"I have no idea what color looks more Hawaiian?" Shae asks, mostly to herself, but out loud. She's browsing the rack of nailpolish looking for the perfect one.

I pick up an orange one labeled mango magic. I lift it up over the rack so she can see.

"This is pretty," I say.

"I want something brighter," she says.

I shrug, "Okay. I think I'll use it then."

As my eyes graze over the many choices I find a bright green that sticks out. I pick it up and dangle it while I try to find more. Her hand reaches for it and she gasps so loud the customers waiting behind us give her an odd look.

"Okay," she waves at one of the workers. "I think we're ready."

I was never one to get my nails done, but when I do I go all out. Mom gave me some extra money, probably to help get my mind off of things that have been going on. The chair behind me vibrates and a ball rolls hard into my spine. I would let out a moan, but then I'd look crazy.

"You look relaxed," she says.

"It's the most relaxed I've been in a very long time," I say.

"Good. I can't believe what happened to you this morning and I can't believe Ethan came to the rescue. I mean I knew that boy was handy," she says, holding up her hand, "but damn. I kind of can't stop imagining him with one of those tool belts hanging low around his waist..."

"You mean like something out of one of those Harlequin romances?"

I'm unable to hide my smirk as the words come from my mouth.

She chuckles, "Totally. I mean can't you see it?"

I laugh so hard I almost kick the lady massaging my feet.

"I'll admit Ethan is a hottie," she laughs, "but I've got my eyes on someone else."

I look over at her as she rests her head against the brown leather seat. She rolls her head to the side facing me and opens her eyes.

"Don't get weirded out okay?"

"Of course not, I'm sure there's nothing you can say that will weird me out."

"It's Jackie," she says, watching me for my response.

I sit up and adjust myself a little in the chair, "Elliot? From the team?"

She nods. Jackie is one of the flyers on the team and one of the best cheerleaders I've ever seen. She's always spot on and I'm amazed by her skills.

"That's great, does she like other girls?"

"Yeah definitely. She and this girl Maggie Pierce dated freshman year. She did date a few guys since then, but I have too. It's just there's something about her that I don't know. Like we are in History together and I swear I catch her looking at me sometimes."

"You should talk to her, is she coming tonight?" I ask.

"Yeah, the whole team is. I'm just afraid if I do, what if she tells me she's not interested... birthday ruined," she says.

"Yeah, but maybe you could just kind of hang out with her. Get a feel for the way she feels for you."

I'm glad that Shae was able to tell me one of her secrets. It means that the two of us are becoming close. There are times when I fear I'll lose her just like I did with Jenna, but I'll try to hold onto the fact that this isn't Tulsa and Shae is not Jenna.

"And maybe you'll find out who feels what for you too," she teases.

I roll my eyes and let out a soft chuckle, "So, I kind of have this thing with Levi tonight. He invited me up to the...."

"The rooftop again?"

I nod. She clicks her tongue and smirks, "girl, he's got it bad."

"I'm pretty tangled in that web and it's only been like two weeks since I've been here."

I half laugh, half wonder what the hell am I thinking? I'm not the type of girl who strings along two guys and yet here I am.

"Can I let you in on a little secret?"

Shae leans over as close as she can, "When Levi falls he falls hard, but he's also not a very faithful guy. Ethan would go to the ends of the earth to make a girl happy, but he falls even harder and I watched him get burned by Angela. So be gentle with him, especially if you chose Levi."

Shae is looking out for her friends and her comment did not come off as being bitchy. She's just laying down the rules and I am not one to break someone's heart. It's too early to even tell what I would do if one of them asked me out or kissed me. For now I'll be friendly, but I'll try not to get too close.

"Hey, you know I'm just looking out for you too. Right? You coming here has helped me more than you know and I'd hate for you to hate me over what I just said."

"Shae," I say turning my full attention on her, "I am not mad. I've honestly never had two guys interested in me at one time. This is all new to me and I just hope that if the time does come where one of them actually feels something for me that I can make the right decision. For now, I don't know them well enough to make a decision."

"You're a good person Morgan Adams."

"You are too Shae. Finding a friend again has been the best thing to happen to me in a really long time."

"Glad I could be of service," she says, just as the chime above the door rings.

