Chapter Two.

At lunch, my usual seat has been taken by Lia, because she wants to sit next to Kyle. Because of that, it leaves me sitting in between Van and Dex. Michael's sitting next to Nathan on the other side of the table and Mitch is on the other side of Van. Kyle's across from me, and Lia's across from Van.

It's strange how easily Van and the rest of the guys forgave Michael for sleeping with Kendall. I still think that Kendall's a bitch and Michael's still a prick. Granted, he apologized to Van for it, I still don't think that Van should've forgiven him. If he couldn't forgive Kendall, then he should NOT forgive Michael. Van told me that he forgave Michael because he doesn't want a stupid thing, like a girl, to come between their friendship. I mean, out of all of our friends, Michael was his closest guy-friend.

I used to think that Van was more of a jerk than Michael, but I was wrong. Michael and I used to have a little bit of a thing, we kissed a couple of times, nothing serious. I was seriously thinking about 'going there', but Van talked me out of it. He said that dating in the group is forbidden, well, not really like that but he told me he thought it was a bad idea. I listened to him and stopped fooling around with Michael. Michael's cute, really cute, but he's way different since everything that's happened. Michael has dark brown hair, like mine, maybe a little lighter. And he has hazel colored eyes, a descent tan and a great smile.

There's still no denying that Van is without a doubt even better. He has dark blonde hair that's flops perfectly in place above his electric green eyes. Those are the things that get me into trouble, those eyes, his muscles, his smile, perfectly plump lips that are just asking— NO, Abby, stop.

Even if Van is really attractive, I don't think anybody could out-cute Kyle. He is the most adorable guy that I've ever seen in my life. He has dimples when he smiles and they make your heart melt like butter on a frying pan. And I mean that in a total friend way, Kyle's not my type at all, he's sweet, a flower-sender, and is cautious about what, and what not to say around girls. I like a guy that says what's on him mind, just like me.

Dex, is my favorite after Kyle. He's one of those awkward people, you know the person that could make you laugh just by saying something totally out there. Half of what he talks abut is always irrelevant to every conversation. He's the excuse of a good laugh. He get's a lot of girls mainly because a lot of girls are starting to get into that whole nerdy and awkward 'Michael Cera' look. Which Dex totally has going for him.

Mitch, Nathan, and Dex are always together, there isn't a time when they aren't hanging out.

Van and Kyle are my closest. But lately, I've purposely been trying to cut the strings between Van and I. Not even cut, more like trim, yeah, you know, just loosen them up a bit. Van and I have gotten close, too close, to losing our friendship. That can't happen again. I won't let it. I care about Van too much to not have him in my life at all, I'll take what I can.

I pull out a hot pink Post-It that I wrote a reply on earlier and stick it to his tray.

It's funny how one action can contain so much guilt.

That's all I put on it.

Van smiles at me. "Do you want to help me finish these off?" he asks, gesturing towards his small package of Oreos.

I smile back. "Do you really have to ask?"

Just like that, things go back to normal between us. I know that this is his way of saying 'let's not fight about it'. Van's a man of many words, he just shows them better than he can say him.

At the end of the day, I get to my car and the first thing I notice is that Van parked right next to my car. The second thing I notice is that his passenger door is like four inches away from my drivers door. How the hell am I supposed to get in my car? That asshole!

I squeeze in between the small space and attempt to ease my way into my car without bumping my door to his. It's a complete fail. I leave about an inch and a half of black paint on his truck, from my car. I shut my car door and pull out the pad of hot pink Post-It's in my backpack.

On it I write 'to the douche who parked his silver truck four inches from my driver side door: you suck and I hope you enjoy the splash of black I've added to your vehicle!'

I stick it on his window and get in my car through my passenger side door and leave.

I get home and wish for a lightening bolt to strike down on my mom on her way home from work. The first thing I do is lock the door behind me, it's like an OCD thing. The door always has to be locked when I'm home alone.

I walk upstairs into my room and change into a black pair of Sophie shorts and a dark pink tank top. I toss my hair up into a messy pony tale.

I pill my cell phone out of the back pocket to the jeans I wore today and check to see if I have any texts. I have one from Dex. I open it and read: Hey, have you thought about this weekend? Even if you don't want to go, you should go for Kyle, he'd do it for you.

I reply: No, I haven't. It's complicated, dude. And remember, Kyle's a million times nicer than I am(: Lol.

I pass the time and wait for him to reply by going downstairs and turning on the TV. When I get home from school is the only time I watch TV because I don't want to be in here around my mom. I eat dinner with her and Darren, when he's home, but he's moving out in a couple of days. Lucky duck...

