N O

S U C H    T H I N G

____________________

It's Sunday morning and I'm enjoying a nice breakfast with my mom. Of course, that means only eggs with toast. It's nice to us, okay?

Friday night's golf adventure, proved to be kind of a success. Lena and I won the bet by a long shot, and Ian kept annoying Percy by calling him "P".

I witnessed Ian kiss my best friend at one point in the night, and I wanted to squeal with delight for her. I know she's wanted that to happen for a very long time now. I hope that Ian feels the same, and this isn't just a one-time thing.

After Percy and I left the golfing course, he drove me home. I wish I could tell you that we ended the night with a magical kiss that pushed me to fall head over heels for the guy, but I would be lying.

The truth is he tried to kiss me again while dropping me off at home, but as I did earlier in the night, I moved my face. He ended up kissing my cheek again and when he asked me why I wouldn't let him kiss me, I told him that we were just friends.

He seemed shocked by my statement, but he tried to make it seem as though it didn't affect him. I wanted to tell him I think he's great, and maybe one day I could possibly have feelings for him, but I would just be lying again.

I made a vow to myself, and I'm keeping that vow. I will not let myself fall hopelessly in love with a boy, only to have everything crash and burn when he ends up being a tool.

I don't want to be that pathetic girl, wondering why I wasn't good enough. I've already felt that enough over the years and I will not let another person make me feel that way.

"Sweetie, you done with your plate?" My mom suddenly asks, pulling me out of my never-ending thoughts.

"Oh, yeah. Here." I hand my empty plate over to her and she places everything in the sink.

"You alright?" She asks.

"Yeah, just thinking." I shrug.

"Oh no, that can't be good." She smirks. "What's up?"

She gestures for me to follow her into the living room, so I do. We both sit on the couch and I let an audible sigh escape my lips.

"It's Percy." I begin.

"Percy? I thought you were all about James?" My mom raises an eyebrow. I send her a glare before pushing a piece of hair behind my ear.

"I'm not all about anyone, that's the thing. Percy tried kissing me twice last night, and each time I moved my face causing him to kiss my cheek instead. I feel bad, but I just don't have those special feelings for Percy. I only want to be friends with him." I explain while my mom contently listens.

"Is there someone else you have said, special feelings for?" My mom smiles wickedly, and I try not to roll my eyes.

"I don't have special feelings toward anyone." I lean back against the couch and cross my arms over my chest.

"Hm, okay."

"What was that weird voice for?" I lean forward a bit.

"Oh nothing." My mom looks away from me.

"You're lying. What are you thinking? Come on, out with it." I urge as she smiles up at me.

"Come on Sky, you need to stop pretending that you don't get goosebumps whenever you're around him."

"I do not." I state. I don't need to ask who the 'him' is that she's referring to, because I already know.

"The more you keep denying it, the worse it's gonna get." My mom shrugs while standing up. "Just keep that in mind." She pats my head like a dog, and heads upstairs to shower.

I absent-mindedly reach up to smooth down my hair, and then I pull my phone from my pocket.

I'm not sure what possessed me to do this, but I pull up James' number and send him a text.

Me: Hey, are you doing anything today?

A few minutes go by, and I think he isn't going to respond so I place my phone on the coffee table and grab the TV remote. I scroll through some channels before picking MTV. Why not, right?

After about twenty minutes into a re-run of Jersey Shore, I realize that James isn't going to respond. I feel my eyelids become heavy, so I eventually give in and fall asleep.

Lazy Sunday, it is.

_______

When I finally open my tired eyes, I look around to see that it's just starting to get dark outside. My eyes widen and I grab my phone from the coffee table to check the time.

While I see that it's almost seven o'clock in the evening, I also see the mass amounts of text messages I've been getting from both Lena and Abby.

I can't believe I almost slept through the entire day. I feel like such a loner.

I open some of the messages and my heart immediately begins to race.

Lena: Are you dead? Where are you? If you're sleeping... WAKE UP!

Abby: Dude, you need to come back to life. Shit has hit the fan.

Lena: I don't want to alarm you... but I spoke with Ian and James is not a happy camper. WHY ARE YOU IGNORING US!?

Abby: Okay, I've come to the conclusion that you've been abducted by aliens. Well, it was nice knowing ya. Can I have that one top you never wear anymore?

Lena: SKYLAR WAKE THE HELL UP OR SO HELP ME...

