I walked as fast as I could.

"You can't outrun me."

"Who said I'm trying to outrun you? Pft, that's just silly talk."

Right after I said the last word, I ran.

Anders burst out laughing. "I'll catch you later, Buckley!"

I entered the ladies room and breathed a sigh of relief. Why couldn't he just leave me alone? He was doing it just fine before.

I jumped when Sunshine walked inside, glancing out before looking at me with a curious expression. Geez, it was like everybody was out for me.

"Why are you hiding from Anders?" she asked.

I bit my bottom lip, before confessing, "We ran into Kobe yesterday."

Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. "Holy crap."

I nodded in total agreement. "Holy crap times ten hundred gazillion planets. Now Anders is asking what's my deal with Kobe 'cause I was way too awkward with him." I stopped myself from pulling my hair and settled for rubbing my face instead. "Ugh, this sucks! Kobe was supposed to be away for that leadership camp thing!"

He wasn't supposed to be back for at least another two weeks!

"He's obviously not there anymore, girl," Sunshine said, hopping on the counter. "Come on, what did he say?"

I stared at her, eyeing her clothes. "Aren't you gonna be late for your yoga class?"

"This is more important than finding my inner peace. Now spill."

I hung my head. "Kobe invited us to a beach party at Cali's Point on Friday."

She clapped excitedly. "Ooh, are you gonna go? Damn, I wish I could go so I can slap some sense into him."

"Thanks, Sunnie." I gave her a small smile, before I crossed my arms and leaned my back on the counter beside her. "I'm still thinking about it. His friends and I... don't really click."

"This is what happens when you're best friends with Mr. Popular."

"He's not even that popular. He's just the student body president."

We were the exact opposites in that aspect. He thrived when he was surrounded by people, while I preferred to be alone. It didn't stop us from being friends, but it sure did complicate our high school social life a bit.

"Exactly," Sunshine said. "Which means everybody likes him, which means there are no boundaries, which means he's friends with everyone in your school."

She made a good point.

I looked at her. "I wish we went to the same school."

She attended the only private school in town. There was no chance of us meeting if she wasn't admitted here this summer.

"Me, too," she breathed out. "But everything happens for a reason. I mean, come on—I arrived in your life with the most perfect timing, didn't I?"

I started to smile. "You did."

"Maybe... I'm not the only one."

I looked at her questioningly.

She jumped off the counter, turned around to face me, and patted my shoulder, before whispering, "You met Anders, too."

I averted my gaze.

"You already let him see your goofy side," she added, shrugging. "Why not let him in a little more?"

I stayed quiet.

Again, she made a good point. But Anders Ferguson was a totally different story. Sure, we talked about some pretty deep stuff already. But we were drunk. I wasn't sure if I could open up to him sober.

"Think about it."

"He's only here for the summer. When he goes back to the city, this will all just be a memory. So what's the point?" Oh my God, I sounded just like him.

Sunshine snorted. "Girl, I'm not telling you to marry him. I'm just saying, it won't hurt to have another friend."

I didn't reply, knowing she was right.

"Okay, I need to go to class before they send a search party for me." She headed to the door, but then stopped and looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "You need to stop hiding here, too. It's not sanitary."

I let out a small laugh and followed her out.

"Later!" she called after me, as she ran away.

I watched her strut down the hallway, feeling grateful that I met someone like her here. It was unexpected, but it was also like fate. It was just one of those little things.

Was it also the same with Anders?

With a deep sigh, I headed to the staff room. I was greeted by a frantic Grace the second I stepped foot inside.

"Meadow! There you are, dear!"

I looked around the room and spotted Anders playing on his phone. If he noticed that I was here, he didn't let on.

"I need someone to do a grocery run," Grace explained. "I'm gonna host a baking class in the afternoon, see. I'd go out and do it myself but I have one-on-one sessions set up in the next few hours."

I nodded. "I'll do it."

"Bless you, child," she said, looking relieved. It wasn't like I'd say no. "Here's the list. Charge it on this." She handed me a paper and credit card.

While I scanned the contents on the list, someone else spoke up.

"I'll drive her."

I looked up at Anders, who was now on his feet and ready to go. I frowned, seeing through him. I bet he thought he'd have me cornered if he went with me.

"Well!" Grace beamed. "That's very kind of you, Anders."

He gave out his ever ready charming smile at her, the one he used whenever he wanted to be polite. "Happy to help."

"Be back soon," I told Grace, before quickly leaving the room.

Anders easily caught up to me. I waited for him to say something but he didn't, which only made me more cautious. We walked out of the center and headed to his car in the parking lot. He skipped ahead and opened the passenger's door for me.

