Tyler had explained over the phone what had happened to Cassidy. As the two of them made their way down to the police station, Tyler was glad that Kiandre had made some decent friends, ones that would come to his aid. He sure as hell didn't have people like that in South heights.

At the police station:

"Go on in. I'll be there in a moment. I just want to let Rose know what's happening. Maybe she can get Layton to come back today?"

"Good idea. Kiandre has been in a foul mood ever since she left, so it's safe to say she's the only one that would be able to get through to him."

At Jamie's home, approximately 4 hours away from Lightwood Heights:

Layton was packing her things for her trip back home the next day.

"Ready to leave so soon? Sure you don't want to stay the weekend as well? " asked Jamie, a slight tone of concern in his voice

"I've calmed down now. I have a lot of explaining to do back home. Might as well get it over with. I really hope Kiandre doesn't think the worst of me after running out on him and going M.I.A. as soon as he showed me a glimpse into his life."

Layton's shoulders drooped as well as her head, a somber expression plastered on her face.

Jamie brought her face back up so that her eyes met his gaze.

"Little one, even if you shot somebody in the foot, you'd still be the best, most pure and genuine person around. Anyone with eyes can see that."

Layton placed a hand on Jamie's face, the roughness on his 5 o'clock shadow played against her smooth hands.

"You had a lot to do with that, you know? You gave me strength and peace of mind, knowing you'll always be there when I need you."

An intimate moment is shared between the two as they look into each other's eyes which seemed to go on for eternity.

Something came over Jamie, the only thoughts in his mind were about Layton's plump lips only inches away from his own and her vanilla scent intoxicating him. He was about to close the minor distance between them when Layton's phone rang, bringing them both out of the trance like state.

"What the hell? Oh god! I'll leave straight away," Layton hung up the phone

Jamie wondered what was going on that got Layton worked up

"Kiandre got arrested. Cassidy is at the station now. Looks like I'll be leaving even sooner than we thought."

The two hug, a part of Jamie not wanting to let go. He had a moment of selfishness and thought, "If only I told her to ignore the call, we would've had a moment of bliss. Wait, what am I thinking? This is Layton, my best friend. I wiped her boogers and I don't see her in that way. I must be coming down with the flu or something, right?"

As soon as she was out the front door, Jamie rang up a buddy from the academy.

"Holy shit! I nearly kissed my best friend," he exclaimed to Rick on the other side of the phone

"Firstly, hello to you as well. Best friend as in Layton? Voice of an angel Layton, body of a ...."

He was interrupted before he could continue with his description

"Yes, her. I don't know what came over me or what I was thinking. One moment we're talking and I feel the urge to get closer to her, the next I'm craving smashing my lips against hers and tasting her sweetness. Which is hella disturbing because I see her as my little sister."

"I think growing up you did see Layton as a sister, someone young and innocent that you needed to protect, but now she's a beautiful young woman, one that understands the deepest depths of you and has shared your happiest moments with you as well as held your hand through the darkness," Rick said, dropping some wisdom

"Maybe I just haven't gotten laid in a while. My head is all confused. Yeah, that's probably it," Jamie said frantically, not wanting to believe the possible truth that he could be developing feelings for his best friend.

"Bud, we could bed plenty of women but intimacy is another thing. That's love between souls. Look, Layton is an amazing person. She's going to fall in love and make someone incredibly happy. Hell, I'd even throw my hat in that race. All that's left for you is to decide if you're the one you want to be made happy by her."

"When did you get so wise, mate?" Jamie joked to hide his overactive, pondering mind.

"I'm older and better looking than you. I'm the gift that just keeps on giving."

"Oh, bugger off."

The two friends continued their conversation on a lighter note.

Back at the police station:

"Lucky for you, kid, no charges were pressed but bail will be set at 1000 dollars," said an officer.

"Better get used to seeing my face then, Officer. I ain't got that kind of money."

"Yeah, but we do," Cassidy entered with Tyler. The officer and Cassidy left to go and sort out Kiandre's release papers.

"What did you do? The little prick didn't press any charges?" asked Kiandre, glad to see his brother and friend.

"Well before we made our way over here, Cass and I found Josh and threatened to tell the cops about his flings with minors and the fact that he threw the first punch. That sent the bastard running."

"Smart thinking, you are my brother after all" joked Kiandre

"Glad to see someone's feeling better," Tyler rolled his eyes and huffed at his brother, both of them laughing now.

It took a few hours for Kiandre to be released. He was forever grateful to Cassidy for bailing him out and swore to pay him back.

Cassidy would have none of that. "That's what friends are for. I rather know you're not somewhere where you don't belong. Plus, if I didn't I think Layton would hang me literally," he said, laughing.

Outsides Layton's house, in Cassidy's car:

"Dude, what the hell are we doing here? Rose said Layton's not home," huffed Kiandre.

"She's waiting for you. As soon as we told her what happened, she drove back," answered Cassidy.

"Oh really? Now I'm suddenly important?" Kiandre asked, not budging from the subject

"Get your ass out of this car right now or so help me God, I will kill you. Stop being a stubborn goat and go get your girl," Tyler now commanded Kiandre.

Cassidy laughed and Kiandre muffled a "Fine" as he exited the car and made his way to Layton's front door.

As soon as Layton opened the door, she rushed into Kiandre's arms. At first, he was hesitant to hug her back but soon nuzzled his head in her neck and wrapped his arms around her.

He was still pissed at her but seeing and feeling the way she held onto him, not wanting to let go, told him all he needed to know in that moment. She missed him just as much as he missed her.

"Are you okay? Do you need anything?" asked Layton while examining Kiandre

"Maybe just a hot shower then we can talk, Bellissima?"

Layton sat impatiently and waited for Kiandre. She had left some of Jamie's spare clothes on the bed so Kiandre could change into them

Kiandre comes out wearing a towel, his hair wet and messy, and his silky smooth skin daring Layton to run her hands across it.

She bit her bottom lip, stopping herself from pouncing on him and experiencing all that is Kiandre Jacobsen.

Kiandre was enjoying the attention he was receiving from Layton, devouring him with her eyes

"Turn around, Angelo, so I can change."

She did as was told, albeit hesitantly

"Your tattoo, Verzi, what does it mean?" asked Layton curiously

"It's a little town my father grew up in. In Italy. I've only seen it in pictures but from what he told me, the stories about it, it's the place I want to settle down in one day and raise my own family."

"That's beautiful," she said.

"You're beautiful," Kiandre said, now facing Layton, bringing his thumb to her bottom lip and gently running it across her lips. He leans in and nibbles her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine. She grabbed onto his hair as he planted a kiss on her neck, awakening her senses as she anticipated for the toe curling sensations he was about to give her. He then moved back to her ear and whispered,

"I'm so freaking pissed at you, Layton Cruz."

Those words brought Layton back down from cloud nine.

"I thought you deserved a little punishment," he said as he smirked at her, satisfied and got up.