"You were a risk, a mystery, and the most certain thing I'd ever known."

*********

Lilly's POV

"No."

This SOB.

"Come on," I whined.

Who says no to sex, anyways?

He shook his head and looked back at his book, totally ignoring me.

"Please," I said again, "Pretty please."

Look at me begging him to touch me. Oh god, I can't reach bottom rock faster than this, can I?

The muscle of his jaw tightened, his gaze on the book, purposely not looking at me. I pulled myself up and sat on the bed, crossed legs, right in front of him and stayed silent.

His gaze fell on me again and I gave him the innocent puppy eyes. They usually work and get me what I want, but apparently, not this time.

I huffed out loud, frustrated at him. He was always such an SOB, always annoying me, always taking my things, always denying me what I want.

I know he wants this, but playing hard to get now, aren't we? He knows there is chemistry between us, god, I can feel it, he surely can too. I sensed it in the way he touched me and kissed me like there was no tomorrow.

Oh, that kiss...

With that thought running through my head, I inched closer, pressing my knees over the mattress, my hand went and took the book out of his hold before I carelessly tossed it away. His eyes widened a bit at my out-of-the-blue action, but the shock slowly transferred to something else once I leaned closer, leveling myself with him and positioning my body between his legs, one push and I will be in his lap....if only.

I rested my hand over his shoulder, my head tilted to the side, "Come on," I lowered my voice and tried to pull on the seduction act. My fingers slowly moved up, they brushed the side of his neck, my eyes tracing my hand's movement, feeling the burning fire radiating off his skin, "I know that you want this too," I added, my eyes finally meeting his as my hand reached his chin, feeling the light stubble under my fingertips.

My position gave me the upper hand over him, I was practically hovering over. His gaze went up to me and his beautiful eyes kept glued to mine, a surge of heat passed over them and the moment my thumb ran over his lower lip, the pupils of his eyes dilated and I felt him suck into a deep breath. The touch of that soft skin alone made a jolt of heat singe my skin.

I thought about kissing it. Licking it. Sucking it.

Jesus Christ, here is that tingling feeling again. I really need this.

My other hand over his shoulder moved a bit down and I could feel the hard pumping of his heart. I resisted the urge to smile, relieved at the thought that he is feeling it too. He doesn't say it, he never did but he knows, he knows that the connection we share is magnetic.

I lowered my face a little, angling it to meet his lips as my hand found its way to the back of his neck, tangling with the very soft strand of his hair. I felt all types of hot and bothered. The nerves wreaking havoc on my stomach and my chest aching with need, the feeling had me tugging hard on his hair before I was finally ready to let our lips meet.

In one second, a second only, he managed to slightly break my heart. Because, the moment it was about to happen, he turned his face, taking that chance away from me, "It's wrong Lilly," He said on a heavy exhale, his words measured and his tone blank, "Not like this, we can't."

Wrong? The wrong thing is letting myself feel this much for you.

My body went rigid and a pang of hurt tugged at my chest as I backed away, "Wrong?" I scoffed, "It wasn't wrong when you came barging into my room yesterday, was it?"

He shook his head and raked his fingers through his hair, "That was a mistake."

A mistake?

The force of his words pushed me even further away from him. My feet dropped to the floor, ready to get up and get the hell out of here.

"The whole fake dating fiasco, I don't want to do it anymore," He said and my shoulders tensed, "You like him, he likes you, just solve it between you two, and keep me out of it."

"Yeah, you don't need to worry about that anymore," I mumbled as I grabbed my bag and got to my feet.

"Lilly, I just don't want to..." He paused, sucking into a deep breath, "I don't want this to ruin what we have, I don't want it to ruin our...our friendship."

That was it for me. I turned around so fast and snapped, "Stop saying that word!" Frustrated, I threw my arms in the air, "You and I," I pointed between us, "We are not friends," I stressed on it again, "We.are.not.friends, okay?"

His jaw tightened and he stood up, "We are."

I shook my head, anger burned deep within my chest, enveloping the hurt i felt upon his rejection, "No, no, we are not," I marched forward and poked him in the chest, "Because friends don't kiss the way we do," I snapped, calling him out on his bullshit, "Because friends don't look at each other the way we do!"

