"Are you sure you can't come tonight?" Mike asked as soon as my tray made contact with the table. We were the first two at our spot at lunch, and Mike looked like a train ran him over.

"Mom has me on lockdown until Charlie catches my anonymous stalker," I said, giving him a sad smile. I knew he secretly wanted me to go to keep Jacob away from Bella.

"That really sucks. What are you doing tonight then?"

"Probably bake chocolate chip cookies with Mom and watch Hallmark Christmas movies. My grandma sent me a ton over Christmas break and I haven't watched all of them yet."

"It's February," he pointed out. "Christmas was two months ago... shouldn't you be watching movies based on Valentine's Day now?"

"I know Christmas was two months ago," I laughed. "I'm a sucker for any kind of romantic movie, okay? It doesn't matter what time of year it is."

"You're so weird, Leaf."

"Leave me to my Christmas romances in peace!"

"Okay." Mike threw his hands in surrender, laughing along.

"What's so funny?" Bella asked as she and Angela took their seats.

"Mike's making fun of me for watching Christmas movies in February."

"There's nothing wrong with that," Angela defended me, turning to pretend glare at Mike. "If I remember right, somebody stayed home from school sick last year in March and watched Home Alone and A Christmas Story."

"Hey, those are classics!" Mike said defensively, causing us to laugh even harder.

"Hey Watson," Noah said as he slid into the seat next to Mike. "Are you busy tonight?"

Angela shared a look with Bella, both of them glancing at me. I knew they were thinking as I caught the smiles from the corner of my eye.

"Unless you mean her Christmas movie marathon and chocolate chip cookies," Mike said before I could say anything, winking at the girls.

"Those are my favorites!" Noah smirked, his eyes twinkling with laughter. "I was actually wondering if we could squeeze in an extra study session for our Biology test on Monday. Coach is worried about my grade slipping and I really want to play baseball in April."

"Well we wouldn't want you to not make the team... what would the world do if our star pitcher couldn't play?" I teased, rolling my eyes jokingly. "Sure, we can get together for another study session. That's what lab partners are for, after all."

"Awesome, I appreciate it. I have open gym after school, so does 5:30 work?"

"Yeah. I'll let my mom know you'll be over for dinner when I see her at the bakery later."

"Meatloaf?"

"Lasagna."

"Even better." Noah beamed. "See ya later, Watson. Friends."

With a salute and a wink, Noah left for his table of friends. Angela and Bella openly stared at me, their eyes widened in surprise.

"What?" I asked confused.

"Noah will be at your house for dinner?" Bella tilted her head.

"Yes? He comes over to study and Mom makes him a plate if he's there around dinnertime." I rolled my eyes for the second time. "That's not new information... why are you guys making it weird?"

"Come on, Leaf. Do you need glasses?" Mike snorted. "He's not just coming over to study for Biology... he's coming over to spend time with you and bonding with your mom. The guy's in love with you."

"No, he's not." I scoffed.

"Whatever you say, kid." Mike shrugged, turning his attention to his food.

"He's not." I turned to Angela and Bella. "Is he?"

They both shrugged, neither of them having an answer. I sighed and slumped into my chair, my eyes glancing over to Noah as I tried to figure out if Mike was right. His eyes met mine and he smiled like he could read my thoughts from across the cafeteria.

* * * * *

The scent of warm chocolate chip cookies wafted through the house as the sound of the dishwasher running through a cycle hummed through the air. Mom was up to her elbows in flour in the kitchen as Noah and I took over the living room. Textbooks and binders covered the coffee table as we quizzed each other over the unit of cell biology.

"What is... a zygote?" I asked, making sure Noah couldn't see the answer on the back of my flashcard from where he was sitting.

"It's, uh, the..." Noah furrowed his brow as he concentrated. "The result of fertilization."

"Right! See, you know your stuff. You're going to ace this test and make the baseball team." I grinned.

