I had volunteering that weekend, so distracting myself from Jay wasn't hard.

But, come Monday, he was back again, roaring down the road with his bike.

I stood in the parking lot, after getting out of my parents car, my mum had volunteered to take me this morning instead of taking the bus, I think she just wanted out of the house of a bit.

I waited for Jay drive into the park, but someone grabbed me and spun me around.

Before I could understand what was going on, I was being violently shaken by my shoulders.

"What. Are. You. Thinking?" The voice said between shakes.

She let go and I fixed my hair. "Holy crap, Mia. Calm down."

"I saw Jay's post!" She exclaimed, ignoring me.

"I know." I bit my lips again and looked down at my feet. I felt all fuzz and warm inside again.

"You're dating gunpowder Ellie. And you’re a bullet. One day someone's going to come along and ignite him which is he'll throw you so far; it will hurt you and everyone else you touched." She shook her head.

"Maybe I want to be a little bit reckless this time." I said, sitting on the parking bump.

"Yes, but last time you were reckless, we were kicked out of the movie theater." Mia lifted her eyebrows.

"Yea, but we were like 12 then." I shrugged. Then I heard the roar of his engine finally rolling into the parking lot. "I think you should go."

"Just know, I'm not gonna be there when you are set off." She stood and left me as Jay walked up.

"Where is she going?" Jay asked.

"Class. Like we should be." I tugged on his arm.

"Fine, fine." He laughed and we headed into the school.

During lunch I met with the band because Sam, the drummer, had news.

"So, after a little bit of convincing, the owner of the new club downtown has given up an hour slot in the showcase!" He smiled.

We all cheered and high fived each other, then Sam raised his hands to get us to settle down.

"Okay, it's in two weeks and we have to come up with an hour set list." He said.

I spoke up. "Well, I mean most of the songs we have will pretty much make up half hour, I'm working something new and we can do some covers."

"Awesome. How soon can we see the new stuff?" Sam asked.

"Friday. Defiantly." I nodded.

"Awesome." He replied. "Who should we cover?"

Rian looked at his watch. "Can we do this Friday? Class is gonna start in 2 minutes."

"Okay. Friday." He nodded and we gathered our things and left the music room.

I got to English and sat in my seat. I was a little late, almost everyone was seated already. Okay maybe really late because even Jay was there.

He winked at me as I sat and I found a note on my desk. As the teacher started the lecture, I opened the note.

"Mom's lake house. Friday night? - Jay" it read.

I wrote underneath it and sent it back. "I'm busy."

He sent it back a few moments later.

"What could be more important than a night out with your boyfriend?"

I blushed and quickly wrote back. "My band and I have a meeting that night."

"Okay what about tonight?" He wrote.

"What?" I wrote back.

"Yea why not? I'll only keep you till 7. Promise." He sent.

"Fine." I smiled as I wrote back.

"Meet me at the front after school." He wrote and I just nodded.

I could barely focus on the lecture after that, but it didn't matter. It was a clarifying one anyways. But I was distracted thinking about what we could do at the lake house on a Monday night.

That sounded dirty. That’s not what I meant, I swear.

Soon enough, we were dismissed and I got to my locker, shoved everything (and took my history out, I had homework.)

Then I talked to my friends for a bit, so I didn't look to anxious to leave, then headed towards Jay waiting by the front doors instead of the bus.

He took my hand and kissed it as a group of... Unclean girls walked by. I blushed and they gave me a death glare.

He laughed and laced his fingers with mine. "Let's go."

We hopped on the back of his motorbike and slipped into the familiar curve of his back. I leaned against him and in that moment before we took off I took a deep breath of his sent. The leather from his jacket mixed with cologne and whiskey. I didn’t know how to feel about the liquor sent, but it was his sent and I liked it.

Then I had this vivid flashback of my uncle stumbling around with a glass in his hand. Without the leather jacket smell that's exactly what he smelt like.

I was snapped out of my thoughts as we took off down the road.

Two hours later, we finally reached the lake house. I hopped off the bike and steadied myself on the frame of the door. Sitting on a bike for that long makes you feel pretty weird when you get up. For me anyways. He just pushed down the foot rest and turned off the engine and got up no problem. He walked passed me to open the door and motioned for me to follow.

We walked in and the smell of wood and dust filled the air. The main room/ kitchen was small and quaint. Their were pictures of Jay and his family on the walls and shelves. The afternoon sun poured in though the windows, giving the house a cozy warm feeling. On the table in the middle of the room, there was a picnic basket.

Jay walked over, set his helmet down and took mine from me as well. He set it down on the table and grabbed the basket.

He held out his arm. "Shall we?"

I gigged and nodded. I took his arm and we walked down to the beach along the edge of the lake. It wasn't too cold, but the lake let off a chilly wind. I zipped up my jacket.

