"Oh my gosh! I can't believe you almost kissed!" Zoey loudly squeals as she washes her hands, her face one of excitement.

I bite my lip to contain a smile, turning off the water tap as I finish washing my own hands.

We're currently in the bathroom at school, all our classes done for the day. And Zoey being Zoey, had grabbed the first chance she could to get me alone to talk about yesterday evening.

Which is why she's now looking like she's going to pass out.

She fans her face, water flipping off her hand. "So dreamy." She sighs, pulling a paper towel out of a dispenser on the wall.

I dry my hands, throwing my own towel away. "Well we didn't." I remind her, fixing my cap on my head.

She rolls her eyes, leaning closer to the mirror as she examines herself. "But the point is that he wanted to." Her eyes look back at me from in the mirror. "And so did you." She pointedly says, pulling out her lipstick from her purse.

She pulls the lid off with a pop, setting it up beside her lips. "And don't think I didn't notice the way you both kept shyly looking at each other during lunch." She carefully reapplies her lipstick, smacking her lips when she's done.

Aaron had joined us for lunch again today, which mostly consisted of small chitchat, and Zoey fulfilling her promise about telling Aaron all she knows about Dravin.

And speaking of Dravin....He's been missing all day. Yup, haven't seen even a glimpse of him.

I'd thought maybe he just you know, skipped a day like any daring teenager would do.

But none of the teachers even looked remotely concerned as-to where he was today. So I have a feeling his mother - or whoever that is, must've called the school to let them know he wouldn't be attending today.

So does that mean our plans for meeting up later are cancelled too?

That jerk better not of chickened out on me. Because so help me if I have to come in tomorrow morning empty handed I'm blaming him.

I make a face. "Yeah, so what if I was being a little shy." I scuff my black sneaker on the ground, looking anywhere but at her.

"So adorable!" She gushes, placing her lipstick back in her bag as she finishes looking over her hair.

I roll my eyes. "Whatever." I mumble, which only makes her smile in return. I grab the door handle, pulling it open.

Someone rudely brushes past me, their elbow banging into my side. I look back, only seeing the culprits back before she closes herself in one of the stalls.

Zoey ushers me out, glancing back with a stoney face. "What was that about?" I question her once we're a few feet away from the restroom.

She gives a disgruntled sigh. "Drama that's what." She hisses, scrunching her nose up in distaste.

I raise an eyebrow. "Could you maybe be a little more specific?" I pull my backpack up, twisting my cap a little to straighten it.

"That was Fiona Sanders, miss beauty queen of Eleanor Roosevelt." She explains. "Top cheerleader and top dog of the school." She crosses her arms.

I look sideways at her. "There's actually one of those here?" I ask her, not able to mask the surprise in my voice.

This wouldn't be my fist time dealing with a miss 'I get what I want and don't care about others' drama queen.

"Oh yeah, she's one of them." Zoey nods her head. "You've only just noticed her now because she usually leaves people alone unless they get on her bad side." She grimaces.

"And sister," she looks over at me. "You're now officially on her bad side." She tells me.

Uhhhh.

"And why exactly is that?" I give her a puzzled look, honestly confused. Zoey pats me on my arm. "Um, because Mr. hottie Aaron is only paying attention to you. And I know for a fact she was working on reeling him in as one of hers." She shrugs. "So now she's pissed at you. End of story." I spot Zack waiting over by the exit doors, his arms folded across his chest.

"But don't worry. I've got your back." Zoey assures, giving me a smile. "She shouldn't give you any reason to halt your growing relationship with Aaron."

I wryly shake my head at her. "Gee thanks, I feel so much better now." I dramatically drawl out, getting a laugh from Zoey.

"And don't worry. I'm not going to let her, or anyone else stand in my way." I decide. Zoey nods like she was expecting that answer. "There wasn't a doubt in my mind." She walks ahead, joining Zack.

We all head out the doors, splitting up to go our separate ways. "Hey, good luck with the other hottie!" Zoey yells, giving me a wink. "And be careful!" Zack nods in agreement, waving bye at me.

I wave back at both of them, continuing my walk down the street.

Now, time to see if I get stood up.

Walking towards the direction of the old baseball field - that I now have memorized, I put my earbuds in, pressing play on my phone.

Classical music instantly fills my ears, all the other city noises drowning out.

I told you I like classical music.

And before I know it, I'm entering the thick woods - having skipped going home first. I step out into the clearing, brushing off the bottom of my shirt that got caught on a couple twigs.