There was anger in his eyes now, there was exasperation as his voice rose as well, "Then, what the fuck are we?!"

My chest heaved with each breath I took, "I don't know, okay?" I said, my voice dropped low and I dragged the words out, "I just don't know."

Looking away, "Figured as much," He mumbled, his hand grabbed harshly at the back of his neck, as if trying to bury that anger deep down. When he looked back at me, "I think you should leave," He said, strictly.

Without muttering another word, I granted his wish and exited the room, slamming the door behind me before I went down and stormed out, ignoring Katherine who called up my name as I rushed down the porch and into the street.

One question kept roaming my head as I made my way back home; if we're not friends, then, what the hell are we?

I fixed my hair and took into a deep calming breath before I walked into the house. Forcing a smile, I pulled my usual cheerful self on and tried to stop what happened from affecting me.

I was met with dad's and Max's back, sitting over the couch, talking about something. I inched closer from behind, dad's arm was around Max's shoulder, both looking at the phone in Max's hand. I tried to sneak a closer look and thanked the stars when I realized they're just looking at some game, my mind played the most worst disgusting scenarios.

I rested my hand over dad's shoulder, grabbing his attention. He looked up at me and at my sight, he smiled, "Where were you?"

Not having it in me to start a fight, I lied, "At Aylin's." I hoped mom would just go on with it.

I rounded around and sat by his side. As if he sensed that I needed it, he wounded his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to his warmth, something that always took the pain away. I leaned closer and slowly relaxed in his embrace as I listened to him and Max talk about something I didn't understand.

Few minutes later, they seemed to figure out whatever the problem was. Max went off to somewhere and I felt dad press a small kiss over my hair. I looked up at him, "What's wrong?" He asked, eyebrows pulling together, "You're weirdly non-hyper verbal."

I shook my head with a genuine smile, "Nothing, just a bit tired."

I saw as mom walked into the living room with some drinks and a bowl of popcorn. She gave me a wink and I smiled back at her.

Dad gently ran his hand up my arm, "If you're not so tired, wanna watch a movie with us?" He asked, a frown crawled up his face, "I feel like I don't see you anymore."

I playfully rolled my eyes at his usual dramatic tone, "Dad, I am a teenager, the less time I spend with you guys, the better," I said, pulling myself away from his hold.

"True," Mom commented from the side as she set the TV on. Dad shot me a glare and I carried on, my eyebrow arched, "Come on, did you love spending time with your parents when you were a teenager?"

He shook his head, "No, I didn't." He answered, ever so smoothly.

"See, it's a universal law!"

Mom's attention went from the TV and to us, the look that flashed in her eyes for a mere second got wiped away when Max got back and joined us.

He squeezed himself into the very small space beside me on purpose, "The whole big house and you chose here to sit!" I remark, lightly punching him in the arm and trying to push him away.

"See, that's how much I love you," He answers, ever so sarcastically as he throws his arm over my shoulders.

The movie starts and I decide to stay and watch, just so I can stop my mind from drifting off and thinking about two specific blue eyes. This seems as a good distraction as any.

One hour into the movie, and I feel something drop over my shoulder. I almost gasp but immediately realize it's Max's head. I look at him and stifle a chuckle at how he fell asleep. His eyes closed, his face so relaxed and his soft hair brushing against my neck as he snuggled over my shoulder like it's a pillow.

I turned to mom and noticed how dad also had fallen asleep on her shoulder. I silently laughed at their similar position. Yup, Max is his son alright. Mom's gaze drifted from dad to Max and she chuckled, shaking her head, "This is what happens when I choose the movie." She tried to whisper.

I nodded in agreement. Looking back at Max, my heart melted a little bit. No matter how much we fight and argue, now when he slept like this, he looked just like a little baby, reminding me of the times when we were growing up. I left a little kiss over his head and contemplated whether I should move away and let his head fall to shake him out of his sleep. I decided against that and gently shook his shoulder, "Max," I said.

"Hmfhrg," he mumbled in gibberish.

I shook him again and he opened his eyes, he blinked and I said, "Go sleep in your bed."

"Hm okay," He mumbled sleepily, rubbing at his eyes before he got off the couch and lazily walked away.

