The week came and went and before I knew it, Friday was here and I had no plans. I was stuck at home with only Netflix to keep me company while Mia was out on a date for the second time this week. Was I jealous? Honestly, just a tad. But I'm happy for her, I am. And I'm more than okay with staying home and watching random crap on Netflix all by myself. Although a part of me does yearn for someone to keep me company. Times like this, makes me wish we had a pet. I'd even take a fish at this point. They're not cute or cuddly but at least I wouldn't be watching Netflix all by myself.

God, I'm pathetic. I need to get a life and stat.

I change into some comfy clothes and make my way into the living room where I turn on my Wii and log into Netflix. I flip through tons of movies and TV shows before I finally settle on a romantic comedy that piques my interest. I lay down on the couch and sigh in contempt as the movie starts playing and just when I am starting to get comfortable a knock sounds on the door. I contemplate ignoring it but decide against it when the person knocks again.

"Coming," I yell as a third knock raps on the door. I pull the door open and am not all that surprised when I see Nate standing there. He's the only neighbor who really says more to us than just a simple hello. "Hey," I greet him.

"Hi," he responds and nervously rubs the back of his neck as he looks me up and down.

"Is something wrong?" I ask him, feeling worried.

"No, I actually was going to call you until I realized I didn't have your number, which is technically your fault since you never called or texted me when I gave you my business card so I came over instead," he says with a grin.

"I never called or texted you because you followed me to the beach, remember?"

"Oh, yeah! That's my bad," he says ruefully.

"It is your bad," I say with a laugh. "Do you have your phone on you right now?"

"Yeah." He pulls his phone out of his pocket and when he is ready I tell him my number by heart. "Got it and since I'm here I might as well ask you in person what I wanted to ask you over the phone."

"I'm listening."

"You can say no. Especially since it's last minute."

"Go on."

"My friends are having a bonfire at the beach and...well, I was wondering if you wanted to come with me."

"Sure, that sounds like fun," I say enthusiastically. I'd much rather spend the night at the beach with him than stay home by myself and watch Netflix, which is something I can do any day of the week.

"Really?"

"Unless you changed your mind."

"No. Not at all," he responds sounding relieved.

"What time are you planning on leaving?"

"Whenever you're ready. I'm already dressed and ready to go myself, but take all the time you need. I can wait," he tells me and I appraise his outfit, which consists of a pair of black cargo shorts, a white tank top and a pair of Converse. It's all very casual, but it looks really good on him.

"I shouldn't be long. Do you want to come in while I get ready?" I ask him and he looks unsure about entering. "I don't bite. I promise," I reassure him and he smirks.

"That's too bad," he responds with a grin as he steps into my apartment.

"I can be persuaded though," I tell him with a wink.

"That's good to know," he says with a devilish grin that wreaks havoc.

"If you say so." I gesture for him to sit on the couch. "Please make yourself at home and feel free to watch anything on Netflix while I get ready," I tell him and hand him the controller to the Wii.

"Thanks."

"My pleasure." I leave him and make my way to my room where I lock the door behind me. I quickly pick out an outfit and pair my black denim shorts with a red tank top.

I walk into my bathroom and head straight for my makeup, wanting to cover up all my flaws but decide against it because I am tired of hiding behind my makeup. Yes, it makes me feel somewhat pretty but makeup isn't everything, so I decide to go natural.

I start to second guess myself when I think about meeting some of Nate's friends, but then again this isn't a date and I'm not trying to make an impression. And the last thing I want Nate to think is that I am trying too hard, so I go sans makeup. He and his friends can think what they want. I'm going natural and that's that.

I grab my phone, my ID and some cash, and put them in my pocket before walking back into the living room where I see that Nate is watching Penelope, the same movie we had been watching when he nearly kissed me. I shake off the memory and gently touch Nate's shoulder. He jumps as soon as I touch him, and I nearly break into laughter but resist the urge. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine. Are you ready to go?" he asks me and I nod. "Let's go then." He turns off the Wii and the TV and follows me out of my apartment. I lock it behind us before following him to his car, which I'm seeing for the first time, because last time he gave us a lift to the restaurant he took us too, I didn't really pay attention to it. But I am now and I am genuinely surprised. And I'm not surprised because it's a black Ford Mustang, but because it's brand spankin' new. The car itself fits him. It goes with his bad boy aura, but what I don't understand is how he can afford a brand new car. It must have cost him an arm and a leg.

