A/N: Hello lovely readers!!! Sorry I've been out of it, I had a party to go to and I have just started the Mortal Instruments series so I'll try to update every few days and I'm close to the bit that I've been wanting to write and have heaps of ideas for. Which probably makes no sense but shh I'm tired :) Anyway please try to make the most of this chapter! This definetly compensates for the shortness of the last chapter so y'all can forgive me now!! Love you all and pretty please with sugar on top read comment and vote!

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"Wait, what?!?!" I shrieked, voicing confusion on everyone's behalf.

We were all standing in a circle and the only one missing was Ethan, but he was always late to school. Jayden was standing on my left and briefly my mind wondered how we always ended up next to each other.

"You heard me," Caleb smirked and Suvi just shook her head in dissaproval but her cheeks went red as she spoke.

"He's joking guys."

What? No! I was actually excited!!

"Damn..." Jay trailed beside me and Caleb shot him a glare.

The bell rang so everyone dissapeared to their lockers, but Jayden lingered with Caleb and I because he already had his books.

It was our last class of Japanese so I pulled the box of favourites out of my bag. A box of favourites for my favourite teacher.

"So are you guys going to that party tonight?" Caleb brought up and I was confused.

A party? On the last night before summer? Why would anyone do that?

"Oh uh, what's her face... Kiani? No, Kiara!! It's her party!" Jayden exclaimed and I rolled my eyes at that.

There were no words to describe Kiara other than bitch. Everything she did was to put people down in one way or another, but she was still one of the most popular girls in school, for some stupid reason.

I always hated how anyone who was a disgraceful human being was considered popular and the nicest, most generous were not. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't you be liked widely for being a good person and not for being rude and stuck up?

That was what I thought anyway.

Oh well, as an incredible author once wrote; It is better to be loved deeply than widely.

Jayden's stare brought me back from the world of thoughts swirling around in my head. His piercing green eyes were staring into mine, waiting for something, an answer.

I swept my mind for anything he had asked, but I was in a thinking daze and I couldn't recall anything.

My expression was apologetic and I was about to explain myself but he already knew; I could tell because he was smiling at me.

"It's fine." He responded to my invisible apology. "I just asked if you wanted to go?"

"Oh, to the party?" I asked and when he nodded I thought about it.

I didn't generally enjoy parties, especially big ones that would contain a vast majority of drunks.

"I'll see if Immy and Suvi are going to go. Wait, are you two going?" I asked.

I had just closed my locker and locked it while Caleb was still fiddling around with something in his beside me.

"Suvi's going so I'm going," Caleb muttered, clearly deep in thought. I shrugged and let it go, turning to Jayden as we started to walk across the school to class.

I could tell we were going to be late by the lack of students on the pathway.

"I'll probably go for a bit at least, most of the group are going so I may as well. It'll be the last time we will catch up with them for a few weeks," Jayden explained, brushing a hair through his light brown hair, now sticking out at different angles like he had just gotten out of bed.

That wasn't normal for Jayden. Usually he had his hair very neat and not messy, but I guess he didn't care right now.

"Good point," I nodded as we walked into the corridoor that our classroom was in.

I took a deep breath and walked through the door, smiling apologetically - as always - at Miss Okuda.

"Osokunatte sumimasen."

She just laughed so Jay and I took our seats at the back of the room.

"So, as you know today is our last class before summer. I am not yet sure if I have you next year so I will let you choose what we do today," Okuda sensei instructed at the front of the class, smiling at all of us.

That of course launched the class into a discussion on what we wanted to do, all except Jay who seemed incredibly distracted and out of it. He was staring out the window with a blank expression on his face, but he had grabbed my hand and was twirling my fingers with his.

In moments like those I couldn't help but wonder about what was going on in that little mind of his. It's not that I had never asked, but he seemed to distracted so I decided not to ask.

Also because he would probably stop playing with my hand and as much as I hated to admit to even myself, I didn't want that to stop.

"Can we play Japanese pictionary?" I volunteered and everyone shouted their approval.

