"Hey, butterfly," Leo hesitantly peeks into the room, "are you awake?"

"Yes," I smile, "come here."

"How you feeling?"

"A little hungover."

Leo climbs into the bed with me, and I sit up.

"Aw," he smiles, "you wear my shirt to sleep?"

"On occasion..."

"What was the occasion?"

"You weren't here, and it was the second-best thing."

Leo looks down to avoid smiling again. "I'll give you some more."

"You're going to let me steal all of your clothes?"

He nods, "I like how you look in them." I pull him closer to encourage him to kiss me. He does before pulling back, "And how you look with them off."

"Such a romantic," I laugh and lightly push him away.

Leo chuckles and casually licks his lips. I know it's just so they won't be dry, and yet I still find it incredibly alluring.

"What's going on with your parents?" He asks and draws my attention back to his eyes.

"Oh, someone stole my dad's checkbook and cleared fifty thousand dollars in the name of a charity foundation."

Leo's eyes widen. "Fifty fucking K?"

"He's not worried about the money, he just wants to know who did it."

"Then I guess it's a good thing that he thinks I'm not that stupid."

"Did he say that?"

"Yeah, no hello or nothing, just he's not that stupid."

I cover my face in shame. "It would be too much for me to ask that you take that as a sign he doesn't dislike you."

"Nah, we're cool. Soon enough, we'll be golfing or something."

"Do not go golfing with my dad."

"Why not?" He laughs. "We can talk about you."

"Exactly."

"He'll say you're smart, beautiful, and can do way better than me. I'll agree but let him know I'm compensating for it by giving you shirts and dick."

"Leo!"

"I wouldn't make it home from that golfing trip," he says deviously.

"No, you wouldn't," I cringe at the thought, "Oh, my god."

"Not gonna lie— I'm tempted to have that conversation."

"You have a death wish," I scold.

"Think so?"

"Yes, which makes me scared to ask about your night."

He smirks, "it was...alright. Yours?"

"The same."

"You went to a club your friend opened and it was just alright?"

"Well, you didn't elaborate."

"I was at Jordan's, not a club." Leo playfully rolls his eyes when I don't falter. "There was a bad round of truth or dare, hot peppers, and drunk freshmen."

"A weird combination of things, go on."

"Nope, your turn."

"Fine. There was..." I think of how I could sum everything up, "shots, table dancing, and moral debates."

Leo narrows his eyes in confusion, "You and your friends are weird."

"And you're so normal."

"I don't have debates in clubs."

"We didn't just debate. We drank a lot, and then Trevor dedicated a striptease to me."

"He gave you a striptease?"

"He gave everyone in the vicinity a striptease, but we didn't let it go far."

"He's a stripper now?"

"Honestly, there's a high chance that he's always been a stripper."

"Well, in the spirit of being honest, a girl was flirting with me at the party."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah, freshmen think I'm hot."

"What an ego boost for you."

"Not an ego boost, but it was cute. There were pick-up lines involved. One was going to be about a light switch but she forgot it."

I furrow my eyebrows, "Are you a light switch? Because I want to turn you on."

"Ugh," he groans and hides his face on my stomach. "I'm glad she didn't get that one out."

"So...she was cute, you said?"

Leo lifts his head quickly, "No, I did not say that. I said her trying to flirt was cute."

"Cute."

He smirks, "I told her you were cute." Leo moves closer to me so that our lips are only a moment away. "Jealous?"

"A little."

"Me too."

"Good."

"Good," he teases, moving down until he seals the space between our lips. I smile into the kiss and he chuckles. Our lips come together in a series of short, teasing kisses before his lips are on mine for longer, and we kiss slower, then deeper until that tension fills the room— the kind that makes him get under the blanket with me.

A knock interrupts the mood, and Leo sighs before laying by my side.

"...come in."

The door opens and Trevor walks through with a smile.

"Hello, again, Heather."

"Hi, Trevor."

Leo's jaw clenches at the sight of him...but there's no reason this has to turn into something uncordial.

"You left these in the back of my limo," he holds up my heels. "Figured I would return them."

"I don't even remember taking them off," I shake my head, "thank you."

"Of course, you don't. Your body is not built for that amount of liquor."

"No one's is."

"I beg to differ, " Trevor smirks...and it must have gotten to a certain someone because I feel my shirt start to rise slightly, revealing part of my stomach. My eyes dart over to Leo for a second, but his are locked on Trevor. "Ethan invited us back next weekend if you're interested. We might do that Hamptons thing, however, and you're welcome to come."

"That sounds nice."

"It will be," Trevor smirks again, and

Leo's fingertips trace up and down my bare skin delicately with intent.

"Of course I'll have to check my schedule first."

"Indeed," he gives Leo a once over. "Well...keep in touch." I watch him leave out and wait for him to shut the door again, but he pauses. "Heather...are you aware you're in flannel? Let me know if you need directions to the nearest fire."

