I spent the 15-minute drive to Suho's house listening to him apologize non-stop for something I refused to blame him for. His parents couldn't make it to the meeting with the vice principal because his mom was sick in bed with the flu. She could barely stand. And his dad was out of town for business. They chatted over the phone, and that was that.

The bullies had been suspended for a week. They had argued with vice-principal Matthews that the punishment was too harsh. They swore they would never do it again and blah blah blah.

But if they didn't learn the first time I stepped in, I bet their word was as good as dog poop. Speaking of dog poop, I'd like a rather large pile of it so I could smoosh their faces in it. I couldn't do any more damage than that. My record was already feeling the heat.

"Suho!" I shouted, and he stiffened with wide eyes. I cut him a slide glance while we were at a stop sign. "Please, for Christ's sake, stop apologizing! It's not your fault."

Suho tore his gaze from me, looking out the window. His hands fisted his pants.

"It's just frustrating. Always being one of the few Asian kids in school and getting bullied because I look defenseless. I get picked on because there are some racist jerks out there with some deep psychological problems. You'd think I was used to being the easy target, and maybe if Summer hadn't gotten involved, I would have just taken it." He hung his head for a second.

"But she stepped in to protect me." Suho angrily double poked his chest. His eyes were set ablaze. "She didn't have to do that, and she had got hurt." His shoulder slumped, defeated. "I would have taken that hit ten times over if it meant she would have been okay." He shook his head then banged his palm to his forehead repeatedly. He was at his breaking point. Anyone with eyes could see that.

I drove off but pulled over in the middle of the street. "Hey, you can't do this to yourself. You can't blame yourself." I reached over, shaking his shoulder. "Summer, sure, doesn't it. She shook it off, and she was glad you were okay." It drove me crazy that she had a busted and bruised lip, but she couldn't care one bit because Suho had needed help.

"If I stood up for myself and if Summer thought I was capable of holding my own, she would have stayed away." He pouted, looking like an elementary school kid who got their sandcastle kicked.

I chuckled drily with a shake of my head. "You don't know, Summer. She still would have made it her problem even if you were handling it well. She's the kind of person to have your back when you tell her you don't need anyone. God forbid she ever left you hanging. It's not her style."

Suho's features relaxed, and he smiled, but it was brief. A very welcomed gesture after how guilt-stricken he looked five seconds ago. "Then I guess we're lucky to have her on our side."

I quirked a brow. "We?" I repeated. Wasn't it strange how friends of friends could become friends?

"Yes, we are best friends now," he boldly said but then hesitantly met my eyes as if to say, "Is that alright with you?"

I opened my mouth, letting it hang before a deep laugh escaped.

"Now, if you two could only patch up your relationship," Suho said, scratching the imaginary stubble under his chin.

I lightly punched his shoulder. "I don't want to hear it." I wagged my finger at him. I put on my indicator and pulled away from the curb.

"Okay, I won't mention how she looked like she wanted to swoon at the mere sight of you walking in all concerned. Or how it looked like she was having trouble breathing when you caressed her jaw."

I swallowed, my heart rate picked up speed, thinking of how I had Summer so close to me as I knelt between her legs. It was probably not the most appropriate position in the middle of the main office, but no one thought anything of it. At least, I didn't think so.

I pressed the button on the radio, trying my best to tune him out, but he only spoke louder.

"No, no, no. I won't even begin to describe how Summer slid her hands through yours for comfort, ignoring the fact that...."

"Shut up!" I blurted out. It didn't come out harshly, so Suho knew not to take it personally. He laughed it off, and I was glad the mood had shifted back to the happy chill vibes we usually had.

I didn't want to, but I smirked because why not? It was a bad day for him, but he found something positive and made us both smile.

The next day at school, I told Suho he should hang with the girls during lunch because I planned to drive out. He was under strict orders not to blab about my potential plans, and he had jokingly saluted then mimed zipping his lips.

I was finally using those senior privileges that everyone liked to make a huge deal about. I drove into town, stopped at one of the bakeries, and picked up an assortment of pastries. I had asked the lovely lady at the register to wrap it with one of those fancy bows for me. I wanted it to look like a present. Then she slipped it into a pink paper bag. But not wanting to leave my other people out, I made sure to get them some goodie bags too.

The cashier told me I was the first customer of the day to buy that many treats, and she politely asked if it was for a special occasion.

I corrected her, saying it was for a special girl.

She had cackled and told me that my girlfriend was lucky. I didn't bother correcting her that time because what would be the point?