As we set up the game which included pulling two tables into the centre of the room, I spoke with Immy.

"You going to the party tonight?" I asked her, dragging one of the tables with Immy on the other end.

"Yeah! I was actually going to ask you and Suv if you wanted to all get ready at one of our houses? Just not mine because we have family friends over," Immy said exasperated.

"Well if you want to come over to mine then you can," I smiled at her and she nodded smiling back, but then frowned while looking over to Jayden.

"Is he okay?" She whispered to me and I shrugged.

"I think he's distracted. I'll probably ask him about it later," I told her, then we began the kanji game. I was on a team with Ally and we smashed it out of the park. I think we won by twelve kanji cards.

At the end of class we all thanked Miss Okuda for being an awesome teacher and I gave her the box of favourites.

"Arigatou gozaimasu!" She exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across her face.

"I hope to have all of you next semester," she continued, then we reluctantly left to go to recess.

Jayden went to his locker and was still seemingly distracted. He had been quiet throughout the entire class. Immy went with him as their lockers were fairly close together, and as I left I saw Jayden start to talk.

"Katy!" I heard someone call my name and turned to face Suvi, standing a little bit behind me. She had obviously run to catch up with me as her cheeks were a bit red. Or maybe that was from the heat, you couldn't tell anymore it was getting too humid.

"What's up?" I fell into step beside her as she walked with me to my locker.

"Well I passed Immy and Jayden and Jay honestly looked really distressed and almost like he was about to cry but Immy just told me to come find you," Suvi rushed.

"Wait what?"

"Yeah I know. It was so weird. Jayden's always happy and smiley and joking and seeing him look like that was not right."

"I need to find him," I started to turn around but Suvi caught my arm.

"Just leave it to Immy. One of them will explain it to you later," she advised and I shurgged. I guess that was the right thing to do, but I just wanted to know what was wrong with my best friend.

"Anyway! What do I need to talk to you about?" Suvi continued but I was so distracted with thinking about Jayden that I had to rack my brains for anything that Immy told Suvi that I would need to talk to her about.

Oh yeah, the party.

"Well Immy was thinking that we all get ready for the party at mine, so if you both go home, get your stuff then come over to mine," I explained, not at all excited.

I hated parties but even more I hated getting ready for them. Especially with Imogen and Suvi. They put a lot of effort into getting ready to go to parties and they always tried to put make up on me but I never caved in.

Rainbow coloured powder on my face was not exactly what I considered worthy of my time.

"That sounds great!" Suvi smiled as I opened my locker and threw my books into my bag.

The rest of the day flew by. Jayden was more like his normal self which only made me even more curious. I tried to ask him but he just brushed me off, so I resolved for asking Immy.

The girls got to my house at four, so we just watched movies until six, which was when we had to get ready apparently.

Jesse, Jayden and Caleb were coming around in Jesse's car. We would have to squish four people into the backseat but the party was only two blocks from my house and we had a very safe way to travel with an extra person anyway.

"What are you going to wear?" Suvi directed her question at me and I shrugged.

We were all in my room and Suvi was sitting on my bed while Immy was in my bathroom putting on makeup. Suvi wasn't that interested in makeup but she usually put a bit on so that Immy couldn't pester her.

Without another word she got off my bed and went to my wadrobe, looking through my clothes.

"Jeez Katia do you have any of your own clothes?" She teased, motioning to the vast array of jumpers and t shirts I had collected over the years from Caleb and Jay, but mostly Jay.

I didn't dignify that with a response. Instead I just let her choose something for me to wear. I would choose but Suvi and Immy always thought my choices sucked.

Immy had finished putting on her makeup and I had to admit, she looked really good. She never went overboard with it.

"How about this one?" Immy asked, pulling out the shortest dress I owned.

I had actually inherited this one from Mackenzie and I had never dared to put it on.

Sure, it was absolutely beautiful, but it was too short.

