A thousand thoughts, a million feelings, less than a centimeter space between us…

And my phone decided it was the perfect moment to go off.

I jumped, startled at hearing a sound other than my heavy breathing. Reece stepped back, creating an unwelcomed space between us. Tearing my eyes away from his penetrating gaze, I picked up my phone where it lay, abandoned, on the table.

I let out a shaky laugh, trying my best to compose myself. “So, when it rings I answer, right?” 

Reece made his way to his room. He smiled at me when he opened the door. “Incredible, isn’t it?”

For a moment, I was just completely stunned by his smile. I failed to reply immediately. His smile was just… 

“Absolutely mind blowing.” I whispered, watching him go inside and shut the door behind him. Realizing my phone was still ringing, I quickly flipped it open and brought it to my ear.

Breathe, Chloe. Breathe.

“Hello?”

“Chloe!” Allie squealed excitedly, “Oh my God, I have so much to tell you!”

~*~

All I had ever wanted in my life was not to be woken up on a Saturday morning.

"Yo, loser. Get up."

But apparently, that was way too much to ask for.

"Mho mphay." I mumbled into my pillow, still half asleep. I sunk in deeper into the bed and flung the bed sheets over my head, hoping Reece would be considerate enough to acknowledge my laziness and leave me at peace.

A second later, the covers were drew away, and my entire body was covered in goose bumps.

I jumped up instantly, now becoming fully awake and alert, grabbed a jumper and threw it on, still shivering. “You’re such a jerk, Reece!” I hissed, narrowing my eyes at him.

Reece acknowledge something? What was I thinking?

He didn’t say anything back. In fact, now that I rubbed my eyes and took a proper look at him; he looked slightly pissed off.

Great. I wonder what I did this time.

I gave him a questioning look, expecting him to enlighten me as to why he seemed as if he was ready to kick me out of his house. Instead, he just turned around and walked out of my room with no explanation.

Sighing, I ran my fingers through my messy morning hair and followed him down the stairs, not even bothering to take a look in the mirror. Walking past the kitchen, Reece made his way to his backyard with me hot on his heels.

The moment I stepped outside into the chilly morning air, I was instantly greeted by Oscar, who made no attempt to hide his excitement and jump on me. "Hey Oscar!" I cooed, scratching the back of his ear, "Did you miss me, boy?"

I smiled as Oscar wagged his tail and ran circles around me. A moment later he barked and sprinted off to where Reece had his back turned to me, concentrating at something below him.

Reece’s hands formed into fists as he let out a deep breath. “Chloe,” He gritted through his teeth, “Mind explaining what the fuck happened here?”

He took a step to the side, revealing his dog, Bella.

And that’s when I finally noticed it.

My eyes widened as both my hands covered my open mouth. “No way!”

Bella was-

“Your dog knocked up my dog!” Reece managed to make out, throwing his hands up in disbelief and muttering some colourful language.

“Or maybe she's just obese?” I suggested brightly, trying my best not to laugh at how pissed off Reece looked as he continued to glare at me. I snorted, unable to control myself. “Or maybe, she just ate dirt?”

Reece scowled back at me. “Dirt?”

“Yeah. Lots of it.”

“Chloe. I swear-”

I giggled at how infuriated this was making him, “Relax, Reece, what's the big deal anyway? Think of this this way, Bella's having PUPPIES!" I cried excitedly, jumping in joy.

Reece, however, didn't seem to share a mutual feeling.

"Really? Wow. I was expecting her to pop out baby crocodiles."

I rolled my eyes at how dramatic he was being.

"As if you hadn't had your sex-drived mutt desexed." He muttered loud enough for me to hear.

I gaped at him, feeling offended and slightly angry.

Without thinking, I grabbed a hose that was lying around on the ground and drenched him in water.

No one talks about my baby boy like that. 

Except maybe me.

But that's only when Oscar wakes me up on a Saturday morning.

"What the fuck, Chloe?!" Reece yelled. In an instant, he was standing in front of me, his green eyes darkening with rage as he stepped forward and towered over me. Drops of water fell from his wet hair and fell down his perfect face. I watched, enchanted, as my heart pounded against my chest.

I tried to keep my cool, remembering last night’s events. "Before you even think about insulting my dog, remember, it was yours that couldn't keep its legs closed." I retorted, shrugging.

And for the first time this morning, Reece shot me an amused smirk. “Or else what?” He challenged, looking entertained. His mouth was slightly chattering, making me instantly feel guilty for soaking him in cold water when the weather was already wintry. As hard as he tried to hide it, Reece was slightly shivering, but he still had his eyes locked onto mine.

My heartbeat quickened.

A part of me felt more and more timid under his piercing gaze.

And then there was another part of me was kind of turned on.

“I-uh-I’ll spray you, again.” I told him, bringing the hose up like a gun, trying to focus on anything other than his soft-looking pink lips as they tilted into his award-winning smirk.

Reece chuckled, his breaths coming in short puffs, “You’re cute when you’re trying to be threatening.”

I blushed and held the hose up higher, “Aren’t I intimidating enough for you?” I asked, laughing.

“Yeah, babe. I’m petrified.” Reece answered, sounding bored.

I sprayed him with cold water again.

He stood there in front of me with his mouth open in shock, as my laughter was most likely able to be heard by the whole neighborhood. Before I could even register what happened, he had snatched the hose from my grasp and had a muscled arm snaked around my waist.

“Your turn.” He breathed in my ear, before completely soaking me from head to toe with icy water. A scream left my lips as the chilled liquid ran down my spine. I couldn’t stop myself from giggling as I tried squirming away from Reece’s hold as he continued to pour water over me.

