I was happy to have woken up before her. It gave me the sweetest opportunity to really take in her beauty as she slept. Oh what this girl did to me. Her eyelashes were dark and thick, resting peacefully at the bottom of her top eyelids. The sun was bright, giving off an easy view of her. Her lips were plump, in the most delicious color of pink, and her nose was curved perfectly to fit her face. I still couldn't believe she wanted me, despite everything.

I slipped out of the blankets and secured them around her, comfortably. I bent down and kissed her cheek before I left my room with a slow, quiet click to the door. I wasn't alone like I thought I'd be; there was a petite blond standing in the kitchen, making herself a coffee.

She ran over to me in her boyfriends large T-shirt and pounced me into a hug. "Oh my goodness, Eli!" She squeezed my shirtless frame, and I readjusted her shirt to fall back over her pantless legs. "We've got a lot to talk about!"

"You have too much energy for the morning, Lace." I groaned and followed her back to the kitchen.

She stirred the mug while I stared at it. "How can I not? I slept really well last night."

"Yeah, I heard." I muttered.

I was envious she got laid and I got cuddles but I had to remind myself that this was different.

Lacey laughed out loud and nudged me. "Shush. Now, please, tell me everything!" She exclaimed.

"Coffee." I motioned towards her mug.

She narrowed her eyes and slid it over to me. "Fine. Now, spill!"

I hushed her excessive noise. "What are you talking about?" I asked, an attempt to pretend that there wasn't a girl in my room, sleeping peacefully.

Her best friend.

"I know you saw me watching you and Aria together in the club, Eli. Don't act clueless." She raised her eyebrow and pointed her coffee spoon at me.

"Yeah, that was creepy," I thought out loud.

She nudged me again and gave me a look. "How did the night end? Did you profess your undying love?" She dragged out the love word. "Did you make it official? Oh! Did you sleep with her?" She quizzed, her own cup making its way into her hands. She eyed me cautiously.

I shook my head slowly. "No, I wouldn't do that." Fuck did I ever want to though.

"Really?" She asked, a tint of shock on her tongue. Ouch. "I just thought, well..."

"I didn't want to while she was drinking," I simply stated.

"Oh my god, Eli!" Lacey cooed. "Who are you?! That's so considerate... You're such a... gentleman," Again, ouch. "I'm so happy!"

"Yeah, yeah," I dismissed.

"So she must have told you what happened, huh?" She asked, taking a larger sip than her mouth could allow.

"Potentially," I dismissed.

"You guys acted like nothing happened after we all left..." she quizzed. "Wait." She paused. "Where is she?" When I didn't say anything, her eyes widened. "Is she in there?" Lacey whispered. "In your room?"

"That might be a thing, yeah." I trailed off.

"Eli!" She smacked my side. "I need. More. Info!"

I couldn't help but laugh, partly because I was still on a high from last night. "Calm down, Lacey. Have you told Tyler anything?" I wondered if he was filled in on the details of my night somewhere in between filling her with himself.

"He saw you at the club too. I believe his first words were "Final-Fucking-ly."" Lacey laughed. "He's happy for you which I'm sure you two will discuss without me at some point. He's been quietly rooting for this for awhile."

"Has he now," I muttered.

"Oh yeah. You know this, he's subtly called you out on it for awhile. Anytime he caught you with her doing something you usually don't, he always ranted to me how much he was impatient for you to finally make a move," she laughed. "He likes Aria and you," she pressed her two index fingers into each other. "Together."

I nodded, my once happy face falling back into its normal nature.

"Now," she set her coffee down. "Details."

"We slept," my face fell into gloom.

She laughed. "Oh what terror," she mocked.

I narrowed my eyes and sipped my coffee, staring at the floor.

"Hey," She frowned. "What are you thinking about? I swear to fuck if you go back on your actions again, I'm going to-"

"No, no. Relax," I ordered, then sighed. "I'm... Nervous." I admitted. I felt like an idiot. "I've never tried before. I've never been so hopelessly attached to someone and had to think about them so damn often. It's fucking petrifying. How in the fuck do you and Tyler do this everyday?" I panicked. "I've never felt this way towards someone and I don't know what to do and I don't want to fuck it all up. I have... a conscious." I frowned at my own words.

