"That my ladies is how you get discounted smoothies," Blair gloats once we're a safe distance away from the pop up stall. "He's a little thin for my liking but I'll still go on a date with him."

I chuckle lightly at her while Taylor rolls her eyes. Sometimes she can be such a player when it comes to guys. But then again, most guys are the same when it comes to girls or at least at our school. It's rare that you would find a guy that isn't chasing you for one thing.

My opinion might be bias but that's how my almost non existent dating life is. I've been a total of three dates that ended with me pushing the guy away, stomping on his foot and putting a bucket on his head filled with popcorn.

In my defense, the third one was lucky I didn't slap him when his hand slipped underneath the hem of my dress. Just as the movie started by the way and on our first date. There are some lines that shouldn't be crossed and that's one of them.

"Kira!" I stop walking, looking back to see Nate walking towards me with a grin. "How are-"

I swat his arms down with narrowed eyes. "What were you thinking about running away last night? Do you know that your brother called me to find where you were? Why would you do that?"

He blinks slowly and tucks his hands into his jeans pockets. Not long after, my eyes trail back to see Rhys busy on his phone, he looks up and does a double take. Quickly I turn back to Nate who resembles a child being scolded.

"He was being a jerk," I raise an eyebrow and he sighs. "But on the upside it made you guys talk-"

"What's going on here?" Blair questions with her bitchy exterior going up instantly. "I thought you weren't talking to either of the Adams brothers. They're nothing but trouble."

"Well actually I'm not trouble, " Nate butts in with a grin. "Rhys on the other hand."

"Nate shut up," Rhys finally puts his phone away and steps closer with a sigh. "Once again you're still holding a grudge over something that happened years ago. You should really learn to move on from that."

"I would if you weren't persistently trying to hang around my friend," She glances to me with a raised eyebrow. "I don't know what you're thinking by doing so."

"It's not like I'm forcing her against her own will," Rhys snorts, standing between Nate and I. "Unlike you she doesn't necessarily care about reputations or feels the need to isolate me because of something I would call a mistake."

"He's not a bad person despite what you think," Her eyes narrow on me and I exhaled shakily. "You can stop glaring at me because I stand by what I said. He isn't going to bash my head in or try to kill me or at least I hope not."

He gives me an amused look before rolling his head to speak to Blair. "It's not like she's my girlfriend which would give you a reason to give me the third degree. Until then you can just keep your mouth shut."

"Excuse me!" Blair shrieks, catching the attention of people going past. "What do you mean until?"

My eyes widen and I check my phone quickly. "Your shift starts in six minutes."

Blair looks at me with narrowed eyes, checking the watch strapped to her wrist. She inhales and exhales out of annoyance before adjusting her bag strap on her shoulder. I can see the glare she's giving Rhys but it fades when she turns to Taylor.

"Keep an eye on Kira would you?" She shoots Rhys another glare before stomping off towards the food court.

I take a sip from my mango smoothie to soothe the itch in my throat. "Your friend is scary."

Nate's words force me to suck harder until too much goes down at once. I cough turning away while Taylor laughs lightly at his words and probably my reaction. My chest hurts and I try to maintain composure but I can feel my face getting redder.

"You're not the first one to say that but she's really just protective," A hand rubs my back while I continue to cough up a lung. "Especially because Kira is the youngest of us so she's a lil' baby."

I force myself to stand up properly with a frown. "I'm not a baby."

"That's why you're choking."

I turned around about to yell at Rhys when I have to lean back in the slightest to avoid having an awkward collision. More so to avoid his hand touching my chest. I didn't know it was him rubbing my back. Forcing myself to move past that fact I continue.

"It's because I don't turn eighteen until a week before school ends," I explain with a huff. "They treat me as if I am a baby incapable of taking care of herself."

"Well you kinda can't take care of yourself." Rhys grins when I gape at him.

"Okay to avoid a fight breaking out,how would you guys feel about getting lunch with us?" Nate asks, nudging his brother with a look to shut up. "McDonalds?"

"We were actually going to go shopping before a store closes," Taylor answers. "But if you want to come along first then sure."

"Great! Where are we going?" Nate links arms with Taylor and starts walking while Rhys and I follow with reluctance.

"This isn't some elaborate scheme?" Rhys asks, leaning down in the slightest to keep his voice low. "If so I'm making a run for it."

I raise an eyebrow. "Would it kill you to maybe, I don't know . . . flirt with a girl for your brother's sake then maybe he wouldn't have to make up a scheme."

"Why would I flirt with a girl only to lead her on when I'm not interested?" He whispers harshly and I blink a few times at his words. "I don't really see the point in doing that."

Slowly I look to Rhys with a smile. "That's actually really sweet. I didn't think you had it in you. . ."

"I'm not sweet," he snaps, annoyed by my teasing. "I just know that it's not okay to use them like that."

I nod and reach up to pinch his cheek as it turns red. "You're blushing."

"Why am I talking to you?" He pulls my hand away, rubbing his face in order to hide his cheeks.