I give him an annoyed look, and he laughs before finally going away.

"I hate that guy," Leo climbs back on top of me.

"You're so possessive, " I say in amusement.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, you can't think of anything?"

"I'm thinking...I'm the only one who can do this," his hands drag down my waist, "and he needed a reminder."

"Possessive."

"You love it."

"So..." Evan says as we're walking, "you just don't want to talk about it ever?"

"What's there to talk about? It wasn't really a talking thing we did."

"You seem upset, that's all."

"I'm fine." I just smell like you now, and I'm not supposed to.

"Do you regret it?"

We turn the corner, and I spot a green '76 Ford with a boy standing in front of it.

"Shit, Aaron's here," I push Evan back around the building.

"Fuck..."

"He didn't see us, just...go home. I'll see you..."

"When?"

"I'll see you."

Evan nods, standing there looking at me for a moment before finally turning to leave.

Alright, I can do this.

Be normal— don't act guilty.

I head directly toward Aaron who stares down at his shoes until he hears me walking up.

"Zach," he waves me over. "I thought we were doing breakfast today."

"I'm an idiot," I shake my head, "I forgot."

"It's okay."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it," he reaches for my hand. "Where'd you just come from?"

"I was walking...for air and exercise."

Aaron chuckles, "that's good."

"Yeah..." I avoid eye contact. "So, breakfast?"

"I don't know...are you feeling okay?" He asks, and I shake my head 'no.' I feel terrible. "You look a little sick."

"I'm sorry."

"For what? It's not your fault. The weather change probably did it."

"Probably..."

"How 'bout I bring you food? Pancakes and syrup to make you happy, and orange juice to help your immune system. You'll be better in no time."

"You don't need to do that for me."

"Yeah, I do," he smiles and tilts my head up so that I could look at him. "Can't have my boyfriend sick and sad, can I?"

"Why are you so nice?"

"Why aren't you used to people being nice?"

Because I'm people...and I suck.

"I like you," I sigh...guiltily.

"I like you too," Aaron smiles...obliviously. My arms wrap around him, and he rubs his hand over my back. You don't even know you shouldn't be making me feel better. He chuckles when I squeeze him tighter. "Hey, I'm coming back. I swear."

I scan over her tired appearance. It's the middle of the afternoon, and she's still wearing bedclothes.

"Where were you last night?"

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth crosses her arms.

"I was leaving, and I couldn't find you."

"I had already left."

I glared suspiciously, "Alone?"

"Why are you asking?"

"Why aren't you answering?"

She sighs, "I'm not doing this today."

"You went with that man from the bar, didn't you?"

Elizabeth smirks, "So, what if I did?"

"Is he in there?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe? It's one damn room."

"What's your point?"

"My point is..." I step back toward the stairs, "you're fired. I don't want to see you again."

Elizabeth huffs, "Ethan..." I ignore her and start walking down the steps. "Ethan!" She says again, but that is beyond me.

And maybe I would have turned to hear her shout at me or...possibly apologize, but I have the unshakable feeling that I'm about to cry.

"Drive fast," I say to the chauffeur as soon as he lets me in the backseat.

"Yes, Mr. Carey," he nods and closes the door.

But, before he could make it around the car to the driver's side, my door opens again.

"You can't fire me because you're upset. That's not how things work," Elizabeth argues.

I roll my eyes. "You're hardly clothed, Elizabeth, go back to your room."

"I'm not moving until you explain why I don't have a job anymore."

"You worked for me and now you don't. That's life." She puts her hands on her hips. "You can't sleep with customers, you're fired." She still doesn't budge.

"I let you flirt with that man because I thought you were doing it to get a rise out of me so things would be more fun when we saw each other later."

"Why would that be more fun?"

Do you not understand what we had?

"Because you like when I'm angry with you, Elizabeth."

"I don't like this."

"Because I'm not angry. I'm done with you. Now, get away from my car."

"Why?"

"Have you not been listening?"

"I have, and you haven't explained once why I can't see other people if we're not in a relationship."

"Is that what that display was about? A title?" I scoff in disbelief. "You want to feel owned? Fine, get in."

"No," she scowls, "I'm done with you now. I shouldn't have ever started."

I knock a few times and step back. Zach opens the door like he ran to it. "What's up?"

"I need your help with something." He whispers before coming out.

"I'm still not good at math, man. But if it's a book report or something we can-"

"It's not school stuff."

"Then what?"

"You know how you're team Evan or whatever?"

"Sure."

"But I'm with Aaron..."

I shrug, "Shit happens."

"Exactly...and last night, I was at Evan's house, and...I did something I don't think I should have done."

"Like..."

"You know..."

"You cheated?"

"It's not cheating if it's not emotional."

"Bullshit!"

"Shit happens!"

"No, Zach!"

"I don't know what to do now!"

"Neither do I, I've never cheated on anyone. I don't even know Aaron. Where did this dude come from?"

