nerd.

vingt-sept

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings." -Julius Caesar

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Arielle Evans 

In case you were wondering, I did become Harry's girlfriend. Marcel had started shouting and screaming that he called it when he heard me say yes. Harry had just chuckled, mainly because Marcel had been eavesdropping in the first place. Not to say that I don't miss Mason, because I do. Not because I want to, but because I can't help it. And it's not like I don't notice the apologetic stares he gives me in class, either. He had tried to explain more than once, but each time, I blew him off. He's done the wrong thing one too many times. At first, I thought that the whole deal with Harry was a bit sudden, but he's been treating me well, and he's the sweetest, most thoughtful boyfriend ever, which makes it all worth it.

Today we're at the mall, and for once, Marcel decided to accompany us. "Maybe we should get you some new clothes, Marcel?" Harry teases.

Marcel wrinkles his nose in disapproval. "If you mean new slacks and a nice new tie, I'm all for it."

"A pair of jeans wouldn't hurt, Marc." Harry smiles.

"No way. My slacks are perfectly fine, thank you." Marcel protests.

"Whatever." Harry rolls his eyes, laughing along with me. We continue strolling in the mall, with Harry making the worst jokes ever. We finally decide to stop for frozen yogurt, and the second I step in the shop, the heavenly scent of candy and vanilla wafts into my nostrils. I breathe in deeply, smiling, and grab a cup. The first flavor I get is peanut butter, then a little bit of chocolate, and finally, a large amount of Oreo frozen yogurt. Then I head for the toppings. I fill up my cup with every candy possible, and I proudly place my full cup on the scale. The cashier grins at me before telling me that my total is six dollars. Just as I am about to hand her my card, Harry slams his card down on the counter, and the cashier smirks and takes his card.

"Lots of sugar you have there." Harry smirks as we sit down.

"Can it, Curly." I tease, ruffling his hair. I dig into my frozen yogurt, scooping every last bit of the sweetness into my mouth.

"Awh, cute as a button, both of you!" Marcel squeals, reaching over and pinching our cheeks. We both swat his hand away simultaneously. I toss my empty cup into the garbage and come sit back at the table, just when I see an all-too-familiar figure walk in. He seems to recognize me too, as he sucks in a breath and slowly starts to walk to our table.

"Harry, let's go." I say. Harry looks confused for a moment, but he quickly notices the figure rapidly approaching us, and he drags Marcel and I out the door.

"No, Arielle, wait!" Mason shouts from behind us. We continue running until we reach a random store with barely any lighting, and Harry pulls us inside. We all duck behind a clothes rack, but me, being the idiot that I am, quickly pop my head out to see if Mason has come near us. To my utter dismay, the second I check, he looks my way and sees me. I quickly duck being the rack again, but seconds later, Mason is standing next to us, his hands on his hips. "Arielle, can I please talk to you?" he says, clearly amused by the fact that Marcel, Harry, and I are behind a lingerie rack.

"No." I answer immediately. "You cheated, and that's the end of it, Mason. There's nothing left to talk about. Now please leave, you are ruining my afternoon.

"Arielle, please. Can I please talk to you outside for just a moment? I'm begging you." Mason pleads, and Harry scoffs from behind me.

"Fine." I grumble before following him outside.

"Arielle, I know what I did was wrong, and I--"

"You told me you loved me, and then you cheated on me without a problem." I scoff, tears threatening to spill at the corners of my eyes.

"I can explain." Mason tries.

"Really?" I lift my eyebrow at him, amused. "Because to me, it doesn't make an ounce of sense why you would first stand up for me, then kiss me, then choose the populars over me, then come back to me saying that you gave up the populars and Ashley for me, and then be with me, and then cheat on me." My voice cracks at the last part, and I will myself not to cry.

"No, wait, I can explain. Please, just listen to me." Mason begs, and I nod stiffly. "When you told me I had to break up with Ashley, I couldn't."

"So you've been seeing her this entire time." I scoff, not at all surprised that he would do something like this. "You know, I actually believed you when you told me that you were only with her because you two have history. And now...not so much."

"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry, Arielle. I didn't want to hurt you, and I didn't want to hurt Ashley, either. You know how it is with me and her."

"Actually, I don't, considering you've been keeping your relationship a secret from me this entire time." I snap. "I'm done with this Mason. I'm with Harry now, and I can't deal with any more drama from you."

"What the hell? We just got in a fight, and immediately you go and get Harry to be your boyfriend?" Mason screeches.

"You have no right to be interfering with my life, Mason. It's my decision whether or not I want Harry to be my boyfriend, and he sure as hell is a better boyfriend than you." I snap.

"I was an amazing boyfriend." Mason protests.

"Like hell you were. What kind of boyfriend is dating another girl behind his girlfriend's back, and then calls himself an amazing boyfriend?" I yell, ignoring the people that are starting to stare at us. I wouldn't blame them.

"Besides that, I stayed with you while you were being bullied, I stood up for you, and I even payed your medical bills, Arielle!"

"Did I ask you to do that? No. Did I need you to do that? No. I was perfectly fine on my own, and I still will be perfectly fine when you are out of my life forever." I snap. "Goodbye, Mason."

"We're done? There's no us anymore?" Mason asks, his voice wobbling.

"Did you really think there would be an us anymore, Mason?" I hiss.

A few tears spill from the corners of Mason's eyes before he says, "They say when you love something, let it go. If it loves you, it'll come back. I'm letting you go, but I love you, and I know you love me too, so I know that someday we will be together."