My phone vibrates on the couch cushion next to me, waking me up because I guess I fell asleep. I quickly pick it up to see what Dex had to say to what I said earlier. But I see Van's name across the screen. I open the text and it says : Unlock the front door.

I shake my head, of course he would know about my lock-obsession. I sigh, getting off of the couch and unlock the door and open it and get a brush of cool air, sending shivers down my spine.

I look at Van, standing in front of me, holding a hot pink Post-It.

Van opens his mouth to say something, but suddenly stops. "Damn, why do you always do that?"

Huh? I didn't even say anything! "Do what?" I question.

"I came over here for the sole purpose of yell at you for what you did to my truck, but now looking at you, I can't," he smirks.

I laugh and look down at myself. "I know, I'm a mess, I fell asleep on the couch. Are you coming in or not?" I reply, holding the door open.

"I don't know, after you dismantled my baby, I'm not sure. I almost like my truck more than you," he chuckles.

"Well, now whenever you look at it, you'll think of your bestest friend in the whole wide world," I say cheerfully. "Now get your ass in here before I close the door in your face because it's cold," I snap, back to my normal snappy-self. I aggressively pull him in my his shirt and quickly shut the door.

"Well, aren't you aggressive, do I get to hear the cheer too," he jokes.

I laugh. "Oh yeah, let me go get my pom-poms," I joke back.

Van chuckles. "So, since I can't yell at you, what do we do now?"

I shrug, thinking of something to do as we sit on the couch. What is something Van and I could do that we haven't already done. We have pretty much done everything. Or at least it seems like that.

"How about we build a fort," I suggest. "We haven't done that since we were like ten," I laugh.

Van laughs. "I remember your dad used to help us. He made the most badass forts..."

"I know," I sigh, giving a pathetic nod. "I miss him."

"Me too," he says and it gets really quiet, like we're both thinking about how much easier everything was when we were younger.

"Is this a moment of silence?" I ask, whispering.

Van chuckles. "With us, there is never silence, you're too loud and obnoxious."

"Me?" I reply shocked. "What about you?"

He shakes his head. "I don't know what you're talking about..." he trails off.

I nudge him really hard with my elbow and he lets out a groan of pain. "No do you know what I'm talking about?"

Van chuckles. "Nope..."

I roll my eyes and focus on the TV. Van suddenly stands up from the couch. "Where are you going?" I ask.

"To build our fort so we can hide from the boogie-man," he answers seriously.

I laugh. That's why we used to build forts in the first place. We thought that the boogie-monster wouldn't find us, and we were right, he never did. We used to make a game of it.

I get off the couch and pull the couch cushions off of the couch and run upstairs behind him. "You get the sheets, I have the couch cushions!" I screech.

I hear Van chuckle as he walks down the hallway to the hall closet where the sheets are. I go into my room and start setting up everything.

About forty-five minutes later, we've out done it. It's perfect. It's like the cooler version of a tent. We open the doors to my balcony and made it half inside and half outside. There's one big large sheet draped over the metal balcony bars, held up by the two balcony doors. Then we have a Dora The Explorer blanket hanging gown from the ceiling as one of the tent walls. There's a small entrance in the front for us to go in where we put blankets and pillows and blankets.

Now we just need a blanket to cover up with and it's an original Van and Abby camp-out. "There's just one thing missing," I say, looking at our masterpiece in awe. Damn, we're awesome.

Van comes behind me and wraps a blanket over my shoulders. "Oh, yeah, and what's that?" he questions, looking at it too.

I look at the blanket and back at him, then back at the fort. "Um, nothing...it's perfect," I state.

"I agree," he nods. "Would you care to do the honors?" Van gestures for me to go in first.

"Why certainly," I smile, then crawl in. It's a little dark in here. "Van, don't forget the—" I get cut off by a light shinning in the opening of our for. "Flashlight..." I murmur under my breath.

"I'm already on it," he chuckles crawling in with the flashlight in hand. He sits on his side and I sit on mine.

"You know, this feels exactly like it did when we were little," I say, breaking the silence. "We're a fail as normal teenagers," I laugh.

Van laughs. "It's funny though. Most kids our age are out partying, but us, we build giant forts and dream to live in them forever," he says, like he's reciting the work of somebody famous.

"And fight the boogie-man off," I add and we both laugh.

We spend almost an hour playing shadow puppets and coming up with ridiculous scenarios about what we would do if monsters were to break into our fort. All of which could've been created by five year old, but I guess that's what's create about us. What can I say, we like to pretend that we're kids.

