Kind of edited! 

The cover above was made by the sweet @pilludesai98 . Thank you so much! (if you want to send me a banner/cover/trailer feel free to do it! I love seeing the things you guys make) 

Song above is Storm by Ruelle. I feel like this is the books theme song. Do you agree?? 

Happy Reading! :)

"So what is function of this equation?" Macey asked pointing to one of the math problems on the piece of paper in front of me. I stared down at the math worksheet almost willing it to grow a pair of legs and walk away. We have been here in the library for over 3 hours now doing homework and some studying and my head was about to explode. My eyes were going crossed from staring down at words this entire time.

Right now Macey was trying to help me with some difficult math questions but I just couldn't seem to get it. Math was definitely not my strong suit and by now I just wanted to rip it into shreds. No matter what Macey did to try and explain it to me I couldn't get the right answer. In the last 30 minutes we had been doing this we have only done one problem, one!

"I don't know." I mumbled from between my arms. I was laying down on my arms on the table.

"Carter come on."

As much as I loved Macey and knew she was trying to help I just wanted to stuff a pillow in her face. She wouldn't let me give up, which was a good thing, but at the same time aggravating. It wasn't like Macey didn't know what she was talking because she did but the way she was explaining it just wasn't clicking. In that moment I never needed/wanted my brother so bad.

Whenever I needed help with math homework either Luke or Ethan would help me. Something about the way they explained it just clicked and I got it. Especially with Luke, he just knew the right things to say to me and is usually the one to help. But sadly both him and Ethan were on a busy right now heading to their next football game. With it being an away game Macey and I were the only ones here, even Amy could go with the cheer team.

It was Friday afternoon, a full week after the party and a full week after seeing Gage. The week had flown by pretty quickly thanks to surprise quizzes, tons of homework and essays, and future tests coming up. It was like the professors all got together and thought it would be a great idea putting multiple tests on the same day; hence the 3 hour study session.

The only time I had seen Gage was during English class Monday and Thursday but since both of us were so busy we hadn't said more than 10 words to one another. It sucked that we only had two classes together and I still didn't even have his phone number; I was kicking my butt for that one. It was strange at how I missed him even though it has only been a week. For some odd reason I just wanted to talk to him even if it was for a few minutes.

Along with Gage I didn't see much of my brother nor Ethan. Everyone was trying to stay a float with assignments and for the boys they had practice on top of everything. The one time I did see them was when all four of us went to dinner on Wednesday.

At first the dinner was awkward since there seemed to be tension between Ethan and I and surprisingly between Macey and Luke. But thankfully it passed by and we returned to our normal selves. Ethan had apologized for leaving on the dance floor like he did. As much as I wanted to hate him for it I wasn't mad at all. In fact I was kind of glad. Glad that it happened because if it didn't I wouldn't have had a good time with Gage instead. It was weird but I couldn't explain it. In some ways I was stupid for forgiving Ethan so easily but it was just who I was. I forgave and forgot, it was better that way instead of holding a grudge against him forever; it would have made a difference anyways.

The day after the party we stuck to being home. Macey didn't even stumble in until 5 that morning wearing the same clothes as she had on the night before. I knew she had hooked up with someone but every time I brought it up she just changed the topic or didn't answer. She either regretted it or she hadn't wrapped her head around it yet. I knew she would tell me eventually so I didn't push it. Because she was dead tired and hung over she didn't question where I went for which I was glad. I doubted she even knew I left so early anyways.

"Carter what is the function." Macey urged me.

"I don't know and don't care. Can we be done?"

"No just one more."

"But it is a Friday Mace! I don't want to be here anymore." That was a big deal for me to say. I usually could spend hours here at the library but that of course was only when I wanted to read for pleasure, not to do homework. "I've got all weekend do it."

Macey was quiet for a few minutes before mumbling 'fine' under her breath. I took it as a victory. If I continued on doing anymore homework my head would literally explode and it didn't help that I hadn't eaten in a while.