"Feelings," She corrected. "You have feelings." Lacey tilted her lips downward in a pout. "That has got to be the cuestest thing I have ever heard you say." She smiled. "You won't fuck it up if you don't pull a you and panic. Be yourself, don't hold back. She's super into you too, E. just don't be dumb and run away."

I nodded and pulled out a glass and retrieve some water, throat suddenly dry. "I told her everything."

Lace turned around to where I wandered off to with high eyebrows. "Like everything?"

"Most things at least," I corrected. I hadn't told her about what I'd done to Lacey before, nor minor details. I wouldn't be opposed to telling her anything she asked for but it also wasn't something I was proud of. What I already told her, I never even told Tyler. "I will though, tell her everything."

"Are you sure?" She asked with hesitance.

"Should I hide?" I paused. "She'll find out eventually. And it's best let her run away now while we're so new before she gets too deep," I mumbled. Baggage.

"There's hope for you yet," Lace smirked. "The girl is capable for a lot more than you'd think. She can handle a lot, which is perfect for you," she teased. "I'm so happy. You're making such great progress. You better be damn sure I'll be getting every detail from you or her at some point," she laughed. "I'm still surprised you two didn't..."

I almost shuddered at the thought of Lacey knowing my most vulnerable moments, but that's the price of pursuing her best friend. "Yeah, yeah," I dismissed.

I turned back to my room where she grabbed my hand quickly. I turned around.

"Wait," she stared at me with wide eyes, then a smile creeped on her face. "Is that water for her?" She whispered.

When I narrowed my eyes, her grin deepened.

"Oh my god!" She hushed. "You're so whipped!"

I groaned. "Can I go now?"

"Did you sleep with her last night?" She asked. "Like... actual sleeping?"

I glared at her.

"I'll back off," she raised her hands. "Elias Kingsley, getting whipped. 'Bout time," she stuck her tongue out. "But don't forget, that is my best friend."

I didn't reply but I knew the warning in her words.

I stalked back into my room with a glass of fresh water. I rested it on the edge of my bedside table, next to my framed photo and sat down on the edge of my bed. I traced my thumb down the side of her face and moved a piece of hair away from her. Bright blue eyes opened slowly, blinking in sleepy confusion. They beamed at me and a smile formed on her lips.

"Good morning," I mumbled, repeating my actions on her face.

"Hi," She replied timid. I offered her some water which she happily took. "Thank you."

"Did you sleep okay?" I asked, curious. I'd take mental notes for next time. Fuck, I'd buy a whole new mattress if she didn't like the one I had. I hated it.

"Like a baby," She smiled, letting it turn into a smirk. "You're very touchy when you sleep."

I blinked before narrowing my eyes. "Oh?"

She laughed. "You're cuddly. You had your arms around me the whole night."

I moved my hand away from her face, suddenly unsure. "I'm sorry," I mumbled.

Aria set down her water and reached up and grabbed my face in her small hands. "Please don't be. I enjoyed every minute of it." She smiled. "It was just cute. I didn't expect that from you."

"Me neither." I leaned closer to her and brushed my lips against hers. "I'm taking you out tonight," I decided.

"You are?"

"I did say I wanted to take you out on a formal date, I believe."

"I believe you did," She agreed.

"I'll leave you to get dressed and do whatever you have to do in the day. And come six, I'll pick you up and take you somewhere nice."

Aria's face flushed. Satisfying. "Okay," She squeaked. "I'll see you soon then."

I kissed the top of her head, then her ear. "I hope you slept well, pretty girl. You're going to need some energy for tonight." I smirked and walked out of my room, leaving her alone in thoughts with a burning face.

It was weird to think that I've never actually been on a formal date before. The label of it all was nerve racking, but Aria and I have gone out countless times before. Maybe the fact that my feelings are sprawled out on the table, made it all the more real.

I arrived on the doorstep of her house, knocking in a special knock that she knew would be me. When she opened the door, my heart almost jumped out of its chamber. "You're looking beautiful," I commented and took her hand in mine. I planted a kiss on the top of her hand. I've never seen that dress before, but damn, peach suited her.