I glance around, the field empty.

Blowing a breath out, I take a seat on the grassy ground as I check my watch: 3:45 P.M.

I'll give him an hour to show up. And if he doesn't, then that'll just be all his fault.

Satisfied with my decision, I pull my backpack and camera off, setting them beside me as I lay back on the ground.

I fold my arms behind my head, my eyes focused up on the open blue sky that's above me.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes.

*Time Skip*

My eyes flutter as there's a sudden feeling that I'm no longer alone, my head tilting backwards.

I look up into Dravins face, his shadow hanging over me.

A quick check of my watch tells me he's thirty minutes late, which means I must've fallen asleep.

I raise an eyebrow up at him, pulling my headphones out of my ears. "Wow. You actually showed up. I'm impressed." I sit up, turning my music off.

He continues to stand there, not making any move to do anything.

I look back up at him.

He's looking nice today - as always, with his usual black leather jacket now switched out with a light brown one, a dark blue T-shirt underneath it that seems to make his blue eyes pop more, and a pair of simple jeans with a leather belt making up his outfit.

His hair seems a little more done up today, like he actually made an effort to make it look decent instead of just running a hand through it.

Maybe he did go somewhere today.

"Well, don't just stand there." I pat the ground in front of me, deciding that I'd rather sit in the grass to do this than on the hard bleachers.

And no. He doesn't get a choice.

"Take a load off so we can get this done." I keep my voice hard, letting him hear how irritated I still am at him.

He takes a couple seconds. Then he moves a couple feet in front of me, tossing his backpack down before he takes a seat, crossing his legs.

I pull my own legs closer, grabbing my drawing utensils and sketchbook out of my backpack.

He takes his own things out, setting them neatly beside him as he sets his sketchbook on his lap.

I place my right elbow on my right knee, leaning closer to him as I thoughtfully tap my pencil on my chin.

He glances up at me from looking down at his sketchbook, raising an eyebrow.

"What? I'm just familiarizing myself before I start." I defend, sitting up straighter. He slightly shakes his head, looking back down at his sketchbook as his hand starts to move over it.

Hmmm....

He keeps it angled up so I can't see it, his raven black hair falling down in his eyes as he tilts his head down. His face for once actually looks kinda peaceful, his shoulders hanging loosely down instead of...tense. Like they usually are now that I think about it.

Does he actually....enjoy drawing?

Sure seems that way. Interesting.

I feel a spark of curiosity as I notice he's drawing with his left hand, signaling he's a lefty.

Not many of those in the world.

I set my attention down on my paper, getting back to what needs to be done.

I start with a shadowy outline, looking up at his face every few minutes to make sure I got something right.

My head tilts to the side as I spot a two inch long faded scar along the left side of his jawline, the mark not noticeable unless you're close to him.

I add that to my drawing, making sure I make it only slightly visible.

Hey, Mr. Niki said to make it as life like as possible.

I finish the outline of his head, adding each slight angle to it, the way it's slightly narrow. I add his lips, making his bottom one a tad bit bigger than his top. Just like it is.

I unconsciously find myself staring over at his real lips, my mind replaying Zoey's comment the other day.

Shaking my head, I look back down.

Stop being silly Heavyn. It's just Zoey's words getting to you. Nothing more.

I add the small cracks in his lips, moving up to his nose after I add the lines around his mouth.

"So," I say after a whole thirty minutes of silence, only the sound of pencils on paper surrounding us. "Where were you today? I didn't see you at school." I absentmindedly question, glancing up at him for a second.

His pencil continues to move, his eyes down on his sketchbook as a muscle in his cheek twitches. "Doesn't concern you." He simply answers with, his voice dull.

I roll my eyes, scooting my right leg closer. "I was just curious." I draw faint lines for his eyes, adding in his narrow eyebrows. "You should really talk more you know. Exercise those facial muscles." I tuck both my legs underneath me, wrapping my loose bangs back behind my ear.

"I've got this cousin back in Kansas who like never talks. And trust me, it doesn't work out well in the end." I ramble, looking up.

My heart jumps as I find those dazzling blue eyes gazing over at me, a spark of amusement shining deep within them. He has his head tilted slightly to the side, his bangs falling across his forehead to the side with it.

He seems to look me over for a split second, my heart thudding in my ears. Then he looks back down at his sketchbook, resuming his work.

I make a face, shaking out my shoulders to help ease whatever feeling that's suddenly bubbling up from somewhere deep inside me.