I roll my eyes at their ridiculous text messages, and then I dial Lena's number.

"Well, look who decided to return from the dead!" Lena states as soon as she answers the phone. I hear Abby in the background saying, "Crap, I really wanted that top..."

"What the hell is so important that you had to blow my phone up?" I asked, feeling very impatient.

"Oh, right! James is very upset with you." Lena says causally, as if it's no big deal.

"Would you care to elaborate?" I ask in an annoyed voice.

"Well, it makes sense. Dude is practically in love with you, and come to find out you slept with Percy Friday night after you left the golfing course. Which by the way, we're mad at you too for not giving us any kind of deets or telling us how it felt to lose your V-card." Lena states in a duh tone, as if all of this is not news to me.

My eyes widen as my cheeks redden.

"What!"

"Yeah Sky, how dare you keep vital information from your best friends." Abby comments as I try to regain composure.

"But I didn't-", I'm instantly cut off by Lena.

"Doesn't matter, everyone is already talking about it. Ya know, I always thought you would've picked James over Percy, but I guess as long as you're happy we're cool with it. See you at school tomorrow!"

Before I can even respond, Lena hangs up. After a few minutes, I realize I'm standing in the middle of the living room like an idiot. All of a sudden, a wave of rage washes over me at the thought of Percy telling everyone we slept together. Who does he think he is?

As the rage intensifies, I'm also left feeling a little sad for James. I find myself wishing I could tell him that it never happened. I don't want him being upset with me. I don't want him thinking so little of me.

Wait, why do I care? It's not like I have feelings for him.

Before I know what's happening, I'm grabbing my keys and heading out of the front door.

_______

| James' POV |

I can't believe I wasted so much time and effort trying to gain Skylar's attention, when all the while she's been giving it to Percy. Percy of all people. I never liked him, and now I really hate him.

"Well, at least you can finally try to move on. I mean, you're James Ryan. You can have any girl that you want." Ian comments as he tosses a handful of popcorn in his mouth.

We're just hanging out in my living room watching Hulu.

No, I can't have any girl that I want – She wants someone else.

"I don't even care, really. Skylar can screw anyone she wants. I just never pegged her for the easy type." I shrug, though I'm lying through my teeth. It actually hurts, quite a bit.

Ian glances at me, but then brings his attention right back to the TV.

"Hey guys, pizza for dinner?" My mom shouts from the kitchen.

"Yes!" Ian shouts.

"That's cool ma!" I shout.

"By the way son, you shouldn't believe everything you hear." My mom says while walking out of the kitchen and into the living room. She takes a seat on the singular recliner and props her feet up.

"What do you mean?" I raise an eyebrow.

"What I mean is... I remember what high school was like. Kids will throw around any rumor they want and others will be so quick to believe what they hear and pass judgments. I'm just saying, maybe you should talk to Skylar first before you make any assumptions or question her character." My mom explains, and it does make sense. Kids these days are ruthless when it comes to gossip. They will spread whatever lies and scandals they want, not caring at all who they hurt.

"Mom is wise dude." Ian states.

"Indeed she is. Now hush up so I can order dinner." My mom smirks while picking up her cell phone to call the pizza joint.

Ian and I are halfway through our movie when there's a knock at the door.

"Man, they deserve a big tip for that fast delivery." Ian comments while jumping up to pay the pizza guy.

Ian walks over and pulls the door open, and at the same exact time, a big grin appears on his face.

"SKYLAR!" He shouts, and I almost jump up in surprise.

What is she doing here?

Skylar smiles and Ian pulls her in for a hug.

"Thank God you're here; I was going to have to break out the karaoke just to make James smile." Ian states and I send him a glare from the couch.

Ian steps aside so Skylar can walk inside. Ian shuts the door and Skylar turns to me.

"Can we uh, talk?" She looks distressed, and I hope she isn't here to tell me herself that what happened with Percy is in fact, true.

"Sure, follow me." I get up and begin to walk towards the stairs.

"Keep that bedroom door open, son!" My mom shouts from the kitchen.

I roll my eyes. "Sure thing ma."

Skylar and I reach my bedroom so I open the door and we both walk inside. I shut the door only halfway, and then walk over to sit on my bed. Skylar takes a seat at my computer chair and swirls around to face me.

"So." She begins.

"So." I repeat, giving her a pointed look.

"I know what you must have heard." She looks down at her feet.

Great, she looks sad. It must be true then.

