Mia froze in place the moment my words were spoken. Those expressive brown eyes of hers, wide and guilty, darted all around in a clear panic at being caught. It was adorable.

Finally, the tension in her body released. "Well, in my defense. I didn't know you were only going to stay inside for like thirty seconds..."

My lip twitched upward. "I forgot my phone in my car," I lied with a simple shrug.

 It wasn't in my car, but I figured it was a better answer than explaining that I'd purposely backtracked because I was so excited to confirm whether or not she was stalking me.

"Also," I laughed. "If you're going to follow someone, you should probably wait a few minutes before getting out of your car," I teased, my eyes fanning over hers in amusement.

Looking me up and down, her eyebrows pulled together. "How come you're not mad at me?" She asked, her head tilting slightly.

Her question nearly made me laugh. Why the fuck would I be mad that she'd taken an interest in me? For heaven's sake, I'd been breaking my back to try and get her to notice me for six long years. If that interest came in the form of her tailing my car, then heck, I'd take it.

Not wanting her to think I was insane, I calmed myself down a little and shrugged. "I think I've expressed my anger enough for one day," I mumbled. "And besides," I smiled. "I find it hard to be mad at you," I admitted honestly as my eyes danced softly back and forth between hers.

As if to further emphasize my point, Mia's lips slipped into a loose beautiful smile, her eyes shimmering merrily.

"So..," Mia sang as she started to rock awkwardly back and forth on her heels. "What are you up to-"

I instantly let out a snort, which soon drifted into a chuckle. "You're not subtle, Chubs. I know you're just trying to figure out why I was fighting Connor," I said flatly.

She flashed me a guilty smile. "Maybe..."

Seeing her standing there, all kind-eyed and expectant, made me humor the idea of telling her. I wanted to, but there was just this nagging worry in my mind that kept insisting that once she knew, she'd run. And I couldn't lose her; not yet.

"I'll tell you one day, okay. Just not today," I explained softly.

To my relief, she nodded her head, not pushing the topic of Connor further. "Can I at least know why you're here?" she asked hesitantly, clearly assuming she was treading on fragile ground.

My first impulse was to say no, terrified of her viewing me as crazy, but deciding this was a good stepping stone to telling her the full truth, I shifted nervously in place.

 "I...er...I...have to go to counseling because of my anger. You witnessed first-hand this morning what happens when I don't keep it in check," I explained with a harsh chuckle, hardly able to maintain her gaze.

"Oh," Mia said, blinking back at me in surprise.

Her reaction did nothing but confirm my fears, and letting out a long groan, I ran a hand frustratedly through my hair. "You think I'm a nut-case, don't you?" I mumbled. 

Looking up nervously, I expected her to be looking me over in a slight judgmental manner, but she wasn't. Instead, she maintained my gaze before letting her eyes soften. 

"No, of course not," she explained gently. "I don't think there's anything remotely nutty about trying to improve yourself. What kind of friend would I be if I judged you for not being perfect, huh?" Then, with light and touching eyes, she smiled at me in that way only she could. In a way, that always seemed to have me feeling like a love-struck fool.

Her happiness was contagious, and I could do nothing to fight back a smile of my own. "Thanks, Chubs, that means a lot," I mumbled, my lips tugging up on their own accord.

Her eyes seemed to brighten. "No problem," she whispered.

Seeming to forget where I even was, I found myself staring at her stupidly. It technically wasn't my fault, it was those eyes of hers. They were way too distracting.

Realizing that the length of time I was staring at her was teetering into potential creeper mode, I awkwardly cleared my throat to break up the silence.

"I guess I'll see you around, stalker," I teased, a smirk alighting my face. Then giving her one last cheeky once-over, I reluctantly turned to go.

And as I strode away, I couldn't help but smile like an idiot at the fact, I'd been well and truly and one hundred percent stalked by the hottest girl I knew.

-------------------

"Look, Ethan, I don't know how many times I have to say this, but you really shouldn't be this excited about Mia stalking you."

Rolling my eyes once again, I spared another look over to Lucas who was staring me up and down with an extremely concerned look in his eyes. We were at the mall and having just grabbed something to eat from a nearby stall, we were now making our way over to the food court tables.

It was a mystery why he was judging me for. He was the one, after all, who'd forced me out of bed this morning to shop for a new fancy water fountain for his cat's bedroom. His very much spoiled cat, might I add.

