I woke up the next morning to a buzzing phone and a warm arm around me. It took me a few seconds to register my surroundings, but when I was finally conscious, I noticed that Lucas was fast asleep next to me, his arm draped over my waist in his sleep.

I slowly slithered out from under his touch, then picked up my phone that wouldn't stop buzzing. I glanced down, silently hoping it was Jason, but found it was Addy instead.

"Hello," I answered, my voice still thick with sleep.

"Goodmorning, sleepyhead! It's 7:30, where are you and Lucas? We're supposed to be on our way to school!"

"Oh, crap!" I yelled. Not only had I completely forgotten that it was a school day, Lucas and I must've both slept through our alarms.

My yell woke up Lucas, who rolled over on my bed and groaned. "Shit, what time is it?"

"Wait, what the hell?" Addy said over the line. "Was that Lucas? Did you guys sleep in the same bed-"

"Bye, Addy," I interrupted her. "We'll see you in 10 minutes."

Lucas and I rushed to my bathroom, brushed our teeth and got dressed. I was glad Lucas had his uniform on yesterday, because we wouldn't have time for him to go home and change. When we were both presentable, we ran down the stairs and into the kitchen to grab anything to eat before we headed on our way.

Upon entering the kitchen, we were unfortunate enough to find my parents standing there, making out like two horny high schoolers. "Ew!" I whined.

The broke apart and my mom rolled her eyes at me. "Leila, just because you're not being kissed doesn't mean no one else should be either," she joked.

"Ouch mom, I need some ice for that burn."

"I don't have ice, but would poptarts do?" she asked.

"Tal, she should be having a healthy breakfast," my dad said. "Stop feeding her that crap."

My mom ignored him and tossed us each a bag of the delicious, over-processed sugary goodness. "Now hurry up, you two. You're going to be late for school."

She was right, so Lucas and I sprinted out to his car, leaving my parents to bicker about the importance of healthy eating.

We pulled up to Addy's house first, finding her waiting outside for our arrival. She got in quickly, ushering for Lucas to rush and drive away as she did. I noticed she had her hair straightened again, but I didn't comment on it this time.

We got to Jason's in record time. When he was in the car, we all breathed a sigh of relief at how well we had done in regards to timing - we were not going to be late to school today.

"So, how was your little sleepover last night?" Addy asked, wiggling her eyebrows at Lucas and I.

"We were just hanging out and ended up falling asleep, Addy," Lucas rolled his eyes at his twin sister.

I quickly glanced back at Jason to gauge his reaction. If he had reacted to that, I couldn't tell since he was looking out of the window, his face out of view.

I wasn't expecting Jason to react per se, but I did expect that if a guy liked a girl and he discovered she had slept next to another guy all night, he would be slightly jealous. Not that it was good for a guy to be jealous, but did Jason even care enough to? I had no clue if what happened last night meant anything to him at all.

When we got to school we headed towards our lockers before first period. I was rummaging through mine looking for my English textbook when I felt a hand brush my back. I turned quickly to see who it was and saw Jason walking away, a smirk on his face.

I turned to Lucas and Addy. "I have to use the washroom quickly, guys. See you in class!"

I sped-walked past Jason and into the gender-neutral bathroom, the notorious school hookup spot. This could go one of two ways: 1) Jason would get the hint and follow me here or, 2) I would sit here alone for a few minutes like a complete loser before going to class.

Around thirty seconds passed with nothing, and I started to get worried and very embarrassed. I felt the familiar feeling of blood rushing up my cheeks.

I turned to look in the mirror in an attempt to talk myself out of the rejection I had just been hit with. It hadn't been long, maybe Jason was still going to come? Maybe he didn't even see me come into the bathroom? Maybe someone started talking to him in the hall before he could follow me in?

Or maybe he just regretted what happened last night, and this was his way of telling me that. I stayed staring at my reflection in the mirror until the bell rang, signalling the start of first period. That shook me out of it.

I took out my little bag of makeup and put on some mascara to make myself feel better, took a deep breath, held my head up and opened the door to exit the washroom.

