I laugh while we race pass the classroom doors and offices, avoiding being seen by anyone as I pull him through the halls.

We stop when we're far enough, and I turn to him...backing him into a wall and catching his lips with mine before he could even get a breath in.

He smiles and places his hand against my face.

I've become so used to kissing you,

And yet, going without it still feels like going without sleep.

We're never tired for more than two days now.

"It's the middle of first period," Leo says breathily, "we're in school," he continues with his lips pressing to mine in between words, "we're going to get caught."

"Then maybe you shouldn't have gotten me out of class."

"I know, but I wanted to say hi."

"Hi," my lips hover over his.

"Hi," he connects them again.

I can feel the warmth of his fingertips through my stockings as he raises my skirt a few inches. His other hand trails up my blouse, testing what he could do in this dim hallway.

You are such a tease.

I pull back a little and he chases my lips before placing his against my skin. I smile and laugh lightly while he peppers kisses everywhere my shirt left exposed.

"Are you free tonight?" I ask hopefully.

"For you? Always."

"Good, because I was thinking..."

"Mhm?" He mumbles as his mouth reaches my neck.

I breathe out heavily and tilt my head to the side as his teeth graze lightly over me, his lips kissing over the marks he leaves.

"Oh!" A sudden voice appears, and I jerk away from Leo in fear.

"Lisa..." I say in surprise and put my hand over where he's obviously given me a bruise.

"I'm— I'm so sorry, I didn't know anyone was back here."

"Wow, you must walk really softly," I try to laugh off the awkwardness and embarrassment. "Um...Leo this is Lisa Lindley."

He looks less than amused. I don't know if it's because she interrupted us, or if it's because they've never met and she looks just like another version of Audrey to him.

"Hey," he nods to her.

"It's nice to meet you," she smiles and reaches out to shake his hand, "I've heard so many good things."

"Yeah..." he skeptically shakes her hand and looks over at me.

"We were just talking about how we need to get back to class, so-"

"Well, I'm actually glad I ran into you, Heather. I still need to take your picture for the yearbook page."

"Oh, right..." I kept postponing that because of how bad the interview went. I don't really want to be posing under the headline:

Leo steps out of the way and walks to the other side.

"You can be in it too," Lisa nods for him to go back.

"Oh, no, that's okay-"

"No, you should," I say happily, but he shakes his head. "Come here," I motion him over, and he gives me a hesitant look. "Please, baby?" I pout, and

he tries not to smile as he caves.

I know he's all mine when I call him that.

Leo groans, "Alright, fine" before coming over to me and putting his arm over my shoulder.

"Ready?" Lisa asks with the camera up to her face.

"Yes," I wrap my arms around his waist.

The camera flashes twice and then Lisa looks down to check the pictures.

"These are good," she comments.

"See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" I ask him, and he grabs my face and kisses my cheek in response.

The camera flashes again, and he engulfs me in his arms.

"Even better," Lisa says as she clicks through the pictures.

"Can I see?" I ask excitedly.

"Sure," she hands me the camera.

The first photos came out nicely and are followed by the ones I look terrible in because Leo made me laugh.

"Aw, look at us," I say to him.

"You're so pretty," he responds and I playfully roll my eyes.

"I'll try to get you copies of whatever doesn't make it into the yearbook," Lisa tells me.

"That would be great, thank you." I don't know why I don't already have pictures of us.

"I'll see you later, Heather. And it was nice meeting you, Leo."

He waves as she walks off.

"She's weirdly nice for a central."

"Lisa's a sweetheart," I nod, "and from California, so not a central."

"Are we sure that's how that works?"

"She's pretty sure, and that's why she proudly likes one of your friends," I say slyly.

"Who?"

"Jordan."

He smirks before laughing in amusement, "He's got a girlfriend...Angela would eat her alive."

"Well, I didn't say you could tell him."

"I'm not going too, he'd get too much of a kick out of it. And, again, Angela would murder that girl."

"She has nothing to worry about. Lisa isn't going to try anything with him. Besides, she likes someone named Ricky more."

"Ricky McKay? He's kind of an asshole."

"Not to her, so him you can tell."

"When did I agree to play matchmaker?" Leo raises his eyebrows.

"When I asked you to," I say slyly and walk closer to him as he backs up.

"Nope."

