Neither of you truly know how it happened.
It might have been the small smiles or winks shared across the class room. Or perhaps the late night calls that lasted till midnight. It could've been the unexpected visits and sleepovers that always led to her falling asleep on your shoulder. Maybe it was just the familiarity between you two, the undeniable desire that made you want and need her all at the same time.
Of course at the time you never realized exactly what way you wanted and needed her. But you remember exactly when and where you first noticed the rush in your chest. And you can easily recall the horrible temptation to cross that boundary between friends.
"Hey Stell, come help me with this!"
It was Lemonade Mouth's first Christmas as a band. It was the first Christmas that truly mattered to you, because this time, you had everything you could ever ask for. Amazing friends, a supporting family, and a successful band. But, as popular as you had become, you wanted this winter break to be special. There were no gigs, no performances, no signings. Just the warmth of having everything perfect and secure.
You were in the kitchen, making everyone a cup of hot chocolate. It was cozy and comfortable at Olivia's house, a place that had come to mean a lot to you since that day in the backyard. The day where you had truly opened up to them, and in return, they opened up to you too. It was the day you really did feel at home, and it has come to be the way you feel anywhere around the band.
"Stella! Hurry up!" When you look back on it, her impatience was rather cute.
"Alright, alright! I'm coming!" You walked into the living room, and you couldn't describe how you felt.
Wen and Olivia were hanging lights around the border of the room and ceiling, using a chair to tie the wire around hooks spread everywhere. Timmy and Andrew were sitting on the floor beside them, untangling the ends of the wire, preparing to plug them into the wall. Charlie and his older brother Tommy were up to their usual bickering as brothers, but they still found a way to start setting up decorations on the walls and desks, placing small glass figurines of Santa Clause and his elves on a book shelf. Over in the corner, Gram was knitting in her rocking chair, humming a tune while Georgie, Wen's little sister, rocked in a chair beside her, trying to knit as well. It was a scene that made you feel happy, because everything was the way it was supposed to be.
"Stella!"
As you set the tray of hot chocolates down with a giggle, you finally turn to face her.
She's standing on a small stool beside the Christmas tree, holding a glass star in her hand, looking at you with an exasperated expression. You smile at her. "C'mon Stell, seriously!" She whines. "Help me put the star on top of the tree."
The great green tree behind her almost touched the ceiling, standing about eight feet tall. It was filled with homemade ornaments, each and every one representing something to the band. Most were pictures of everyone. As babies, as kids, as teens, but mostly as Lemonade Mouth. The lights were hung along the bristles of the tree, yet since the power was connected to the other lights present on the ceiling, they had yet to be turned on.
You shake your head with a laugh as you make your way to the back wall. "Honestly Mo, the world isn't going to end if the star isn't put on the tree right this second." You stand beside her, although with the help of the stool she's a good foot and a half taller than you now.
She nudges you playfully with her foot, a smirk spread across her face. "Just make sure I don't fall, Party Pooper."
With a chuckle, you loosely wrap your arms around her legs, ready to steady her if you need to. As she leans forward, slightly standing on her tippy-toes, you pick up the sound of Wen and Olivia arguing over how to turn on the lights they've hung with your brothers.
"I've…almost…got it…" You glance up at Mo. She's leaning pretty far forward, the star slowly slipping onto the tip of the tree, as she uses her fingertips for one last nudge. "Got it!" She exclaims, bringing her feet back down.
"Mo!"
Your warning is late by a second as the stool wobbles backwards, Mo loosing balance with a startled yelp, and sending both of you crashing to the floor. You somehow end up catching her.
Her hands are on either side of your head, holding herself up slightly, as your arms are snaked securely around her lower back, pulling her onto you.
No one took notice of the fall, because in the same instant you both landed, the lights on the tree and hung all around you, flickered to life. Absent mindedly you hear the gasps of amazement and praise towards Olivia, Wen, and your younger brothers, everyone focused on what they've accomplished.
Yet all you see is Mo, gazing down at you with bright brown eyes.
You notice how the lights, looking like twinkling stars, reflect off her smooth brown hair, falling around her face at perfect angles. You notice the feeling of her lower half against yours, how she fits perfectly into you, like the missing piece to a puzzle. You notice her legs tangled between yours, her knee slightly pressing against your thigh. You notice all these things you've never paid attention to before, and you see her eyes searching yours the same way.
Your eyes leave hers for a second, the lights too distracting, as you glance at them. She seems to finally notice the lights around her, as she too looks up, a large smile forming on her lips.
Its that smile that starts the rush you feel in your chest, your heart suddenly racing, and your throat running dry. Her eyes filled with absolute wonder at the simple beauty of these lights, making that smile grace her features.
"Mo…" Her eyes meet yours once again. You trail off not really knowing what to say. Not really understanding how or what it is you're feeling. Your mouth opens and closes again, desperately trying to search for words, yet finding none at all.
Your eyes fall to her lips.
Your heart is pounding in your chest, the emotions overwhelming you, not comprehending at all what it is. But there is a certainty of what you know you want: You want to kiss her.
It takes every ounce of self-control to resist the temptation crawling through your body. The overpowering urge to lean up and capture her lips is building by the second, and you know if neither of you does something soon, you won't be able to contain it.
Through all of this, you finally find your voice. "Are you okay?" It was a simple question, yet your voice sounded alien. Your voice shook with uncertainty, making you seem vulnerable and insecure. It was a voice you used only by choice on certain occasions, yet without even trying, Mo somehow made you use it.
You've never felt this way around Mo before, and knowing she could strip that voice from you, made you feel nervous.
Your question appeared to snap both of you out of whatever state you were in. "Hm? Oh, yeah, yeah I'm fine." Her words came out jumbled and stuttered in a way you've only ever witnessed when her boyfriend Scott was around.
She stood up quickly, offering a hand to you. You take it gratefully as she helps you up, thanking you for saving her. You noticed that her hands were very soft and warm as you offer her a smile.
She smiles back at you shyly, something you can't help but see as adorable now.
The rest of the band takes notice of you guys, sipping on the hot chocolate you brought minutes before and talking about how beautiful the tree looks with the lights.
Yet as you and Mo each grab a cup of hot chocolate and give cheers with the band, all you can think about is how beautiful Mo looked with the lights.