June's POV:

"What are you two doing?!" Mr. Falkov yelled, causing both of us to pull away. Our eyes wide, both of us trying to catch our breaths.

"I put you as partners so you could work in peace, not to go from one extreme to the other and make out in my class! Get back to work!" He yelled, disbelief and anger in his voice.

He gave us one last scolding look before turning around and walking away.

I looked back at Aiden who was looking at me with a shocked expression. I awkwardly looked away, and then I heard him speak.

"What was that all about?"

"Well, you wouldn't shut up so I had to do it before Falkov caught us arguing. I refuse to get kicked out because of your fault." I said and he still just continued to stare at me, still in shock that I kissed him.

"And stop looking at me like that. It didn't mean anything. I did it for my own good. Now let's get started on my painting since I ruined yours—sorry by the way." I said, mumbling the last part, and quickly walked over to where the stool was at and sat on it.

He made his way over to where the canvases were, grabbed a new one and placed it on the easel. He didn't say a word at all and just began to paint away.

While he stared at me, I felt my heart hammering inside my chest.

I thought about the moment we'd just shared and couldn't help but notice the fact that as much as I hated to admit it, I liked it.

I actually liked that stupid kiss.

I even, dare I say, felt something.

Don't ask me what exactly it was that I felt, but I certainly didn't feel nothing. The worst part about it is that although it only lasted a few seconds, he actually kissed me back.

Yes, the little punk had the nerve to kiss me back.

What am I supposed to make out of that?

He likes me?

He took the chance since I was kissing him because he's a thirsty male?

What am I supposed to think? Hot boys don't just kiss me back.

Heck, hot boys don't even notice me.

What the heck was I even thinking?!

Oh yeah, I wasn't thinking.

I don't think I'll ever understand myself. I really don't. I can't understand why is it that one second I can't even stand the thought of him but then the next, I feel like I've known him my whole life. We have such great moments but then we argue so much. I don't know why he infuriates me so much yet also makes me feel so different and free at times. How can I hate him and like him at the same time? How is that even possible?

And how is it possible to have felt things when I kissed him if I hate him?

Goodness, I seriously need a psychologist.

As much as I wish I didn't have to, I need to tell Blue.

Ugh, why did I do this?

"Uh, I'm done." Aiden said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I looked at my phone and saw it was 12pm already.

"You finished that fast?" I asked, shocked at the fact it only took him 3 hours.

"Yeah uh, I already knew what to do so it wasn't as hard. I just remade it again, basically." He explained and I nodded.

"Oh okay." I whispered and after that, there was an awkward silence.

"So uh, I'm guessing we should clean up since we're both done." He said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

"Yeah that- that'd be good." I replied and we both started cleaning up.

He gathered up all the brushes and went to wash them while I put all the paint back in its place, and while I was at it, I picked up the canvas I had ruined. It was facing down, so I still hadn't gotten a chance to see Aiden's painting of me.

I struggled to decide whether or not to look at it. He had said I couldn't see it until he was done but I'm sure this wasn't exactly the same as the one he had remade.

Either way, he finished already so I don't see why I couldn't look at it...right?

Just as I was about to flip it over, Aiden walked in and looked at me.

"I was- I mean, I didn't think it mattered now if I looked at it." I said, unable to stop myself from spilling the truth.

His eyes flickered down at the canvas I was holding and then back up at me.

"Sure, go ahead." Was all he said and I gave him an 'are you sure' look, which he replied with a small nod.

I flipped it over and found an unfinished, yet astonishing, picture of myself. It was made with only dark colors and I as I looked at it, I was unable to speak. I can't even begin to imagine what the finished product looks like.

I looked up at him with my mouth agape.

"This is amazing." I breathed, and he waved his hand dismissively and shook his head.

"No, that's crap. It's not even finished." He said and I was shocked.

Crap?

Boy, does he have high standards for his art.

"Well, let me see the finished one!" I said as I started making my way over to where his painting was.

"Fine, but give me yours then." He said, and I handed it over to him.

"Okay, we look at them at the same time." I said and he gave me a thumbs up. "1..2..3."

We both flipped them over and I put my hand over my mouth, shocked at how amazing that thing was.

