I wasn't one hundred percent sure how it happened, but Kensington Cole ended up coming home with us after school. I think we touched on the topic in the nurse's station, but he and Orla must have finalised plans after we parted ways. Either way, this worked out fine. I busted through the door and tossed my keys on the couch with Orla and Kensington trailing together behind me. Home at last, it was time to play matchmaker.

Orla came through the door behind me, tossing her bag onto the floor of the entrance that could have taken a single second simply to hang on the hook. Ordinarily, I'd respond with some passive aggressive argument that she would blatantly ignore, then shut down with a slam of her bedroom door. But that would not be the spirit of a wingman this time. Instead, I opted to move it aside, allowing Kensington entry without the obstacle of her bag as he carried in a box of groceries. He smiled his thanks and set the box down on the kitchen counter.

The hangers were a little high on the wall, so I had to tip-toe with her bag to hook it on one. Her bag weighed a ton, and that I had to hold it with the tips of my fingers just to allow for a little more reach didn't help. My shoulder straps were also sliding, so I was combatting every minor convenience in what should have otherwise been a very simple task.

"Need help?" Kensington asked from close behind me, startling me so that I jolted and almost dropped her bag. It'd serve her right, too.

Orla was a good few inches taller than me. Since I always nagged her to keep the house tidy by demanding she place hooks to compensate for all the picking up I had to do, she hung them high in retaliation. Too high. High enough, in fact, that I couldn't even comfortably use them. I kept my bag in my room instead.

"I'm fine," I answered, feigning cheeriness while I stretched well beyond my limits. I struggled to hold her bag above my head while ensuring that it set correctly against the hook. When I thought I had it, I let go.

"Ow!" The bag dropped onto my face. I stepped back until I felt myself press against Kensington, clutching my nose. It felt numb so that I couldn't tell if it was bleeding again or not. Kensington's hands were on the sides of my arms, coaxing me around to face him.

"You alright? How bad is it?" I moved my hands away, checking for more blood. "There's a little blood. Where's your bathroom? I'll help—"

"Don't worry about it," I said. I pulled free of his grasp and brushed his hands away as politely as I could. I waved him off. "This is nothing. I can deal with it myself. Go find Orla and have fun."

Kensington frowned. "Here, at least let me help until your parents get home—"

"Then you'd be helping me for the rest of my life," I tried to joke, but the frown on his face told me it fell flat. There was no saving it. "Go find my sister. Her room is down the hall, second door to the left."

"What'd you mean by that?" he asked. Why was he ignoring all those opportunities to spend time with his crush? His priorities were seriously in the weirdest order.

"Nothing!" I insisted. Since my hands were dirty, I pushed on his shoulders with my wrists, guiding him towards my sister's room. "Go find Orla. Go find Orla!"

I brushed past him and made for the bathroom. I soaked my face in water and scrubbed my hands clean, though they weren't as bloodied as earlier today. My nose still felt numb, but nothing crunched or looked broken, so I figured it'd come right in no time. If experience resulted in increasing rank, then I had already attained a godlike status of getting hit. This much was nothing.

When I left the bathroom and returned to the entrance for a second attempt, I found he had already hung the bag. While I had no preconceived ideas about his personality before meeting him, I didn't expect him to be so caring and kind. It was nice to think about Orla being with someone so genuine, even if they were total opposites. But maybe in some strange, twisted way, they complemented each other: a tall, intimidating, curly haired diva with a cool, composed, altruistic guy. Opposites attract, after all.

Since the deed was done, I fetched my keys from the couch and headed for my room. With no windows in the hallway and the lights off, it appeared dark as night, but I could see a dim outline of daylight showing beneath her door. Hearing their voices and muffled laughter, it sounded like they were getting on well, and it made me thankful my efforts weren't in vain.

I didn't bother with the light as I entered my room. It was still early, but I had heavy blackout curtains that I rarely ever opened. I dumped my bag and keys on the computer chair, then felt my way towards the bed. I rolled in and groaned. Their voices were audible through the wall, even though our rooms weren't even close.

I felt around for my pillow and dragged it over my face, forgetting about how sore my nose was. Although it wasn't even half-past three, it felt well past midnight. Maybe I could sneak out and grab some dinner alone, just so I didn't have to contend with those two in the kitchen later on. Orla's door opened, and then someone was outside my room.

"Um, Arlo?"

The famed Golden Spoon stood knocking at my door. I internalised this for maybe three milliseconds before hauling my ass off the bed to the door. I plastered on my biggest and friendliest in-law smile and tried my hardest to play it cool. Try as I might, there was no playing it cool in front of Kensington Cole. His height didn't register with me at all today until I opened the door to find him hovering over me like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Sure, I figured he was taller than Orla, but looking at us now, I only just reached past his chest. My bravado from seconds ago fell away like sheets of ice.

"H-hello," I said, scratching the back of my head. "May I help you?"

What the hell was that? Do I work in retail? Is this a freaking shop? Maybe a one-stop shop for morons, and I was both the only buyer and seller. I couldn't understand why I'd gotten so nervous, as if I'd never seen a tall and attractive guy before. Well, as a matter of fact, my entire school was filled with them. Just none of them were Kensington Cole.

