"Whoa" Shane awed sticking his face to the car's window, watching in awe Jared's house. Music was already pouring out of it and people that weren't inside gathered around in groups, laughing and celebrating Roosevelt's victory on the field.

"Shane sit down." Matt ordered in a stern tone as he pulled over and glanced at the party not that convinced before looking at me. "Wasn't the victoy party supposed to be in Bear's?"

"Mhm," I hummed. That was the plan we I received a group message during the dinner announcing the change of plans and settling the celebration in Jared's instead. "Apparently his parents grounded him for some trouble about him distributing the home's phone."

Matt frowned. "What?"

"Yeah, something about they getting calls every now and then asking for cooking sevices in his name..." I had to bit back a laugh. A small part of me felt the tiniest amount of guilty, but what the hell? This was Bear. He'd been in Vickie's back since I had memory so a little revenge wouldn't end him. "His mother thought it was an cover for- uh, other things." I covered in the last moment but we hear Shane scoffing from the back seat.

"I'm fourteen, not a baby. I know what drugs are."

"Well, Bear doesn't do them." interjected Matt stunned. "I've known him for a couple years and he isn't into that shit... This must be why he's been all pissed back there."

Matt had come to the game to pay the coach a visit and lift the teams moral, since he was such a legend and all. Shane was thrilled by it, he always came with me but since I was usually working on the next article with Logan having Matt and allowing him a VIP pass down there was like a dream to him.

My brother had been all cheerful and the Roosevelt's jewel, acting like a prodigious child coming back home... which he was, but it still surprise me he had such an effect in the school as well. No wonder why they expect so much from me.

I'd been a bit worried about him meeting with Nate again after the awkward encounter at my workplace, but for what Olly had snitched nothing dramatic happened. He'd been received like a hero, gave some tips, lifted the team's spirit and then the coach took over. They won the game, again, proving their place as one of the best options to win the school's league.

Game were getting more relevant now not only for the league itself but also because the scouts. They'd be showing interest in players anytime soon and it shows in them. Nate himself had been more focused this past week. Between the exams, the hard rehearsals and now taking care of Spoty's as it adapts to the new place we've barely had time together. And I'd missed him so much. Usually I wasn't this excited about parties but I really missed Nate.

"So," Matt cleared his throat, looking back at the party as they turned the music louder and there was a collective whoops of approval. "You sure this is your element?"

I frowned, barely holding back an scoff as I typed Olly saying I was here. "Things had changed this past months, you know? I actually learned to appreciate parties and social life." and I really want to see Nate for more than a few minutes without it being some tutoring.

His brows pursed, unconvinced. "Appreciate? Parties are the excuse preppy teens use to get drunk and mess around."

I grinned playfully. "Exactly."

"Can I stay?" begged Shane still pressed to the window with pouty lips, staring the house as if it was the seventh wonder, but Matt's answer was fast:

"No. Hailey-"

"I know what I'm doing, okay?" I waved, getting irritated of his overprotectiveness. "And don't be hypocrite, like you've never attend one."

"I had, sis, that's the problem. I know how the team can get. I know how they treat girls."

My eyes narrowed at his low insinuations. "Nate's not like that."

"Nate Herond is here?" Shane eyes widened and finally turner his pout from the house to our brother. "Please please please, can I stay?"

Matt shifted his narrowed eyes to Shane and I adverted my gaze, suppressing a smile at the little twin. Shane can be frustrating and a fanboy, worshipping the floor Nate step on, specially now that he's seeing him from time to time at the barn or dropping me around. "No."

"But-"

He got interrupted by taps on my window and I turned to look a waving Oliver. I smiled back. "Well," I dramatically opened the door, not wanting to give Matt more time to come up with more excuses. "Thank you so much for the ride and the dinner. Drive safe."

Matt looked like he wanted to say something else but bit into his cheek instead, not wanting to create a scene before Oliver and I gave him a thankful look. Letting out a outrageous sigh he rolled his eyes, finally seeming to give up. "Call me to pick you up."