I frowned a little. "Shut up, you know I've had little success with Mia over the years, so let me have this," I snapped.

"And besides," I added, my lips plucking up. "Don't pretend you wouldn't feel the same if a certain red-haired girl took an interest in you," I teased as I shot him a pointed look.

He gave me a dirty look but made no attempt to deny my statement. Still walking alongside me, Lucas suddenly shot me a hesitant look. "Ethan, if I ask you something, will you promise not to laugh?"

"I can try," I smiled.

Still looking quite uncomfortable, Lucas cleared his throat. "Do you think she...erm likes me? You know, May," he mumbled.

With a knowing smile, I raised an eyebrow high. "Is this you finally admitting you like her?"

"No!" Lucas snapped rather quickly. I gave him a plain look. "Okay, fine, maybe it is," he mumbled.

He looked as though he was about to say something else before he paused, his eyes seeming to catch something off in the distance. Following his line of gaze, I tracked it over to a far corner table where two familiar figures immediately caught my eye: May and Chloe. 

"Wow, speak of the devil," I snickered.

Lucas suddenly grabbed my arm and tugged. "Come on, you're being my wingman," he announced abruptly before starting to tow me quickly towards the direction of their table.

Without even so much of a hi in greeting, Lucas strode the last distance to the table and slid into the chair opposite May. Breaking conversation with Chloe, May turned to face him in surprise.

 "Sup, Red," he smiled.

Snickering at his poor attempt to flirt, I flopped myself down into the chair beside him with a little smile on my face.

The surprise soon left May's face, and her lips plucked up a little. "Sup, idiot. Come to finally return my playsuit to me, or have you decided to keep it?" She asked, her eyes shining merrily.

Lucas laughed. "Actually, I came over here to inquire about my missing jacket and top that you haven't returned. Do you sniff it to remind yourself of me?" he teased, his grin growing wider.

"Eww, of course not. I'm not creepy like you two.

Both Lucas and I's mouth both dropped open in shock at the double directed insult. 

"Hey," I cried. 

"It wasn't like it was our group of friends that tailed someone's car the other day," Lucas argued.

Chloe's eyes immediately went big and wide, and she whipped her head to face me. "I swear to god, Ethan, it was not my idea. It was all Mia's doing. She forced me," she rambled out quickly.

I laughed. "Don't worry, I figured she was the instigator," I mumbled. "Also," I coughed as I subtly tried to scan the area. "Speaking of Mia, is she erm...at home, or with you guys or..."

"Relax, Ethan," Chloe interrupted, her eyes light and teasing. "Your girlfriend is at one of the food stalls getting her lunch. She'll grace you with her beautiful presence any minute now."

My face burned, knowing I had utterly failed at any attempt at subtilty. "I- I wouldn't have minded, whether she was here or not, I was just asking," I rushed out, slightly tripping up over my words.

Near to every brow at the table cocked up, upon my statement, in a clear mark of disbelief.

Luckily for me, the conversation soon drifted onward. Just as I was about to do another unsubtle scan around the food court, I heard soft footsteps approaching the table.

Looking up, my heart immediately lifted up as I found Mia stood right beside me with a McDonalds' tray in hand. Those large brown eyes of hers, rocked softly back and forth between Lucas and I, silently questioning our presence.

Say something interesting, Ethan. Say something to gain her attention.

"Hey, Chubs, healthy choice, I see," I teased, nodding my head down to her tray.

Not remotely amused, Mia's eyes flared with anger before she slammed her tray before me with a loud clatter. "Go fuck yourself, Ethan," she hissed.

Sure, but I'd rather fuck you.

Naturally, her aggression brought a smile to my face, finding it once again; a strange turn-on. 

I watched, slightly confused, as she started searching all around the table as though looking for something. Then turning to look at everyone, her frown deepened some. "Gee, thanks, guys. I appreciate all of you saving me a seat."

Doing a brief glance around the table, I realized to my surprise that she was right. There weren't any chairs left at our table or even at any of the other tables. The whole place was packed full.

 Just as I was about to slide out of my seat and offer her mine, the most wonderful of ideas plucked into my mind. An idea that was extremely selfish on my part, yes, but nonetheless an idea that I was sure as hell going to see through. 

