Notes:

Additional Cast:

Marco James as Dylan Fletcher

Louis Hunter as Bill

Sophie's POV

I am a history nerd, that is given, but this book for my poli-sci class on world history made me reconsider my level of knowledge. I love the new things I got to learn, plus my opinion has changed for a lot of things and for many history figures. I am even considering on starting 'Reign', the tv series about Mary of Scots!

Generally I am a lover of all things British, and I do appreciate the Queen, but Mary of Scots sounds like a badass woman, in a man-dominated world, she may have had her dispute with Elizabeth, and I would normally be on Elizabeth's side, if given the opportunity, but now I am not sure with all these new data. Robin insists the tv series is good, so we can watch it together, even though I do know the fate of Mary of Scots and there isn't the element of surprise.

Speaking of Ro, she has been quite low key these days and I am curious. I know I told her that I had to study for my test I have in 2 freaking days, but I haven't seen her for 3 days and she is being very patient with this, letting me study without interruption and late night visitations. She has also been caught up with a film project again with Sam and another guy I won't bother getting to know, because they are only partnered with him for the project so he won't stick around.

Her project is about capturing human emotions on camera from everyday encounters, which is more difficult than it sounds, and Ro is very frustrated about it, claiming that people on the streets are so emotionless and robot-like. I offered to help, and the gang would also help as well, but they are not supposed to use friends on the project.

Thus, she has been very busy as her texts are any indication. Speaking of, my phone lit up with a message.

From Nicky: Hey, cutie! Sam says she has the book you need!

I texted Nicky asking her if Sam, given the fact that she is history major, has any books on WWII I could read for the test, outside the given bibliography. The reason I won't ask Sam myself is because she is scary, and even though we hang around the four of us, I still sense she doesn't like me that much, but Nicky, on the other hand, is very sweet towards me and we have a few things alike, like she knows a lot of stuff about health, so she is a person to have in your contacts... she will be a nurse one day. The other day for example we talked about what else I could try instead of valerianas, to help with my stress and sleep problems so she gave me a list of tea varieties that help. See? You need that kind of knowledge from inside people, I don't trust google when it comes to health things. Also she is a biology minor which is cool as heck. She showed me video on DNA and how it works and I was in awe... and here I thought that Law was the coolest occupation ever!

To Nicky: Great! Thank you for checking it up! Can you borrow it from Sam and give it to me tomorrow? I am scared to ask her myself.

Nicky knows I find her girlfriend scary, a lot of people do, she has a reputation.

From Nicky: this is Sam. Have it back when the test ends. Don't even think of writing on my book or fold the page. I want it flawless.

Another text follows that.

From Nicky: sorryyyyyyy, she wanted to know why I was curious about dead people, so I told her. She was kidding by the way, she is cool, don't worry.

See? Sam is freaking scary! Nicky and Sam make a weird combination. Nicky is so calm and sweet, while Sam throws daggers with her glare. Anyway, at least she gave me the all clear to have her book, so she is not that bad.

To Nicky: thanks, see you tomorrow! Good night

I get back to my book without noticing it is nearly ten and that maybe I should stop studying, but I am about to start the WWI chapter I am not stopping. This is a bloody chapter.

The next time my phone rings I put the book down on my lap and look at the time.

A little after midnight. Wow, WWI had me absolutely hooked. It was better than G.O.T.

Robin's face flushes on my screen and I smile. She has been calling me to tell me goodnight these past 3 days, but she always calls before 10. What is she doing up at this hour?

"Hey, babe" I greet her sweetly as I put the book on my nightstand and lay on my comfy bed. My butt is heavily numb from all the sitting up.

"Hey love, how are you?" she sounds timid.

"I am fine, studying about WWI. What are you doing up so late?" I ask as I take my glasses off and leave them on the pillow next to mine.

"I hate my project!" she sighs. She does sound frustrated.

"Aww, babe I am sure it will turn out ok. Don't worry." I try to calm her and reassure her like she always does for me.

