Tracey's P.O.V.

"All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth and a piece of that sweet ass."

I gasped, and then broke out into a fit of giggles. Aiden's sense of humor involves saying the most inappropriate things at the most inappropriate times. He says he likes to do it because I, and I quote, "look insanely hot when I'm embarrassed." I'm used to his jokes now, but I can't help that my cheeks still burn and I get a horrified look on my face whenever he says anything crazy.

I punch Aiden on his arm, and he bursts out into laughter. I simply shake my head furiously at the people staring at us in a fruitless attempt to tell them that he's just joking.

"It still manages to get funnier every single time," he managed to choke out while he continued laughing.

"Shut up!" I half yell, smiling.

Grabbing his arm, I pulled the still snickering 17 year old child inside of the school towards my locker. When he stopped laughing I raised my question again.

"Seriously Aiden, what do you want for Christmas?"

He just smiled at me, and I furrowed my eyebrows. "What?"

Not answering for a few moments, he reached out and cupped my cheeks, finally saying "I'm just imagining how it would sound to have you call me baby."

He sighed, and I grinned like a love sick idiot.

"Seriously though. Has a safe amount of time went by yet?"

"Safe amount of time for what?"

"For us to go on our first date, duh. How much longer do we have to pretend we're just friends?"

"We are just friends," I warned, "...for now." I have to admit, pretending that I don't have any feelings for this boy is getting pretty tiring. We haven't even kissed since the time at the park, and I ached to feel his lips against mine again. It's also pretty damn hard to pretend that him touching me doesn't send tingles throughout my entire body.

He smiled again. "See. I knew you wouldn't be able to deny me for much longer."

The bell rang, and I pouted. That damn thing seems to always get in the way of my precious time with this boy. The expression 'saved by the bell' has yet to come true for me.

He laughed and pinched my check, and even that sent a chill down my body.

"Don't worry, I'll see you again soon cupcake." I smiled as he rushed off to class, and I made my way to my class.

-

At lunch, I absentmindedly picked at my food while I waited for everyone else to get to the table. After a few minutes of playing with my food rather than eating it, Bianca finally sat down next to me. A few more moments of silence went by.

"Want another update?"

"Huh?" I snapped out of my trance.

"You were staring at David again. Don't deny it, acceptance is the first step."

I looked back to where I was staring before, and I was indeed watching David. I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, but I couldn't look away now that I knew who I was looking at.

David was laughing and cracking jokes with his teammates, and seemed very happy. But, that's just it. He only seems happy. He hasn't been taking the break up very well. Recently he's been partying non stop, and he's developed sort of an anger problem. Since he has rejected every attempt I've made to remain friends, I find all this out through Tremaine and Bianca. It really breaks my heart that I made him feel this way, and I mean this in the least self-absorbed way possible. I really just want the best for him.

"He's not any better you know. I hear he's hitting Caiden's party tonight," Bianca mentioned, interrupting my thoughts.

"Again?"

"Well, it is a Friday night," she quipped, popping a fry into her mouth.

I rolled my eyes. "It's also the third time he's gone out partying this week."

Bianca just shrugged. I didn't have time to respond, because Aiden sat down in front of me with a smile plastered on his on his face.

"And what might you two ladies be talking about?"

"What I'm doing for my birthday this year," I said quickly. I decided a while ago that I wasn't going to let Aiden know that I'm still so worried about David. It's not that much of a big deal, but I still don't know how he'll take it, and it's not worth any possible argument.

Aiden pouted, his puppy dog eyes making him look down right irresistible. "So you mean you weren't talking about what to get your dear friend for Christmas?"

"Christmas is still over a month away. Your dear friend's birthday is creeping up on us like a deadly snake," Bianca chimed in,  grinning at Aiden.

It really makes me happy that Bianca likes Aiden. We went through a little bit of a rough patch while I was dating David, but she's still one of my best friends and I value her opinion.

"You're right. So what are we going to do for the little devil?"

"I was thinking-"

I raised one of my eyebrows. "Really guys? I'm right here."

They both laughed, and Aiden winked at me, melting my insides. "Oh, we're well aware of that cupcake."

"You guys are the worst," I exclaimed, laughing.

"Ah, but you love us so that makes it all okay," Bianca added.

I rolled my eyes again.  Seriously, I think eye rolling should be a sport. I can feel my eyes getting a workout.

I found my eyes wandering back to David again. He was still laughing and carrying on with his teammates, but even from here I could tell that the happiness didn't reach his eyes. It was all a show. And it was all my fault.

As if a mini light bulb went off inside if my head, I almost let out a gasp, but I contained it. Well, not as good as I thought I did because Aiden raised a questioning eyebrow at me.

I quickly composed myself. "Remember earlier when you asked me when we could finally go on our first date?"