Letting my eyes dance cheekily up and down her body, I met her eyes before relaxing back on my chair with a smile. "Relax, Chubs, just sit on my lap," I offered as I double patted my lap.

Please, say yes. Please, say yes. Please, say yes.

As either Chloe or May started giggling behind me, Mia blinked once then twice as though struggling to compute my words.

Raising a single eyebrow, she looked me up and down before letting out a snort. "Yeah...I think I'm going to have to pass on that one," she snickered.

Her rejection hit me like a blunted stab through the chest, but despite myself, I pretended to still look mildly amused. I then watched with disappointment as Mia turned her back on me to face her friends.

"May, you've got a small butt. Budge up so I can share your seat," she announced bossily as she nudged her a little.

May did not budge one inch and cocked a sassy brow. "Firstly, if you want someone to do something nice for you, don't say they have a small butt. My butt is very large and shapely, thank you very much," May snapped sassily, flicking a strand of red hair over her shoulder.

As Lucas snickered, May whipped her head around to face him and glared him down with a warning look. Then like a fool, Lucas pressed his lips together tightly as May glared onward.

"And secondly," May continued, returning her gaze to Mia. "I don't see why I have to share my seat when Ethan has already made such a kind offer," she said, her smile wide and evil. My smile grew along with hers, liking the direction she was pushing things.

Mia's face flushed red. "Just move over, for goodness, sake," she yelled.

"No," May snorted.

Rolling my eyes in frustration, something snapped within me. Before I knew it, I was suddenly at the edge of my chair and reaching for Mia's waist. Snaking both my arms all the way around her, she let out a sharp gasp of surprise as I drew her backward and into my lap.

The second I felt the warmth of her body melt into my own, I let out a sigh of contentment. God, she felt good.

"What the fuck, Ethan!" Mia hissed out in shock as she attempted to scramble her way off of my lap.

Chuckling a little, I just tightened my hands around that small little waist of hers and pulled her even deeper into my lap. She'd have to be crazy to think I'd pass up one second of holding her in my arms. Did she not know how many of my fantasies started like this?

Luckily for me, Mia gave up and slumped back against my chest in defeat. "Is this how you get your kicks or something. By tormenting me?" she huffed.

I laughed at her dramatics. "How on earth am I tormenting you? I've been kind enough to share my seat with you, haven't I?" I teased, amusement lacing my tone.

"That's the problem! I don't want to share your seat. I want the whole seat!" She cried.

I was about to tease her again, but then I paused. Why mess with her with words when I could do it by other means. Knowing I was playing a very dangerous game with a high chance of rejection, I decided to be brave and pressed us even closer. 

Brushing my fingers against the warm skin at the back of her neck, I smoothly scraped all of Mia's beautiful dark curls over to one shoulder to expose up that deep golden skin. Feeling her shiver, I bit back a smile and took this as my cue to continue. I felt her freeze as I buried my head into the crook of her neck before bringing my lips up to her ear. 

With a clearer side view of her flushed face, I saw her drag her bottom lip gently into her mouth in that way that undeniably made me want to kiss her.

"Don't pretend you don't love this," I coaxed softly against her ear. Still staring forward, she swallowed. "Come on, admit it, Mia, you love the feel of my hands around your waist. The warmth of my chest on your back, and the vibrations of my voice against your skin. You want me," I whispered softly, for only her to hear.

At this point, I could feel Mia's chest rising and falling against my own, along with the sexy feminine curve of Mia's back pressing into my own. God, she was hot. If it weren't for the tense material of my jeans, there's no doubt Mia would figure out just how much I liked her.

"Erm...not to interrupt whatever the hell is going on over there, but...we're all still here," Lucas called out.

Snapping my head up abruptly, all arousing feelings were lost as I came eye to eye, with our entire gang of friends all staring at us with a cross of amused to shocked-looking faces. 

Shit.

Realizing the mall food court, wasn't the best place to be living out my lighter porno fantasies, I quickly cleared my throat before leaning away from Mia's ear.

 I rolled my eyes as I noticed Lucas was making lots of blinked gestures to my pants. Hearing Mia let out a pained groan, I moved my gaze over to May and Chloe, and snorted as I saw they were taking the absolute piss out of her with their over-excessive eye waggles and winks.

Then in mild amusement, I watched as Mia pulled her tray towards her and started rapidly, stress-eating fries. Just as I was about to reach for my drink, I heard a sharp growl from across the table. 

