[Jace's POV]

It was all like a dream come true, whether or not I was relishing in the moment right was questionable.

Zach just felt so right in my arms, it felt so right as he stroked my hair and it felt so right with his hands intwined with mine.

I wanted to stay like this forever, I really did but I had to get downstairs to my drunk father and make sure he eats and goes to sleep. Mum still wasn't home, usually she wouldn't be away for this long but there was some extra work for her to do in Scotland but she will be home when I come back from school on Monday.

After Zach and I made up, he wanted to come over mine to check on my father, I knew he wasn't the kind of person to just leave me to deal with him myself. Zach was like that, he wasn't a dick. He could be, I guess, but that's only rarely. I could be too, in fact, I was feeling like one.

We were laying in my bed, cozied up under the duvet covers. He kept telling me about how much he missed me and how bad he felt after I ran away like a wimp. As much as I'd like to admit, I didn't feel really bad for running away. At that moment, it was the only thing I could think of doing. I didn't want to stay there and hear him throwing the word 'love' around.

"-so, I didn't leave the bed after you ran away from the school's field unless I had to go to school and I was so depressed and I felt like shit for hurting your wrist. Still do."

"Will you stop babbling about that?" I asked as I caressed his cheek, "I told you that it's fine."

"I'm not convinced, honestly, Jace, I'm not like some secret abuser or anything."

"I know you're not. You're an angel." I smiled down at him and caressed his face more, feeling the light stubble.

A few moments passed and I sat up, taking my contact lenses out and throwing them in the bin near me. Contact lenses always made me feel tired but sometimes, glasses just feel heavy on you. I've always worn lenses but since Zach likes my glasses, I'm going to go back to wearing them at school.

I lay back down the bed, finally comfortable and with my eyes slightly blurry, I moved closer to Zach and brought my leg over his thigh and my arm around his waist.

"Jace?" I opened one eye and saw Zach look up at me and almost resemble a cute puppy.

"Mmm...?" I said groggily.

"If I gave you my bracelet again, would you accept it?"

I took a sharp intake of breath and finally opened both eyes, my hand instinctively rubbed up and down his side, across his shoulder and to his jawline, caressing it and feeling the light stubble.

I liked feeling his stubble, in some way, it made me jealous. I had always been a baby face, I would grow the smallest amount of hair in three months or so. I didn't like keeping it either, it didn't suit me that much.

"Jace?" Zach asked and I snapped out of my reverie about facial hair.

"I don't know, Zach." I sighed, leaning down and kissing his temple.

Zach turned on his back and crossed his arms around his chest, glaring up at the ceiling.

"Oh come on, don't be like that." I combed a hand through my hair.

Sure, I was being an absolute cock and limiting him from doing stuff and I was being a bitch about not accepting the bracelet but can you blame me? I was scared. I was just a scared little boy really, always had been.

I could only wonder if Zach was really as committal as he said he was. Reputations last, and Zach's 'womaniser' reputation wasn't definitely not helping me make my mine up.

To be honest, would I be able to handle the popularity? If Zach gives me the darn bracelet, how would that help me?

I didn't really care about the bracelet to be honest, unlike all the girls in our school who wanted it so badly, they'd donate a kidney.

If Zach gave me his bracelet, I'd be come instantly popular, I'd have more than the five friends I already have. There was no going back either, the popularity lasts.

What if he have another argument? I can't just give the bracelet back like that. Once you have it, it's to keep and to be honest, the bracelet was probably cursed or something because Zach definitely doesn't like the concept either. He thinks it's overrated and in some way, I feel glad about him feeling that way because it just proves to show that he doesn't give a shit as much as the next person about the damn thing.

I personally think the bracelet would cause more arguments between us, in some twisted way.

"Please?" I tried. I didn't like it when Zach was upset.

"Mmfgh." He mumbled as he dug his face into the pillow.

I felt kind of pressured right now, if I didn't accept the bracelet, Zach would be unhappy. If I took the bracelet, he'd be happy and I'd be unhappy. Sure I was always up for being selfless. I'd do anything to make anybody I care about, happy. The bracelet however? Now that was an exception.

I took off my sweatshirt so that I just in my t-shirt and threw it aside. I cozied up next to him, my boyfriend, and rubbed soothing circles on his lean back.

Boyfriend, I thought, it sounds so... New. So odd. So real.

