Hailey

I was laying on my stomach on the bed, writting down Biology notes as I struggle to balance that concentration with my focus on what Vickie and Taylor were saying over the group video call. We really should stop doing homework on the phone, otherwise our halt in haging up would be meaningless if we keep getting distracted during our 'study time'.

I'd already ended my English's essay and more than half of the Economy's project. I was satisfied with today's improvement but still the amount of exams coming in the next weeks was enough to make me feel anxious to say at least. That added to the constant reports for the Dayly and my personal aim to do better in order to get that recomendation letter form Mrs Glennson. I needed to step up my game, but in all honestly the girl's gossips were far more alluring and I couldn't make myself hang up and work in silence. I guess it wouldn't matter if I take it easy for now. I'd focus properly in an hour or so, when they'd too need to go work and my mother and the twins would be back home. She won't allow me to be on the phone while studying.

"Anyway, moving on." Taylor summarized after we laughed at the weird dinner her and Kevin had last night so she would meet his grandpa. "Tell me something juicy so I don't feel this ridiculous alone. Vickie." the read-haired looked up at her name being called and I saw Taylor tilting her head. "How are things with you and Logan? Has he made a move yet?"

"You mean after getting his nose broken and being threatened like that? No, he hasn't." she deadpanned and I could tell how her tone darkened as the events of that infamous New Year party were brought back.

"Has Bear said something?" I chirped in, quite intriged on my own, and her gaze turned murderous.

"Why would he?"

"Well," I shrugged one shoulder. "Considering everything, he might had tried to reach out for you? I don't know..."

"Come on, Hails, it's Bear for God's sake." she rolled her eyes, pissed. "Regret isn't in his vocabulary, I doubt he even knows what respect is, and in all honesty I hope he stay out my way from now on. I don't want to talk to him ever again."

"Harsh, Vic." grimaced Taylor. "But I totally support you. That guy needs a chill pill, and pronto."

"And so does Logan." scoffed my friend. "Maybe it was a good thing that gorilla put on that whole scene. If he can't stand the odds of being together we better not be anything at all. I don't dig cowards."

I had to bite on my lip at her snap. She was absolutly right. Logan was a coward and Bear was a prick. But even with all that it was clear as hell Bear lose his cool like that because he went mad on jelousy when seeing them together in that party. The blond jock act all arrogant and intimidating, but in the end he was just big sore ego who couldn't get the girl. It would be even amusing if it wasn't for the way he punished her for his unreturned feelings. And his constant teasing and humorless pranks had shifted into driving away someone who she really liked.

Liking Logan, go figures; but Vickie did and Bear ruined that for her.

"I really wished I'd been in that party." I complained for umpteenth time. "Would had loved to put him in his place." but we all know it was more bluff than anything else.

I would defend her, sure, but somehow I never get to yell at people when I'm in front of them. I ended up asking them almost nicely to disappear. Not intimidating at all. Sometimes I wished I was harsher, it would earned me more respect and not just be the nice girl next door.

And they knew that as well for the soft looks I received from both girls. "Thanks Hails, but if you want a chance there would be plenty in the weeks to go. That jerk is for sure relentless and once he recovers part of his dignity he'll be back for more pushes."

Once he's recovered from his ego's wound, I thought to myself, almost picturing Bear weeping away his heart's aches. If he only was a better person...

"Logan did asked about you, tho." I announced, suddenly remembering our conversation previously that day while planning together this week's article and saw her eyes lighted up in suspition.

"He did?"

I hummed, nodding. "He asked how were you holding up."

Vickie's face fell a little at that. "How was I what?"

"Holding up."

"Holding up what?" frowned Taylor too.

"Just holding up." I shrugged one shoulder. "I think he means, like, how are you doing?"

"Then why hasn't he asked me himself?" inquired the ginger not that convinced, but before any of us could answer something useful there was a sound in the background and her green gaze slid pass the phone as a male voice echoed uncoherent words. "Yeah, coming." she looked back at us, closing the workbook on ther desk and picking up the phone. "Whatever. Tell him I don't care- No, don't tell him anything. If he wants to know how I'm 'holding up' he can asked without mendlers. Anyways, my dad's calling me down." she blow us a kiss getting up. "See you."

"Later."

Tay shook her head as the read-headed hang up and her square turned black before disappearing so Taylor's occupied my whole screen instead. "Your reporter partner is such a dick."

"Well, there's nothing I want less than to deffend Logan, but he's scared of Bear, Tay. Can you blame him?"

"Yes. I wouldn't let a jackass bully get in the way between me and Kevin. He should have more courage than that."

My lips quirked upwards, demi-amused thinking of Bear's good six feet. "Not everyone is as courageous as you."

"He just doesn't deserves our Vickie."

"Non of them do." I remarked as she nodded.

Between a troubled bully and an arrogant coward who's done nothing but remind me constantly how the only reason I was remotedly relevant in school was because of my mother and my legend-like brother; I wasn't fond of any of them dating one of my best friends. After the Snow Ball I thought I would give a chance to Logan since he didn't seem like a bad guy, just he wasn't nice to me; but seeing he was also a cowards the dice had been thrown already.

