"Which one for the last day of school?" I pull the rack of clothes further into the living room and show him a few outfit selections.

He chuckled, "It's a fashion show, butterfly?"

"You're supposed to look nice on the last day."

"You're supposed to look nice on the first day."

"Both."

"So people don't forget you're hot when they leave for the summer?" He teased.

"It's to celebrate."

"Do I have to dress up too?"

"No, you just have to tell me that I look pretty," I smiled.

"You do."

"Not right now," I said endearingly.

"Yes, right now."

I walk to where he is on the couch and straddle his waist. "You have been so sweet lately," my arms hooked around his neck. "What do you want?"

Leo smirked, "I thought I was always sweet to you."

"You are, but now you're being even more. So...what do you want?"

"Nothing."

"Mhm," I said skeptically.

"What could I want?"

"Hey, Heather, don't get mad— but the guys and I are going to get high and then crash a frat party we heard about. Cool if I skip out?"

He laughed at my imitation of him, shaking his head as if it wasn't accurate. "That sounds fun. But I wouldn't skip out, I'd get you to come with me."

"You'd want me there?"

"Of course," he nodded. "There's something at Mandy's later. Wanna come?"

"Do you plan on drinking?" I said slyly.

"Maybe...why?"

"You're an adorable drunk."

"What?" He laughed.

"I'm annoying when I drink, but you're so bubbly and fun to be around."

"You weren't annoying with me until you sobered up and decided we could never talk again."

"Ugh," I groan, "I'm sorry, I was too focused on being mortified to carry a conversation."

"Why? I told you if you asked when you were sober, I'd kiss you. Don't you remember?"

"Uh..." that night was in pieces when I woke up.

His eyes widened. "Are you kidding?"

"I'm sorry," I laughed and laid my head on his chest.

"You were all embarrassed because you couldn't remember half the night," Leo said frustrated. "I should've gone up to you in the library and just laid one on you."

I looked up at him in disbelief. "As if either of us were brave enough to handle that."

"I should've kissed you at your stupid ball," he challenged.

"I think I would've let you."

"I should've kissed you the night you showed up at my place while Amanda was there. I should've kissed you when I showed up at yours with flowers. I should've kissed you when I saw you get shy from being close to me."

You didn't want to," I said softly.

"I've always wanted to. If not because I'm in love with you then because you make sure you look really pretty on the last day of school."

"Shut up," I laughed and lightly shoved him for making fun of me, and he smirked at my reaction.

"I like the pink one," he finally answered.

"Thank you."

Leo looks from my eyes to my lips to my eyes again, telling me to kiss him, knowing that I will...

This is why you're able to tease me and I can't do it back. I love your lips when they are wet with mine.

The elevator dings and I move off of Leo and onto the spot beside him as I waited to see who was there.

"Heather, darling, hello," my mother said. "I've been shopping, so make space in your closet before tomorrow or I will."

God, "Okay."

She pauses before she gets to the stairs. "Hello, Leo."

"Hi...Mrs. Blakely."

"How are you?"

"I'm good...yeah...how— are you?"

"I'm well, thank you." She grins at me, "Heather, did you see the chocolate mousse cake I left in the kitchen? François Payard made it. He was named the best pastry chef of the year. I am going to have him cater an event for me. Imagine what people will say."

"They will say your models certainly aren't dabbling in his pastries."

"Aren't you a laugh. Allow Leo to try the cake."

"It's okay. If it's that special, you shouldn't waste any on me," Leo said.

"Please," she scoffed. "I can always buy another."

She ascends the staircase, leaving us alone again. Leo looked over at me with wide eyes as if something unbelievable just happened.

"Did you tell her to do that?" He asked quietly.

"Do what? Speak to you?"

"Yeah."

"No, I didn't know she'd be home so soon."

"She didn't even roll her eyes when she saw me."

"Yes, yes, a great feat was accomplished today." I stand up and grab his hands to pull him off the couch, "Now let's share cake."

"A great feat was accomplished," Leo said as we walked into the kitchen. "I thought she'd hate-" he paused when he saw me grab a fork before opening the cake. "No, what are you doing."

"...what do you mean?"

"Heather, you have to slice it, you can't just dig into the cake."

