Faking It For Real ✔

Ch 12

"Well, well, well," Bella said, her voice dripping with disdain as she sauntered up to our table. "Look who we have here. The pity couple of the century."

I glared at them, "Look who we have here, guys! The bitch and her boyfriend with a little wiener."

My friends burst into laughter, the guys snickering. Bella's face reddened with anger, her hands clenching into fists at her sides.

Drake's smirk faltered for a moment before he regained his composure, wrapping an arm around Bella's shoulders.

"You think you're so clever, don't you, Ava?" Bella spat, her voice laced with venom. "But we all know the truth. Your little 'relationship' with Ethan is nothing but a sham."

Ethan's grip on my waist tightened, his voice firm as he spoke up. "Actually, Bella, Ava and I are quite happy together."

Bella's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a sneer. "Oh, please. You expect us to believe that you're actually interested in someone like her? It's obvious you're just using her to get back at me."

The last part confused me. But I decided to ask Ethan about this afterwards.

I felt anger bubbling up inside me as I stood up, and stepped forward, fury blazing in my eyes. "It's a shame, Bella." Despite my anger, my voice came out cool.

"What?" Drake asked as Bella unnoticeably flinched.

"All this cocaine in the world but your noses are in my business." I crossed my arms across my chest as my friends fell into fits of laughter once again.

Bella's face contorted with anger at my words, and I could see the fury building in her eyes. "How dare you speak to me like that, you little-"

"That's enough." Ethan's voice echoed through the room, making it go extremely silent.

"I think it's time for you and Drake to leave, Bella." His tone was calm yet commanding, holding an authority that made everyone's gaze turn towards him.

Bella's mouth opened and closed, her eyes darting between Ethan and the rest of us, as if weighing her options.

Finally, she let out a huff, turning towards Drake. "Fine. This place is beneath us anyway."

Drake smirked, but the expression didn't quite reach his eyes as he allowed Bella to drag him away.

As they reached the door, he turned back to us, his gaze lingering on me for a moment. "This isn't over," he called out, before disappearing into the night.

For a moment, none of us moved or said a word, the tension still lingering in the air. Then, as if on cue, everyone burst into laughter.

"I can't believe you said that!" Hannah exclaimed, her eyes wide as she stared at me.

"I know, right?" Karen chimed in, a grin spreading across her face. "That was epic!"

"Well, someone had to put them in their place," Derek said with a shrug.

Ethan chuckled, pulling me into his side. "And you did it flawlessly," he murmured in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

I composed myself as I took my seat again, dramatically giving a hair flip, "I know, I'm awesome."

My response was met with a chorus of laughter, and the tension in the room dissipated completely.

The group continued talking as I turned to him. "Hey, Ethan," I started, my voice hesitant. "Can I ask you something?"