"Yes," he said slowly, not sure of where I was going with my question.

"Tonight." I grinned.

Aiden smiled, his pearly whites flashing and his eyes sparkling. "Tonight?"

"Tonight," I repeated.

"You better not be messing with me cupcake."

"Just make sure your handsome ass is ready by 7," I said, still not able to wipe the grin off of my face.

In what I still can't believe was a swift movement, Aiden hopped over the table and sat next to me. He then wrapped me into a bear hug and kissed my cheek.

"You won't regret this beautiful," he whispered into my ear.

I giggled. "I wasn't planning on it."

-

I looked in the mirror one final time before I headed downstairs. Wearing a mint high waisted maxi skirt and white crop top with silver flats, I feel properly dressed for my date tonight. Granted, I have no idea where Aiden is taking me, I still feel prepared. Since it was freezing outside, I wore tights under my skirt and picked out a black jacket to wear over my shirt.

Aiden called me as I hurried down the stairs, telling me that he was outside waiting.

"I'm on my way outside right now," I said before I hung up the phone and walked out of the door.

When Aiden saw me come outside, he immediately got out of his car and rushed to the passenger side. He opened the door for me, and I blushed as I got inside.

After he got in the car, I said "What the gentleman you are."

He smiled as he pulled out of the driveway. "Only the best of my cupcake."

I smiled back. "So where are you taking me?"

"Oh come on, I think you can hold out just a little bit longer. "

"But the anticipation is killing me!"

He just laughed and kept driving. I wonder where he's taking me? This first date has been in the makings for a while, but to be completely honest, nothing would really make this feel like a first date. We've already been through so much together, already admitted our feelings for each other, already spend almost every waking moment together. If I wasn't dating David at the time, I would say that the time we went bowling was our first date.

That doesn't mean I'm not excited for tonight though.

After a few more minutes of driving, we pulled up to the town park. Not knowing what to say, I turned to Aiden and raised a questioning eyebrow.

"I know exactly what you're thinking. 'Why would Aiden take me to the park on our first date?' Well, I have the perfect answer for that. First of all, I know this is one of your favorite places in this lame town. Second, this is where some of my first and favorite memories of you are- and yes that definitely includes you tripping. I thought I'd take the sentimental route on this one." He shrugged, but smiled at me expectantly.

I reached over to the driver's seat and wrapped my arms around his neck. "You are the sweetest."

He chuckled. "I know, but I still love to hear you say it."

I smiled, then pushed his head playfully. "Come on, let's go."

We got out of the car, and Aiden went to the trunk and pulled out a picnic basket, and something else that I couldn't see.

"Mr. Grant, are you taking me out on a picnic in the freezing cold?"

"You are correct Ms. Morgan. Don't worry, I brought blankets." He held them up and shook them.

"So you did," I said smiling.

We picked a nice spot under a big tree, and Aiden set up our picnic. When he opened the basket, I saw that there were two deli sandwiches, two Kiwi Strawberry Snapples, and two Mrs. Field's cookie packs.

"The sandwiches are your favorite." He said, beaming.

Everything in the basket is my favorite. I can't believe he remembered that I like all this junk, I've never told him explicitly. He must really pay attention to everything I do.

I gave him a smile. "You really are one of the best people ever, never forget that." I sat down, and he followed suit.

"Just one of the best? One of these days I'm going to do something to make you think I'm the best that ever was," he declared smiling. He wrapped one of the blankets around me, and I moved in closer.

Giggling, I said "I don't doubt that."

He smiled at me again, and I took a moment to just take him in. What did I do to deserve such a great guy in my life? Whenever I'm with him, he never fails to put a smile on my face. Whenever he smiles, I can tell that it's genuine. Every time I look into his eyes, I can see that he genuinely cares about me and that he would do anything to make me happy.

I can't mess things up with him, I decided, he's too special.

Snuggling even closer to him so that there was no space at all left in between us, I declared "Let's eat."

He laughed and handed me one of the sandwiches. "Let's eat cupcake."

We spent the entire meal cracking jokes and telling stories, and I enjoyed every second of it. Aiden really knows how to make me happy. The more time I spend with him, the more I realize that I didn't make a mistake choosing him over David. I mean, David's a great guy and he'll always have a place in my heart, but he can't compare.

Thinking about David made me remember the other reason why I spontaneously suggested this date night. After we finished eating, we cuddled up against the tree and wrapped the blanket around us. We stayed like that in silence for a while, until Aiden uttered the words i hoped he would.

"Tonight was amazing, I almost don't want this day to end." he squeezed me tightly, and I perked up a little.

"Well, it doesn't have to end yet," I suggested.

"What do you mean?"

"You know the party that Caiden's having tonight?" I bit my lip, hoping he caught on.

Aiden released me and sat up. "You, Tracey Morgan, want to go to a party?"

