"So what's the verdict? Good or bad?"

Shane groaned, which was actually the perfect response to Caitlyn's question. "Are you kidding? 'Traveling pants'? That's got to be the stupidest plot I've ever heard of," he scoffed, taking shorter strides to match my own.

The movie had just ended, not that Shane really cared, as he slept through most of it, waking up just in time for the credits. What a nice boyfriend he is, wouldn't you agree? Caitlyn didn't seem too choked up over it though, she was so into the film. If I were to be perfectly honest, I would have to agree slightly with Shane. The plot was a bit far-fetched, taking wild imaginations to an entirely absurd level.

But whatever, despite the absurdity of it all, it was semi-decent.

Shane was tugging on the cuffs of malice, pulling me along with him. Caitlyn was talking about the movie, the highlights, the disappointments, what she loved most and what she didn't. She would've made a great movie critic if she had wanted to be.

"So Mitchie, do you have any plans tonight?" Caitlyn asked as we made our way out to the parking lot.

Shane stiffened noticeably and I knew exactly what he wanted me to say. I opened my mouth to respond, "Well, I'm kind of busy," but Shane spoke for me, the insufferable bastard.

"She's busy!" he exclaimed.

I looked at him, rolling my eyes. Smirking, I announced, "Nope, no plans at all." I know how much it pissed him off, but I didn't care. The look on his face was enough for me. It was a good feeling too, making him angry. Following his every whim, putting up with his egotistical ways (how Caitlyn does it, I have no clue), I just wasn't going to take it anymore.

Caitlyn clapped. "Great! Then you can come with Shane and me to meet up with the guys and Ella!" She winked, "Nate's single!"

Shane choked out, "Caitlyn!"

"What?" she replied, confusion evident in her chocolate-brown eyes.

I felt a sour taste in my mouth at Shane's protest. He was a jerk, I knew that, but there's something about Shane Gray that's just hypnotizing. Maybe it's the rock star image, or his bad boy ways, all I knew was that his comment stung in all the wrong places.

So coming to Shane's rescue I muttered, "Caitlyn, if you don't remember correctly, I have a date tomorrow. I think getting involved with two guys, even if there really isn't a foundation, would be a bit screwed up. I think that it's best if I just go home." I tried to make my tone insistent, but even I knew I wasn't convincing anyone.

Caitlyn waved her hand around in a humorous way. "Oh please, you're not getting married! Come with us! You'll have fun, I promise!"

I bit my lip, looking down. "Uh..."

"See? She obviously doesn't want to come," Shane replied for me. Again.

"I didn't say that!" I snapped at him, the nervousness leaving me.

Caitlyn smiled. "Great, then Shane," she turned to her ass of a boyfriend, "will pick you up tonight around seven and I'll see you there! I have to run, I'm meeting a couple friends," she glanced down to her watch, "and I'm late! It was nice meeting you Mitchie!"

As she weaved through the parking lot, getting into her car and driving away, I stared dully at Shane. "Crap bag."

I pulled him forward, heading for his car. "What?" Shane asked, confused.

"Crap bag," I replied. "That's what I'm referring to you as from this point on."

"Can I ask why?"

"Because that's what I see you as," I replied in a sugary sweet tone. "A bag of crap."

He rolled his eyes. "Thanks, I really appreciate that."

"No problem, crap bag."

We reached his car, and I impatiently tapped my foot, wanting the stupid cuffs off as soon as possible. Opening the trunk, he dug around, looking for the key. "Sometime today would be nice," I muttered sarcastically.

After a moment, he emerged with the key, removing the damn chain from our wrists. I tenderly rubbed my raw wrist, a rather scary looking red ring surrounding it.

He took my foreharm in his hand, inspecting my wrist tenderly. Despite the voice in my head that told me to push him away, a blush adorned my cheeks. "What are you doing?" I got out.

Before I realized what he was doing, he kissed my wrist, whispering, "Sorry about that."

My eyes widened, and I stumbled back. 'What the hell?' I thought.

'Shit, why did I do that?'

At that moment, I reached forward to take a hold of his arm. "Okay, that wasn't awkward," I replied.

For a moment, I thought a rosy color stained his face but then he muttered, "Look, let's just go, okay?"

To soften the mood, I smiled. "Whatever you say, crap bag."

In the car, the awkwardness came back. I fidgeted, unsure of what to say. A few times I almost said more, but I refrained from doing so.

Shane spoke the words instead. "So, do you want to go home or..." he let the thought trail off.

"Uh, well, what do you want to do?"

If possible, he shrugged while driving. I blinked. "You hungry?"

Embarrasingly, I have to admit that my stomach growled at that moment. "Uh..."