Summer as my girlfriend again? I glanced up at the rearview mirror and caught myself smiling at the thought. Then I felt heat coming to my cheeks. I was embarrassed by damn self, and I was relieved no one was around to witness it.

Some bad boy I turned out to be, huh?

I managed to make it to the cafeteria with ten minutes to spare. I wasn't powerwalking through the halls. I was straight up jogging.

Quickly, I spotted the Suho and the girls. Rosie and Suho were seated together on one side facing the double doors I had just walked through, while Kenny and Summer had their backs turned to me.

Good. This would make my surprise even sweeter. No pun intended.

Rosie's eyes were the first to catch a glimpse of me, and I had up my pointer finger to my lips.

If Suho saw me walking over, his face gave nothing away. He stayed engaged in the conversation he was having with Kenny.

Remembering that stunt Summer pulled the other day, I planned to do the same. I tapped her shoulder, coming around in the opposite direction and dropping the bag in front of her. There was a collective gasp, and Rosie, the ever so dramatic Rosie, threw a heart over her chest.

This must look like a grand gesture to the other student in the cafeteria, but it was more of a box of appreciation to me.

Then I slid the smaller bags to the girls and Suho.

When Summer whipped around, I winked and smoothly strolled right on out of there with the goofiest grin on my face.

Five minutes after the final bell rang, I felt two hands slip around my bicep while walking with Suho.

A smirk played on my lips. I knew the feel of her fingers a little too well.

"Hey, Summer," Suho called out, peeping around my back.

She waved animatedly. "Hey, bestie!"

They began talking about how excited they were to watch this new K-Drama episode later. And I was in the middle, serving no purpose whatsoever other than arm candy.

I wasn't jealous. Nope. I was not jealous. I had should be thrilled that my friends got along. I folded my lips, and then Summer, arms looped around mine. Tightening her hold.

Was she reading my mind right now?

Never mind. Let them chat away while Summer stayed glued to my side for the next couple of minutes.

We had passed Vance in the halls, and he did that eyebrow waggle that suggested that I would totally be getting an earful later. I just waved and kept it moving.

The relationship between Vance and me wasn't as rough as it was over the summer when I wanted my space. He became much like Summer, forcing his way back into my life and making it known that he would always be there when I needed him.

We didn't have any classes together, so I didn't see him around school often, but if I picked up the phone, he'd be at my house in no time.

"Cam?" Summer said.

"Hmm..."

"Can I get a ride home?" She smiled up at me, and it must have been the sweetest plea for a ride I've ever gotten.

I nodded. "Of course."

In the car, Suho and Summer yapped on and on about the most random things. I jumped in now and then, but I couldn't keep up with those two. If anything, it was entertaining.

I dropped Suho off first then made my way to Summer's. I haven't stopped by her house since I dropped her off from our last date. Times were simpler back then.

"Cam, not that I don't love the pastries but was there a reason you um," Summer cleared her throat a few times. "Gave them to me?" She finally finished. Her eyes were unfocused like she didn't care where she looked as long as she avoided my gaze.

There were multiple reasons I gave Summer those pastries. My response was simple, the best way I could think to sum it all up. "Because you're you, and I appreciate that."

Those brown eyes grew wide then they met mine with an impressive amount of blinks per minute. "Thank you," Summer said softly. The look on her face told me she had wanted to say more. But those two words were more than enough.

I've had half a town against me, I've lost friends, but I've never lost Summer. Not for a second.

A took a rogue strand of hair, tucking it behind her ear. "You know..." The words died on my lips because Summer's front door had sprung open, and standing there was her mom and the mayor.

The reminder of how all my actions have consequences was here to slap me in the face. I had been too careless yesterday, running to Summer's side and ignoring all the crap her mother had shouted at me in the process. She had blamed me before she heard the whole story. I guess that would be easier than believing her daughter was a badass and who wouldn't stand by and watch bullies hurt anyone.

With a text, Summer had asked for forgiveness on her mother's behalf and promised that she would clear up all misunderstandings where I was concerned.

I had told her not to worry about it. I would take the blame if it got her out of trouble.

But Summer being, so predictably Summer wasn't going to make me the scapegoat. It was worth a shot, though.

I watched Summer cradling the box of pastries to her chest, trekking through the lawn where her disgruntled mother stood, hands crossed against her chest and foot tapping against the concrete.

That was two days in a row Summer's been in trouble.

That must be a record for her.