"I know, I know, sorry I am kinda tired and frustrated. We will figure it out." She says and I nod although she can't see me. There's a weird silence between us, and I think I heard her mumble something to herself but I couldn't make out what. Hmm...

She clears her throat and that makes me focus on the phone again.

"So... what are you wearing?" she asks and my brows narrowed. Why is that important?

"Umm... pyjama shorts and a t-shirt. What are you wearing?" I ask since she asked. I hear her take a deep breath through the phone though.

"Ummm... nothing." She says and her voice sounds hoarse.

"Ok... good... I guess." Am I supposed to say something here? She chuckles lightly but she continues.

"Wanna get naked as well?" I frown more.

"My pjs are comfy. Why would I wanna get naked?" she giggles at that and sighs. Somehow I think she eye rolls at the moment.

"Because.... We could have fun?" she tries and I don't think I follow her reasoning. She is not here to have fun, and there is no way I am driving to her place right now.

"Um... how can that be possible, you are not with me." I say eyebrow raised.

"Ok, let me change my approach babe,'cause it will take years for you to get it. I am lying naked in my bed thinking about you. How does that sound?" I gulp. She has the tendency to say things like that all the time to provoke me and she always succeeds, so now is not an exception. My mind goes places, but I still can't comprehend how this is gonna work. She is not here.

"Oh... ok, umm, so, umm, that's good." I strangle to say.

"Ok, let's start again, babe. Focus on me, alright?" she asks sounding exasperated.

"Ok... I am focused." I whisper unsure.

"Good. Now... Close your eyes and follow my instructions when given."

"I can do that" I say genuinely intrigued as to where this is going.

"Excellent. As I was saying I am naked. I have been thinking about you all day baby." She states and my eyes widen. I was just reading my history book all carefree and calm, ready to fall asleep but she tempts me! I keep my inner monologue for a few more seconds.

"Sophie? Hellooo, are you listening, babe?" she asks and I nod again.

"Umm... yes, yes I am." I say huskily, her words are taken a toll on me.

"Ok, so... I continue. I couldn't stop thinking about your pretty smile and your majestic eyes that make me think of the forest." Awwww that's so sweet, she is such a goofball. I am about to tell her 'I love you babe, I have missed you too' but..

"And your hands, babe, I really couldn't stop thinking about your hands on me. Everywhere on me, on my stomach and then lower" she says and sounds out of breath as my heartbeat starts increasing. "I am so wet for you right now, pretty girl." Oh Mary Queen of Scots, help me! Is she serious right now? What is she doing? Why is she telling me that?

I can hear small groans and a faint panting sound as my stomach muscles start clenching but she is not anywhere near me now, so that means that I will have to take a cold shower. I found that it is true what they say about cold showers, they make you less aroused and kind of forget the source of your discomfort. The other solution, take matters on my own hand, pun intended, is out of question. I am not doing that, I have a girlfriend.

"Are you aroused, baby?" Ro's voice comes back, all heavy.

"Umm... not much." I point assessing the situation below my waist. I am good so far, nothing a long shower won't fix. "I can't say I feel much. Maybe around 3 to 4." I lamely say like there is a scale of arousal or something... wait... is there?

I hear her puff through the phone and I am still confused. Why is she asking me all those intimate questions since she is not here?

"Ro, what are you doing?" I ask now obviously and utterly confused. She waits a few seconds before she replies.

"Well, I am trying to have phone sex with you, babe, but it's not working clearly, is it?" she says sounding resigned. Oh. Ohhhhh.

"Oh... that's what we are doing?" Ok, I need someone to explain to me how two people can have sex over a phone. Like how? Sure you use your hands or whatever, but I mean is it considered sex, sex? There are not next to each other?! Where is the fun in that? "We are having cellphone sex."

"Not really, I mean you are not cooperative, wait, cellphone sex?" Her loud laughter is bagging my ears and my eyes roll. What?

"Babe... it's Phone sex, not Cellphone." She tries to say between her laughter.