Keeping my head down and my lips sealed, I climbed in. I looked at the list on my hand again, just for something to do. But from my peripheral, I was watching him. He settled in the driver's seat, revved the engine, and pulled out of the gravel parking lot.

We drove in silence.

My eyes wandered up towards the blue sky, the sound of wind blowing and leaves rustling filled my ears as we passed by trees. Not being able to help myself, I raised my free hand and felt the wind between my fingers. The warm morning sun hit my face and I closed my eyes, committing this moment to memory.

I had never felt more free.

When I opened my eyes again, I glanced at Anders.

His right hand was on the steering wheel, his left elbow rested on the window sill while his fingers were touching his lips, and there was a small smile there.

Staring at him this close, I was only now noticing how he had freckles on his face. It made him look boyish. It was kinda cute.

'Why not let him in a little more?'

Sunshine's words echoed in my head. I knew she was right, but that didn't mean I wasn't totally nervous about it. I had liquid courage the last time I shared a private deet about my life with Anders. Where should I even start now?

Just do it, Meadow.

Get it over with.

Out with it!

"Kobe's my best friend," I blurted out.

Anders briefly glanced at me, before removing his fingers on his lips and bringing his eyes back on the road.

"But... he was more than that... for me. So... I confessed my feelings to him at the beginning of the summer." I paused and looked down on my lap with a sad smile on my face. "He rejected me."

To be fair, he was beyond cool about it. It was my awkward and mortified self that had a problem with it and just wanted to crawl under a rock and live there forever.

Anders stayed quiet. He only listened, which gave me courage to continue.

"I avoided him until he went away for leadership camp." It was supposed to be for two months. "Now, I guess he's back."

"Was he the one who made you feel like you're not good enough?"

"No! No, that's just... that's just me," I added quietly.

He didn't reply. He just looked thoughtful.

"That's what happened," I finished, shrugging. "That's why I'd really not rather go to Cali's Point and see him."

"Your plan is to avoid him all summer," he concluded.

"Yes."

"What's his plan?"

"What do you mean?"

"You said he's your best friend. Are you his?"

"Yes."

"So if his best friend is avoiding him, why isn't he doing something about it?"

I shook my head. "It's my fault. I made things awkward between us."

"No, you confessed and got rejected," he said slowly. "That's not a reason for you to stop talking. Your friendship can't be that weak."

Okay, now I was offended.

I scoffed. "You mean to say that if you were friends with a girl and she confessed but you didn't feel the same way, you wouldn't feel the least bit uncomfortable around her after that?"

He looked nonchalant. "I wouldn't care. She's still my friend. That outweighs the awkward bullshit."

I rolled my eyes. "You're just saying that."

"It happened to me."

I stared at him. "No way."

"I swear."

"And you're still friends?"

"Of course."

"How?"

"We talked it out."

"Just like that?"

"Yeah."

I had to admit, I was in awe. Just thinking about that kinda confrontation scared the bejeezus out of me. I wouldn't be able to survive that.

I took a deep breath, before saying, "I don't think I'll be able to do that."

"It really just comes down to how much your friendship with him means to you."

"The world."

"There's your answer."

I was quiet for a few moments, letting that sink in. Sometimes, Anders really had some wisdom in him – not that I'd ever admit that out loud, especially to him.

Still, I appreciated it.

"Thank you," I told him.

"For what?" he asked, glancing at me.

"For listening." I smiled. "And being a friend."

The corner of his lips turned up as he returned his eyes on the road, trying to play it cool. "Does this mean we'll go to the beach?"

Nice try. "Nope."

He pouted, and whined, "Why not?"

"Go," I told him. "Don't let me stop you."

"Not without you," he replied firmly.

I rolled my eyes.

"You said you're going to show me all things fun around here," he reminded me. "Going to the beach is fun."

"Oh, my God. You're outdoorsy."

He chuckled. "You're just figuring that out now?"

"I always thought you like going to nightclubs and whatnot. I didn't see you to be into nature."

"To be fair, I like what nature has to offer."

"Such as?"

He shrugged. "At sea, I can surf and wakeboard. On mountains, I can ski. In the sky, I can paraglide and skydive."

Whoa. "Those sound really dangerous."

"It's safe, as long as you take proper precautions."

"I'd die just thinking about it." I shook my head and pointed to the brick building on the right. "Here. Park in front."

"The real secret is not to think about it." He turned off the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt.

I considered it. "Hmm, not for me." I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of his car, not waiting for him to jog to my side and open my door.