"So since we are done studying what do you want to do now?" She asked leaning back in the comfy chairs we were sitting on. That was one nice thing about this library, the chairs were super comfortable.

"How about we eat?" I offered already drooling at the thought of pizza or something.

"Carter it is only 3 o'clock if we eat now we will be hungry in a few hours." Macey reasoned.

"You'll be hungry." I muttered back meaning for it to be an insult but instead made me look stupid. Oh you know the usual.

"We could go work out or something then eat." Tilting my head so I could see Macey I gave her a look. We both knew that wasn't going to happen.

"We could-" She started to say but my cell phone decided to ring loudly interrupting her. Since I forgot to turn down the volume Every Avenue's song "Someday, Somehow" came blaring through the speakers. People around us turned and glared at me for interrupting the quiet atmosphere. Not even bothered by it I just ignored them and answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Hey Care-bear!" Came a familiar voice through the phone. I sat up straight and let a smile take over my face.

"Dylan!"

"Someone is excited to hear from me I see."

"Of course. You are my knight in shining armor Dylan." I teased.

"Well this knight is wondering what you are doing at the moment." He asked.

"Just sitting in the library, why?"

"How would you like to come hang out with me. Gage is currently in class so I am severely bored." Dylan pleaded. I could practically see him pouting through the phone.

"Want to go hang out with Dylan?" I asked over to Macey.

"Which one is Dylan again?" She asked.

"Gage's friend." I supplied.

"Sure why not." Macey shrugged grabbing her things.

"Sure. Macey and I are free." I answered to Dylan.

"I'm going to pass the library in just a minute. Want to met me down here?"

"Sounds good. We will be down in a minute." Saying a quick goodbye Macey and I gathered our things before leaving our table and heading out to met Dylan. There wasn't anything else to do anyways, plus Dylan was good company.

It didn't take us long to leave the library and find Dylan leaning against the side of the building waiting for us. Seeing him I didn't realize how much I missed seeing other people besides my inner circle of friends. It has been a little while since I saw Dylan last, it was almost like he was a stranger.

"Is that who I think it is?" Dylan yelled pushing away from the wall. "Is that the one, the only, Carter Miller?!" He placed a hand to his chest and made his eyes go really wide. I couldn't help but let out a laugh at him.

"If we are greeting each other like this I'm on board." I grinned at him.

"Of course you would." Macey elbowed me. I went to reply only to be grabbed and lifted off the ground. Dylan had his arms wrapped around my waist tightly and was moving us around in circles. My laugh echoed around us as I held onto him not wanting to be dropped.

"Dylan put me down!" He twirled me around for another second before finally setting me back on my feet. I giggled and slapped his shoulder. "Thanks for that."

"No problem." He grinned back at me. "Your turn?" He looked over at Macey who took a step back and shook her head.

"So what did you want to do?" I asked changing the subject.

"Well Gage gets out of class in half an hour, than he has a fight around 7 or so. How about we go to my place until he comes back then we can go eat?" Dylan offered. As much as I wanted to eat right now I found myself nodding. Neither Macey or I had any plans whatsoever.

"Fine by me." Macey said. We followed alongside Dylan as he lead us to where he lived. I figured he lived on campus and probably with Gage, although I wasn't entirely sure.

"So Gage has a fight?" I asked as we walked.

"Yeah and the guy is pretty hard to beat. He has only ever lost 2 fights and he has a few inches on Gage." Not an ounce of worry was evident in Dylan's tone as he told us this.

"Aren't you worried for him? What if he gets really hurt?" I found myself asking. I mean if this guy was bigger than Gage I don't think it will end well, no matter how good he is.

"Not worried at all. Gage knows what he is doing, plus this guy is an amateur anyways." He waved me off.

"Like that helps." I muttered under my breath.

We walked for another 5 minutes before coming to another dorm building. It actually wasn't as far from our building surprisingly. It was one of the 'newer' dorm buildings that was remodeled over the summer, just like ours.