"But we are both holding cellphones." I deadpan. "It should be called cellphone sex, or maybe mobile phone sex, if we wanna be accurate, like shower sex or car sex. It takes the name of the place you are doing it, so I think it should be called cellphone sex." I make my argument like a future lawyer.

There is a long silence through the phone and puzzled I look at my phone screen to see if the call has ended, but not, Ro is still on the other line.

"Umm... Ro?" I hear a hum.

"That was actually a pretty valid argument." She says all serious all of the sudden. Wow, I really make a good lawyer! "So to be 100% clear here... we are not having phone sex tonight, are we?"

"Umm... nope. I mean, Ro you know I am awkward when I am speaking on the phone. This will be a disaster! I talk way too fast when anxious and on the phone!" I explain something she is very familiar with.

"But... but you don't really have to say a lot of things." She tries and I shake my head. "Just moan and groan. It will do the trick for me. Trust me."

"Ro, seriously I don't even let myself moan while doing the actual deed, do you really think I will moan on the phone?" I exasperate.

"Fine." I can hear the pout through the phone. I am sure it is there. "But I am seeing you the moment the test ends, ok? I am this close to burst." She chuckles and this means the previous topic is long gone, thank God.

I giggle as well at the thought of a desperate and needy Ro, but I indulge her anyways. "Sure, babe, we can go on a date after that. Oh, next Friday it's my parents' anniversary celebration so I will have to go home for the weekend." Mother called me earlier and told me my grandparents will be flying over as well, this year, so I have to attend. Unfortunately, Joss bailed.

"Oh that's great, babe! All the familia will be there, huh? That's cool..." she states calmly but there's heaviness in her words. It's actually making me nervous, 'cause we both know what this means, if I follow the plan. I promised her I will come out to my parents soon and next weekend is the last weekend I would be able to go home before the exams start, and I surely can't come out after college is over for the summer 'cause I want to let my parents sulk to the idea of us together, like tell them now, let them process it and maybe bring Ro over to formally meet them again and spent our summer together.

"Yes it is cool. I will miss you though." I say and she huffs.

"Of course you will. As much I would love to continue, babe, I have to go to sleep and so should you, miss. Ok?" she scolds me playfully.

"Ok, I will, don't worry, baby. Goodnight, see you in 2 days." I say and after her smooch over the phone I hang up.

Nathan's POV

"For the millionth time, I don't want a fucking party." I roll my eyes at Dylan who keeps on insisting for the past last hour.

"Why not, man? It is your damn birthday. Don't you want the ladies to give you some birthday love?" Dylan winks at me. "Get drunk? Have fun?"

"It won't be that bad." Bill chimes in. "Plus, Steve has been searching for a reason to party."

"Does Steve need a reason to party? He is the ΚΕΓ president, he can do whatever the hell he wants." I shrug and start eating my steak. This is the reason why we came to the grill in the first place and not for my fellow ΚΕΓ brothers to drive me nuts.

"That's true but he won't be the president for long. He is a senior. And Steve likes you, Nathan. He wants to host your birthday party at the ΚΕΓ house and for all of us to party hard together before he graduates." Bill states raising an eyebrow at me.

"Don't try to get sentimental on me. It won't work." I smile at him ironically.

"Imagine how he would be acting if we were forcing him to do something unpleasant." Dylan eyerolls. "It's not gonna be a torture. It's gonna be your birthday party and the whole campus will show up. Why don't you want to celebrate it properly, dude?" He asks me confused while taking a bite from his burger.

Let's see what the possible reason could be. Maybe because I just had one of the worst weeks of my life? My body is here when my mind is back at home and everything that is happening there. Well, half of my mind is there and the other half is on Vanessa. I kinda suck at dealing with both situations and now I have Dylan and Bill trying to convince me to have a party so they can get laid. I wish they could just shut up. I am concerned about more important things at the moment and the only thing they are achieving is getting on my nerves.

"I am not in the mood." I answer back, keeping my eyes on my plate.

"You? Not in the mood for a party? And being the man of the night?" Dylan looks at me suspiciously. "That's bullshit."

