"You know, we'd finish these faster if you'd stop eating the dough." Nina points out, lifting her amused eyes up from the dough she is currently mixing. I shove one last spoonful into my mouth and smile, setting the spoon down on the marble island.

"Sorry." I say muffled, the cookie dough still in my mouth. She huffs and smiles, shaking her head. I look over at the clock on the stove and squint, making sure I am seeing correctly.

"It's almost 5." I tell her.

"What?" she turns to look at the clock. When she sees the time she turns back to me. "How did time pass by so fast?"

I shrug, getting off the chair and walking over to the cookies that are already made."I told you we should have boughten the dough instead."

"Shut up." Nina says.I take a bite out of a cookie and walk back over to where I was previously.

"Do you have to go at 5?" she asks, and find myself considering this. The past day- and half of today- has consisted of Nina and I. We spent every second of yesterday together, so far all of today, and I couldn't be more grateful. I missed my best friend, so much, and finally being with her has brought me the happiness that I have needed to feel. My emotions have been such a roller coaster lately, settling on one has been a fresh breath of air. But, I told Stefan I'd hang out today.

"I told Stefan I'd go over today." I remind her.

"So?"

"Nina, c'mon." I laugh.

"Stefan can wait, we have been apart more than any best friends should have."

"I know, I know." I tell her. "But i'll be all yours tomorrow." I raise my eyebrows continuously. She smiles at this.

"Fine." she gives in. I hear my phone beginning to ring from the counter and get up off my seat.

"That's probably Stefan right now." I tell her. Stefan and I agreed he would pick me up from Nina's, and as always, he said he would call me before he arrived. I reach the counter and pick up my phone, ready to answer when I see that it isn't Stefan. I feel my stomach beginning to twist. I put the phone down to let it go to voicemail and walk back to where I was sitting, taking another bite out of the cookie.

"Aren't you going to answer?" Nina asks. "Cara?"

"Hm?" I look up. "What?"

"Your phone, aren't you going to answer it?" she asks.

"Oh. Nah." I brush off, taking another bite out of the cookie. She looks at me for a short while.

"It's her, isn't it?" she catches me. "When are you going to stop ignoring her?" I stay silent. Nina knows what has been going on between Lana and I. I told her about the labeling situation, how we have sex, how strongly I feel toward her, and how I don't think her feelings are mutual. She agreed with me, but to an extent.

"Maybe you should let her explain herself." she continues.

"Maybe." I say for Nina's sake, wanting to end the conversation. She sighs and I hear my phone beginning to ring. Getting a feeling that it is Stefan this time, I get up and go to my phone. When I reach it, I see that it is him.

"Hey." I answer.

"Hey, I'm close. Go outside already."

"Alright." I hang up and walk over to Nina, hugging her goodbye.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I tell her.

"See you tomorrow. Here, I'll walk you out."

I grab a handful of cookies before walking out with Nina, earning a look from her. I only smile and walk beside her as we we walk out. When we are outside, Stefan pulls up. He gives a polite wave to Nina and she returns one, hugging me afterwards.

"Love you." I tell her.

"Love you too." she says. "Now leave. Get off my property." I laugh and flip her off, walking down the steps of her porch and toward Stefan's car.

"Hey." I say once inside, beginning to put on my seat belt as he starts driving on the road.

"Hey. You good?"

"I'd say so. You?"

"Alright." I smile. "Hey do you mind if I pick up Hayley?"

"OoooOo." I tease. He smiles an embarrassed smile, his cheeks growing pink. I laugh before answering. "Na, pick her up. The more the merrier."

"Alright." he says. I turn up the radios volume up and continue eating the cookie, offering Stefan a bite after.

"Sure." he takes the whole thing into his mouth, even some of my fingers. I yank my hand away and smack his arm.

"Ass!" we both laugh. "No more for you."

He laughs at this and I get another cookie, this time, not offering him any. He continues to drive until we reach a McDonalds outside of town. He pulls up into the parking lot and I sit up.

"Yess." I say. "You're buying right?"

"No." he laughs. "We're picking up Hayley." I look at him in disappointment.

"Wuuuut?" I say. "C'mon at least go to the drive-thru."

"I didn't bring money." he tells me. I look at him blankly.

"You disgust me." I turn away from him. I hear him call Hayley and seconds later, she comes out, taking a seat in the back.

"Hey." she greets.

"Hi Hayley." I say.