But then, Van being Van, he screws it up.

"So, that Kevin guy, you guys are serious?" Van asks and I can tell that he's getting his name wrong on purpose.

"Evan," I correct.

"Whatever."

"Damn, Van. Is this really what you want to talk about?" I question, annoyed. "We've gone on like four dates, I don't know what we are."

Van's eyes widen. "Four dates! I find out about this and you've already been on four dates with the dude! Abby, that's a fucking relationship! And to top it off you're blowing us off to spend a weekend with him!" he shouts

"I never said I was blowing you guys off, I have to work!" I remind him.

"You could easily get off if you really wanted to," Van says. "Face it you don't want to go."

"You're right Van, I don't want to go, I already told you that I don't want to be around you! This is exactly why!" I shout. "Fine, you want me to go, I'll fucking go," I say, caving in. "And you know what, I'm going to go call Evan right now and see if he'll go with me, just to piss you off," I add. Crawling out of our fort, until I'm on my feet and walking out of my room.

"Fine, whatever, like I give a shit," he says, getting out of the fort, following behind me, as usual. "I'm only following behind you because I have to in order to get to the door," Van informs me.

"Whatever," I snap, reaching the end of the staircase. "God, you are so annoying! Why are you even getting pissed at me? I didn't do anything! I should be the one that's pissed at you for acting like a five year old!"

"Abby, you're so—"

Then there's a knock on the door.

"I bet that's Kevin," Van rolls his eyes. "Oh wait, he's a door-bell-ringer, isn't he?"

"Shut up an get out of my way, so I can answer the damn door," I snap, pushing him out of the way.

"I love how you tell me to do something, but you do it before I get the chance to do it," he says sarcastically.

"You're such a dick," I say opening the door. I look at the person who's standing before me. He's tall, dark, and extremely handsome Brazilian man and yes, I said man because he makes Van look like a boy. "Hi, and who might you be?" I ask, nicely.

"Hello," he smiles.

WHOA! Is that a Scottish accent? He is Brazilian, isn't he? He looks Brazilian, with his black hair cut, perfectly to frame his face, deep chocolate-brownie colored eyes. He has a five o'clock shadow, but that just adds to his manliness. So...a Brazilian man with a Scottish accent. Maybe, I'm wrong, but he sounded.

"I'm Carlos," he says, now sounding Brazilian. Okay, dude, make up your mind. Are you Brazilian with the correct accent, or Brazilian with a Scottish accent, which is like on the other side of the country.

"Hi, Carlos, I'm Abby," I reply nicely, sticking out my hand.

"Pleasure to meet you Abby," Carlos smiles, showing perfectly white teeth while shaking my hand. "You are?" he questions, look around me at Van.

"Not important," I say quickly.

"You two are awfully young to be the Mr. and Mrs. Taylor I talk to over the phone," Carlos notes.

Then it takes me a second. Wait, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor? I'm not married to Van, god no! I can barely stand being in a fort with him for an hour before he starts annoying the hell out of me. It's like he enjoys seeing me annoyed at him.

"Are you sure it was Mr. and Mrs. Taylor?" Van cuts in, then looks at me.

Carlos nods, "yes, I was supposed to talk to a Mr. Richard Taylor and a Mrs. Mary Taylor. I'm certain that you aren't them because your names are different."

"Um, Abbs, your mom's name is Mary," Van reminds me.

"Yeah and your dads name is Richard. Thank you Captain Obvious!" I snap, reminding him. I turn around, facing Van. "Do you know something I don't know? Because I swear to fucking—"

"Abby, I'm just as confused as you are. I've bullshited you before, do you really think that I'm stupid enough to do it a second time?" Van asks.

I think for a second. "Do you want me to answer honestly?"

Van chuckles. "No."

I roll my eyes and turn around to talk to Carlos. "Okay, so what did you need to talk to them about?" I question.

"I'm buying the house across the street, they wanted to talk to finalize everything," Carlos answers, pointing to Van's house.

Okay. I am officially confused. This makes no sense at all. "Okay, well, I'll let them know when they get home," I assure Carlos.

He smiles. "Thank you," he tells me, picking up my hand and kissing it lightly. That is too cute.

"Hey, hey," Van cuts in. "This is America and that's creepy," he says, moving me away from Carlos.

I push Van and correct him. "I thought it was sweet."

"You also think chocolate milk is better than strawberry milk, clearly, you're mentally unstable," Van replies.

"Dude, where the hell have you been? Chocolate milk is better than strawberry milk," I state, like it's a fact. "Don't you agree, Carlos?"

