ETA

Holy Shit

I hated going to the mall. The shopping part was fine, but I always saw people I knew that I never want to see. It was a challenge for me to talk to people outside of my group. I find most people highly annoying in every way unless they are in my circle.

It's not hard for me to talk to guys. It's a breeze. I can flirt all day long, but I still find their specimen annoying most of the time. That makes it really hard to find boyfriends.

"How about this shirt?" Cass asked holding up a pink crop top.

"I love that shirt but that weird girl in my bio class has it and I don't want the same shirt as her."

"Amber," I turned and looked at Mason, who was holding up a white sundress. I nodded and grabbed the garment from him.

We were the only three people from the group here. I liked to bring one guy and one girl shopping with me. When everyone came, they all argued about the way something looked or what color looked best. I wanted a girls opinion because she would always tell you straight up how you look with no sugar coating.

I liked to see a guys face when I came out of a dressing room because it said it all. His first reaction is different from the words that come out of his mouth. Unless your Jackson, of course; he always is completely honest but he gets bored when shopping and doesn't really help.

When my arms were full of various materials and colors, I decided to finally start trying stuff on. Mase and Cass sat in chairs outside of the dressing room while I went in.

The first outfit was a bust. I could tell before I even went out the door. It was one of the ones a lady that worked there picked out and her style wasn't mine. They were black pants with white polka dots and a white shirt with black polka dots to match.

The whole thing was a recipe for disaster before I even put the thing on. I looked so ridiculous in the outfit that I even giggled at myself before walking out to show my people.

Mason and Cassandra started laughing their asses off as I posed for them showing off my hideous outfit. "Let's not try on that ladies choices," Cass said after her laughter died down.

The boy next to her nodded in agreement and I went back into the dressing room. I threw all of the random clothing the worker had picked out and moved onto Cass's pile.

I felt like I was in movie montage, running in and out if the changing room in different outfits then running back after showing my friends. I think I tried on everything in the store.

When I came out in my own clothes I had an armful of stuff I was buying and had worked up an appetite. "Are we ready for food?" I asked.

Cass jumped up excitedly and I knew she was ready. After paying we made our way to the food court and bought a medium pizza to share.

"I'm fucking starving. Give me the pizza," Cass demanded.

I smirked and picked up a slice, and then slapped her with it. Her arms flew up in surprise, her jaw dropping in anger.

Her hand connected with my face in one quick motion. I was too busy laughing to take into account that my best friend had just slapped me. Mason was laughing too so I know I'm not the only one that found that hilarious.

Cass huffed and angrily, standing up and knocking her chair over in the process. The attention of everyone in the food court was now on us. "What are you looking at!" I snapped.

I doubt any of our new spectators took it seriously since my laughter controlled my voice instead the usual anger.

Soon, Cass came back with a pizza free face and Mason left us to have 'girl time'. Aka he saw a girl that he wanted to bang and needed to have a talk with her.

I guess I shouldn't think too lowly of my friend, he could of simply gone to one of his favorite sports stores, but the first one sounded more realistic.

"So you and Liam?" I asked Cass as we walked through Victorias Secret.

She shrugged. Which in the world of Cassandra means she likes the guy a lot, but he isn't showing interest. I can fix that.

"Even though that has been your dream for years it probably won't happen. What about you and Mase? I know you told Alex and I nothing was happening but I know that you don't like to tell her your feelings."

I sighed. It's true. Despite how alike the elder Ann and I were she was horrible to share feelings with. She didn't listen and had the attention span of a fat man in an all you can eat buffet.

"Honestly? I think I'm wishing for a relationship that's never going to happen. Despite the sexual escapades we adventure on in my head I think Mason likes girls too much," I answered.

She nodded understanding. I felt like all of us were holding back on the relationships we wanted but would never have. I don't know who planned it this way but a friendship between four girls and four boys that all had a perfect match in the friendship was an impossible thought.

But here we are today. I'm chasing Mason, Jackson and Alex are dating, Liam is hopelessly in love with Cass and Cass likes him, and Garrett and Natalie have been touchy feely lately. The relationships were forming all around, and it felt like I was in a never ending episode of Jersey Shore but with less drama.

"How about this for one of your sexy Mason fantasies?" Cass asked holding up some black lacy lingerie that I'm pretty sure wouldn't cover my pinky finger.

"Is that even considered clothing?" I asked picking up the silky cloth and holding it up.

I inspected the racy outfit then threw it at Cass who laughed and put it back where she got it. We left the store knowing we didn't need anything and a certain head of jet black hair caught my eye.

"Cassy, is that Braden?" I asked pointing my finger in the boys direction.

She squinted then her eyes widened,"I think so!"

"What do we do? Do we say something? Do we ignore him? What!" I yelled frantically.

"Um um. Just act casual," she answered.

We walked by our old friend like we didn't notice him. My forehead was slightly wet and my heart was beating exceptionally harder.

"Oh god why was that so hard? We were so close to him at one point," I said when we were out of ear shot.

"I don't know but that boy just got hotter! The south did him good!"

I laughed. It's true. His deep tan brought out his green eyes well and the contrast of his black hair helped the effect. His muscles weren't hidden behind his white t-shirt; they just popped with the white color.

"Those tattoos are H-O-T hot!" I gasped, my mouth watering at the sight.

"What are you girls talking about?" Mason asked, throwing an arm over both our shoulders.

I turned him around and point, "that my friend, is what we are talking about."

"Holy shit. Braden?"

I nodded and Mason looked at me with disbelief. "We should go say hi," he smiled.

"Really?"

"He used to be my best friend and you think I'm not going to say hi?" he said snarkily.

"You were only his friend for his sister," Cass added.

My blood boiled at the mention of Braden's sister. I hated that girl and so did everyone in the group except Mason.

"Maybe so, but we were still close."

Mason grabbed each of our hands and started walking towards Braden. He let go of us when we got closer.

Braden saw us and immediately came towards us, "hi guys!"

"Your back," I said shakily.

"Yeah but only because I couldn't stand not doing something before I left," he said, ignoring Mason and Cassandra like they weren't there.

"And what was that?" I asked.

"This," he said, grabbing my waist and pressing his lips to mine.

A/N:

Garrett DeBoda is played by the very cute Dylan o'Brien.