How To Be Beautiful.

The One where she doesn't wanna lose them.

"You didn't have to come," I smiled at the two girls sitting on my bed. "Are you kicking us out?" Asked Natasha in fake hurt as I hit her arm jokingly.

"Plus, we haven't hung out like this in so long, just the four of us." Said Zayna. "True," I agreed with a smile, feeling a little better with them here.

"Your mom said we can have these with the ice cream." Said Amy as she walked in carrying a large tray of chocolate cake, and what I suppose is fresh orange juice. "Have I ever told you how much I love your mom?" Asked Zayna, already up and ready to snatch the tray, but Ames moved it away, "Go grab the popcorn first," She instructed, making Zayna groan as she went downstairs to grab the popcorn.

"So you wanna go out or stay in?" Asked Amy, sitting on the edge of my bed after sitting the tray on my bedside table.

"I don't feel like getting dressed up." I sighed as Zayna made her way back into the room, sitting on the floor with a bucket of popcorn in hand. "I kinda wanna roll into a cocoon under the covers," I added.

"Night in it is." Announced Zayna as she popped some popcorn into her mouth, completely ignoring my last comment.

"And we got the approval for a sleepover," said Ash. "So we can stay as late as you want." She added with a smile.

"Watch all those sappy rom-coms you like so much," said Zayna, still stuffing her face with popcorn. "Then you better lay off the popcorn." Said Ash, glaring at the girl sitting on the floor.

"Let her be," Chuckled Amy, "There is more downstairs."

"That's why I love her more than you," cried Zayna, shooting daggers at Ash, who just shook her head at the girl.

"Ah, and Zack says hi." Announced Zayna. "It's more like why wasn't I invited, but let's just say it's a hi." She added, making us chuckle.

"I'll go tell your mom we'll be occupying the living room for the next few hours." Announced Amy, as I nodded, giving her the best smile I could master.

"You know what," said Zayna, coming to sit with us on the bed, leaving the popcorn behind. "I'm sorry,"

"You didn't do anything. He wanted to stay friends it had nothing to do with you." I chuckled, half heartedly. "But I have been putting too much pressure on you."

"And I shouldn't have."

"You just wanted us to be happy," I said, giving her what I hoped would look like a smile of appreciation. "I did," She smiled back at me, but I could tell it held a bit of regret.

"Don't worry about it, Zee, I'm fine." I smiled, squeezing her thigh lightly, trying to ease her guilt. How was she to know it would unfold this way! I don't think any of us ever did.

"But he's a bitch." She added, making me chuckle.

"I'm not gonna lie, I never expected this from him." Said Ash. "He didn't do anything wrong," I sighed.

"He did," Said Amy as she came back into the room. "He was a coward." She added. "I told your mom, and she said she will be up in her room if we needed anything." I nodded.

"I don't want this to be awkward," I announced as we made our way downstairs and into the living room. "I know he didn't want things between us to get complicated either,"

"Then why did he kiss you in the first place!" Exclaimed Zee. And that my friend is a mystery I would love to solve.  "I don't know, I guess it was the heat of the moment," I shrugged. "I don't really know how it came to this." I added.

"But I know that I don't want things to get awkward between us, I wouldn't wanna lose you guys over this."

"You're not going to lose anyone, Claire," said Natasha, squeezing my hand as we sat on the floor while Amy and Zayna grabbed some blankets for us to use.

"I hope." I sighed, covering myself with one of the blankets, as Amy turned on the TV. I guess tonight I will drown myself in some fictional romance to forget about my failed romance.

...

"Ahmm." I mumbled, trying to find words to say to him as we sat there waiting for the others to join. "The project presentation schedule is out," I finally said.

"Have you seen it?" I asked as I took my lunchbox out of my bag. "No, do you have it?" He asked, his eyes briefly meeting mine as I quickly looked down at my phone, grabbing it off the table. "Wait," I said, scrolling through my gallery.

"Here it is," I said, handing him my phone, our fingers touching in the process, making me withdraw my hand quickly, almost dropping the phone, if it wasn't for his quick reflex. Way to not be awkward, Claire!

I sighed, praying someone would come snatch me out of this awkwardness. "Have you seen the presentation schedule?" Asked Zack, a kind answer to my prayers as he sat next to me, sitting his tray on the table.

"Claire was just showing me." Said Adam, holding up my phone. "You're presenting on the second week?" Asked Adam.

"Yeah,"

"Are you done with the project?"

"Almost," He nodded. "I guess Caleb wasn't as bad as I thought he would be."

"People can surprise you sometimes." I nodded, "They can."

"What about you? Are you two done with your documentary?" He asked, looking between the two of us. "Almost," I smiled, mimicking his answer.

"Funny," He teased. "I guess I am," I shrugged, looking back at Adam. "We still have a few things to do,"

"I'm free tomorrow if you are," He nodded. "I was hoping we could do it today." I raised my eyebrows. I am not gonna lie, I really want to get it over with.

"I.." He started to say, "I'm meeting up with Senna after school today." He explained as I nodded in understanding. I guess it is how it is. At least now I know for a fact I don't stand a chance in this tug of war.

"Tomorrow it is,"

"Guess who's presenting on the first week?" Said Zayna, taking her seat with Ash following in tow. "You're on the first week!" I exclaimed.

"Yup." Replied she.

"Wow,"

"We're pretty much done, so I don't really mind." Said Ash with a shrug. "Still, there is the pressure of presenting first!" Exclaimed Zayna.

"I'll hold your hand," Teased Zack. "Maybe you should have been my project mate," She teased back. "We would have had so much fun," She winked.

"I'm right here," said Ash with a chuckle. "You will always be my first babe," cried Zayna, giving Ash a flirtatious wink, making us chuckle.

"When are you presenting?" Asked Ash, looking between me and Adam. "Next week," answered him, sliding me back my phone from across the table.

"That's good. You still have time for the narration." Nodded Ash. "I still have no idea what we should do with that," I exclaimed.

"You could just add music," said Zack.

"I don't feel like it would work," I argued. "But I'm sure we'll figure something out." I shrugged.