"the best people come unexpectedly"

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

The sun shines brightly through the kitchen window and invades my eyes.

I roll over to get away from the blinding light and I immediately regret the choice of sleeping on the floor.

God, I don't think my neck could hurt more.

I decide I'm never going to be able to fall back asleep so I get up and start making some coffee.

I watch as Beth wakes up and joins me in the kitchen. The two of us are the early risers of the group and I don't expect the other 3 girls to be awake for another hour or so.

"How was your sleep, Beth?" I ask as she reaches for a mug.

"Okay, what about you?"

"Bad, very bad, I think I broke my neck." My wince answers her question alone.

"Probably would've been more comfortable on the couch rather than the floor, huh Dell?"

I nod my head, agreeing, not realizing I just fell into her trap.

"Maybe a couch that belongs to a certain boy. Especially if that boy was holding onto you for dear life while you slept."

My jaw falls and I groan remembering every one of the girls is going to be bothering me about this today.

Beth chuckles at my embarrassment and I bury my face in my hands.

"In all honesty though, what's going on with the two of you? Didn't you hate him?"

"I did, but he's not all that bad anymore."

My words remind me of the first time we met and I can't help but wonder where my promise to give him the cold shoulder went.

She knowingly smirks at me and waits for me to go on.

"We are just friends and maybe not even that, he's probably just being nice tp me so he doesn't fail."

"From what I saw, the pair of you are more than just friends and way beyond study partners."

I roll my eyes and change the subject, desperate to stop talking about this.

I ask about her soccer practice last night and we spend close to an hour talking about whatever comes to mind.

Finally, the rest of the girls get up and join our conversation.

Unfortunately for me, Harper quickly switches the topic back to Sterling and I mentally prepare myself to be bombarded with questions.

"So are you going to tell us what the fuck happened last night?" Her green eyes sparkle with curiosity.

"It was nothing," I offer as little words as possible.

"Nothing my ass, I thought you guys didn't like each other."

"Yeah, remember when you were going to avoid him and be passive aggressive," Jemma quotes my promise to myself after I had just met Sterling.

"I don't know," I shrug my shoulders and take a sip of my coffee, "I guess he grew on me or something."

"Or something alright," Aspen chimes in.

"So he's not a dick?" Harper tries to clarify.

"Not to me," I get out, "why, do you guys not like him?"

I'm not sure why I'm so concerned about the girls' thoughts on him but my interest in it is freaking me out.

"We like him fine, we just don't know him, Delaney" Beth adds.

"Yeah, he only seems to talk to you."

My cheeks get hot and I know I'm blushing so I hide my face behind my mug.

"Whatever, It doesn't matter." I try and act nonchalant, "I'm just his tutor and the second we're done he's out of my life."

Right? I mean that's what a tutor is. They help you and leave as soon as you're doing better. No one stays in contact with their tutor.

Except it's not just about Sterling anymore, now it involves everyone; Luke, Owen, Theo, Mason, Daisy, and Charlotte.

And suddenly I realize what a mess I'm in. I enjoy the presence of someone I swore to hate, and I love all of the people that come with him, but tutoring is temporary.

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

I head up to my bedroom and get a text from Chase asking to meet up for lunch.

"So, where do you want to eat?" Chase's question snaps me out of my thoughts.

"I'm not sure, you choose."

He pulls into the parking lot of a small café and we walk inside.

"Are you alright?"

I nod.

"Why are you acting so weird then?"

"I'm not acting weird," I start to get defensive.

"What is up with you?"

"Sorry," I apologize for my attitude, "I'm just tired and I have a lot on my mind right now."

"So tell me then,"

I lightly chuckle at my stupidity and dramatics, "I promise you don't care about what's bothering me."

"Try me,"

But the second I go to admit how much Sterling is affecting me, the waiter comes to bring our food and I come to my senses.

What am I doing, telling my brother about a boy? A boy I shouldn't even be thinking about for that matter.

So I stop myself and try to convince Chase I'm fine. It's clear I fail but he stops prying and the two of us eat without one mention of the boy invading my thoughts.

"I noticed you and Jemma getting along the other night."

"Yeah," he coughs out awkwardly.

"So are you guys friends now?"

He shrugs his shoulders, "I guess you could say that."

The corner of my lips curve upwards and relief washes over me to know they're finally getting along.

"We never hated each other, I don't know why you're so shocked."

I scoff, "I remember dozens of fights between the two of you every week when Jemma would stay over with us."

He chuckles as he recalls their previous relationship, "Maybe you're right, but I think we're cool now."

"Good," I state as we pay for our food and leave.

Chase comes back to the house with me and I leave him with Jemma, deciding I need a long shower.

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

I wrap a towel around my body and ring the water out of my hair.

The thought of my unfinished assignments makes my head spin so I sit down at my desk and start working.

A buzz from my phone snaps me out of my focused state and I look down at the text illuminating my phone.

""

I try and end our conversation quickly, not wanting to spend any more of my energy on this boy.

He inquires.

I decide to address last night,

My explanation makes the memories in my head vivid.

he teases.

And just like that, he does it again. Every time I want to be quick with him, every time I try and avoid him or act passive aggressive, he does something to me.

I can't help it and I'm in trouble.

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

This chapter had me second guessing this entire book. I don't know why. So much so I edited every chapter I've written so far. However, I ended up actually loving what I've written and so basically nothing was changed .

Sorry this chapter is so short and kinda sucks. I think I'll upload an extra one tomorrow to make up for it.

Question of the chapter: Are you a morning person or night owl?

Stay safe and healthy everyone <3 I'm so grateful for you all and the support you've shown me! (little reminder to vote if you enjoyed!)