"A dance, huh?"

Tristan smiles. "Yup. We get them once and a while."

"Are they fun?"

"They're not bad. You go to dances back at home?"

"Only once. I never had anyone to go with."

"Seriously? You didn't have a date? Wow."

I blush. "What about you?" I ask. "Did you go to dances? Have girlfriends?"

"Not really. I was in grade nine during the draw. I went to one high school dance, but then we broke up when my name went in the bowl."

"Awh. That sucks."

"She understood. I couldn't do what Dave did."

"Yeah, I know."

We both get quiet, listening to the conversation around the table. We've long finished eating our breakfast, but we don't have classes today, so we're still hanging out here at our lunch table, talking.

I look around the table.

Paige and Dawn are talking with Dave, Tess and Oliver are flirting, Sadie and Ethyn are talking with Daniel half in the conversation, and Tristan and I are just sitting, quietly.

Sadie and Ethyn stand up. "Let's go to the common room," Sadie says. "The couches are comfier."

"Okay," Tess agrees.

Everyone stands up, and we head over there. I linger behind a little bit, enjoying the calm and quiet.

I look over to the large wall with white blinds pulled down over all the large windows. Curious, I head over, and cautiously pull one of the blinds forward a little. No alarm goes off, so I pull the blind forward more, and peek around it.

I'm slightly disappointed to see that it's just a courtyard, nothing that could tell me where we are, but it's still outdoors.

I hear someone enter, and I drop the blind, letting it fall back into place, and take a step back.

"Amber?" asks a familiar voice.

Daniel.

"Hi," I say.

"Looking outside?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Want to go outside?" he offers.

"Sure." I say. It's a sweet gesture, and even though he's given so many mixed signals, I'm willing to take it.

"Follow me."

We head down another unfamiliar hallway, and then go up a flight of stairs. We walk further, then down another flight of stairs and to a door marked emergency exit.

"Can we go through there?" I ask hesitantly.

"Yeah, it's safe, promise."

"Okay."

Daniel pushes open the door, and nothing bad happens. He holds it open for me and gestures for me to go ahead. I step through, and trip, not realizing that there's a step down.

"Oh Amber! I'm sorry! I forgot to warn you that there's a step. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" Daniel holds out a hand, and I graciously take it.

As he pulls me up, he wraps his other arm around my waist, steadying me.

I smile gratefully, and we walk into the courtyard. Daniel keeps his hand on my waist, which I don't mind, because still feel uncoordinated from falling.

The courtyard is a good size, and we wander around a little while before sitting down on one of the benches.

"Amber, I'm really sor-"

"It's okay Daniel," I cut in. "I'm not hurt, and it's not your fault that I tripped."

"No, not about that. I'm sorry I was being a jerk a few days ago, when Tristan took to you the library. Tristan and I are good friends; I got jealous. I'll try not be rude and jealous, but I can't stop what I feel for you Amber. You're amazing. You've captured my heart and blown my mind in a short amount of time. Maybe I'm disgusting you with cheesiness, but I swear, I'm serious. I can't stop these feeling Amber."

He looks straight at me. "You're beautiful."

I'm speechless. I don't know what to say. He almost sounded sincere, but saying I'm beautiful makes it sound like he only has these feeling because he like the way I look.

"Daniel," I start. "I-ah-I don't know what to say."

"It's okay Amber. You don't have to do anything."

So quickly that I don't even realize what's happening, he leans in and gives me a quick kiss on the lips.

"Ah," I stammer. I'm at a loss for words.

We sit in silence for a while. My mind is racing.

Daniel just kissed me! What do I do? There's a dance next week, there are two guys, what do I do?

I want to scream.

+++

Later, Daniel takes my hand and leads me to the door. It's nearly lunch time. At least Tristan won't throw a fit about me being with Daniel.

I drop Daniel's hand, and then see Tristan coming down the hall.

"Hey Amber," he says with an easy smile.

"Hey," I say, returning the smile.

Daniel tenses up beside me.

I elbow him in the side.

"Hi," he says stiffly.

"What're you guys up to?" Tristan asks, politely, but genuine.

"I don't know. We were in the courtyard, and I'm not sure where we're going now."

Tristan nods. "I was just heading out to get some air, but everyone else is in the common room."

"Okay, thanks." I look to Daniel. "Let's head over there."

Daniel and I enter the bustling common room and head over to our friends. Before we get over to their couches, I hear someone call me.

"Amber! Come 'ere!"

I follow the voice to Mitchel and Kendra.

"Want to meet Greyson?" Mitchel asks me.

"It would have to be short," Kendra says, "but it's possible."

"I'd love to." Just as the words leave my mouth, Daniel reappears at my side.

"There you are! You just disappeared, I couldn't find you!" he exclaims.

"Who's this?" Kendra asks me, a teasing smile on her face.

"Daniel, one of my friends."

Mitchel does the creepy suggestive eyebrow raise thing, and I laugh. "No, not like that."

"Not yet," Daniel says. I blush, but am angry that he would say that.

"K, let's go," I say to Mitchel and Kendra. "See ya later Daniel."

Daniel looks a little confused that I just left him, but I have a brother to meet.

Kendra and Mitchel lead me down a hallway. We take a right and enter a large, but empty, storage room.

"Mitchel?" A guy's voice asks. We step into the room. "Amber?"

A figure steps out of the shadows. He is tall and muscular, with blonde hair, and the same deep brown eyes that Ty and I share.

"Greyson?" I ask hesitantly.

He opens his arms and envelopes me in a hug.

"Amber, I can't believe you're here. It's just. Oh my gosh. How were mom and dad?"

"Mom was really really sad, Dad was more accepting. And Ty, he didn't really know what was going on."

"Ty?"

"Oh yeah, you left when I was four. Sorry. Ty is my-our little brother. He's in kindergarten now."

Greyson look sad. "I missed you, baby sister, and even though I never would wish for you to leave our family, I'm glad you're with me."

I smile. "I'm glad I'm with you."

---

After beginning to catch up with Greyson, Kendra and Mitchel and I walk back to the common room. It was hard to find a time to see Greyson because apparently once you turn 21, everything's organized way differently.

When we walk into the common room, Tristan sees me and comes over.

"Wow Amber," Kendra smiles. "Lots of admirers you have!"

"Hey Tristan. What's up?"

"Not much. Wanna hang out for a while?"

"Of course," I answer with a smile.

"How do you feel about the library?"

I nod. Tristan smiles and with a grin, says, "Let's hope Daniel doesn't kill us this time."

"He better not, otherwise I'll never hang out with him again."

Tristan laughs and holds the door for me as we leave the common room.

"Thanks," I smile.

"Anytime."

---

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