He laughed, lightening the mood, again. "Great, then where do you want to go?"

In minutes we found ourselves at a McDonalds. Surprise, surprise, Mr. Rich Boy is actually really cheap. The cashier in a mock cheery voice asked, "What can I get you?"

Without thinking about it I said, "Large flies and a medium oreo Mcflurry."

Shane scanned over the menu before saying, "I'll just have a Big Mac."

After that, we headed over to a booth, our hands intertwined. Shane said, "So...what do you like to do?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, stuff?"

He rolled his eyes. I sighed. Shane and I were not meant to be friends, that much was sure. So why were we brought together in the first place?

Seven o'clock did finally come. Shane didn't have to pick me up, as it turned out, because I never left. I did call my mom to say that I'd be home later than I expected though. At least she was happy about me spending more time with Shane.

We were on our way to Nate's place apparently, to watch some movie and just hang out. It was weird though, hanging out with Connect Three. Or bizare, I guess. Butterflies were in the pit of my stomach as we got out of his car, walking up to the front door.

Before we knocked on the door, I said, "Look, don't you dare think really annoying thoughts, okay? I don't want to cause a scene."

"Right, because I can control my thoughts."

Sighing, I went to ring the doorbell, pulling my hand away from his. Biting my lip, I couldn't help but think, 'What if they don't like me?'

'Then you'll go away and hopefully this curse will leave along with you.'

I smacked him. 'Shut up.'

Cheekily, in my head, he added, 'I didn't say anything.'

Just as the door opened, I muttered, "Asshole."

"I don't think I've ever been greeted that way before," Nate said, smiling. I blushed. Can you say oops? Obviously I can. 'Oops.'

'Way to go ace." Out loud though, Shane laughed for a second before shoving Nate through the door as I closed the door behind me.

I walked in hesitantly, unsure of what to do or say.

'You're so up-tight. Just relax. Jesus, you'd think we're vicious or something. We don't bite Mitchie.'

'Thanks for that Crap Bag. Yeah, that helped a lot.'

'Glad to have been of service.'

Nate finally appeared in front of me. "So, I'm Nate and I don't believe we've met. You're Mitchie, right?"

My eyes fluttered open in surprise. "Err, how'd you know?"

He laughed. "Caitlyn told me." He continued, "So, you're Ella's friend?"

'Hey Shane, how the hell do we tell this Ella person that I'm her friend, without telling her, I'm her friend?'

'I'm working on it.' He was standing just next to us, talking to Jason. 'Look, if he asked you how you met, just tell him that your familes know each other or something.'

I smiled. "Uh, yeah."

"That's cool, but I don't think she's ever mentioned you." Why, why, why does Nate have to be the most perceptive of the male species?

"Our familes know each other," I fibbed, taking Shane's advice. 'Once again, I repeat: How the hell are we going to let Ella know I'm her friend. Is she even here?'

'She's not here yet, okay? Just stop with the worrying. God, you act as if the world's about to end or something.'

I glared at Shane. Nate followed my gaze. "Whoa, you and Shane got some kind of declaration of war going on or something?" he asked.

I tore my eyes away and smiled back at Nate. "Uh, no, no, we just don't always see eye to eye."

Shane, in my head, said, 'Damn right we don't always see eye to eye.'

Ignoring Shane, I said to Nate, "Yeah, so anyways, what're we watching?"

"Mitchie!" Caitlyn exclaimed, entering from the left. She looked genuinely happy to see me or something. Had I really made a good impression?

'Unfortunately, yes.'

'Does that anger you, Shane?' I thought through my amusement.

'Yes.' One of the best and worst things about having someone else's thoughts in your head, is that you hear nothing but the truth. This was one of those better times.

'Good.' I smiled at Caitlyn, moving away from Nate. "Hey! It's good to see you again!"

"You too! The pizza should be here in about fifteen minutes and Ella just called to say that she was going to be late," she turned to Jason and laughed, "nice going with those handcuffs by the way, Jason."

Before Jason could say anything, Shane and I screamed something totally illiterate, turning everyone's attention to the two of us. "Uh...okay," Jason finally said.

The doorbell rang and I panicked. 'Shit! That's Ella! Oh no.'

Shane rolled his eyes. 'Shut up.'

'I didn't say anything, you ass.'

'Fine, if you're going to be technical about it!'

Thinking on my toes, I reached for the door before anyone else could. "Uh, I'll get it." I opened the door and came face to face with a pretty Amerasian girl. "Hi Ella," I said slowly, whispering, "I'm Mitchie, you remember me, right? We're friends."

She looked confused for a second, but then she brightened. "Of course I remember you! Mitchie," she rolled her eyes, "as if I could forget you."

Let's just thank God that she's very gullible, shall we?