Jay pulled out a blanket from the basket and spread it on the sand. We took off our shoes and kneeled on the blanket as we pulled all the food out.

When we finished, I sat back to marvel at all the food.

"Did you make all of this?" I asked.

"Most of it. Some of its store bought, but it was like the chicken, salad and drinks." He grinned. I laughed as he began piling a plate with potatoes, chicken, steamed carrots and egg salad for me.

He did the same for him and I poured us drinks.

"I didn't know I was coming up here for a five star meal." I mumbled as I took a bite.

"I think you deserve it." He smiled at me.

We ate in a comfortable silence until I asked him a question.

"So how's driving safer going for you?" I asked as I finished my food.

"I like it. Seen a lot of things I forgot were there." He smiled at me.

"Good." I took a drink.

"The world is truly beautiful." He muttered as we watched the sunset.

As it started to her darker, Jay pulled out a bottle of champagne and offered me a glass.

"Really?" I laughed.

"Yes." He shrugged.

I took the glass and he held his up. "To us."

"To us." I repeated as our glasses clinked together.

I took a sip and watched him drain the whole glass.

"Are you okay?" I asked setting my glass down.

"Fine. Just need a little bit of courage." He shook his head and reached into the basket again. "To give you this."

I looked at the CD case he handed me. On it was written "songs that reminds me of you"

I stared at it. He made me a mixtape.

"Jay... I don't know what to say..." I was a loss for words. This was the sweetest thing.

"Don't say anything yet." He said getting up. He grabbed a remote and pressed something. Next thing I knew, from somewhere near the house, music had started playing. He offered me his hand. "Let's give it a listen together. May I have this dance?"

I didn't know whether to cry or laugh. This felt so out of character for him. But I loved it. I took his hand and he pulled me to my feet.

As the songs went on, we just kind of pulled each other along the sand, trying to avoid sticks and rocks.

The song choices were amazing. They were about how love is the best thing, everything is better with you etc.

But then this one slower piano ballad came on, which made me tear up at the first few chords.

Jay noticed and stopped. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing just..." I pulled my hand out of his to wipe my eyes. "This song helped me get out of some pretty rough times. It's the one I go to when I'm stressed you know?"

He nodded and took my hand again. "Then let's give you another happy memory with this song."

He pulled me closer as we slow danced. I rested my head on his shoulder and his hands gripped my waist, to make sure I stayed as close as possible.

On the last verse of the song, he loosened his grip and I looked up at him. He stared into my eyes and started to lean closer. The song faded in my ears. All of sense focused on him. His sent, his wild brown eyes, now filed with something else, I don't know quite what, then his grip moved down to my lower back. Then, when his lips touched mine, it was like electricity.

The kiss filed every inch of my body with a warm feeling. Like something in my head clicked on and washing my body with this new feeling.

I tangled my fingers in his wild hair as he made sure there was no space left between us.

When he pulled way, the only thing I could do was smile. This goofy, absentminded smile and he gave me one back.

"That was defiantly worth the wait." I whispered into his ear.

He laughed. "Defiantly."

After he drove me home and into the next day, I felt like I was floating on air.

He wasn't in class the next day, he had a field trip. But I was still distracted. But I knew which song I wanted to cover.

I talked to Sam along with giving him the new music. He agreed and took the sheet music to photocopy.

When I got home, I started working on the piano ballad so it was perfect. I sort of knew how to play it, I had been learning since I heard it. But it was never good. Now it had to be.

The week flew by. Nothing happened the entire week because a lot of kids were out for sports and field trips.

It didn't even hit me that we had a gig until Sam texted us the details for that night.

We had to bring our music, monitors, instruments (with exception of piano and drums) and we had to be there by 5 to warm up and sound check. We go on at 8, the second band up.

That night, I raced home to get my stuff together. I was ready just as Jake, the bassist drove up with the van for our equipment. I was getting a ride with him.

We made it there at 4:30, so we had half hour to kill.

We met a few of the other bands before and after sound check. Soon enough, it was time for us to go on.

We were bouncing around backstage, waiting for our time. I kept mentally going over the notes for the ballad. I was getting more nervous as I realized I could mess up really badly.

As it got closer to the time, we started setting up microphones and whatever else we needed on stage, peddles, the keyboard, the guitars were tuned.

Finally I walked up to the microphone centre stage and adjusted it to my crazy height. 5'9, plus 3 inch heels. Which doesn't sound like much but a lot of the other band singers were really short. (sorry)

"Hello everyone. We are Foxx." I started. Some claps from the crowd. "We are gonna try some songs first off. How about that?"

Some drunken happy cheers came from the back. Hey, it was better than nothing.

We got though most of our set, then next up was the piano ballad.

I sat in front of the keyboard and adjusted the microphone.

"Okay, so slowing things down a bit. Here's a cover of Heart of a Solider by Sweets." I said into the mic.

