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There was an us? There was an US?! Why was I having such a hard time processing this?! This definitely wasn't like me. I sighed as I watched Norman walk towards the kitchen. I ran a hand through my hair and slowly followed behind.

I couldn't bring myself to sit at the table with them. I leaned against the doorway with my arms folded across my chest. I was so confused. Yet I still heard: There was an us. There was an us. There was an us, chanting through my head. I shook it trying to get it out.

"You okay?" I looked up to see Mingus staring at me with a confused look on my face. Then I looked up at Norman and he had the same exact look. It was crazy at how much they looked alike and I couldn't help but smile at the two of them. The confused looks were adorable.

Norman slowly smiled a little. "Can I talk to you for a second?" I asked him. He stopped placing food on the table and looked over at Mingus. "Do not eat any of this," Norman told him jokingly causing Mingus to roll his eyes. Norman walked up to me as I turned around.

I walked down the hallway to my bedroom and I felt Norman's hand on the small of my back the whole way there. When we reached my bedroom I walked in and closed the door behind Norman and I. He leaned against the wall by my door as I went and sat on the edge of my bed.

"You're not okay. Something's wrong," Norman said. I ran a hand over my face and sighed into my hand. "Not really," I whispered. I looked up and I was met by Norman's blue eyes. I smiled slightly enjoying his soft blue eyes now. He crossed his arms and looked at me intently.

"What's wrong?" he asked. I sighed. "What are we doing?" I asked him while swinging my legs back and forth slightly. I kept my eyes connected with his as they filled with confusion. "You mean with us?" he asked back. There is was again. "Us."

I stayed perfectly still for a second before nodding my head and breaking my gaze from his. I was suddenly uncomfortable looking at him. I heard his feet shuffle against the floor and suddenly he was crouched down in front of me with his hands resting on my knees.

"Have my feelings for you not been clear?" he asked me softly while rubbing his thumb over one of my knees. My jean covered skin felt like it was on fire. I felt my cheeks burn as well as I turned to look at him again. He blue eyes were now sparkling as they watched me.

I bit my lip nervously not sure what to say, but I didn't have to say anything. He leaned up and his lips pressed lightly to mine. He removed one of his hands from my knee and it made its way into my hair as he tugged me closer to him causing me to smiled into the kiss.

He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine. "I like you. Accept it," he said. I giggled at his choice of words. I definitely don't think any guy had ever said that to me. I giggled again as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him. He pulled me up gently off the bed and grabbed my hand. "Let's go before Mingus eats everything in sight."

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We were now finishing up dinner and Mingus and I were having a staring contest. He swore up and down that he could beat me but I was determined to prove him wrong. "Mingus, I need to talk to you," Norman said. Mingus blinked and looked at his dad.

"HA! I win!" I said while slapping the table and sticking my tongue out at him. "No fair! You cheated!" he said. I chuckled and rolled my eyes. "Mingus," he turned his attention back to his dad. "What?" Mingus questioned him. I knew what Norman was about to tell him.

"About Mandy and I," he started. Mingus suddenly smiled. "I know dad. It's obvious. By the way, if you want to kiss her without me knowing you should be more discreet about it," he said teasing. I felt my face heat up as Norman smacked him on the back of the head.

"Are you cool with it?" Norman asked slowly. He was nervous but it was cute. Mingus's smile brightened. "It's cool," Norman let out a sigh of relief. I didn't know I had to go through Mingus to get to Norman but I found it hilarious. Both of them stood up and went towards the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Norman said. I shook my head. I knew he had Mingus for the weekend. "It's okay. Spend time with the dweeb," I said while ruffling Mingus's hair. Norman smiled at me before kissing me lightly on the lips and walking out the door.

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"Why are you doing this?" I was currently on the phone with Chase. I ran a hand through my hair and flopped back on the bed. "I'm sorry I just don't think it's fair to either of us," I said quietly. I heard him sigh. "There's another guy isn't there?" he asked.

