Nate

The air was freezing cold as I stepped out the locker's room zipping up my jacket with a shiver. Tonight had been the first snowfall of the year and there was a thin, very thin, white blancket covering parts of the field and path. A physical proof of the damn icy weather. Rehearsals today had been harder because of it, and the fact that I just showered made my damp hair felt glacial itself. But even with that, my good mood at the coach's announce didn't faltered a bit.

Several talent scouts from the Ivy League had confirmed their interest in some members of the team. Me being one. My lips quirked at the hem in attempts to contend another grin. Me, I was on their list. They would come look for me. Oh my God! I never felt this close to actually getting away. College'd always felt more like a daydream rather than a possibility... yet here it was.

I was almost floating, my feet barely grazzing the floor as I made my way across the evacuating field and towards the lot. Coach Grey had advised me about keeping up my recently improving marks if I wanted this chance to be available and that was exactly what I planned to do.

"Herond, wait!" I stopped turning to see Nadia near the bleachers' end with some other cheerleaders. She waved the girls she was with and jogging this way.

"Hey." I smiled back.

"Hi! Long time not talk to you." she taunted flipping her blond ponytail off her shoulder and I rolled my eyes as she wiggled her eyebrows. "Something's been keeping you busy?"

A lot, really, but it wasn't like I would pour my life's dramas out on her right now so instead I summerized: "Scouts will be coming."

"Yes?" she grinned along with me squealing and giving me a cheerful hug. "Yas! You got it, Herond."

"Yeap, I just need to increase my marks to a little more than barely decent. Talking of which," I adjusted the bag's strand on my shoulder, pointing the way to the parking lot. "I got some tutoring to go to."

"Oh, yeah," she hummed and her eyes sparkled humorously. "With Gracie." I shrugged no shoulder, no minding the flip my stomach did at her mention yet she noticed and a smirked pulled her lips. "Aren't you getting close?"

"So what?" I bit back, still unadjusted to this openly not-dating exclusive thing. In our dinamic, it felt the same we already had pre-fight, nothing too drastic changed; yet in my chest it felt like a lot more, like stepping into an unknown place and that creeped me out almost as much as it pleased me and that was hella confusing. But not in a bad way, just... weird.

"Nothing." The cheerleader giggled. "I get it. I'm happy for you."

"We're not a couple." I muttered, already feeling that knot in my stomach, but it fell on deaf ears again.

"Have you asked her to the Winter Ball yet?"

Why would I? Our deal wasn't meant for social events, just for our privacy. I let out an exhasperated huff, "Nadia, we're not a-"

"-Couple. Right. Than I guess you won't mind her going with someone else?" she proceeded not hearing me but that got me frowning. With someone else? Why would she go with someone else? Satisfied that seemed to shut me, Nadia grinned and keep going. "Just saying, I've hear Justin and Karen are going through some pretty rought times and they're balancing calling it a break? I'm not sure about the details. But didn't Gracie and him had a little fling? Well, if they're both single..."

"She's not."

Nadia smiled innocently. "Isn't she? Does she has a boyfriend I ain't heard about?"

My jaw clenched, I wanted to yell for the unteempth time that we weren't a couple. We weren't dating! But still if she would only kiss me with our new pact, the thought of her going with Justin -Justin!- was like sipping acid.

That fucker was a coward and a cheater, and he'd hurt Hailey so many times he didn't deserve the slightest chance. He lost his train the moment he chosed Karen. I knew that Halloween she'd relied on me to numb his lost or whatever. Something had happened that night that changed her appreciation of him. I knew I was a rebound at first, but now this was much more and she wouldn't just stop this because Justin was now free or on a break.

Right?

She was with me. Without labels or complications but she's said she liked me. And I liked her back. And I wouldn't lose her over some shitty brat with confused attractions. But did this protectiveness made me her boyfriend?

"No." I greeted out, controlledly covering the sudden pinch in my chest.

