Ari P.O.V.

"....And that's how it happened," I rubbed my hand across Jack's arm and plastered on a fake smile. I might be lying that i'm dating him, but i'm not lying that I like feeling up his biceps.

"Awwww!" Erica sputtered, her hormones raging. "That's so cute. I wish the father of my child was there for me like that." Emma, Erica and I sent side glares across the room towards Darion. The boys were clueless.

"Get me a muffin," I pushed at Jack's arm, as he sighed and heaved himself up from the orange couch.

Emma, my best friend, scooted towards me. "No matter how fake that story was, I think you two make a great couple."

Emma P.O.V.

I woke up abruptly in the middle of that jet black, stormy night, salty tears streaming down my cheeks. I had never felt guilty about a dream before.

Right as I dried my eyes and was about to nervously set my head down, the door to the apartment creaked open. I shot up again and grasped my swiss army knife.

"Oh," Anthony whispered, awkwardly smiling. ''Did I wake you?"

"Explain," I replied, setting the knife down.

"Well, I was craving some Lucky Charms, and Darion ate all of ours, so I thought--" He gazed up at me. "Your cheeks... why were you crying?"

"Oh, um," I took a tissue from the end table of the couch. "Just allergies."

"I know you," Anthony raised an eyebrow. "You have no allergies."

I sighed and dropped to the couch. "What if I had my period? You wouldn't want to know about that."

"Sure I would," He set the cereal box down and sat next to me, his face only visible from the orange and silver ombre street lights below. He gave me a crooked grin.

"What are you, my boyfriend?" I let out a giggle, dabbing my eyes with the tissue.

"I want to be," he replied placidly, resulting in an awkward silence and my cheeks flushing over.

"T-that's kind of why I was tearing up," I turned towards him, cradling my knees. "No matter how happy I am for Ari and Jack... i've always been the awkward one. The nerd. Ari's always gained attention from boys, with her... body type," we both chuckled. "I dunno, I guess I want that kind of attention."

"Are you kidding me?" Anthony sighed and scratched the back of his head, clearly irritated. "Haven't you seen? Haven't you noticed me giving you that attention? I have since elementary, you goof. Ever since my sister introduced me to you at recess... I had a little crush on you."

I stared at him, trying to remember back to the times I caught him looking at me in a "weird" way. Maybe that was his form of checking me out.

"U-um, wait here," He jumped up from the couch and ran back to his apartment.

He appeared back with a brown, woven scrapbook and rested it on his knee. He flipped it to a page where rolled up scraps of lined paper were taped in.

"This is my favorite... from 3rd grade."

Dear Anthony,

Thanks for the daisy you gave me at recess today. I put it in my hair and when I got home my mom had to take the blossoms out. She was realy mad and asked me what made my hair all mesy, and i said "a prince gave me a flower, mommy." Also, thanks for protecting me when those girls were making fun of me becuz i told them i was a "mistake." Those girls always make fun of me. Also, you know Erin? That boy with the big nose that likes me who's in art with us? His mom is this girl named Janice. My mom and dad said they knew her and that she was really annoying. But don't tell him that!

Sincerely,

Emma

I cupped my hands over my mouth and shook my head. "Becuz? Wow, young Emma, way to spell."

He made a sly grin and closed the book. "See what I mean? How could boys not adore you? You're perfect... in every way, shape, and form..." He inched closer to me, his hand on my thigh. "I hope you can rest easy now."

"You can't leave me now," I grasped my fingers onto the edge of the couch as he opened the door. "You have to kiss me good night first."

Anthony sighed and jumped over on top of me once again. He swept an ombre curl out of my face and gazed into my eyes. I never noticed his auburn eyes were glazed over with a silver tint. I never realized how many freckles were faded across his cheeks and nose.

Just as the longing became unbearable, Anthony's lips met mine. The warmth of his mouth sent a current running through my body. I threw my arms around Anthony's neck as I lost myself in his peppermint breath and soft lips.

"Emma, where are the tums--" Ari let go of her stomach and jumped up and down. "My best friend... and my brother!" (Ross Reference XD)

"Just stay quiet about it," Anthony parted from my body.

"Why would I need to? Everyone knows that you've had a humongous crush on her since 2nd grade."

~

Updates every Thursday!

XX Katy