The neckline was a v-neck that showed cleavage and the top half of the dress looked like there were lots of small flowers sewn onto the dress. The bottom of the little flowers were white while the top of them were black. It was very fitted until it hit the waist, where it flared out slightly and became flowy. That bit was just plain black.

"Absolutely not!" I shook my head fiercely and they both rolled their eyes in unison.

Twins. I swear they were twins.

"Just put it on, let me do your hair and then you can judge whether you want to wear it." Immy was persistent and I knew I would have to go along with it anyway, so I sighed, grabbed the stupid dress and changed into it in my walk in wadrobe.

I took it off the hanger, slid my singlet off and slipped it over my head. I took my jenas off from underneath and automatically shook my head to myself.

It only reached to the top of my thighs and the neckline was too low, revealing much more than I ever wanted to.

I walked out of the wadrobe - not bothering to look in the mirror - and crossed my arms.

"Surely you're not thinking I'm actually going to wear this," I said, at the same time Immy said "you're wearing that," in a tone that I knew I couldn't argue.

"Ugh, tonight is going to suck," I told them, sitting down on the side of my bed as Immy sat behind me on her knees to do my hair.

Her fingers were weaving through my hair at an incredible speed and she only stopped briefly to put pins in my hair. The pins were cold and uncomfortable but I trusted what she was doing.

"I'm still not sold on the dress," I muttered, completely annoyed with their choice for my outfit.

"I'm sure you will be when you see the look on Jay's face!" Suvi smirked and I glared at her.

She flicked her dark curly hair over her shoulder and smirked at my glare.

"You couldn't be scary even if you wanted to be."

"Shut up." I told her.

"I'm done! And the boys will be here in five minutes so you can't change and Suvi," she paused, getting her dress from her bag and turning back to look at Suvi. "you need to get dressed."

"Yes ma'am!" She saluted Immy then laughed, got off the bed and got changed.

I knocked on the door to my bathroom and Immy said "come in."

I never knew why I tried to look good compared to Immy and Suvi. Immy was wearing a gourgeous white dress that was very fitted and looked amazing on her. While Suvi was wearing a flowly dark blue dress with silver specks on it.

They both looked amazing and I wasn't surprised.

I turned away from them, rolling my eyes mentally then looked in the mirror.

I nearly gasped.

My dress was still too low cut and short but it suited me. It made me look thinner and my hair was piled on top of my hair in messy curls which wasn't quite right.

I reached back and searched my hair until my hands came across the smooth, cold pins. I slid them softly out of my hair, letting my hair fall down onto my back.

It was wavy and it borderlined curly, but it actually looked half decent.

I heard the front door open and I knew it was the boys. Jay and Caleb wouldn't care to knock so I walked out of my room but was stopped by Immy's voice.

"Shoes?"

I sighed then turned around and chucked on the pair of heels that Immy had placed on the floor for me. They weren't too high which I was grateful for, but they weren't wedges so I was going to struggle. I slipped them on regardless and stood.

Suvi and Immy rushed out ahead of me as I was about to follow them when something on my dresser caught my eye.

It was the gold locket that Jayden had gotten me for Christmas years ago. It wasn't a bright gold, it was dull, but I liked that better. Inside it had a quote that had become my favourite.

It was the best gift I had ever recieved and I hadn't worn it much in fear of losing it. I decided to wear it so I gently lifted it from my table and put it around my neck, struggling to find the clasp.

"Allow me," a deep voice behind me said, his warm hands lifting to the back of my neck and clasping the necklace around my neck.

I lifted my hair from underneath the thin chain and turned to face Jay who had a calm, peaceful look resting among his features.

"You're wearing it," he smiled, lifting the locket from my neck and opening it, reading the quote out loud. "You see, giant proclamations are all very well," he paused to look up into my eyes, not needing to read the rest of it. "But our love is louder than words."

"Come on, we'll be late," I told him, and my hand somehow slipped into his as we walked down the stairs together.

"Shotgun!" Immy called as we walked out of the house. I smiled as we climed into the car, then I remembered that we had an extra person.

"Buzz not," Suvi called and I sighed and rolled my eyes.