I chuckled and shook my head. When I looked back at mom, she ushered me to hand her the blanket from over the armrest. I grabbed it and walked to them. Sitting beside dad, I carefully placed the blanket over his body, my mom took the other end and tried to tuck it under his neck with one hand, while her other arm went around his body.

He didn't seem bothered by all that, still fast asleep, his face buried in the crook of her neck. He brought his hand up and scratched his neck, and my eyes caught them again. The same tightness took over my chest and my smile slowly dropped down. No matter how often I sneak a glimpse of them, I never get accustomed to the pang of hurt that courses through my body at their sight.

I never talked about it. Never asked. Never said, why? I don't think I can handle the answer, whatever it is.

I gulped and looked at mom, whose attention was back on the TV's screen. I swallowed hard and said, "Mom," She turned to me and I carried on, "How come dad never talks about his parents?" There was a relation there. Those scars and this subject. There has to be.

I know they died. I just don't have any memories of them. I don't even know how they look like, we don't have a single picture of them in the house and that kind of gets me suspicious. Other than the fact that my grandmother and I share the same name, I know nothing else about them.

Leya. That's her name. The name none of my parents even call me with.

It's weird because mom always talks about her dad, we have pictures of him, there are so many pictures of a mini me with him. I feel like I know him from how much she talks about him, but that's not the case with dad's parents.

A look of pure sadness flashed across mom's eyes. She didn't care to hide it this time and I saw her arm tighten over him, "Your dad's parents, it's...it is a sensitive subject for him," She exhaled a heavy breath, "Can I ask a favor?" She asked and I nodded, "Can you try not to bring it a lot in front of him?"

The fact that she doesn't tell me why, just proves my previous thoughts. I nod anyway and plan not to ask further. Maybe I am better off being clueless as it is. The last thing I want is to hurt dad in anyway.

Mom lets out a sigh before her gaze drifts back to dad, "Alex," She whispers softly.

He sighs, "Mmmfhrhghd?"

Both mom and I laugh at his gibberish. She stares down at him adoringly and mumbles, "I love you."

I smile as I stare at them and my heart seems to beat a bit faster. I want this, one day in the very far future, I want this.

My eyes close for a brief second. This type of love, will I ever have it?

My smile drops right away because the second my eyelids drop, I see no one but him.

**********

The next week passes in a blur, with exams and the guys preparing for the game, we barley hang out and see one another. I would catch a glimpse of Chase in the school's hallways, and that's it. I would either pretend not to see him, or immediately turn around and scurry the hell away before he sees me.

I mean, the guy practically rejected me. The thought alone gets me all riled up and angry. That son of a...

Breath in, Lilly. Breath out. It's okay.

Zack had lunch with us a couple of times during the week. He would try flirting, giving me more attention than he ever did throughout my whole existence. I tried to match his flirty self yet somehow it felt as if there is something missing there. He insisted I attend the game and that's the only reason why I am sitting on the bleachers now, in this cold, watching the game and cheering, not because I can shamelessly ogle at Chase while he plays without getting caught.

Oh, look at him go.

No, definitely not for that reason.

I zoned back in at the right time to catch the moment our team scored the last goal, sending the whole crowd into pits of screams and cheers. Aylin and Sally jumped up from their seats and scurried down to the field. I immediately got to my feet and followed up behind.

Aylin was the first to crash into the guys, she threw herself into Conner's arms, who stumbled a bit backward at the impact, way too shocked at the gesture. But then when she went around hugging everyone, he realized it wasn't anything special. His eyes fell on me, "Did you see me out there?" he asked, puffing his chest out in confidence, "I played for the first time yet I was unstoppable, dude."

I chuckled at his enthusiasm and we fist bumped, "You were awesome, dude." I said with my eyebrow arched, actually amazed. He is a substitute player, and at the moment, he looked beyond delighted at the fact he actually participated in this winning game.

My eyes drifted to the side when I felt someone walk closer, I looked up and smiled at Zack's. His eyebrow raised in question, "You guys were great!" I immediately commented, answering his unspoken question.

The corner of his lips lifted up and he inched closer, taking me way off guard when his arms wrapped around me in a tight hug, "I know, right!"

My eyes grew wide a bit and my brain short-circuited there for a second. I am hugging...Zack. Fuckity fuck, I am actually hugging Zack. Oh my sweet lord, it's warm, his arms feel so strong as they wrapped me in, but...but I feel nothing.

