"So tell me the truth," Mike said, folding his hands like a detective, his face bearing a fierce expression.
"What truth?" Ariana asked, trying hard not to laugh. She found Mike really adorable.
"About your fiancé. Is he not treating you well? I can tell his dad to scold him for you," Mike stated.
"I'm fine, so don't worry," Ariana reassured him. Mike folded his arms and raised an eyebrow.
"Why do I feel like I'm being interrogated?"
"Spill it," Mike insisted.
"I just don't like him, and we don't get along so well," Ariana confessed. Since Mike wouldn't drop the subject, she decided to tell him.
"Why don't you like him? Is he not handsome?"
"Mike, stop asking questions and just eat," Ariana insisted.
"Okay," Mike sighed. Ariana's phone rang. It was Anika.
"Hi," she smiled.
"Hey, can you come to my house? I'm very bored," Anika sighed over the phone.
"Sure," Ariana smiled. She felt happy; she didn't want to see that monster, Zach's face, so this was a great opportunity for her.
"Great, I already called Annie, and she's on her way," Anika said with excitement.
"Who's that on the phone?" Mike asked.
"Anika. Anyway, finish eating, and we're heading to her place," Ariana stated.
After having lunch, they went to the hospital to see their mom before leaving for the Wilsons' mansion. Annie had already arrived at the mansion before Ariana.
They entered the mansion, and the butler led Ariana to Anika's room, while Mike hurriedly ran into his room to freshen up.
"Hey!" Ariana smiled when she entered the room.
"Hi, I'm so glad you came," Anika said with a grin on her face.
"Where's Annie?" Ariana asked.
"Rrrh!" Annie yelled from behind, and Ariana fell to the floor.
"Hahaha," Anika laughed. Annie held her stomach and rolled on the floor.
"Idiot," Ariana pulled Annie's ear. She thought that Anika had a pet lion.
"Let go," Annie grinned.
"You should have seen your face; it was so hilarious," Anika laughed harder.
"Guys, stop laughing!" Ariana pouted.
"Okay..." Annie covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself from laughing again.
"Why did you call this meeting?" Ariana stood up and dropped her bag on the floor before sitting on the bed.
"We're going to have a sleepover!" Anika announced.
"Woo!" Annie shrieked excitedly.
Later that night, the girls had dinner and took their baths. They slipped into their pajamas and sat down on the bed with a bucket of popcorn in their hands as they watched "Crush," a high school romantic movie.
"Such a lovely ending," Anika wiped the tears from her eyes, and they all giggled at Anika's dramatic expression.
"You know what, guys? I have a crush on a guy," Annie stated shyly.
"I thought you were going to say you're queer," Ariana said.
"Very funny," Annie faked a laugh.
"So, who is it?" Anika asked with a teasing smile.
"Who?" Annie asked.
"The guy!" Ariana said.
"You don't know him, but I really, really like him. He visits our coffee shop frequently. He's so cute," Annie had a dreamy expression on her face, but that expression turned sad, and she sighed.
"Does he have a girlfriend?" Anika asked.
"I don't know..."
"What if he doesn't have a girlfriend?" Ariana interrupted Annie.
"It's just that I've tried so hard to get his attention, but he doesn't notice me," Annie complained.
"I know exactly how you feel..." Anika sighed.
"Don't tell me..."
"I also like a guy, and I shouldn't like him, but I regret having a crush on him," Anika stated sadly, interrupting Ariana.
"Jeff asked me out for a date," Ariana announced, trying to lift their mood.
"Ooh!" Annie shrieked excitedly with a teasing smile on her face.
"Who's Jeff?" Anika asked.
"Ariana's admirer," Annie teased. Ariana rolled her eyes.
"He's just some random guy who helped me when I needed help."
"False. I knew there was something going on between you two," Annie teased.
"For the last time, Annie, I don't like him."
"Oh, really? That's what they always say," Anika teased.
"I hate you both," Ariana frowned.
"So what did you say?"
"I still haven't decided yet..."
"Why?" Annie asked.
"First, because I'm engaged, and second, I can't explain how I feel about him. I just don't know what to tell him, and I can't start a relationship with a guy when I'm engaged to another. I'm not a whore," Ariana complained.
"True," Anika said. "So you don't want to go on a date with him?" Anika added.
"It's not that..."
"I told you, she likes him," Annie whispered into Anika's ear, and they giggled.
"Guys, focus!"
"Well, do you have a crush on my brother?"
"No. If I'm being honest, I hate, and I mean I hate Zach," Ariana stated with a disgusted look on her face. "No offense," she added.
"None taken," Anika said. "Well, then you can go on your date," Anika added.
"I don't know, guys..."
"You have to go," Annie insisted.
"Fine, I'll tell him yes," Ariana smiled.
************
After school, Jeff walked to Ariana's desk, waiting for her to pack her books.
"So, what do you say to my date?" Jeff asked and sat on her desk.
"Hmm, yes," Ariana smiled.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow at 5 pm."
"No need to pick me up. Where should we meet?" Ariana asked. Jeff knew where she lived, and she couldn't let him pick her up from Zach's villa; he'd be suspicious.
"Let's meet outside my workplace," Ariana suggested.
"Uh...okay," Jeff agreed, and they walked out of class.