Jay hadn't taken his eyes off me and I was sticking with my theory of the fact that he wasn't used to seeing me in dresses. That would at least explain why his eyes kept reverting back to my legs.

Caleb got in first, going to the middle seat while Suvi slid in gracefully beside her.

Jayden and I walked around to the other side, Jayden sitting down and then me - reluctantly - sitting on top of him. He wrapped his arms smoothly around my waist and rested on my stomach.

"Comfortable Katia?" Jesse smirked from the front and I flipped him off while Jayden laughed underneath me.

We put the seatbelt across the both of us and Jesse started off to the party.

I was ridiculously aware of the length of my dress as it only just covered my ass when I sat down. Only just.

When the car started moving I could feel something poking into my back. I hoped that it wasn't what I thought it was, but it was.

I didn't really have anywhere to move but we were nearly there and I'd be off him soon enough.

Immy was laughing about something Jesse said and Caleb and Suvi were just looking at me and Jay suggestively.

I figured Caleb had guessed because the smirk on his face was ear to ear. He leaned over to whisper something in Suvi's ear and she choked a laugh.

"So... having fun there Jayden?" Suvi smirked and I could feel his shrug underneath me.

"We're here!" Jesse said, pulling over and stopping the car.

I waited for Jay to unbuckle the seatbelt but he was taking too long so I did it and opened the door quickly, getting off him and standing up.

I nearly fell over because I had forgotten about the heels, but Jayden's hand caught my arm and steadied me.

"Do I look okay?" I asked him, brushing my dress off and trying to pull it down a little bit more.

Jayden raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "Do you look okay?"

I raised an eyebrow at him and put my hands on my hips.

He rolled his eyes. "Yes Katy, you look incredible."

I felt my cheeks warm so I quickly turned away and walked to the front door which was already open.

Kiara had just greeted some guests and when she saw us she smiled fakely.

"Nice to see you all!" She greeted, hugging me awkwardly, followed by everyone else.

There was a small entry way and after that there were stairs that descended down into the basement.

I had been to many of her parties before, so I walked down the stairs and into the 'party room'. There were strobe lights that were flashing in the darkness and an array of bodies moving to the beat of the extraordinarily loud music.

There was a sliding door to get outside which I headed straight for. I could feel a hand on my back that I knew was Jayden's as he and everyone else followed me outside.

I slipped out of the door and stood on the deck. The rest of our group were the only people out here and they all turned to greet us when we walked outside.

They stood in a circle around the fire so I decided to go join them, the only problem being that I had to walk down the stairs from the deck and to the grass.

I was okay with heels on a flat surface but on grass I couldn't manage it.

"Would you like some help?" Jay came to stand beside me, offering me his elbow to hold on to.

I accepted his offer and we descended the stairs.

When we hit the grass I could feel my heels sinking in to the soft dirt and I realised that clinging to Jayden's arm wouldn't be enough support.

He must have realised too, as he took his arm away and wrapped it around my waist.

I really couldn't deal with all this touching, it was driving me insane. Ever since he helped me put my necklace on his skin hadn't left mine.

How could I continue being friends with Jay when I felt so strongly about him? I liked him, I knew that. I couldn't even deny that anymore. And as always, there is a thin line between like a love and that's where I was at the moment. It was a line that should not be crossed as friends and the only difference was two little letters. I couldn't let myself cross that line, but every time his hand touched mine or he put his arm around my waist or he was on top of me or vice versa I couldn't help but wish there was something more. I never thought I would feel this way about my best friend but I just couldn't help it. Everything about him was too irresistible; from the messy way his hair was in the morning to the softness of his eyes late at night.

There wasn't just one thing that drew me to Jayden, and I wondered why I hadn't fallen for Caleb instead. I was just as close with Caleb and we had all grown up together, but it had always been Jay. Caleb had always been my big brother that protected me from everything and Jay was my hero. As sappy and childish as it sounded, it was true. Caleb was my protector and Jayden was my knight, my prince, my hero.

And I loved him, I did.