"It's not my fault you don't know him. You got a girlfriend and superglued yourself to her."

"Fuck off. You're the one running around juggling two guys. You obviously still have a thing for Evan if you're going over there and making out with him." He stares down at the ground like there's something else. "What?"

"...nothing."

"You have to say it. You can't start talking and not finish."

He sighs, "We kinda...we..." Zach scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably.

"Zachary!"

"I'm screwed."

"Yeah, you are, " I say exasperated, "you screwed a dude that's not your dude. You cheated cheated."

"You have to come in and hang out so things don't get weird."

"I can't...Heather's on her way over."

"The more the merrier."

"For you not for me. I want to be alone with her."

"Weren't you at her place today?" Zach scoffs, "can't you keep your tongue out of her mouth for the rest of the day?"

I roll my eyes, "her fancy friends are trying to steal her for exclusive parties and clubs I can't get into. I want her here with me for as long as I can have her."

"Whatever, she's not going to ditch you for her friends."

"I bet Aaron didn't think you'd ditch him for Evan, " I spat...and Zach's face fell. "...Have you tried talking to your sister about this? I bet she knows a thing or two."

"I'm not telling Peyton that I'm a cheater. All her friends think I'm some picture-perfect guy they're too old to date. I did a great job making them think I wasn't a jerk...but I am."

"You're not a jerk...you screwed up."

"Now what?"

"Don't do it again." He looks off to the side. "You know you can't do it again, right?"

"I know..."

"You shouldn't want to do it again."

"I know."

"But you want to?"

"I don't know..."

"This is why you're not supposed to jump into a new relationship until you're over your ex, " I huff. "Why were you even alone with him in a situation like that?"

"For Aaron."

"Yeah, right. What're you swingers?" You can't fuck people on behalf of others.

"Hi," Heather says cheerily, making both of us turn to find her.

"Hey, butterfly."

"I heard your voice," she comes up next to me and hooks her arm around my waist. "Hey, Zach."

"Hi, Heather," he says halfheartedly.

"What's wrong?"

"Glad you asked," I respond. "Is there ever a good reason to be in a sexual situation with your ex?"

She sighs, "Is this about the Jace thing again?"

"No, because you didn't do with Jace what Zach did with his ex." Otherwise he'd be dead.

"Zach," Heather says in surprise.

"Enough about me. Let's hear about the Jace thing."

"Nice try. We made up already," I kiss Heather on the cheek.

"If you want to date your ex again, that's fine as long as you understand what you're getting yourself into. Why'd you break up?"

"It was too hard for him to date me and still be the cool, popular, sports guy."

"Aw."

"Screw him," I scoff. "Wait, don't..." Zach glares at me. "Well."

His front door opens, and all three of us jump as if we were just caught doing something bad...like cheating.

"Sorry," the guy laughs. "Do you like cheese on your pasta, Zach?"

"Sure," he says quietly. "Leo, Heather, this is— my boyfriend, uh- Aaron."

If you've been acting this awkward since he's been here, he's well on his way to putting shit together.

"It's nice to meet you," Aaron smiles at us.

"Yeah, you too," I say back...while Heather looks a little stunned.

"There's enough food to share if you want to come in, " he offers.

"No, thanks," I grab Heather and start to back away. "We're going to go do something in my room...that people in relationships should only do with each other."

Heather takes my hand and I pull her with me toward the stairs. She glances back once Zach closes the door.

"Boyfriend?"

"Yeah," I sigh. "Zach fucked up. Big time."

"Poor Aaron..."

"I know, it's crazy. I want to be mad at him, but Zach's always had a thing for that other guy. That's no excuse but..it's complicated...unlike me and you, we've got everything figured out."

"Because we're so simple. It was really easy for us, " she says sarcastically.

I smirk, "It's easy now."

"How easy?" Heather smiles.

"Well," I back her into the house, taking off her coat in the process. When it comes down, I pick her up. Her legs wrap around my waist, and my nose brushed over hers. "This easy," I whisper before bringing our lips together. She leads the kiss so I can carry her to my room, her tongue moving over mine every few steps.

"Oh— there you are, Leo."

Mom...

Crap.

"...hey."

I put Heather down, and she shyly tries to hide behind me.

"Hi, Isabel."

"Nice to see you, sweetie," she replies.

"It's not what it looks like," I say. "We were just-"

"Studying?" My mom raises an eyebrow.

I stand in front of Heather defensively. "You can't make her go home. She just got here."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Heather can stay. I don't mind."

"She's a good girl..."

"I think so too."

"You're not mad?"

"No."

"Cool...we're gonna go now..."

My mom nods...and it feels like a trick.

Heather goes into my room before me. I walk backward, waiting to be stopped any second now.

But I make it...

I live in a world where my mom lets me have privacy with my girlfriend?

A smirk comes across my face.

"Keep that door open."

"Crap."