When I wake up for the second time today, I instantly head into my bathroom, checking the mirror.

My cheeks are tear stained. My hair is an absolute mess. My eyes are red, puffy, and bloodshot. My clothes are rumpled. I look tired. I look sad.

Without any thought, I mindlessly take out a brush and make my way through the knots in my hair, brushing it all out.

Once that is finished, I turn on the hot water and begin to run myself a bath. I chuckle a little as I do so. I hadn't had a bath in the longest time. I usually hate baths, you sit in water which most likely is just your own filth, and you don't do anything. It is meaningless. Baths have no purpose.

Today, however, seems like an exception. I am so distraught. A bath seems quite relaxing right now.

Once the water has started to go, I pull up my hair into a tight bun, making sure there are absolutely no loose hairs anywhere. I don't want to get my hair wet right now, as I have already showered and it has dried.

I rifle through my vanity, in search of anything that will make this bath more relaxing for me.

I find a whole ton of smelly things, bath salts, scented oils, candles, bubble bath, bath petals, the usual 'spa like' things.

I dim the lights in the bathroom, and place two candles on the vanity, lighting them both.

To the bath water, I add some salts, bubble bath, and rose petals.

I quickly undress, piling my clothes neatly on the vanity, and climb into the tub.

I let the sweet scented water soak into my skin, covering my body fully. I let my eyes close, finally able to feel at peace for the first time today.

I needed time to think, and space for peace. What better way to do that than to take a bath?

I let my mind wander to pointless stupid things that shouldn't matter. I think about Jess's new haircut, how everyone loves it so much. The way Michael over posts way too much on facebook. My grade on the history pop quiz.

But then, unexpectedly, my mind drifts to my converstaion with Jason. I remember a specific part of it exactly, the part when Jason told me that last night, what really set him off was seeing the way Blaze was staring at me.

But then I start thinking. The wheels in my mind start turning. Suddenly I get an idea.

Maybe if I 'go after Blaze' Jason will see that I don't like him. He will think I like Blaze. He will leave me alone. Right?

There's only one way to find out for sure.

I have to date Blaze.

I mean really, how bad will it be? Sure he's a player, but he is really hot, and he can be genuinely nice. Besides, it's not like I actually like him. I just need to get rid of Jason.

I suddenly get excited. I no longer want to sit in a bath and wash away all of my problems, I want to get on this new project, this new experiment. I want to get on it now. It's the only way to get Jason to stop liking me, that I'm sure of.

I quickly jump out of the tub, water flying every which way. I dry myself with a towel, putting on the clothes I had previously stacked neatly on the vanity. I toss the towel to the ground, while draining the tub.

Once I am out of the bathroom and into my room, I send a quick, yet well thought out message to Blaze.

Hey Blaze. Sorry if I sorta snapped at you last night. It wasn't right of me. Anyways, thank you for being so kind and being there for me. I appreciate it.
-Jade.

I wait a few minutes for his reply, glancing at the mirror every so often, wondering if this is the right thing to do. I know it's wrong to mess with a boys heart, but let's be honest. Blaze probably doesn't actually like me. I was a challenge to him that he was determined to win. He has broken more hearts than anyone else, probably on this planet. If his feelings for me actually turn out to be real, I doubt this will hurt him much. Besides, he actually sort of deserves a taste of his own medicine for once. He deserves to suffer the heartache he has caused three quarters of the female population at our school to experience.

My phone buzzes right then and there, signaling a message,

Oh, it was no problem really. Honestly I don't care that you snapped at me. it wasn't that bad anyways, I'm just glad you're okay. You are, right? Okay, I mean? You're okay?
-Blaze

Yeah I'm fine, just going through some stuff with friends, you know how it is.
-Jade

Unfortunately I do. Friends are difficult sometimes. But everyone goes through it. As hard as it is, sometimes some friends don't turn out to be really friends at all. That's the problem though, figuring out the real from the fake. Sorry if this is sounding cheesey, the point is, I'm always here if you need to talk.
-Blaze

Lol, don't worry it only sounded mildly cheesey;) thank you though, really. It means a lot. I'll keep that in mind as well, because unfortunately the drama going on I can't exactly talk to my best friend about:/
-Jade

Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. If I may ask, what's the drama about?
-Blaze

My fingers stop dead on the keyboard. There is no way I could tell him. I can't tell him what happened. I can't tell anyone what happened.

I'm sorry but it's sort of personal. Thanks for caring though. Its nice to know someone does.
-Jade

Of course. I'm always here. In fact, what're you up to today? Wanna meet somewhere and hang out?
-Blaze

Once again, my hands stop on the keyboard. Am I ready for a date with him? Well, he didn't say it was a date. Just a hang out. But still. Am I ready for that? My idea was just to flirt with him for a while and then maybe in a week or so start hanging out. But not in five minutes.

Oh well. I don't know how often these opportunities to hang out with Blaze will be offered. Might as well take them as they come.

Sure:) when and where? I'll meet you.
-Jade

Great, thanks:) umm in twenty minutes at the park on Richmond?
-Blaze

Sounds great. See you then.
-Jade

Looks like I've got myself a date.

Well... sort of.

***

Hope you all liked this chapter! Sorry that its late!

Remember to ote, comment, and recommend.

-Maxine:)