Beep..... Beep..... Beep..... Beep.....

"Umph."

A small groan escaped my lips as I stretch my hand up to smack my alarm. As usual, I wasn't ready for school. I was super exhausted from the last few nights of hardcore studying - yes I'm that big of a nerd - and from the night out at the club with Carter.

My feelings were becoming more obvious by the second. They were only bottled up though because I wasn't quite sure of them until now. Just last night, I spilled the beans about everything - Carter wise - to Liam. He seemed genuinely shocked by it but I understood why. It's not every day that your best friend walks up and says 'Hey I think I'm in love with a random guy I met a few weeks ago on campus so I'll just leave you to tell me what I should do yep that's all thanks bestie!'

I got up to get ready. When done, I walked out of my room to immediately crash into a hard chest.

"Liam, mooove." I groaned, my eyes shut as I rubbed my hands over them.

A small chuckle came from the person and it didn't sound like Liam. I looked up and saw Carter. My eyes widened at his sudden appearance and he smiles down at me. "Calm down, Cole's outside. We're... not alone."

Relief swept over me and I let out a heavy breath I didn't know I was holding in. "Got it."

Liam popped out of nowhere and said, "Have fun!" Before hugging me and skipping off to his room.

"Quite the friend you've got there." Carter laughed before we walked out to the car and sat down inside.

*************

The atmosphere of the restaurant was pretty cheerful. Cole and Carter took me to a café called 'Another Broken Egg' and it tastes amazing. I ordered French toast with chocolate dipping sauce. I never knew food could be so close to heaven.

Carter ordered bacon and eggs, a pretty standard breakfast, while Cole got walnut pancakes. They looked great.

"Want a bite?" Cole asked, holding out his fork which had a chunk of pancake on the end.

"W-what?" I stuttered.

Carter just laughed and Cole replied, "You were staring at the plate. I just assumed you wanted some." He shrugged a little before eating the rest of what was on the fork.

"No," I grinned awkwardly, "just thinking."

He gave me a shrug and at the same time Carter gave a wink. I shot a glare towards him that made his eyes fall back to his plate.

I smiled with satisfaction, knowing that I stopped him from flirting in front of Cole. His flirtatious actions never bothered me because turns out, I like him now. And I guess I did this whole time.

I twirl my food around with my fork while Carter and Cole start small talk about a baseball game they saw last night. My mind, however, went to random thoughts of my family back home. I haven't seen or talked to any one of them since I left for college. I'll have to add basic communication skills to my must-learn list.

"What about you, Liv?" Cole asked, coaxing me out of my thoughts.

"Oh," I replied, "What about what?"

"The play last night. Carter and I think it was staged." He answers.

"I- I don't know. I didn't watch it..."

Carter laughs a little bit and interrupts, "That's fine. We just wanted to see your reaction to our question."

"Oh." Is all I managed to say back. "And, what did you call me, Cole?"

"Liv. Is that okay?" He questions and my lips curve into an entertained grin.

"Of course. I've never had a nickname!"

*************

After breakfast, they took me to the mall. I lead them to the book store and they honestly looked pretty wigged out. "What?" I questioned.

"It's just..." Cole trails off, his eyes too, "Most girls don't prefer books over shoes."

"First of all, that's called stereotyping, and second, I'm not most girls, am I?" I smirked towards Cole and Carter scoffs at him.

"She has you there, bro." He chuckled. Cole's cheeks faded into a dark red-ish shade and I can't help but smile. Carter laughs at him a little but more in a friendly way that Cole understands as a joke.

What am I? A friendship fangirl? Geez.

My thoughts are cut off when my phone pings and look down to see a message from Liam.

Hey, I brought a girl over to hang out. Hang back from coming home until about 11:00.

TMI, you could've just told me to hang back with Cole and Carter. But whatever I'll just go to a movie or something.

Thanks. 😉🔥🔥🔥

I re-read his last text a couple of times and smile at the screen. Liam could be such a goofball sometimes. He never failed to make me laugh.

"Looks like I won't be going home soon." I state randomly.

"Why?" Both Cole and Carter asked in a unison.

"Liam brought a friend home." I laughed and emphasized the word friend.

Carter's eyes widened slightly while Cole looked quite amused. I shifted my gaze from one boy to the other, laughing at both of their reactions.

"You can totally come to me and Carter's dorm for a while." Cole offered with a genuine smile.

I look to Carter who had a wide-spread smirk across his face. I can't help but think to myself, What is he doing to me? I barely know him and I've already started falling for him. God knows he doesn't feel the same.

I look back to Cole and smile, "That would be great!" I grab my phone from the shoe bench beside me and send a text to Liam.

I found somewhere to be. 😁

Epic. Where?

Cole and Carter offered to let me stay at their place tonight. I'll come by in the morning, okay?

Awesome sauce. See you then. Love you, Olivia. ❤️

I love you too, goofball. 😘

With that being done, I put my phone back into my pocket and stood up. "Okay, Liam knows where I'll be so we can get going."

"Right this way." Cole said, bowing down in a cheesy prince-like manner that caused me to let out a small giggle.

Carter laughed a little and rolled his eyes. I love that about him. His laugh. It can make anything better.

And to me....

It's... intoxicating.

*************

❤️❤️❤️