"You clean up well yourself. You tamed the bedhead from this morning," She smirked and hugged me. I wrapped my arms around her small frame and lifted her up which made her squeal.

We made our way to the restaurant a little ways away from town, somewhere nice and secluded from many people recognizing our faces. We took a seat in the corner of the restaurant which I paid to be specifically placed in. I wanted some seclusion.

"This place looks expensive," She commented while looking around.

"What did you do in the day?" I asked her as we settled into our seats.

"I did some shopping and relaxed," she bit her lip. "Lacey and I went to grab coffee and chat. Then I awaited anxiously awaited for you to arrive," She smirked. "And you?"

"I planned tonight for you," I eyed her.

"It took all day to pick a restaurant?" She made a face. "I could've done that."

I laughed at her reaction. "No, have something else planned for us after dinner."

She tilted her head to the side, inquisitive. "Oh. What are we doing?"

I smiled but remained silent. When the waiter came, I ordered a bottle of red wine for us. Aria ordered the lobster while I ordered a steak and loaded baked potato.

I just needed a drink.

"So," She smiled. "I have a question."

I sipped on my wine and shook my head. "I was waiting for that." I teased. I set my drink down and rested my arms on the table, leaning closer to her. "Alright, shoot. Ask me anything you want."

"Since when?" She asked with a grin.

"Since even if I say no, you'll end up getting me to tell you anyways," I muttered. "And since, you know, I'm trying to behave and all."

She blew out air of excitement and nerves. "Okay, good. You're finally catching on. How did you end up being a mechanic?"

"Sticking to the easy questions, hm?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh no, just you wait," she grinned.

I shook my head. "I dropped out of high school in grade twelve. I've always had an interest in psychology, but a lot of those books in my room belonged to Twig or I bought because he used to have them and I liked reading them in my spare time. I've always been good with my hands and I just fell into working on cars and modding them." She smiled and sipped her wine. "I got my GED in rehab though, so I am technically a graduate." I felt like it was valid to say, to not sound like such a lowlife.

"That's awesome, Eli. Most people wouldn't follow through with it, I'm actually quite proud that you did. What was rehab like?" She moved on.

I fidgeted in my seat but attempted to remain calm. "It wasn't something I couldn't handle," I swallowed. "It was rough to quit my addictions when I didn't want to. It was even harder when people tried to pick apart my brain-"

"But I pick apart your brain all the time," She injected.

I smiled. "But I actually trust you."

Aria's lips made an O shape. "You trust me?"

I nodded. "Is that not obvious by now?"

"But you finally admit it!" She pointed at me with a large grin. I wrapped my hand around her thin finger. "Hey, where are your rings from?" She asked, petting the silver ring on my index finger that had a deep red, round ruby on top.

It was weird that, that never came up in conversation before. "I acquired it a long time ago." I said, simple.

"How?"

I smiled ashamed. "The ruby... I got as leverage when I visited a guy who couldn't pay off his debt," Beat the shit out of him and settled on a ring. Hm. "And this one," I pointed to the finger next to my pinky where a silver ring rest with a square top. "Nash gave to me. I never asked where it was from partly because I don't want to know."

She pet one of the ink lines on the inside of my finger before releasing my hand. I needed to touch that XO up soon as it was getting faded. "Oh. Okay." She knew as much as I wasn't telling her - I've always loved her smarts. "So what do your tattoos mean?"

I slid across the round booth we were in and lifted up the collars of my shirt sleeves. "Most I got to hide the scars of getting myself in trouble." I pointed to the tree a few inches above my wrist. "This is for growth," I pointed to a pair of dice. "This is because life is a constant gamble," I then pointed to a crow on the higher level of my arm. "This is for freedom."

Aria's fingers travelled up my arms, examining all of my tattoos. "What's this one for?"

I followed my eyes to where her fingers were; a pair of pinkies entwining. "That one is for my friendship with Lacey. And this one-" I pointed to the anchor with an owl wrapped around it. "Is for Tyler."

"So it's like a piece of them is always with you," She commented while petting my arm up and down.

"Mhm," I kissed her shoulder.

"And this one?" She pressed her finger into my tattoo of a skull biting a bullet that was on my hand.