"How? This is literally so good." I said, awe transforming my face, and then I turned to look at him.

He was staring at the painting, smiling at it.

"June, this is like a thousand times better than mine. This is incredible." He said, his voice calm but sounded genuinely impressed.

"Are you kidding? Your painting is astonishing. When the judges see it they'll pee of shock." I said and he laughed.

"Well, when the judges see your painting, they'll poo of shock." He replied and this time I laughed. "But really, thanks. I appreciate it." He added and I smiled at him.

"Yeah, you too." I said and then we walked back inside the building to give the teacher our work. As we walked in silence, you could feel the tension grow back from the previous moment we had shared.

I felt him look at me, and I avoided making eye contact with him. I don't think I'm prepared to face it just yet.

We walked in the classroom and Mr. Falkov gave us both a look.

"Now what?" He asked, expecting us to come with some kind of bad news.

"We finished." Aiden said, showing him the canvas and Falkov raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Hm. Well, that's quite surprising. Leave them over there in the corner along with the rest of the completed ones. You may leave now if you're done." He said and we both nodded and walked out of the classroom.

I quickly started making my way out when I heard Aiden call my name.

"Yes?" I turned around, feeling nervous at the fact we were all alone.

"Can we please talk? I mean, I deserve an expla-"

"I'm sorry but, I really need to leave. I'll see you tomorrow, bye." I said, and quickly walked out.

Thankfully, he was smart for once in his life and didn't try coming after me. I think, in reality, we both needed time to think about it.

--

When I got home, I did the usual thing. Put my bag away, and then grabbed something to eat. I brought my food with me to the living room, as I wanted to sit on the couch.

My life wasn't very interesting. In fact, before I met Aiden, it almost felt like I was living like the dude from Ground Hog Day. The same exact thing everyday. Somehow, it was very mentally draining. I was bored out of my mind. In a way, I was kind of glad I joined the art course. Things were finally changing a little. Whether for the better or worse, I was finally dropping that old routine.

Blue must've heard me and came out of her room to greet me. She was holding her guinea pig while it rested on her arm.

"Hey." She said, sitting on the couch.

"Hi." I said, looking down at her pet. "Can I hold him?" I asked and she raised an eyebrow.

"You want to hold him?" She asked, surprised at my odd request.

"Yeah." Was all I said.

She handed him over to me and watched me closely as I pet him gently in silence. His white fur was quite fluffy, and I smiled, liking the fact he had a round circle of fur around his right eye. He looked like a guinea dog.

"June." She said, and I looked at her.

"You seem awfully calm for someone who freaked out last time while holding him and ended up throwing him on the beanbag." She stated and I didn't blame her for being weirded out.

I always refused to hold Tutty and now, suddenly, I ask if I can pet him and do so calmly. She probably thinks I'm crazy.

"I took a risk." I said quietly, and although we were talking about her guinea, part of me knew I was actually referring to what I did today.

"Okay, something's clearly wrong. What happened? You're acting way too calm and honestly, it's kind of creeping me out." She admitted, her expression clouded with worry. I looked at her right in the eyes.

I felt this weird feeling wash over me, and I wondered if I should tell her or not. Deep down I knew I definitely should, but part of me just hated thinking or talking about it.

"Blue, I committed the biggest mistake of my life today." I said, giving her a hopeless look.

"What? What happened? I'm sure it can't be that bad." She said, trying to calm me down.

"You don't understand! I shouldn't have done it. I've ruined everything." I said desperately, the thought of me having to see his face again making me want to die.

How am I supposed to face him?

"Just tell me!"

"I-I uh...oh gosh, I can't. Ugh!" I said, frustrated. She stared at me expectantly and finally, I somewhat regained my composure and spoke. "I kissed Aiden."

Her eyes immediately widened and her mouth dropped in shock.

"You what?"

"Don't make me say it again!" I said, feeling tears form in my eyes.

I'm so weak.

Why am I even crying?

GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF FOR GOODNESS' SAKE.

"June, why would you do that?! I thought you didn't like him!" She said, confused.

"I know but- ugh, the situation. I had to do it Blue. He wouldn't shut up and the teacher was coming and I-I ju-just had t-to-" I said, and got all choked up and began to let tears roll down my face.

