It's Complicated

23. Now or Never

A/N: Hey, guys! This entire chapter is going to be written in Allen's POV - my first chapter completely in a guy's POV! Eeek! Hope you guys like it!

Anyway, I'm going to stop talking now and let you guys read. Enjoy!

23. Now or Never

ALLEN'S POV

My blood boiled as I watched Drew and Mariela walk in together, holding hands and smiling at each other in that lovestruck way. I had done everything I could to get Mariela to realize that we were meant to be together. Our relationship was perfect. It flowed perfectly. No girl had ever made me feel so alive, so desperate to be in a real relationship. I didn't know what else to do to make her realize that I was the better choice for her.

I tried not to groan in annoyance as Riya slipped her own hand into mine, smiling up at me with a tilt of her head. This fake relationship was getting really annoying. I was tired of pretending to like her and I was sick of all the guilt that came with it. Riya is really sweet, but this relationship was becoming a little too serious for my liking. If I break up with her now, though, Mariela will completely dismiss any feelings she has of me and Riya's feelings will probably get hurt. I'm in some deep shit to say it in the least.

"So Prom's coming up," Riya hinted with a mischievous smile, nudging me in the ribs with her elbow. How was I supposed to tell her that I didn't want to ask her to Prom? How was I supposed to tell her that she was nothing more than a friend to me and that I had just been using her to get her best friend jealous?

"Yeah, I know," I replied belatedly. I winced on the inside when I saw her face fall in disappointment. I realized that this was Riya's first relationship and that she was a huge romantic, but I didn't want to lead her on any more than I had to. I wasn't going to pretend to be the perfect boyfriend and then ditch her later. I never wanted to hurt her.

Drew and Mariela sat down across from us and greeted us warmly.

"So what's up, guys?" Mariela asked, tucking a strand of her long, brown hair behind her ear. She seemed really keyed up and happy today. I wondered what Drew did last night at their date to make her all excited.

"Oh, nothing," Riya replied, stretching her legs out on the grass, "but I do that you two have a lot to talk about. How was you two's first real date yesterday?" She wiggled her eyebrows at Mariela, who was blushing into her lap.

I straightened up and ignored my lunch, waiting for Mariela to respond.

"It was too good for words," she replied, smiling up at Drew. He smiled down at her and I repressed the urge to punch something.

"How?" I asked flatly, feeling annoyed with myself for sounding so jealous. I cleared up my throat and tried again. "What did you guys do?" My tone sounded more friendly now, thank God.

"I took her out to that flower field and we had a candlelight dinner," Drew stated cockily, giving me an arrogant look.

I knew just how to take that arrogant look off of his face.

"But aren't you allergic to candles, Mar?" I asked innocently, smirking at Drew as a horrified expression ran across his face.

"Well, yeah," she admitted, "but it was fine. The smell wasn't too bad."

Drew frowned. "Why didn't you tell me you were allergic to candles, Mariela? I wouldn't have put them on our table."

"It was so cute and romantic," she said reassuringly. "And they seriously didn't bother me at all. I barely even noticed they were there."

"It seems like you don't know Mariela that well, huh, Drew?" I asked harshly, pleased when I saw a doubtful and slightly angered expression come onto his face.