"No?" I smirked and moved the fork right above the center of the cake.

"Heather-" Leo said cautiously, slowly walking toward me with his hands up as if I'm holding a weapon. "Put down the fork." I laughed and hid it behind my back, but he kept approaching me anyway. "I don't trust you with it. Give it here." He grabbed me with one hand and took the fork with the other. "Psychopath," Leo whispered while shaking his head.

I watched as he, instead, used a knife to cut two slices of cake.

"That's what I was going to do."

"Yeah, I could tell," he said sarcastically.

I laughed and handed him plates to set them on, and he returned my fork afterward, still with a suspicious expression.

I waited as he tried his first. "What do you think?"

"This is really good." He had a pleasant expression. "My mom would freak over something like this."

"You should invite her over some time. Our parents still don't know each other."

"Yeah because I love my mom."

My jaw drops, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It's taken 6 months for your mom to finally stop killing me in her mind," he laughed.

"She was not doing that."

"Yes, she was. And the minute you thought I was 'growing on' your dad, he called me the temporary loser in your life. Now, what are they going to say to the woman who gave birth to the temporary loser?"

"They'll tell Isabel that you're a perfect gentleman and she's a great mother."

"No, they won't, butterfly," he laughed.

"I'll make them."

"I don't think it works like that."

"My father is easily persuaded, and he is the one person who can talk any sense into my mom."

"You can't 'but daddy, I love him' your way into making them any cooler about me than they already are. I'm happy it got this far."

"We're going to talk about this again. It's not over. I want Isabel to meet my parents."

"She thinks your mom is all talented and fancy and stuff because of the clothes she makes. If she's mean to her, it'll probably hurt her feelings. So, no."

"Okay," I sighed. "I understand..."

He playfully rolled his eyes and put his head on my shoulder. "Maybe I can give her a pep talk first and then we'll come over here, and there won't be any surprises."

I smile, "Do you mean it?"

"Yeah."

"Yay," I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him close.

"Still can't say no to you."

"Uh— good morning." Vivian stood disheveled, wearing her robe from last night and holding it together tightly as if I haven't been all over what's under it.

"Is it?"

"Excuse me?"

"You seem unsettled."

"I— yes." She fidgeted and stared down at her feet.

"You should put some clothes on. Harry will be back soon."

"What happened last night...can never happen again. It was a moment of weakness on both of our parts but-"

"Well, I wouldn't say both— certainly one more than the other," I chuckled. You're a mess. "However, I see your point. It won't happen again. You can be sure of that."

"Your father can never know."

"Do you intend to tell him?" I look over at her, and she shakes her head. "Neither do I."

"And Harry?"

"The poor man would have a heart attack," I laughed.

"This was really unlike me."

"Yes."

"Ordinarily, I would have never done that."

"No."

"I love Arthur."

"Sleeping with his son is simply a bonus."

"Trevor-"

"Kidding, of course," I said teasingly as I passed her. "I have a prior commitment, but you should stay and relax. Perhaps take a nice shower, I got a lot of— stuff on you last night."

"I won't be here when you return...I will find different arrangements until your father is home."

"Whatever pleases you, Vivian." It won't be me again, and you'd be lucky to find someone half as good. She walks away in shame— I wonder if she's the first to do this walk from a son's bedroom to his father's.

I open the front door to Audrey standing in the hall. "You called?" She said unamused.

"Good morning," I walk with her toward the elevator.

"Why am I here?"

"Because, Audrey, my sweet angel— who better to spend my time with?" I put my arm over her shoulders, and she narrows her eyes at me. "I want you to plan a party for me," I give in.

"Don't you enjoy doing that yourself?"

"It's not going to be like my other parties. Throw one that you would go to. That's the theme: 'a party Audrey wouldn't think is gross.'"

"You're in a disturbingly good mood."

"Much to be happy about. Do you know any AV club geeks?"

"Why?"

"I need some footage edited, and I can only trust a select few to see it."

"Edited how? What is it?"

"I just need my face cropped out of a little film I'm in."

"Never mind, I don't want to know," she rolled her eyes.

"You're dying to know aren't you?"

"No."

"Okay, I'll tell you," I smiled, "but you have to promise to keep it a secret."

