Nolan didn't stop until we were well past the Welcome to Bellcreek sign. The first thing on the agenda was food. Neither of us had eaten breakfast and all the fast food places we were driving past were tempting.

The restaurant we stopped at was pretty empty. There was a family of four in one of the back booths and an older couple sitting by the window. Some family friendly pop music played at a low volume overhead.

"Let's get to the tutti fruitti pancakes." I pointed at the picture on the menu. They were regular pancakes covered in whipped cream and what looked like fruity pebbles.

He eyed me from across the booth. "You're looking at the kids menu."

"I know." I smiled. "Oh, it comes with scratch and sniff stickers."

"You never told me you were a sticker collector." He chuckled.

"I'm not, but I could be," I state, folding the menu and setting it on the table. "Like how until twenty minutes ago I wasn't a delinquent who skipped school. This day is full of surprises."

He leaned in, curiosity on his face. "You've never skipped school?" I shook my head. "Ever?"

"Does leaving early for doctor appointments count?"

"Absolutely not." He leaned back against the seat, studying me with those gorgeous brown eyes. "I didn't know I was dating such a square."

"I am not a square," I said defiantly.

I tried to say it with a straight face, but the smirk on Nolan's face broke me. His mood has changed big time since we left the school and I was loving every moment of it.

The waiter came over and took our orders—two tutti fruitti pancake specials. As we waited for our food Nolan continued to tease me about being a square.

"I don't think you've ever done one delinquent thing in your life." His accusation sounded more like a challenge.

"Bold statement coming from someone who hadn't said a word to me until nine months ago."

He leaned forward again, clasping his hands together. "Alright. What have you done?"

I took a long sip of my ice water with lemon as I tried to think of something. Anything. When Nolan started making tick-tock noises I glared at him.

"Can't think of anything?"

"I've stolen." I announced.

"What?"

"Money."

He looked skeptical. "From?"

"Bee," I said, keeping my voice low. It wasn't something I was proud of.

His eyebrows shot up. "Really?"

"Well, technically, I stole from the waitress the tip was for," I explained. Feeling judged I quickly added, "It was before I knew my dad was sending my mom money and Taylor needed—"

I stopped when I saw he was laughing. "How is that funny?"

"It's not. It's cute actually," he told me. "But it doesn't count. It has to be something you did purely for selfish reasons."

The waiter came back with our food. Even with the extra time I had to think while we drowned our colorful pancakes in syrup I still couldn't think of a single selfish thing I've done.

The worst thing I've done recently was lie to my mom about getting a job. It wasn't selfish and it hardly counted as an act of delinquency.

Finally, I admitted defeat. "Apparently, I'm not a very selfish person."

"I know. It's one of the many things I love about you."

I still wasn't used to hearing that word from him when referring to me. Love. I never wanted to become used to it. Every time he said he loved me or loved something about me I wanted it to reverberate through my entire being.

"So, what would you do? You know, to back up your claim that you're not a square?" He asked, taking a bite of his sugary breakfast.

I shook my head as I cut a bite out of my own food. "No, this outing is for you. You're the one who needed to get away."

"Everything you've done these past weeks has been for me," he said, an earnest look in his eye. " Or for your mom. Or my mom. What do you want to do?"

"I don't know."

"Come on, Jade. There has to be one thing you want to do that benefits no one but you," he pushed. "What would you do if you didn't have to worry about anyone or any consequences."

His unwavering gaze held me in place and wouldn't let go until I answered the question.

"Graffiti," I blurted. It was the first thing that popped into my head, then I immediately regretted it as a smile grew on Nolan's face. "Nope. Whatever you're thinking—"

"You can do something small," he said, ruining with the idea. "Think of how satisfying it'd be."

"Does the satisfaction come before or after we're hauled off in a police cruiser?"

He laughed in a way I hadn't heard in days. "You know you want to do it. Otherwise you wouldn't have brought it up."

He was right. The thought of someone looking at my art on a random wall and trying to figure out the story behind it sent a certain thrill through me. I was already thinking about what I'd paint.

"Then it's settled," he said, taking my silence for an answer. "After breakfast we're painting the town."

* * *

We finished breakfast and despite my attempts to get out of it, we ended up at a store to purchase some spray paint.

When we realized the spray paint was locked behind a protective case I thought we'd have to call the whole thing off. But when Nolan flashed his fake i.d. the college aged cashier didn't even blink. He just unlocked the case and sold us two cans of paint. Obviously, he couldn't be bothered to hassle us.

"You pick a location?" Nolan asked as we walked back out to his motorcycle.

I'd thought about that since we left the diner, so the answer was easy. "The creek."

He looked happy with my choice. "Sounds perfect."

We passed the Welcome to Bellcreek for the second time that day. Thunder clashed overhead, the smell of rain getting stronger. But the rain held out. Probably curious to see if I'd go along with the graffiti.

Nolan parked his bike and we climbed off. As always the park was empty. The dark clouds gave the abandoned playground an eerie look.

"I feel like we're in the beginning of a horror film," I said, pulling my sweater tighter around myself to fight off the cold. I picked a bad day to wear a dress.