No heart-beatings accelerating, no stomach tightening, no that tingling feeling...Nothing.

I am more shocked at the fact than anything else.

I pulled away and stared up at him, still a little bit in haze, and trying to digest the whole situation.

His head tilted to the side, "Thanks for coming," He said and I was about to say I didn't come here for you, but stopped myself when he tucked the loosened strand of my hair behind my ear. I froze at the action and he said, "Guess you're my lucky charm."

Okay, that was...cheesy.

I smiled and for the first time, I felt at a loss of words. I am usually more courageous with this. I usually openly flirt with him. I could've flirted back in so many ways, yet couldn't, because none of what I'd say would be what I actually want.

"Um, you know the school's christmas party is in two weeks," He rubbed at the back of his neck, nervously, "I know it is still early to ask this, but I am not taking the risk of someone else stealing you," The corner of his lip pulled up in a teasing smile, "Wanna go together?"

Okay people, PINCH ME. Someone freaking pinch me. He is freaking asking me out. Zack is asking me out.

After all these times of me chasing him, flirting, throwing signals here and there and waiting, waiting for too long for him to notice me, here we are, at the moment I have dreamt about way too many times, yet...

"Yeah, sure." I answer before I can think any further, because if I thought too much about this, I will miss on something I've wanted for so long.

He smiles, genuinely, "Great, it's a date, then."

A date?

Holy shit, a date? I heard that correctly, right?

I am not freaking out, no, not at all. I am calm, I am so frigging calm, can't you see?

Some of his teammates interrupt our moment, they talk and I block out everything else. I rub a hand over my arm as my gaze drifts away. They immediately fall on Chase, Conner and Aylin by his side and a couple of girls from our class gathered around them.

One of them, Samantha, leaned in closer to Chase and said something. He laughed at whatever she said and a weird pang of jealousy hit me. My chest stuttered a bit when she placed her hand over his arm and whispered something else, as a result, he threw his head back, laughing again.

Oh, so he laughs. He actually knows how to laugh. Just with me, he is all uptight. This SOB.

My fingers tightens over my arm, trying to trap that damn feeling inside. Zack's voice grabs my attention, "We gonna go change, then we're celebrating this," He says, "We're heading to a bonfire nearby, don't go anywhere, you are coming with me." He adds with a wink.

I only manage to nod before the guys drag him away, they also take Conner and Chase before they all head inside.

"Hey," Sally nudges my arm with her elbow, "What's wrong?"

I turn to her and her eyes narrow at me, trying to drag the truth out. I grab her arm and walk away from Aylin and the other girls, "Zack asked me out." I say once we stop by the parking lot.

Her eyes widen, "Oh, wow...I mean great, I think." She adds when she read my not so-happy expression.

"But?" She asks.

"But I felt nothing." I honestly say, "I have dreamt about this moment way too many times, and now that it happened, it just, it didn't feel like I expected it to." It didn't live up to my expectations.

She smiles. She actually smiles, "And that's because..." She leaves her words hanging for me carry on.

I shrug clueless, and she rolls her eyes and pokes the side of my head, "It's because there is someone else on your mind!"

My eyes widen, "No, what the-" I stutter, "No, no, what the hell are you talking about, no, there is nothing like that, no, come on, no, it's not like that, no,"

"Say the word no one more time and I will actually believe you." She comments sarcastically, crossing her arms over her chest. Her gaze drifts behind me and they lighten up, "Oh, is that Chase?"

My heart jumps and I immediately turn around, "What? Where?"

When I see no one, I turn around and my jaw tighten, glaring at her. She raises her eyebrow, "Spill it all out."

I huff out a loud breath and rake my fingers through my hair, "We kissed," I finally tell someone, "Chase and I, we kissed." Her eyes widen and I carry on, "It started on my birthday and we kissed after it two more times and I can't stop thinking about it and I can't get him out of my head, it's not normal, he like...he got me under his spell or something that son of a," I continue, rambling, "And I feel all kind of disoriented because of him, one moment he is kissing me, the other he is saying it's wrong and.." I pause to suck into a deep breath and notice how wide Sally's smile is.

