"Good morning!" My eyes open to Heather shining brighter than the sun pouring in. "Happy anniversary!" She smiled adoringly.

"Butterfly," I said softly. "Happy anniversary."

"I'm excited."

"I can tell."

"Wake up. I made pancakes," she said, and I looked skeptically at her. "Okay, I ordered pancakes." She sighed, "I'm just like my mom."

"Lying about making food you can't cook?" I laughed.

"Exactly."

"Speaking of your parents...they gone now?"

"Yes, and I made sure this time. No surprises."

"Then I'll get up." My stuff is in your room, I didn't want to explain that to your dad.

She grinned, hopping out of the bed and grabbing my hand to 'help' me off too.

Heather stayed back and gathered my clothes when I walked out of the room. I didn't leave much in there, I was colder without her so I kept most of it on.

Her bed isn't made up yet, and she hasn't gotten dressed. She is so restless that she didn't even follow her usual routine of being the most put-together early bird there is. It's funny that she was too excited about today to get ready for it.

"Hi," Heather came up behind me as I finished brushing my teeth. I chuckled when I felt her arms wrapping around my waist, and she watched me in the mirror. It can't be interesting waiting around as I splash water on my face, but she stood content like there's no place she'd rather be.

"Are you going to be like this all day?"

"Like what?" She asked, and I glanced down at where she's hugging me and then back to our reflection. Her jaw dropped in offense and she pulled away. "Well, excuse me."

I laugh and move across the room to turn on the shower.

"I didn't say stop."

"Didn't you?" Heather said sarcastically.

"No," I replied, and swiftly pulled her into the shower with me.

"Our clothes," she gasped as they got drenched under the stream.

"What about them?" I said, holding her closer to me and slowly slipping my fingers under her shirt.

Clothes come off.

If I could capture the way you're looking at me right now and keep it forever, I would, because damn you make me blush.

Her eyes said everything. 'Yes,' 'keep going,' 'I love you.' And before I could make a move, she was worried about my clothes more than hers. Her hands pushed against my wet shirt until it was far enough for me to pull off.

I stood soaking in her and the water while she hugged me close and pressed our lips together.

"You're still wearing too much," I whispered, and she wasted no time in changing that. Her top was lifted over her head and tossed out of the shower, and she kissed me as a reward for having to do something that meant separating.

Before she could get rid of her shorts, I stop her hands and replace them with my own. Her eyes are fixed on me, entranced as I kneel and pull them down along with her panties.

My hands slowly slid up her legs, and I watched them, hearing her anticipation through her breath. She leaned against the wall, holding in any more notices of appetence as I placed her leg over my shoulder.

I stared into those eyes I love so much. It made her nervous and that mixed in with her impatience to the point where she was gripping my hair and leading me between her thighs.

I resisted, not giving in yet, and she tried so hard to pretend she wasn't touch starved. My tongue trailed up her inner thigh, delicate, steady traces making her shudder.

"Are you going to be like this all day?" She asked breathlessly.

I smirked. "Yeah, you'd like that, wouldn't you?"

It's horrible knowing that you won't wake up as happy to see me as you were last night.

I'd rather the artificial smile over the look you're bound to have reserved for me.

"Hi," I said as she stirred herself awake.

She took a look at her surroundings. "The tables have turned, I see."

"You're not going to feel well for a while. And I don't have anything to fix your serotonin levels."

"You," she said gently. "I've missed you."

"Here I am."

"I was coming to speak to you last night. I got nervous."

"What'd you want to talk about?"

"Trevor called to invite me, he said that letting you go was a mistake because you're amazing, loyal, gorgeous, and the most caring person he knows even if no one else knows it...but I do, and I told you we would talk...and we never did."

"He said that to you?"

"If I didn't remember who I was talking to, I would've thought he had a crush on you."

I rolled my eyes. "How is it that you think too highly of me but also not high enough?"

"What do you mean?"

"You accuse me of being this girl everyone wants as if you haven't heard a thing I've said since we met. And because that's how you think of me, you don't trust me."

