"Stop being so smug Bry." Jaedyn pouted as she shoved me lightly making me spit out a bit of pancake.

I and Jaedyn spent the next 5 minutes in awkward silence until my mom sat down and broke the silence. Her unpleasant expression left the breakfast feel unnecessarily long.

"So baby--"

I face-palmed myself when my mom started talking. "Mom please don't call me that it's really embarrassing. Especially in front of my friends." I said as I started blushing of embarrassment.

I look to my right not paying attention to my mom as she talks and sees Jaedyn smirking at me. Just by the look on her, I can tell she is laughing her brains out on the inside. I glared back to my mom and my attention goes back to focus on her.

"-so when we get back here after picking up Tucker I'll leave you guys here and I'll leave for some business. Got it, Bry?" She said while smiling as she put down her finished cup of tea.

"Got it!" I say after I gulp down a wad of pancakes.

"Good I'll clean the table up and get dressed for work. You can wear those clothes to the airport, for now, go upstairs and catch up with Avery. I know how much you've missed her, it has been so long since both of you even looked each other in person." My mom said with a small smile at the end.

My mom then proceeded to clean up her plate and put it into the sink along with her mug. While I and Jaedyn just gulped down the rest of the pancakes. We drank a half a liter of OJ to wash it down. She stood up first and fixed her chair, she grabbed her plates and cup and brought it to the sink.

"Why that is nice of Jaedyn but I'll handle it you can go talk with Bry's friend and get to know her." My mom said while grabbing the plates from Jaedyn and setting them in the sink. "Same goes for you, Bry." She said while not even looking at me.

"'Kay mom. Thanks" I say as I finish drinking one last cup of OJ.

I stand up and walk towards the stairs and see Jaedyn halfway up, she looks down at me and stops "C'mon hurry. I wanna know about your friend here." She then started walking up the stairs again and I followed her. We got to the door of my room and the door ajar. We peeked inside and saw Avery inspecting a picture. I entered the room in a burst which made Avery jump.

"WOAH! Damn it, Bry, you scared me! You almost made me jump out of my bra." She said as she regained her composure and put the picture to her side.

"You were always cool about saying stuff like that around me. Women stuff like tampons, bras, panties, and what not I don't know why but you are. It really puzzles me." I say as I walk towards Avery with Jaedyn following behind me.

"I'll always be a mystery to you about that Bryce," Avery said with a wide grin. "Oh, by the way, Bryce who is this cute boy with you in this picture of you in summer camp?" She said as she showed me and Jaedyn the picture.

I burst out into laughter after seeing the "boy" Avery was referring to in the picture. I look to my right and see Jaedyn wide-eyed and blushing like a tomato. She looks to me and by her look, I can tell what she is saying "Don't even think about telling her or you're dead!" I looked back to Avery who was puzzled on why I was laughing and why Jaedyn was blushing I proceeded to tell her who that "boy" was.

"That's no boy Ave that's a girl." I took a smirk on my face and looked backed to Jaedyn who by know had a nervous looking face. I turned back to Avery and continued speaking "And that girl is this girl right here." I said as I grabbed Jaedyn whose face was red as a tomato around the shoulder with my arm and pulled her into me and used my other hand to point at her. She gave out a small little whimper as I did this.

"Really? Wow! Jaedyn you look great in boy's clothes! I'd like to see you try some on!" Avery happily shouted out.

"N-Now?"

"Why not?"

"Oh god." I heard Jaedyn murmur. That was murderous intent in her eyes. I fear for our lives. Thank god Avery wasn't paying attention.

5 minutes later

"Oh my god! You look so cute wearing that Jaedyn!" Avery said as she lunged at Jaedyn. "You look just so huggable wearing that oversized baseball shirt and that baseball cap backward its perfect it goes perfect with your sneakers!" Avery said as she squeezed Jaedyn and lifted her up into the air.

"Help me." Jaedyn cried while she was being hugged to death as she tried to hide her embarrassment.

Avery put Jaedyn down and fixed her clothes while I stood there with an uncontrollable grin on my face. This-- this is blackmail material. If only I could record this without her knowing. Or maybe this is why Avery is acting on this rare find of useful information? Ave you sly dog.

"You haven't changed one bit, Avery, you're still as energetic as ever," I said as I leaned on the wall near me.

Avery turned around to face me "I wish I could say the same to you though. Back then you didn't like talking about girls and anything that was related to relationships you always went "EW that's gross!" whenever I talked about it." She put a smile on her face and put her hands on her hips "But I'm pretty sure that's what you, Tucker, and Rayden talk about all day."

"What if we do?" I smugly grinned as I further relaxed on the wall with one of my eyes closed-- suggesting an endearing wink.

"Fine! Fine! Whatever you say, Bryce. Now get over here and look how cute Jaedyn is." Avery said as she took a step to the side to let me see Jaedyn better.

Jaedyn sat down on my bed as I walked towards her. She really does look cute with boy's clothes on. This is what Jun calls a moe-gap right?