The two of us look over and strolling in with their noses in the air is Angela and Tori. She spots Shae first and gives a friendly wave, and when her eyes land on me her hand drops and she whispers something to Tori. They both stare in my direction throwing evil glares before putting their heads down and searching through the rack of polish in front of them.

By the time we get to Shae's party it's already in high gear and there's a ton of people. Right away we spot Levi and Ethan by the grill. Levi's already put out a whole spread of food along a table against the side of the house. Just like the first time I'd met him he closes the top of the grill and his eyes find mine. He smirks.

"Well look who finally decided to show up to her party," he says to Shae.

"Oh hush you, we had to look our best," she says, twirling her skirt.

Shae's outfit is to die for. She looks gorgeous in a sky blue floral print two piece tube top and skirt. If I'm being honest she looks so much better than me. I picked out the silky teal floral print dress from her closet. I'm not sure it fits me very well, but that doesn't stop Levi's eyes from wandering up my entire body, including my wide hips that stick out a little more than it should in the tight fabric of the dress.

"Hey," Ethan says, stepping in.

"Hey," I say back.

"How are you doing?"

His eyes search mine. I see the worry in his. I try to muster the best smile I can. My day has gone a lot smoother than my morning had, but I still can't get the whole thing off my mind. His fingers graze the skin on my arm and tiny goosebumps rise all along my skin.

"Morgan?" he questions.

Not only do I feel the weight of his stare, but Levi's as well. It's like I'm a tiny particle under a microscope being examined.

"Come with me to the lake." Shae wraps her arms around my body from behind.

Levi's brow raises as he watches the two of us.

"Yeah. I'll catch you both later?" I say, my eyes landing on Levi.

A sly smirk develops on his lips and I catch Ethan watching out of the corner of my eye. I turn to him as well, just so he doesn't get any ideas that something is going on between Levi and I. His face is blank, but he gives one of his sweet signature smiles. Shae pulls me along to get me out of there before I can say or do anything else.

As we approach the docks, Jackie comes into view. She's sitting with Kelly and Liz from the squad. They have their feet dangling over the edge of the dock while they chat away. Jackie tosses her head back and laughs so loud it echoes around the yard. I can see why Shae likes her, she's honestly one of the most gorgeous girls in the entire school. She's got that perfect silky smooth finesse commercial chestnut hair, and the most perfect honey colored skin that looks like it's never housed a pimple a day in it's life.

Shae stops me just inches away from the docks and grabs hold of my hand, "I'm terrified," she confesses.

"I'll go over there with you. We'll just chat with her as if we were talking after practice. Like it's nothing."

I can feel the sweat from Shae's hands. I squeeze hard on her hand and smile at her, "You got this."

Shae blows air through her lips like she's performing a pre singing exercise and it makes me chuckle a bit.

"You'll be fine," I tell her.

She shakes her head and tugs me down the grass and onto the docks. Our shoes clunk loudly once we hit the wood.

"Hey girls," she says.

Jackie twists her neck to look up at us, and places her hand over her brows to block out the fading sun.

"Hey, you coming to sit with us?" Jackie's soft brown eyes watch Shae.

"If you both don't mind..."

"Of course not."

Her friendly smile towards Shae lets me know that maybe Shae's feelings for Jackie might not be so far fetched.

Jackie slides over giving space for Shae, and I sit on the other side of Liz. It doesn't take long for Shae to get into a deep conversation with Jackie. Their laughter together echoes over the lake, and I can't help smiling like I'm part of their conversation.

Every few minutes my head rocks forward and I know if I don't go sit somewhere other than these docks, I'll end up crashing into the water. I excuse myself and head back towards the house. The lights are now leaving a glowing shimmer on the water's edge. It's almost dark now and getting close to the time that Levi wants to meet. I hadn't realized how long the girls and I were there chatting, it was like I time traveled from lack of sleep.

My eyes scan the area towards the area of the house where Levi's room is. In the fading light I see a dark shadow sitting on the roof all alone. I make it past Ethan without being noticed. He's surrounded on the deck by a few of the football players, they are chatting away about the game next week.

