N O

S U C H    T H I N G

____________________

As you might've guessed, I did absolutely nothing on Sunday.

Don't judge. Sunday's are supposed to be lazy.

When Monday morning came around, I was just about to get inside of my car when the familiar black Ford came rumbling down the street. James parked beside the curb and rolled his window down.

"Nope, you're with me today." He smirks, and I roll my eyes as I walk down the driveway and get into his truck.

"Oh, am I?" I raise a brow once I've buckled myself in.

"Of course." He replies while pulling away from the curb. As he's driving toward school, I take note that Ian isn't in the backseat.

"Where's doofus?" I ask.

"He decided to walk over to Lena's and walk with her and Abby to school." He shrugs.

"How kind of him." I mumble while leaning back and looking out of the window.

Of course, the one day that I need Ian as a buffer, he decides to walk to school with his girlfriend.

"Are you okay this morning?" He quietly asks while glancing over toward me.

"Man you're pushy. Can't a girl be nervous and do so without being asked twenty questions before school has even started? It's too early for your shenanigans James. All I wanted to do was use Ian as a buffer, so that I wouldn't have to tell you that I talked to my dad and everything is surprisingly going okay, so that I could discreetly let you know that I was okay with the whole kissing thing. But no, you want to interrogate me and make me ramble like an idiot, all because you let Ian walk to school with Lena this morning." I huff.

I have no idea what just came over me, or why I rambled endlessly to James who just sat there and listened, but some of it felt good.

"Uh, sorry?" He furrowed his brows as he pulled into the school parking lot.

"Yeah, you should be." I cross my arms over my chest as James pulls into his parking spot.

"Wait, so did I catch all of that right? You talked to your dad and everything went okay, so we can kiss now?" He smirks over to me after we both get out of the truck and start walking toward the picnic tables.

"Something to that effect." I shrug. "Is that alright with you?" I look over and into his eyes, taking note of the smile stretched across his face.

"Definitely." He nods, and I can't help but blush while looking ahead to Lena, Abby and Ian.

Before we actually make it to the picnic table, James takes my hand in his, and I can't help but notice the summersaults taking place inside of my stomach.

Once we reach the table, we sit down beside each other and James pulls me into his side. He places a soft kiss on the top of my head and for a split second, I forget that we aren't the only two sitting at this table.

"Ahem." Ian clears his throat playfully.

"May I help you?" James asks while looking over to Ian.

"Is this going to be a regular thing now?" Ian smirks.

"So what if it is?" James defends. "Got a problem with it?"

"No, absolutely not. By all means, kiss away." Ian hums with a smile as he pulls Lena into his side.

"Ian, leave them alone. They're in love." Lena teases, and my eyes widen.

"Uh, I need to go to my locker for something. Catch you guys later." I wave sheepishly while abruptly standing up. James' arm falls from my shoulders and he's quick to stand up as well.

"Want me to come with you?" He raises a brow.

"Actually no, I think I can manage. See you in first." I wave, but discreetly motion my eyes to Lena and Abby, requesting them to follow me.

"Uh, babe, we'll see you at lunch okay?" Lena smiles while placing a kiss against Ian's cheek. She stands up and grabs Abby by the arm, causing her to spill some of her cereal.

"You're going to pay for that." She mumbles while following along.

Before we actually make it inside, I hear Ian say, "I hope that's not something they do often", and then I hear James add, "Get used to it, they're girls".

"So what's up? You cost me half a container of fruit loops." Abby glares while pointing a finger at me. We are standing at my locker now, and I open it up before taking out my notebook and some pencils.

"I think James thinks we're actually a couple." I say.

"And?" Lena eyes me.

"And, I just don't know how to react or what to say." I sigh.

"Girl, get out there and walk your man into school. Who cares what anyone else thinks or says? If he makes you happy, and you want to be with him, then just be with him and be happy." Abby says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Look, Sky, I know you're scared. You have every right to be. There has never been a reason in life for you to trust any man, but I genuinely think James is a good guy, and I wouldn't be pushing for this if I didn't think so. You need to try to trust someone other than your mom and us." She gestures between her and Abby. "Stop setting yourself short based on fear."

