I'm in the middle of editing. So if some chapters seem better than others, forgive me ! Haha. It'll be a bit messy until I'm finished.

M A R L E Y S • P O V

"Can you stop with the ass grabbing Blake, for the love of God!" Dehlia snapped with her nasal voice from the row of desks in front of me.

I rolled my eyes and put my head down on my desk. Maybe if I bang it hard enough I'll become concussed and get to leave.

The class hadn't started yet so I glanced around to see if there were any seats that were further away from these two morons.

"Alright, class quiet down please!" Ms Jerry — the Economics teacher — called out as she walked through the door.

I slouched down in my seat, defeated to the fact I would have to spend the period hearing more about pom poms and airheads than our economic market.

"Ugh," Ms Jerry muttered. "I left some hand outs at the photocopier, I'll be right back."

Once she had departed in a rush, Dehlia turned to Blake and fixed him with an accusatory glare. "Where did you go on Saturday night?"

"Went to Cassie's and then home," he shrugged and leaned back in his seat so far that I could reach out and hit him with a pencil. It was a tempting thought.

"Cassie Lincolns?" Dehlia scoffed with disgust.

"You jealous, Rhodes?"

"As if."

"Well you're about to be," Blake knowingly smirked and Dehlia gave him a questioning glare. "When I got home, I went in to see Josh and there was a girl in his bed."

My head shot up. I wasn't trying to listen before, but now I gave them my full attention. Without it being obvious of course.

"What?!" Dehlia hissed.

"Yeah, I couldn't see her face but damn, she has a nice ass."

I almost fell out of my seat.

Blake Baker saw my ass?!

Well I was grateful that I wasn't lying on my back instead.

"Who is the bitch?" Dehlia demanded to know.

"I dunno he didn't say anything."

That kind of stung. Why hadn't Josh told Blake I was the girl in his bed? Was he embarrassed?

J O S H • P O V

"I was getting worried that you and VM were an actual thing," Blake hollered as he entered the locker room and strolled over to me.

"What the hell is VM?"

"Virgin Marley," Blake cocked his head to the side and looked at me like I was the idiot.

I rolled my eyes. "Not now Blake, I want to eat lunch before boxing practice and I'm not wasting my time talking about this," I pulled my boxing gloves out of my locker.

"No bro, I'm happy! I saw that hottie in your bed on Saturday night. You slept like all day yesterday so I didn't get to ask you about it."

I glanced at Blake who was leaning against the lockers, putting his sweat bands on while he whistled an upbeat tune. He really was one of those people you just wanted to hit for no direct reason. He was obviously talking about Marley but he didn't have a damn clue. I was about to inform him when he spoke again.

"Girl has a nice ass," he grinned and nodded his head in approval.

"What did you say," I snapped, taking a step towards him.

He held his hands up in defence. "Woah it's not my fault she wasn't wearing any pants and the sheets weren't covering her." He shrugged as I stared him down, tempted to bang his head against the locker. "Anyway, I was a bit worried that you actually liked that loser, so this is good news," Blake gave me a pat on the shoulder.

I started to think about what it could mean for Marley if people knew that we were seeing each other. I didn't want her life to be hell because of me.

"You coming to Davina's homecoming party next weekend?" Blake questioned, interrupting my thoughts. "Bring the chick if you want?"

"Yeah I dunno, maybe." I said, still distracted by this clusterfuck of a conversation.

"Good, you've been a bit anti social since you arrived. It'll be good to mix with the right people."

"Blake, I've had two weekends here."

"Yeah but you never sit with us at lunch. Where do you go?"

"Who cares!" I threw up my hands. "Now, excuse me, I wanna get on with my lunch break."

"See you at home then!" Blake slapped me on the shoulder before walking out of the locker room.

I glared at his retreating figure, letting the annoyance over the fact that he checked out Marley's ass take hold. Fucking perv.

After a moment I began to grin. He had been checking out Marley's ass and he had no idea that it was her.

Idiot.

I dressed into a tank top and shorts before sending Marley a quick text.

Eat by the bleachers with me ? <3

Yeah be right there.