"Uhh, I'm not sure, I've only had white milk," Carlos answers, looking a little uncomfortable and frightened. I guess that's normal, Van and I could scare anybody when we start arguing.

Van's mouth drops open, as well as mine. Is he serious? Just plain milk? How does one live like that? Is it possible to live like that?

"Okay, well, I'm, uh, just be on my way," Carlos says, quickly, starting to walk away.

"Look at that Van, your face scared him away!" I shout at Van.

"My face was the only think keeping him here, your hair was what made him leave!" Van throws back at me.

"Oh yeah, I didn't see him kiss your hand!" I remind him.

"Yeah, because that'd be weird!" he points out.

"You ARE weird!" I yell, finally shutting the front door.

"Yeah, well, you're more weird," Van mumbles.

I roll my eyes. "Great comeback, dude," I say sarcastically. We both stop and go over the things that we've just said and start busting out into a fit of laughter.

"Look, I'm sorry about getting all pissy about Kevin. If you want to date him, whatever, but I won't be here when he screws up, and trust me, he WILL screw up," Van tells me.

I sigh. "Always with the positive attitude, I just love it..." I trail off filling my voice full of sarcasm.

"Abby, I'm serious. I'm top dog at screwing up, remember?"

I laugh. "Yes. Are we done—" I stop myself when I see car head lights flash in through the window. Uh-oh. Mommy dearest is back. I grab Van's hand and pull him behind me. "The boogie-man is home and we have to take cover! Hurry!" I laugh, and we both run up the stairs and quickly make it into our fort without tearing it down. "Okay, Colonel, we made it," I whisper. "That was close one...now lets pretend that we're not here. "

"I'm pretty sure she knows that you're here," Van points out.

"Dude, shut up! Go with it!" I whisper-yell at him.

"Sorry, I mean...Oh captain, my captain..." he trials off, holding back laughter.

He can obviously contain himself more than I can because I burst out laughing, but Van covers my mouth so my mom won't here. "Shh!" he whispers, smiling, moving his hand.

"I'm sorry, Colonel, I almost blew our cover, forgive me?" I smile innocently.

"You're so adorable..." I hear him mumble.

I smile cheerfully. "I'm so, very aware of that."

"What?" Van asks, playing it off, like he didn't even say anything.

Obviously, he didn't want me to hear that, so I shrug it off, even though I know that I'll be going to sleep thinking about that tonight.

"Abby!" I hear mom scream. "What the hell happen to my living room?" she adds, still yelling.

"Quick, under the covers," I whisper, shuffling around until we're both under the blanket.

"I bet Kevin wouldn't do this for you..." I hear Van say under his breath. I think I just halluci-heard him saying that because I'm focusing too hard on my mom's every step, getting closer to the top of the stairs.

My bedroom door opens seconds later and my mom walks in. I can't see her, and she can't see me.

"Thanks for NOT knocking, Mary Magdalene," I say so only Van can hear and he stifles a laugh.

"Abby Elliott, I want my couch cushions back where they belong," my mom says sternly, actually they're dads, he paid for them. "And Van, did you know that there's a black mark on your white truck? I think some idiot must have door-dinged your car," she adds.

Van crack up laughing. "Yeah, that person was a real idiot," he replies, glancing at me.

"Nuh-uh, I bet that person was ten times smarter and cooler than you," I tell him.

My mom makes an annoyed sigh. "Abby, I'm serious, clean up this mess and grow up a little," she snaps, finally leaving the room.

I push the covers off of me and sit up, Van does the same thing.

"Damn," is all Van says. "You know, I've always thought that you were a piece of work, but your mom totally blows you out of the water," he chuckles. "Don't listen to her, okay? Don't ever 'grow up'."

A smile slowly spreads across my face. "Deal."

"We can fly away to Never Never Land and fight out our battles together. Me Peter Pan, you Wendy," he states.

I laugh. "Fine, but I'm not going to be a wimp like her, got it? No special treatment," I laugh, going along with what he's saying.

He chuckles. "As long as I don't have to wear the tights; you can kill Captain Hook for all I Care."

I can't even breathe from all my laughing. "I don't think so, I'd pay big money to see you in those tights! Do you know how ridiculous you would look?"

Van tugs lightly on the Dora blanket and says, "Please, I could look sexy in this Dora blanket."

He just needs to shut up because I can't stop laughing. Why does he insist on making me laugh hysterically every time we hang out? It makes me hate him even more because he makes me like him even more. Van's the ultimate jerk. So why can't I call it quits with this already?

*****

<3JustKaylay.