"You like him!" She squeals, "Gosh, I am so happy the whole Zack-phase is over, never saw you two fitting in any way," She claps her hand excitedly before she throws her arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer, "Now, let's figure out a way to get you your man!"

"My what?" What the fuck.

"Ah, I am playing the matchmaker on this one, bringing you two together, don't worry, we need to find a way to get you two alone, I mean he already likes you, it's so obvious and then in the future, when you two get married, you will name your first born after me," She sighs dreamily and my eyes widen, way too shocked to react.

Oh, she is crazy. My friend is crazy.

*********

I place my hands near the bonfire, trying to warm them up before I bring one of them to my freezing cold ear, trying to give it some warmth. I wish I knew we're coming here, I would've at least wore a hat or something. It's freezing cold.

To top it all, I crack open the beer can and take the first sip of the cold beverage. I don't plan on getting wasted tonight, but a bit of alcohol to loosen up won't kill anyone.

We are sitting in a circle around the bonfire, chatting and playing some games. Zack by my side casually threw his arm over my shoulder, as if it's the most normal thing ever as he kept on chatting with the other guys. I looked to my right, Sally is sitting, next to her Aylin and then there is Chase, and on his other side, Samantha is more than comfortable, not missing a chance to touch his arm. She kept tugging on his beanie and whispering bullshit in his ears every now and then.

My jay tightens and I want to scream at her. Stop massaging his muscles for god's sake!

Chase catches my gaze for a second but I immediately turn around and internally scoff. Let him touch whoever he wants, none of my business....

A few minutes later, the whole group broke down, some guys went to bring more alcohol, some playing cards, others got the ball with them and continued playing, betting on each other, some making out with some chicks they just met. Zack asked me to go join them in playing but I refused, I'd rather stay by the fire, all warm and cozy.

Almost everyone leaves the circle except for me, Sally, Aylin, and Chase. Sally doesn't miss the chance. She gets up and grabs Aylin's arm, pulling her along, on purpose, "Come with me, I need to pee." She tells Aylin who whines at her before she send me a wink.

I shoot her a glare in return, already feeling the nerves twisting my stomach into knots.

I keep my hands glued to the fire and I try to be civil and initiate the first conversation, "Did your father go with my dad to New York for work?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

He takes a sip of his drink and nods, "Yeah," He runs his thumb over his lower lip and I gulp before I look away, acting totally nonchalant, "Also, my mom is sleeping at your house today, isn't she?"

I nodded, "Yeah," I answer and the weird tensed silence envelopes us again. He doesn't try to break it. He doesn't even look at me, all his focus on the flaming fire ahead of us. Maybe, just maybe, he really doesn't like my presence anymore.

Feeling way too uncomfortable by the tensed atmosphere, I get up and walk a bit away from him. Scared if I stayed longer, I might blurt something out.

I lean by the tree and drink the beer in my hand as I gaze at the others playing and having fun. I sigh in annoyance. This is not fun for me, in any way.

The guy I liked for how long now is over there, playing and enjoying himself. The other one, who has flipped my world upside down in a matter of months doesn't even want to talk to me and keeps letting blonde chicks to touch his muscles.

My hand angrily tightens over the can, bending its edges. The sounds of leaves crunching behind me had me turning around so fast. My eyes falls on Chase and that floppy sensation tortures my stomach again. He had his beanie taken out by now and his hair a bit of messed up, in a very hot way.

He hands me his beer, "Can you hold this?" He asks and I immediately oblige without asking why.

He takes the beanie in his hand and inches closer, my eyes widen a bit when he places it over my head, he pulls it down from the sides, covering my freezing ears.

His blue eyes gleamed with a warm mirth and a satisfactory smile crawled up his beautiful face, "Much better," he mumbled, his voice low, as if telling himself not me.

My heart throbbed a wayward beat, and warmth skidded over my inside. With his hands over my covered ears, I couldn't help but smile, feeling good after one hell of a week.

He cares. He still cares.

I blinked and words fought for a release but someone decided to interrupt my short-lived happy moment.

Samantha clutched at Chase's arm, stealing his attention away from me, "Come on, they're asking for you to join the game," She said, her eyes drifted to me and she slanted me an angelic smile.

A frown dissolved my face, my smile disappeared as Chase stepped away from me.