Plugging my earphones back in my ears, I glance up at him quickly before pressing play once again. Trying to ignore my thoughts.

I readjust my sketchbook, flexing my wrists out before I continue on.

*Time Skip*

I place my pencil down beside my leg, holding my finished masterpiece up in front of my face.

Perfect. The best one I've done yet.

Bringing it back down, Dravins' real face appears in front of me. He also seems to be done, his hands already working to put his pencils away.

I check my watch: 5:54 P.M.

My stomach growls, signaling that it's past time I get something to eat.

I rock forward towards Dravin. He immediately folds the top of the sketchbook over his picture of me, hiding it before I can catch a glimpse.

"Hey. I wanted to see." I whine, sitting back with my arms crossed. He gives me a empty stare. "No." He deadpans, placing it safely inside his backpack.

A sly smile grows on my lips. "I'll let you see mine if you let me see yours?" I wave my closed sketchbook in front of his face, only getting another blank stare from him.

"Nope. Not working." He stands up, brushing off the back of his pants. I follow suit, giving him a peeved glare.

"That's not fair." I mumble, recrossing my arms.

He just hoists his backpack up on his shoulder, walking towards the path that leads out.

Rude.

An idea hits me. I quickly grab my camera and backpack, jogging to catch up to Dravin.

I pull my phone out, googling my idea as I come up behind him.

We break out of the forest, walking down the pathway. I walk so I'm beside him, looking up.

He takes a left out of the park, and I take a right. "Hey! Ice cream is this way!" I yell back at him, stopping.

He miraculously stops, turning slowly in his place to face me. He raises a brow in questioning.

"I believe after all that hard work we deserve some ice cream." I explain. "Besides, I'm too hungry to make the walk home without eating something." I add.

I raise a daring eyebrow up at him when he doesn't make a move. "What? You don't want to go get any with me?" I stick my bottom lip out in a pouty gesture. "Come on. There's only like a month left of good ice cream weather anyway." I shrug. "Might as well enjoy it while we can."

He seems to think about it for a minute, people walking unbothered between us as we stand in the middle of the busy street.

He shoves his hands down in his pockets, walking forward towards me.

I give him a wide smile, turning on my heels to go the other way.

Wow. That actually worked.

He follows silently behind me as I use my phone to navigate our way, my face scrunched in concentration.

I stop in front of a cute little shop called: Sundaes and Cones. I look it over, finding it satisfactory.

Dravin stops beside me, looking it over also with his impassive face.

I open the door, a cute old fashioned little bell ringing out to alert them of our presence. Dravin takes the door from my outstretched arm, walking inside also.

I find myself getting pushed closer to Dravin as the little store bustles with customers entering and leaving the shop, a smile on my face despite the crowd.

Ice cream is worth it.

Bit it doesn't look like Dravin feels the same way.

He seems like he's regretting his decision on coming with me, his eyes repeatedly moving around the crowded and loud room. That stoop now back in his posture, his shoulders noticeably tense.

What's the problem?

I watch as he unconsciously lifts his left hand up, rubbing his right arm with it - Like some sort of nervous habit or something.

He suddenly snaps out of whatever that was as the line moves up, both his hands going back in his pockets, head angled down to the floor.

I shrug, leaning over to the right as I try to get a better look at the ice cream they have spread out.

Five minutes later, we're standing in front of one of the employees, my mouth practically drooling as I take in all the ice cream flavors.

"Hello. What can I get you?" A guy in his late teens asks, giving me a flirty smile.

How about one scoop of everything?

I tap my chin, switching my weight to my left leg. "How about a waffle cone with a scoop of peanut butter, strawberry, and black sesame." I give him a large smile, my eyes widening as I remember something. "Oh, and sprinkles. Can't forget the sprinkles." I frantically add, glancing over at Dravin who's standing beside me.

The guy laughs, typing something in his register before looking up at Dravin - who by the way is almost a foot taller than this guy. Which yes, it means he's shorter than me.

His smile falls as his eyes take him in, obviously a little upset I already have a escort with me.

He quickly puts his large smile back on. "And what about you?" He asks Dravin.

"Just a scoop of vanilla." His voice comes out low as usual, yet it has a quiet strength that carries his words easily across the four foot distance.

I frown. One scoop of plain vanilla? How boring can you be.

The guy nods, giving me another smile before he rings up the price. He then grabs a cone with his plastic gloved hands, scooping my chosen flavors on with a generous amount.

He finishes them both, handing me mine first. "For the lovely lady." He winks, passing me the cone over the counter.

