"Thanks for the ride, Everest."

Although weary of Darrick's change in emotion, I tried to give Everest a smile. He didn't tell me he was coming, then again, he didn't have to. Everest hummed, coming down from the vehicle as well. "I'll walk you to the gate." He offered, walking around to open my side of the door. I held in a blush, jumping down from the truck so I now reached his chest. His eyes trailed to my fingers which I kept playing with, I was nervous.

"Sweetheart." I looked up, it was as though he was shielding me from Darrick. I hummed, not wanting to meet his eye. I didn't want him to get the wrong idea about Darrick. I wasn't scared of him, I simply wondered why he looked so angry. "If you don't want to talk with him, just say so." See?! He was already having the wrong idea! Waving my hands in front of my face, I shook my head rapidly. "No. Evie, it's not that. Not at all." He did not look persuaded, but shrugged anyways. "I'll be here, okay?" My lips curled in awe, a blush warming my cheeks. "Okay," I whispered, barely audible.

"Amelia." Darrick drawled. "Are you hiding from me?" He sounded hurt, and my heart ached at his question. I'd never hide from him, ever! "Darrick, how can you say that?" I inch closer to him, cautiously opening my hands. Did he want a hug? A hug always made me feel better. Darrick let out a harsh breath, pulling me into a warm, tight hug. "I was worried." He breathed against my waist, hands snaking over my waist.

"Why were you worried?" I could feel his sadness from his hug, so I hugged him tighter. "Abel told me you were out with...him. Worry took over." Arching my head in confusion, I let him hug me some more. Everest was the last person I'd feel unsafe with, even if I was out with him at any time of the day. If we were together at night, I was doomed to swim in my needy thoughts; I'd want him to hold me and pull me close. Bad Amelia!

"Evie's safe. I promise. You don't have to be worried."

Darrick pulled away, "Evie?" Disdain coated his scowl. His gaze trailed to Everest who was leaning up against his truck, arms crossed on his chest. "What are you still doing here?" Darrick snarled, pulling me towards him. No...why did they glare at each other? This wasn't what I wanted. Why couldn't they just get along? I place my hand on Darrick's chest, pushing him away when he began inching closer to Everest.

"I'm making sure she enters the house before I go," Everest remarked with a casual shrug.

"Making sure? What? She just met you a week ago and suddenly I'm the threat?" Darrick grimaced, his arms folded. "Darrick, that's enough. You know he didn't mean it that way." Darrick's gaze softened when he met mine. "Amelia. Please don't be so gullible." I flinch at the word, I haven't been called that in a while. It stings. Was I being gullible?

"Look, man. That's enough." Everest said, raising his hands in surrender. "I didn't come here to argue." Darrick chuckled dryly, his body language showing no signs of backing down. "Oh, don't play that card. Abel told me you went to find her a job. I admit that's a good one." He folded his arms. "But really man, acting all innocent is just so sickening. What's next after the job? Ask her for compensation?" Everest's eyes widened a bit, what did he mean by compensation? It seemed like I didn't exist anymore, Their gaze was fixated on each other, jaw clenched and posture defensive.

"What? You don't want her to hear? Whether she knows it or not, you're still a paedophile man."

"Whoa, whoa." Everest held up his hand, coming forward in an instant. "I am not a paedophile." A paedophile? Wasn't that what they call men that were attracted to minors? I mean, I wasn't a minor...

"No? So what do you call this? You left women your age to follow someone who practically graduated high-school only two years ago." Everest tensed up, his eyes narrowing. I watched as he tugged on his hair, "Shit." He swore it seemed like he was having a conflict with himself. "You know I'm right." Darrick taunted with a smirk. Having enough of his harsh words, I push Darrick back, making him stumble. "I said that's enough, Darrick!"

"Open your eyes, Amelia! You know I wouldn't bring this up if it wasn't true! What do you think he wants? To be your friend?" I flinch. "I know he doesn't just want to be my friend, okay? And I'm fine with that! So, please! Stop this or leave my home this instant!" My breath hitched as soon as I finished yelling. Oh no, I didn't mean to have such an outburst! Turning to Everest, I gave him an apologetic stare.