"Do you have to chew so loudly," May snapped out at Lucas, who was near to making out with his burger.

 I couldn't help but wonder if the reason she was mad was because she was jealous of the burger. Lucas, being the natural idiot that he was then proceeded to chew even louder, like some kind of deranged goat. Then as May's hands balled into tight fists, Lucas released a loud burp into the air before blowing it in her direction.

Yeah, I really needed to talk to Lucas about his flirting techniques...

"That's it, you're dead," May hissed. 

Then leaping to her feet, she launched her way across the table with her arms undeniably stretched out for Lucas's neck. Expecting one of her friends to jump in and stop her, Mia merely let out a dreary sigh before moving her lunch tray away from May's trample path. 

Did this happen all the time?

In horror, I watched as Lucas let out a high-pitched scream as May started to whack the absolute shit out of him. It was official. The two of us had now both been beaten up by our crush. So, to say we were absolutely terrible when it came to girls would be putting it lightly.

Once May seemed satisfied with the damage she had inflicted, she slid back to her side of the table and settled into her seat with a calm little smile.

"You're fucking crazy, you are!" Lucas spat out hysterically, still watching her with wide and cautionary eyes.

"This could have all been prevented if you didn't burp in my fucking face, just remember that," May yelled, her fork stretched out in threat.

Lucas just swallowed and nodded his head. It was either from fear or as a desperate attempt to impress her. Perhaps both.

My eyes soon drifted away from Lucas and found Mia now sat a little more forward on my lap as she nibbled away on her fries. They smelled amazing and seemed to remind my stomach how hungry it was.

"Can I have one?" I asked abruptly.

Mia slowly lowered the chip she was about to raise to her lips before twisting herself in my arms, so she was sat on me side-on.

With a now clearer view of the side of her face, I saw her lips pull into a smug little grin. "Haha, no," she snapped rudely. "Maybe if you hadn't mentioned them being so unhealthy earlier, I might be willing to share," she taunted.

Then plucking a chip from her tray, she made direct eye contact with me as she slowly bit and chewed. I immediately froze, far too perceptive of the soft and controlled manner in which Mia was blinking those brown eyes of hers. Then, clearly deciding she wanted to kill me, she started to moan at every chew. 

Swallowing thickly, I tightened my grip around Mia's waist as I willed myself to keep my thoughts calm. She probably thought I wanted the fry, but that wasn't it at all – I wanted her.

Yes, Ethan, I know she's sat on your lap and moaning, but that doesn't give you an excuse to get a hard-on in a crowded food court. Hold it together, she'll stop soon and-"

"Mmmm, these are so good. Oh my god," she moaned out dramatically, between chews of her fry.

Realizing she had well and truly fucked me over, I shuffled frustratedly in my seat, in an attempt to shift her closer towards the edge of my lap and away from something that was just that little bit too keen to meet her. 

Okay, fine, desperate to meet her.

Mia still stared back at me with smiling eyes as she put yet another fry between those beautifully full lips of hers. And though it was arguably insane, I couldn't help but feel jealous of that fry. For, fucks sake, it was getting more action from her than I'd ever had.

 Deciding to finally put all her teasing to an end, I ripped off the bit of fry that was hanging from her mouth and popped it into my own with a smile.

Mia blinked rapidly back at me, her eyes slightly narrowed in shock as she looked down to my still chewing mouth. "What the hell, Ethan? That was in my mouth!" She finally spat out.

Precisely, the reason I wanted it.

Swallowing my mouthful, I shrugged. "It's no more disgusting than kissing someone," I answered smoothly, my eyes dropping briefly back down to her lips.

 Considering she was still sat in my lap, and my arms were very much still around her, it took a lot of mental willpower to not tilt her chin and kiss her.

"Well, kissing is disgusting, especially the idea of kissing you. No offense or anything," she snickered as she patted me on the back.

 I stiffened a little in pain. It wasn't nice, by any means, to hear the girl you've liked since forever tell you that she thought kissing you would be disgusting. I arched an amused eyebrow as though her words didn't bother me.

 Then feeling stubborn, I decided to test the truth of her words. Curling my arms tighter around her waist, I moved my lips right up to her ear. Feeling her breaths start to rise, my lips plucked up a little. 

 "You sure?" I whispered. 

-------------------

Author's note:

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Can't wait to share more soon xx