"Come on, you promised you gonna teach me," She added with a flirty smile, batting her eyelashes at him. I know that look, gosh, I've mastered that look with Zack. It's I-wanna-get-into-your-pants look.

"You coming?" Chase asked me, nodding forward to the crowd.

I shook my head only and they went off after. My gaze drifted from their retreating back and looked at the two beer cans in my hand.

My jaw tightened in anger and annoyance and I chugged the first one. I threw it away and gulped down the other.

Change of plans. I am getting wasted tonight.

**********

Chase's POV

"Come on," Zack said with a low chuckle, his arm wrapped around Lilly, a very drunken Lilly to be more specific, as they walked away.

She giggled and clutched to his side as they walked toward the car and that's when I decided to interfere, having enough with this bullshit.

I stepped closer, my hand went to Zack's arm from behind, stopping him. He paused in his steps and slanted me a questioning look, "Where are you taking her?" I asked, desperately trying to hide the anger in my tone.

"I can't take her to her place when she's wasted like this," He said, "She can crash at my place."

Over my dead body.

"No need," I shot out, my hand on her arm, already pulling her away from his embrace, "I can take her," She is already drunk and I know how Lilly gets when wasted. Not saying he'd do it or take advantage of her but he is also a bit tipsy.

I don't trust him enough to let her go like this and all alone.

His eyebrows pulled together and I shook my head, "Let Derek drop you off, don't drive when you're like this."

Not waiting for his reply, my arm went around her side, steadying her as I walked us to my car. She didn't refuse or even say a word for that matter.

I opened the door and helped her get into the car, I leaned in and fixed her seatbelt. I was about to back away but Lilly's finger tightened over my shirt, stopping me.

My eyes fell on her and my heart raced at the innocent look in her eyes. My beanie still over her hair, her nose all red from the coldness and her plump lips pouted, "Don't take me home," She mumbled, fear flashed in the brown of her eyes, "Mom would be so angry."

I nodded, assuring her and fixed the beanie over her head, tucking her hair away from her face, I said, "Don't worry, I won't."

I rounded my way and got inside the car. I took her phone and texted her mother that she'll stay at Aylin's place. And considering my parents are already not home, she can stay with me.

I drove off and Lilly stayed silent almost the whole drive home. I turned my head to check on her, she had the side of her temple pressed against the seat, and her eyes on me, silently staring.

My eyebrows pulled together and my hand went to hers and gently rubbed at it, "What?"

She breathed out, "Nothing, I just like looking at you," she said, her voice low and she looked so energy-less.

I smiled and shook my head at her answer, a drunk Lilly is a very honest Lilly.

She turned her gaze to my hand and she kept holding it all the way back home.

Fifteen minutes later and I was walking her into the house. I closed the door behind us and helped her up the stairs. She sat down on my bed and I took off her shoes, her jacket and my beanie before I placed them aside. She was way too tired to decline or move.

I walked to my closet and said, "I'll get you something more comfortable to wear."

Her energy seemed to come back, "No!" She said and got to her feet, she stood by my side, "I want to choose!"

I chuckled as she went through my things and settled on one of my shirts, "This one." She grabbed it and went back to the bed.

Her hands curled over the hem of her shirt and before she could pull it off, I turned around and looked away. Jesus.

She whined like a little girl, "I can't do it!" She cried out, "Come help me."

I breathed out, oh this night won't end well, I have a feeling. I had no choice but walk to her side and help her.

My hand curled over her shirt and I tried my best not to look as I slipped it over her head. My shirt was behind her, for me to grab it, i'd have to lean over and I don't think I am going to risk that, with her upper body all bare, I don't think i'll handle it all pressed up against mine.

She moaned as she tucked at the stripes of her bra, "This bra is so annoying," She mumbled with a whine, "Help me take it off."

My eyes widened when her hand went to the back and tried to unhook it, "No," I squeaked out. The fuck.

"Come on, it's annoying me," She took a hold of my hand and placed it on her back, "Just unhook it, like this,"

I gulped when my hand came in contact with the soft white skin of her back. I immediately took it off and suggested, "Why don't you put this on first," I held my T-shirt to her face, "And then you can take that...thing off."

