Thanks so much to thereadingsuggestion for ordering me the banner on the side! And thanks so much to decimate who made the amazing banner!

Adena’s POV:

“So, we got our tests back in history today. Mr. Johnson called my name and I went up to his desk to get it. When I saw my grade I was so happy I jumped in the air, kicking the desk behind me, knocking it over, and knocking it into the snake’s cage, causing it to fall and the snake to start slithering around the room! After we found it and put it back we spent twenty minutes trying to calm Lizzie Davis down! It was the best,” Quinton laughed.

“What did you get on the test?” I questioned.

“I got an A! It would have been a hundred but I... spelled my name wrong.”

“And that is why you failed third grade,” Grady teased, patting Quinton on the shoulder.

“Oh shut up!” He yelled, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I think you hurt his feelings,” I pouted, looking to Grady in the mirror. Grady burst in laughter which Quinton soon joined in. “Grady, what did you get on the test?” I teased him, knowing exactly what he got.

“Adena, be quiet. We aren’t talking about me right now.” He tried to change the subject. “So, did you know that dinosaurs lived quite along time ago?” I stared at Grady from the rear view mirror, but glanced at the road every once in awhile, so I wouldn’t crash the car.

“Answer the question. I am sure Quinton wants to know; since you guys like never talk,” I joked.

“I got a C. But at least I can spell my name!” he protested. I laughed and Quinton joined me. It was so fun messing with them.

“Hey! While we are talking; does anyone know what causes a lamp to stop working? My lamp in my room isn’t working and I need it. “ Grady questioned us. I immediately started thinking of what could be wrong.

“Is there a light bulb in it?” I replied.

“Yes.”

“Is the light bulb new or old?“

“Brand new.”

“Is it screwed in all the way?”

“Yeah.” I thought for a moment.

“Is it plugged in?”

“Of course-” Grady thought a moment. I knew the answer when his face turned a light pink.

“Plugging it in might help.” I stifled a laugh, already knowing he was suffering.

“Please don’t tell anyone.” He pleaded. I glanced at Quinton as though I was contemplating.

“I guess we can, but just to let you know; if I ever need anything, I am going to you.” Quinton told him with a smirk. I ignored the rest of their banter and bickering about who is better at playing video games and who deserves an award for their acting skills. I turned the corner and could already see the house on the right side. Music blasted as we pulled up to the two story brick house.

“Are you sure we can’t convince you to come with?” Quinton asked.

“Yeah. I have some things to do at home,” I nodded.

“Come on! It’ll be fun,” Grady smiled.

“No thanks. Maybe next time.”

“You said that last time...” Quinton mumbled under his breath. Grady and Quinton thanked me for the ride, got out of the car, and went up to the brown front door. I watched them go inside, but then allowed my eyes to wander.

Along the side of the house was a basketball hoop and people were outside too, holding red and green cups probably filled with beer. Some even held beer bottles. I shook my head and was about to turn the wheel when I saw Dylan out of the corner of my eye.

He had a bottle in his hands, but I could barely see his face. He was slowly making his way from the side door, in a drunken state, to a car a few cars away from mine. I gasped when he tripped and fell to the ground.

My first instinct was to make sure he was okay, but I quickly started thinking.

Where did that instinct come from?

I shook my head clear and looked back to him. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I saw him get up and finish making his way to the car.

He must be okay, right?  

But then my breath caught in my throat when I realized he was drunk and going to drive. I let my instincts take over. I got out of the car and raced towards him. He stumbled over towards the driver side of the car and began to pull on the handle.

“Dylan!” I called as I ran up. He laughed at himself. He smelled strongly of alcohol and the smell was so disgusting I wanted to hold my nose in disgust.

“This... this isn’t my car-r-r!” He started, taking a drink from the bottle. “Jackie! Unlock the car-r-r!” He yelled towards the house.

“Dylan,” I smiled. He turned around and stared at me.

 “I know you!” He giggled. “Your that... that... uh... girl who likes Disney!” I gave a light laugh.

“Yes, that’s me. Are you going home?” He gazed at me for a second as though trying to figure out what I was saying.

“Oh...yeah... I am going t-to the place I live!” Was all I could make out before he starts to slur his words. Dylan fished around in his pockets and pulled out a necklace. “Maybe I can unlock with this k-k-key.” He put the necklace to the keyhole and tried to unlock it. I rolled my eyes and calmly grabbed his wrist.

