For me it was enough...

James

5 Minutes Earlier
"James, would you mind checking on my daughter? She rudely walked out, so I'm assuming she went to her room. It's up the stairs and to the left."

Francine stood in front of me at the get-together Leah brought me to. Her blue eyes sparkled as she sent me a shiny grin. I didn't want to disappoint her, so I nodded, though I didn't want to. I figured it'd be awkward, barging in on a girl I had never met.

"Thanks, honey," she cooed, then turned around to talk to a group of people I didn't recognize.

I took my time walking up the creaking stairs. I didn't want to scare the girl, so of course I'd knock. At the top of the stairs, I turned to the left in the dark hallway, the only light coming from underneath a closed door. I sighed, making my way towards it. Bringing my hand to the wood, I knocked softly.

I heard a faint "Come in," so I slowly turned the doorknob to see a girl laying on the bed with a laptop in front of her. I tried not to let my jaw drop as Augustine looked up and met my eyes.

She had her head propped up on her hand in the most adorable way. Her hair was down, spilling across her shoulders, while her eyes questioned my presence. It took me a moment to speak because damn if she wasn't bringing up some thoughts I was not ready to admit. Her t-shirt was pulled to the side, giving me the view of her bra strap. I stared at her face instead, hoping she didn't think I was a creep.

"Hi, James," she said, shaking me out of my thoughts. Her voice was crystal and I got lost in my own world again, dropping my gaze to her lips.

I wonder what it would feel like to kiss her.

Present:
Shockingly, Augustine took my offered hand and allowed me to lead her out of her room. I kept my eyes straight ahead, not letting myself glance at her shorts I knew she was wearing. We tiptoed down the stairs as quietly as possible, but stopped as we reached the living room packed with people.

"What's the plan, dork?" Augustine asked me suddenly.

I turned to her with my eyebrows raised teasingly. "What did you just call me?" I asked in mock hurt.

"You heard me," she grinned. "How are we going to sneak out? My mom will be pissed if I leave during the party."

I grinned at her baggy grey t-shirt and soft-looking shorts. "Yeah, and you're not exactly in party attire," I teased.

She glared at me, failing to look intimidating. The eye contact made my cheeks heat up, but I made myself hold her gaze.

"Not that I mind," I added, surprising myself with how flirty I was being.

Her eyes widened and she looked away, but I saw her rosy-stained cheeks. Augustine watched the partygoers, her eyes to traveling around the packed room. She turned back to me.

"Ok, I don't see my mom. We should be able to slip by without a problem." She wore a determined look on her face. "Ready? Go."

Like we were on a spy mission, we passed by what seemed to be an infinite amount of bodies, squishing us in all directions. Suddenly, two bodies came from either side of us and bumped her and I into each other. I couldn't tell if it was on purpose. I tried to stop myself from falling and reached toward her without thinking. My hands grazed her waist, and I immediately pulled them back.

Augustine's face turned completely red, probably as red as mine, and she glanced away quickly like nothing happened. My face twisted into disappointment that she ignored my touch, but I loved having that effect on her.

We cleared the bodies and stood at the edge of the kitchen, where Augustine peaked behind the wall, checking for her mom. We could've walked through everyone and it'd be no big deal, but acting like we were on a mission was much more fun. As she scanned the kitchen, my gazed lowered to her legs and a flutter filled my stomach.

This girl is driving me crazy.

"James?" I snapped back into focus. Augustine looked up at me and smiled. "We're good to go, just don't make eye contact with anyone."

"Aye aye, captain," I smirked. She glared at me and stepped into the kitchen, walking past everyone with her head down. Her clothes didn't fit in with the rest, but she looked more beautiful than any of them. I followed her, admiring the way she walked.

We reached the porch and slipped out the front door. The sun was gone, our only light being the barely risen moon and the lanterns that decorated the porch. I turned towards Augustine, but she wasn't looking at me.

I took a moment to study her features. The way her eyes took in the night sky while the breeze ruffled her long brown hair. I had the sudden urge to kiss her forehead, but I refrained. I'd have to wait for that.

"Well, what's the plan?" Augustine asked, turning to face me.

I smirked, feeling a rush of confidence surge through my body. "Follow me," I said quietly. I walked down the porch steps and headed towards the beach. She hesitated but caught up quickly and soon walkednext to me. I loved how close our hands were. I could move mine one inch and I'd be holding hers. But I didn't.

We stayed silent on our walk, the only sound our shoes touching the sand. Eventually, I stopped and turned up a small pathway. Augustine followed without hesitation this time, and I allowed myself to believe she trusted me. Reaching our cottage, I looked at her and smiled. What I needed was up in my room.

"I gotta grab something from my room. Want to come up?" I asked.

Her smile transformed into a glare. "How stupid do you think I am?" she scoffed. "I didn't think you were like that."