Kensington smiled a little, though he looked more nervous than anything. "We're wondering if you're gonna have dinner with us tonight."

"We?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yes."

"We were wondering."

He nodded again. "Yes, that's what I said."

"You... and Orla."

"That's the one, yes."

What in the hell kind of date would that be? Not to mention, Orla and I hadn't eaten together since we were kids. Even if she's ridiculously protective of me at school, we live our own lives at home. If she brings friends over, I can't look at them or breathe near them. We don't spend any time together. The extent of our relationship is that she keeps me safe from bullies at school, or at least she rains down on them with divine retribution. But if she got closer with Kensington, maybe her heart would soften and we'd even get a little closer again.

"Is she high?" I asked. "Did you slip her something? I can't comprehend these words that you're saying to me."

Kensington chuckled, then leaned his hip against the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest. "Okay, you got me. I was wondering if you'd like to join us."

"And Orla agreed to this?" I asked.

He thought for a moment. "Well, I guess..."

I burst into laughter, unable to help from smiling at him. "Are you an angel who specialises in altering the human genome? Because you've performed a miracle Jesus couldn't dream of."

Kensington rested his head against the doorframe, chuckling. He looked good to the point of it being criminal. "I may have worked some magic of sorts, so I hope it pays off. You'll be joining us then, right?"

While it felt like something of a dream, I couldn't let myself impede my own plans. It was inevitable that they'd start off as friends, but that didn't mean I couldn't help them set the tone for something a little... more. For the future.

I looked back up at him, taking a moment to study his face, even though it was so dark and hard to see him. Even in the dark, I could see his tender expression.

"I ah, well..." I had to think up something believable and quick. "I have plans."

Nice.

Kensington gave me a once over, quirking his brow as he did so. I had to ease this awkward tension before my intentions became apparent.

"Ah... but... have fun!" I said, remembering to plaster on a customer-service quality smile. Then, remembering they'd bought stuff for dinner, I wondered if I could entice him to step it up a little. Even friends could go out to nice dinner locations with romantic settings.

"I know you both just bought groceries," I said, bringing my idea to fruition. "But if I'm honest, I'd recommend eating out. Somewhere really nice. Orla's useless in the kitchen."

"I have no money," he said, flat out rejecting my proposition.

I stared at him. He stared back. Was he really going to be so stingy?

"How did you––" He frowned, knowing full well I knew the truth. Was he unaware that his entire existence had been circulating the school for weeks now? "Y'know what? Never mind, but I don't wanna put these groceries to waste. Are you better at cooking than her?"

"A three-year-old is better than her," I said, forgetting I was supposed to be spinning her in a more positive light. I'd tell myself off later.

"Perfect," he said, clasping his fingers together. "Well, I'll need help since I'm not a great cook. Are you willing to help me?"

This was the perfect opportunity for me to help him sweep her off her feet! I beamed at him, nodding frantically. We'd make a dinner so delicious that Orla will have no choice but to fall for him. We had no candles or wine, but I felt sure I could find some other way to set the mood for them both. Of course, I'd have to make myself scarce after this. It'd be a bother having to leave the house, but it was ultimately a sacrifice I was all too willing to make.

Kensington broke into another genuine smile and stood up straight. "Great! We'll start at around half four. I'll come back to grab you."

"Alright."

He pulled the door behind him as he left, leaving me back to where I was in total darkness. I leaned against the door, enjoying the fact that I was in the same air he just breathed. Maybe it was my imagination, but I think I could even smell his lingering scent. I tensed. Just what in God's name was I thinking about?

Shaking off these ridiculous thoughts, I turned on my light and grabbed my book from the desk before sprawling on top of my bed. I opened up The Picture of Dorian Gray and picked up where I left off. Several chapters later, there was a knock at my door. That same timid knock that could only belong to Kensington Cole.

"Coming," I said, but he opened the door before I could so much as lift my head. Kensington paused just a few steps in as he noticed my book and his expression flashed with that of recognition. His eyes flickered up to mine, where he held my gaze with ease and purpose.

"Yes, he was certainly wonderfully handsome, with his finely curved scarlet lips, his frank blue eyes, his curly brown hair. There was something in his face that made one trust him at once."

His quoting of the novel took me by surprise. "You've read it?"

"Yeah, for school. I always jot down my favourite quotes, so they tend to stick."

For some reason, it made me bubble with excitement. I climbed to my knees and sat up that way, then patted my bed, signalling for him to sit beside me. "This is my sixth time reading it. What other quotes have stuck? Movies too?"

He climbed beside me, folding his knees while he looked at me with a gleam in his eye. Orla never understood or cared for books or deep and meaningful quotes. I didn't get to share this sort of thing with her. Parker enjoyed reading, but he didn't memorise anything. This might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me! My weight rested on my arms as I leaned towards him. My current pose more than likely resembled a cat, but I was ecstatic. There was no time to play it cool while I stared at him, urging him on.

"From the top of my head?" he asked. "Fight Club. 'You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world'."

I broke into a laugh. "It's been a long time since I've watched it in school for English, but I remember how much I loved so many of its quotes."

"Then we'll make a date out of it," he said.

I nodded with excitement. Finally, I met somebody else who loved books, movies, and quotes! This was the start of something I wouldn't let go to waste.