"Hey beautiful," I called out as I approached the bleachers where Marley sat, watching the rugby players with little interest. But when she spotted me, her features brightened and she stood up with a smile. I planted a kiss on her forehead and a blush crept across her cheeks; I never got sick of seeing that.

"How was the rest of your weekend?" She questioned.

"I slept all day yesterday," I confessed. Marley chuckled slightly before glancing away and I noticed that her face was thoughtful, like something was bothering her.

I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Is everything okay?"

"Are you embarrassed of me?" She blurted.
I could see how much confidence she was trying to exude. But her eyes were pensive.

"Of course I'm not! Why would you ask me that?"

Her confidence started to waver, she looked vulnerable and I wasn't sure what I could do to stop her from feeling that way.

"Blake was talking about the fact that you had a girl in your bed on Saturday night, but you didn't tell him who... I just wondered if it was because you're embarrassed?"

I felt terrible that her doubt and vulnerability was on my behalf. I also felt like pummelling Blake for going around discussing my personal matters with people.

"Marley, I hadn't talked to Blake until ten minutes ago. And he didn't ask me anything he just rambled on like an idiot. The only reason I haven't said anything is because for some reason these erratic asshats have all taken an unnatural interest in who I'm dating. They can be ruthless assholes and I don't want you getting targeted."

Her features began to soften and I put my hand on her cheek, tipping her face to mine. "I'm not embarrassed of you Marley. I care about you."

She smiled and ran a hand across her forehead, ducking her face and squinting her eyes in embarrassment. "Sorry.. I shouldn't hav—"

I cut off her apology by pressing my lips to hers. "Don't be sorry," I mumbled, only slightly pulling back from her soft mouth. "I know you've been through a lot and it's hard to trust, but I'm not going to hurt you okay."

She smiled and wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing her lips back on mine.

"I had a thought," I reluctantly broke our kiss after a moment. Marley kept her arms around my neck and raised a brow while she waited for me to elaborate. "Davina Jones has a homecoming party at her house every year. We should go? Together."

Her eyes widened in alarm and I tightened my hold on her waist before she could step away from me. "I'm not embarrassed of you, I'm happy for everyone to see us together. Blake told me to bring 'the girl in my bed'. Imagine his face when he realises it's you," I laughed.

Her eyes rested on my chest in front of her as she looks deep in thought.

"But look, if you feel like it'll be too much, or you don't want to deal with the bullshit that some of those thirsty girls will give you, I understand," I promised her.

After a few moments she looked me dead in the eyes with a gorgeous grin. "Let's do it. But I want to do something a little— dramatic."

I quietly waited for her to continue.

"Lets like, keep our distance from each other for the week, so there's more shock factor when we show up together," her eyes lit up with excitement.

"Wait, you want to bring even more attention to us than we'll already be getting?"

This girl just kept surprising me. She was in no way the weak, quiet loner that she let people believe that she was.

"Why not go all out?" She shrugged.

"Well this isn't going to help our shock factor.." I gestured to our bodies pressed together and arms around each other.

Marley stepped back and glanced around, but we were out of sight from any prying eyes.

"Well people already think you're seeing someone else. It'll be easy if we just— don't— touch or anything."

Her beautiful blue stare swept me over as she bit on her lip.

She was checking me out.

I liked it— a lot.

"You gonna be able to keep your hands off me Thompson?" I teased.

"Of course," she scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Easily."

"Well I can't say the same," I reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her to me and kissing her. She melted in to my hold and tugged on my tank top with her little balled up fists.

I broke away and gave her a shocked expression. "Marley! Show some self control," I gasped with fake horror. She stuck out her tongue and folded her arms over her chest. "I'm going to practice, wanna come and watch?"

"Only if you lose that shirt, Baker!" She grinned at me with a raised eyebrow and a hand on her hip.

I hadn't been expecting that response. God, I loved this side of her. I gave her a chaste kiss and lead her towards the boxing stand.

"Only for you."

Marley and I separated after lunch break. She headed to her P.E class and I had history.

