, you don't have a car, I can't expect you to pay for me as well as yourself' I point out.

'I don't know whether to be offended by that or not'.

'Dinner's on me, it's nothing. I'm feeling nice tonight anyway'.

'Well, you weren't nice at the beginning of the night' Dan says. 'But are you feeling okay?' Dan reaches out and touches my forehead. 'Temperature's okay. Have you been possessed?'

I brush his hand away. 'Dinner's on you'.

Dan pays the bill and we exit the restaurant. We stand in the car park, facing each other, our breath hanging in clouds in the cold Spring night.

'Thanks for tonight, Howell' I say, attempting to be pleasant. 'I had fun'.

'Did you?'

'It could have gone worse' I point out.

'You didn't answer my question'.

'It was alright' I say dismissively. 'Did you?'

'It was fun when you weren't being a bitch'.

'Howell, did anyone tell you that you really have a way with words?'

'You're worse'.

'Thank you'.

'That wasn't a compliment'.

'I know'.

'I'd better get going; I don't want to keep my mum waiting'.

I supress a sarky comment and settle for a nod.

'I'll see you soon, Sophia' Dan says, stepping forward. 'Do you want me to walk you to your car?'

I turn to leave. 'I think I'll manage' I say, without turning around. 'Bye Howell'.