"Welcome to my humble abode." Dylan opened the door and gestured for us to enter. Not knowing what to expect I took a deep breath not wanting to smell the stinky-ness that two boys can conjure up.

Walking inside I didn't expect the place to be so...clean. It kind of had the same layout as our place but the kitchen and living room seemed larger. I had thought that the living room would be a mess of clothes, plates, bottles but instead it was spotless. There were a few pillows on the couch and below the flat screen TV I could see multiple gaming systems. From where I was standing I could even see the kitchen was dirty at all. There were a few plates in the sink but that was it. It may even be cleaner than Macey and I's place. Very uncommon when it comes to guys.

"This is-" I started.

"Really nice." Macey finished for me.

"And clean."

"What you think all guys like making messes?" Mace and I shared a look but didn't say anything. Dylan rolled his eyes at us but pushed it aside. "Do you want anything to drink? We have coke, water, alcohol."

"Really alcohol? It is 3 o'clock in the afternoon!"

"So? It is happy hour somewhere sweetheart."

"I'll just have water." Macey said.

"Me too."

I gently sat my book bag on the ground by the door and made my way to the couch. It looked beyond comfortable and I just had to see for myself. The dark leather was my weakness apparently.

"Here." Dylan said just as I sat down. He didn't even give me a heads up before he threw a water bottle at me. Thankfully I caught it just in time, throwing him a glare.

"So what are you majoring in Macey?" Dylan asked as soon as they sat down beside me.

Those two started talking back and forth leaving me to just sit there. When the conversation drifted from school to things about themselves I started tuning them out. Taking my phone out I scrolled through my Facebook catching little bit of their conversation. A good 15 minutes passed when my stomach decided it was time to growl loudly. Dylan and Macey snapped their heads in my direction, almost like they hated I broke up their talking.

"What? I'm hungry." I put my hands up.

"There is stuff in the cabinet. Go grab something before your stomach alerts everyone in the building." Dylan said motioning to the kitchen. Inside I cheered at getting something to fill my stomach.

I felt awkward going through someone else's kitchen looking for food but having Dylan's permission the feeling went away slightly. Plus my stomach was not taking no for an answer. Noticing they had my favorite cereal I called over to Dylan.

"You sure I can eat something? I don't want to eat your food."

"It's fine don't worry. Have whatever you want." Not asking again I began searching for a bowl to eat my cereal. When it came to Cinnamon Toast Crunch I could eat it forever, best cereal in my opinion.

It literally took my 5 minutes to find a bowl and a spoon. I had to open every cabinet before I found a plastic on I could eat out of, and the same thing with the silverware. I was so focused on pouring out my food to hear the front door opening. I swear I was almost drooling as I poured milk, oblivious to everything else. When it came to food nothing else mattered. I didn't even wait to sit down before I was eating the cinnamon goodness.

"What are you doing?" A voice asked me. I turned my head to see who the person was talking. I could feel milk dripping off my chin but I ignored it.

"Huh?" Seeing who was leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed over his chest, and an amused smile on his face, made me choak.

"Are you eating my cereal?!" Gage asked looking at my bowl. I quickly swallowed before answering.

"No?" It came out more as a question.

"That is my cereal." He glared over at me, almost as if I just stole the best thing that has ever happened to him.

"Uh..." I stared at him not knowing what to do. Dylan said I could have whatever I wanted, how was I suppose to know it was Gage's.

"You can't just eat what's mine!"

"I didn't know you owned Cinnamon Toast Crunch." I couldn't help but make him even angrier as I brought another spoonful to my mouth. I chewed slowly biting back a grin. Gage stared at me like I just killed someone. His jaw was clenched and he had his brown eyes narrowed at me. I don't know why I did it but I just did.

"No one eats my cereal." He grounded out. It was hilarious watching him get so upset over me eating cereal.

"It's not like I ate the entire box. There's more right there." I pointed to the box on the counter with my spoon.