"Since when did you become an inspirational speaker?" I grin, trying my best not to laugh at her serious expression.

"Don't hate on my wisdom." Lena crosses her arms over her chest.

I take a deep breath and decide to leap.

"Fine, I'll see you guys at lunch." I say before heading toward the school doors. I walk outside and find James talking to Ian and two other guys that I've never met before.

I walk over and when I reach for James' hand, he wraps his arm around my shoulders instead, pulling me into his side.

"Ron, Derek, this is Skylar." James smiles. Both boys give me a smile and a nod.

"Sky, this is Ron and Derek."

"Uh yeah, I got that." I chuckle, which causes the two boys to laugh as well.

"Is she your girl James?" Derek asks while motioning toward James' arm gently placed around me.

I don't even realize I'm holding my breath until James says, "Sure is", and after hearing that I let my breath out slowly.

Wait, we're at school. Technically, we are already supposed to be fake dating. He probably only said that because he had to in order to keep the façade going.

I'm an idiot.

"We actually made it one-hundred percent official last night." He smirks and looks down at me. I raise an eyebrow at him, but his smirk turns into a genuine smile and my eyes widen once I realize what he means.

"Cool, well we'll see you later." Both boys wave before walking away, and that's when Ian begins to speak.

"Official, official?" He smirks.

"Are you alright with that?" James asks and Ian is all smiles.

"Absolutely."

"Great, now go away so I can walk my girl to class." James casually pulls me away from Ian and we begin walking side the building.

"Well, it's nice to know you made us official." I suddenly say, though there's a playfulness to my tone.

"I figured you wouldn't have a problem with it. After all, your lips were practically screaming for me." He shrugs and I gape at him.

I shrug his arm from my shoulders and attempt to walk away from him.

He suddenly grabs me by the arm and yanks me backward into his solid chest. I completely freeze as he places one hand against my cheek, and uses the other to pull my body against his as his lips meet mine.

The kiss only lasts seconds, but in that short amount of time, everything else completely vanished.

I almost forgot we were in school, had it not of been for the bell ringing and scaring me half to death.

"Crap, we need to go or we'll be late." I scramble to pull my bag over my shoulders but James doesn't try to move as quickly.

"Hello? Earth to James?" I wave my hand in front of his face.

"Sorry, that was just an amazing kiss." His deep voice causes my insides to flip, but I can't stand here and dreamily look at my boyfriend, or we will both be late for first period.

Naturally, I turn around and walk away from him, leaving him alone in the hallway. He rushes after me and we both barely make it inside the classroom before the last bell rings.

"Cutting it close you two." Mr. Briggs says while James and I take our seats in the back.

"Sorry Sir." I say, not missing the smirk resting on Ian's face as I sit down.

"Make out session in the hallway? Skylar, you animal." Ian fake gasps, causing my cheeks to turn red.

"Shut up." I mumble.

James laughs at my expense, so I place my bag on the floor beside me and lay my head down onto my arms.

This is going to be a very long day.

_______

| James' POV |

"James, can we talk?"

"Go away Avery."

I hear her let out a sigh before repositioning the books in her hands.

"We used to be friends, you know. Even before we dated. Why can't we still be friends?"

I wanted to gape at this girl for her ignorance.

"Hm, let's see. Oh yeah, because you are immature and think that everyone should be groveling at your feet. Let's also not forget everything that you've done to Skylar."

"Oh come on. They were harmless pranks. Don't stand there and pretend to be some saint when you've done your fair share of immature acts in regards to Skylar." She raises a brow at me, and I try to look anywhere but her face.

"The difference Avery is that I grew up. I moved on. I knew when enough was enough, a concept that you just can't seem to grasp."

I finally look at her, and her eyes are sad. She almost looks vulnerable.

"I just miss you." She finally says, only loud enough for the two of us to hear.

"And I'm sorry that I don't feel the same." I say before turning around and walking away.

