Standing by his bedroom door in my purple shorts and cropped hoodie, I inquire, "What are you writing?"

Leigh lies on the bed on his stomach, shirtless, with a pen between his lips. His untidy bedroom hair completes the captivating look.

He turns towards me, a smile playing on his lips as his eyes sweep over me before he responds, "Homework."

"Can I join?" I shrug, trying to conceal my excitement.

I hope he agrees, as I'm feeling bored at the moment.

"Of course, but only if we're actually doing homework," he clarifies.

My delight at his response is evident, and I promptly join him on the bed, lying beside him with my head resting on his shoulder.

"What's the assignment?" I ask, intrigued.

That's when he decides to close the notebook and set it aside. "Do you really think I'll just lie here with you and do nothing but homework? No way. Especially when you're wearing those sexy shorts," he says, biting his lip, before playfully spinning me around and hovering over me.

"Leigh," I call out as his fingers start tickling me.

"What? Until you apologize," he suggests.

"But I didn't do anything," I continue to scream with laughter, unable to withstand the sensation of Leigh's fingers on my skin.

"Fine with me, we'll keep going until someone walks through that door," Leigh insists.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry," I vocalize, my eyes moist from the intensity of the laughter.

Leigh suspends his attack and nibbles my smiling lip between his. He smells divine, and I find myself pulling his muscular back closer to me as our lips move together. I don't think I'll ever get enough of his taste; even when I have him, I still yearn for more.

Leigh lies on his back, pulling me along with him, my head resting on his chest and my fingers slowly tracing his perfect torso.

"Tell me about your day," he asks, gently caressing my hair.

"After the first two boring periods, when you showed up with my tea and brightened my morning, then the janitor's encounter, and our usual lunch where you didn't let me finish your 'quote of the day.' Then our ride back here. Oh, and the person who was behind me in PE is now ahead of me again, so I'm last. I can't even begin to tell your dad. He was so proud of me last week," I giggle.

"I could teach you how to swim, you know?" he suggests.

"Where?" I inquire.

"We have a pool in this house, or maybe at the leisure centre," he suggests.

"It's too risky; someone might catch us," I tell him.

"What's wrong with people seeing us swimming? I'm teaching my baby sister how to swim," Leigh shoots me a mischievous grin.

His words jolt me, and I immediately sit up, reminding him, "I'm not your sister, you know, right?" The grin on his face is swiftly replaced with a pensive sadness.

"I know, Ava," he murmurs.

Without a word, I swallow and lean back against his shoulder. There's a silence between us, not tense but not comforting either, the kind of silence where only our breaths are audible.

"What are you thinking about?" his deep voice emerges after a while.

"Nothing. I was just contemplating the sudden quietness," I honestly articulate.

He doesn't respond further, so in a low tone, I say, "You didn't tell me about your day."

"Honestly?" he asks.

"Yes, honestly," I smile and nod slightly.

"It wasn't particularly enjoyable. Let's not say it was bad because you were around. Every time I hold you in my arms, it feels like everything will be alright. And now, lying here, I feel at ease, knowing I'm home, where I belong," his lips slowly shift into a small smile.

"What happened?" I utter with concern.

"Not important," he exhales and tilts his head to find me. "What would you do this weekend if you could do anything you wanted?"

If he thinks he can change the subject so easily, he's wrong. "Leigh, what happened?" I ask again.

"Nothing. Answer me," he insists.

"I'm not talking about myself unless you tell me what happened," I pull away from him and sit up, awaiting an explanation.

He frowns and looks away. "Even if I tell you, you won't understand. You might end up leaving me."

What?

"Why would I leave you? Did you cheat on me?" I ask, taken aback, and he immediately turns his eyes back to me.

His forehead creases as he begins, "I would never do that to you, at least not knowingly." His voice is sincere and reassuring.

"Then what is it?" I straddle his waist as I gaze directly into his sorrowful eyes.

"Promise me you won't be disgusted?" His eyes plead.

I have no choice but to agree. I hope I can keep my promise. "I promise."

"I failed my test... well, actually, the teacher failed me."

With furrowed brows, I respond, "Is that it? You can never disgust me just because you failed a test, Leigh."

"I know, but the test means a lot to the team. There's a game next week before Halloween, and the team needs me," he sadly informs me as his fingers tenderly trace circles on my thighs.

"Shouldn't there be a makeup test or something?" I suggest.

He smiles at me and opens his arms. "Come here."

I instinctively lean into his arms and rest my head on his chest. "Tell me what you would love to do this weekend," he changes the subject.

Knowing he's deliberately avoiding the discussion, I let it go this time because no matter how much I press, he won't open up. "Sawyer will be coming this Saturday," I say in his arms. Yet, the restless anxiety starts gnawing at me, and worry immediately occupies my mind.

What if everything changes? What if everything we have right now crumbles and disappears when Sawyer arrives?

What will happen if Sawyer truly wants Leigh? What will I do? Will Leigh even want me then? She possesses all the perfect features of a British girl. And what's more troubling is that I know Sawyer well, and I know she always gets what she wants.

Deep in thought, carefully processing everything, I don't notice Leigh speaking to me until his fingers cup my chin and lift my head to gauge my expression. Worried, his features overlay with concern. "Why are you quiet?"

"Nothing," I lie.

"Don't lie to me," he frowns.

I sigh sadly and look down at his beautiful neck. "Will you ever choose someone over me if you happen to live in the same house?"

I know I sound immature and ridiculous, but I need reassurance. It has been bothering me for a while now, knowing that my cousin is moving here for three months, and she has her eyes on my soon-to-be stepbrother, who I desperately want all to myself.

"Ava, even if you had an identical twin sister who dressed the same and had a soul identical to yours, I know I would still choose you. It's you or no one," he says firmly.

I attempt to force a smile, but it turns out rather dismal, so I swallow and keep my gaze lowered. "You don't want Sawyer to come, do you?" He cocks his head at me, a glimmer of suspicion yet teasing playfulness in his eyes.

"No," I lie.

Leigh's enticing smile appears as he lifts himself slightly to meet my lips; the kiss is brief but profound. "I don't see anyone but you, and I think we'll need to find a new place to hang out since she'll always be here after school closes," he suggests.

In that instant, my mood brightens, and I wear a comforting smile. "Here's your quote of the day." I softly kiss his appealing lips. "From 'The White Company'," I add.

"Okay, give it to me," his lips curve upward.

"You are my heart, my life, my one and only thought," I blush, and his infectious grin prompts me to giggle.

Leigh bites his rosy lip slowly and seductively, then he explains, "I'm not good with quotes since I don't read books, but here's one my mom often says to me."

Curiously, I inquire, "What is it?"

"Close your eyes first," he instructs, nibbling his bottom lip that I yearn for. With a smile spreading across my face, I don't protest—I oblige. I know he's less than an inch away from me, as I feel his breath warming my skin when he says, "You are sunlight through a window, which I stand in, warmed. My darling."