"Nate will drive me." I assured him but he gave me that hard look, clenching his jaw and I knew he was remembering that night again.

"Whatever. Call me if you need anything."

Frustrating and endearable. That's what Matt's persistence was. I shake my head, blowing him a kiss and finally sliding out at the same time Shane climbed between seat to the front, taking my previous spot.

"Olly tell them to let me stay?" he pouted hoping to get some simpaty from my friend but insted he laughed.

"Sorry, kiddo, babysitting one Grace is my quota for the night." he threw his arm over my shoulders and I elbowed him, but that seemed to please Matt who's lip twisted. Shane on the other hand scowled and folded his arms muttering to himself.

"Don't be a grumpy." I ruffled his hair earning me a whine.

"I just want to party-"

"Yeah, no." snorted Matt turning the gears to retreat. "Try again in a couple of years." he mocked a salute at my eye roll. "Watch out, sis."

"Don't worry too much."

I waved as their retreat, two different feelings swirling in my chest as they drove away. One, vexation that he was acting like that when he clearly had done a lot more in his high school days... he probably still was now away in college. And this was just a victory party, for God sake! But at the same time it felt nice knowing he had my back no matter what. This was something I struggled a lot to get used to when he moved away. Not having him near... that was hard. I never noticed how much I rely on him before. He was my brother, my best friend and a vital pile in this family.

But a lot of things had changed in this months. I took responsabilities, I get out my comfortable zone and when opening up other things came too. I was no longer the girl he left behind, I had now a more active social life that didn't revolve around my four friends.

"You're bro is so cool." praised Olly, like everyone else, enomoured of perfect Matt Grace.

"If you say so..."

"As if you don't agree." he scoffed making me grin.

"I do." as much as it frustrated me, Matt was the personification of the american dream. Kind, friendly, brilliant and disciplined -at times.

Ollie hummed, eying me amusedy. "Then do you plan on following his warn and watch out?"

"What do you mean?"

He gave a knowing smirk. "Tay told me."

"About?"

"The lingerie." I blushed bright red as he waved his brows. " Are you wearing it now, aren't you? How are your plans with Herond following the 'watch out' thing, uh?"

"Non of your business." I stuck my tongue to him and he rolled his eyes.

"Okay, missy, whatever. Should we get in? I literally just leave a hot ginger who, in my humble opinion, has it bad for me."

"Aww and you left her to come get me?"

"I'll find her later anyways. Also the guys were looking for someone to play beerpong and we should totally beat their asses."

"So you only wanted me for my skills, uh?" I faked offense but he shrugged unbothered.

"Is there anything else?"

"Hey!"

"Right, there's the sexy lingerie too." I went to smack his arm but he dodged it with a chuckle and take my hand instead, pulling me towards the house. "Come on, or they'll start without us."

A sudden nervousness tightened in my guts as we approached the crowded place, passing a group of schoolmate and greeting them back when they loudly did. Drinks were already running I see.

This past couple weeks I'd been receiving more attention in the halls and I was 99% sure it was because of Nate. After out little quarrel that leaded us to stablish the exclusivity, now he would guided me to classes, take my hand and did this small things that weren't a lot on it's own but that melted my heart each time and attracted attention. I wasn't sure how to cope with this eyes suddenly on me... In the opening up I mentioned previously I wasn't including being an actual gossip. It fet suffocating at times and still there was only a rumor. 'Til now we haven't actually acted on it in public except by Halloween but everyone was wasted then.

And at the other parties we've been together whether we weren't on good terms or we weren't anything yet. The difference between now and other times was that now I was by myself. Well, with Olly but I was sure once the games were over he'd find that ginger and disappear. Tay and Vickie couldn't make it and Kevin was more comfortable in a torture room than in a highschool party. Kimberly also canceled, but since she just got kicked of the cheer squad I couldn't blame her, seeing them would probably would be awkward.

