Two weeks passed by unnoticed. Leigh and I were having the time of our lives, experiencing a level of happiness we never thought possible. We spent our days together, from school until the early evening, as our parents were usually at work and Lilith had extra classes. This meant we had plenty of time to ourselves. Sometimes we hung out at home, and other times we roamed around Vegas, often stopping to grab ice cream after school.

I always managed to find a way to avoid Arlen's persistent invitations to go out again. My usual excuse was a grand lie, pretending to help my mother at the hospital. And, importantly, I found myself avoiding Embry and the rest of the girls these days.

Since homecoming, I had established a new routine of spending lunchtime with Leigh in the library. We would retreat to a quiet corner where nobody ever found us, sipping tea and stealing kisses most of the time. Occasionally, I would read him romantic lines from Jane Austen or Bronte's novels that I had highlighted in my books a while ago. Somehow, Leigh made those lines come alive.

I never imagined life could be this wonderful. I had never experienced such intense emotions before. It felt like I was on a never-ending rollercoaster ride that only went higher and higher, almost like I was floating in space.

Having someone in my life who was grateful for my presence, someone who looked at me as if I gave them life and purpose, was beyond anything I had ever imagined. Leigh saw the real me without me having to say a word. He understood my heart even better than I did myself.

Leigh was my guiding light. He reflected my every step and illuminated the path I walked. Even when he was around, I found myself losing my composure. It was impossible to be near someone who made me feel so connected to the world, a world I didn't even know existed. His touch became indispensable to me, and his kisses were the source of my constant smiles. I yearned for him, and no matter how much time I spent with him, it was never enough. I wanted him more than anything. Right now, Leigh was my entire life. He meant everything to me.

I sat on the floor of the hill high library, a smile on my face, surrounded by tall shelves filled with books. I read aloud my favorite lines from "Wuthering Heights" to someone who needed to hear them too.

"I cannot express it, but surely you and everybody have a notion that there is or should be an existence of yours beyond you. What were the use of my creation if I were entirely contained here? My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff's miseries, and I watched and felt each one from the beginning. My great thought in living is himself. If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be. And if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn into a mighty stranger. I should not seem a part of it. My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind. Not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."

"That's the most interesting thing I've ever heard," Leigh says, lying on my lap. He listens attentively, undistracted, as if nothing else exists in his world except my voice.

His focus gives me reassurance, knowing that he is mine and I am his. If there's anything beyond eternity, I know I'll be safe with him. "I know," I say, closing the book and placing it beside my bag. I cup Leigh's jaw with my palm.

"I've never been afraid since my mother passed away. But now, it feels like I'm not as brave as I seem," I confess. He smiles and glances at a book behind me.

"Since homecoming, I've become even more afraid. Every passing day, I feel lucky yet scared about what the future holds. I wake up with the fear that you might end our relationship... it's the only fear I can't conquer, and I don't think I ever will," Leigh's voice is filled with vulnerability and insecurity.

Shaking my head gently at the tender human lying on my thighs, I reassure him. "Why would I? I would never want anything to happen to what we have. Remember, this is an equal investment. I want this as much as you do, if not more." He almost chuckles at my words.

Leigh's pleading eyes mirror my reassuring ones. "Promise?" he asks, desperation evident in his voice.

I let out a soft sigh, smiling at the green eyes that pierce through me. "I'm yours, aren't I? So why don't you do whatever you want with me?"

I see Leigh's emotions dissolve into a wide grin. "Then let's start with a kiss," he adorably suggests.

I begin to giggle as his hand guides my neck towards him, and our lips meet.

"Leigh, you need to go to the gym today. You've been skipping your training for a while now," I remind him after a while of comforting silence.

"I don't need training; I need you," he states confidently.

"You need training because you're the quarterback of Hill High. The quarterback is the most important player on the field. So, what is a quarterback without training?" I playfully tell the stubborn human lying on my lap.

"Oh, I see someone is becoming a football fan," he playfully winks.