She blinked, her eyebrows pulling together before she inched closer to me, "Chase," my name tumbled from her mouth as if it came with some kind of relief, her eyes dropped to my lips and she swallowed hard.

When she looked back into my eyes, "I am thirsty," She said.

I nodded, "Okay, I'll go get you water," I got off the bed as fast as I could, scared of what may happen if I stayed, "Just, put the shirt on you till I get back." And stop torturing me like that for god's sake.

I grabbed her a bottle of water and some Advil pills to help with the awaiting hangover and got back into the room.

When i got back inside, she was still fighting with the shirt, placing her head into the sleeves, she cried out, "It doesn't fit!"

I shook my head, it was like dealing with a little girl. I took it off her hands, "It doesn't fit!" She snapped again and hit the mattress, tears forming in her eyes.

"Hey, hey," I said, "It fits, look," I showed her as I slipped the shirt smoothly over her head, "Ha, see?"

She looked at it down and smiled as she looked at me, "You're my hero," She said ever so genuinely, "Now help me take this off," She took my hand again and slipped it to her back.

I swallowed hard and unclasped her bra. She pulled down the stripes and pulled it out of the shirt. Jesus. She threw it on the floor of my room and sighed, "Much better."

Oh, good thing I didn't let her leave with Zack.

Next task was her pants, she struggled again and cried out. I forced myself to help her, trying my best not to touch or look. I groaned in annoyance, maybe it would've been better if I dropped her home. This all is not helping at all.

I pulled the covers of my bed down, "Come on, you should sleep now," I said as I helped tuck her in.

"I will be in the next room, if you needed anything just call my name, okay?" I said and she frowned.

"No," she clutched my hand, "Don't leave me alone," her beautiful hazy eyes stared up at me with fear, "Please, stay, sleep beside me."

I exhaled a heavy breath and nodded my head, "Okay." I said as I turned off the lights and laid down by her side. I'll stay at least till she falls asleep.

She pushed her body closer to mine, pressing her chest against mine and I had to force myself to think about anything but the fact that only the material of the shirt separating her skin from mine.

A few minutes of peaceful silence passed over us. Her face was so close to mine and she brought her hand up, letting her fingers brush over my cheek. I sucked into a deep breath as she said, "I can't stop thinking about you."

"What do you think about?" I asked. I was being a dick at the moment, taking advantage of her honesty, but I know there is no way in hell she'd tell this while sober.

"About those eyes," She poked my eye. It hurts. Her fingers traveled down my cheek, leaving a hot trail behind before she settled on my lips, "And about those lips."

Uncontrolled, my heart hammered and she carried on, "No one, no one ever should kiss those lips but me," She added, her eyes lifted to mine, "Don't kiss Samantha, okay?" she said on a plea, "Don't let her kiss you, please."

I chuckled at her request and shook my head, "Of course, I wouldn't."

She nodded her head, satisfied, "They're just mine, right?"

I smiled and nodded, "Yeah."

"Chase," She said my name in that way that can undo me, "Why you don't want me?"

I immediately shook my head, "Who said I don't want you," My racing pulse skipped a beat, a thunder of unexplained emotions pounding at my veins as I cupped the side of her face, "Lilly, I've never wanted anything more." If only she knows.

She is a risk. A one I shouldn't take. She is a mystery, the only girl that gets me all disoriented, inside out. Yet, she's everything I want.

She smiled at my words, "You know what Sally said," She didn't wait for me to answer her, "She said that I like you."

Something like relief pounded another beat of hope into my heart as she muttered the next words, "She is right."

She smiled and added, "I really like you."

I stared at her for a second and realized how fucked I am. This girl, the one who annoyed me throughout my childhood, the one who likes my cousin, the one who always broke my toys. The one who is so easily capable of breaking my heart.

That girl. I am slowly falling in love with that girl.

*************************

Hey! It's me again! How are you guys? I have work tomorrow and I am so not ready for another week *sighs* being an adult sucks!

Anyways, I hope you're enjoying the story!

This chapter's question; do you think teenage-love is real and could last?

(I am loving this question/answer part lol, I love reading your answers always, so entertaining! xD)

Also, someone asked me to make a "What if" chapter for "The death of me." Of what would've happened if Nik stayed alive. And i liked the idea, I might do it. Any other "What if?" chapter's ideas?

Love ya all xD