Our conversations drifted to more trivial topics, keeping on the easy-going mood some more until it was suddenly crashed by a shrill baby cry and her eyes widened. "Oh shit." she stood abruptly from the couch she was laying on and rushed where the weeps were coming from. "Tania is awake. Sorry, Hails but I need to attend this."

"Sure." I reassured her, very aware she was currently babysitting. "Call you later." and we close the call.

Okay, so no more distractions now. I would finally get to focus on Biology, right? Oh, cheers.

A movement form the corner of my eye attracted my attention and I turned to see Nate standing in my doorstep, brushing his hair dry with the towel.

Guess it'll have to wait.

"Hey." I smiled, gesturing him to come in, I'd let the door ajar when he came from the practices and I'd lend him the bathroom so he would let himself in when he was done; but looked like he neede-d a bit more of an invitation. "Did you get enough hot water?"

"Sure." he stepped inside closing the room's door softly. "It feels so weird, tho."

"What?"

"Using your shower." he grimaced almost uncomfortable as I take in he had changed into a new set of casual clothes instead of the varsity's tracksuit he's came with. "Maybe I could just used the ones from the changing rooms.

"Oh, if you want..." I stuttered kinda disappointed. He didn't feel comfortable here? "Whichever you prefer."

"I just..." he nervously chewed his bottom lip, fiddling with the towel. "I can't help but feel like I'm intruding."

"But you're not." I reassured for umpteenth time this week.

It's been only a couple days since we got my mother's approval, but it felt almost as if having her permition make it worst for him. Nate's taken the barn ever since and have the dinners with us in the farm. I'd tried everything to make him feel welcome, my brothers had been behaving, even Matt -kinda cold but still he tries... I didn't know what else to do if Nate still felt alienated.

"Never mind." he shook hi head, his whole demeanor shifting as he plastered on a half smile and adverted the topic lifting the towel. "Where should I put this?"

"Wherever." I shrugged. "Laundry is on me today so I'll just pick it up later for it."

Nate nodded, chosing to carefully drop it on one of the chairs by my desk and got closer. "So, what are you doing?"

"Studying." Barely. I glanced down at my almost done cards sprawled before me. "I write a question theme-related in one side and the answer on the other and then I go through them and see if I know everything. I'm with Biology now, for next week's test."

"Ugh." he complained and I laughed.

"Come on it's not that bad." I got into a sitting position on the mattress, and immediately took in the stuffed puppy I was using as a pillow not to hurt my neck while writting the targets. I smiled. "Hey, remember this?" I handed it to him and he frowned taking it. "From Halloween."

"Right..." Nate inspect it, shifting it around as if searching a better angle, his brows pursed and I was about to ask when he clicked his tongue. "I didn't remember it being this ugly, tho."

"How dare you?" I gasped dramatically, snatching it back and hugging it to my chest. "You won it for me, remember?"

"But I didn't get to chose it, now did I? I mean, what's wrong with his eyes?"

"Nothing." I looked down at its stuffed face. The fake fur sticked out in every direction, maybe a bit too long but still incredibly soft; and it caused its face to be irrecognizable except for the huge glittered eyes. Yeah, it wasn't the prettiest, but it was cute. "I like it."

"Of course you do."

My eyes narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." but I could see right through it.

"Are you saying I'm tasteless?" I taunted lifting my chin. "Because let me remind you I'm with you."

Nate grinned in that way that made my heart forget how to beat for a moment. "What I'm saying is that you wouldn't judge something hideous for your life."

"That is not true!"

"No? Tell me one thing you find ugly."

"The, that one, uh... I-" I furrowed my brows, confused at not finding a proper answer.

"See? You just think everything has it's beautiful side."

"Well, everything has, but that doesn't mean I just like everything. There are things I don't dig too."

"Name one." I pursed my lips, cornered again and that amused him. "Nothing, uh?"

Quick, think of something! "The, mh, the minions." I responded squaring my shoulders proudly as his brows rose. "Everyone is mesmerized by them and I found them quite disturbing."

"Disturbing?"

"Yes, like, they're yellow... and why some have two eyes and some just one? Why can't they properly talk? And they are actually bad, do people realize that?"

He snorted. "They're from an animated movie."

"So? You've asked for an ugly thing."

"Okay, so minions are 'disturbing' and yet you like that." Nate pointed the puppy and I hugged it tighter, smiling somewhat teasingly.

"I love him. Stuffed toys are the only animals I tolerate."

"Be my guest then."

I stuck my tongue at him, feeling playful. "You're just jealous."

"Of that hideous thing? No, thank you." and let himself fall behind me on the mattress, laying curled sideways and onto his elbow so his legs hanged over the end of the bed and his torso laid by my side as I sat crossed legged with the cards spread on the duvet before me. I could feel the heat of his presence on my back, like loving tingles, but still yet to touch.

"How were practices?" I wondered going back to scribe the few cards I had left.