Alison kept the door partially shut as she spoke. "...hi."

"I'm going to cut right to the chase. Here's your therapy tape, I took it accidentally...don't tell Dr. Costner."

She snatched it from me. "What is wrong with you?"

"Not sure, that's what the therapy is for."

"It's not working."

I sighed, "I'm trying to be a good person who makes good decisions. I won't tell anyone about your father."

"Thanks," she said dryly.

"Don't thank me for not being an asshole."

"Well, I know it's hard for you." She started to close the door again.

"Are you a dilettante?" I blurted.

Alison hesitantly stepped back into the light, "...I guess."

"My mother is doing this gallery event because painting is her interest of the year. She's terrible at it, but what's done is done."

"Okay?"

"I have a ticket for a plus one."

"Are you asking me out?"

"Not as a date. Heather was supposed to go with me, but...I don't have to explain to you why that's clearly not happening."

"Why don't you bring Trevor or someone?"

"You suggest I take Trevor to an art gallery?" I raised an eyebrow. "I don't know who else would enjoy it. Besides, it's an apology for...everything. If you haven't heard, I'm mending broken bonds."

"Well..." she looks off to the side in thought. If she was going to say 'no,' she would have already. I'd bet she's thinking over what's making her say 'yes.' "Okay, I'll go."

"Great."

"As a friend...and barely that," she said sternly.

"Exactly, so I'll pick you up on Friday at 6:30."

"No, I can meet you there."

"Riding in the same car won't make it a date, Ali. It will save the environment."

Alison rolled her eyes, "Because your thumb is so green."

I smiled as I shrugged, "The more you know."

"The jungle juice is ready," Amanda announced.

"Did you put it in your sink again?" Leo asked disappointedly.

"No, princess."

"Did you put ice in it again?" I asked.

"If you hate when I make it so much, then make it yourselves."

"What is it?" Heather questions Leo.

"Lots of alcohol, lots of juice and fruit."

Danny rolls his eyes and shakes his head at the fact that she didn't know.

She notices and glares at him, grabbing Leo's face in her hand and licking a stripe up his cheek.

He's into it until he notices the stare-down.

"Heather," Leo sighs and moves her over to his left so that her back is facing Danny.

"Remember Noelle Hall?" Danny said.

"What about her?" Frankie asked.

"Remember her, Leo?"

"Danny," Leo warned.

"That was the hottest girl I've ever seen you with."

"Since when did you go out with Noelle?" Jordan said.

"I didn't."

"No, they just messed around for months until she moved. He didn't want her to move, though. He liked her a lot but wouldn't tell her. Bet they'd be going out now if she was still here."

Leo sucked his teeth, "Danny, I'm serious."

"It's fine," Heather said to him. "I don't care."

I don't know how I haven't been blamed for all of this. I mean, I'm glad I don't have to deal with the fighting— but it's kinda because of me.

Leo has got to be dying with this whole girlfriend versus best friend cliché bullshit...not being able to be in the same room together is ridiculous. He needs some kind of off-road truck ramp...

"Hey, Ricky," I call him and he steps back in from the balcony. "What happened with you and her friend?" I motioned toward Heather.

"What friend?" He asked her.

"Lisa," she responded.

"Oh, yeah, she's cool."

"She liked you..."

"I know, we hooked up."

"She thought you were taking her on a date."

"Why?" He scrunched his nose.

"Because...she liked you."

"Oh, like for real?" Ricky asked, and Heather nodded. "Damn."

"Gonna call her?" I smirked.

"Nah, I don't date girls who give it up that easy."

"What?" Heather said.

"Who wants to be the guy with a slut girlfriend?"

"What'd she do?" Amanda asked.

"She gave me head in my car the first time I hung out with her. I barely knew her."

"Aw, but she thought you'd be her boyfriend after."

"That's crazy. She's crazy. Right?" He looked around the room for responses, some agreeing with him, others shaking their head.

Heather isn't worried about Danny anymore.

Now, she's more offended that Ricky called her friend a crazy slut in a house full of people who don't know whether or not he's wrong.

Leo whispers something to her that wipes the shock off her face. She nods and they get up to walk away together.

My job is done.

Charlie stared into the container of red juice. "Can everyone drink this punch?"