I was distracted by the creepy way the swings moved in the breeze and Nolan decided to advantage of that, growling and grabbing my sides from behind. The little scream I let out was embarrassing.

"You're the worst."

His arms circled my waist, pulling me back into his chest and giving my cheek a quick. "You're the best."

I couldn't help but smile. Him being weird and goofy was the best version of him yet.

"Pick a wall, delinquent."

I walked over to the small brick structure that housed a single, disgusting toilet. Nolan followed behind, holding onto the bag of paint.

"Here. You can see it from the street," I told him. If I made it big enough, anyone who drove by could see it.

He held out the bag to me. "Alright. I'll keep watch."

He left me alone, walking over to the picnic tables where he could easily see if anyone, specifically cops, were coming around the corner.

What I didn't tell Nolan was that I'd never used spray paint in my life. I skimmed over the instructions on the label and hoped for the best. From the first spray I could tell that this wouldn't be like painting with a brush at all. Also, the stuff smelled so bad.

Covering my nose with my sweater, I did the best I could. Starting with the black paint, then filling in the blank spaces with the white. It looked bad. Really bad. But I was still proud of it.

When I called Nolan over he examined the art. Tilting his head this way and that. Finally he asked, "What is it?"

"Spike."

"What's a spike?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "The penguin. From homecoming."

"Oh?" He tilted his head again. "Is he drunk?"

I punched him in the shoulder, failing at keeping a straight face. "Spray painting isn't as easy as it looks. Plus, the wind!"

"That pesky wind." He snorted.

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Well, I think my penguin is cute."

"I think it should go to an AA meeting."

A drop of water landed on my cheek. At first I thought Nolan spit on me, then a few more drops landed.

"I really hope this paint was quick dry." Nolan picked up a can to read the label.

Already drunk Spike was beginning to morph into some horribly disfigured creature as the rain began to wash away the paint. Whatever. My graffiti still counted.

With another clash of thunder the clouds opened up and the rain poured down. Nolan removed his jacket, holding it over my head to protect me from the rain. Not worried that he was getting drenched.

"What's next on your delinquent to-do list?"

I took one look at the way his now wet t-shirt clung to his muscled torso. How drops of rain rolled down his sharp cheekbones and neck. One thing immediately popped into my head.

"Depends." I said, chewing at my bottom lip.

"On?"

I stepped close to him, running my hands over his defined chest. "Whether or not you brought protection."

His eyes widened at what I was suggesting. "Here?" His gaze shifted around the empty park.

I stood on my toes, kissing him below the ear. "Does that mean you have a condom?"

His heart picked up pace beneath my hand. The reaction made me smile. "Yeah. Yes, I do." His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. Was he nervous?

I took he's hand, interlocking our fingers as we made a break for it, taking cover from the rain and from view of the street underneath the roofed in part of the picnic area.

We were both soaking wet by the time we reached cover. With my back against the brick wall his lips crashed into mine. My fingers tangled in his hair, his hand gripped my thigh. The rain made every touch more intense, every kiss more passionate.

Or maybe it was just being with Nolan. The boy I loved, the boy who loved me back.

* * *

Nolan held out one end of the thick blanket he was wrapped in, allowing me to curl up beside him on the couch. It was still storming outside, the rain just about lulled me to sleep.

We were in my living room, following Mom's no boys upstairs rule. I knew I'd get in trouble when she found out I skipped school and I didn't want to make matters worse by breaking anymore of her rules.

Although, Nolan and I were in our underwear while our clothes were in the dryer. So, that kind of defeated the purpose. Thankfully we had a few hours before Mom came back from work.

I hadn't stopped shaking since we made it to my house, but as soon I tucked myself beside Nolan I warmed up.

"When I get sick I expect to be taken care of," I said, looking up at him. "Slutty nurse's outfit and everything."

His laugh vibrated through his whole body. "Hey, playing around in the rain was your idea."

My lips turned up into a smile. "I had fun today."

"So did I," he said, returning the smile.

"And you had a point. It has been a while since I've done anything just for me," I told him. "I looked up summer art programs while I was putting our stuff in the dryer. I think I'm going to apply to a few. See what happens."

The way his face lit up made me love him even more.  He let a low whistle. "You're going to have a hard decision to make when all those schools start fighting over you."

"Yeah, right." But I couldn't stop the blush that crept up to my cheeks. "What about you? Are you going to take the week off from school?"

"After what happened today, I think that's the best choice," he said, toying with his mom's ring that he wore around his neck. He did that a lot lately. "Besides, you kind of got me hooked on Psych, so I can binge on that."

I giggled. "I told you, that show is the best."

* * *

Nolan left just before Mom came home, Taylor in tow. The rain had stopped, finally. I was still parked on the couch, wrapped in the blanket but fully clothed.

Mom plopped down next to me, looking exhausted. "What's for dinner?"

I looked to Taylor who was trying to take off her coat. "What's for dinner, Tay?"

The toddler stopped fussing with her coat and grabbed the remote from the table. "'Ana?"

"No," Mom groaned. "No more Moana."

I laughed as Taylor tried to force the remote into my hand. Mom shot me daggers as I turned on the movie. As the opening the scenes played and Taylor stood, bouncing excitedly on the couch, I wondered if I could actually survive a summer without them.