Blue looked at me, shocked at the whole thing.

"No, oh goodness. June, don't cry. You'll be fine. Why are you crying?" She asked, in a lighter tone, speaking to me as if I were a little girl. Which I guess was logical, considering I was acting like one.

"Because I hate myself for it. Because now I'm so confused; I don't know what or how to feel." I said, wiping off my crying runny nose with my arm. I probably looked gross.

"What do you mean?" She asked and I looked at her.

I gulped.

"I think uh...I-I think I have feelings for him." I mumbled and she raised an eyebrow.

"Wait...did you just- I knew it! But why?! How?!" She said, fangirling.

I shot her a dirty look.

"Okay sorry. But really, why do you say that?" She asked, a little more seriously this time.

"Well, I don't know. We kissed and I felt like all weird. Like it felt kinda right and it was really good. It wasn't like fireworks and sparks. It was just butterflies in my stomach and it kinda felt like that feeling you get when you just click with someone. It wasn't awkward, well I mean, the situation was, but the kiss itself was kind of perfect, AS MUCH AS I HATE TO ADMIT IT." I explained and by now, her eyes were as wide as an owl's and she was hardcore grinning.

"Was he a good kisser?" She asked excitedly and although I wanted to smack the life out of her, I couldn't smiling a small smile.

"...yeah." I mumbled and she squealed.

"He kissed you back! I KNEW IT. YOU GUYS ARE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER. MARRY HIM." She yelled, her fangirl mode activated, and her guinea pig squeaked as well.

Apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

Freaks.

"Shut up. I don't know how I'm gunna face him." I said, letting my worries come back.

"Well, he kissed back, so that must mean something. Just talk it out. I'm sure it'll clear some things up." She said and I sighed.

"I guess you're right. I'm still scared. I'm supposed to hate him and then I go and kiss him. He's going to think I'm a bipolar freak. And what if it's like, super awkward now? How will I deal with that for the rest of the course?" I asked, my eyebrows furrowing worriedly, letting out all my thoughts and she pondered on it for a second.

"Talk to him and then we'll go from there. You might be worrying about things that aren't even going to happen. Just talk to him." She advised and I hugged her.

"What would I do without you?" I asked, smiling gratefully at her and she laughed.

"Probably cry 'till you die."

"True." I said this time we both laughed.

Suddenly, my phone went off.

One new text message from Aiden.

[Aiden]
Can we please talk?

"Is it him?" Blue asked, and I nodded.

I started at my phone screen blankly.

"Well answer!" She said, rolling her eyes at me.

I began to type.

[June]
No.

[Aiden]
June...

[June]
Not now.

[Aiden]
You can't just avoid me forever, you know?

I looked up at Blue and groaned.

"What?" She asked.

I showed her the texts and she gave a look.

"He's right." She said and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Of course you would take his side. Are you even my best friend still?" I said, partly joking partly annoyed.

"I mean, he kind of deserves an explanation."

I looked back down at my phone and started typing again.

[June]
Sure we can talk. Just not about what happened today.

[Aiden]
...deal. Be ready. I'll be there in five. Bring a bathing suit.

[June]
Wait what?

[Aiden]
Already on my way. Bye ;)

[June]
Do I need a towel?

[Aiden]
No, I got them. See ya

I stared at my screen for a few seconds in confusion.

He's kidding right?

"Crap." I said and Blue raised an eyebrow.

"What now?"

"He's coming in five minutes! And I need a bathing suit!" I said, starting to freak out.

I looked at the clock and saw that it was currently 3:34pm.

"What? Why?" She asked and I shrugged my shoulders and gave her an exasperated look.

"Blue help me! What am I supposed to do?!"

"Well, he agreed not to talk about the subject so...just act like it didn't affect you at all. Pretend you don't care and it meant nothing. And the bathing suit thing...he should be the one preparing to see that killer body of yours." She advised, and then winked.

"But the kiss really didn't mean anything." I said and she gave me a skeptical look.

"June, don't even try lying to me. I know it did. You said so yourself."

"Well I mean- not exactly. I said I liked it. It's different. It didn't really-"

"Shut up. I don't believe you." She said bluntly.