"I know parties aren't really my thing, but it is a Friday night and it's a perfect place to go and have fun," I said quickly, defending myself.

He reached out and touched my forehead, frowning.

"Um, what are you doing?"

"Making sure you're feeling well. Are you sure you want to go to this party?"

"I'm totally and completely sure." I hope I said that confidently enough.

Aiden started packing up our picnic and said "Well, let's go party then."

-

When we got to Caiden's house, the party was already in full swing. Cars were littered everywhere, so we had to park at the end of the block and walk the rest of the way there. The closer we got to the house, the more I heard (and felt) the thumping bass coming from what must be an amazing sound system.

Making our way inside of the house was terrible. There were half naked, sweaty bodies everywhere dancing to the obnoxiously loud beats thumping into my ears. The smell of all the alcohol alone was enough to get me intoxicated, and there were so many different kinds that the cocktail of smells almost nauseated me. Throughout it all, however, I kept a smile on my face. After all, I told Aiden I wanted to be there so I had to act like I was enjoying myself. We finally found a nice little corner to ourselves, and I exhaled a sigh of relief.

"You want a drink beautiful?" Aiden yelled over the speakers.

"Yeah!" I yelled back. I needed a few minutes to myself anyway.

As Aiden made his way through the crowd to what I assume was the kitchen, I scanned the scene. It didn't take me long to find what I was looking for. 

David was in the middle of the living room grinding on some girl with a cup of alcohol in his hands. He wasn't dancing very well though, and I'm sure that could be attributed to the fact that he was piss drunk. He could barely stand up straight, and it seemed being glued to that girl's body was the only thing keeping him from falling to the ground.

I made my way through the crowd to get to David. When I finally reached him, I grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the girl he had been dancing with. That was a bad idea. He came crashing into me, and it took all of my strength to hold him up and not fall to the floor myself. The half naked girl he was dancing with just scowled at me and walked away.

"David, what the hell is wrong with you!" I yelled over the music.

David turned to look at me, and I saw that his mud brown eyes were bloodshot. He looked terrible. This is exactly what I was afraid of. I knew that all of this partying couldn't be good for him.

"Oh, hey Traceyyyy, what arre youu doin' here?" He said, slurring his words.

I shook my head, disgusted. "Why are you doing this? You're a hot mess. Someone should take you home."

He moved his face closer to mine, as if to tell me a secret. I caught a whiff of the alcohol on his breath and it was revolting. "Babyy, I... I missed youu. Why don't you love me anymore baby?" I looked at him, and the look on his face almost broke my heart. He looked completely and utterly destroyed.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I instantly knew who it was. "Hey, why don't you leave her alone?" the familiar voice warned.

David looked up, and when he saw who it was, his face automatically switched from sadness to seething anger. "Well if it isn't the punk who stole my girl," he sneered.

Aiden's grip on my shoulder tightened. "I didn't steal anything from you man. Maybe if you weren't such a wreck you'd realize that she just isn't that into you."

After that, everything happened so fast. David lunged at Aiden, and before I knew it, they were wrestling on the ground. The crowd cleared a  space for them and cheered them on, the music still blaring. David got in a few hard hits on Aiden's jaw, but since he was so out of it, Aiden quickly got the upper hand. Soon, Aiden was on top of David, unleashing a relentless assault of punches to his face.

The shock that glued me to my spot finally evaporated, and I ran towards them screaming at the top of my lungs. I tried to pull Aiden off of David, but he was too strong and too mad. When I realized that I couldn't stop him, I just kept screaming, begging Aiden to stop.

After what felt like an eternity, Aiden delievered one last blow that knocked David out cold. He slowly got up and continued to stand over David, his chest heaving with anger. He never unclenched his fists, and he just stood there watching the unconcious body. I rushed up to him and put my hands on his arms, pulling him away. 

My touch seemed to dissolve a tiny bit of the anger, because he unclenched his fists and broke his scary trance. He turned to look at me, and then wrapped me in a painful bear hug, still using the strength from his adrenaline rush. I put my arms around him and rubbed circles on his back in an attempt to calm him down. I wasn't calm though. Nowhere near it. I felt my eyes start to burn, and soon there were tears flowing down my face.

What have I done?

_____________________________

Sooooo, what did you guys think?

I know I said I'd update on Sunday and it's Monday, but I started this chapter kind of late. On the bright side, I stayed up until I finished it! And it's sort of long, so I hope that makes up for it being late.

Anyways, leave your thoughts! Vote! And recommend this to your friends! 

See you next Sunday!

- Theaa (:

*Song for this chapter is Here by Alessia Cara because 1. I love this song so much it's crazy 2. The whole song is about a girl who is uncomfortable with the whole party scene, so I think it captures how Tracey felt at the party. She was only there to check up on David, after all!