"Like what?" I asked her. Then it hit me how my question sounded; like I only wanted her body.

Augustine turned around and started walking back towards the beach, muttering something to herself.

"Shit, Augustine, don't go," I called out, running along the path to reach her. She ignored me, so I reached out and took her hand in mine.

"Augustine, wait," I pleaded. "I didn't mean it like that. I do need to grab something. You can stay here, and I'll be back in under a minute. I promise."

She turned back to face me, and I prayed she believed what I said. She nodded slightly. I let go of her hand and headed into the house.

Augustine:

I watched James walk into his cottage, questioning my decision to follow him here. It was darker than when we left, and I could only make out his shadow as the door to his house creaked open. It was getting chilly, and I regretted not wearing a hoodie. I stared at the house, ready to bolt if needed. I doubted James was a creep, but many people were talented at hiding their true selves. I learned that one the hard way. I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited.

James came out of his house with a box, a flashlight, and a piece of clothing in hand. I looked on curiously as he approached me.

"Whatcha got there?" I asked.

He smiled coyly. "You'll see."

He began to walk away from the house. I followed, deciding he was harmless. He switched on the flashlight as I caught up and sent me a shy grin as we neared the beach. I smiled back, nervous to what he was planning.

The beach was beautiful. Stars covered the dark sky while waves lapped the shore. A slight breeze filled the air, pushing my curls away from my forehead. The wind tickled my bare arms and I shivered. I walked closer to the water, but James pulled me back so we stood where the red sand reached the cliffs.

"Shit," he muttered, staring at the ground.

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

He frowned. "I forgot to bring blankets."

I looked back in confusion. "What do you need blankets for?"

"To lay down," he replied.

My first thought was dirty, but remembered James probably just didn't think before he spoke. Sure enough, he caught himself.

"Oh! That-that's not what I meant!" he sputtered. He looked so embarrassed that I burst out laughing.

"Why don't you just tell me what's going on?" I said between giggles. He blushed and uncovered the small box in his arm.

"It's a telescope," he whispered. "I thought, um, we could stargaze."

My heart softened at his idea. It was like we had known each other for years and he handpicked the first item on my summer bucket list. I didn't have a telescope, so I was hurt when I knew I wouldn't be properly stargazing this summer. But James made it possible. His blush shone through the dark and I could tell he was nervous.

"That's so sweet," I finally replied.

"It'll be a bit awkward to look through it standing, but I guess we can try," he told me.

In response, I laid down on the sand, grinning at him. "Care to join?" I smirked.

He immediately laid down beside me, leaving some space between us. "Oh right!" he exclaimed. "I brought you a hoodie since it's cold."

I felt the heat creep along my face but ignored it. Instead of talking and risking saying something awkward, I gratefully accepted the hoodie with a smile. James took out the telescope and pointed it to the sky, constantly adjusting the lens. I lay there happily; thankful I was here instead of my mom's party. She'd be mad when I came home late, but I hoped she wouldn't notice. She tended not to. But didn't she want James and me to become friends? She couldn't be mad if I told her what was happening.

James and I spent the next hour gazing through the lens of his telescope. I mostly admired the stars up close while he explained the names and origins of each one. I was impressed; he had to have been seriously obsessed with stars to find and understand so many of them.

I let myself enjoy his presence, wrapped in his oversized hoodie. It was still fuzzy, which meant it was a newer one. His hazel eyes lit up as he described each star, showing me how to adjust the lens and focus in. I had trouble at first, but his hands guided mine and I soon learned which way to move it. I let him speak, nodding and smiling through all his explanations.

I can see us becoming good friends, I thought.

As the night wore on and it became colder, I knew we should've headed back, but I wasn't ready to go home and face the overwhelming adults and my scornful mother. It was pitch black, the flashlight being our only source of vision besides the stars.

As we lay against the sand, I felt myself begin to trust James. He was genuinely kind, smart and adorably funny. He was also sweet with Aurora, and apparently polite, considering my mother wanted me to meet him. I let my thoughts wander, slightly aware that James was shifting closer to me. I turned to face him, sand grazing my cheek.

He was already looking at me through his glasses, his eyes soft and lips barely parted. I thought he'd look away immediately, but his gaze stayed on me as his eyes dropped to my lips.

Shit.

I couldn't fall for him. He was too perfect, and he'd leave me the moment summer ended. His eyes traveled back to my eyes, and in a moment of weakness, though I knew it was wrong and he'd feel betrayed later, I slowly brought my face closer to his and rested my head against his shoulder. A second later, his head tilted over mine and he intertwined our hands, sending warm electricity straight into my stomach.

I knew it was wrong, giving him a false of my feelings, but I couldn't find the strength to pull away. I let my eyes close, feeling his warmth wash over me as his thumb rubbed circles along my hand.

I'll love it while it lasts. Until he inevitably breaks my heart.