"Tiring." he hummed, "I can't wait to be done with this Friday's match so coach would go easier on us." and glanced to the cards as well as I worked, seeming to be deep in thought as we fell in a comfortable silence. After some unknown moments Nate spoke again. "I'm thinking about taking a weekend job."

"Really?" I turned from the last card to him, startled and saw him nod, a bit hesitant.

"Before coming here I went get the stuff I need for Letty in the garage and they were impressed to know I've builded her engine out of pieces." he lifted one shoulder as if desinterested but I could see the pride within and couldn't but smile. "They say I could work a few hours there and earned some cash too." my brows perked, taken aback since he'd never shown interest in working. As if reading my mind he explained: "I was worried because it would interfere with the trainings but I need the money so I'm really considering taking it."

"But you're always training, won't it still interfere? And you still have to study, we're about to start the second half of senior year."

"Yes, I know, but it would only be the weekends, and for a few hours."

I nodded, processing his words. "If that's what you want."

"Yeah..." he gulped, still unsure for some reason as his eyes seeked in mine. "But what do you think?"

My heart fluttered. He was asking my opinion, as if he really valued what I had to say on it and it flattered me helplessly.

I grinned taking his hand almost instinctibly, thinking carefully my next words. "If you think it will do you good and you can manage all, you should go for it." his shoulders seemed to relax at that and eased me to proceed a bit more. "I work too and it's not impossible to coordinate, but it would be harder than now. You should really consider that your free time will decrease... And you already barely have any."

"I know... I think I may try it for a couple weeks or the first month and see how I do- Also, "he gulped. "Then I would be able to compensate your mother for having me over this long. I swear this was supposed to be a couple days only."

"What? No, you're our guest." I argued but he was shaking his head.

"I feel like I should help here too somehow... so I won't be, like, living for free."

I looked up at him, shook that he was again uneased about this. "If that's the big problem help me later with the laundry, but there's no way you're paying us for staying over."

"I just don't want to intrude."

"Stop saying that." my chest squeezed as our eyes connect. "I want you here."

He seeked in mine for something, fiddling with my fingers without even noticing before mumbling: "You do?"

"Yes. So stop saying that."

Wow, harsh much. But before I could say something that would softened my previous almost-snap Nate smiled, tugging my heartstrands in a way that drove me completely crazy. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it." I nodded, finally ending the last card and pilling them to the side, turning to be facing him instead, shifting to my knees on the mattress and closer to his fresh, heated body. "Is that why you want the money?"

"Well, not only." Nate shifted closer as well so I could basket in his slightly sweeter scent now that he'd used my same champu and gel. It was strange, but I liked it. "I also want to feel like I had some kind of decision power, you know? No offence but I'm kind depending of your pity right now, and I want feel like if I want to get away I would be able to afford things on my own."

I nodded, taking in his words with a cramp of worriness. "I just wish you wouldn't have to feel like getting away."

"Me too."

My heart shuddered. He didn't say it saddly, not angry; he just sounded resigned, like someone who'd accepted his fate and that was heartbreaking itself. I scotted even closer, half laying with him and softly mumbled: "Wanna talk about it?"

That was it? Would he openly talk about it? Would he tell me?

Yet Nate seemed too deep in thought at first, almost making me believe he hadn't heard me, but after the first second he shook his head. "Just family drama. We'll got over it."

I hid my disappointment and sadness from him and squeezed his hand I hadn't noticed I'd taken once more, fiddling with his fingers carefully as he looked at them too, concentrated. "Okay."

And almost as if switching on a button Nate then shook his head and just like that all the heaviness of the conversation erased into his easy mood as he smirked. "Just breathe easy, I won't be spending my wages on alcohol and pierce my body."

"Shame." I clicked my tongue faking a mock and he chuckled.

"Right?"

"No piercings? There goes your attractiveness."

" Sorry to disappoint." Nate hummed and pulled me even closer keeping on that path and driving us away from that previous tension. "I'll get a naff tattoo then."

This new shift made me suddenly very aware we were alone in the farm. Completely alone until my mother picked the twins form their friends' house.

"Nice." I smirked instinctibly reaching up to cup his jaw as he leaned, his nose brushing mine making the craving I'd missed since last Monday erupted again in my veins. "If you wait 'til I choose mine we can get them done at once."

"Yours?" his lips grazed mine but he pulled away to look at me right before kissing me and left me hanging and frustrated. "You want a tattoo?" I didn't know if I should be offended by the fact that he was this surpised about it.

I nodded. "I do. Something meaningful. But small. And cute." I frowned. "I just don't know what yet and I need to be one hundred percent sure since it's forever and all."

"Go figure." Nate's eyes scanned me up and down quickly, curious. "You know where?"

"Yep. Here." I brought my hand to the small of my back, the nerves of sharing this making me bubble unstoppably. "Kinda cliche, I know, but I find this spot-" but my eyes widened and I stopped myself, ashamed but Nate noticed and wasn't letting it go like that.

"You find that spot what?"

"Sexy." I felt my face burning and his confusion turned into a smirk really quick.

"Oh yeah?"

Could my face get any redder? "Don't laught at me." I pushed his shoulder but he held my hand in his, letting out another chuckle.