Don't get me wrong, I love having Zach as my boyfriend. I couldn't have asked for anybody better to share my life with in this way.

There's just... Too much pressure. It was frightening.

Zach turned his head to face me but kept on his stomach. His brownish gold hair flipped over his eyes and his plump lips just looked so compelling.

I moved the flop of hair covering his eyes and stoked his hair that had once been styled to perfection. "Stop being angry with me."

"I just... I like you so much, it's killing me inside that you don't even want to accept the stupid bracelet before Calvin changes his mind and you don't want to kiss me... Sometimes it feels as if you don't even see me that way and you're only giving it a shot with me because you sympathise." He said, "I hate pity."

"Uh, Calvin?"

"Yeah, he uh, said that I could give my bracelet to a best friend and I want to give it to you but as my boyfriend, my lover."

"So you keep asking me all because Calvin is pressuring you?" I leaned back a little, taking my hand away from his hair.

"No! It's not like that!" He saved and intwined one hand with mine. "there's no timer or anything, it's just that, if Calvin changes his mind, we would have to come out if you accept the bracelet."

I face palmed myself, running my thumb over his hand. "I get it."

"Good, didn't want you getting the wrong end of the stick."

"So you'll accept-"

"Still no." I sighed. He dug his face back in to the pillow and pulled the duvet up higher to cover half of his head.

My heart dropped and I frowned, god, he was so upset, he was probably tearing up there and I'm just being so selfish. Can you blame me?

Bracelet + reputation + popularity + social life + jealous girls attacking me = NO.

I sat up and straddled Zach's hips over the duvet, I pulled the duvet lower down his body and brought my hands to his shoulders, digging my fingers into them and massaging him.

"I'm sorry." I told him, and brought my thumb to his neck, digging it in there and going back and forth.

"That's okay." He mumbled into the pillows. "Whatever makes you happy, right?"

"Don't be upset with me." My fingers went back to his shoulders. Zach let out a sexy moan and I had to control my emotions before something in particular gets a little excited.

He turned his head to the side, allowing him to breathe and speak clearer. "I'm not, I could never be."

We just sat in silence, my hands running up and down his body and then he spoke out again.

"Wheres your sister?"

"I don't know, I think she had an after school flute lesson. It's Friday, right?"

"But it's like seven in the evening."

"Then she should be downstairs."

"You never answered my question." He pointed out.

"Uhhh...." I thought stupidly.

"You're not with me just because you pity me, or because of my rep?"

I took a long glance to him, he looked so cute, so fragile. "Of course not, and I don't care about your rep."

"Ouch."

"No no no no, I don't mean like that." I quickly saved and played with the hem of his sweatshirt.

We just sat in silence for a while, well, Zach was laying down beneath me. Eventually, I opted to lay down next to him and we both just stared up at the ceiling.

"Are you sure your sister is at home because she's unusually quiet." Zach asked and sat up, suddenly fearing for the worst. Usually, Cammie would be listening to loud music on the TV.

Zach and I both scurried downstairs, and sure enough, Cammie was laying on the sofa in a somewhat peaceful looking slumber. It was as peaceful as it could be on a sofa, at least. Her long legs were falling off the edge and her head wasn't even on the arm rest, it was just rested on top of the seat. I clutched at my heart and took a sigh of relief, Zach did the same.

We both walked down the rest of the stairs and Zach wrapped a blanket over her. I smiled, the view in front of me was too adorable. Two of the best people in my life were in the same room, same area. I had friends, but it was only Ben who was a really close friend to me.

To be honest, and I know i've thought it countless times, but I feel like Zach could drift off me easily. I've always feared it, as his friend and his boyfriend. It was probabaly because he's had countless girlfriends, week after week and he doesn't even give a second glance to his ex's.

I hope I wasn't just one of 'those people'.

Sure, he's admitted he loves me, he admits I make him feel special, he admits that nobody's ever made him feel the same way and I'm glad about that and all but, I feel like I have the right to have these irrational thoughts. I've always been an hopeless romantic, what if this is just one of those situations where Zach suddenly comes to the realisation that he doesn't need me? What if he just adds to the list of my 'failed relationships'.

The room was silent, only the soft snores from Cam could be heard and mine and Zach's breathing. Dad was hell knows and for the first time in a while, I was the least bit worried. With Zach around, it was as if my worries were all thrown out the window.