Jared's place was quite nice from what I could see through the dim light. Not as huge as Trish's like last party, but what is? This was a simple two story house, wide and with a back yard for what I could glimpse. The music was beaming strongly and people was splashed around, some dancing, some chatting, giggling and some cheering what I guessed were drunken games. This lasts were loud and obnoxious, I thought I caught a glimpse of the school's jumper in them.

The players.

I began to make my way there, but as I walked sorting drunken teens someone halted me gently by the elbow.

"Hailey?"

Oliver stopped a couple steps next, when he notcied I'd halted and frowned at me as I, confused, turned to the person and met the blue eyes I knew all too well. "Oh, Justin, hi." I forced a smile, surprised. "How are you?"

A hint of confusion and relief in his orbs but masked it well and grinned back immediately. Probably was surprised I dropped the cold shoulder I been giving him for so long. I would had been stunned myself but it was exhausting holding grudges on him. I'd been disappointed, and angry, but it felt stupid to keep acting cold with him. If he was happy with Karen I must forget... I should had from the begining and, as hard as it seemed before, this guy that I once thought the world of had barely crossed my mind in the past couple months.

Well, he was selfish and untrustful, I must learn form it, but remain upset? That felt stupid considering the current situation.

"I'm good. You?"

"Me too."

I saw Olly's brows shot upwards over Justin's shoulder, incredulous, but he got my pleading look and shook his head, turning to keep going and let me with Justin.

"I saw you with Dawson in the game." the blond commented, tapping on the red glass he was holding. Nervous maybe? On my side, I could tell that for the first time since I knew him I wasn't flustered in the slightest. It was weird, looking straight at him, at those sparkly blue eyes, those cute blond strands that fell in his forehead, the strategically undon first button so it gave him this alluring halo... and felt nothing. That was a first. Not attraction, no anger... disappointment I guess, but I was willing to look pass it and start over with Justin Ames. It was about time. That gentle smile was on his face again. "Are you still stuck in the sports section?" he taunted and I scoffed.

"You got no idea. Gleenson is trying to kill my reporter's carreer before it even started."

"Well, they are pretty good, tho." he shrugged. "Don't belittle yourself."

My brows quirked upwards in surprise. "You read the Dayly?"

"Well, no," he brushed his nape chuckling sofly. "But I keep up."

I couldn't but smile at him. "Really now?"

"Mhm. Because it's important for you."

Two months ago, this would had me puddling at his feet, but now I just felt touched he cared. Maybe he was an awful boyfriend, a cheater and a liar, but he could be a good friend, right? Maybe. He'd been there for e before, when we start talking. I could tell him everything and we had so many things in common.

Maybe I should had accepted the friend zone and stop forcing things. Maybe this is what we were meant to be. Friends.

"Thanks." I grinned, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear an tugged the collar of my coath, now that I was in this thick enviroment I felt overheated with it on. "I'm also in charge of the Snow Ball decoration and promotion."

"It does sound like something you'll do." He smiled back and I refrained myself from pointing out I didn't exactly apply for it, it was forced on me this awful weeks when I was unable to write for my life. "Does that mean your going to the ball?"

I nodded. "Gotta see if my work is done."

"Cool. So," he cleared his throat. "Have you-"

"There you are." arms circled around my waist from behind and my back was pulled into a hard chest. My stomach churned, recognizing immediately who it was and when I turned to look at him over my shoulder I was surprised by his lips pecking my cheek swiftly. Unexpectedly yet very welcome. "Hey."

"Hi." it came out breathless and Nate smiled.

"We were talking." frowned Justin, his voice harsher now.

"I'm so sorry." yet the quarterback didn't look apologetical at all and Justin's hold on the vase clenched. "Come, we're playing beer pong. You're in, Ames?"

"No." I furrowed my brows at the harshness of that words alone but Nate just shrugged, dismissing his rudeness completely.

"Your lost. Let's go?"

