I woke up, initially greeted with the hay pressed against my back, an uncomfortable feeling against my skin, which was only shielded by Jay's thin t-shirt.

He lay next to me, one hand tucked underneath his head as a cushion against the hay, and the other gently resting on my waist. There was the faintest smirk on his lips. I continued to watch him, as his chest rose with each breath he took. Jay looked so at peace when he was asleep; the scowl that far too often overtook his features having dissipated, making him seem almost younger.

I debated waking him up, as I had no clue what time it was and we had a train to catch, but he ended up stirring on his own.

"Alina?" He said, his voice still raspy from hours of no use. He blinked a few times, before gazing at me with his grey eyes.

"Nooo, it's someone else."

He rolled his eyes before a grin settled upon his gestures. "I just woke up, and you're already greeting me with sarcasm."

"Whoops." I said, sitting up. Jay's hand, which was still resting on my waist, had now slid off.

"Why were we sleeping here?"

I recalled last night's events, the memory alone bringing a flush to my cheeks. "You fell asleep first." I began. "On my lap."

Jay's expression made me giggle, but once he closed his eyes and nodded, signaling for me do continue, I proceeded.

"So I figured we could just say we went out early in the morning. Our phones were still inside of the house, so it's not like we could've left anyways."

Jay nodded, still laying on the hay. Suddenly, he shot up, and I jumped at his sudden movement. "This is uncomfortable as fuck."

I laughed and stood up before stretching, Jay's shirt rising up my thighs as I raised my arms.

He chewed his lower lip, eyeing me so intently I had to look away and pull at the hem of his shirt to cover myself as much as possible.

"My shirt looks good on you." He said, after a brief moment of silence. A blush crept onto my cheeks as I quietly mumbled thanks. I'd never been much good at accepting complements, but I figured that a shy thank you was better than countering what the other person had said.

I still had no clue what time it was, but I decided to get dressed anyways, back into yesterday's clothes. By now we were both dry, but my skin felt sticky and my hair, despite having been braided, was a tangled mess. I couldn't wait to get back to the hotel and shower and change into fresh clothes. I slid on my leggings, my socks and shoes following. I grabbed my top off the ground, and brushed off all of the hay that had clung to it. After a moment of hesitation and a sigh, I pulled off Jay's shirt and quickly put on my own. The bravery which I'd felt yesterday had dissipated, and I now couldn't imagine Jay seeing me in my bra and underwear. Besides, it was dark yesterday, and now there was no visual protection, as the sun streamed in through the giant hotel in the ceiling.

I turned back around and handed Jay his shirt, which he slipped back on in what seemed like one swift move.

"Now what do we tell your grandparents?"

I facepalmed. "They're not my grandparents."

He ran a hand through his dark brown, almost black hair. "Oh."

"I've told you this."

"Sorry." He raised his hands in defense.

I rolled my eyes and began walking out of the barn. "If something," I explained the plan to him, "we went out early this morning so I could show you around the ranch before we leave, since we have early plans today."

"Got it." He nodded. "You little sneak." He grinned.

I'd never heard anyone say "little sneak" and I certainly didn't imagine the array of words ever coming out of Jay Von Baron's mouth.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself to lie to the Fredericks, who'd been nothing but kind throughout our stay. I also really hoped they didn't know what we were actually up to.

It had gone surprisingly smoothly, and they believed the story I'd reinforced previously with Jay. They offered us breakfast, but I kindly thanked them. The Fredericks also offered to drive us, and that was an offer I couldn't pass up.

I thanked them kindly and they offered for us to come again. I almost laughed out of relief and how amusing this was. We had snuck out and they had no clue. I felt a pang of guilt, but it's not like we really took advantage of them or anything. We snuck out, like all teenagers do.

The train ride back I rested my head on Jay's shoulder, and somehow managed to fall asleep.

When we got back to the hotel, all I wanted to do was take a shower.

"Since I am a gentleman," Jay said and I scoffed. He rolled his eyes but continued. "I'm going to let you shower first."

"You're far too kind. I owe you my life."

"I know."

A small smile formed on my lips as I picked clothes from my suitcase and headed into the bathroom. I'd never appreciated a shower this much. The stream idea was definitely fun and thrilling, and despite not having done anything extreme, it still brought a blush to my cheeks, one that I was unable to suppress. But I felt gross after having swum around in God knows what. The woods were clean and devoid of any garbage, or other signs of careless humans, but I always showered after a swim.

Hay was still in my hair, but thankfully the steady stream of water from the shower head swept it all away.

I put on some flowy shorts and a random shirt. When Jay and I go out I figured I'd change.

While he showered I pulled put my phone and checked my texts, which I hadn't seen since yesterday. I wasn't the type of girl who was glued to my phone, although I often did glance at my phone when I had it on me, but whenever I was with Jay I never got the urge to check.

A few of my friends heard that I was back. I was glad to see that a majority of them had texted me, asking to hang out. I don't think that they knew who I'd come back with, or what I was even doing here. I was glad to see that Erin hadn't texted me, for it would probably be something along the lines of another mean message, although deep down, a small part of me wished we could make up.

What had happened to her? She was so quick to turn against me, to declare our friendship to be over, so quickly. She'd been my best friend ever since I moved to Texas. We'd met in 4th grade- two shy girls who couldn't seem to find their tribe. We were both short and lanky and awkward, and middle school didn't treat us much better. The awkward braces and overly long limbs phase hit us hard- although we did find a group of friends, many of which we were still close with today. We had each other then, and we had each other until now. Sophomore year, we got hot. I chuckled at the thought. So many people admitted that we were much better looking. Erin got bustier and curvier, and I got taller and blonder. Coincidentally, the whole Griffin thing began in 10th grade. But to end our friendship over a misunderstanding? It was beyond me.

I replied to everyone who had texted me. As if on cue, Jay emerged from the bathroom, his dark hair still wet and dripping.

"Do you not get the concept of a towel?" I teased.

He rolled his eyes. "Actually I don't."

"Well, you could learn."

"I'm good actually. Also, when am I meeting your friends?" He asked, now leaning over me.

"Well, you asked right on time. They want to meet up and go bowling tonight. They asked if I intended to come, but I wanted to make sure you wanted to go with me."

"Of course." He grinned. "I want to meet them."

I smiled. It meant a lot to me that he was going with me. I knew my friends wouldn't mind that i brought him, either.

I was nervous for tonight, but I knew I'd feel better with Jay right next to me.