"I'm not gonna kiss Aiden," Micah whispers to me.

I smile wider. "You kiss him all the time, now do it!" He rolls his eyes but grins, leaning away from me and standing up from the breakfast table.

"Sit your ass back down, Templeton," Aiden grunts, not even looking up. My lips snap shut, my eyes widening.

"One kiss? Because Aaron asked?" Micah pouts. I shrink back into my chair at the glare Aiden sends me at that.

Oh shit.

I avert my gaze. "No," he grunts, only increasing my bad feeling. "S-sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel forced or something," I whisper, my fingers tightening around my hoodie.

Silence dawns on the room. I cringe at it. God, why do I always manage to make things awkward? I'm the worst.

I silently stand up, keeping my gaze down. "I-um-I'm gonna pack my bag for today," I whisper and turn around.

A hand in my neck yanks me back, stopping me from saving myself. I shut my eyes, trying to stop the flashbacks. Not the right time.

"Please let me go," I whisper to Seb, whose hand is still in my neck. He immediately does. "Right, sorry," he nervously laughs, hiding his hand behind his back.

I want to tell him it's fine but before I can, I notice Aiden move in the corner of my eye. He grabs a surprised Micah and gives him a kiss, then turns to me.

I blink. He smiles. "There you go. I'm sorry, I haven't slept well tonight," he adds, sighing, brushing a hand through his hair. The blue circles around his eyes agree with what he says.

No, but seriously, the blush on my cheeks always betrays me. Like now. I don't have to say anything, but due to my tomato-mode, they know how I feel. Goddamn it.

Ada claps in her hands. "Pack your bags, boys, we're going to another museum today!" Groans fill the room, mine too. Last time I went to a museum did not end well.

Aiden hands over a stack of papers. "Here you go. If you're bored," he winks. The asshole has the nerve to laugh and leave the room.

I turn to the others with open mouth. They're just grinning. "Seems like you've got work to do, babe," Ada smirks. Despite my blush making it obvious I like the name, I attempt to give her a scowl.

Micah stands up and brushes past me to go to his room, but not without ruffling his hand through my hair, messing it up. I groan, trying to put it back flatly.

Seb shrugs, sending me a wink too. "You need any help?" I give him a soft, effortless smile. "I think I can manage."

He leans onto the counter, sipping his mug. "Well, do you want me to help?"

I give a little shrug, blushing furiously. Seriously. That has to stop.

He smirks and pushes himself off the counter. "Let's go then, little one."

****

I knock on the door.

The door reads staff, but Micah told me, over text, that it's just a room where they hang out until this museum trip is over.

It opens, revealing Aiden. He's put off the jacket of his suit, leaving him in black pants and a white dress shirt, which is up till his elbows. He looks freaking delicious.

"Who invited him?" Aiden cocks an eyebrow, looking over his shoulder. My stomach turns.

He grins, looking back at me. "I'm kidding. I asked Micah to text you, come in." Breathing out in relief, I listen and step in the room.

The other three sit up as soon as I come in. "Finally! What made you come now and not, like, two hours ago? I've been waiting," Micah pouts. I stick out my tongue playfully.

"I'm bored." He scoffs, "And you weren't before? You weren't bored without these great abs?" He lifts his shirt and shows me his damn abs, almost making me pass out in delight.

"I was, uh, managing," I croak out, trying to rip my eyes off the sight, but being unable to. He helps me, hiding them again with a knowing smile.

I act like I don't know why the hell he's grinning like an idiot.

"What are you guys doing here?" I ask, plopping down on one of the chairs at the large table. Ada shrugs. "Being bored. Roasting Sebastian."

My face lights up with that possibility of spending time. "What? What happened? Oh my God, did he strip or something?"

They all chuckle at that. "Not this time, no," Aiden snorts, sitting down on a chair next to me. There's literally ten other chairs, but I like the idea of him choosing one close to me.

I bite my lip, eyes shining. "Not this time? When did that happen? I mean," I turn to glance at Seb, who's rolling his eyes, "it does sound like him."

Sebastian's jaw drops. "It so does not! I'm not giving this," he proudly points at his chest, "at people for nothing!"

Fair enough.

"Anyway," Aiden rolls his eyes, "let's say he's gonna get it tonight." A shudder goes over my spine at that, but it's not fear or disgust. It's . . . interest.

The conversation must be done all of a sudden, because he points at the drawer. "Choose a game, boy, 'cause we're in here for the long game. At least three more hours."

I suppress a groan and choose Monopoly from the drawer, because lots of people say they like it. I watch as everyone joins in to play along and doubt whether I should confess now or later.

When Micah asks if I want to start, I decide I better confess now. "I, ah, I've never played this game before," I say, but my voice turns into a whisper the longer I talk. But can you blame me? They're looking at me like I killed their favorite pet.

"H-how?" Seb stutters, his hand halted somewhere in the air. I shrug. "My parents never wanted to play, and do I look like I was popular in school?"

They give me an up and down. I groan, hiding my face in my hands. "Don't actually look—God, just tell me how the game works," I sigh.

They do. They explain every rule, every trick, and make me laugh multiple times. It's just great.

Until another knock sounds on the door. We're in the third round. I'm freaking rocking this game, with all of them left three blocks behind me. They suck ass.

Aiden sighs and stands up, since his turn is just over. I shrug and watch as Micah throws the dice.

My body stiffens when I hear Ezra and Silas talking. I've been lucky enough to be able to avoid them most of the day, but that's not gonna keep going well if they search me.

"Ah, sir Whitlock!" Ezra's voice says, and I wince at the cocky note. Oh no.

Ada frowns and looks over her shoulder, then realizes why I'm not paying attention to the boardgame. Seb sighs, "Ignore them. That's the best you can do."

I nod. He's right.

But I can't help but listen along, even though I keep my eyes on the game. ". . . You shouldn't protect that fag. You know, Aaron Bright? Look, he's just a trouble maker. He doesn't follow the rule about hair, and now he's ruined some of the art here!"

I look up with wide eyes. Wait a fucking second—I did what?

"When did he do that?" I hear Aiden ask. I jump up to tell him I did literally nothing, but Micah stops me with his hand on my wrist. His eyes soften at my panicked state.

"He knows," he whispers. "We know. Let him trick them, there's nothing they can do."

I see Aiden nod, putting on a thoughtful expression. "Lead the way, gentlemen." I hear the sarcasm in his voice, but they don't. I breathe out in relief.

"I need a picture with the witnesses . . ." I hear Aiden faintly say before the door clicks shut. I look at the other three. "What if they tell Stansley about this? I have no evidence I wasn't there," I stress.

Everyone on this school is against me. "Now I'll be filed with his, and the FBI might pull up, but I have no money! Oh my God, can they throw me in jail for this?" I gasp.

Ada grabs my hands. "Babe. Stop overthinking and look right there in the corner." She points up. I see a camera, which is recording.

"That's all the evidence you need."