Not good for you

12;

I couldn't even say a word about which movie we would be watching. Casen, Emilia, and Austin were already arguing about the new blockbusters, so I didn't dare speak up; the entire fifteen-minute drive had been spent arguing over the movies while we were heading to Seaside.

When we got out of the car, Casen opened the door for me with a cheesy smile.

"My lady," he said, and I pinched his arm.

"Quit it." I closed the door before he could.

When the others walked over to us, Seeley crossed his arms with a frown on his face.

"Are we seriously here just to celebrate that Heds had met someone?" Seeley asked. I couldn't help but flinch a little at the cold tone that held his distance firmly. I didn't expect him to be like this.

"We're here to have fun, Seeley," Casen answered, narrowing his eyes. "Heddy's new job and possible love interest are just other reasons. We would have come anyway."

"Exactly," Austin stopped by my left side. Now, I was held captive by two boys who didn't have any intention to let me off the hook anytime soon. Great.

"You too?" Seeley asked, turning his attention to Austin.

"Heddy had been working nights while going to school. The poor girl probably only slept five hours each night." Austin waved his hand around. "This is the least she deserves... Not to mention her previous relationship, which had been a complete disaster from the very start."

I twisted my head in Austin's direction, and he blew me a kiss.

"You know I love you," he gave me a half smile that wasn't convincing or helping with my doubts.

"One of the biggest crosses I've been dragging around, yeah," I sighed, and Casen laughed.

I liked the boys very much, mainly because we weren't so different from each other. But some subjects were just too touchy, hence my first relationship, which only lasted a few months but burned me very much.

I wanted to move on and forget it, but it would have been hard and outrageous if my friends kept reminding me of him. I knew that bad experiences taught us to be more thoughtful and better, but honestly, I only wanted to forget his face and voice, which still echoed in my ears. And the boys' teasing wasn't helping very much.

"Can we go now or what?" Seeley asked impatiently.

"I second that idea." Leigh gave Seeley a knowing look.

"Can I get a hamburger first?" Casen asked as we walked away from the car.

"Didn't you eat?" I asked.

Casen frowned and turned to me.

"No, because I was too busy with someone trying to strangle me." He glared at me, and I smiled innocently.

"Everybody has their kinks," I answered.

When Casen turned back while walking, he pointed at Seeley before leaning closer to me.

"Don't even listen to him," he whispered into my ear. "He's just mad that you didn't want to strangle him."

"How disrespectful." I played along, my uneasiness slowly fading away.

"Boys are just like this, my darling," Casen assured me.

"But they aren't deaf, you idiot." Seeley cut in and pushed Casen away playfully. Even if it was a playful attempt, it came off somewhat aggressive, and his face didn't even break off the tension.

"It would be a gift if you were, asshole." Casen rubbed his arm and walked to my other side.

I was afraid to speak up since Seeley didn't look like he would enjoy our afternoon trip. His face gave his discomfort away, and I couldn't help but wonder if there was anything that we'd done today to piss him off.