"You realize how rude it is to go through people's kitchen without them giving you permission?"

"Dylan told me I could." I defended myself. It wasn't like going to people's kitchen was my thing.

Gage turned to look at Dylan who was staring at us along with Macey. I had almost forgotten they were here.

"What? I didn't think she would eat that kind of cereal. I thought she'd be normal and eat my fruit loops."

"Normal?" I called out.

"I personally don't like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, it tasted weird. Fruit Loops are the best." Dylan said.

"See I say Lucky Charms are the best. But I am with you on the toast crunch." Macey commented.

"How can you not like this?" Both Gage and I exclaimed at the same time. We both looked at each other in surprise.

"Well Gage you finally found another person who likes the same cereal." Dylan said before turning away and talking again with Macey. I rolled my eyes at them while crunching away on my cereal. My stomach was finally settling down, but I knew I had to eat a real meal soon.

I was once again caught up in myself and didn't notice that Gage had grabbed a spoon until my bowl was suddenly ripped from my hands. My spoon hovered in thin air almost to my lips. My head snapped to Gage's direction who was beside me but after grabbing my food took a few steps away from me.

He shot my a grin as I stared at him in shock. He stole my cereal! My eyes narrowed at him as he smugly ate from my bowl. I ate what was on my spoon before I spilt it before turning to him.

"You did not just steal my bowl!" I pointed my spoon at him threateningly.

"What are you going to do about it?" He raised a perfect eyebrow at me. Stupid guys and their perfect features that all girls want.

"Get my cereal back. I am starving." I reached out for it but he took a step back out of my reach. "Don't move!" I growled.

"Wow I'm so scared." He made a face at me. He continued on munching on the cereal all the while staring at me knowing he was getting me mad. He definitely was getting my back for teasing him a few minutes ago.

"Why couldn't you just get your own bowl!" I whined and even stomped my foot like a 5 year old.

"Because this is more fun." He grinned over at me. Having had enough I lunged for him. Gage of course anticipated my move and a stepped to the side dodging me.

"Seriously?" I ground my teeth and made for him again. I ended up chasing him around the kitchen and even in the living room for the next few minutes. Right when I thought I had him he would either shove me to the couch or hold the bowl above his head knowing I can't reach that high. Curse my shortness, or curse his tallness.

"Gage!" I yelled as we came to a stop with him on one side of the couch and me on the other. Macey and Dylan sat there staring at us amusingly. We were definitely entertaining them.

"Carter!" He mimicked back at me.

"I am going to slap you so hard." I warned him.

"Princess you are as terrifying as a butterfly." Gage deadpanned.

"Hey I can be terrifying."

"Sorry Car but you can't." Macey said sending me an apologetic look.

"Traitor!" I hissed at her.

"I want my cereal back!" I looked back at Gage.

"Too late." I watched wide eyed as he titled the bowl and drank the rest of the milk. Apparently as we ran around he ate as he went.

"You evil, evil person!" I shook my spoon at him. Somehow I still had it in my hand.

"Mmmm." Gage smacked his lips as he finished and even licked them.

"I can't believe you did that."

"Well you started it by eating my cereal first." I opened my mouth to say something when Dylan spoke instead.

"You two are so weird. It is freaking cereal who cares, plus it isn't even that great!" He threw his hands in the air. This time my hard gaze wasn't on Gage it was on him, same with Gage.

"Take that back!"

"No." Dylan stuck his tongue out at me.

"Real mature." I scoffed.

"Says the one who just chased Gage around the house over cereal."

"I will thump you Dyl!"

"She's scary isn't she?" Gage joked. Tired of dealing with him I went back to the kitchen and put my spoon in the sink. Gage can clean it up. Heading back to the couch I passed by Gage and shoved his shoulder, although he didn't even move an inch. Damn him and his muscles. Instead of him being hurt my shoulder ached.

"You are such a child." Gage muttered once I passed him.