I roll my eyes at him and pout. "Seriously, Leigh. I don't want to be the reason your excitement for football diminishes. I shouldn't be your weakness."

I've always tried to convince him to alternate practice days with our hangouts, but I always end up losing the argument. He finds ways to make me give in, just like he's doing right now.

Leigh raises his body and captures my bottom lip between his. With our eyes open, he shoots me a seductive wink and flashes his enchanting smile.

This time, I gather all my willpower and fight against the urge to surrender. "Smile," he mutters against my lips, and I shake my head at him.

"Until you agree to take care of your necessary training," I insist.

Leigh lets out a heavy sigh, pressing his lips into a straight line before nodding. "Fine. I'll go to the gym today."

Smiling, I softly kiss his slightly swollen lips. "Thank you," I whisper to the man who is giving me goosebumps at this very moment.

"Lunchtime is over," he chuckles, his lips brushing against mine as I nod in agreement, not ready to let go of his taste just yet.

***

"I've read some reviews online, and so far, everything I've seen has been positive. But I need to finish the books I bought before starting a new one," I say.

"I assume you've already read them all. It's been a month," Evie remarks.

"I've been quite busy lately, but I'm almost finished. I'm currently reading the Twilight series," I admit, feeling embarrassed because she knows I used to be a fast reader. But not anymore.

It's evident to me because, honestly, I prefer to spend my time with Leigh.

"How's it going so far?" she asks from her bed.

"It's fascinating how the story revolves around the experience of first love. Despite the danger and excitement, she fearlessly takes the risk and gives herself to him. Their love is immense. He would do anything for her, even when it's challenging for him," I say. I'm not sure if I'm talking about the book or myself, but I know that's exactly how I feel when it comes to my soon-to-be stepbrother.

"Perfect! So, you believe in fantasy too. I'm not the only one who's a bit crazy," Evie giggles.

She has no idea how much her words crush me inside. It feels like a stab in the heart, and the pain spreads throughout my entire being. I find myself muttering, "I'm living it."

I don't want to believe that what I have with Leigh is just a fantasy, is it? Am I asking for too much? Is everything I'm hoping for just my imagination, far beyond reality?

Since Evie has no idea what I'm going through, she continues to recommend more books while I focus on picking up the pieces of my shattered heart from the floor. On the outside, I try to appear normal, but inside, I'm more than scared. I'm terrified.

By the time I arrive home, it's seven in the evening. Lilith and Suri are in the living room, watching a reality show when I head straight to the kitchen to find Mum and Christian preparing dinner.

"How was school?" Mum asks as she starts making my tea. Thankfully, Mum and I sorted things out last week, so we're cool now.

"It was normal," I simply reply, taking a seat at the counter.

"And what about PE?" Christian asks.

"I'm making some progress, I suppose. There's this boy who happens to be behind me now, so I'm not the last," I inform Christian.

"Wow, that's good to know," Christian rewards me with a smile.

Mum narrows her eyes at both of us. "So, you're second to last?" she asks, confused.

"No, there's someone behind me," I shake my head and repeat, making Christian chuckle, while Mum huffs peevishly and rolls her eyes at us.

"What room will Sawyer be staying in while she's here?" I ask both adults in the room.

"Oh, damn it, I've even forgotten. It's next week, right?" Mum asks me.

"Susan," Christian glances towards his fiancée, probably as a reminder to watch our language around a minor. "She can stay in the spare room upstairs," he adds.

"Perfect, because I'm not sharing my room," I say delightfully and take a sip of the tea Mum just handed me.

"Ava..." Mum calls thoughtfully, while Christian laughs at my selfish behavior.

Shrugging, I hide behind my cup just as Lilith calls me from the living room. "Thank you for the tea," I say to Mum and quietly escape the kitchen.

"We're discussing what to wear for the Halloween party. Embry's placing the order tonight, and we think a sexy black kitty cat outfit will do," Suri excitedly reveals.

