I did know how I expected the night to go with the three of us. I was not stupid enough to think that we were going to chat away all through the night. Apart from inviting Lana to the pier because she was my friend and I wanted to hang out with her, I also needed her there.

Sometimes there would be an awkward silence when I was with Chase. Whenever we talked, it became painfully obvious how different we both were. Going out and spending time together was different from sitting watching a movie.

A common behaviour I had with all boys I had dated was that I did not talk to them a lot. If I spoke to them then they would realise that I was a little bit of a whack-job and a complete nerd and then they would choose not to stick around.

I shook my head at him with a frown before I argued "No way. Lana and I are a package deal."

"But—"

"But no. I’m not ditching her." I cut him off before rhetorically asking "Who is she going to hang out with? The statue of the hot dog?"

Lana grabbed my arm in an attempt to gain my attention while she spoke up "Ella, it’s fine."

"It is not." I replied.

She sent me a smile before giving me an encouraging nod "If I had a hot guy trying to steal me away, I would leave you."

"Thanks." I muttered sarcastically despite the fact I knew she was lying.

"It is not like you are going to come with me on the Ferris wheel and I really want to ride." She mentioned before asking "Unless you have changed your mind...?"

I shook my head vigorously.

Guilt built up at the bottom of my stomach, so I questioned "Are you sure?"

"I will meet you late." She replied with a nod and a smile "Text me when you are done with him."

Chase finally spoke up again and his words were directed in Lana's direction "Is this not the point where you warn me not to break your best friend's heart?"

I swallowed down the remark about him having to have my heart in the first place to break it. I bit my lip to stop the syllables from rolling off my tongue.

"I would not worry about that." Lana promised him "If a miracle did happen and she did fall for you, I would not need to harm you if you hurt Ella."

The guy that was next to me tilted his head cockily "And why is that?"

"She would castrate you all on her own." Lana told him acutely while sending a grin my way "Do not be put off because of her small height. She is scary and she will kill you."

Lana blew me a kiss before heading off in the direction of a stall selling candy apples.

I waited until the blonde girl was out of view before grabbing Chase's hand with my own.