"But-"

"No. Now calm yourself and be cool. Go get some water, go change, and wait 'till he gets here. I'll be in my room." She said, standing back up. "Oh, and give me back my pig." She said, referring to her guinea who was now just sitting in the hole between my cris-crossed legs.

I grabbed him and gave him back.

She gave me a motherly look and then proceeded to walk back to her room.

I sighed and went to grab some water as she had told me to. I don't know why I even listened to her. It's not like I needed water. I guess it just wasn't such a bad idea. I was kind of thirsty now anyway. Probably dehydrated from all the tears I'd shed.

After I finished, I went to my room and picked out a bathing suit. It had been such a long time since the last time I'd gone swimming. In fact, last summer I went to visit my parents in Peru. They moved around a lot, traveling the world. It wasn't exactly summer, but it wasn't that cold either. I never really got to go swimming since I spent the whole summer there, so it had been two years since my last swim. Honestly, although I'm dreading seeing Aiden, I'm kind of hoping we do go swimming.

I decided to pick a plain black bikini. (A/N: picture of June's bathing suit on the picture above)

As I got ready, I let my thoughts take over.

I wondered if maybe Aiden liked me. I mean, I know it was a really dumb thing to say coming from such an irrelevant, ordinary girl, because honestly, he was way out of my league. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not being insecure or anything, but I'm just saying it's a very odd thing that a guy like Aiden would like a girl like me. That stuff is just rare. Apart from the fact he's had so many girls to be with (even though he claims they're not his dates). Why would he take interest in me? I mean, thinking about it more deeply, why else would he still bother talking to me, attempt to kiss me, and then kiss me back when I did? After all, I was always mean to him and it wasn't like I was playing hard to get because I actually just genuinely disliked him. He didn't have many good reasons to like me.

Then again, he knows I have several reasons to dislike him too but yet we both agree to spend time with each other. I know it's because of the art project, but sometimes it feels as if there's something else there. It's odd. I guess you could call it a love-hate relationship.

Either way, Aiden Blackwood liking June Love is just an equation I can't find the answer to because it's far too rare and complicated. Maybe even impossible. It's like an equation with no solution. I just can't wrap it around my head.

Suddenly, as I was walking back to the kitchen, a door knock snapped me out of my tangled web of thoughts. I felt my heartbeat speed up and my whole body tensed up.

I can't do this.

"June. Open up. I know you're there." Aiden yelled.  I stared at the door in panic, unable to move. It was like my feet were glued to the floor.

"June, come on. Open the door." He said again, and suddenly I saw Blue's head pop out from her room.

"Open the door!" She yelled-whispered.

I stared at her with the same panicked look on my face and she shot me a deadly glare. I bit my lip and finally gathered the courage to walk up to the door.

I put on a cool expression and prepared myself for the worst.

I opened the door and saw a tall male figure standing there.

He had changed his outfit. Earlier, he was wearing some jeans, converse, a white shirt and a plaid shirt. Now, he was wearing a dark grey short sleeve top, some dark skinny jeans, black and white low tops, and a black beanie with some hair sticking out of it in the front. All the dark colors made his green eyes really stand out.

Why is he wearing a beanie though? We're going swimming.

Weirdo.

He smirked.

"Took you long enough." He said and I rolled my eyes.

"Well, what are you doing here?" I asked, avoiding his annoying comment.

He smiled.

"You and I are going on a little adventure."

A/N:

{I THINKKK I GOT ALL THE GRAMMAR DOWN RIGHT BUT THERE MAY BE A FEW MISTAKES BC I DIDN'T GO THROUGH IT SLOWLY LOL BEAR WITH ME FOR NOW I WILL EDIT EVERYTHING WHEN I FINISH THE BOOK}

SO here's June's thoughts on the kiss!! ;) What do you guys think? Does she like Aiden, or liked the kiss only? Hmm..

June confuses the doodoo outta me tbh. Like make up your mind woman. Ahahahahah

Sorry this is so short and kinda boring but I kinda wanted the next chapter to be all about their little adventure y'know? I THE NEXT ONE WILL BE LONGER. VERY LONG ACTUALLY. You have my word.

Well, I hope you guys enjoyed this. If you did, please comment and vote!! Love you all, have a great week :) xx