I slip into the house and stare up the wide staircase in the foyer that leads up to the upstairs rooms. My phone says it's only eight fifteen so it's a bit early to meet him, but if he's already there then I guess it's okay.

When I reach the door to his room it's slightly ajar and the warmth of his room is inviting. The scent of barbeque food from downstairs wafts through the open window across the room. Levi is just outside that window, I want to move if only my feet would cooperate.

"You're early," a low rumbling voice says.

His head pops into view from just outside the window. The blood rushes to my face and warms up my cheeks. How did he even know I was there? I step inside the room and sit on the sill of the window.

"Yeah. I almost fell into the water. I can't seem to stay awake," I admit to him, laughing.

"Go lay down. I can wake you in an hour," he says.

I stare over at his empty bed, the flannel navy sheets are tossed to the side. The matching comforter is half on the floor half on the bed. I glance from the bed and back over to him.

"You're safe up here. Everyone knows they aren't allowed on this floor. It's been the rule for like ever, and no one ever breaks it."

"Not long, I don't want to miss singing to Shae," I say.

Shae's actual birthday is tomorrow, so Levi planned for everyone to sing to her at midnight. I don't want to miss singing to her, especially since she's been the one person since moving here that hasn't attempted to flirt with me or try and get in my pants. I don't want to start off our friendship with me asleep in Levi's bed while everyone sings.

"I wouldn't let you miss that, promise."

I stare over at his bed one last time, before standing and crawling into it. I imagined Levi having one of those large king sized beds with the size of his house, only he doesn't. His bed is a small twin crammed into a corner of his room. I flop into the soft mattress and rest my head on his pillow, it smells like him - like summer and the scent of cut grass.

I face the light gray wall just as a blanket drapes over me. I turn halfway to find Levi bent over the bed tucking me in. He sits on the edge and finishes pulling the heavy comforter over me, it's a down comforter and a million times more comforting than my own. He tucks it all the way up near my chin and makes sure it's tight around me. The image of his face blurs in my mind as I drift off watching him watch me.

I'm not sure how long it's been since I passed out on his bed, but two voices startled me awake. I continue to lay facing the wall. A female voice that sounds like nails on a chalkboard rings in my ear, immediately I know it's Angela. In a muffled tone Levi speaks to her.

"Get over yourself Angela. She's just sleeping. What does it matter if I've got her in my bed or not?"

She laughs so loud it hurts my ears.

"If that's what you want to call it," she huffs.

"God Angela, stop being such a bitch, seriously. Nothing happened and nothing is going to happen. It's none of your business if something did though."

"Oh, so something did happen," she spats.

Does this girl not get it?

"Just because Ethan and I are over your shit, doesn't mean you have to start something with every girl we come in contact with."

"I don't start shit," she says defensively. "If you can't see that girl is stringing you both along then you are just as dense as she is. You're both acting like two little lost puppy dogs," she bites back.

"She's not stringing anyone along. You haven't even given her a chance, immediately she became your target," he takes a breath, "and you think you don't start shit?"

Silence on her end. I want to get a glimpse of her face, but I'm better off pretending to be sleeping.

"Mandy Cooperson...." Levi spats.

"That was..."

Her voice weakens.

"Donna Trumble..."

"Okay!" she yells.

As much as I don't want them to know that I can hear them, I'm tired of hearing them. Listening to them bicker is killing the mood. I reach down under the blanket and check my phone, it's almost midnight so I have to get back downstairs anyway. I'm about to throw the blankets off of me when the door clicks shut quietly. The bed shifts with his weight as he gently lays a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey sleeping beauty."

I turn and glare at him, letting him know I heard his conversation. Right away he can tell just from the look I'm giving. Levi sighs and runs a hand through his messy hair.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that," he says.

"It's fine," I say, ready to rip the blankets off, but he stops me.

"Levi, I said it's fine. I'm going to go find Shae."

He closes his eyes for a brief second, "Listen let me explain..."

"Levi. I said it's fine. Let's go before we miss out on cake," I say.

He runs another hand through his hair scratching hard at his scalp and tugs at the ends, growling like he's frustrated. I shove into him and he finally retreats from the bed. Without another word I throw the blankets off of me, slip on my shoes and walk out of the room, and unlike this morning in class I don't look back.