I began reaching for the hose, completely unaware that I was unintentionally pressing my body against his to stretch for it. Reece had a breathtaking smirk on his lips as he unceasingly continued to laugh with so much amusement.

Our dogs began jumping on us and circling between our legs. With Reece still holding on to me and us trying not to step on our dogs, we promptly lost our balance and fell…

In the mud.

With the wet, slippery mixture of Earth and water in our hair, on our faces and on our clothes, we just stayed lying on the ground and smiled at one another.

Click!

Both of our heads snapped up to the direction of the owner of an iPhone, that now held a highly attractive photo of me in the most sophisticated manner.

Valentino smirked teasingly, “You guys take the phrase, ‘getting down and dirty’, to a whole other level.”

I hastily got to my feet and sprinted to where he was, “Hey Val, wanna hug?” I asked cheekily, opening my arms wide and inching towards him.

“You’re funny.”

Reece was by my side in a second, snickering, “Yeah, group hug. Waddya’ say, man?”

Valentino scrunched up his face in disgust, “Fuck, no. That’s just nasty. Back the fuck up and go take a shower.” He gestured between us and smiled impishly, “Take one together and save water, I’ll be in the car.”

Valentino left us, as we continued to grin as his retreating back.

“So, what are we going to do with the puppies?” I asked as we entered the house.

Reece sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, but he didn’t seem annoyed or angry anymore. “Sell them and split the money?”

I nodded and watched him walk up the stairs. The doorbell rang and Reece turned around with an adorable pleading look on his face. “Can you get that? It’s probably Val, he must have forgotten something.”

“Sure.”

Walking slowly to prevent the house getting muddy, I opened the front door expecting to see Valentino.

Instead I was met with dark green eyes, as beautiful, captivating and identical as Reece’s.

I blinked, momentarily stunned as I took in the man before me. Tall, dark and handsome…the man was somewhere in his mid 40’s as he stood at the door in a suit that screamed expensive.

Almost immediately, I knew who this man was.

Completely covered in wet soil, I was looking in the eyes of Reece’s father.

Wow, talk about great first impressions, yeah?

“H-Hi.” I stuttered, feeling like an absolute idiot. My cheeks warmed up, but I doubted Mr. Carter would have noticed under the pile of mud that concealed my face.

To say he looked confused was the greatest understatement of the century.

He glanced at a yellow sticky note in his hands and did a double take. “Hi, have I got the right address?” He asked, showing me the piece of paper.

17 Scarlett Avenue

I nodded, “Yeah, that’s correct. I’m just a…um…” Words were not forming in my mouth as I remembered Aurora and Reece fighting that other night. I let out a deep breath, “I’m actually Aurora’s neighbor, I’m just staying here while my parents are away.”

The man chuckled, “I see. Well, I hope they’re not making you sleep in the backyard with Bella.” He commented, gesturing towards my dirty state.

I laughed along with him, “Oh this?” I asked, motioning at myself, “I was just doing some gardening.”

Mr. Carter raised an eyebrow, looking amused. “Gardening?”

“Yeah. Intense gardening.”

“Dad?”

I whipped my head so fast, I almost cranked it.

I wonder how Willow Smith was capable of doing that so many times in her music video without having to resort to some form of neck surgery.

I mentally shook my head and focused on the subject at hand. I looked at Reece and instantly felt my heart break.

It took every amount of self-control in me from running up and hugging him after watching the pained look on his face.

After all, I was still covered in mud, and he had just gotten out of the shower.

“I’m going to…umm…get myself cleaned up…” I trailed and ran up the stairs, refusing to meet Reece’s eyes, even though I was sure they weren’t concentrated on me, but on the man who had left him so many years ago.

~*~

☮ Reece Carter ☮

“So what’s the deal with the girl?”

I shrugged, “She’s just staying here until her ‘rents get back.”

My dad smiled, his wrinkles defining his face. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“What do you mean, then?”

“She’s special to you. She means something to you.”

I didn’t bother denying it. “So?”

His eyes stared back at me like I was looking into the mirror, “Does she feel the same way?”

“I don’t know.” I muttered, looking away.

“She’s a keeper.” My father commented.

I shook my head, “Chloe’s more than that.”

“How so?”

I ran my fingers through my hair, “She’s...she's everything good in this world.”

----

AN - Courtesy of CaeLaura for the beautiful banner on the side! <3

So guys, I'm sorry but this is actually going to be the LAST UPLOAD for a very long time. Exams officially begin tomorrow, that goes on for two and a half weeks ( Wish me luck!!!! :P ). Then it's holidays and I'll actually be going overseas for my cousin's wedding!

So please, stop asking when I'll be uploading, because I don't have a single clue. 

Instead, be creative, do a ONE SHOT - WRITE ABOUT ALLIE & DENIS' DATE !

ANYWAY...For those of you that actually care, you'll never guess what happened with

'Mr. I Don't Smile' today!

So, for the past few Biology lessons, he's been away. So obviously, he's missed out on a whole lot of notes. Also, the Bio room and my locker is on total opposite ends of the school, so by the time I get there, I'm the slightest bit late.

* The teacher's talking to Biology boy *

* I rush through the door and frantically put my books down and take a seat *

* My Bio teacher looks at me...and smirks. *

* My eyes widen in fear. *

"...Hasti can do it." She finishes. The class looks at me. I'm moments away from shitting my pants...well, skirt...you get the drift.

I knot my eyebrows together in confusion, "...Do what?"

And it's 'Mr. I Don't Smile' who answers, making my heart race.

"Since I've been away...and you got one of the highest scores on our test, you have to help me catch up with everything I've missed."

And the only thing running through my mind?

How do humans breathe again?