"Excuse me for not doing you the favor." I tell him sarcastically.

"You're turning 19 and you don't wanna party? You can do that on your 60th birthday, now we are going to throw a massive party on your behalf." Bill pats me friendly on the back.

"Exactly. Don't be a dick about it. If you don't want to, you can stay in your room all night long. But if you do it, it will be your loss." Dylan lifts his eyebrows up at me.

"You don't take no as an answer, do you?" I shake my head annoyed.

"Of course I fucking don't." Dylan gives a high five to Bill. "So your birthday is on Thursday but since Friday is the day to party, we are gonna celebrate it then."

"Okay, let me rephrase it. Since you don't understand the word no." I turn my whole body to face him. "I said that I-"

I started my speech quite determined to bury this party idea once and for all, but I kinda got distracted. The moment I see Vanessa stepping inside the grill, I know there's no need to waste my time on this morons' obsession over my birthday party. I've got better things to do.

"I'll be right back." I state casually and stand up.

Vanessa is right in the middle of the grill, wearing a red dress with white stripes on the top while the rest of it falls loosely and airy till the middle of her thighs. There is a black small belt on her waist which makes it look so tiny. I remember the time I was holding her into my arms and how nice but funny at the same time I found that thing about her body. I also remember how she managed to vanish the last time I saw her finding a lame excuse. Given the fact that I am right here analyzing her choice on clothing should give me some credit and a normal amount of time conversation at least. I never do that with girls. I don't pay attention on what they wear or how the make their hair. I either find them hot or not and stick on the amount of skin they are showing. With Vanessa though it's quite the opposite. I prefer her fully clothed not exposing a single thing. Well, to plain sight. I don't have a problem being the one enjoying the view. Like on the night at the pool when her pyjama t-shirt with that ridiculous elephant got stuck on her body, on her naked body, gave me a hint or two about what is hidden underneath. It drives me crazy how this girl drives me crazy.

She is probably with some sort of friends or classmates. I haven't seen any of those girls before. Maybe the one with the red hair? I don't know. It doesn't matter. The redhead points at an empty table by the window and the whole gang heads towards it. Not so fast.

"Hello Vanessa." I grab her from the arm to stop her.

She turns around and looks at me frozen. I guess she hadn't seen me. That means she had no time to come up with an excuse. Too bad.

"Um..." She keeps her gaze on me, even if this might not be her intention. And I can tell that by the way she shakes her head and tucks a lock behind her ear after. "Hi Nathan." The words come slowly out of her mouth. It is pretty obvious she is stalling. "Um.. I have company."

She points at the girl next to her. The one that stayed with her actually since the others have already sat at the table.

"Hello..." I stretch my hand to her bony blonde friend with glasses waiting for her to introduce herself.

"Clarissa!" She returns the handshake with enthusiasm.

"I am Nathan. Nice to meet you, Clarissa. I am gonna steal this one for a while. I hope it is okay." I give her a charming smile and rest my hands on Vanessa's shoulders.

"Sure." Clarissa gives her permission nodding her head.

"No!" Vanessa lifts her eyebrows up at her to send her a message. Clarissa is not getting a clue though. I already like Clarissa. "I have to give you the notes for the class you missed. That is the reason why we came to the grill after all." Vanessa says waving her hands in the air. It can be an excuse again or the truth itself. I'll play along.

"Great. You can give her your notebook. You are pretty organized, I am sure Clarissa can find it on her own. Right, Clarissa?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Yes, don't worry about it!" Clarissa tells me beaming.

"You are the best!" I wink at her and she giggles while fixing her glasses.

"I have to like, you know... Explain to her what she's missed." Vanessa doesn't see this is a lost battle.

"It won't take long. Clarissa can take a look at it first and you can discuss it together later. Unless you want us to talk about our special friendship here." I squeeze slightly Vanessa's shoulders, confident enough that I made my point.