"Well, there was a blast text that went out to everyone so... Yes I have." I say almost too calmly.

She looks up at me in surprise. "A blast text? Great..." She mumbles with a frown.

"Listen, Sky, it's alright. You're not the first girl to open your legs on the first date. Own it." I immediately want to smack myself in the face for how harsh that came out.

Skylar's frown deepens, and I notice her begin to fidget with her fingers.

"Is... is that what you think of me?" She looks up and the pain in her eyes creates a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"I mean, why would Percy say you slept with him, if it wasn't true?" I ask, my voice coming out a little softer now.

Skylar shakes her head to herself for a second, before abruptly standing up.

"You know what? If that's what you think, then we don't need to continue this conversation. Goodbye James." Her tone is harsh and she immediately begins walking toward my bedroom door.

I'm a little closer to the door since I am on my bed, so I jump up and block the door so she can't walk out.

"Wait a second. It isn't true?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Of course not! Why would I sleep with Percy? Besides... it wasn't even a date, Percy and I are just friends. I made that very clear when he tried to kiss me twice and I rejected him. Maybe that's why he came up with the lie." Skylar looks so mad, her face is turning a little red and it's honestly super adorable.

I find myself smirking.

"Why are you looking at me like that? This is serious!" She huffs while stepping away from the door.

"You're cute when you're mad Sky." I say with a smile.

"I uh, thank you... wait, stop trying to change the subject!" She points a finger at me. "Why were you so quick to believe the worst of me?" She gives me a pointed look, and I can't help but want to close the space between us.

When I don't answer right away, she crosses her arms over her chest and tries to walk towards my bedroom door again.

"Just move so I can leave." She sighs.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes, James."

"No Skylar."

"Oh for fuck sake... move!" She reaches out and tries pushing me but I'm too fast for her as I grab her hands and hold them behind her back. I take a step forward and our chests are almost touching.

"I'm sorry for believing the rumor. It just kind of caught me off guard. Percy even mentioned he was going to try to sleep with you Friday at school during lunch. I didn't want to tell you, because I didn't want you to think I was just trying to sabotage your night." I explain with our chests still an inch away from each other.

"We've known each other practically our whole lives, James. You should've just known it was a lie to begin with." Skylar says in a soft voice, looking down at her feet.

"I'm sorry Sky." I say even softer, looking at her frowning face.

She looks up at me, and this would be the perfect moment to kiss her, but I don't.

I don't want to be just another guy trying to make a 'move'. I don't want her to think that this is all I want from her. I want our first kiss to be special, if it's to ever happen at all. Although, Skylar has made it pretty clear she isn't looking to be in a relationship.

However, I already know I'm going to try to change that.

I let go of her arms and slowly step back. "Do you forgive me?" I ask.

Skylar looks almost disappointed that I let go of her, but she quickly composes herself as she crosses her arms over her chest again.

"I'll think about it."

I roll my eyes at her answer, but I don't miss the small smirk that appears on her face.

"See you tomorrow?" I smile.

"See you tomorrow." She nods while I step aside so she can leave.

As soon as we swing the door open all the way, we don't miss Ian's surprised expression as he tries to pretend he wasn't eavesdropping.

"Wow, look at this wall. So clean. Your mom really has a way with a Swiffer, James." Ian reaches out and touches the wall, as Skylar rolls her eyes.

"Goodbye Ian." She sighs while heading for the stairs.

"Bye Skylar! By the way, I never believed it for a second!" Ian gives her thumbs up and Skylar just shakes her head with a smile before going down the stairs and leaving.

"So, why didn't you kiss her?" Ian suddenly asks, and I swat him on the back of the head as I pass him and head down stairs myself.

"Um, ow. What was that for?" Ian whines as he follows me.

Once we're both downstairs, there's another knock on the door.

"Hey, maybe she came back for that kiss." Ian wiggles his eyebrows at me and I pick up a pillow from the couch and throw it at his face.

I walk over to the front door and pull it open, a smile already on my face as I prepare to see Skylar's again.

"That'll be $22.50." The old, weird smelling pizza guy says in a monotone voice.

I hand him the money and take the pizza. I shut the front door and turn around to face Ian.

"I mean, he wasn't completely appalling." Ian shrugs.

"Shut the hell up." I sigh while he follows me into the kitchen and we eat dinner with my mom.

If I am going to kiss anyone... It will be Skylar.