"So what you think Bryce? Cute right?" Avery said with eagerness to know if it was cute.

"Yeah. I have to admit it Jaedyn you do look really cute in those clothes. It suits you. I'd actually like to see you in outfits like this more often."

"Oh be quiet this is really awkward for me." Jaedyn said while she crossed her arms "But I won't lie. This actually makes feel more comfortable than wearing a skirt or dress." She said with a tone of defeat.

"Told you Jaedyn! Now I have an idea. I want to see how cute of a couple you guys would make." Avery said with her usual energetic tone.

Jaedyn and I both glanced at each other, with the exact same look of despair. We slowly backed away, toward the door. At least, we tried to-- before Avery grasped the two of us with her iron grip.

"Alright. Bryce sit down beside Jaedyn and put your hands on her hands." She said while bouncing around, loafing in her loafers.

"Just remember this Ave. I'm only doing this to make you stop. Ok?" Jaedyn said as I sat down beside her.

"Whatever. Just put your hands on her hands already." She said as she made suggestive smiles and peeks at our embarrassment. "You okay with this J?" I said as I turned to face her.

"Yeah, I'm fine with this. B-But no kissing! It would make it even more awkward than it already is." Jaedyn said with her voice getting quieter and quieter as she fixed her cap to make it lean to one side. The very fact that she mentioned kissing only made me more conscious of the distance between us, making me extremely more uncomfortable in comparison to my attitude 30 seconds before.

"Alright let's get this over with," I said as she reached her hand out to mine. "Ready?" I said as I stare into her eyes.

"Yeah. Just hurry up with this." she averted her gaze.

I put my hand on top of her open palm and close my fingers around her hand. Her hands feel smooth. Her hands are so soft. Unbelievably soft. I could feel her fingers coiling around mine, her grip slowly tightening. The very fact we're doing this on my bed makes it sound very suggestive without context. A weak flash accompanied by a simultaneous monotonous electric Snap! Catches my attention. I look to my right and see Avery holding her phone with the camera pointed at us.

"Got it! You guys look so adorable!" Avery says as she stares at the picture on her phone with infatuation. As if she was watching a cat video on Youtube.

All the while I and Jaedyn are still holding hands and staring at her with our mouths slightly parted-- with a mere 6 inches of distance between where our lips would meet in awe of what she did. We notice that we are still holding each other's hands. We let go and regain our composure.

"Hey, Bryce you sure you two aren't in a relationship? You guys seem perfect together and the way Bryce here looked into your eyes Jaedyn just screamed 'relationship'. Or are you in an elicit relationship where the two of you are 'friends with benefits'?"

I was about to resist but my mom butt in with her shouting "Bry I'm going to take a shower now, so get ready. And ask your friends if they want to come with."

"Alright, mom I'll ask them," I shout back at my mom. "So guys want to come with us to pick up Tucker from the airport?" I asked.

"TUCKER! Oh my god, I haven't seen him in years. I can't wait to hug that little guy!" Yes! I nonchalantly brushed off the fact I held hands with Jaedyn.

"He was so cute especially when he was trying to speak in public he always got so nervous it was funny watching him stutter. But boy, was his speeches outstanding, he was always the one that loved learning." Avery said as she started hopping up and down in excitement like a pet dog.

"Sure. I get to meet him in person for the first time." Jaedyn smiled as she stood up from the bed and walked towards to my desk to grab her phone. "But I'll keep this on. I'm getting used to it." Jaedyn said as she flipped her hat to face backward.

"So it's settled you guys are coming," I said as I clasped my hands together with a smile.

Avery walked over to my window "Hey Bryce who's that guy by your door?" Avery asked me as she pressed her face to the window to try and get a better look.

I ran over to the window and saw a person in a gray hoodie placing a letter on our doorstep.

I left the window sill and ran towards my door. I ran out of my room to the door of my house.

I opened the door and saw the hooded figure place a 2nd letter but he looks up and runs away from me. I don't even try to chase him because I don't think it's worth it. I bend down and pick up the 1st letter and notice that it has the same light rose lipstick marks as before. I place it in my pocket to read later I then grab the 2nd letter and notice that it has a rose pinned to the front. I rip open the 2nd letter as Avery and Jaedyn run to the door.

"Did you catch the guy? Who was he?" Avery asked, "Did you get a better look?"

"Stop leaning on me. And no I didn't." I replied Avery as I gave her the rose atop the letter.

"What's in it, Bry?" Jaedyn asked doing the same thing as Avery.

"It's a note "I saw your friend from France today in your house. What was her name? Avery? Tell her to stay away from you or I promise she will end up like the people who tried to deny me of you."
Love – L XOXO"

"What the hell does this girl want with me?" Avery shouted angrily.

"Come down Ave. It's probably just a prank." I said trying to calm down Avery though I didn't really believe what I was saying. It just didn't feel right.

"Fine." She said with a snicker at the end.

