Better in Boston

Arriving at the restaurant we stepped out the car, Mikayla and Nate already inside so we didn't loose our reservation. Nick laced his hand in mine and we swung our hands back and forth singing along to the song that had been playing when we got out the car.

When we entered the food place Nick sat between Micky and Nathan while Chris jumped in the seat next to me, Matt sat directly facing me and we all pick up our menus to decide what we want to eat. When we all agree we're ready to order the waiter makes his way over to our table.

I look up to find everyone staring at me awkwardly, and then I realise why and my stomach does a front flip. "What can I get for you guys tonight?". I cringe as my suspicions are confirmed when I turn to see him, Rowan Caroll aka my biggest crush since middle school.

Back in middle school Rowan joined our school halfway through the year and I was besotted, I agonised over him for the whole time we were in school and the triplets got the extended version of my pining at home or anytime we hung out.

One day, Rowan came to our table to ask me out at lunch and I swear I almost melted into a puddle and burst into flames at the same time, obviously I said yes and when he walked away Nick grabbed my wrist shaking me and screaming at the interaction.

Fast forward to the day of our date all the guys were laughing at me in the halls, I chose to ignore them. When I walked past the locker rooms I was greeted with Matt being escorted out by the principal with a bloody hand, Chris following behind and then Nick each with matching bruises on their knuckles.

Safe to say Rowan stood me up and showed up the next day pretty bad. It was only then I found out the guys had dared Rowan to ask out the 'fat dork' who was always gushing over him, and it absolutely shattered my entire world.

I became obsessed with my appearance and even ended up having to stay in a clinic for and ED. That was a real dark time in my life but one thing was made clear that day, my boys always had my back. Since that week we had all despised Rowan.

I glared at Rowan along with everyone at the table as we each reeled off our order. Rowan grinned at me "Novie, you look so.. different, you look great" I winced at his words, still cutting as deep as they did in high school. "Her name's not Novie asshole, well not to you anyway" Chris said defensively.

Matt looked like he was about to explode and Nate's jaw clenched as he cracked his knuckles under the table. "Yeah we're done here so take your sorry ass over there and get our food before we remind you why you haven't spoken to her since high school ass hat" Nick practically yells.

Rowan saunters off to get our orders and I shudder at the thought of ever liking him. We finished the rest of our meal without interruption apart from me and Matt bickering over the best phoebe bridgers song, it ended in me kicking him under the table and him huffing in frustration as we all laughed.

After we got our check I headed to the bathroom to do some touch ups to my hair and lipgloss. I walk out the bathrooms only to find myself cornered by no other than Rowan motherfucking Carroll, my adrenaline instantly kicked in as I was filled with both rage and fear. "You really do look good y'know," he grinned making me nauseous "I think, you should give me your number" he spoke again leaning closer as he did so.

"you fucking wish" I audibly laughed in his face and his demeanour completely changed from arrogant to angry. I saw Nick stand from the table and head towards us as soon as he saw what was happening. "You think your too good for me, but guess what Nova, you'll always be that sad little fat girl following around like a lost cause,oh and by the way that lipgloss isn't fooling anyone, try some real makeup next time." He hissed at me.

My cheeks burn with pure rage and hatred to this absolute waste of air in front of me, before I get the chance to even lift my hand to slap him Rowan's head flew to the side from impact. He stumbled and fell against the wall blinking harshly trying to steady himself.

Turning around I see Nick shaking off his now bruised hand. Micky and the boys all rushed over and made an attempt to drag Nick off of Rowan but not before he landed a few more blows to his jaw and face. Nick was finally pried off of the now bloody Rowan panting and assessing the marks on his hands.

We turned to leave but I couldn't let it go, Matt made a feeble attempt to grab me but missed by an inch as I kicked Rowan as hard as possible in the stomach. "Try some real makeup to cover that motherfucker" I yelled as Matt ushered me out of the restaurant before we ended up getting arrested.

"Did you see the look on his face when Nick beat his ass!?" Nate exclaimed as we walked towards the small bar we had decided to try out. Chris turned around to face Nathan now walking backwards "yeah dude it was fucking crazy if he didn't know where to put his face Nick definitely showed him" we all laughed at him.

"I'm more impressed by our little badass here, that shit was brutal" Mikayla smirked as she linked her arm with me whilst we walked. "Ya'll are gonna have to keep your eyes on this one, she's a real firecracker" Nate said pushing my head to the side as he walked past me and Mikayla. "Don't we know it" Matt chuckles tousling my hair and wrapping an arm around mine and Micky's shoulders.