**Instagram Post**

PghShann: Major hottie!!!! @Bastian17 #😍 #💋 #twomonthanniversary #imsolucky #eatyourheartoutgirls #mineallmine #my💙belongstoawarbler #daltonacademy #thatfacetho

Bastian17: Happy Anniversary Pretty Girl!! 😘
**end Instagram post**

Blaine is sitting in the living room when I get home. He puts down the book he was reading and looks to me as I try to sneak unnoticed up the stairs.  "Hey Belle, where've you been?  You missed dinner.  I saved you some if you want."  I shake my head, hand on the banister, fully intending to continue upstairs.  "No need, I just had dinner at Florence's.  I forgot how good their burgers were." That catches his full attention, "You drove 45 minutes for a burger?"

Quick, think on your feet Shannon. You can do this...

"Um, Cravings?"

He raises an eyebrow at me, "Please be joking or I swear I will kill Sebastian and make it look like an accident. Remember, Fight Club."  This just causes me to dissolve into a fit of giggles.  "Chill Blaine.  First off, I need to revoke your membership, you're violating the first two rules again.  Secondly, I'm on birth control, not that you wanted to know that."  He blushes as I continue, "And thirdly, I was meeting with a friend for dinner."  He raises an eyebrow at me, "Oh, a 'friend'?  You sure make those easily these days..."  I roll my eyes at him and start up the stairs.  "Hush Aladdin, we're both new and going to help each other find dance classes.  I'm personable, remember..."

"Sure. Sure. Well good night I guess." I wave back down at him from the second floor landing, "Night Blainey-bear."

I continue up to my room but boy was that close.  And I wasn't really lying, Hunter and I did agree to be friends, even if he doesn't hold up his end of the bargain I'll keep an eye out for available classes for him.

I toss my bags in my bed and decide to start packing my overnight bag now. I don't want to have to worry about it in the morning, the last thing I want to forget is clothing for school on Thursday. Hurriedly I toss undergarments in the bag. I pull a pair of leggings and a flowy top out of my closet, quickly folding them and putting them in as well. Those won't wrinkle so they should be okay. I'm standing at my dresser contemplating pajamas but decide against it, not really a point because they're going to just sit in the bag. I set the bag near my door, I'll add toiletries in the morning, but at least if it is by the door I'll remember to grab it on my way out.

I move my school bags off the bed, preparing myself to go to sleep. I flip off the overhead light, leaving on the bedside light, maybe I'll read for a while first. I'm plugging my phone in when I notice a message on the screen.

HC🔥: Thanks for meeting with me today. I hope my confession didn't completely weird you out. I won't push anything, I meant what I said. I'll take friendship if that's the only way I can be in your life.

Wow. Honestly that is kinda sweet of him. I quickly compose a response.

To HC🔥: No worries. I actually had fun with you, much to my surprise. You may not be that bad of a guy after all Clarington.

My phone buzzes in my hand as he immediately replies.

HC🔥: You're not half bad yourself, Anderson. But definitely not just an average 17 year old girl, you're more, much more.... 😉 I'll keep an eye out for those classes. Be in touch soon!

Hmm....  I'm not going to press further so I just plug my phone in and crawl into bed.  Reading some more of the play for English class before I decide to just call it a night.  Feeling sleep calling I turn off the light and curl under my blankets...

"Why are we doing this? It's so wrong..."

"That hasn't stopped us before and you know it."

I glance at Hunter sitting in the car beside me. Honestly I don't know how we ended up in this situation. How we ALWAYS seem to end up in this situation. Like there is this invisible thread pulling us to each other.

"I know you're worried about someone finding out.  Which is why we can't just sit here all night."  I sigh, he does have a point there.  "Fine.  Just drive...."  He nods and puts the car in drive.  No one will try looking for us until later, we've been carefully planning our meetings for months now.

I'm not looking for a lecture.  Trust me I know all of this is so very, very wrong.  Hiding from friends, family, our other relationships.  Sneaking around should make me feel dirty but I would be lying if I didn't admit that is part of what the appeal of all of this is.  The casual conversations that are as easy as breathing.

"Shann, we're here."  I look up to see the diner, our diner, the one we went to that very first time.  I look at him curiously, this wasn't part of the plan.  He exits the car and comes around to open my door.  "Slight deviation.  Just trust me."  I nod as he grabs my hand, kissing it quickly then lacing our fingers together as he pulls me towards the playground area.   "Really?? Such a child Clarington...."

He smiles as he pulls me over to the swings again, motioning for me to sit as he begins to push me back and forth.  "Well Anderson, I thought that is what you liked about me, my boyish charm."  I giggle, he does have a point.  Soon we fall into an easy conversation.

About nothing at all.

About everything.

"What exactly are we doing here?"  He stopped pushing my swing and pulls me back to my feet so that I am standing in front of him again.  Now there is the $50,000 question. I sigh, "I've told you before..." He wraps his arms around my waist, lowering his voice as he pulls me closer. "I know, I know.... The boyfriend. But that hasn't stopped us from continuing whatever THIS is.... Nor will it stop me now." He pulls me even closer than before and I wrap my arms around his neck as he starts kissing me.

I wake up with a start. What in the holy hell?!

Oh no.

No. No. No. No. No.

I may have a problem...