Speaking of the goldish-brown haired boy, his tummy rumbled and I had to stifle a laugh. He clutched his tummy and his face flushed.

He could be so adorable sometimes.

"Do you want to for dinner? I don't think there's any groceries in the fridge." I trailed off.

He looked deep in thought before glancing to Cam and then, almost as if a lightbulb appeared on top of his head, he grinned.

"We could buy some groceries and cook here. I can make pasta." He winked.

"Any more exciting than pasta? I'm thinking chicken." Just the thought of bourbon chicken made my mouth water and I had to resist not drooling.

"I might poison you." He flushed.

"I'll cook the chicken. You can learn." I said and winked before grabbing mine and Zach's trainers from the coat closet, my wallet and my jacket.

"We don't have a ride..."

"I started learning like ages ago, we can take the car my grandparents handed down to me."

"Don't you need an experienced passenger?" He cocked a brow and I shook my head, "we'll just have to avoid the police." I said.

"Ooh this feels so awesome. I feel like James Bond." Zach spoke up as we slid into the car. I just did an unattractive laugh that sounded almost like a snort and stuck the key into the ignition.

A few minutes later, we arrived in front of the grocery store in one piece and hopped out. Zach skipped in like a little kid and I almost felt like doing the same, it wasn't as if anybody cared around here. They all just minded their own business.

The sliding doors opened and Zach grabbed a small trolley and jumped inside it. I laughed and took hold the handles and wheeled it towards the first row and started grabbing some salad and dressing.

We finished off the section and headed over to grab some chicken. I threw it in the trolley on top of his head and he moodily crossed his arms over his chest and glared daggers at me but it didn't affect me that much and I only just left the trolley with him inside of it outside the next row that was crowded with other trolleys.

When I got back to the trolley with my hand full of things to season the chicken In, Zach was nowhere to be found, I shrugged and threw the stuff into the trolley before wheeling it to the section that has drinks in it.

It was fine if Zach was nowhere to be found, that guy had like his own Jadar, which was a Jace-Radar. He always creeped up behind me and scared the life out of me, I guess I kind of expected him to pop out of nowhere any moment now... Any moment-

"AGH." I screamed like a little girl and stared at the creepy donkey masked guy in front of me before I realised it was Zach and pulled it off. He started laughing and I just frowned at him, even though I knew it would happen at any moment, I still couldn't help but scream.

"YOU EVIL BASTARD." I yelled at him and pushed the trolley away, I felt a slap on my butt and I tried to stop the smile creeping up on my face.

I continued on with the shopping and filled the trolley up with junk food and fizzy drinks. Zach caught up too and I knew it was him because of his musky scent and the fact he was hungrily kissing up my neck and peppering small kisses over my shoulder.

Soon the shopping was done and it only took two hours. Yup, two hours. I think we've broken a record. If it wasn't for Zach pestering me, I would've had it done in half an hour, or at least I try tell myself that.

We were sat back in the car and the grocery bags were in the boot. Zach giddily put his seatbelt on and bounced in his chair, I had a feeling that he thought he was James Bond again.

I almost felt like James Bond too, almost.

The drive back to the house was quiet with only small talk being thrown around here and there. It was a comfortable silence after that, and I remembered being in a similar situation a while back. There was never really an awkward silence between me and Zach.

Cam was still sleeping on the sofa and we silently walked past the living room to get to the kitchen. We both just threw the groceries on the kitchen counter and started preparing the food straight away. I was already starting finding the knife to cut the chicken into small pieces and I told Zach to start cooking the rice.

I heated some oil in the pan and chucked in the small prices of chicken in and soon approximated the measurements of the seasoning and sauces. Zach found a box of herbs and seasoning that my mum kept in a cupboard and chucked a few in, there were too many herbs for me to remember in that cupboard but somehow, he knew what each of them were best suited for. I saw him in a new light then and there, you know when reality just slaps you right in the face and then you see something or in my case, someone, in a different perspective?

Yeah, that's how I felt; it wasn't as if I didn't see him in a different light before, it's just that, I'm seeing him in an even brighter, even newer light.

Come on, you wouldn't expect the school's basketball star to be able to name and describe basically every herb, ever?

You wouldn't expect him to fall madly in love with the school's outcast, band geek either.

However, all expectations were thrown out the window eons ago because Zach was far from your average, mainstream popular.