The moment I pushed the door open, it pushed right back against me, knocking me back into the bathroom. As I was pushed back, I tripped over my own feet, landing squarely on my butt on the disgusting bathroom ground. Jason slipped in, laughing his head off.

"What the hell, Jason?" I said, pushing myself up and quickly washing my hands after they touched floor.

He was bent over laughing at this point, almost wheezing as he struggled to catch his breath. A minute passed before he could finally talk again, and I tapped my foot impatiently for him to explain himself.

"The look on your face as you were leaving the bathroom, Leils-" he burst out laughing again. "It was way too good. I wish I took a picture of you."

I rolled my eyes at him, and he continued talking. "You're so cute. I can't believe you waited five minutes for me. That's adorable. But it was even more adorable to know that you were standing in here, overthinking about me."

"Okay, screw you, Jason. I'm going to class," I huffed, making a move towards the door.

He laughed again, then grabbed my waist to stop me. "I'm sorry. You're too cute not to annoy. You think I was going to miss out on a chance for a little before-class quickie?" he asked innocently.

"Jason, ew! You're so-"

"Irresistible?"

"Disgusting."

He took my chin in his hand and tilted it up so I would look at him. "Take that back."

I gazed into his beautiful green eyes for a moment, mesmerized by the way his dark black lashes framed them. He was irresistible, but I would never tell him that. We had kissed once and already he was all I had been able to think about, and I didn't think what happened yesterday held the same weight to him.

In my whole life, I had never been left wanting. My parents had handed me everything I had ever wanted and more on a silver platter. I'd always had guys falling at my feet. I'd always had my friends supporting me. This feeling of yearning for something I didn't have was just as unfamiliar as it was scary.

"Look, J, I wanted to apologise for how I acted yesterday," I said instead. "You were drunk and things just... escalated. It was a mistake and I'm sorry I let it happen."

Jason pulled my face closer to him, searching my eyes for answers I didn't have. A moment passed, then he cracked his stupid half smile. "Shut up, idiot," he rolled his eyes at me.

"Jason, I'm serious."

"Leila, it wasn't a mistake. I was drunk, but that doesn't make it a mistake."

"I basically forced yo-"

"Can you stop overthinking everything for even a second? You didn't force me to do shit. Do you really think I hadn't been dreaming of doing that for years? That wasn't a mistake, that was..." he paused, searching for the right word. "That was fate."

I looked away from him, confused. "If you've been dreaming of doing that for years, why didn't you?"

"You know why, Leila."

Of course I did. "I still don't think he would be mad at you if you had."

"Of course he wouldn't be mad, Lucas can't be mad at anyone for more than five minutes. That doesn't mean it wouldn't hurt him."

"I know," I sighed. Jason took a step back from me, giving us both some space to breathe. "I'm still going to Winter Formal with him."

"Of course," Jason said. "I couldn't leave Addy to go alone, anyway."

"Okay, good."

There was a brief pause, then Jason smiled. It was a weird smile, a smile I could only describe as strangely melancholy.

"I want you and Lucas to stay close. He needs us in his life, Leils. I don't want things to change."

"Lucas is our best friends, Jason. Nothing could ever change that."

"This," he said, putting his arms around my waist again and pulling me closer. "This could change that if he knew. So he can never know."

"Okay," I agreed. It was better to keep this, whatever it was, from Lucas, at the very least until we both figured out was going on between us.

"So no before-class quickie?" Jason joked.

"In your dreams, Walker."

"How did you know?!"

"Like I said, you're disgusting."

"And you're gorgeous," he said, tightening his arms around my waist and pulling me closer. He leaned down and kissed my forhead, then moved a hand into my hair. He peppered little kisses down my face before reaching my lips.

The moment his lips touched mine, I forgot all my worries and let myself melt into him. There was something about his touch that was electrifying, something that made me come alive. I wrapped my arms around his neck to get closer to him, but in one swift motion I found my legs hoisted off the ground as Jason lifted me up, guiding my legs to wrap around his waist. I was between his body and the wall as his kisses started getting more intense. He was kissing me with a hunger I was not prepared for.