That last part of the note clearly pissed her off.

"Let's get back up I guess," I said as walked passed Avery and Jaedyn and into my house.

By the time I got back to my room, my mom had just got out of the shower and just had entered her room. So I too walked into my room and followed by Jaedyn who was followed by Avery.

"So you guys want to do anything while waiting for my mom to get dressed?" I asked as I turned around to face the girls. I saw Avery spinning around on my computer chair carelessly like a child and Jaedyn was actually checking herself out on my mirror. She really seemed to like the boyish clothes and honestly so did I. I was hoping it'd become a style for her.

"Hmmm?" Jaedyn said as she looked to me "How about we check your browser history." She said with a devious smile on her face.

"YEAH! LET'S DO THAT!" Avery shouted as she grabbed my phone from my desk.

"Ha! You'll never figure out my Password any-." I said with a smirk on my face but I got cut off.

"Got it!" Avery shouted as she started going through my apps.

"What? How?" I said-- speechless as I dropped onto my knees, stumbling towards her trying to grab my phone.

"Next time Bry don't make your password 1234. Hehe." She said as she opened my history with a devious look.

"Nope." Jaedyn said as she pushed my face stopping me from grabbing my phone "We're looking at your browser history whether you like it or not. Consider it as payback for when you teased me for wearing these clothes"

"But those were my genuine thoughts and feelings! Give it back! Please, I'm begging you." I pleased as I gave up trying to get my phone.

Both of them had a smirk on their faces, but Avery's had a slight hint of laughter. She opened up my browser and went through the tabs "Tech. Tech. Games. Amazon. More Amazon. Even more Amazon. Photoshop guide. Video of a frog screaming weed poop, oh even more Amazon, 9GAG, Facebook, ERB, Einstein in flip flops, hmmm... no porn odd" she said rubbing her chin.

"See... now can I have my phone back?" I ask and reach for my phone but all I receive is a hand to my face stopping me

"Nope! We must venture further into your phone!" I heard Jaedyn say strongly

10 embarrassing minutes later

"HAHAHA! I'm dying! I think I'm dying! Why the hell did you download a picture of Laura from Summer Camp?!" Jaedyn said while she was laughing her ass off.

"I'd rather not talk about it," I said face down on my bed mostly because of frustration and because all my blood was rushing into my cheeks.

"Don't tell me!" She said as her eyes widened "You have the hots for her don't you?!" She shouted. "I know where she lives. Let me hook you guys up." She smirked as she rushed over to my side and squatted down. "Please don't Jaedyn," I told Jaedyn with a solemn tone of defeat as she shook me trying to get me to have a date with Laura.

Then she paused "wait a minute why do you have a picture of her? You have the hots for her." Jaedyn said trying to think to make up a conclusion "But you didn't make her your background picture. So you clearly don't want anybody to know and it's not because you want to gawk at her. So you have her picture because. You... Oh my god, Bry, you're gross." As she said with a devilish smile on her face.

"It's not what you think J." I panicked trying to string together all the thoughts and excuses I had stored away in my short-term memory. I looked to Avery in desperation only to see her silently laughing in my chair.

"So what is the reason, Bry?" Jaedyn said sarcastically "It seems pretty obvious what you did." She did that as she nudged me in the shoulder with her elbow.

"I was making a scrapbook of our moments in summer camp. I downloaded her picture to put it in the scrapbook I was going to download yours later." I pouted and shuffled through the stuff on my desk and eventually found the partially finished scrapbook. I showed it to Jaedyn as proof.

"All right I believe you. But if I get one small hint that you like her I'm calling her for a date." She said with a look of satisfaction and sadism.

I just nervously laughed, silently hoping my mother would barge into my room. Her impeccable timing doesn't arrive. Not until 4 minutes later, when my mom called me and my friends down.

"Bryson, Jaedyn, Avery. Come down. I'm ready let's go pickup Tucker from the airport."

"Alright!" Avery shouted as dashed down the staircase. Each of the steps she used for her footing made a slightly louder creak in the wood.

"Well, Bry I'm heading down already how 'bout you?" She asked as she stuffs her hands in her pockets.

"I'm gonna stay a bit and fix my stuff a bit," I said as I arranged some of my books on my desks. "After all, you two single-handedly made a mess of the place.

"Yeah, sorry about that. We'll be waiting." Jaedyn said as she left my room. She didn't even face me while she was apologizing. Talk about rude, or talk about hiding your embarrassment. I couldn't tell which one she meant. Or maybe both?

I picked my sheets lying on the floor, fixed some of my drawings on my desk. Slowly closed closet doors, and shut my drapes. Everything was just the way it should be. I was about to walk out my door then I remembered the letter in my pocket. I pulled it out and took a look at it momentarily before I placed it on my desk. I stared at it wondering what it holds. I look to my trash bin remembering the pile of letters me and J threw away. I know I said I wouldn't but. It's just too tempting. I'm going to read more letters. Forgive me Jaedyn.