"Josh do you have a date to Davina's party this weekend?"

I glanced up in to the face of Steph Lowry. A petite girl with shoulder length black curls. She had a reputation around here. It wasn't a great one either, depending on what you're in to.

"Do people consider house parties, dates these days?"

She frowned for a beat before smiling again.

"I mean, sort of? Do you wanna go with me," she tried to flirtatiously bite down on her lip but it looked awkward and I felt uncomfortable watching her.

Nothing at all like when Marley did it.

"Sorry I'll be with someone else that night," I shrugged, looking away.

"All night?" She winked and curled her lips in to a devious grin.

"Yes, all night," I slowly emphasised. "And hopefully for a long time after that too."

She frowned before walking away, looking deflated.

I didn't get satisfaction from being an asshole, but I told her, point blank, that I would be with someone else and she still hadn't been deterred. I found that tacky and lacking in self respect.

"So this chick you're seeing, it's serious?" Bryce, who had just witnessed the exchange, questioned. "Schools only been back a week and a bit?"

"I guess things have moved quickly," I admitted. "I like her a lot though. I don't really do the 'more than one girl at a time thing'... And there's  something about her." I shrugged, leaning back in my seat and stuffing my hands in my pockets.

"That's sappy bro."

I playfully shoved him in the shoulder.

"It's Marley, right?"

I pulled my phone from my pocket and ignored his interrogating glances. Marley wanted to keep things quiet until Saturday night. So that's what I would do.

"I know it is. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Bryce made a 'zipping his lips motion' and grinned. I shook my head and laughed but continued to ignore him.
Clever bastard.

Things seemed to be moving quickly with Marley. But there was something about this girl that had me hooked. I had spent every day with her, listening to her talk about her passions, her family and her goals.
Her bright personality and undeniable intelligence drew me to her. She was so different to any girl that I'd ever met. My feelings had definitely grown strong. . . quickly.

It was as if I just knew.

Knew that she was going to be important to me, knew she was special. I connected with her in a way that I had never felt before.

Wednesday came around and Marley had stood firm on her 'no touching at school rule'. I hadn't been allowed to hold her hand or kiss her cheek.
She even shot me daggers when I put my hand on her lower back and led her through the cafeteria.
We had to give off a strictly friends only appearance.
She was extremely committed to this plan she had devised. And while I admired her dedication, I was starting to go a little crazy.

Laying on my bed, I threw my phone up and down in the air. I was desperately trying to talk myself out of the obsessive love struck mind frame that I seemed to have gotten myself in to.

She was a girl for Gods sake.

I'd had girlfriends before. There was no reason to mope because I hadn't felt her soft lips on mine in three days. Or because I hadn't felt her legs wrapped around my body again. Or because I hadn't let her soft silky skin run under my fingertips as I caressed her perfect figure.

I felt pathetic.

I stood up and shook my head.

Snap out of it.

I paced the length of my room a few times trying to let other things occupy my thoughts.

Boxing.

Shameless.

Marley.

That guy from the Gatorade commercial with sideburns bigger than my future.

Dolphins.

Marley.

The wild thornberrys.

American pie.

That one time at band camp.

Marley.

Fuck it.

I snatched up my black zip up hoodie and started out of my room.

"Where are you going?" Blake called as I passed the kitchen. "Mum will be back with dinner soon!"

I backed up and stood at the threshold.

"What's for dinner?" I questioned without really caring for an answer.

"Chinese," he said, swinging like a child on a barstool.

"Okay well, save me some."

"Going to meet your bed buddy?" Blake wiggled his eyebrows at me and made a kissing noise.

"Grow up," I sighed, bored of his immaturity. "But yeah that's what I'm doing. Later."

I quickly walked out the front door before he had the chance to waste my time with more of his useless quips. It was a sure guarantee that the purpose for today's jog was not fitness, but in fact a desperate need to set sights on one particular girl who had wedged herself into all corners of my mind in the shortest time span imaginable. When I finally rang her doorbell, I attempted to appear casual and not as though I'd sprinted here in thirty seconds.

