Skittering back and forth, Charlie chased the blue ribbon that I dragged across the floor. We've only had him a few days, but I can already see a difference in his appearance. He wasn't so gaunt, probably because we keep spoiling him with food and treats. But I'm constantly playing with him so he won't get too fat too quickly.

Maya is in love with him. She won't admit it, but I can tell. Everytime I turn my back, she's holding him or giving him one of the treats she bought. He laps up the attention purring non stop when she brushes his fur. I can't blame him, I always want her attention too.

My arm started to get tired so I set the ribbon on the ground. Charlie took that opportunity to pounce on it, but he lost traction and slid across the floor hitting the couch with a light thud.

"What was that?" Maya called from the kitchen.

"Oh, it's nothing," I called back. "Charlie just bumped into the couch."

"Is he okay?" She peaked her head from behind the open cabinet. "Did he hurt himself?"

"He's fine," I assured her. Charlie shook it off and went back to wrestling with the long ribbon like it never happened.

Maya watched him carefully. "Okay, just make sure he doesn't get stuck under anything."

She's such an overprotective cat mom. "I will."

After making sure Charlie was safe, he'd dragged his ribbon into his cat tree and was having a blast, I went into the kitchen where Maya was. She was putting the last of her dishes away; she struggled to put a cup on a high shelf.

"Here, I got it." I grabbed the cup from her hand and set it on the shelf with ease.

"Thank you," she said turning to face me.

"You're welcome." I placed my hands on her arms holding her close.

"What are you doing today?" She asked me. "Are you going to paint my car?"

"No, I'm actually going to take a break today."

She looked surprised. "A break?"

"Yes," I laughed, smoothing out the wrinkle between her brows with my thumb. "Is that a problem?"

"No-no, of course it's not. You deserve a break," she said. "What are you going to do on your day off?"

"I told Marcus and Sam I'd hang out with them. I feel like I haven't seen them in forever." We'd see each other at school but we haven't hung out since the beginning of the school year. It was about time I fill them in on everything.

"I understand. Tasha, Nia, and Lavender are coming over later. I haven't hung out with them in weeks," she explained.

"Looks like we both have a full day," I said. I crashed here last night, I've been crashing here the last few nights actually. Since school's been out it hasn't made sense to leave since I'm here so late some nights. And Maya let's me sleep on the couch. Not that I wouldn't mind joining her in her bedroom, but we're not there yet and I'm not going to rush it.

She wrapped her arms around my waist. I noticed she was only comfortable being intimate like this when we were in private. For instance, when we got breakfast and I held her hand she flinched, and when we went to the grocery store yesterday; I went to put my arms around her and she moved away so fast I almost fell flat on my ass. "Will you be back later?"

"If I'm not there too late," I told her. "His mom always ask me to stay for dinner. I might be able to come over after that."

"Okay," she said. "Just let me know."

I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Can I use your shower?"

"Yeah, towels are in the hall closet."

I smiled. "Thanks."

She touched my face. "I like your facial hair."

"I'm trying to grow a beard," I told her. It was taking some time to get used to, but I didn't look as old as I thought. I was actually starting to like it. "The girl I like thinks I'll look nice."

"She's smart," she smiled.

"Some would even say a genius."

She gasped. "Is she going to Harvard?" she asked jokingly.

I squeezed her cheeks, replying. "No, but she thinks she's hysterical."

"It's because she is."

I hummed, letting her go. "Only sometimes."

She followed me into the living room. "More like all the time." Hearing how close she was, Charlie poked his head out of the little cubby hole.

Like I said they are obsessed with one another, so once she sat on the couch he followed her laying himself across her lap. I smiled at the two of them as I grabbed my bag that held my change of clothes. The gym bag I keep in my trunk has come in handy the last few days.

"Be careful with the water it can get really hot sometimes," she warned me before I went into the bathroom. "I wouldn't want you to burn yourself."

"Thanks for the tip."

I grabbed a washcloth and a towel from the closet before I went into the bathroom. I turned on the faucet in the bathtub carefully testing the water on my hand, and immediately snatched it back. Fuck, that does get hot. I adjusted it so I wouldn't completely burn my skin off.