We got to the fire and when I felt confident that I wouldn't fall over I slid Jay's arm from around my back and put it by his side, then let go.

Knowing that I loved him sucked, because I knew he didn't reciporocate the feelings so I had to stop being so obvious.

"Hey guys!" Lachie greeted from across the fire. He wore a nice shirt rolled up to his sleeves with dress pants.

The rest of the guys were dressed the same, as the invite said it was a formal party.

"You guys look nice," I complimented them, smiling at all of them in turn.

"As do you ladies," Lachie smiled at us and I was thankful that he didn't stare at me, not that I was worth staring at but I could feel Jay's eyes on me.

"Why thank you," Suvi responded, doing a curtsey.

I was having heaps of fun joking around with everyone until Suvi and Immy decided that they wanted to go dance.

They dragged me along with them and when I turned around I could see Jesse and Caleb slowly following us.

That earned them a huge mental roll of the eyes.

I closed the sliding door behind us and was greeted with the blasting music, playing something I didn't know.

I wasn't much of a dancer but everyone was drunk and Immy and Suvi were right into it so I had no choice, I would've looked stupid if I just stood there.

After a few minutes of dancing I looked over to the sliding door as it opened. I wasn't surprised to see Caleb slide through, followed by Jesse, but I was shocked to see Jayden come in after them.

What was he doing here? Jay doesn't dance.

I ignored the thoughts that were flowing into my brain and kept dancing, running my hands through my hair and not falling over in my heels. I was so proud of myself for standing up and not falling over as always.

I could see the outline of Caleb and Jesse's faces when they came over to Immy and Suvi, and lagging a little behind them was Jayden.

The strobe lights flashed briefly on his face and I saw the smile on his face before it faded into the darkness.

Every few seconds I could see him make his way over to me and I had to get out of there.

I turned away from him and slowly made my way back to the stairs.

I didn't care anymore and I didn't know what I was thinking, I just couldn't stay around Jayden right now. I had to go home.

I realised that my house was only a few blocks away and it was still kind of light, it would take me ten minutes tops if I took my heels off which I intended to do.

I got to the front door and slid out quietly, not that anyone would hear me over the music anyway.

I slid quickly out of my heels and was happy to finally be on flat ground. I set a fast pace so that I could get home as quick as possible and I was suddenly relieved to know that my parents were at the Peyton's for the evening and Tyler was staying at a friends house.

Knowing that I had to do everything I could to not do anything about my feelings, I wanted to cry.

There wasn't much point in stopping the tears so as I walked, the tears flowed in a constant stream down my cheeks.

I figured everyone would freak if they figured out I was gone, so I grabbed my phone out of my bra and dialed Caleb. I knew he would have his phone on him and he wouldn't ask questions. He would understand.

"Hello?" Caleb answered, confusion in his voice. I could hardly hear him over the sound of the music but after a moment it became quieter. He must have gone outside.

"Hey, I just needed to tell someone that I'm going home," I said, wiping my wet cheeks.

I heard a door close and a faint voice. Jayden's. "Who is it?"

"Please don't," I spoke into the phone, my voice desperate. "Don't tell him, at least not until I get home. I don't want him coming after me okay?"

"K-" he stopped himself before he could say my name and give it away. "Are you okay?" Caleb had his big brother voice on and I smiled faintly at the care he showed through his voice.

I took a deep breath and decided to tell him. "Well I just realised that I am in love with Jayden and he doesn't feel the same way so I have to stop making myself so obvious and I just need to get away and I don't know why I'm crying but I am just emotional. So I am okay but not great."

"Do you want me to come see you?" He asked, the worry was evident but I didn't want him to leave.

"No, just have fun with Suvi and I'll see you in the morning," I told him about to hang up but his voice stopped me.

"I won't tell him right away, I promise. But he'll find out in about ten minutes and I can't promise that I can keep him here, because I don't think I can." Caleb explained and I nodded, taking a deep breath then letting it go.

"Thank you so much Caleb, love you," I told him through the phone then hung up and turned into my street.