I bit my lip not wanting to answer. "That's what I thought. I've been cheating on you anyway," and then he hung up. I looked down at my phone. I growled before opening a new text message and texting Stacey. "The deed is done." I clicked send and then decided to sleep.

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I woke up the next morning to a tickle across my face. I smacked it away and hid in the covers. After a few seconds I felt it again. I smacked it away and heard a chuckle. I opened my eyes to come face to face with Norman. I groaned while throwing the blanket over my face.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him tiredly. I felt him pulling on the blanket. "Is that anyway to talk to your boyfriend?" I smiled a little at the sound of that. He continued to pull the blanket when it dawned on me. How did he get in here? I remember locking the door.

I pushed the blanket off of me and looked at him. "How did you get in here?" I asked him. I was really confused. He dangled a key in front of my face. "I stole it last night while you weren't looking," I groaned and sat up. I grabbed the key and pushed the blankets off of me. "Where are you going?" he asked me. "Shower!" I said as I shut the door. "Good! We have plans!"

~~

New York is cold, bitterly cold. Some days I wondered why I had moved here. Norman, Mingus and I were now walking downtown New York with coats on. [A/N: I never mentioned when Mandy moved but we'll say it's like February in the story]

"Why did you bring me out here again?" I asked from behind the scarf I was wearing. Norman glanced over at me. "Ice cream," he stated those two simple words. Here we are freezing our asses off and these boys were on a mission to get ice cream.

"Seriously?" I asked a little shocked. "Seriously," Mingus answered for him. I rolled my eyes but followed behind them anyway. After about a 10 minute walk we arrived at a small ice cream parlor where the boys quickly ordered and got their ice cream.

I was not in the mood for it even though the ice cream Norman was holding in his hand looked really good. "Why didn't you get any?" Mingus asked me while taking a bite of his ice cream. I had no clue why this kid wasn't freezing. He seemed perfectly fine.

"It's too cold for ice cream," I watched Mingus crack a smile and shake his head. "It's never too cold for ice cream," Norman said. I looked up at him and rolled my eyes. "One bite," Norman said while holding out his spoon to me. I looked at the spoon then back up at him.

He arched an eyebrow at me before sticking the spoon in his own mouth and smirking at me. "Fine, suit yourself," he said. I sighed. "One bite," I repeated his words. He smiled a little and held the spoon out to me again and I quickly took it into my mouth before he could pull it away.

Damn, it was good. I had no clue what flavor it was but it was amazing. "Yes, yes this is good," Norman said with an evil accent. I arched an eyebrow at him. "Is it now?" I asked him slightly confused. He chuckled a little. "Yes, it's all part of the plan," he said.

Now I was definitely confused. "Plan?" I asked him. Mingus was quiet in front of us and was looking straight ahead. I was a little grateful that he wasn't really paying attention. "My plan is to get you cold so I can warm you up later," he said with a little bit of an evil laugh.

"Dad," Mingus groaned. Ah, so he was listening. Norman offered another spoonful of ice cream to me and I gladly took it. I couldn't believe he got me to do this right now. 11 a.m. freezing New York morning and you'd think it was summer time in Miami.

I sighed as I walked happily beside Norman. Something about him just being beside me made me feel better. He soon ditched the ice cream and I felt his hand slip into mine. I smiled a little as his fingers laced with mine. Mingus had slowed his pace and was now beside me.

I slung an arm around his shoulders and he looked up at me with a slight smile. He definitely wasn't a typical 13 year old boy. He didn't care if you hugged him, or told him you loved him which I liked because that just shows what kind of a father he had to raise him.

I sighed as Norman squeezed my hand lightly and looked over top of me to look at Mingus. He stuck his tongue out at his dad which Norman returned causing us all to crack up. I had no clue how I got stuck with a couple of goons like them but I was definitely enjoying it.

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