"Nice car," I comment and he grins like the proud owner he is.

"Thanks. She's my baby."

"It just had to be a she," I mutter under my breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." I lie. "Do we need to pick up anything from the store before we head to the beach?"

"Don't worry. I already took care of it."

"Are you sure? There's nothing else your friends need?"

"No. All you need to worry about is having fun at the beach."

"Fine but don't say I didn't offer."

"Never." He opens the passenger door for me and I thank him before getting in. He closes the door once I am settled in and then walks around the front of the Mustang. I, of course, watch him every step of the way until he is seated next to me. "Take a picture. It'll last longer," he tells me as he starts up his car and I can't help but scoff.

"I was not looking at you," I lie.

"Sure you weren't."

"I wasn't."

"You keep telling yourself that," he retorts and I scoff.

"You are clearly full of yourself."

"No, I'm just observant," he tells me with a grin before driving off in direction of the beach.

"I agree to disagree."

"Of course you do."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all," Nate tells me with a mischievous grin.

"Tell me."

"Nope."

"You suck," I mutter under my breath and he chuckles.

"I do love to suck," he says with a wink and I gasp.

"Not everything is a sexual innuendo."

"It's not but I like making you squirm."

"They do not."

"Keep telling yourself that," he says with a grin and I roll my eyes.

"How's Gracie?" I ask him, changing the subject.

"Excited as can be. You can't even imagine just how much she's looking forward to her next appointment with you."

"I'm glad. I can't wait to see her again."

"Well, you're going to see her real soon, because she's going to be at the bonfire tonight."

"Really?" I ask surprised but at the same time feel relieved, because that means that Nate won't be the only person I know at the bonfire.

"Yeah. We both have a lot of friends in common, so we hang out all the time."

"That's awesome. I wish I could do that."

"Do you not get along well with your siblings?" he asks curiously.

"I'm an only child, so, unfortunately, I don't have any siblings."

"Don't worry. I'll lend you, Gracie, as often as you want," he tells me with a grin.

"I don't think she'd like that very much."

"Believe me. She would," Nate assures me.

"Well I appreciate the offer, but I think we should let Gracie decide that for herself," I respond with a laugh.

"You're probably right and even if she does annoy me sometimes, I still love her and wouldn't trade her for anything in the world. Just don't ever tell her that, because she'll never let me hear the end of it."

"Don't worry. It's our little secret," I tell him and hold out my pinky finger to him. "Pinky promise?"

He looks at my finger for a few seconds and gives in, wrapping his pinky around mine. He smiles at the childish promise we are making and repeats, "Pinky promise."

"How long has it been since you made a promise like that?" I ask him curiously.

"You mean a pinky promise?"

I nod.

"I'd have to say many, many years. The last time I made one was probably in Elementary school, and I don't even remember what it was about."

"Well, I promise to never tell Gracie for as long as I live."

"Or at least until you forget?"

"Believe me. I won't forget." I couldn't. Not when he said something so sweet about his sister. To me, his words just proved what a sweet guy he is.

"I don't mind just as long as Gracie never hears what I said."

"You should tell her. I'm sure she'd be happy if you did."

"No promises."

"Fair enough."

We sit in silence the rest of the drive while music plays in the background, but it isn't an awkward silence. We just don't feel the need to fill the silence with unnecessary chatter, and simply enjoy each other's company.

"We're here," Nate announces as he pulls into an empty parking spot.

"I know. I can't wait," I respond giddily.

"Luckily for you, the wait is over." He gets out of the driver side and I quickly follow after him, not wanting to stay in the car.