I basically ran until I got to my house, then I went around the back and let myself in through the back door which I had left open.

I ran up to my room and got changed, dumping the dress and shoes at the end of my bed and putting shorts and my loose grey sweater on.

I went back downstairs and cuddled on the couch with my purple fluffy blanket and my phone beside me.

I was nearly asleep when my phone rang, making me very alert.

It was Caleb.

I picked up and before I could say anything I heard his voice.

"Sorry I couldn't stop him, he's on his way."

"That's okay. But why is he coming over?" I asked. This puzzled my mind.

Why would he come over just because I left? It makes no sense!!!

"Because he loves you and cares about you and is worried," Caleb explained exasperatedly and I shook my head.

"I know you don't believe me," he continued, "but it's true. Anyway, I've got to go. Good luck." And with that he hung up.

I decided that if I could pretend to sleep then Jayden wouldn't wake me up, I knew it. So I put my head back on the pillow I had dragged downstairs, snuggled back up in my blanket and closed my eyes.

It was a matter of minutes before I heard the back door open and close, then footsteps walking through the house.

I knew it was Jayden by the sound of his footsteps.

The footsteps went to what sounded like the bottom of the stairs, but then they got louder and louder until I could feel Jayden's gaze on me.

He removed his shoes and quietly made his way over to the couch. I think he sat on the floor with his back against the couch, because the couch didn't move but the footsteps stopped beside the couch.

"I wish you were awake," Jayden whispered, obviously to me. I made no move to respond and tell him that I was awake. "I know you left the party because of me. I don't know what I did wrong but I'm sorry. And if somehow you hear this in your little dreamland then I hope you forgive me for whatever I did." Jay paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath, holding it, then letting it go, almost as if it was painful.

"And I know you're not awake and this doesn't count, but I really care about you Katia. And more that just friends but I couldn't admit that to you even if you were awake. It took me until two weeks ago to admit it to myself, let alone anyone else. Now i'm not going to tell you if I just have a crush on you or if I like you or if I am in love with you, just in case you can hear me, but trust me when I say I care about you."

I couldn't believe those words were falling out of Jayden's mouth, but lets just say I was really hoping he didn't just have a crush on me. Crushes were such feeble things that went away so quickly. I hoped Jayden felt more strongly towards me than just that, but I doubted it.

This was Jayden Finn after all.

"And I know this won't make a difference because you're, y'know, asleep, but you looked freaking beautiful tonight. More than beautiful, but there isn't a word for how perfect you looked. As cheesy as this sounds you looked like an angel that fell out of heaven. You have no idea how much I wanted to kiss you and it was so hard to restrain myself. And sorry for staring at your legs but I couldn't help it. Yeah yeah I'm a stupid testosterone filled guy but I again, I couldn't help it."

I fought the urge to smile and I was struggling to stay pretending to be asleep.

"You have really nice legs by the way," Jayden said after a few minutes, almost as an afterthought.

I didn't want Jayden to leave, even though I was 'asleep'. Honestly I doubted he would leave. Usually he stayed over, especially when he stayed late and when Caleb called it was ten thirty.

After about half an hour of silence I was actually getting very sleepy and was staring to fall asleep when I felt Jayden's arms slide under me and pick me up.

I freaked out for a moment and struggled to stay 'asleep' but then I realised he would just be taking me into my room to sleep.

I was surprised how easily he carried me up the stairs and how gently he lay me in bed.

He didn't turn the light on which was useful for my act, but he didn't put the covers on me.

I heard a sound on the other side of the bed than the one I was currently lying on and I realised Jay was staying, he was probably just getting changed. I knew he had spare sweats in my cupboard and after a few minutes he was finally beside me and he had pulled the covers over us.

I so badly wanted to put my arms around him but it was like Jay had read my mind. He slid his arms around me and held me close to his chest, which I'm pretty sure was bare.

It took all my self control not to 'wake up' and just give up on everything and make out with him.

After only a few minutes Jayden's breath slowed and he fell asleep, I followed not very far after.