"That's not punch."

"What is it?"

"Just drink it."

Danny walked into the kitchen. "Hold this," he handed me his lit cigarette, so he could rifle through the cabinets.

"Can you give us a ride home when you're about to leave?"

He glanced at Charlie. "Who the fuck is that?"

"Charlie."

"Does he speak?"

"Hi..." he replied nervously.

"I'm leaving in an hour. Be in here or get left," Danny said, and I nodded. He took the cigarette out of my fingers, and Charlie watched as he ashed it. "What, you want one?"

"Yeah, definitely," he shrugged, trying to play it cool. Danny grabbed the box out of his pocket and opened it for Charlie. "Thanks!" He happily took a cigarette out, that excitement fading when Danny offered him a lighter. "Actually— I'm saving it for later."

"Right," Danny said while shaking his head in annoyance, catching on to the wasted cigarette.

"Come on," I motion for him to follow me into the hall.

I want to see who else is hanging around. People are more chill when they're just sitting in a room talking.

"Zach, that you?"

I step into the room where Leo and Heather are laying on the bed. "What's up?"

"When did you get here?"

"I don't know. A while ago."

"Hey, Zach," Heather waved.

"Hey, Heather."

Charlie smiled at her, "Hey, Heather."

"This is Charlie," I introduced.

"It's nice to meet you," she smiled at him.

"I'm Leo," he said, taking notice of who Charlie is clearly more interested in knowing.

"How old are you?" Charlie asked her.

"17."

"I'm almost 17," he said quickly.

I scoffed. "No, you're not."

"I like your shoes."

"Thank you, they're new."

I leaned against the dresser and rested my head in my hand before sighing at him.

"You're buzzed?" Leo furrowed his eyebrows at me.

"You can tell?"

"On you, yeah."

"I had a beer...or like 3. Charlie didn't like his."

"I have sophisticated taste buds," he defends himself...to Heather.

"I don't like it either," she shrugged.

Charlie sits on the bed and scoots close to Heather, she laughs a little and glances back at Leo.

"You're going home wasted?" Leo asked.

"No, I'll probably throw up, get a slice of pizza, and then Charlie's sleeping over."

"How fun," Heather joked.

"What do you do for fun?" Charlie asked.

"Me," Leo said.

"Oh."

"Yeah, they're together." I rolled my eyes. "What else is new?"

"Zach, alright, spit it out now or I'll beat it out of you."

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

"You've been a jerk for like two weeks and you won't tell anyone why you're being a jerk so everyone just thinks you're a jerk who's gonna fuck around and get his ass kicked."

"Am I a jerk or are you all just girls?"

Heather raised her eyebrows.

"Want me to hit him?" Leo asked.

She shook her head. "Can you go make me a drink?"

"I'll do it!" Charlie hopped up.

"What do you want?" Leo ignored him.

"Whatever tastes best," she replied.

"Okay," he nodded. Charlie made himself comfortable in the spot Leo was just sitting in. "No, you're coming too."

"Why?"

"Because I said so. What is-" Leo sighs, "give me that." He takes the cigarette from behind Charlie's ear and throws it on the ground.

I lay back against the bed and stare at the ceiling. A few seconds later, Heather does too.

"Aren't you going to say something?" I asked.

"No, but Leo thinks I will, and that will make him leave you alone."

"I just don't want to hear him say 'I told you so' because I didn't listen to his advice."

"I'm sure there's a reason you didn't listen."

"I was going to...but then I didn't want to," I admitted.

"That's fair, it's called making your own mistakes."

"It's stupid to call it a mistake. It was barely a mistake. It's not even my fault really."

"What isn't?"

"Aaron dumped me for cheating with Evan— but I only cheated because Aaron has years of experience and expected me to keep up."

"So it only happened once?"

"Well...no, but that was because Evan wouldn't just let me be with Aaron. He kept saying he loved me and...that's his fault."

"And you were with Aaron instead of Evan because..."

"Because we'd break up again, and he would be fine again, and I would have to be sad while watching him be fine again."

"Zach..." Heather said hesitantly, "you were using Aaron as a crutch."

I scoffed, "No, I wasn't. It's more complicated than that."

"Of course it is," she said as if I was lying.