Luna and I were sitting at the top of the hill, across from Carson and Zach, waiting for Dylan and Jason to join us. 

"I just think that if one is to go out to a college party, one would think to mention it to his girlfriend," Luna argued bitterly. 

Zach rolled his my eyes, "I was visiting my sister, and she invited me to come along. I didn't think it was a big deal."

 "Okay, but we all know what happens at college parties," I added, backing Luna up. "We've all been to college parties for what happens there."

"I really feel like this should maybe be a private discussion," Carson said, tiredly. 

Zach moved to get up, but Luna shook her head, "Don't bother. We don't need a private discussion. I'm done talking; I've said all I needed to say."

A silence fell upon us, and I think we all were eager to see that either Dylan or Jason would soon show and break up some of the obvious tension.

Thankfully, Dylan soon came up to the hill, sitting down in between Carson and I. 

"Where's Jason?" I asked. 

Dylan sighed, "I don't think he's coming. I saw him fighting with some guy in the hallway on my way."

"So," Luna said, awkwardly. 

"Um, so, movie night tonight?" Dylan suggested. 

I shrugged, "I guess." Everyone else nodded in agreement. 

"Oh, speaking of movie night, Maddie, I think I left my sweatshirt at your place last week. Have you seen it?" Zach asked. 

"Oh yeah," Carson responded automatically. "I threw it in the wash for you." 

My eyes widened horror, and I watched as realization struck Carson. 

"How could you have found my sweatshirt?" Zach asked. "It was at Maddie's."

"Haha, so, funny story," I said, feigning a short laugh.

"I kind of live there," Carson blurt out, scratching the back of his neck. 

I looked down to my lap, bracing for impact. I expected there to be remarks or laughter or really anything. But instead, there was only silence. 

I looked up in confusion at the faces of the rest of the group, noticing how they all were looking at each other, cracking smiles and holding back laughter. All at once, they burst. Dylan and Luna shared a high-five. I looked back at Carson, who seemed to be just as confused as I was.

"Ah, that was so worth it!" Zach said in between laughs. 

"Um, what was so worth it?" I asked. 

"God, how stupid do you thin we are? Do you seriously think we did not know?" Luna laughed. 

"We've all known since the day he moved in," Dylan explained. 

"How?" Carson asked. 

"You underestimate us," spoke Dylan. "Carson was always unexplainably the first to be at your house, the last to leave, his clothes are often in the laundry baskets that you don't hide, and he's been your personal chauffeur for months now."

"And if that's not enough, Madeline," Luna said, addressing me. "Jason I came over the day you moved in. Your mom told us. At first I was angry that you didn't tell me, but then I laughed at the thought of you and Carson living under the same roof and, suddenly, I understood why you didn't tell me.

"So then, she called all of us up," Zach continued. "And that's when we decided to not let you know that we knew."

"I would like to say, I did try to convince them to tell you we all knew," Dylan spoke up.

"And we agreed at first," Luna said. 

I shook my head, "So then, why didn't you say anything?"

"Because it was funny," Zach laughed. "All of your guys' squirming around."

Dylan nodded, "You guys are really bad liars."

I rolled my eyes, "You're all ridiculous."

"We also wanted to see how long it would take for at least one of you two to grow a pair," Luna added. 

Carson looked at me and shrugged. 

Well, then. I guess it was never really that big of a deal. 

* * 

"Hey!" I said, sitting down to Jason. I was glad to see that our teacher was running late. 

"Hey," He groaned. 

"Aw, why the long face?" I asked, partially mocking him. 

"I just got my ass whooped."

"Really?" I asked, pretending to be completely unaware. "By who?"

"TK."

"Oh? And why's that?"

Jason sighed, "He found out from his friend that I was with some guy at the party last Saturday."

"I didn't know you guys were... exclusive."

"We're not," Jason said, running a hand through his hair. "I have no idea what we are. I have no idea what he wants!"

"Well, what do you want?"

He slumped back in his chair, "I don't know, Mads. You know me, I'm not a relationship guy. But I like him, and not just for his face this time."

"Okay, so ask him out," I shrugged. "What's the worst that could happen?"

He looked away, his leg bouncing up and down under the desk. It was weird, seeing hime so crazed about a guy. I sighed. 

"Why don't you ask TK what he wants?" I suggested.

"Maybe."

The teacher finally showed up, and about ten minutes later, Carson strolled in, winking as he passed by me. I huffed and rolled my eyes.

"What the hell was that?" Jason asked skeptically.

"What was what?" I asked, feigning innocence.

"Don't play dumb, Madeline," Jason sassed. "I know that Carson wasn't winking at me, so that means he was winking at you. And I want to know why the hell Carson was winking at you."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes, "Jason, it's Carson. He'll wink at any girl with a pulse. Do what I do, and try not to take him too seriously."

"Right," Jason hummed. 

I knew Jason didn't really believe me. But the teacher had given us quite a glare, which didn't leave Jason a chance to say anything else. 

* * *

I fought to keep my eyes open as the movie started to wind down. I rested my head on Dylan's shoulder and tuned the movie out. 

I looked around the room. Jason was sitting on my other side, fully invested in the movie, discussing something about it with Luna. On the opposite side of the couch, Carson sat with his legs propped up on the coffee table, staring at his phone. Zach was sitting with Carson, staring blankly at his lap.

Every few seconds or so, Luna would glance over at Zach, then turn back to Jason. The, Zach would look up at Luna, before turning to stare down again. 

Watching the cycle was far more entertaining than the movie, I found. By the time I had become bored with the exchange, the movie had ended and everyone was clearing out. 

Carson slid his phone into his pocket as the front door slammed closed behind Dylan. 

"Ready for bed?" Carson asked. 

I nodded, "Can you carry me upstairs?" I reached out my arms for him to come pick me up. 

He groaned and rolled his eyes, but he lifted me up anyway. I put my head down on his shoulder and closed my eyes. 

After a four-flight hike up the stairs, I was gently tossed on a bed. I opened my eyes and found that I was not in my own room, but rather Carson's.

"Carson, I asked you to take me to my room," I whined.

"Actually, you asked me to take you upstairs. You never specified where upstairs you wanted to go."

I groaned, "I don't feel like moving."

"Then just stay in here," Carson said shrugging off his shirt. He stripped down to just his boxers before climbing into his bed and turning off all of the lights except for the lamps on his nightstand. 

He pulled me into his chest, "You know you like sleeping in here better, anyway."