"You're a miracle worker, Thea, but my head feels like it's about to explode any minute now."

My lips curled upwards into a wide grin. Paula shoved the mathematics textbook away with one hand as she propped her elbow on the table, laying her cheek against her forearm. "My debt is paid. You're welcome."

The cheerleader sat upright, reaching back to fix her ponytail. "Did you get anything from your locker?"

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Chocolates, flowers, notes," she clarified, mouth stretching into a smile. "Apparently, Sutton Kirk is more popular than the cheerleaders."

"I wouldn't be surprised if her locker overflowed with those things," I said, picking my bag up from the floor. "And to answer your question, I did."

Paula's eyes widened as she leaned closer. "From who? What did it say?"

"They were just a bag of my favorite chocolates left by someone who wanted to stay anonymous. It's not a big deal."

"Does Faust know?"

"He doesn't really need to."

"That's debatable."

"I gave you a guaranteed A for tomorrow's test."

Paula scoffed. "Fine. I won't mention a thing to him, but please don't remind me about the damn test. I still have practice in twenty minutes."

"Speaking of practice, the basketball team's just finished theirs." I stood and slung my bag over my shoulder, pushing the chair into its proper place. Paula's eyebrows wagged. "Oh, shut up."

"I didn't say anything!" she protested.

"The look on your face was enough. Good luck on the test!"

Laughing, I sauntered out of the library as Paula's middle finger rose in the air towards my direction.

I swung open the library doors, only to hear a loud groan together with a curse from the other side. Widening my eyes, I immediately rushed over to the person I'd hit the door with, who was holding his nose with one hand. "Oh God, I am so sorry—"

Nico let out a snort, as if trying to contain his laughter at my embarrassment, and crossed his arms over his chest.

Faust, who was standing by his side, dressed in a blue shirt and jeans with his hair slightly damp from a shower, elbowed his best friend. "Shut up."

I shot a quick glare at my biology partner before returning my attention to the victim, who I immediately recognized as JJ Ford, Northvale's resident playboy. "I didn't do it on purpose. I never would've done it in purpose, I'm so sorry—"

"Sweetheart," he said with a chuckle, holding up a hand to his nose, "your rambling's cute, and honestly, I'd get hit by a door a million times if you were the one pushing it."

Shaking my head with a smile and a roll of my eyes, it was easy to see why and how JJ had earned that title and reputation. Just by his looks, with curly, dirty blonde hair, mesmerizing charcoal-colored eyes and a dimpled smile, his personality as a well-renowned flirt was a real charmer as well.

Faust reached out to shove his shoulder before I could answer. "Back off, man."

My lips parted at Faust's reaction, but it seemed to have no effect on either boy—almost as if they already knew. Nico merely rolled his eyes once more, and JJ laughed, throwing his head back as a response to Faust's low warning and dropping his hand. "Chill out, Carter." He stepped aside to move closer to me, pinning me with his gaze and wide grin as he reached out his hand. "I don't think we've officially met. My name is JJ Ford, but you can call me yours."

Faust sighed loudly as he rubbed the nape of his neck, looking exasperated. Heat flooded my cheeks at JJ's statement, and I reached out to shake his hand once. "Thanks for the offer, but unfortunately I've already staked my claim on somebody else—and he's standing behind you. Thea Simmons, by the way. Nice to meet you."

JJ cocked his head to the side, lips faltering to a half-smile. "You don't seem anything like your brother, Thea Simmons."

"That's because she's not, dumbass," Nico interjected, a sense of impatience lacing his tone. "Can we go now?"

"If I'd known who you were before today, I'd have left a bunch of notes in your locker," JJ continued, ignoring his friend.

I smiled. "I don't doubt I'll be one of the many."

The curly-haired boy's eyes twinkled. "I'll have to thank your secret admirer instead."

Faust stepped closer. "Secret admirer?"

I sighed. "It's nothing."

A look of triumph crossed JJ's face. "I was right, then."

"It was just a bag of chocolates," I explained defensively. "And it's not like it's going to happen again, it's Valentine's on Sunday..."

"So you do have a secret admirer."

"I don't."

"Whatever the case, I'll see you soon," JJ said, sending a wink my way. "Hopefully in your dreams and mine."