"Need some help?" I ask him as he grabs a few bags from his trunk along with two foldable chairs.

"Nope, I got it but thanks."

"At least let me carry something," I practically beg so he hands me the lightest bag.

"Happy?"

"I don't know whether I should be happy or offended right now? I can carry way more than this. You're insulting my strength," I tell him and he chuckles.

"I can carry everything just fine, but I appreciate your offer to help."

"You're welcome," I say it as more of a question and he laughs.

Nate walks in direction of the bonfire that burns the brightest and for both our sakes I just hope he knows where he is going. Nothing would be more embarrassing than walking up to the wrong group of people. But he seems intent on getting to that specific bonfire, so I follow him and see that the fire pit is surrounded by at least a dozen people, who are either sitting in chairs or on top of blankets while some of them just stand around talking.

I take all of it in and notice that some of the people are already staring at me, which isn't all that surprising since none of them really know me. I ignore their stares and help Nate drop off what he brought. We place it where everyone has their stuff. Right as we finish putting everything down, Gracie spots me from where she is sitting on a chair. She immediately runs over to me and pulls me in for a hug.

"I didn't know you were coming, but am so glad you're here," she tells me sincerely and I gladly hug her back. She is seriously the sweetest.

"Yeah, it was kind of last minute, but I'm really happy to see you," I tell her sincerely.

"Me too! Now come with me. I want you to meet my fiancé."

"I'll see you around," Nate tells me with a big grin as Gracie pulls me away from his side. I simply smile back and fall into step with Gracie as she leads the way.

"I'm so glad you're getting along well with my little brother," Gracie says as soon as we leave Nate behind.

"Yeah, he's great."

"Just great?" she questions me and I can't help but smile. She's clearly taking her big sister role very seriously right now.

"What were you hoping to hear? A love confession?"

"Not so much a love confession, but the simple truth. You like him and he clearly likes you back. Yet you're both just friends."

"We're taking things slow."

"Clearly but that's probably for the best."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because sometimes it's good to take things slow. It makes the wait worth it," she tells me with a smile.

"You really think so?"

"I know so," she responds with a wink just as we walk up to a pair of guys. "Hey Jare, I have someone I want you to meet," Gracie tells the blonde guy with green eyes. He immediately abandons his conversation with the other guy and turns towards her. He looks at her with so much adoration in his eyes, I can't help but feel slightly envious of their love. It's so evident. You can see it in the way they look at each other. Her fiancé looks at me and then back at Gracie. "Jare, meet Alexa. She's Nate's neighbor and now one of our very good friends," she tells him and he fixes his gaze back on me.

"It's nice to meet you and my names Jared, not Jare. Gracie just has a knack for giving everyone nicknames," he tells me with a dimpled smile and holds out his hands towards me. I shake it and look over at Gracie to see that she is clearly amused by his comment.

"Yeah, I learned that a few days ago when she called Nate by his nickname," I inform him and he grins at her.

"Oh, you must mean, Natie," Jared says with a laugh, and I can't help but laugh along with him.

"What about me?" Nate asks as he walks up to us and stands next to me.

"Nothing," Gracie responds with a laugh and sidles up to Jared's side. Jared wraps his arm around her shoulder and pulls her in closer, so there is no room left between them. I smile at the adorable sight they make and am glad that they have each other. They are clearly perfect for each other.

"What were they saying about me?" Nate asks me and I shrug my shoulders.

"I have no clue," I lie with a big grin and he just smiles and laughs, not believing a word I said.

"Hey! Mind if I get in on this conversation?" I hear a female voice ask and turn to see a beautiful brown-eyed brunette standing on the other side of Nate.

"Perfect timing," Gracie pipes up. "Alexa, meet Miranda, my maid of honor."

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," she tells me but the moment I look into her dark brown eyes, I can't help but feel that she isn't sincere. Either way, it's none of my business. She is Gracie's friend and I respect that no matter how fake she comes off.

"It's nice to meet you too," I respond politely but by that point, her eyes are already fixated on Nate.