Once I'm inside of the cafeteria, I quickly run through the lunch line and then head over to our table. I love that we all sit together now; it feels like our group is finally at peace.

"James, finally! I can't listen to girl talk for another minute!" Ian sighs once I sit down beside Skylar. She leans over and gives me a side-hug before returning to her pepperoni pizza.

"Relax, Ian. We aren't gossiping anymore." Lena sighs while stealing one of his French fries.

"Thank God." He mumbles while discreetly sliding his tray a little further away from Lena.

"It seems as though you two are the talk of the school." Abby smirks in our direction.

"Yeah, and tomorrow someone else will be the talk of the school. Who cares?" I say, and Abby gives me a pointed look.

"Sorry." I sarcastically smile.

"Hey, are you alright?" Skylar softly nudges me with her shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I fake a smile. If Skylar knew it was fake, she didn't let on.

"So, we were all thinking about going to Blake's party tonight." Abby casually says.

"Literally none of us have ever mentioned that." Lena deadpans.

"Who has a party on a Monday night?" Skylar asks.

"Blake." Ian sighs. "He thinks weekend parties are too cliché."

"So instead of being cliché, he wants to have everyone drunk on a school night so they can come back to school tomorrow with a hangover?" Lena asks with a shake of her head. "Moron."

"Oh come on you babies, it'll be fun! We can officially broadcast the debut of each of your relationships." She smirks. "Plus, nobody said you had to drink."

I really wasn't in the mood to go to a party tonight.

"You guys can party without me." I say and Skylar turns to face me.

"Why would I go without you?" She asks and I just shrug.

"So I guess we're both out." Skylar says to Abby who shoots us a glare.

"Fine, what about you two?" She turns toward Ian and Lena.

Lena gives Ian a look that says she would rather not go, but Ian must have ignored it because he turns to Abby and gives her thumbs up.

Lena rolls her eyes but eventually accepts it.

"You can go to the party if you want. I don't mind." I say to Skylar.

She gives me a look, as if she's trying to read my mind, and then stands up.

"Come with me."

"Why?" I look up at her.

"Just come with me." She says again, this time grabbing her bag and heading for the exit.

"Uh oh, someone's in trouble." Ian snickers from beside Lena.

"Shut up." I sigh before grabbing my bag and following Skylar out of the cafeteria.

Once we're alone and in the hallway, she turns to me.

"What's going on? Your mood is completely different than it was this morning." She asks, and crosses her arms over her chest.

"Nothing is wrong." I lie.

"Liar."

"I just don't want to go to this party tonight because I know who will be there." I sigh.

"Who?"

"Percy and Avery. They always show up at Blake's parties." I say and her eyes soften.

"Oh."

"Yeah. I don't need to run into Avery again anyway." I casually say, but then realize what I did say.

"Again?" Skylar raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah, she stopped me before lunch and tried talking to me. She told me she misses me and wants to be friends." I explained.

"Oh. What did you say to her?" She asks, and I notice the accusing tone to her voice.

"I told her I didn't feel the same."

"Good." She says with finality in her voice.

"But what if I did want to be friends with her?" I decided to test the waters. Maybe I was just looking for an argument.

"Why would you want to be?" Her tone is more edgy now.

I shake my head. "I don't want to be. I'm sorry. Avery just knows how to put me in a sour mood." I admit.

"Okay, well just tell me that next time, instead of trying to start an argument." She says more soft now.

"If you want to go to Blake's party, we can. I promise I'll be in a better mood." I give her a small smile and take a step towards her.

"I don't feel like going to that party either. Can we maybe just hangout?" She looks hopeful, and it's honestly the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Before I can respond, the bell rings signaling the end of lunch.

"Of course. I'll meet you outside after school babe." I smile warmly and pull her in for a hug. I reach down and kiss her cheek softly, before pulling away and heading in the opposite direction.

"See you later!" She shouts as I continue walk.

"Yes you will!" I shout back, as I turn my head and give her another smile.

Yes you will.