That guy, Theo, was still with Waverly the next day. I knew that because he was in the pool, floating on an inflatable lounger, when I stepped out onto my balcony. Kinda ruined my afternoon cereal. What was he still doing there? What were they doing all night. Together.

He couldn't see me, not with trees separating our backyards, but from my vantage point I could see him and most of the backyard.

I'd deny it if anyone ever asked, but I spent a good chunk of time last night wondering if he was her boyfriend. All I knew was that they apparently weren't related.

She would've said something if she had a boyfriend, though. Right? Unless it was a friend's with benefits, open relationship type of thing. Waverly didn't seem like that type.

But what did I really know about her?

Waverly came out a few minutes later. I'm ashamed to admit how long I was staring at her in her bright green bikini. I knew she had a body, I just hadn't paid much attention to it. But now it was hard to look away.

Her hair was up, the first time I'd ever seen it like that. It showed off her face more, which was a nice trade off.

It also showed off her tattoo. At least I thought it was a tattoo. She jumped in the pool too fast for me to get a good look, but I'm about ninety percent sure I saw something on her back.

Maybe it was a trick of the light. Or maybe Waverly had a secret wild side. I wanted to find out. She'd never give me the chance, though. Not with her mom's job on the line.

Unless it was an innocent group activity. Not even my mom could be mad at us for chilling with friends. I took my soggy cereal back inside, grabbing my phone off it's charger. Our moms wouldn't be back until tomorrow morning. That was more than enough time to have a small-ish get together.

I could invite Waverly. Theo, too, I guess. Then I could talk to her without the threat of her mom being fired because of it. Because it was a party and would've been rude if I, the host, ignored a guest.

All it took was one message to Devon and our entire school knew about the party five minutes later.

• • •

I rang the doorbell, waited, then rang it again for good measure.

When the door opened Waverly was on the other side of it. It had been a few hours since I saw her in the pool.

She had changed out of the bikini, now in shorts and a tank top with cherries on it, the frames of her glasses were red. Her hair was down but a lot shorter than it usually was, stopping at her ears instead if just past her shoulders. It was something my mom referred to as shrinkage which she always complained about.

"Of course," she said, looking up at me as she crossed her arms over her chest. "As soon as I sit down ready to read someone has to interrupt me."

She tried to sound annoyed. It wasn't working. She was happy to see me.

"Maybe you should get one of those 'Do not disturb' signs for the door."

"Would that work on you?"

I pretended to think about it. "No."

She smiled. I smiled.

Then Theo appeared in nothing but a towel that was wrapped around his waist. He was practically on her back. Standing so close to her like personal space was a concept he'd never heard of. And he wasn't wearing pants. And Waverly didn't seem to care.

"I thought you were the pizza man," he said, sounding genuinely upset to see it was just pizza-less me.

The feeling was mutual.

"Nah, no pizza," I told him, forcing a smile. "I'm actually throwing a party tonight. So, if you don't have any plans..."

"Aren't you on punishment?" Waverly asked, her brows arched.

"Technically," I replied. "But it doesn't count if she's not here."

"Now I understand why you're always in trouble."

Theo snorted, then looked up at me. "Don't let her fool you into thinking she's a good girl, she spent all of freshmen year in after school detention."

Waverly put her palm to Theo's face and pushed him away. "Go put some clothes on."

"Rude," he muttered before stalking up the stairs.

Finally.

A tension released in my shoulders I didn't realize was there.

"Didn't we agree to keep our distance?" She said, putting her hands in her back pockets. "Going to your party kinda defeats the purpose."

"My mom's not here, so there's nothing to worry about." I told her that half truth. Just in case that Theo dude wasn't just a friend I didn't want to embarrass myself by telling her that the party was only an excuse for us to spend more time together.

"And the place is going to be packed," I added quickly when she still seemed skeptical. "We probably won't even see each other."