"Everest, I'm sorry about-" He shook his head, interrupting me. "It's fine, swee-ah, Amelia. I'll talk to you later, okay?" My stomach knitted a painful knot. Why didn't he call me sweetheart? Why did he hesitate? And why on earth did he look so conflicted? Everest didn't even hug me, he just nodded his head, walking robotically to his car. My lips stretched a frown, internally begging him to look at me. He didn't, he reversed and sped out of the neighbourhood.

"Good riddance."

My fist clenched, "Darrick, why would you do that?"

"I'm doing this for your own good-"

I shook my head, pushing him out of the way and stomping into the house. Darrick sighed, following after me. When I entered, I was greeted by Abel in the dining. "Hey Amelia, how was the job hunting?" Still angry, I just huffed. "I got the job, I wanna rest." Stomping up the stairs, I try to stop the tears that threatened to spill. Was Everest angry at me? Did that mean he wouldn't keep talking to me? I know he said he would do so, but he looked as though he wanted to say just anything before going.

"Amelia, come on." Why was Darrick still on my tail?

"Leave me alone! I'm mad at you." Before I could close the door of my room, he wedged it with his foot. "Amelia, I'm sorry but—" I didn't want to hear it. All because of his harsh words, Everest looked that way. "How could you call him a paedophile?"

"He's most likely in his thirties, and you're twenty Amelia. Twenty! Don't you think that's a bit off?" I shook my head, I didn't care if I was being gullible. Everest was a good friend to me, even if he had romantic feelings for me, I didn't mind! One step at a time, I was beginning to like him too. So what if he was a bit older? "Darrick." The firmness of my voice surprised both of us.

"Can I please come in?" Refusing was at the tip of my tongue, but I didn't like being angry at him, even though my anger was valid. He was way out of line and now Evie may be mad at me. "If you promise to speak rationally, then yes, I will." Darrick sighed an exaggerated one before putting his right hand to his chest. "Scouts honour."

"You weren't even a scout!"

He chuckled, coming into my room. "Why did you do that? Why were you angry from the onset? Did something happen at home?" He shook his head, "Then what?"

"You know I love you right?" Was he saying this just to coerce me? Of course, I knew! I loved him dearly as well. "Tell me something I don't know." Darrick's lips widened into a smirk, he took my hand and led me to my bed. "All I want is for you not to be taken advantage of."

"Everest wouldn't do that."

"How do you know he won't? Have you know him for that long?" I flinch, shaking my head. Was distance the criteria for these things? I thought it was just a feeling, perhaps I was as gullible as Darrick said. "Darrick..." I held his arm, he tensed against my touch.

"I know it may be too soon, but I trust him. At least a little bit." We shared a stare, it was a silent and intense one. It seemed as though he was searching for every emotion in my eyes. I smiled. I knew he cared, I found it sweet.

"So, please Darrick. Don't pick a fight with him again. Even if you aren't comfortable with him..." I moved closer, holding his chin. "Do it for me." He let out a shaky breath, his gaze holding me in place. "Got it, I'll try." Trying was good enough for me. When I tried moving away, I noticed his palm cupped the shape of my waist. Did he want to say something?

"Amelia..." His words were heavy, lips parted. He seemed to be in a daze. "Can I be selfish, just this once?" My best friend's eyes dropped to my lips, just like mine did to Everest's. "What do you mean?" He pulled me closer.

"I want...to kiss you." My breath hitched. Did best friend kiss? "Darrick..." We were so close, my breath fanned his lips. "Just this once?" I was conflicted. I mean, I hadn't thought of kissing Darrick, not ever. But...if I did kiss him, would that hurt Everest?

He was closing in and in a panic, I nodded.

Just this once.

Darrick smiled, closing the gap between us with a slow kiss. His lips moulded against mine, his hold getting firmer. I could feel my heart thud in my chest. I didn't get butterflies, weren't I supposed to get those? I fluttered my eyes shut, letting him take the lead. I barely knew how to kiss.

His tongue brushed against my bottom lip, and then my tongue. Darrick seemed as though he knew what he was doing. As we parted for breath, I gasped lowly for air. Our foreheads touched.

"You're too sweet for your own good, Amelia."