"Audrey," she sighed. "This is a phase for you."

"What?"

"I don't think you like girls the way you think you do. You just get really attached to the people closest to you. You said it yourself with Alison— she was your best friend."

"You are un-believable."

"You're not denying it."

"I shouldn't have to," I argued, and she looked down to avoid facing me. "I'm seeing someone. A girl."

Natalia glanced back up at me with her eyebrows drawn together. "Who?"

"It's casual, but she wasn't a friend before."

"She..." her voice is a mix of skepticism and shock.

"I wasn't going to tell you."

"Why not?"

1. It's not true

2. There's a reason you are in my bed.

Natalia took my silence as an answer, I don't know what it said to her, but she stared desperately at me and then leaned in.

I moved back before she could reach me. "You want to kiss me now that I'm with a girl who isn't you?"

"I didn't think I'd have to picture you with a girl who isn't me."

"But a boy would be fine?" I said in annoyance.

"A boy would be easier."

"Well, she's definitely not a boy. Is that serious enough for you?"

I cut the tape shorter. He didn't need to see just how long I was with her— besides, it became painfully obvious that it was me in the video after we switched positions. The frame is only from my neck down. I want him to think that it could've been anyone. The bellboy...the concierge...the guy at the hot dog stand...the mailman. Anyone. Except for me.

"You disgust me!" My father shouted.

"Arthur, you were never here! You were never with me! What was I supposed to do?" Vivian cried.

"Not have sex with some other man! Especially not where I house my family. What if Trevor saw you? How dare you put him in that position."

I liked it.

"It was a mistake," she pleaded. "I had too much wine, I was lonely, I was sad without you."

"You didn't look sad...lonely. How about I put on the tape, and you can see for yourself?"

"No! Don't!"

I pressed my ear to the door of the study and could hear them running around fighting for the physical copy of the tape.

"What, were you trying to embarrass me in front of my employees? My partners? Letting someone inside you and then sending the proof to my place of business?"

"I didn't know!"

"What if someone else would have gotten their hands on it? You want to ruin my image?"

"I love you, I would never want to ruin you." I imagine she's on her knees begging to be forgiven, praying for a spot in heaven. Though, it's likely that I've gotten your acceptance rescinded.

"I want you to leave immediately. Harry has taken the liberty of packing your things and putting them into a car. It's outside, go find it."

Yes. Fetch, Vivian.

"Arthur-"

"You should be ashamed of yourself. Trying to be a stepmother to my son when you're already a whore."

She let the silence speak for her...

And his responded. It was a quiet goodbye, mute and hateful.

What a great day.

I moved away from the door I was eavesdropping behind and made my way into the living room.

Not a minute later, Vivian came out crying. I cleared my throat so she'd acknowledge my presence, and she did with a grimace.

"What have you done?" She said through gritted teeth.

"It really is less about me, I fear."

"You intentionally set out to hurt someone. Your part in this is bigger than mine could ever be-"

"Vivian, I'd prefer if you kept your voice down," I said in a harsh whisper. "And in case you need an incentive, allow me to remind you that I'm not quite 18 yet."

She shook her head in puzzlement. "Your birthday is in-"

"July."

"You said June."

"Did I? I meant July. So, if you would've waited a little bit longer before taking off all of your clothes..." I smirked. "Maybe you'd have something to hold against me, but you don't. Goodbye, Vivian. It's been fun." She held a look of disbelief as she passed me, glaring sadness piercing through her eyes. "I told you, you would never be the wife."

The sound of the door shutting her out forever filled me with indescribable joy.

"Mr. Trevor."

Uh oh.

...I turned around slowly.

"Harry...I had to, because of her, my father was going to-"

"What would you like for dinner?" He asked as if he didn't hear a thing that happened.

"Would you make our favorite?"

"Nothing would make me happier."

"Open." I held a grape up to his mouth until he let me drop it in.

"Thank you," he said, and I leaned down to kiss his lips.

He brought more than we could've hoped to eat. Our picnic being above his house meant that most of the food was warm, and we tried a few bites of everything knowing Isabel took time out to make it all.