"You won't know until you try," he said in that all-knowing tone, climbing out of the driver's side and following me to the sidewalk.

"Trust me, I already know."

I pulled open the door of the grocery store and walked in with Anders in tow. He stopped and looked around. He seemed fascinated. I tried to see what he was seeing.

It was a normal grocery store with well-lit aisles and cashier counters. Nothing special. Nothing new. So then...

"What are you looking at?" I asked him.

"It's just like in the movies," he whispered, practically staring into space.

"What is?"

"This place."

"The grocery store?"

He nodded as he continued to study his surroundings, like this was his first time seeing inside a place like this. Wait, hold a second...

"You're kidding me."

"What?"

"This is your first time entering a grocery store?"

"There wasn't a need for me to go to one before."

I scoffed. "Well, your highness, the first thing we do is get a cart," I said, grabbing one and wheeling it to him.

"Can I push it?" he asked, looking like a kid.

"Feel free," I replied, trying not to laugh at his reaction.

He placed his hands on the handle and pushed the cart, biting his bottom lip and wearing a goofy smile. I couldn't stop glancing at him. His aura was different when he was like this, more like a teenager his age than someone trying to be an adult.

We went aisle to aisle, looking for the items on the list.

"They're quite cheap," he muttered, looking at the prices.

"Not really," I argued, before I could stop myself. I had to remember that we had different definitions of what cheap was.

"I've always wanted to try one of these," he mentioned, his expression curious as he grabbed a box of pop tart.

I chuckled. "You haven't tried the s'more tart yet?"

"No, I've never eaten a pop tart."

All humor vanished on my face when I realized that he was serious. What kinda kid never tried a pop tart? I nodded as I came up with a decision. Then, I grabbed a few boxes with different flavors.

"Now you will."

"Thanks, Buckley." He grinned, the widest I've ever seen on him. It surprised me how it brought out the kid inside of him.

I blinked. "O—Okay, then." Why on earth was I flustered? "Only one thing left on the list, I think." I looked through it again, then I put a hand on my hip while I raised the other above my head like supergirl. "To the eggs!"

"That's what she said," he mumbled, chuckling to himself.

I turned to him, lowering my arm. "What?"

"Nothing."

Shrugging, I was about to turn around the corner but then I saw a familiar couple heading our way. My eyes turned wide in total panic.

"Oh, my God," I whispered, dropping my head as I quickly backed away and put as much distance between us as I could. "Go back. Go back!"

"Why?"

I waved Anders off urgently. "Just go back!" I stopped when I heard a familiar laugh nearing us. "No, too late. Pretend we don't know each other."

He looked totally lost. "Huh?"

"Go over there!" I hissed, pushing him away and gesturing for him to stay away. "Pretend to be busy."

"What the f—"

"Meadow?"

I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath before facing my sister, who was riding inside the cart. "Hi, sis." I looked up at her boyfriend, and added, "Hi, Oz."

He smiled and nodded to me. "Hey, Meadow."

"Fancy seeing you here!" Halo beamed.

"I'm on a grocery run for the center," I said.

I glanced at my empty hands. Oh, right. The cart was with Anders. Oh my God, I wanted to facepalm myself.

"I just arrived," I added.

As if he had extraordinary senses, Oz turned his attention on Anders who quickly averted his eyes and pretended to be busy looking at... playboy magazines.

"We can help," my sister offered.

I shook my head. "No, no. It's okay. I got it."

"I miss doing runs for the center. How are the people there? How's Grace?"

"They're doing good – just fine."

"Maybe I should stop by and say hello to everyone." Her purple eyes lit up at the idea. "I can bring some apple pie!"

I laughed weakly, knowing full well that if she met Anders, she would know it was him who got me drunk a few days ago. Especially since Kobe and I never once got drunk – not together at least. See, he drank with his other friends.

"We can go together in the afternoon," I suggested.

By then, Anders' shift would be over.

Halo grinned. "Sounds like a plan!"

I tried to smile back. "Awesome."

"Yay, I can't wait! Maybe I can add some brownies? I think the kids will like..."

I stopped listening to my sister when I noticed that Oz was still watching Anders. The city boy glanced at me briefly before turning away. Oz's gaze switched to me.

I almost froze from where I was standing.

His stare was so intense that I felt like I did something wrong. I never admitted it to Halo, but he still scared the crap outta me. I was sure his piercing blue eyes had that effect on lotsa people, not just me.

Then, his expression softened into a smirk. And as innocently as I could, I looked away. I just wasn't sure if I was able to pull it off.

"They'll love that, right?" Halo asked.

