"What are you doing here, MacKenzie?" Brandon asked. "I wanted to speak to you, ALONE," she said, glaring at me. "I'm sorry, but, could you come back later? Or even better, NEVER? Brandon and I have a science project to work on," I lied. "I'm sure being TARDY won't kill you," Mackenzie said, "If you didn't know, amongst my other amazing rare qualities that would make any guy lucky to have me, I'm also persistent. And if Dumb Nikki doesn't know what that means, it means that I won't give up." Brandon rolled his eyes.

"You've got two minutes, MacKenzie. Make it count. Nikki, make yourself comfortable in my room," he said, still looking annoyed. I went to Brandon's room as he welcomed MacKenzie inside. I seriously hate that girl. While I waited, I received a text from Chloe.

CHLOE: Hey Nikki, going shopping. Meet us at the mall in 5.

ME: Can't. I'm doing homework.

CHLOE: We don't have homework.

ME: I didn't do some homework for maths that was due. Gotta do that.

CHLOE: The math HW takes ten mins. Meet us there in 15.

ME: I'm tired. See you tomorrow. 3

CHLOE: Get off that lazy butt of yours. I'm coming over in 10. With Zoey.

ME: I'll be fast asleep.

I looked up from my phone and totally freaked. Brandon came into the room and closed the door, "She invited me to her birthday bash because she said she missed me. I said no, of course. Anyway - Nikki, what's wrong?" he asked. "I texted Chloe that I'm sleeping at home. Both her and Zoey are going to MY house to drive me to the mall."

"Why would they do that if you said you were sleeping?" Brandon asked. "I don't know, they're just like that," I said, putting my phone in my bag. "Brandon, I've got to go." He pouted, "But, what about our time together? This is one of the only times and places we can get some privacy." I shook my head, "I'm so sorry, but I can't lose them over something like this. I've got to go to the mall or the secret is out."

I put my phone in my bag and the ring back in the box and in my bag too. I kissed him quickly on the cheek, "I love you, bye. Sorry again. Can't wait to finish this some other time." I walked out of his room and opened the door, and clicked the button on the elevator. I waited for the elevator to reach the penthouse, and I stepped into it and clicked ground floor.

I caught the quickest cab to home and ran upstairs to my room as quickly as I could. But when I opened the door, I saw Chloe and Zoey already sitting there, glaring at me.