I swear I didn't breathe, didn't blink, didn't move until she nodded.

"Okay."

"You'll come?"

"I'll think about it," she said with a hint of amusement in her eyes. She knew what she was doing and she enjoyed it.

"I'll take it." We stood there, openly staring at each other. Somehow it turned into a staring contest. She laughed when I broke and blinked.

"Alright, I'm gonna go." I turned to leave then stopped, facing her again. "Actually, you should probably give me your number so I can text you the address."

She laughed again, stepping back to close the door. "Bye, Stephen."

After she closed the door I stayed there on the porch a second longer. I think that was the first time a girl had ever not given me their number.

• • •

As predicted, Dev pulled through and my house looked small with the amount of people packed inside. He also brought the refreshments. His dad owning a grocery store chain made it easier for him to stock up.

Everything was set. All that was missing was Waverly. I made my rounds, catching up with people I haven't thought of since summer started. I stayed close to the door, though. Hoping that at any moment I'd see a cloud of curls float in.

Two hours in and no sign of her. I was in the living room on the couch, nursing a cup of brown liquor that Dev handed me "to loosen me up". From where I was I couldn't see the door, but that didn't stop me from glancing in that direction every two seconds.

Maybe I should've gone over there and asked her what was up. Or maybe she didn't want to come. Shit, what if she didn't want to come?

Before my mind spiraled out in oblivion, someone dropped into my lap. The strong scent of strawberries and the long pastel colored braids immediately tipped me off as to who it was.

LaToya Moore.

She was a seasonal friend. The season's were defined by whether or not she was seeing anyone. I guessed she was single at that moment.

She was also the only girl I knew that was like me in a sense. She didn't want to be tied down to one person either.

The difference was, while I only hung out with someone for a day (or night) every few weeks, she would keep the same person around for a month or two. Ending things at the first sign that the person was getting too comfortable.

"Waiting for someone?" She asked, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

"Why you ask that?" I asked while once again looking at the spot where the door would be, just beyond the wall.

She took my jaw in her hand, turning my attention to her. "Shows over here, Steph."

"Sorry," I smiled weakly, taking a sip of my drink before she noticed my lack of enthusiasm. "What happened with Q?

Q, or Quinton, was Toya's latest friend.

She rolled her eyes, stealing my drink and finishing it off in one gulp. "Hopefully, standing in front of a speeding car," she huffed, setting the cup on the coffee table. "He cheated on me. No, actually, I was the other woman. I'm getting soft, Steph. I think I actually liked him."

Waverly popped up in my mind. I knew exactly what Toya meant by getting soft. Waverly had occupied my thoughts a lot since the day I met her. Something must've been in the water. I wasn't going to admit that to Toya, though. I barely wanted to admit it to myself.

I fought the urge to look back at the wall blocking my view of the door. "Want me to sock him up?"

"Yes," she said, smirking. Then she leaned in like she was going to whisper something in my ear, nibbling in the lobe instead. "But I think we should do something else right now."

She stood, taking my hand and pulling me up with her. As she led me through the crowd and up the stairs, I couldn't stop myself from looking back at the door one more time.

She was there. Waverly stood in the middle of the foyer, eyes locked on mine. Her hair was in twists that she knotted into two buns. I'd spent the night looking for her with her hair out. Was that why I didn't see her? How long had she been there?

It wasn't too late. I could've told Latoya I wasn't in the mood and went back to talk Waverly. Instead I let Toya's words stop me from doing that.

What if Waverly was another Quinton? Her friend, Theo, wasn't even wearing pants when I went over earlier. What kind of friends were they, exactly? Were they friends like Toya and I were friends?

Still, I couldn't take my eyes off her as LaToya pulled me up the last few steps and down the hall to my bedroom.

//

Do you love seeing Stephen jealous as much as I do?

Next chapter will be Waverly's POV. Any predictions?

Also, thank you for 400 reads & over 100 votes!! <3