The door opened and there she stood in a black cropped t-shirt and a pair of shorts. She looked surprised. "Josh, what are you doing here?"

She looked so beautiful. Her silk smooth legs were long and shaped to perfection. I'd never obsessed over a girls figure like this before. She was driving me insane.

The sound of her clearing her throat brought my attention back to her eyes. She was watching me with an amused expression.

"Yeah I was checking you out. Whatcha gonna do about it?" I challenged with a grin.

She laughed but stepped aside. "Do you wanna come in?"

I was kind of hoping that she would take my challenge and want to engage in a physical altercation. Any excuse to get my hands on her.

I walked inside and peered around the living room as she shut the door behind me. "Just you here?" I casually questioned.

"Yeah. But how come yo—" I cut her off by turning around and quickly scooping her up. I wrapped her legs around my waist as she let out a surprised squeal.

"I missed you," I said with one hand in her hair and the other around the small of her back.

She smiled and rested her hands on my shoulders. "I was with you less than three hours ago."

"You know, the simple gesture of holding your hand makes me feel. . . happy. You've been depriving me."

My thumb stroked the exposed skin on her back and I could feel goosebumps forming. She giggled and rested her forehead on mine. "Well I am really glad you're here," she whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Definitely."

I pushed her loose brown curls away from her neck and started feathering kisses along her jawline. My tongue grazed her satin like skin as I made my way down to the hollow under her earlobe. She tilted her head back and a soft moan escaped her as she slid her fingers in to my hair and pulled on it.

When I gripped a fistful of her hair and smashed our mouths together, she met the urgency, her legs tightening around my waist, her tongue picking up speed.

I walked us backwards and she hit the wall, a moan of approval reverberating from the back of her throat as I ran my hands up the length of her thighs. She was unreal. The entire experience felt too good to be true. My finger tips dug into her skin so hard which just seemed to encourage her more.

She clutched a fistful of my hair and pulled my head back exposing my throat. She brought her mouth from mine to my neck, kissing and biting me fiercely.

"Fuck," I breathed in to her hair.

She had no idea what she was doing to me.

Our mouths met again, her tongue colliding with mine. I took a fistful of the bottom of her shirt to pull it over her head, when the sound of the door next to us, brought us both to a screeching halt.

Marley leaned away from me with her hands on my chest, a wide look of horror in her eyes. And then she was moving with precision and speed. She unhooked her legs from my waist and dropped down, grabbing my hand, she pulled us over to the couch at nothing less than a sprint.

The door opened and Andrea stepped through just as our asses hit the sofa. I snatched a throw pillow and put it on my lap to hide the swollen appendage in my pants.

"Oh hey," she smiled, shutting the door behind her.
I almost wanted to chew her out for interrupting us; but it wasn't her fault. Not to mention, this is her house.

"Oh God. You scared me," Marley sighed with a chuckle, putting a hand over her heart. "I thought it was Dad."

Andrea raised her eyebrows and smirked. "Interrupted something, did I?"

Marley shrugged a shoulder. "Yes."

I almost choked.

I was certain that a mixture of awe and total shock was plastered across my face as I turned my head to stare at Marley.

"Well I really hope you weren't about to have sex on the couch because that's where I spend about ninety percent of my time," Andreas voice trailed off as she strolled into the kitchen.

"Don't worry, we wouldn't have made it to the couch!" Marley shouted back.

Andrea wolf whistled and laughed while I sat there with my jaw hanging. They were so casual about the subject and it didn't seem to matter that I was ear to it either.

I loved it.

I adored the person that she was around her family. Carefree and playful. Confident and witty.
This was the real her and it was perfect.

Marley's fingertips came up to the bottom of my jaw and she gently pushed my mouth closed while she giggled. "Don't worry, she thinks that I'm joking," she winked and stood up. "Coming?"

I followed Marley in to her room and dropped on to her bed.

"Movie?" She suggested, picking up her remote.

I nodded and patted the space on the bed next to me, signalling for her to sit down. She put on The Hot Chick which I'd have to see the ending for another time because Marley and I found ourselves too busy to concentrate on anything other than each other.