Nadia giggled, not buying it. "Whatever you say..."

"Who's taking you?" I diverted the attention hopping to catch her out of guard but she easily smiled at that.

"Kyle Sullivan."

I scoffed. "Sullivan? As in the drama king?" I knew after we stopped messing around she'd found someone new but I wouldn't had expected it to be him. Nadia was usually more after jocks. "Isn't he busy memorizing another one of Shakespear's monologue?"

"Soliloquy." she corrected rolling her eyes. "And yes, him. So what?"

"He's a pretencious jerk."

"He's sweet too."

"If you say so..."

"Either way," suddenly she straigthening up, her cheerfulness shifting to -concern? "I was to ask you about Kimberly?"

What? I frowned, baffled at the sudden change of topic and only then noticed I hadn't seen the black haired girl on the squad rehearsals today. "What about her?"

"Um, well, I haven't seen her since they kicked her out and I'm kinda worried? I hope she's alright."

"She... got kicked out the squad?" Why am I only hearing about this now? And why would she got kicked out?

"Didn't you know? It was a pretty nasty scene between her and Gina..." Nadia grimaced wrapping her jacked closer. "I thought she had told you."

Well, she hadn't.

I mean, yeah, she was moody and kind of a bitch to anyone but she was pretty decent in the squad. But then I remember this past weeks and how low her practices had been. More than once I'd caught her in some quarrel with Gina Holmes, the captain, only for it to be brushed off dismissingly when I asked Kimmy for it later.

And not only that. Maybe her beeing kicked out was part of this weird behaviour she was displaying lately? I was begining to really worry for her. Letting her have a tantrum and come back to normal clearly wasn't working. She looked more gaunt every day, weaker; she's stopped hanging out with us as much and now she'd been kicked out the cheer squad as well? As much as she complained about it all the time I could tell it was something she indeed enjoyed, so losing it must had been a low blow.

I looked back at Nadia's slightly furrowed brows, my mouth kinda dry. "Why did she get kicked?"

"I don't think that's my story to tell." she bit her lip frustrating me to no end. "I'm sorry. Ask her..." but she won't tell me anything! The girls by the bleacher's call her name and gestured for her to come over and watch whatever was on the ginger's phone that got them all laughing. "Coming!" and turned to me with that expression again. "Um, just- Watch out for her, would you?"

Of course I would! If I got a damn clue what was going through that mind of hers! But I couldn't say that so I just nodded and watched her hesitated before turning to other girls and we both parted ways.

The ice-cream shop was as empty as last time, a guy with a laptop at the far end and a couple teen girls near the door. I wondered if it was even worth it keeping it open, the cold weather didn't invited much for ice-cream right now and despites the chocolate and coffee they serve, people rather go to the Starbucks nearby than here for it.

Hailey was wearing the dark apron with the place's logo printed and had her hair held back with a hairband so it didn't bothered her while crouched over her notebook at the farest end of the bar, still standing on her side and ready to attend a possible new client. He gaze rose at the tinckling bell over the low radio pop music from the background when I pushed the door open; and the small frown of concentration shifted to that soft, contagious smile.

"Hey." Hailey straightened as I reached her and took the stool beside the place she's taken in the bar, diagonal from her.

"Hi." I greeted back, immediately feeling lighter with that ease that still confused me. "You know we could had left it for tomorrow if you had to work."

"Oh, please." She scoffed an incredulous laught, writting one last thing before letting the pencil neatly over the paper and facing me fully. "I'm not exacty in demand as you can see. And my boss knows. " she waved a hand dismissingly at my still hesitation. What if this got her in trouble? "Vickie and Tay come here all the time on my shifts. As long as I keep the costumers attended it doesn't bothered her I advanced homework."

"Okay," I was still not that sure but if she say it was okay who was I to oppose? So I shrugged and took the stool, getting comfortable and glancing around the place.