“Come on, I’ll take you home.” He turned his head and followed me as I started to lead him to my car.

“I don’t need a-a-a... ride, really. I have my car. It’s in my driveway! So, it’s here somewhere,” he protested.

“Do you know where you are?” I asked nicely. He spun around in a circle.

“My house?”

“I know where your car is,” I smiled.

“This isn’t it?” He slurred.

“No! But I’ll take you to it!” I said, gesturing for him to follow me. He took a couple steps forward but stumbled, falling to the ground. I grabbed onto his arm and helped him up, wrapping it around my shoulders. I dragged him towards my car, opening the door and helping him sit inside. I went to grab his seat belt but he pulled it out of my grip.

“I-I can do... do this!” He insisted. I closed his door and walked around to the driver side. I sat down and buckled myself in, turning to him. He struggled to buckle the seat belt for a minute before he got it. Dylan then put the bottle to his lips and began to chug it down, spilling some onto his shirt.

“Can I see that for a second?” I asked, taking the bottle from his hands. He let go and I opened my window, pouring out the liquid onto the road. I then opened Dylan’s window and threw the bottle out of it.

“What! What! Why... Why did you do that!?” He yelled. I turned and stared at him, trying to find something to say without upsetting him.

“I...thought...maybe the worms...wanted some...beer...” He tilted his head and stared at me; processing what I was saying.

“Oh...yeah...that makes sense...” I smiled and nodded. “Worms love beer. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.” I laughed and smiled at him. I grabbed a water bottle from behind the passenger seat.

“Here, drink this.” He took it and fumbled with the cap. I took it back and opened it for him. Giving it back to him, he attempted to drink it. My laughter at his attempt made him look at me.

“You know.... I love you man!”

“I love you too,” I laughed, not knowing how to respond to him.

“No... No... I.. I really mean it! Hey! Don’t... Don’t go to the grocery store... okay?” I raised an eyebrow to him. He must be really drunk. I turned my full attention to the road, noticing I didn’t know where I was going.

“Where do you live?” I asked.

“With my dad.”

“And where do you two live?” I questioned, trying not to laugh at him.

“Together,” he nodded.

“I meant where is your house?”

“On a street,” I sighed, trying not to lose my patience. “Pebble street. It’s the... sad color house at the end,” he hiccuped.

"Sad color house?” I whispered to myself. “You mean it’s a blue house?” I questioned.

“Bingo!” He shouted. I laughed and started driving toward Pebble Street. “Did you know that-t doorknobs are the b-best thing ever! I love d-doorknobs.” I gave him a look.

“Yes...doorknobs are nice...”

“Why do people like doorknobs-s?” I thought for a moment because this was a weird question.

“People use them to open things...”

“Oh...” He stopped talking but it didn’t last long. “You wanna know something?” He whispered, looking around like someone was listening.

“What?” I said back.

“Now... do... don’t tell Jackie okay? But I... I trust you,” I giggled at him, I couldn’t help it.

“Why can’t I tell Jackie?” I said back.

“She’ll get mmmaaadddd!” He said, slurring the last of his sentence. “She’d be sooo mad if I told her I feel weird around you,” he nodded, looking forward.

“What do you mean?” I asked, looking at him. He was looking out of the window, staring at his reflection. “Dylan?” I called. He turned to me, throwing me a very goofy face. I held back a laugh as I asked again: “What do you mean?”

“I... I want to... pro... pro..” He stopped, not being able to find the right word to say. “Keep you safe!” I couldn’t help but smile. Even if it was a drunk ramble, it was how he felt and it was sweet.

“Anything else?” I said, wanting to know more.

“You make me laugh!” I took that in a good way and smiled at him. I found his street and turned down it, going all the way to the blue house at the end. I pulled into the driveway and saw no lights were on.

“Here you go,” I smiled, unbuckling my seat belt.

“I got this!” He exclaimed, throwing a hand in my face to signal I should stop. He unbuckled himself and leaned towards me. I watched, wondering what he was doing. He reached over and placed a kiss on my cheek.

Instant goosebumps crawled up my arms and my heart skipped a beat as he pulled away and smiled.

“Goodnight!” He screamed, getting out of the car and stumbling towards his front door. A smile broke out on my face and I couldn’t get it to go away.

I was just kissed!

I couldn’t completely process the thought but all I knew was the butterflies in my stomach weren’t going away anytime soon.