I take a sip of my smoothie before shrugging. "Who knows. Maybe you should make a run for it, unless you want to put Nate's mind at ease."

"Fine. I'll do it if it gets you to stop saying I'm sweet," I nod furiously as we enter the store having him inhale sharply. "Anyone in particular?"

I scan the room until my eyes fall on a petite brunette sorting the racks out. Rhys follows my eye path and starts walking slowly. He rubs his hands on his jeans before leaning on the end of the rack with his back to me.

Moving over to Nate and Taylor who seem to be getting along really well I keep my eyes flickering over to Rhys. I accidentally step on Nate's foot when Taylor stops abruptly to pull out something from a circular rack.

"Careful- wait, where's Rhys?" Nate looks around until his eyes fall on his brother. "Oh my god. I've got to get closer, come on."

Nate pulls my hand in their direction while I mentally curse. We reach the opposite side of the rack and have Rhys glance at me for a split second. I raise my eyebrows and subtly turn to the rack, pretending to be sifting through it with Nate.

"You've got such a unique name," he chuckles calmly. "It reminds me of a goddess."

"Really? That's sweet of you."

I stifle a laugh at the use of the adjective that he hates. "It's like your parents could have predict how beautiful you would turn out to be."

The line he uses makes me look to Nate who is ultimately trying not to laugh. "Oh he's smooth."

"Tell me about it." I whisper back still eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Well Rhys means strength, right? You certainly have a strong physique."

I twist my body around to see the lazy smile on Rhys' lips at his new friends compliment. He looks like a natural by the way he's standing but I can see the flicker of boredom in his eyes. He isn't interested. I don't know why because this girl is actually drop dead gorgeous, then again that isn't up to me.

"What time do you get off?" I blink a few times, not expecting that as his eyes momentarily fall in my direction before going back to the girl in front of him. "Maybe we could get something to eat."

"Well I actually have a lunch break in a few minutes. I could get my friend to cover for me so I could leave early," He smiles a dazzling smile while she giggles. "Wait here. I'll be back."

When she runs off I don't have long to process it before Nate is slipping through the clothing rack to stand in front of Rhys. I move closer and stand on my toes to see both boys. Nate looks like a kid on Christmas morning and Rhys like the annoyed parent who was woken up at 6am on the same day.

"Damn. I didn't realize you were so smooth with your lines," Nate teases, bouncing on his toes. I roll my eyes as he continues. "She's pretty. I figured you would have a thing for brunettes, you're going to give me the details after. Right?"

Rhys raises an eyebrow and slowly turns to me. "This is why I don't tell him anything."

"Because that's not rude." Nate stops bouncing.

"I think he means you're a little bit excited over something that's minor," I test the theory as Rhys nods. I look to a pouting Nate. "But at least you know his preference. So maybe you can take it down a notch before you explode."

Nate huffs. "Fine. I'm happy for you. Have fun. Don't leave without me because I don't feel like getting the bus home."

"I swear that you embrace the gay stereotype sometimes just to annoy me," Rhys shakes his head and pushes off the rack. "I won't leave without you. You'll take care of him-"

"I don't need to be taken care of."

"Once again I think he means keep you out of trouble." I repeat in a nicer way.

When Rhys nods Nate frowns. "I don't know if I like being ganged up on."

"We aren't ganging up on you," Rhys ruffles his hair with a grin. "That would be too easy."

"Are you- who is this?" The girl returns now wearing her hair down and a strong aroma of perfume.

Her eyes narrow at me for a moment but Nate is quick to rescue the situation. "I'm his younger brother, she's my girlfriend."

I wave awkwardly watching as her posture relaxes. Her glare turns into a smile as she rules me out as a possible threat. Don't roll your eyes. I return the fake smile while glancing to Rhys who bites his lip to stop the laugh from escaping at my facial expression.

"Yeah I'm the chaperone for the two baby's in my life," I gape at him but don't get a chance to scold him before he's placing his hand on her lower back. "Let's leave them alone. What do you want-"

Once they're out of earshot I grind my teeth together at Nate's teasing, "Is that jealousy I see?"

"No," I snap, turning my attention to Nate. "You're sensing annoyance because he called me a baby, that jerk."

"I think it's jealousy." Nate taunts and I point my smoothie at him.

"Well you think wrong," I furrow my eyebrows at the stupid mispronouncation. "Thought wrong. You get the point. I hate being called a baby because of my age."

"If it helps you're older than me?"

I chuckle and smile slightly. "Can someone help me decide; blue or red?"

Taylor holds up two dresses identical in the make but different shades. "Why do you need a dress again?"

"I think it depends on the occasion." Nate states.

"School art gallery," I tilt my head and she explains further. "My collection is being displayed from last year. Some big names are coming to look as well and it's laying the foundation for the one at the end of the year and I might get a scholarship."

"So you need to dress up for this thing?" He asks and I shrug.

"Um. Not that I know of but I kinda want this scholarship so it wouldn't hurt," Taylor exhales and shakes the dresses. "So which one?"

"Red."