After stripping off my clothes, I slipped into her small shower. Maybe it was because my shower at home was three times bigger than hers, but I felt like a giant standing in Maya's shower. It was standing room only for me. I tried my best to move around without knocking over the products she had sitting on the side of the tub, but it was hard.

Using a small amount of her soap, I began to lather my body deeply inhaling the smell of it. It smelled so good I wish I smelled like it all the time. My hair was disgusting so I had to use some of her shampoo as well, and I was surprised to find that it smelled like coconuts.

Even if I was just going to Marcus' house I didn't want to look a complete mess. If I had anything close to an extended family it would be them. Baron, Marcus's dad, is everything I wish my dad was. Ellen is probably one of the nicest women in the entire world, and she's beautiful. I remember when E.J was born, I was so jealous of Marcus. Sure, he's a lot younger than us but at least he has a sibling, someone you know is always going to be there.

That wasn't the only time I was jealous of Marcus.

It was worse when we were younger, and I would spend the night there and see how his parents showed genuine interest in him and what he was doing. They cared about where he was and they wanted to spend time with him. While my parents couldn't give a shit what I was doing. I'd ask to spend the night as much as I could to feel any sliver of normalcy and family structure. I stopped asking around eighth grade, that's when Crystal started sneaking out of her house at night to come spend the night with me. And as a horny fourteen year old, I wasn't going to turn that down.

My kids will never feel that way. They'll never feel the way my parents made me feel, I'll make sure of it.

The water had started to come out in cold bursts letting me know that it was my time to exit the shower. I stepped out of the shower onto Maya's soft bath mat. I could hear muffled voices coming through the walls. The girls must be here.

I wonder if Maya has told them about us. Whatever we are.

We're moving at our own special pace, and I don't want to ruin that by slapping an unnecessary label on things. I'm happy with the way things are going between us, and happiness is hard to come by.

I was drying off when I heard the bathroom door handle jiggle. I didn't have a chance to tell whoever it was that the bathroom was occupied, because as soon as I was about to the door swung open. Tasha and I stared at each other wide-eyed for a moment. And for a second I forgot I was butt-naked.

"Oh my God, I am so sorry!" she said slamming the door shut. I felt my face burning hot, that was possibly the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me. Maybe she didn't see everything?

Who am I kidding? She saw everything.

"Fuck," I breathed.

I finished dressing quickly. Pushing my feet threw my jeans and throwing on my sweatshirt.

When I exited the bathroom they were all in the kitchen. They were talking but that stopped once they saw me coming. Great, they were talking about me.

"Hey," I said trying to make things less awkward.

"Hi, Nick." Nia and Lavender wore a strange fake smile on their faces, while Tasha smiled brightly at me.

Maya just shook her head at them. She pinched the bridge of her nose as if she had a headache.

"Are you going to Marcus' house?" Nia asked me.

"I am," I answered," I'm going to pick up some lunch before I head there though."

"I hope you don't plan on buying any energy drinks," Maya said looking at me expectantly.

I pulled her to my side. "I won't I promise." I kissed her on the cheek, "I'll call you later."

"Okay," she said slipping away. "See you later."

The girls looked between us with wide eyes. Tasha tried to hide her smile with her hand. "Bye, Nick."

"Bye, Ladies. "

Strange girls.

Charlie followed me to the door. Which surprised me, because he was so intent on getting the girls attention I'm surprised he noticed I was there.

I was giving Charlie a few goodbye scratches at the door when I overheard the girls talking about me.

"I knew it!" I heard Tasha squeal. "I knew you liked him!"

I didn't hear her deny the accusation, so that's good.

"So are you two a thing?" Lavender asked.

There was a long pause where I caught myself holding my breath awaiting her response. "Yes," she said. "At least I think so."

Cue more squealing from Tasha. I bit back my own grin after hearing what she said. I didn't wait to hear anything else, I closed the door softly after making sure that Charlie was safely inside.

Together wasn't quite a label, more like a status. A status I was completely satisfied with.