"These are so cute." I showed him one of the heart-shaped cookies that had 'Leo + Heather = ♡' written in icing.

Leo groaned through laughter. "She wrote on them?"

"It's like our own tree carving," I defended. "I want to keep it."

"Eat it. And we can carve our names into an actual tree or I'll spray paint them onto something."

"So they'll know exactly who defaced property?" I laughed.

"There are a lot of Heathers and Leos in the world."

"How many of them are together?"

"All of them."

I smiled and laid down next to him on the blanket. "There's a Leo for every Heather?"

"Mhm." He brushes his nose over mine.

"Good." I nodded, gripping his shirt in my hand and kissing my Leo.

"Is this what you wanted?" He asked, and I furrowed my eyebrows at the question. "Did I do okay?"

"It's perfect." I peck his lips again. "I'm so happy."

We watched the sunset from the rooftop while eating cupcakes. Perfect is an understatement.

He smiled. "That's all I wanted."

"You should have more."

"I'm happy too."

I began to lean in again, and a drop of water hit my skin. I looked around and saw a few more sparse droplets landing on the roof.

"It's starting to rain."

He sighed. "I was hoping it wouldn't do that today."

"I like the rain."

Leo chuckled, nimbly kissing me before saying: "Let's head inside."

I repacked the food that was on the blanket, and it started to rain a little heavier by the time we were walking back in. He grabbed everything from me and removed the brick that was keeping the door open.

We weren't allowed up there, but he said he does it all the time. 'Everyone' does.

"Can you grab the key out of my pocket?" Leo asked once we reached his floor.

"I'd love to," I said slyly, and he narrowed his eyes, catching onto what I might mean.

"...Watch your hands."

"Sure," I continued.

"I will drop everything," Leo warned right as I slipped my hand into his pocket.

"See," I took out the key, "innocent."

"Totally," he said sarcastically.

I unlocked the door, letting us both inside. He went to put away the leftovers in the kitchen, while I and the key went into his room. He has it on a chain with the letter "L" written in black marker. I want to get him other things to put on it...

"Leo," I say when he walks in, "If we were older, would I have a key to your apartment?"

"By now? Yeah," he replied easily, and I couldn't help but smile at his confident answer. "You're so-" he shook his head and laughed, allowing that to fill in the blank.

I sat on his bed, and he walked over to all of his CDs and cassettes. They're the most organized thing in his room, and he selected what he wanted to play almost immediately.

"Mood music?" I smirked when I heard the mix I made him.

"Figured you'd be into it." He put his hand out, inviting me to dance with him.

"I'm starting to think you actually like dancing."

He nodded. "With you."

With me.

I hugged him instead of putting my hands on his shoulders. My head against his chest, I felt him laugh while rocking us back and forth until I made it easier to move.

We had no set steps and simply pranced around the small strip of his bedroom, David Bowie resonating off the walls and us twirling with his voice.

Leo dipped me and smiled when I came face to face with him again, and I like being face to face so much...

I pushed him into bed by the second verse.

He laid back, waiting for me to come close enough for him to bring me down beside him. My leg went over his waist, and he cupped my face in his hands, smiling with his lips against mine. If we could be like this forever...

My hand crept down his body until I reached his belt buckle. He pulled back slightly, but kissed me again before I could miss him. When it was fully undone, he broke the kiss and looked off at the clock on his nightstand.

"Am I wasting your time?" I asked with a hint of laughter.

"No...I want to do this."

"Then what's wrong?"

Leo sighed, reluctant to tell me. "I have to go."

"Wait...you're leaving?"

"Only for a little while," he said quickly. "I'll be back. You can stay here, I won't be long."

"What's going on?"

"There's something I have to do."

"What is it?"

"Don't worry, okay?"

He got up, leaving me alone in the bed. I almost hoped he was joking, but he put a black sweatshirt on over his clothes and slipped his shoes back on.

"You promised me..." I said softly.

"Heather, I have to."

"No...you don't."

"I love you. I'll be back."

"From where?"