"No, no!" I barely hold my laugher when I feel her muscles tighten. This was so predictable. "Let me find my notes." She shakes her shoulders to release herself from my touch and looks into her bag. "I'll be back soon." She hands Clarissa the notes with a smile.

"Bye Clarissa." I say cheerfully and wave at her but Vanessa pulls my hand down, giving me an eyeroll.

I narrow my eyebrows at her pretending to be confused. I so enjoy teasing her. I then take her hand in mine and take us both out of this place. It is too damn crowded and noisy at such a time. Probably because it is lunch time. I am walking towards my car, which is across the street, but Vanessa stops around the corner pulling her hand away from mine.

"Here is fine." She says and crosses her arms. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Cut to the chase? I like your style, missy." I tell her smirking.

"Well, I don't have time. As you saw I am with friends here and I bailed on them. Which is not polite. At all." She is just so funny and cute trying to maintain her severe posture.

"Seems like you never have time for me. Lately." I put my hands behind my back and look at her with puppy eyes. I have mastered puppy eyes, practicing since technically kindergarten.

"I..." She pauses for some seconds. "I am just too busy, you know. With my classes and the paper and all the deadlines. And the exams are on their way. Soon."

"So you're not avoiding me?" I ask her in a serious tone.

"What? No!" She exclaims and shakes her head. "Um, of course not." She then laughs nervously.

"Really?" I frown playfully at her.

"Yes, really." She repeats nodding. She still tries to find a way out of it but of course I am not letting it happen.

" 'Cause it seemed like you were the other day." I say shrugging.

"I was not." She states casually and mimics my gesture. Does she really think I am buying this shit? Isn't she adorably naive.

"So everything's good between us?" I point with my index finger back and forth at us.

"Yes." Did she simply just say yes? "Why shouldn't it be."

"I don't know." I take a step closer. "Maybe because you were grinding on me on the last day of our spring break get away and then completely ignored me at any chance given." I say in an indifferent tone trying to not show any kind of disturb.

In my surprise, Vanessa stays silent. Now was her time to shout or blush or try to leave or just do something in general. Not reacting is not like her.

"About that." She puts her hair behind her ear and takes a glare around before she continues. "I wanted to talk to you about that." She stops to take a big breath.

"Be my guest." I tell her with a smirk.

"I am not like that. You know it." She raises her eyebrows at me to reach her point. "I am not that kind of girl. The kind that does such things."

"You mean late night pool make out sessions?" I whisper mischievously.

"No. I mean yeah, but not just that. That wasn't me." She remarks looking me into the eyes.

"You have a twin or something?" I chuckle and lower my head to her height.

"Just let me finish." She places her hand on my chest to stop me but retreats it right away. "I have things I wanna say." She points a finger at me and I smile at her, zipping my mouth. "Okay, so I was saying that if you know me just a bit, you also know that what happened wasn't typical Vanessa behavior. I don't act like that. I don't know what's gotten into me or how what happened happened." She moves her hands in the air not specifying it. "I don't blame you of course. I am an adult. I should have the absolute control over my actions and at that moment I did not and I was not thinking straight. I was not myself and I-"

"It's not like the end of the world, you know." I tell her shrugging. I had no doubt she would overanalyze it. Every second of it. It's Vanessa we are talking about.

"I know but I don't do such things." She says once again.

"Such things as?" I ask chortling.

"Getting intimate for no reason."

Ouch. No reason? What does she mean by that?

"I don't tend to get involved in such aimless things. I do have self respect and I think more of myself. I don't waste my time on situations that serve no purpose."

It's like my head is spinning. She has confused the shit out of me.

"So you're saying you didn't like it?" I wonder out loud, looking at her puzzled.

"What I am saying is it should have never happened." She lifts her eyebrows at me returning my gaze. How can she look back at me and say such a thing?

"You didn't answer my question." I insist and smirk at her, gaining back my confidence.