"Wait." I halted when he went to pull us away and turned to Justin. "What were you saying?"

"Never mind..." he grumbled not as cheerful now. Was it because Nate interrupted him? He took his gaze from Nate back to me and his scowl softened. "I'll see you around, yeah?"

"Sure." I waved the blond finding some malicious glee in seeing him frustrated this way, holding Nate's stare one second more but turning to go back to his friends. Maybe I wasn't mad at him anymore, but the revengeful part of me felt like rubbing to him that I was over his games.

"Whatever." Nate shrugged, nodding him goodbye and tugged me to follow him, easily disolving my malicious thoughts when his arm tightened on my waist and his mouth lowered to my ear "Were have you been?" hi hot breath tickled me and when his teeth grazed my earlobe sensually right before his mouth pressed the soft spot under it I felt it in the pit of my stomach. Thousands of shivers running down my spine at ease and I almost tripped. "I've been waiting for you."

"Matt took us to get some pizza, remember?"

He hummed, kissing that spot swifty yet hotly and straightened to dodge in time a group of people gathered in our path. They waved him -and me- as we passed them and they gave me that knowing look I'd been receiving all week. Of confusion, as if they couldn't understad what the quarterback saw in me. My guts curled in a weird apprehension and self-consciousness but Nate's voice snapped me out my thoughts.

"He doesn't like me."

I blinked. Who, Matt? "He doesn't know you."

"As if that would change his mind." he scoffed and my brows pursed.

"Has he said something in the game?" I worried. I knew Matt wasn't that happy with this but one thing was to complain to me and another was to go stress Nate with it. Gosh, please tell me he didn't caused another scene. I'd die if-

"No, no! He was... alright. He's always alright." form his tone I could sense a hint of remorse but he quickly shook it away with a head shake. "Never mind, forget it."

"He doesn't have to like you." I took his hand in mine and stopped him right before we reached the door connecting with the backyard, were the jocks were, all loud and cheering their games. He looked at me and I could see the tension in his jaw. I brought one hand up, letting my fingertips lingers on his jawline and sensing the tension myself. "I do."

"Only me?"

His question took me a little aback, not having expect such a response from him. "You know I do."

"Do I? Because I literally just find you with Ames." Justin? When had he became a part of this conversation? Nate's brows pursed more and more as he talked and I baffled myself realizing he wasn't as nonchalant as he showed back then when they talked. "Since when are you on speaking terms again? He's a dope and... -why are you smiling?"

I hadn't realized I was, but as I instinctibly brought my hand there I noticed it indeed was true. I looked up to catch his green eyes piercing through me as he tried to read my weird reaction, half guarded half irritated. "It's just..." I started but cut myself with a incredulous, shy laugh. "Just that no one's ever been jealous because of me."

His eyes widened a fraction and he diverted his head, but even with that and the dim light I could see the hint of pink in his cheeks, making my chest fluttered further. Was he blushing? "I'm not jealous." he huffed harshly. "I have legit motives. He wants you."

I rolled my eyes. "He wants Karen." I've learned it the hard way, but he was shaking his head, his jaw set in -anger? frustration? It was getting harder to read him like this and I didn't like this. I like the complicity we'd builded up, I like knowing what he was feeling with one look. But the way he looked now all frustrated got me all clueless andn my heart skipped a beat when his eyes snapped back to mine, harshly.

"They've broken up."

What? "Really?"

Without thinking my gaze seeked for Justin where we've left him and only then I noticed that wether his groups was still numerous, Karen wasn't in it. She was at the other end of the room, surrounded by her girls.

Could it be possible?

Justin and Karen, the ever present couple had split? What could had happened. Curiosity bit my insides. Even after all my mess, they remained together, so what on earth could had probably shattered such a couple? Maybe he cheated again? Maybe she's found out this time?

I parted my lips to asked but the words dies in my mouth when I turned and found Nate betrayed stare. My chest squeezed at it. "Are you rethinking things now?"