"What Halloween party?" I ask the two gleeful girls grinning at me.

"Oh, Brandon's," Lilith simply answers.

Taken aback by her response, I immediately ask, "Brandon, as in the dropout Brandon who sells drugs and everything?"

"Shush," Suri and Lilith both say, placing their fingers on their lips and their eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

"What? Are you kidding me? What are we going to do at some sketchy, possibly illegal party?" I protest.

Groaning, Lilith tilts her head back. "Have you met him?" she asks in a bored tone.

"No! And I don't intend to," I express.

Suri chuckles softly. "Then stop objecting to the presence of probably the second hottest guy in Las Vegas."

I thought Suri had some sense; little did I know she's just like her friends. "So you would go to a party thrown by a hot drug dealer?" I boldly challenge them.

"Shush," they both repeat, looking terrified.

"Why did you even tell her? She'll probably report it to the cops," Suri scowls at Lilith, while I listen in surprise to her audacity.

"I thought she would be a bit less British by now," Lilith retorts to her friend.

"British culture doesn't simply fade away over time, especially when she didn't attend a proper British school. She went to a religious school, for God's sake. Can't you see she even has an extra tea flask?" Suri states to my soon-to-be stepsister.

"I know, right? If anything, it seems to be increasing," Lilith responds.

Wow, they must be joking.

I intentionally clear my throat and say, "Do you realize I'm still here?"

"Ava, stop being difficult. This is a tradition. It happens every year. It's Brandon's thing, and almost every kid in Vegas attends," Lilith explains.

"Well, count me out as one of those Vegas kids then," I fire back.

"Either way, you're getting a kitty outfit, and you're going to the party," Lilith states as if it's a final decision.

"Oh, really, Mom?" I sarcastically question her. "Make me then," I hiss and stride back to the kitchen to place my mug down.

"He's not picking up," Christian tells Mom. "Where did he put his phone?"

"He's at practice though. Maybe I should just drive to the nearest grocery shop," Mom politely offers, her hand rubbing back and forth against her fiancé's forearm.

"It would have been easy if he had just stopped by and picked it up," Christian grumbles in annoyance.

Realizing they're talking about Leigh, I quickly come up with something I hadn't considered a moment ago. "I'm going for a walk. Maybe I can stop by the gym and let him know what you need?" I politely offer, waiting for their response.

"Going for a walk in the evening?" Mom says, surprised, as it's not my usual routine.

"Yes. I need some fresh air," I say, only half-truthful. The real reason is that I want to stay away from the two girls in the living room, but the overwhelming desire to see Leigh is the main truth.

"Are you sure?" Mom doesn't seem entirely okay with the idea. "Don't you want to hang out with the girls?" she adds.

"Yes, Mom, it's not like there's a murderer lurking in the neighborhood," I chuckle.

"Ava," she firmly calls me out.

Laughing, I raise my hands in defense. "I'm sorry. I just want to take a stroll," I say and start heading towards the door when Mom and Christian both call my name simultaneously, causing me to stop in my tracks. "You didn't get the list," Mom says, looking at me with slight confusion.

Damn, am I that eager to see my soon-to-be stepbrother?

I brush it off with a smile and step back to the countertop, where I lean and attentively let their words sink into my memory.

"White peppercorn, baked beans, cabbage, and mayonnaise... or should I write it down for you?" Christian suggests.

Am I five years old?

I shake my head, proving him wrong. "No, I don't forget things. White peppercorn, cabbage, mayonnaise, and baked beans."

"Exactly," Mom confirms with a smile.

Furrowing my brows, I ask the couple, "But it seems like half of the food you're cooking is missing." I almost burst into laughter.

"Yes, that's why I need you to hurry," Mom firmly reminds me.

"Okay, you can count on me," I salute before making my way to my bedroom to change into an orange sleeveless dress and put on my trainers. My phone is useless, as it has been dead since I was at Evie's, so I plug it in and set off on my mission.