"Hm, violence." I mumbled and nibbled on her shoulder.

Ignoring her shiver, "Why are they all in black and white?"

"Do I look like someone who'd walk around in color?" I murmured against her skin.

Aria blushed. "R-Right. What's the upside down triangle on your shoulder mean?" She asked, referring to last night's question.

"It's the symbol of water." I slid my hands down to her exposed leg, thankful she was wearing a dress. My touch instantly made her squirm. I slid my hand to her inner thigh and traced circles on her skin with my four fingers.

"Mh," She stumbled. "You like water."

Drowning in my own thoughts was more like it.

"I like wet things," I winked and grasped her inner thigh.

She gasped, avoiding my eyes. "Eli," she hissed. "We're in public."

"Aria, we're in a secluded booth where barely anyone can see us," I smirked. She'll learn to like the thrill of public sex one day.

"Behave yourself, Kingsley," she smiled. "I'm not that easy."

I chuckled and moved off of her, admiring her blue eyes. "I like a challenge."

Aria gazed into my eyes with an inquisitive look before looking away into the crowd.

"Aria," I called aloud.

Her eyes slowly travelled to mine and a soft smile crept onto her face.

"What's going on?" I cautiously asked.

She gave a reassuring smile that was hard to form. "I'm just nervous," she admitted. "That... Well, is what happened at the fair because you weren't sure about how you feel about me or because of your past?"

I frowned.

"I just don't want get into anything that will only hurt me if it could be avoided," she peaked into my eyes.

I cracked a smile, almost not meaning to, then reached toward her hand. "I'm certain of how I feel about you, pretty girl. You don't have to second guess that, I promise."

She breathed a heavy breath and smiled, sly. "And how do you feel about me?"

I smirked and released her hand. "In due time," I said, then moved away from her entirely.

She watched me move away and sip my wine, but I eyed her carefully, a smooth look on my face. She didn't want me to move away, even though as she said, she wasn't easy.

Aria moved towards me and brushed her foot against my shin.

I smirked.

She bit her lip and blushed. "The, uh, the food was delicious."

"Was it?" I touched her jawline and turned her face to look at me. She had a light pink tinge on her cheeks. I kissed her delicately and flirted with her lip with my tongue momentarily before pulling away. I let my pinky finger pull on the band of her thong before retreating my hand back to my side.

Aria's eyes went twice in size as she gazed out at the small crowd of people minding their own business. She chewed on her bottom lip. "W-Where are we going next?" She anxiously sipped on her wine.

I smirked at her reactions. "Let me show you."

I parked my truck at our next destination and reached out to the backseat to grab two white shirts. "Why are we at an abandoned warehouse?" She asked, alarmed.

I got out of the truck and helped her get out as well.

"Just trust me," I demanded. "Now strip."

Aria looked at me with bugged eyes which made me smirk. "Pardon?"

"No one is around, it's just us two."

She frowned. "But-"

"Babe, I've seen you in minimal clothes before, last night being one of those times. Trust me."

"Babe?" She flirted and lifted her dress off of her body. I snuck a peak at her body and pulled one of my white shirts over top of her, letting it hang as a brand new dress.

I put on my shirt as well. "Come," I extended my hand for her to take.

We entered the dark building that hasn't been in use for a while. I snuck in here once while hallucinating for a safe place to panic alone. I led her down a little ways through the warehouse before stopping short in front of a door. I opened the door up and motioned her to walk inside. She hesitantly walked in before me and I flicked on the light, displaying the scene for her.

Lying in the middle of the large room was a thin, large white blanket with buckets of paint resting on top. In addition to the buckets and bottles of random colors of paint, there lay brushes.

"What is this?" She asked with a gasp, wandering more comfortably in the room.

"I thought that since I taught you a bit of music, that you could maybe show me a bit of your hobby," I scratched the back of my head. "We can destroy the place, if you wanted."

She turned around and jumped in my arms. "This is so thoughtful. I barely get to paint on my free time anymore." She buried her face in my chest. I pet her soft hair and kissed the top of her head.

Aria bounced away from me, and I could see her ideas formulated in her brain. She was so excited. I would've personally destroyed the place with a hammer, but I think she appreciated this idea a little more.