Ian's whole face flushed as he glared at his best friend. He really had crossed a line, there was no need to mention that in front of others - especially not around Noah who quietly chuckled. Hazel just pulled a face. 
                          
"If you're just looking for sex, go find someone else. I'm not an object," she stated frankly, and Ian turned back to her. 
                          
"Don't listen to Finn, he's an ass. I wouldn't use you." 
                          
Her expression softened. "Is that a yes? We're going on a date?" 
                          
Ian briefly glanced at Noah who was watching Hazel with an unreadable expression. Ian was just about to tell her what he told every girl that made even the slightest move towards him; that he was flattered, yet not currently looking for a relationship. But then Noah's eyes locked with Ian's, allowing him to peek at the slightest hint of jealousy behind them. 
                          
And Ian found himself agreeing to Hazel's date. 
                          
He gave her his number and she left to attend to the bake sale, leaving the three guys alone. Finn glanced at Ian with wonder in his eyes. 
                          
"Why did you say yes? You never say yes." 
                          
"Exactly," Ian replied with a shrug, his hand fidgeting with his necklace. "I never say yes." 
                          
Noah rolled his eyes and got off the table before walking away. Finn just shook his head at Ian, wondering what had gotten into his friend's head lately, and why he refused to let Finn be part of it. 
                          
The event day finally passed and so did the bake sale. Ian was ecstatic when they had finally finished cleaning up and had sent all the leftover goods off with random people that happened to walk by. They couldn't send them back to the bakeries and they'd have to throw everything away the next day, so they just gave the leftovers away for free. 
                          
It was already past six when they were done and they all went straight to the dining hall, splitting up once they arrived to sit at their usual tables. That meant Tegan, Noah, Finn and Ian remained together, eating dinner with Imran and Hasan. 
                          
Ian glared at Imran as he sat down, and Imran let out a sigh. "Look, Ian, sorry for what I said earlier. I guess I didn't mean it." 
                          
"What happened?" Noah asked, glancing between the two. 
                          
"Nothing," Ian said before anyone else could, quickly diverting the topic onto something else to keep the conversation light and mostly - not give Noah the idea that Ian was homophobic. 
                          
The next day was Saturday and Ian got up earlier since his dad was picking him up. After going to the synagogue they found themselves at his dad's favourite kosher restaurant, where his new girlfriend Nancy joined them. 
                          
Aron Reyes was a successful and well-respected businessman. Family was everything to him, and religion came second. Ian's obsession with success and perfection had been imprinted on him by Aron from an early age on, and Ian wanted nothing more than to be like his father who he adored. 
                          
Aron's new girlfriend, Nancy Meyer, was not so successful and well-respected. She had worked as Aron's secretary before moving into his house and dropping her job, instead passing the time with supervising their cleaner lady and shopping for her and Aron. Ian was not particularly fond of her and their relationship, especially since she was almost ten years younger than Aron. 
                          
Ian loved his dad, but he seriously doubted his decision-making when it came to women. 
                          
"Hi, hi, hi, I missed you so much," Nancy greeted him, kissing both his cheeks several times and smearing her lipstick all over Ian's cheeks. He was grossed out but didn't push her away, simply because Aron loved her and Ian loved Aron.