"Yes," I speak lowly, my eyes shifting from his lips before staring into his eyes.

He blushes and looks away, "Okay, okay, I'll be Cupid."

"So? Thoughts?" I say to Tony as he wanders through the finished product of my imagination.

"You really pulled this place together," he gave me an impressed smile.

"My grandfather would be so proud."

"Of you maximizing on your carnal desires?"

"That's a good name," I point.

"Really?" He said gleefully.

"Ethan's Carnal Desires."

"Ethan and Tony's Carnal Desires," he corrects me.

"This isn't a gay club, Milligan," I sigh in disappointment. "We'll just call it Carnal Desires."

"What do you think?" Tony looks past me to speak to Elizabeth.

"I-" Liz starts to say before I talk over her.

"Don't ask her. Her opinions aren't valid." I point to where Trevor is standing behind the dark glass, and he winks at us. "Elizabeth, go unlock that door."

She glares at me but does as told.

"Why, thank you," Trevor says as he enters, his eyes flirtatiously scanning over Elizabeth before he could bother to look at anything else.

"Glad you could make it," I grab his attention.

"Of course, you've outdone yourself, Carey, I must say. Now, where are the prostitutes?"

I laugh, "Come back next week. I've got the best of the best. Opening night will be one to remember."

"As memorable as sneaking into the after-party for the John Galliano fashion show?" He challenges.

"...I'm not sure anything can top that," I admit. We were 15 surrounded by perfect 10s, most who were high on coke and fawning over how 'cute,' we were.

"So, no supermodels?"

I shrug, "Maybe to the untrained eye."

"A business of women and money," Trevor says euphorically, " I can't believe I didn't think of it first."

"Well, in some ways, I couldn't have done it without you."

"Oh?"

"If I hadn't tried to fight you on school property, I wouldn't have gotten benched and quit lacrosse."

"In that case, you're welcome. It was my pleasure," he takes a bow.

"I should probably thank Audrey too, actually," I laugh to myself. "I'll send her some flowers and a card that says "thank you for trying to ruin my life because you couldn't get over me."

"Don't be a dick," Tony shakes his head.

"My bad, I'll add an asterisk on your behalf. P.S. Tony cries over you every night, the least you could do is show him your boobs, he deserves it."

Tony flips me off, and Trevor snickers before stopping suddenly. I raise my arms in confusion, and he subtly motions toward where Liz has her face twisted in disgust at our conversation.

I shrug annoyedly, "What? Who cares what she thinks? She's just the help."

"Now, Ethan, don't be rude. It's so hard to find good help these days, especially one's with a face like hers."

"I found her here. She's a stripper. All it takes is a big enough number, then they'll go on as many coffee runs as you want."

She throws the clipboard and pen onto the bar and storms out.

"Did I say good help?" Trevor chuckles.

I roll my eyes irritatedly, "Yeah, she has a bit of a temper. We're working on that." I hand Tony the keys to the building and then proceed to run after her. She wasn't too far down the street, but it was still frustrating trying to catch up. "You're still on the clock, Elizabeth," I call out.

She aggressively turns toward me, "Stop treating me like I've done something wrong! I haven't done anything to you, Ethan!"

Who are you shouting at?

"I'm treating you like I treat anyone who works for me," I say calmly.

"This is how you were taught to treat people?"

I shrug, "so, what? Quit."

"No."

"Then grow up. In a week or two I won't be dealing with you directly. You'll be another dancer on the stage who can only get in contact with me by talking to someone less important."

"Grow up?" She scoffed through laughter, "you're such an arrogant little kid."

"That makes two of us, then. You careless fucking brat. Now are you going to work or what?"

Her hand raises up and I feel a sting across my cheek before I have the chance to stop her.

You did not just slap me.

I clench and unclench my fists at my side.

"Yes, sir," she spat.

God, I'd fire you in a fucking heartbeat if I didn't like how much you piss me off.

I hear the bell ring from outside of the school.

She hasn't been talking to me. I figure showing up out of the blue will give her no other option.

The doors open and I watch as a bunch of kids leave for their lunch break, most who probably won't come back after. She's one of the last to leave, unsurprisingly, but I sigh in relief when I see her stroll out wrapped tightly in her black fur coat.

"Val!" I yell to get her attention.

When her eyes land on me, I reach my arms out for a hug.