"You are." I bit back and fell back against the couch. It was a weak comeback but it was all I had. I ignored Gage as he went and washed the bowl. I even ignored him when he called my name to clean up my spoon, like hell I was. He stole my food.

Since Dylan and Macey were taking up one side of that couch that left me and Gage on the other side. I was still slightly annoyed with him so when he did sit down beside me I tilted my body in the other direction. My eyes glued to my cellphone although I already saw most of the stuff on it.

"You aren't ignoring me are you?" Gage asked a few minutes later. I kept on ignoring him skipping from app to app. "You are. Why?" He kept on asking me for a good 2 minutes before the poking started. At first it was only on my arm and every few minutes, than it changed to being poked harder and down to my waist.

"Stop it." I hissed swatting at his hand.

"Why are you ignoring me." He asked poking my side roughly which caused me to squirm.

"Gage seriously, stop."

"Am I annoying you." I could just hear the grin in his voice.

"Yes you are." I slapped his hand once more.

"You are violent."

"You make me violent." We sat there and bickered back and forth like an old married couple. Whatever I said Gage just had to have some sort of comeback and I couldn't let him have the last word.

"Do you think they will ever stop?" I heard Macey ask Dylan. I could feel their eyes on us but it didn't nothing to stop our bickering.

"Probably not. We may have to intervene."

"Maybe if we mention that we are going to go eat?" Macey supplied. They were oblivious to the fact that we could plainly hear them.

"You know we can hear you." I said looking over at them.

"Are you two done yet? We want to eat before the fight." Dylan asked sending both Gage and I a look, like it was all of our fault. Like they hadn't been sitting there for the past hour talking.

"Yes lets go." I said moving away from Gage and up off the couch. My stomach was once again growling. It was seriously a miracle I wasn't fat right now with how much I loved to eat.

"Fat ass." Gage muttered under his breath as I stood up. I whirled around to face him.

"Well my fat ass will sit on you if you don't shut up." He put his hands up in surrender and for once shut his mouth. Happy I finally shut him up I grinned and turned around. Mace and Dylan were up and waiting for us. Grabbing my bag we trailed out of Dylan and Gage's apartment and headed to grab something to eat.

Even though Gage and I were bickering back and forth I wasn't angry at all. In fact my insides were singing for some odd reason. I didn't want to admit it but I liked arguing with him, it was entertaining and he actually could take as much as he would give. It was nice knowing both of us could hold up against one another. It was like Gage opened up something inside of me and made me this person who talked back, who had sarcastic comebacks.

It was weird but exciting in a way. I acted different around him, unlike the shy, quite girl I am around others. I wasn't even like this around Ethan sometimes. I was self-conscious around Ethan and with Gage I...wasn't surprisingly. I didn't seem to care around him. It scared me how I changed around him.

As we walked down the hall to the stairway Gage softly shoved me to the side before shooting me a small smile before walking beside Dylan, leaving me beside Macey. Maybe feeling this way wasn't that bad. 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi everyone! I know it has been a while, too long actually, since I updated! As you all know I lost someone really special and dear to me so I have been having a rough week. But now I am feeling better, as better as I am going to get. And my parents are gone until late Sunday night so I have plenty of time to start writing again. :) 

I know this is a HUGE filler chapter but I honestly had no idea what to write. I had already started this chapter but after almost two weeks off I couldn't remember where I wanted this to go so I went in another direction. But I still hope you like it. Shows a playful side to Gage and Carter. And yes DADDY DYLAN IS BACK! The next chapter will be better, making a fighting scene, maybe a Gage pov who knows.

I want to say a thank you to EVERYONE who messaged me, commented on my wall, and commented on my last post. All of your sweet messages/comments really meant a lot to me and helped me feel better when I felt down. You don't know how much you all mean to me and how sweet it is getting on here and seeing such nice things. :) <3 <3 

As always VOTE, COMMENT, and have a good rest of the week! 

<3 

-Ken