Alyssa's PoV:

Besides having my brother as the popular guy around school being a Junior myself wasn't easy either, school barely started and I was already afraid of the amount of exams I had to do. Yes, I do suffer in anticipation unlike most of my friends who love the beginning of the school year because that means party season is open. But honestly... I am already sick of it and maybe the last party was a big contributor to that.

I plan to live my life as normally as I possibly can.

That means no brother and no brother's friends, fewer parties, more study, and maybe a relationship... if I am prepared and if Chase gets a grip and finally asks me out. I hope he didn't forget that he kissed me, he seems interested in me, but my insecurities sometimes talk louder.

... I am quite unsure about our kiss, what if he doesn't remember... plus I know he was drunk but seriously the only compliment he could give me at that time was about my beauty. Ridiculous.

My thoughts were interrupted by Mrs. Gallagher, my English teacher. "Miss Alyssa, are you paying attention?"

"Uh yes ma'am "

"Hm..." she said with an unpleased face "Well as I was saying the projects are based on one of the chosen books, I want a 6-page report about your perception of the book you chose"

I closed my eyes as I died slowly internally, the exams weeks were starting as well as the projects. The deadlines dates and the load of things to study were starting to grow and I was getting desperate.

Gosh, I need to focus!

After class ended, me and Nate went to the benches of the field court outside where we planned to meet the rest of the group. We sat down at the usual spot, waiting for the rest of the girls to arrive.

"So... it's Tuesday did the surf hottie say anything about your steamy exchange?" Nate asked as he looked at the green lonely field

"Hmm" I hummed sadly "Nope, he didn't say anything"

"HELLLLOOOO my lovelies" Amy shouted from the bottom of the benches followed by the rest of the girls

"Hey, girls!!" Nate shouted while waving. This was our typical meeting after school was over. Why here? Well because-

"Have they started? Did you see them already?" Amy questioned with an urge

"Nope you are in time" Nate referred

"We brought cold coffee brew" Selena mentioned placing the card box of coffee on the bench below us

"Oh god today sucked, Mr. Kaleigh was doing some equations and multiplications and things that made my brain sleepy... I need stamina! I need to see my boys!" Amy sat down while clapping and looking attentively at the football field

"Math is usually like that" Emily mentioned while sitting next to me

"I know and it sucks" Amy responded making us laugh but the moment was ruined when laughs and groans were heard from the balnearies. I rolled my eyes preparing myself for another typical Tuesday as I took my English homework and started to think about what book should my report be based on.

"There they are!!!" Amy squealed

"Oh, they look so good" Selena cheered while sipping her coffee.

As my friends drooled about the boys I tried to focus on the incredible amount of work I had, which I had 0 willing to do. I would so prefer to be in my bed right now.

After long burning minutes that felt like decades on that bench getting blinded and burned by the sun my friends reached their favorite part of the conversation... the man's anatomy.

As most of the boys took their shirts and splashed water on their bodies at a ridiculously slow rate, my friends talked about their very specific and detailed session of anatomy, talking individually about each player...about their muscles, veins, chests, collar bones, abs and their assets — that's my cue to leave.

"Ok we reach that part of the conversation where I have to leave due to sibling disgustedness" I smiled softly taking the English notebook and leaving them doing their dirty talk. I smiled at their happiness while leaving them behind, I should go to somewhere where the sun isn't because it's burning my skin like I just walked into hell.

I walked to the benches near the parking lot which was next to the football field. I sat down enjoying the shadow from the tree close by.

I took a deep breath and looked around people were talking by the cars, some laughing happily, the nice weather and the joyful place made me smile and smell the soft breeze of — ew... cigarettes. "Who the hell is smoking-"

"I am" a monotone voice answered making me roll my eyes and take a deep breath but the cigarette smoke that I inhaled made me cough.

"How do you smoke that? That is awful" I said while trying to wave the smoke out of my front

"How would you know?" he asked resting against the tree and placing the cigar ash on the trash bin by the tree.

"whatever" I said trying to pass his answer, his single presence made me want to dig a hole and disappear my mind stopped those dark thoughts and inserted a sparkling rainbow when I saw Chase laughing loudly with his friends, should I take my shot now? Maybe I should... I should just walk there and ask him what happened or is that too much? Am I being too emotional over a kiss? Maybe for him, it didn't mean anything... it was such a short kiss that the butterflies couldn't even fly around my stomach. Maybe I am overthinking... I always overthink I should keep it simple although I love to have some sort of control over my life...

I am overthinking...

"So are you dating the surfer boy... yet?" Mason asked while smoking

"That's something I am... taking care of...."

"Why do I sense some desperation?"

"Why do I sense some nosiness?" I responded making a repulsive face while hearing his small chuckle

"Alyssa?" I heard a voice ask, my back straightened as I sat correctly on the bench and finally looked at him, Chase Barron, the guy I had a huge crush on. His curly blonde locks were slightly covering his face and his eyes shined once the sun reflected in his face, and as I waved at him he gleamed a smile at me.