Before Faust could take another step towards him, Nico pushed the blonde boy towards the other direction with a hasty goodbye.

Faust took my hand in his. "Basketball ended early."

"I noticed."

"Can't blame the idiot who tried to woo you with chocolates."

"Please let it go."

"Fine, but only because I don't want to be a hypocrite."

I shook my head with a knowing smile. "You're getting pressed over a single person who gave me chocolates when you probably had hundreds."

Faust drew his features together. "That's...stretching it way too far. Anyway, I apologize for my choice of friends. I swear, they're not usually this...brash."

I squeezed his hand. "Nico is all the time, but JJ seems like a really nice guy."

He leaned down to press a gentle kiss against my forehead as we started walking to the parking lot. "Is Nico giving you a hard time in class?"

"...sometimes."

"Ah, he's an asshole."

I had to laugh at his statement. "It's fine. Don't tell him, but sometimes, when he doesn't make me want to bang my head against the table...it's funny. The way that he is, I mean."

Faust hummed in acknowledgment. "Well, let me know when you finally bang your head against the table."

"You'll be the first."

"But I hope you didn't mind meeting JJ at such last minute. He was nagging me all week to meet my girl when he'd noticed and I've had enough of it."

I looked up at him when he reached over to take my bag over his shoulder and books under his arm. "Is he really that flirty?"

"Unfortunately," Faust answered with a sigh. "Don't worry, he'll get his teeth knocked off the next time he does it. And in front of me, no less."

"Let's pray there won't be a next time. For JJ's sake."

The sound of his laugh warmed my heart. I spotted his '89 Chevy parked nearby, only a few other cars in the surroundings. "There's no point in keeping this thing between us a secret anymore," I stated, sliding in the passenger seat when he opened it for me.

Faust rounded the truck, placing my bag and books on the backseat and jumping in the driver's. He placed the key in the ignition before turning to me and asking, "Because my friends know?"

I shook my head. "Because I told Theo."

He'd barely backed away from the parking spot when he abruptly stopped, an incredulous look passing his features. "And?"

"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I have a proposal for you, but please hear me out before you say no."

Faust pursed his lips, completely reversing the truck as he drove away from the school. "I have a feeling I won't like this."

I exhaled heavily, turning my body to face his. "My father...well, my parents want to meet you after the date."

Silence. I carefully watched Faust for his reaction, but his face gave nothing away as he quickly glanced at me. "Theo's okay with this?"

"Theo's never okay with anything concerning you."

"That's true."

"He protested a lot."

"Sounds a lot like him."

"So...?"

Faust sighed. "Thea, we've only just started dating."

I groaned, leaning back against the seat. "I know, I'm sorry. Look, I understand if you don't want to meet them yet, it's too early for that anyway, what was I thinking? I'm sorry, I'll make up an excuse or something—"

"I have to agree with JJ for once in my life," Faust cut me off, turning his head towards me for a second to look at me with softness in his rich blue eyes, settling a hand on my thigh with his thumbs gently circling my skin. "Your rambling's cute."

I huffed, crossing my arms.

His mouth stretched into a smile. "I didn't say I didn't want to. It's a little early, yes, but it's nothing serious, right? Just a meet and greet sort of thing?"

"Meet and greet," I repeated, a laugh escaping my lips. "They're not celebrities."

"Hey, your dad kind of is. Your mom too, in the law firm world. It's intimidating."

"They're not intimidating, I promise."

"You're just saying that so I'll agree."

"I'm really not," I assured him softly, taking his hand. Faust kept his eyes on the road. "You can refuse, you know? I won't be mad if that's what you're worried about."

"It isn't, and I'm not refusing," Faust said, lacing our fingers together. "I do think it's a little too fast, but if this is what your parents want, then I'll meet them. Besides, like I said, it's nothing serious and formal. Just a casual meet and greet."

"Just a casual meet and greet," I confirmed, nodding.

He frowned. "Stop laughing."

"Okay," I said, laughing.

Faust rolled his eyes, and his lips curled up into a smile. "This means I'll see you in my jacket at the game, right?"

"If you still want me to wear it, then of course."

"Then that's a win for me."

I grinned. "Thank you."

He squeezed my hand. "You're welcome."

*

from what country are you guys reading this from? :)