"Jason, stop. Slow down."

He moved his face away from mine for a second, finally giving me a chance to breathe. "Sorry," he said, leaning down to kiss my neck gently. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," I said. "Just put me down."

He obliged. "I'm sorry, Leils. I keep forgetting you're the Virgin Mary."

I turned red at his statement. "Shut up. It's not my fault you're so horny."

"Oh trust me, Leils. It's definitely you're fault. How am I supposed to look at you and not want to-"

"Do not continue that sentence," I said. "We need to go to class."

Jason laughed and glanced at his watch. "We've pretty much missed first period."

I glanced at mine to see that there was only ten minutes left before the bell rang. "Crap. Okay, I need to go to my locker before second period. I'll leave, then wait a few minutes before you do, okay?"

"Okay," Jason agreed, a mischevious grin on his face. "I'll just stand here and think about your-"

"Jason," I warned.

"Personality," he said. "I'll stand here and think about your personality."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Bye."

I opened the door slowly and peaked out to make sure the hallway was empty. I exited the bathroom quickly, walking swiftly to my locker.

I let out a breath of relief when I made it there with no interceptions, or so I thought. I assumed the sound of footsteps behind me was Jason, but when I turned around to see that it was Brad, I immediately shoved my face into my locker in an effort to avoid him.

"Leila," he said in greeting, leaning against the locker next to mine. "How are you?"

"Wishing you would leave me alone," I said sweetly.

He chuckled. "Who knew you would be so sassy? You didn't strike me as the type."

"What type did I strike you as?"

"The hot type."

I rolled my eyes in disgust. "Go away, Brad. Leave me and Addy alone."

"Look, Addy's the one that keeps coming to me. That's not my problem."

"Maybe if you didn't treat her like such shit-"

"I don't treat her like shit. I'm not her boyfriend and I'll never be her boyfriend, so stop expecting me to act like that."

"Not hitting on her best friend right in front of her face is basic human decency. You have no respect for her and no respect for me."

"I'll respect you all you want, Leila. Just give me a chance to."

"Apologize to Addy and stop treating her like shit."

"And then you'll go out with me?"

"Listen, Brad. I'm literally never going to come near you with a ten foot pole. Apologize to Addy regardless, and maybe I'll stop thinking you're complete trash and we can be friends."

"And then what? You string me along for years? Isn't that what you do with all your 'friends'?"

I turned to look at him, my body filled with chagrin and anger at his words. I slammed my locker door closed and crossed my arms. "You don't know anyth-"

"Leils!" Jason's voice interrupted, feigning surprise. "Why aren't you in class? Oh hey Brad, how's it going?"

"Jason," Brad said coldly. "I'm well, how are you now that you've quit the team?"

"Better than ever!" Jason said, ignoring Brad's sarcastic tone. He threw his arm around my shoulder and ruffled my hair. "What are you two talking about over here?"

"Nothing," Brad said.

"Addy," I said at the same time.

We looked at each other and I continued. "I'm asking him to leave Addy alone."

"And I'm telling Leila Addy doesn't want me to leave her alone."

"Then stop treating her like shit!"

"It's not my fault she keeps coming back and throwing herself at me-"

"Hey, watch it, Brad," Jason interrupted.

"It's the truth-"

"I said watch it. Don't you fucking dare talk about Addy like that."

"Or what?" Brad asked.

"Or this," Jason said, then punched him straight in the face.

"Jason, oh my God!" I exclaimed. "Stop!"

The two boys ignored me as Brad threw a punch of his own, hitting Jason square in the jaw. The fight was escalating as they continued to hit each other. They didn't stop even as the bell rang and people started leaving class, immediately forming a circle around the fight.

I looked around desperately for a teacher to come stop what was happening. When I looked up, I locked eyes with Lucas, who was just pushing his way to the front of the circle. He immediately threw himself in the middle of the fight, pushing the two boys away from each other, catching a few stray punches as he did.

When Lucas finally got them to stop, Addy and I both ran towards them. The principal arrived just as the fight ended, and I knew they were going to be in big trouble. "You three boys," she said, pointing to Jason, Lucas, and Brad. "My office. Now."

