Vanessa

"What? Why do you keep smiling at me like that? Do I have something in my teeth?" I slid off Addison's bed and nudged her out of the way from where she was applying mascara at the vanity so that I could get a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

I studied my reflection, frowning when I didn't see anything visibly wrong. "It's my new jeans isn't it?" I glanced down at the recently purchased pair of black denim I was wearing. I had opted to go with ones that were a bit tighter than my norm and had been feeling pretty ok about that choice but now I was worried that had been a mistake. "They make me look fat, don't they?"

Addison grinned at me as she stood up and placed her hands on both of my shoulders, looking me in the eye. "V, chill. You look great. In fact, I'm pretty sure that one could even say you look quite loveable." She ran her fingers through her hair, loosening up her freshly styled curls. "Anyways, you ready to head over to Matt's? There are some s'mores at his house with my name on it."

Laughing, I grabbed my hoodie off the bed and tugged it on over my head. "You and food. You're obsessed."

Clutching one hand to her chest, she gasped. "I am not...Well, ok, maybe I am but don't act like you aren't equally as crazed about something that will be waiting at his place for you."

I smiled as I pictured Matt's face for the one hundredth and forty-third time that day. He was just so handsome and funny and sweet... Now that school was officially over for the year and it was the start of summer break, I imagined all the time that we would be spending together at the beach, "the spot", and at his house. Despite the minor hiccup of that red-haired girl dancing with him at Prom, I felt like our connection was deeper than ever as of late. We talked constantly, sent random pictures throughout the day of whatever we were doing or eating and when we weren't in communication, I was daydreaming about what would happen the next time we were together. It was definitely love. At least on my end it was. I could only hope that within time, it would be the same on Matt's side too.

When we arrived at his house later in the evening, he was already seated in a folding chair next to his Dad by the fire. He bolted over when he saw us arrive, a wide grin and that adorable dimple lighting up his face. "Hey! You guys are actually here way earlier than I was expecting. I thought for sure that Addison would spend three hours getting ready only to decide last minute that she has nothing to wear and is just going to stay home instead."

Matt stumbled backwards as Addison gave him a shove. "That was only just the one time, you imbecile." She gave him another push in my direction. "Aren't you going to say hello to your girlfriend?"

His cheeks instantly turned red and I was certain they matched what my own must have looked like as they felt like they were on fire. He stared down at the ground, kicking at a loose stone with his boot. "Um...hi, V."

Sticking my hands in the pocket of my hoodie, I looked over his shoulder and focused on the oak tree across the yard. "Uh...hey. What's going on?" Stupid, stupid. What's going on? He's having a fire, that's what. Do you not see the blazing flames right there or are you too focused on those beautiful blue-grey eyes and his full, kissable lips- stop it, Vanessa. For once, can you not be so awkward? I cleared my throat. "Addison wants s'mores," I replied lamely.

Matt laughed and just like that, the glorious sound broke the tension. "Of course she does," he replied wrapping one arm around her shoulder and grabbing at her nose with his free hand. "When does this one ever not want to eat?"

She picked up a wooden stick used for roasting marshmallows off the patio table and poked Matt in the side with it. "Knock it off. I swear I will shank you, Reaper."

He grabbed at her face again, this time pinching her on the cheek and she swatted his hand away. "You would do no such thing. You couldn't stand the thought of living in a world without me. You would just miss me way too much."

She rolled her eyes. "The only thing I would miss is the free French fries you sometimes send my way."

He smirked at her as he offered her a bag of marshmallows. "What did I say? Only interested in food."

Matt's Dad smiled as he waved hello to us. "Good evening girls. Always a pleasure to have you both here." Standing up, he smoothed out his slacks. "I think I'm going to head inside now and leave you kids to it. This old man is exhausted."

Matt covered his face with his hands as he shook his head. "Goodnight, Dad," he muttered. His father clasped him on the shoulder before making his way indoors. After the door clicked shut behind him, Matt scooted over on the grass until he was sitting only inches away from me. My heart started hammering in my chest as he treated me to the sight of another one of his heart-stopping grins. "Hey."

I couldn't help my own wide smile from playing across my lips. "Hey."

We locked eyes for several moments before he slowly raised his gaze up to the top of my head and frowned. "Ash," he remarked as he brushed his hand over my hair.

"Oh." I threw up the hood to my sweatshirt and Matt tugged on the drawstrings until the covering was wrapped snugly around my head.

He smirked at me. "You look like an alien." He nudged one of my fingers with his own. "ET phone home."