"Just listen to me, Nathan!" She raises her voice. "I am not like the others, okay? And I'll never be. So whatever kind of freaky fantasy you have in this brain of yours, just shake it off! Forget it for good 'cause it is not happening. Not now, not ever. Whatever happened between us, it happened out of the blue and I am sorry to disappoint you, there won't be another round! Don't try to get in my head and create a mess again. 'Cause I am clearing this mess right now by telling you that is the past now and there is no chance I am letting it happen again. Any attempt that you make on changing my mind, it will just go in vain. Find someone else to spend your time like that. I am not the one for the job. And honestly? I don't wanna be the one. It is the one thing in the whole world that I unwish so strongly for myself. I am not made for such things. It's not who I am or who I wanna be."

The reason why I am keeping a straight expressionless face is that I wasn't expecting to hear any of this at all. I do know Vanessa, yes, so I was expecting she would read much more into what happened but not like this. Not her making me feel like shit. She was fucking moaning my name and now she is saying she unwishes it strongly for herself? That this is not who she is or who she wants to be? What kind of bullshit is this? And what kind of idea does she think I have for her?

"You think you have figured it all out?" I ask not bothering to hide my anger. "You think I have put you in some kind of category or something?"

"I don't know. I am speaking for myself right now. Maybe you have." She is talking so fucking calmly and it extremely pushes my nerves' limits.

"And what category is that, huh?" I stare into her big green eyes to detect any kind of emotion but she isn't giving me a thing.

"I have no time to try to think about the way you categorize women in your mind." She titles her head to the side. "And you know what? I shouldn't criticize it. This is who you are and I knew it. I knew it and I am not putting you on the spot here. It was my mistake and I will make sure I won't make such a mistake again. What you have to do is promise me you won't go for something like that again."

"And who told you I would wanna do something like that again? I see you've got a completely wrong impression." My best and only defense is offence right now. "I don't promise you anything. But guess what. You have nothing to worry about. I have a life. A really entertaining one! I can keep myself busy. You can go back at um, what was it that you were doing? Yeah, pretty much anything. Consider it as charity. I pulled you out of your boredom for a bit since something really exciting finally happened in your life. If you insist so bad, okay, let's keep it a one time thing. And now, I have to be somewhere having fun instead of here, so why don't you get back inside and share notes? Woah, that sounds really exciting." I say and pass by her, shaking her shoulder momentarily. And yes, I don't try to sound less sarcastic or not a dick. This my fucking coping mechanism and she is damn lucky to only get that after what she told me.

"Nathan." There is disappointment behind her voice, but you know what? I don't give a shit.

"Bye Vanessa." I glance at her over my shoulder and nod my head smugly, before leaving her behind for good.

I can't believe what just happened! I am mad. I am furious. At her and every single word that came out of her mouth. I get back inside and walk towards the table where Dylan and Bill still sit.

"Long time no see." Dylan tells me with a cocky smile. "All good with your friend over there?" He points at Vanessa, who is now entering the grill.

"Exquisite." I give him an annoyed glare. "Move your ass." I push him aside to sit at the booth.

"Who's that?" Bill asks nodding towards Vanessa's direction. I don't wanna play 20 questions, especially if they are focused on Vanessa.

"Someone. I kinda have to get off, you guys coming?" I say as I put out my wallet.

"Man, Brenda will show up in any second." Dylan remarks like I should actually remember it.

"Don't care. I am out." I say standing up again.

"What about your party? Are we set?" Bill looks at me pleading.

"Whatever." I tell him shrugging. "Do whatever you want."

"Yes!" I hear both Dylan and Bill cheering.

As I head outside, I see Vanessa staring at me out of the corner of my eye. Isn't she busy with her friends now, changing notes and talking about nerdy stuff? I wave my hand goodbye, giving her my most ironic and fakest smile at the same time, while she shakes her head in disapproval. I need to get the hell away from this fucking place 'cause damn you Vanessa Adams, you make me feel all the things I don't wanna feel right now.

A/N: Sophie is thinking about coming out to her parents. How do you think this will go? Also, Vanessa finally confronted Nathan. What do you have to say about that? Thanks for reading and supporting us! xx