I drove down the street with a huge grin on my face. I'm so glad we are on the same page. Not that there's anyone that has my attention other than Maya. And I hoped there wasn't anyone else that has hers.

I'm sure the girl in the drive thru window thought I was a lunatic with how much I was smiling. But I couldn't help it.

When I pulled into Marcus' driveway, E.J was riding his bike in front of the house. I brushed the french fry crumbs off my sweatshirt and stepped out of the car. E.J dropped his bike when he spotted me. Running towards me at full speed, he threw his arms around my legs causing me to stagger back.

"Nick!" he screamed hugging my legs. He wore a denim jacket and a blue sweater underneath. It'd been getting cold here the last few weeks, almost all signs of summer had fallen with the leaves. I liked the chill of fall better than the summer heat anyway.

"I haven't seen you in a million years! Where have you been?"

I laughed at his exaggeration. "Good to see you too, Champ. I've been working on something with my friend." Friend? Girlfriend? Significant other...I don't know but we'll figure it out.

"I learned how to ride a bike," he told me excitedly. "My friend, Misty, is coming over and we're going to ride together." His dark black curls were pulled into a bun on the back of his head. I know they had been trying to convince him to cut it for a long time, I'm glad he didn't let them. It gave him character.

"That's awesome, E.J." I'm glad he's making friends at school. "Where's your brother?"

"He's upstairs with Sam," he smiled up at me, "I like your beard. You look like a lumberjack."

"Thank you." Not the look I was going for exactly, but I'd take it. "I'll talk to you later E.J."

"Okay, goodbye, Nick." He went back to riding his bike in a circle as he waited for his friend.

Their front door was unlocked so I let myself in. I'd been in this house what feels like a million times, and no matter how much Mrs. Garrett changed it it still had the same feeling of home that it always had.

Barron, Marcus' dad, looked up from the magazine he was reading in the living room when he heard the door open. His glasses were perched on the bridge of his nose.

"Hey, Nick, haven't seen you in a while," he smiled at me. "Marcus said you were re-doing a car."

I walked deeper into the living room. "Yes, sir. I'm trying to get into the Kennedy Automotive Institute."

"Well, that's great, Nick. I wish you all the best." He looked at me. "I like the beard you've got going."

I ran my hand over the facial hair that covered my jaw. "Thank you, sir."

"So what's her name?" he asked with a knowing grin.

"Who's name?" I asked confused.

"The girl who told you you would look good with a beard. What's her name?"

"Oh," I said dropping my hand to my side. "Her name's Maya. And how did you know there was a girl?"

"Because when I first met Ellen she told me I should grow out my hair, she said it would make me look sexy."

"And it did," Ellen said coming into the room. She lovingly ran her hands through his short hair as he sat on the couch. "You should think about growing it out again." Her burgundy sweater hung off one of her shoulders. The age difference between her and Barron has been a controversy since before I was born. But they continued to take it in stride, Ellen would never spew hate about anyone. Even though so many of the moms at our neighborhood country club do it to her.

"Hah, no way," he chuckled.

She smirked, "Never hurts to try." Ellen turned back towards me. "Hello, Nick," she hugged me. Placing her hands on either side of my face, she gave me a good once over. "You get more handsome every time I see you."

"Thank you, Ellen," I smiled.

She dropped her hands from my face. "How's your Dad?"

"He's fine," I said but not knowing exactly. Im sure someone would have called me if he was hurt or dead, so fine seems like an appropriate answer.

She looked at me warily, but said, "That's good. The boys are waiting for you upstairs. I hope you guys plan on doing something more than playing mindless video games."

We didn't. "We'll think of something."

She gave me a motherly kiss on the cheek before sending me up the stairs.

I'd been here so many times I could get around with my eyes closed. There house was a lot smaller than mine but still way bigger than Maya's place. Through Marcus' bedroom door I could hear him and Sam arguing.

"Dammit, Sam stop cheating!" yelled Marcus.

"I'm not cheating you just suck ass!" Sam yelled back. "Maybe if you weren't a button masher you would win!"

I smiled listening to their bickering back and forth. Man, I've missed them. I've enjoyed spending so much time with Maya, I'd spend every second with her if I could, but I have also missed hanging out with my friends.