They got up reluctantly and followed Mrs. Gilmore to her office, leaving a blood-stained floor and a curious crowd in their wake.

"What in the world happened, Lei?" Addy asked.

I stared at her blankly, trying to think of what to say. I couldn't tell her how Brad was talking about her, but at the same time maybe that would finally make her ditch that loser. But looking at her now, knowing how many times his words had hurt her, I couldn't do it. She was too fragile right now, and it was scaring me.

Addy was not a fragile girl. Addy was headstrong and independent. She was the type of person who never liked to depend on other people. She liked to be on top, with all the power.

But with Brad, she had somehow managed to become the complete opposite of that. I had never seen the weak, insecure side of her come out before. Now that it had, I hated it. And I hated Brad for doing this to her. Addy had always had a chip on her shoulder when it came to beauty standards, but she had never let them change her. She'd always carried herself with a confidence in who she was, despite feeling like who she was wasn't who she wanted to be.

"Did he hit on you again?" she prompted me.

"Um... I don't know," I said. "Everything just happened so quickly. And you know Jason - he's just reckless. He started the fight."

"Jason wouldn't just start a fight for no reason, Lei. Tell me what Brad said."

"Addy... It doesn't matter."

"He said something rude about me, didn't he?"

"Addy-"

"Okay, that's what I thought. Whatever, it's fine."

"Addy, wait-"

"I genuinely don't want to hear it, Lei. Let's just go wait by Mrs. Gilmore's office until they let Jason and Lucas out. Then we can all just go home."

We walked to the principal's office and sat in silence outside. There was so much I wanted to say to Addy, but I knew she didn't want to hear it. She always recoiled from me when I tried to show any signs of empathy.

When Jason and Lucas walked out thirty minutes later, we all walked in silence to Lucas's car. He drove us to Jason's house.

"Are you okay?" I asked Jason as we walked up his driveway.

Jason nodded, giving me a little smile. "I'm more than okay, Leils. That asshole had it coming."

I wanted to take care of Jason, to tend to him, but Lucas beat me to it. When we were inside, he immediately starting cleaning up Jason's wounds, taking care not to hurt him as he did.

"I'm sorry, Luke," I heard Jason say quietly.

When he was done, Lucas got up to wash his hands in the nearest washroom. I grabbed the first aid kit and followed him inside. He looked up at me when he saw my reflection behind me in the mirror and gave me small smile.

I patted the countertop. "Sit down, you have some wounds too."

"I can clean them up myse-"

"Sit down, Lucas."

He obliged and I started to slowly disinfect and bandage his cuts. I worked in silence, and though he didn't say anything either, I felt his body relax after a few minutes.

"Are you okay?" he asked me finally.

I let out a little laugh. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

"You never need to worry about me, Lei."

"You worry about everyone else, let me worry about you."

He looked at me and held eye contact. "Thank you."

I disinfected the last cut on his face and stepped away from him, putting more space between us. "Nothing to thank me for, Lukey."

He jumped off the counter top and stepped forward, closing the space I had just created. "Thank you anyway," he said quietly.

I stared up at him, confused at the intimacy of the moment. A background part of me was worried Jason would walk in and see, but the other part just wanted to hug Lucas and make sure he really was okay. But now that Jason and I were... something, it felt wrong to do that. A beat passed, then Lucas sighed and stepped back again.

"I can drive you and Addy home. I'll stay with Jason tonight."

"I can stay with you guys," I said.

"It's okay, Lei. I think him and I need some time to talk about some things."

"Okay," I replied, my heart racing. Jason and Lucas alone together was a scary thought. What if Jason slipped up and told him?

The car ride with Lucas, Addy and I was silent. When he dropped me home I stood on the doorsteps outside as I watched them drive away and disappear into the distance. I stared after them, my heart heavy, hit with the realization that with Jason in the picture, Lucas and I would never be the same.

- - -

Finally an update!!! Hope you guys enjoy it!! Also give me any feedback you guys have so far :)