My smile faltered slightly. Alien wasn't exactly the word that I wanted to spring to his mind when he saw me. Beautiful, lovely, gorgeous would all do nicely but alien? That was just right about up there with Aaron's ugly description.

Across the glow of the fire, Matt caught Addison's gaze and sat up straight. "I...mean...I don't mean...you look like ET...you look...you look..."

Addison suddenly cleared her throat before licking some chocolate off her finger and eyeing us with a devilish grin. She rubbed her hands together. "Now that Matt's Dad is gone, who's up for some truth or dare. We have never played that game together before."

Matt and I groaned in unison. Narrowing his eyes at her, he replied, "Yea, and with good reason. Knowing how you are, you're likely to dare one of us to go streaking throughout the neighborhood."

She scoffed. "Don't be such a buzz kill, my soul-sucking friend. I'll go first. V, truth or dare?"

I grimaced as I shook my head. "I don't really feel like playing either, Addie."

Addison rolled her eyes. "Will you two stop being so uptight? God, you really are the perfect match," she mumbled. She tossed her glossy black hair over her shoulder. "Listen, if I promise not to dare either one of you to strip down to your underwear, will you play?" A sudden smile lit up her face as her sights landed on Matt. "I can't promise Matt won't challenge you to do that though."

His eyes grew wide as he tossed a crumpled-up napkin at her. "Addison!"

She held up her hands. "What? You're a guy, Matt. I know how you all think. If there's even the slightest chance of getting to glimpse at some boobs, you all will jump right on it."

"That's...that's not true," he stuttered. "I have more respect for Vanessa than that." He looked over at me, an earnest expression on his face. "I have more respect for you than that. I promise I'm not going to dare you to do anything of the sort."

I prayed that the light from the fire wouldn't give away the fact that my cheeks were burning crimson. All I could do was nod my head in response. I glanced over at Addison, making a mental note to smother my best friend with her pillow later while she slept. Letting out a long sigh as she stared at me expectantly, I finally uttered out the word. "Truth."

A gleam lit up her emerald eyes as she squealed. "Perfect. If you could go out on a date with any guy in the junior class, who would it be?"

I clenched my teeth as I stared at her. How could she even ask me that question in front of Matt when she knew that the answer was obviously him? I shook my head at her in disbelief. I couldn't lie. This was truth or dare after all. "Addie...," I pleaded softly.

She refused to relent, raising one eyebrow. "Come on V, there must be some guy in the eleventh grade that has your loins burning. Spill it."

I bit my lip, keeping my gaze laser-focused on Addison and off of Matt. "Um...Kurt Whitman is cute-"

"I didn't ask who you thought was attractive, Vanessa. I asked who you would go out with."

My palms began to sweat as I held her stare. I couldn't lie. But I couldn't tell the truth either. After several moments of painstaking silence, she sighed loudly and rolled her eyes. "You're boring. Fine, Matt," she began, turning her head in his direction. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare," he replied without missing a beat.

Addison's famous Cheshire Cat smile returned to her face and my stomach lurched knowing that she was up to no good. "Fantastic. I dare you to kiss Vanessa."

He let out a chuckle. "Did I say dare? I meant truth. I always get those two mixed up."

My heart sank as I lowered my sights to the grass, dragging my fingers through the dew-covered tips. He couldn't have scrambled out of that one any faster. Was I really that repulsive to all guys?

"Alright then," Addison pressed on. "If Vanessa asked you out, would you say yes?"

I whipped my head up to glare at her. What was she doing? Forget the plan of waiting until later to smother her. No. A quick shove was all that was needed to send her flying into the flames of the fire. This was absolutely not ok that she was asking him that question.

Another small laugh escaped Matt's throat and I could feel the anger swelling inside of me towards both of them. The bonfire wasn't the only thing raging right now. "Um..." he began. Another laugh. "Well...um..." He fiddled with the strings on his sweatshirt, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "I mean..." More laughter.

That was it. I couldn't believe he had the audacity to laugh at that question like the idea of him and I was just such a hysterical concept. "Forget it," I shouted as I stood up abruptly. "I don't want to play this dumb game anymore." I stomped across the yard, refusing to sit any longer through the humiliation of another guy rejecting me as Matt floundered through trying to say the word "No."

Tears streamed down my face and once again, I was the plain girl that had actually fooled herself into believing that she had a chance with a guy that was way out of her league.

Matt

I watched as Vanessa stormed away from the fire, confused as to what had just happened. I glanced over at Addison whose icy gaze was enough to cool the heat from the flames.

She shook her head before throwing a marshmallow at my face. "You're an idiot. You know that?'