The past times I'd came here, I really hadn't payed it that much of attention, we just get our orders and go; but now I did and it was... unique. The store was decorated kinda like the eithies, with pastel colours except for the seats' upholstery (both the puffed benches and stools) that was electric blue and stood up along with the neon words plastered here and there in the walls. Naff but kinda cute too, I guess. Or maybe it was just Haiely, who watch me watch it, as if anticipating my opinion.

I smirked at her blush when I catch her eyes. "So this is your bar-"

"An ice cream shop." she corrected lifting her chin in pride and that made me want to smile wider, so for the sake of the taunting I covered it with a hum brushing my mouth to washed it off, looking over the bar that stood from us some feet straight to her her work zone. There was with the cash register, other ittems and the whole ice-cream display next a small bakery section, and they smell so delicious...

"What can I get you?" her voice snapped me out my little trance and back to my humble reality, watching her moving closer all that yummy area.

And I knew I couldn't afford it. Not after the new trainers I got myself this very weekend. My stomach groaned in protest and I gulped down, ashamed, but trying to sound nonchalantly with a shrug. "I don't have money on me."

But that didn't faze her at all. "Don't be silly, this is on me."

"Oh, em, nothing..."

Hailey gave me the are-you-for-real-look and shook her head, amusedly moving to the filled coffee pot. "I'm getting you a coffee then."

"I really don't want anything." I lied through my teeth but she rolled her eyes, getting back with two fumming cups and one of those mouth watering little cupcake. Hailey then settled the appealing dessert on a napkin before me and hand out one of the mugs.

"At least the coffee?" she bergained with that sweet smile, knowing she'd won it for the way I was yearnig for it. I couldn't help the jammering of my pulse at the attentive touch she always seemed to have. "Don't want you sleeping on me now."

I smirked at that, accepting defeat as classy as I could and took it from her, feeling that spark when our fingers brushed. "You didn't seemed to mind the other night."

"Oh my- Nate." her eyes widened and the red was back on her face as she shyly scanned if anyone had heard.

I couldn't help but chuckled, nothing but warmth filled my chest at the sudden reminder. More signs that this was escalating further than I intended. I literally fell sleep on her, hearing to her heartbeat as she mesmerizingly grazzed my hair and back into numbness. It all felt light, and meaningless and I melted there... That much I remembered, and next thing I knew I was waking up late in the morning from her mother banging on the door. Thank fuck, she locked it.

Everything said, that was the best sleep I had in a while. Dreamless and calm... because she, for some strange reason, calmed me down like that.

"They don't need to know." she whispered hurriedly and I quirked a brow, glaning around as well and taking note the only costumers were the working guy at the end and the teens too busy on their gossip to pay attention.

"It's not like they would hear us either way."

"Still... want some?" I watched amusedly as she split one of those small packets of sugar and after a questioning gaze poured it over my cup as I stirred it.

"Mhm, so you sell coffee, and snacks." I rose the little cupcake and tilted my head. "So maybe like a bar that had ice creams?"

Hailey scoffed a laugh, opening her notebook again. "You know what? Call it whatever you want. It won't change the fact that it's an ice-cream store."

"Just another way of saying I'm right."

"You're impossible." she shook her head and looked up, smiling still and causing me to grin as well, my heart twisting in all directions. "Shall we begin?"

"Yes ma'am." I took out my books as well.

I couldn't understand it. Why was it so easy when Hailey explained it to me. It made me feel a lot more stupid because I remember clearly reading those same questions on my own and being a confused mess. Yet she went and put it in simpler words and, ta da! It was almost easy. Almost. I still kinda suck but at lest now I was seeing why.

The time stretched easily as we work. Once understood the objective, I could begin the draft of my sociology essay. She would go attent the few new costumers coming everynow and then and go clean their tables once they left, but other than that she worked beside me on her own things and supervise mine when I asked.