A horn honks outside, and Leo looks through his blinds to see who it is.

"Stay here," he said, taking the key off of his nightstand.

"No."

I followed after him despite his protesting. We raced down the stairs arguing back and forth with me asking 'where are you going?' And him responding with 'don't worry about it,' as if that doesn't make me worry more.

Danny stood outside of the van like he'd grab Leo and throw him in the back of it if he had to. I know this is your fault. And although you're normally dressed in only dark colors, there has to be a reason the dark I see is also a hoodie and a hat instead of your normal leather jacket.

"What are you making him do?" I asked, and he rolled his eyes. I hate you.

"It's not like that," Leo answered on his behalf.

"What are you doing?" He ignored me, walking over to the passenger side. "Leo," I said, panicked. "If you get in that van..." he looks back at me, waiting for me to finish... "it's over."

"Heather..."

"You promised me." What happened to you keeping your promises?

"Leo, bro. We have to go now," Danny cut in.

"You don't have to," I pleaded.

"Butterfly..."

"Please don't." The tears started to flow down my face, and he hesitated...but kept backing away. "Fine," I said, my voice shallow. "You made your choice."

I'm going to throw up.

Headlights catch my eye, and Danny's van starts pulling up to the curb.

There is a God.

I sighed, taking a deep breath in and out as I tried to calm my nerves.

"Oh, thank fuck. I was pissing myself thinking you were leaving me hanging," I admitted.

Danny shook his head. "Wouldn't do that."

Leo looks the way I felt 2 minutes ago. "You okay?" I ask in concern.

"Yeah, let's just hurry up and be done with this," he replied.

"He's gotta get back to Heather," Danny added.

"Right. 6 months," I lightly punched his arm, "Congratulations."

I turn to lead them up to the apartment this dude is supposed to be hiding out in. They said he's shifty, the George Washington of drug-addicted thieves, retreating instead of facing anyone.

The building is trashed— probably filled with addicts and people too poor to live anywhere other than with the rats. His door is under a flickering hall light, it's almost like it was pointing us right to him.

Danny and Leo stand off to the side so they can't be seen.

I hear the TV on inside, but when I knock, no one comes to open it.

"Hello?" I knocked again.

"Who are you?"

I look directly at the peephole. "Maintenance."

"I didn't call for any repairs."

"Building manager wanted me to check the filters in the vents. It's getting hot out, if they're not changed, airflow might stop," I said, and he still didn't open the door. "You don't want to be in there 12 in the afternoon on a hot day, no A.C."

He finally reveals himself.

"Hold on a sec," he looked me up and down. "What happened to the last guy?"

"I hate when people ask me that," I sighed— and then pulled a gun from out of my pants. "Alright, look, Dane needs his stuff back. Just hand it over, and we'll leave. Nothing else has to go down."

"Hey, man, I don't know what you're talking about-"

He makes a break for the balcony, grabbing a bag off of his couch before heading out of the door.

"For fuck's sake." I didn't think I'd have to chase anybody down fire escapes tonight. He probably had this escape route in mind for a while.

"We'll go back down and try to cut him off. You stay on him," Danny said with haste before running down the hall, Leo not a second behind him.

Right.

Even if we lose him, I'll at least know what direction he went.

I run onto the balcony and can hear the clanging of him still climbing down.

"I'm gonna fucking catch you," I called out to him.

The rails and stairs are wet from the rain, I'm glad it makes him move slower but I'm not going very fast either.

His feet hit the ground with a splash, and I groaned internally, questioning whether or not I'd sprain something if I just jump from where I'm at.

I climbed down a little further and then made the leap instead of using the ladder.

"Come on, you'd rather deal with Dane than me?" I said loudly since he was so far ahead.

"What are you, a moron?" He turned to look at me, so I stopped running toward him. "I don't know what you think you're doing. But he doesn't want me alive, and if you're not gonna shoot, then you're dead too."

"He just wants his shit."

"No," the dude shook his head and was about to take off again, but Danny and Leo came running from around the building and paused when they saw him only a few feet in front.