"Hmm? Yeah, sure." I didn't hear what she said. But since this was Halo, I had no doubt that everyone would love whatever she had in mind.

"It's decided then. See you later!"

I nodded. "See you."

Oz cleared his throat subtly, running a hand through his brushed up blonde hair – which was a contrast to my sister's blacker than black locks.

"Take care, Meadow."

"Y—You, too."

He pushed the cart with my sister in it, while she waved a hand at me. No doubt she was imagining that she was a princess in a pumpkin carriage.

"Who was that?" Anders asked, when they were gone.

"My sister."

"Oh." He craned his neck, trying to see where they went. "Was that the boyfriend who caught you twerking?"

I groaned. "Sunnie had no right to tell you that story." I walked ahead and went to get the eggs. I heard him follow behind me.

"You can't blame her. I can look very trustworthy."

I made a face. "You're such a prince charming."

He laughed. "Why does that sound like an insult rather than a compliment?"

"'Cause it is," I muttered, grabbing a carton of eggs.

"But is it?"

I stuck a tongue out at him, making him chuckle. It was weird how he was so light and carefree now. I should bring him to the grocery store more often.

"Meadow, I forgot to—"

We froze, carefully turning to look at my sister who was on her feet and out of the cart now. Her eyes traveled from me to Anders, a slow smile spreading on her lips.

"Hello," she greeted.

"Hi, I'm Anders," he said, offering out his hand.

She accepted and shook it. "I'm Halo, Meadow's sister. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." He then put both of his hands behind him like a proper gentleman.

My sister looked to me for an explanation. It wasn't lost on me how many people kept doing that after seeing me with him. It was like it somehow amazed them that I was with someone other than Kobe.

"He volunteers at the center, too," I said.

"I see." Halo nodded in understanding, before turning to Anders again. "Will you be there when I come by this afternoon? I make a mean mac and cheese pizza."

Oh, frack. The whole point of her dropping by this afternoon was because Anders wouldn't be there. I didn't wanna give her a chance to interrogate him.

"Mac and cheese pizza?" Anders asked.

"It's a Jersey thing," I said, like I wasn't banging my head on the imaginary table I had in my head.

"It's also Meadow's favorite," Halo added gleefully. "Are you in?"

He looked uncertain, and yet he answered, "Uh, sure."

"Awesome." She cocked her head to the side. "I'm really curious. Was it you who dropped my sister off the other night? It didn't sound like her best friend's car."

Aaand there it was. It took her about sixty seconds before she gave in and asked. She set a new record for herself, I must say.

Anders glanced at me, before sending an apologetic look to my sister. "Yes, it was me. I truly apologize for making her drink."

"He didn't force me," I assured her. "I wanted to."

"Okay, easy." She laughed. "I won't tell. It just surprised me because you wouldn't drink with Ko—"

"You said you forgot something?" I pressed.

Halo blinked in realization. "Oh, sorry—that's right. Kobe dropped by the house this morning. He seemed shocked when I mentioned you volunteering at the center for the summer."

Anders' eyes stayed on me, but I ignored him as I tried to come up with a reason to cover up my strained relationship with my best friend.

"He..." Think, Meadow! "must've forgotten."

Halo scrutinized my face, and I knew she didn't believe a word I said. She opened her mouth to say something but then her phone started to ring.

"Hello?" She glanced at the direction of the cashier. "Sorry, I'll be there in a jiffy. Love you—Bye." She hung up and turned to us. "I'll see you guys later."

With one last glance at me, she waved a hand goodbye and ran away. When she was out of sight, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I wished I could confide in her like I used to. I wasn't sure how it happened but even though we stayed close and comfortable around each other, we weren't as open as we were before. At least, from my end.

Maybe it was the way people compared me to her more and more as I grew older. Maybe it was because I wanted to put distance between us so people could see me as me.

Maybe it was both.

"It's definitely in the family," Anders commented.

"What?" I asked, turning to him.

He gestured to the whole of me. "This."

"Is that an insult?" I queried, letting out a laugh somewhere between amusement and disbelief.

"Not quite," he answered nonchalantly, pushing the cart.

"Wow, a compliment coming from you."

"That wasn't a compliment either."

"Gee, thanks," I muttered, as I scanned the shelves in case we missed something. I was pretty sure we checked everything on the list.

"Want to hear the truth, though?"

I looked up at him and waited.

"I prefer you."

I blinked, my heart suddenly started beating fast while my mind just went blank. Seeing my reaction, Anders flashed me The Smile. Then, he pushed ahead and left me in my slow paced footsteps.

Just what in the world was that?!

_____________

Any HalOz shippers around? Haha