Pushing the door open, I found Marcus and Sam sitting next to each other on the couch. Marcus looked like he was ready to punch Sam in the face.

"What are you guys doing? I could hear you arguing in the hall," I asked shutting the door behind me.

"This dipshit keeps accusing me of cheating," Sam pointed his Xbox controller at Marcus, "When in reality he's just not very good."

Marcus pushed him. "I am too!"

"Hey, break it up you two." I went and nudged my way between them forcing them on either side of the couch. There would be no fights on my watch.

They grumbled on their respective ends of the couch.

Sam looked at me strangely. "What's different about you?"

"He doesn't have a RedBull in his hand," Marcus chimed in.

"Yes, but it's something else." he squinted observing me closely. "Are you growing a beard?"

"Uh, yeah, I am," I replied.

"Sick," he replied. "I wish I could grow a beard." You would think with how bushy his brows are and how much hair he had on top of his head he'd be able to grow more than a few whiskers on his upper lip and chin.

"I'm guessing Maya likes your new look," Marcus said with raised brows.

"She does actually."

"I'm assuming you're fixing more than her car at this point," said Sam.

I hesitated. "Yes...but not like that. I mean we haven't slept together. We adopted a cat." I rambled.

Marcus smirked, amused. "You adopted a cat?"

"Yes, his name is Charlie. He was a stray and his tail is missing."

"I'm sure you make a cute family," Sam laughed behind me. "But that's awesome that you and Maya are together. She's hot, but in a like, 'I'll kick you in the throat if you get too close to me kind of way.'"

I chuckled. I couldn't have worded it better myself. "She's awesome."

Smug, Sam said, "I hate to say I told you so, but....I told you so. I knew that once you stopped drooling like an idiot long enough to talk to her you would hit it off."

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Oh, Sam, you know everything."

"It's true."

"I saw Nia today," I told Marcus.

"Oh, yeah she said she was going to hang out at Maya's place," he said. "You've already been there today."

"Yeah, I slept there last night."

His eyes widened. "I thought you said you guys weren't sleeping together?"

"Well, we're not," I explained. "I've been sleeping on the couch. Everything's still new, I don't want to rush anything."

He nodded understanding. "If it makes you feel any better I'm not having sex either so it looks like the only one getting laid around here is Sam."

Oh, that's new. "You're seeing someone? Who?" I asked with interest. Sam hasn't had a girlfriend....well, ever.

His face was starting to turn bright red. "Uh...."

"It's Lavender," Marcus said all too happily. "Him and Lavender are hooking up."

"What?" I was shocked. Not because it was Lavender, but his parents would die if they knew about them. Their "perfect" son hooking up with an all black wearing girl with hippy parents, that's not good for their conservative political image.

"It's just--we were just--I," he stuttered to find the right words. "It's only been a few times."

I grinned. "You and Lavender, I can't believe it."

"They did it in the back seat of her car," Marcus gossiped, because Sam obviously wasn't in the position to tell.

"Her Mini Cooper!" This just keeps getting weirder and weirder. "You do like her, right?"

"Of course I do," he admitted. "But my parents would flip if they knew what we were doing. Her parents are against everything my parents stand for, and you've met Lavender. She's not the typical East Chapel prototype." Got that right. The only girl I know brave enough to wear black lipstick on a day other than Halloween.

"So you're just not going to tell them?"

"Not right now. I mean we're just hooking up every once in awhile," he rationalized. "There's no reason to tell them. She's not my girlfriend."

I hummed. "As long as you're both on the same page about that."

"We are," he said. "She doesn't care."

Marcus and I exchanged a common look of disbelief. I had a feeling they weren't on the same page. But I'm just not sure what end it was coming from.

"Okay."

There was loud laughter outside, I'm guessing E.J's friend was here.

Marcus looked towards the window. "Misty's here."

"E.J told me he had a friend coming over."

"Oh, Misty is always over," he said running his hand through his hair. "And when she's not here she's all E.J can talk about. Misty this, Misty that--Misty, Misty, Misty."

I smirked, that's sweet.