I bite my lip to contain a smile, finding his open flirting kinda cute in a odd...way.

He hands Dravin his, looking down at the register. I dig in my backpack, attempting to find my wallet.

Maybe I should've done this before I got the ice cream.

I stop when Dravin suddenly leans forward, handing the guy a five dollar bill. I open my mouth to protest, but I get cut off as Dravin speaks.

"Keep the change." He tells the guy, gently grabbing my left arm as he turns to leave. I follow him as he carefully heads towards the door, not really wanting to argue in a small shop filled with eager customers.

We step outside, the seventy something temperature hitting my exposed arms. I fall in beside Dravin as he continues down the way we came from, looking up at him. "Hey, what was the big idea about paying for my ice cream? I had it. I might've just taken a little longer."

He gives me a sidelong glance. "Are you really going to complain about free ice cream?" He raises an eyebrow, seeming back to his old self.

My nose twitches. "Of course not. I was just wondering." I cross my arms - well, the best you can while holding a ice cream cone.

I take a lick, a wonderful taste immediately exploding in my mouth. I moan, savoring each cold lick.

I shuffle my feet, looking down at the ground. "But hey, thanks for uh....this. I guess." I cough out, scrunching my nose up.

I look back up, my eyes almost widening as I catch a small hint of a smile on the corner of his lips before he turns his head away from me.

"Your welcome....I guess." He peeks over at me, and I roll my eyes once again as he mocks me.

Great way to ruin the moment.

I feel a smile stretch across my face regardless, a slight skip in my step as I continue to lick my ice cream.

Dravin holds his left hand with his cone up to his mouth, his right suddenly digging in his right pocket.

He pulls his phone out, keeping it down at waist level as he reads his new text or whatever it is.

I find myself discreetly leaning closer as I attempt to read it, only for Dravin to abruptly stuff it back in his pocket.

He flexes his neck, blowing a breath out from his nose as he runs his right hand down his face.

His face hardens, his legs moving faster as he picks up speed.

I move my legs on double time to keep up. "What's wrong?" I question, because it would be obvious to even a blind man that there's something wrong.

He keeps his head straight, his face brooding. "Nothing." He darkly replies with, his voice short and clipped.

Oh yeah. Because that just screams 'nothing.'

"It doesn't seem like nothi-" I'm cut off as Dravin suddenly stops in place, his hostile face swinging over to meet mine.

"It's nothing, Heavyn." He repeats, barely controlled anger coating his words as his eyes dangerously light up.

He stares for a second, nostrils flaring as I stare back with a wide eyes. Totally not expecting that harsh reaction from him.

His face goes sullen, his shoulders falling as he turns back toward the front. He walks forward. "Just leave me alone like everyone else around here does." He breaths, his voice now quiet - just above a whisper.

He says it like he wants nothing more for me to do that. Yet there's something - a hint maybe, that makes me believe he doesn't want that.

I square my shoulders, following along beside him. "Well maybe I'm not like everyone else." I tell him, licking my ice cream to soothe my mind.

His forehead furrows as he glances over at me, then his face goes impassive again. "I already knew that." He says so quietly I almost don't hear him. And I swear I almost see another small smile grace his lips before he turns his head, his attention going back to his now melting ice cream.

Already knew what exactly?

This guy just continues to confuse me like no ones business.

We walk back to the apartment buildings, both of us staying quiet the rest of the walk, ice cream and cones devoured.

He walks up to his door, opening the screen up. "Bye Dravin." I good heartedly say. He pauses as I step up to my own door, his head slightly angled towards me.

"Bye, Heavyn." He surprisingly says before quickly opening his door and disappearing inside.

I tilt my head to the side, looking over at where he was just standing.

Yup. Definitely interesting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N

Hey to any of you who are ready this! So like I thought this book was doing pretty good at first (like a average of four voted per chapter) but now it's taken my last chapter almost five days just to get one.

It's a little depressing if I'm being honest. But I was never expecting a lot. No, I know not to do that. But I mean one vote....come on guys, we can do better than that!

So to whoever may be reading this, please VOTE! It may only be a word to you, but it means something to me.

And thank you to those who do!

Questions:

1.) What do you think about their little assignment they did?

2.) Any ideas as to why Dravin was acting weird in the shop, then again after he looked at his phone?

3.) Anyone else find him "interesting?"

Alright everyone! VOTE!! Comment! ^_^ Read!!

Next update: Next week.

Maggy