"What do you want, Danny?" She huffs and ignores my gesture.

"I brought you lunch. That fancy salad that you like."

"I'm not hungry," she scowls and continues to walk off with her friends.

"Okay, then I'll just take it back to your place. I'll meet you there and you can eat it later."

Val finally stops to look at me. "Why aren't you going home?"

I shrug, "Drunk jackass forgot to pay the gas bill. It's like 20 degrees in my house."

"Oh, so now you need me?" She crosses her arms.

"What do you mean now?"

"You know what I mean, Danny."

I sigh, "We need to talk, don't we?"

"If you wanted to talk to me, you would have called."

"I could say the same for you."

"Fuck off, Danny," she rolls her eyes.

"Val, baby, just get in the van, please," I open the passenger side door, "Would you do that for me?"

She contemplated saying 'no," I could see it on her face, but instead she grudgingly walked toward the van. I closed the door behind her because I know she would've slammed it just to get back at me.

I sigh in preparation for the argument that is about to happen.

Let's just get this over with.

"How long are you going to be mad at me, huh?" I start. "Am I supposed to just stay away from you until then?"

"Are you kidding me? I'm mad at you because you stay away from me already. You don't like me anymore."

My heart sinks, "...How could you sit here and say that to my face? Is that how I make you feel?" She turns her head toward the window instead of responding...and I can see how sad her face looks from the side-view mirror. "I'm sorry...I don't mean to, okay? There's no way I could ever not like you. You're my guardian angel, I don't know what I'd do without you."

Val continues to pout. I lean over and try to kiss her, but she blocks me before I can reach her. "Go away."

"No, give me a smooch," I move her hands so I could kiss her cheeks and all over her face until I finally got a smile out of her. There's my girl.

"Enough, Danny," she pushed me away.

"I love you," I say as I settle back into my seat, "I love you a lot."

"I love you, too."

"You swear?"

She gives me a unimpressed expression, "cross my heart. And, you can stay with me tonight, but you're not getting any."

Damn.

"That's okay, I'll even sleep on the couch if you want me to."

"No...I still want you in bed."

I smile, "okay."

"...and thank you for the salad. I'm starving."

I walk straight in without saying anything. Aaron talks to the girl standing with him at the counter but stops when he sees me.

"Zach?" He says in concern when I approach them.

"Are you out?"

"Out of what?" He laughs awkwardly.

I roll my eyes, "never mind."

"No, hey— wait." He runs from behind the counter and stops me outside of the store, "what's going on?"

"I don't want to keep doing whatever we're doing if you have something to hide."

He laughs in confusion, "You're not out."

"I know, but I'm not going to pretend like you don't exist when we're around other people. You'll still matter to me."

"What's this about, huh?"

"Nothing...forget about it," I start backing away.

I didn't think this through enough.

"I'm out," Aaron shrugs.

"Really?"

"My mom cried for a week when I told her, and my dad still thinks I'll grow out of it...but yeah, I'm out."

"So, she knows you're gay?" I point to the girl at the counter.

"Jackie? Yeah, she knows."

"And you like me?"

"I don't think she knows I like you, but I'll tell her-"

"You don't have to do that. You don't have to tell anyone. But if you like someone else too, you should tell me."

He furrows his eyebrows, "What are you spiraling for?"

"I just want to make sure we're on the same page before things get serious...or before I get serious about you. I'm not saying that will happen or anything— no pressure. We've only been hanging out, and you only made a move on me once-"

"Zach," he shakes his head in annoyance before leaning in to kiss me. His hand hooks behind my neck bringing me closer to him.

And this is the first time I've been kissed in public.

Nervously...I rested my hand against his arm and let his tongue ghost past my lips.

I want to forget how it felt to kiss Evan and just replace all those memories with you.

Fuck the smell of icing and fabric softener.

Aaron smells warm and flowery and...like he won't mess everything up over and over again until I'm staring up at him from the ground.

Aaron doesn't hurt.

We pull away from each other, and I immediately look around at whoever might have seen us.

"Sorry..." Aaron scratches the back of his neck, "you just talk a lot when you're nervous."

"Are you going to kiss me every time I do that?"

"Probably."

"Okay."

"Okay," he repeated.

"Do you want to come over my house this weekend?"

"Sure," he nodded.

"Cool."

Aaron chuckled before smiling at me.

"Cool."