"Nate, it's been way too long," she tells him as she practically devours him whole with her eyes. "You've changed so much since the last time I saw you."

"It's only been over a year," Nate replies with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"But it feels so long," she responds with an annoying whine to her voice and hugs him. The moment she wraps her claws around him, I can't help but want to pry her off of him but resist the urge because it isn't my place. He's not mine to protect.

Nate looks over at me and practically begs me with his eyes to get him away from her, and I being the good friend that I am can't say no to that, not when he is the one who is doing the asking. "Hey Nate, can you show me where the drinks are?" I ask him, making up an excuse to get Miranda to leave him alone.

"Yeah, of course. Miranda, I have to go, but I'll see you around," he tells her and she reluctantly lets him go.

"Fine but don't leave without saying goodbye," she tells him but he doesn't bother responding. Instead, he grabs my hand and leads me away from them. Although, the only person he really wants to get away from is Miranda.

"That was interesting," I comment as Nate gets me a soda from the cooler.

"Don't get the wrong idea."

"Whatever do you mean?" I tease him, wanting to lighten the mood.

"I mean that I don't like her. Never have. Never will."

"Understood," I respond nonchalant but he does not even know how relieved his answer makes me. I was so worried when she practically attached herself to him, but I'm so glad he doesn't like her the way she obviously likes him.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Nate asks me all of a sudden and I happily agree, wanting to put as much distance between us and Miranda as we can.

"I'd love too." I take off my shoes and socks and place them by Nate's stuff, wanting to feel the sand underneath my toes. He does the same and when he is ready, he gestures for me to walk in front and he follows after me as we make our way around his friends.

"Thanks for inviting me," I tell him gratefully as we walk further and further away from his group of friends.

"If anything, thanks for coming on such short notice."

"It wasn't that last minute..." I start and he gives me a look that tells me not to lie to him. "Okay, maybe it was a bit last minute, but I was more than happy to come," I reassure him.

"I'm sorry you had to meet Miranda," he apologizes.

"She's not that bad," I lie and he clearly doesn't believe me.

"She's not just bad. She's terrible."

"I don't know her that well, so I'd rather give her the benefit of the doubt," I tell him and I mean every word of it because there's nothing I hate more than judging others. I try my hardest not to judge others because I have been judged all my life by complete strangers and even people who know me and it hurts, so I don't want to judge others when I don't like being judged myself.

"I'm glad you're not quick to judge. I'll admit I'm not Miranda's biggest fan, but I've known her a lot longer than you, so I've unfortunately come to know her for who she is."

"Is she that bad?"

"When she takes an interest in you, she's the worst."

"So I'm guessing that means she likes you."

"Too much, unfortunately," he says with a sigh and just the thought of her with Nate makes me angry. And it shouldn't. He's not mine, I remind myself.

"But you don't like her, right?" I ask him, needing to hear it from his own mouth.

"No, not at all," he responds, putting me at ease for the time being, but I know that feelings can always change and I wouldn't put it past Miranda to try to get her way with him. "Let's forget about Miranda and talk about something else," Nate says and I gladly accept, wanting to forget all about Miranda even if it's only for the time being.

"Would you rather burn alive or freeze to death?" I ask out of the blue, trying to change the subject and he gives me a funny look.

"What kind of question is that?" he asks back.

"Just answer the question."

"I think I'd rather freeze to death. Actually, I'd rather burn to death. Fuck, I really don't know," he finally says in an exasperated voice.

"That's okay. It's a tough question to answer," I tell him and smile at his obvious frustration.

"Would you rather live in a world where there are no problems or in a world where you rule?"

"That's too easy. I'd rather live in a world where there are no problems. I'm all for world peace," I respond honestly.

"Me too."

"My turn. Would you rather find true love or ten billion dollars?" I ask him curiously, wondering just what his answer will be. I know I would say true love in a heartbeat but would he?

"True love," he answers without any hesitation and steps in front of me, so he can look me dead in the eyes. I feel my heartbeat kick into full gear and swallow back nervously as he gazes into my eyes. "Now it's my turn."