"Only because my Biology partner is a freaking genius. Seriously, those sports comparisons earlier were really helpful. Thanks." Noah returned a smile, his cheeks revealing a faint pink tint.

"Are you blushing?" My eyes widened with humor as I giggled, feigning shock. "I made the Noah Lodgeman blush?"

"Oh, knock it off." He threw a paper ball at me, laughing.

"Wait until I tell the girls. They're going to be sooo jealous," I teased.

"I think the only one who might be is Jessica," Noah replied, leaning against the couch. "Probably because Mike broke up with her and besides you, she's the only single one in the group."

"Bella's single." I pointed out.

"Yeah, but we all know her heart's spoken for, even if nobody talks about it." He gave a one-shoulder shrug. "Everyone knew... it's a small high school."

"Fair point." I sighed.

"Not to mention that other kid... the one who doesn't go to our school. He's crushing on her big time, anyone can see that whenever he's in town just by the look on his face. He lights up like the sun when he smiles at her... I don't think Bella even realizes it."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." I tried to sound nonchalant as my heart constricted at Noah's words. He must have sensed the change in my mood because he quickly changed the subject.

"Anyway, I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate you being so patient with me when it comes to studying for Biology. I got really lucky getting you as a lab partner."

"Now you're just sucking up." I laughed as Mom poked her head around the door, giving us a slight smile.

"Hey Noah, your mom's on the phone."

"Oh, crap. I promised I'd watch my brother tonight," Noah glanced at the clock on the wall as he got to his feet. "I probably should tell her I'm on my way home."

He disappeared into the kitchen for a few minutes, his voice carrying out to the living room in a low murmur. I began to gather my notes as he walked back into the room, gathering his own stuff.

"Thanks for dinner, Mrs. Watson." Noah beamed at my mom as we headed to the front door. "The lasagna was amazing, as usual."

"Why thank you, Noah. Tell your mom I said hello and don't let your brother eat all of these at once." She handed him a container of cookies.

"I'll walk you outside," I said, grabbing my jacket off the hook. Noah held the door open and we stepped outside, the door clicking shut behind us.

"Thank you for helping me tonight. I know it wasn't exactly how you wanted to spend your Friday night." Noah said, glancing down the road before meeting my eyes.

"Hey, anytime you need a study partner, I'm here." I reassured him. "I guess hanging out with you is alright. Aside from you know, all the sports references."

"You have to admit, they're growing on you."

"I'll never admit that out loud." I laughed. "Seriously, though. Tonight was actually fun, so thank you."

Noah smiled, his eyes not leaving my face. We stood there, staring at each other, unable to be the first to say good night. As if pulled by an invisible magnet, Noah lowered his head slowly, his eyes asking me a question I hadn't realized I had already answered by tilting my head upward.

Just as the distance between us got smaller, a beam of light cut across the porch, causing us to jump away from each other. I turned as the beam swung across the lawn and realized the light came from the headlights of a passing vehicle.

The truck in question had slowed down in front of the house and I mentally swore as I made eye contact with the driver, who turned his gaze from me to glare coldly at Noah before speeding away into the night.

Jacob Black just interrupted my first kiss in almost two years, and if looks could kill, the guilty party would be lying lifeless across my porch.

Gathering my wits despite the pounding in my chest, I stepped away from Noah and looked over his shoulder to see Bella standing on her porch, watching Jacob's tail lights disappear down the road. Thirty seconds later, the porch light at the Swans' residence flashed on and off three times, our signal for the other to come over immediately.

"I'm so sorry, Noah. I have to go... I'll see you Monday!" I said as I began to run down the steps, slowing down enough to turn around and wave goodbye. "You're going to do great on the test!"

"Bye, Autumn." I heard him call as I continued to run down the sidewalk, the disappointment and confusion evident in his voice.

I shoved the guilt away as I made my way to Bella's, ignoring the voice in my head calling me an idiot for running away; for once, I agreed with it.