I adjusted myself and started into the first few cords of the song. When I looked up into the bar to start singing, I saw a familiar face sitting at a table along the back.

I broke into a smile when I saw him and continued to play. But as the performance went on, the song became more passionate, more soulful. I began singing as if singing to him and him alone.

When I finished, I actually got some wholehearted applause.

I smiled and stood up for a smile and bow. The rest of the band stood up and we finished the set. We cleared off stage and headed down into the bar to hang out.

I looked around for Jay. Someone snaked their hands around my waist and placed a kiss on my cheek.

"Hey." I smiled and turned around.

"You were amazing." Jay smiled. "You sounded awesome. The song sounds even better coming from your lips."

He leaned forward and kissed my lips gently. "Mmm." He hummed

I giggled and I bit my lip as we stared at each other. "How did you even know we were here?"

"I asked Sam where you guys would be, I wanted to surprise you." He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Keep the surprises coming,” I smiled. "I like it."

"Good." He whispered and someone handed us two drinks.

"Here. Compliments of the owner for the amazing performance." The worker nodded and walked away.

I looked at Jay. I shrugged. "Cheers!"

He laughed "cheers!" and we took a drink.

I had no idea what it was; all I could taste was the strong alcohol in it. I coughed it as slipped down my throat. Jay laughed at my face as I whipped my mouth.

"Come on, it's not that bad." He laughed and took another drink.

He eyed me over his cup as I took another drink. I shook my head and he handed me his cup. "Go crazy. I'll drive you home."

I looked at the cups. "Do I have to finish this?"

He smiled. "Okay come here." He pulled me to the bar. He knocked in the table. He slipped the bar tender a few notes and he put a few shots on the bar.

"Try these." Jay nodded and handed me one.

I put the glass to my lips and threw my head back as I took the shot. I let it go down my throat before I put my head down.

"Fun." I nodded. Jay gently pushed another glass towards me.

A few drinks in, I really couldn't remember much. It was fuzzy.

This is how it went according to Jay:

After a few drinks, the next band was playing so I pulled Jay to dance. I was dancing as in cheering in his face during the songs and swaying my hips to the beat no matter how fast it went.

After the band finished, I pulled Jay in just to make out with him. That's it. Just make out with him. (His words not mine.) When he pulled away to take me home, I was using him to keep me up as I slurred compliments to him.

"You're hair is so cute." I pouted and ruffled his hair.

"Thanks." Jay grinned as he pulled me towards the door.

"How did I end up with you? I mean, you are the cutest rebel in the damn school. You are treating me so nicely! I didn't think you were like that..." I said staring off to space.

"A guy can change meeting the right girl." He winked as he got out his keys.

"Awwww." I puckered my lips and gave him a wet kiss on his cheek.

"Gross." Jay whipped his cheek.

He helped me into the helmet and on to the bike as he did the same for himself.

He put his hand on mine that were wrapped around his soft t-shirt. "Don't let go."

"Okaie Dokie." I nodded.

We took off down the street. When we got to the highway, I gripped his t-shirt with one hand and put the other one up. "Whooooooo hooooo" I screamed into the quiet hair. There weren't many cars out.

"Hey!" Jay yelled back at me. "Both hands around the driver!"

"Okay, okay" I replied and wrapped my arms around him again. I put my head on his back so I could hear him chuckle.

"Can we go to your house?" (Me: I really don't think I said that.)

"Sure..." Jay replied hesitating slightly.

"What?" I asked.

"My dad isn't home..." He started.

"So? I just want somewhere to sleep." I shrugged.

"Okay." He nodded and we sped down the road.

When we got to his house, he helped me in the house and up to his bed.

He plopped me down on the bed and I stared back at him.

"What?" I asked.

"Are you going to sleep in that?" He asked. I looked down at my ripped up caprice and tied up band t-shirt.

"Yea." I shrugged.

"Okay." He said and began to leave.

"Wait!" I called after him kicking off my shoes. "Aren't you gonna sleep here too?"

(Me: Holy Crap Jay you have a crazy imagination.

Jay: it's the truth)

He eyes went wide. "Um, no. You can sleep here."

"Well I don't wanna sleep all by myself."

"Alright..." He kicked off his shoes and pulled off his jeans. He had boxers on underneath.

I whistled.

(Me: Jay that's defiantly made up!

Jay: hey your whistles are adorable.)

"nice shorts."

"Um thank you." He replied and wiggled into bed with me.

We got under the sheet and I put my head on the pillow so we were facing each other.

"Thank you." I kissed the tip of his nose.

"For what?" Jay asked.

"For being nice and saying with me. The dark is kind of scary."

He laughed. "Afraid of the dark?"

"No." I shook my head violently. "I'm afraid of what's in it."

"Don't worry. I'll protect you." He smiled

"Good." I shrugged closer so my head as against his chest and our legs were all tangled.

He wrapped his arm around me and before I knew it, we were asleep.