"Hey." Stefan returns. He pulls out of the McDonalds parking lot and I look back as we drive off, wanting nothing more than to go back. Sighing, I sink more into my seat, staying this way until we reach town. When we arrive at Stefan's house, I am surprised to see that no one else is home. Usually, at least one member of Stefan's family is.

"Where's everyone?" I ask him.

"Mom, Dad and Sis went to a pool party. They took Mia, and Jace, I have no idea." he tells me. "So, movie it is?" he asks.

"Sure. Just a comedy this time so you won't cry." I tease him. Hayley laughs and I smile up at Stefan.

"Ha ha." he says dryly. I make a face at him and walk toward the living room. Hayley follows.

"So, what movie?" I open the drawer where all the movies are kept and scan through them. Hayley walks over to me and looks at our options.

"That one." she points.

"Mr. Deeds?"

"Yeah."

"Alright." I shrug. I turn on the telly and insert the DVD just as Stefan walks in with snacks.

"Popcorn will be done in a few." he says, handing Hayley a bowl of chips. He turns to me. "And Bacon."

"Yees." I say. "Thank you thank you thank you."

"Bacon?" Hayley questions.

"The thing Cara would die for." Stefan tells her. She ah's at this. I turn to grab the remote and walk over to the couch, taking a seat to Stefan's left.

"What movie?" he questions.

"Mr. Deeds." he nods at this. I push play once I can and turn off the lamp beside the couch. Stefan leaves 5
minutes into the movie to get the popcorn and thankfully, when he returns, he brings bacon as well. He hands me the plate and I offer them both some before turning my attention back to the telly.

While watching the movie, I notice how Hayley keeps her hand open on her lap, free for Stefan to take ahold of at any moment if he wanted to, but.. he doesn't. Instead, he keeps his hands on his lap or busy with snacks. I find it strange at first but decide to ignore it and focus more on the movie after that.

"I'm going to make some more popcorn." Stefan says once the movie is over, getting up.

"And bacon." I add, taking my phone out of my pocket. "And drinks."

"Alright alright." he says. Hayley laughs.

"I'll help you." she says, getting up off the couch.

"Cara pick the next movie." Stefan says.

"Alright!"

I go to my messages and send Jourdan one, asking how she is doing before going to the messages between Lana and I. I read them over twice, each time making me want to reply more. Shoving my phone into my pocket, I get up off the couch and walk over to the DVD's. I pick out a film easily but wanting to distract myself, I begin making my way toward the kitchen. I'm sure Stefan and Hayley could use some help. I turn at the kitchen entry way and stop in my tracks. Seeing that there by the sink, for the first time I have ever seen, Stefan and Hayley.. are kissing.

At first, I am surprised. Taken aback. But the longer I watch, the more I begin to grow unsettled.

"Stefan." I finally say, catching their attention. They turn to me, surprised.

"Cara." he states, pulling away from her. "W- what happened?" I don't know what to say. I did come to the kitchen to help but all I find myself wanting to do now is leave.

"I need to go." I blurt out.

"What?" he asks. "Why?"

"Early day tomorrow." I lie. "I'll see you." I begin taking steps back.

"Wait let me give you a ride." he says.

"No, no its fine. I want to walk. I'll see you later." I turn to Hayley, who for some reason, I am incredibly annoyed with. "Hayley."

I hear her goodbye but have already started walking towards the front door so I don't say anything in response. I shut the front door behind me and begin making my way home.

What just happened? Why did I feel that way when I saw Stefan and Hayley kissing? It shouldn't be a surprise to me, they are talking after all. Hell, I knew this damn well. But why did it bother me so damn much. Why did it make me... jea- no. No no no no no. It did not make me jealous. It did not. Why would it? I don't think of Stefan in that way, not anymore anyway. Not since Lana. No, I do not see Stefan in that way anymore. I simply do not.

I walk the rest of the way to my home in a angry rush, trying to keep Stefan out of my head and manage to for the most part, but I know this will bother me now that it has happened. God damn it. I reach the front yard of my home after what seems like a year and walk up the porch steps. I look for the spare key in the plant and when I can't find it, I grab the spare keys spare from under the rock beside the porch steps. I open the door and sigh once I close it behind me. I lean against the door and close my eyes.

"Cara?" I hear. I snap my eyes open, frightened until I see the person who called my name make their way out of the living rooms entry way and toward where I am currently standing. I do a double take, confusion wiping out my fright.

"Lana?"