"Oh and- hum... Mason, right?" Chase asked looking at Mason near the tree, Mason gave a short chuckle again probably remembering how much of a fan of his he was when he was stoned and now he simply proceeds to imply to guess his name, this couldn't be more embarrassing.

"So what are you doing?" I asked breaking the eye contact between them, Chase quickly looked at me smiling again

"Oh right, I just ended all classes. What about you?"

"I was trying to study" I said showing the book in my hand

"Oh, English? I am not that good at that but I am really good with Science... if you ever need some tutoring you know where to find me" he said while smirking, is this my chance god?

I will take it as a sign lord!

"Really? I suck at Science" I said "and I have an exam in like two weeks ... do you think you can-"

"I can help you out! Definitely! I mean all educative purposes, of course, I will - hum- tutor you" he said nervous making me smile, I tried to hide my smile so he wouldn't be embarrassed but I have to admit that was pretty cute.

"Aliiiii!!!" I heard screaming from far away, I looked to see my friends waving at me, which meant the football practice was probably over.

"I will leave you with your friends" Chase mentioned "We can arrange some tutor lesson soon?"

"Sure" I smiled, he smiled back shyly and went away 

"Hey, girl!" Selena said putting her bag and mine on the bench

"Oh, thanks! You could've called I would grab my back"

"It's okay"

"Oh my god" I saw Amy place her hand over her chest like she was having a heart attack. I frowned a bit scared of what was happening to her

"Hi, Massooo -ooon " Nate waved while biting his lip, then I understood... Amy was fangirling

"Girls. Nate." Mason simply greeted leaving the place

"byeeee" They said in unison while they were drooling

"You are hopeless" I commented

"He is hotter than Aiden" Selena commented back while looking at Mason placing his helmet and getting on his bike

"Totally" Nate agreed

"He is so my type" Amy said biting her lip

"He is everyone's type" Nate replied

"I still think Aiden is hotter" Emily mentioned making me lift an eyebrow, I knew my best friend thought my brother was hot but lately she had been saying it a lot... maybe I am just overthinking

I really need therapy for overthinking. While I packed my book in my bag they were looking at Mason and once he left they got back to reality.

"So...Chase was hereee~" Amy said in a cute tone and wiggling her eyebrows while sitting next to me

"Yup" I said happily

"What were you guys talking?" Emily said excited

"We are planning some tutoring lessons" I said with a smirk

"SHUT UP" Nate exclaimed while clapping.

We got on the school bus and I explained to my friends all the details of Chase's conversations. I was so excited, this shows he is interested in me right? Maybe he wants to talk about the kiss... but I can never put aside the possibility that he forgot about that night.

However I was happy this year was getting off to a good start, I finally managed to speak with my crush and maybe do something more, I am going to parties and hanging out with my friends, I am working on my studies, it's all perfect and pretty controlled and balanced in my world, even my secret that is nicely kept.

Just thinking about it makes me - well it makes me want to forget about it. Let's just hope it stays hidden and hopefully disappears from my mind maybe I can eventually forget it.

I got home a bit tired, once I got in I was greeted by my mom and my dad.

My parents are the living definition of love personified. Even after all these years, they're still as smitten as they were on their first date I believe. They're always sneaking kisses in the kitchen, holding hands during evening walks, and also messing with each other and ending laughing. They've taught me that love exists, at least i see it every day by looking at them, sometimes I even get nauseated by their love.

"Hello cupcake" My mom, Louise, waved at me from the kitchen isle with a bright smile while my dad --- "where's dad?"

Suddendly I felt my arm pit being attacked and my pout turned on soon as I started to get tickled by my dad "MOM!" I shouted asking for help

"Oh- She is about to cry Ben" My mom warned as she cooked not even looking at me... ah she knew me so well.

Some people laugh when they are tickled, some have no reaction at all... while I tend to...cry, really bad. I get so desperate because is such an uneasy feeling that I tend to cry since I was little, is not like I feel sad I just get desperate and I cry, I am perfectly fine I just think my brain arranged some sort of defense mechanism for people to stop however that doesn't work with my family.

And since my family found out I get tortured every so often, mostly by my brother and my dad who try to withdraw a tear.

"DAD DAD DAD!" I shouted desperately, he stopped and looked at me with a smile

"Did I got it?"

"No, you didn't" My mom said " like always" I smiled at my victory and greeted my mother with a kiss. The fun thing is my father never got a tear because after I begged him to stop he did, he is a softy and he could never hurt me so he just keeps on trying ... very different from my brother who literally tortures me to death with tickles.

"MOM! I'm home" My brother said once he arrived he waved at us and went upstairs to take a shower like he does when it's football practice

"Why does he only warn you when he is home?" My dad asked hurt while setting the table making me snort while helping my mother prepare the salad.

"I don't know honey, but don't get too worked up by it though" My mom smirked

"Because he is a Mommy's boy, Dad"  I said sincerely

"Did you had to throw it to my face?" Dad questioned me

"Well you asked..."

"I asked your mom" he pouted making me smile

"Oh don't cry Benjamin, you have a daddy's girl" my mom joked

"That's true" He smiled while kissing my head