It was actually kinda nice. The chill, the soft music... I forgot about time and concentrated fully, more than ever. Didn't even notice the time until she came from wiping one of the now empty tables and instead of sliding behind the bar again stopped by my side, earning my attention.

"Well," she untied the apron and neatly place it on the counter. "It's time to get going."

"Already?" Only then I noticed the light outside was gone and the streetlights were already set. What time was it?

"I have to close the store." she answered both my outspoken question and my silent one, but I was still too baffled. Three hours. I'd been here for three hours.

"I hadn't even noticed." I breathed out my bewilderment, making her smile.

"Aw, are you maybe growing fond to studying?"

"No way." I huffed but she laughed, reaching out and brushed my hair playfully, that buzz of electricity flew again between us.

"Whatever you say."

Rolling my eyes I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer, standing between my knees and letting it go to wrapped my arm around her back instead. Now, this felt right. I hadn't realized how much I'd been yearning to just touch her until now. It was as if my whole body let out a sight of relief the moment she fit against me, like two puzzle pieces. All my nervous ending lighted up in newfound anticipation.

"Are you saying we're alone then?" I wandered, not wanting to do a show for upcoming costumers.

She smiled and nodded her head lightly, "I just turned the 'close' sign." Her breath grazzing my lips. So close...

I didn't even noticed leaning in but suddenly I was kissing her and my mind shut down, only allowing me to feel. She responded immediately, after, I could taste the coffee on her lips, making my stomach dip and fluttered.

Her hands traces a path from my chest around my neck, lacing there for a second responding my eagerness. It was one of those kissed that started teasingly and slowly gets more and more passionate. I felt like I was breathing her, kissing her harder, faster... almost like a need. Maybe this was because I haven't kissed her at all since Saturday. After waking up in her room, we'd spend the morning together, but I haven't seen her 'til then. Two days. We'd called and texted but it wasn't the same.

Hailey cupped my face, parting our lips briefly, both breathing the same air, and smile against my lips. Her arms then closed behind my neck and when she leaned and kissed me all my worries were forgotten. I pulled her close by the waist, sticking our stomachs together, and eagerly kissed her back. My body burned as I remembered the feeling of her tongue on mine and the need to repeat it was almost painful. I sucked on her lower lip, silently pleading with her, and when she opened her mouth and I fulfilled my wish I groaned in relief.

Fuck, it was even better than what I remembered. I took my time exploring her mouth and savoring her responses to my movements. She ran his hands down my chest to my sides and her fingers dug into my skin, causing cramps of desire that ran through me from the bottom to the top. It was as if she knew exactly what to do to trigger my instincts.

My palms caressed down her back, feeling every inch, and she didn't stop me. Encouraged I made them descend a little more. She gasped into my mouth as I shoved them into the back pockets of her jeans, pulling her flush against me. A soft, exciting noise escaped her throat and vibrated through me, something halfway between a moan and a purr, and I smiled on her lips. My chest about to explode, overwhelmed at how this was escalating, slow but unstopping.

Yet just when I was about to suggest to bring this somewhere else, the bell over the front door dingled and we froze. What the actual fuck? Didn't she say it was closed? Her eyes opened fast as mine and glanced over my shoulder, blushing hard and steped away so we weren't touching anymore.

"M-Matt..."

What?!

I turned sideways too, swallowing down the coldness of her lost on me and found the great Matt Grace froze as well on the doorframe, almost as if frozen midstep looking at us with the biggest scowl you'd ever seen in Roosevelts golden boy, even if he wasn't in school anymore.

Okay there goes my mood.

"I..." he began and shook his head, as if trying to process what we were doing. I mean, it wasn't that hard to put pieces together... wasn't he smart as well? "I thought you may want a ride, since its cold and late but... Herond?" my eyes narrowed at the rage he put in my name. He eyed me in disbelief and turned to Hailey. "He's your not-boyfriend?"