"April, don't look now, but Hottie Extraordinaire is totally staring at you again."

My best friend, Lexie, comes up behind me and places her hands on my shoulders, speaking right into my ear. "God, you scared me," I say, flinching.

"Oh, my god. He's coming. He's coming over here! Act natural."

"I was acting natural before you gave me a heart attack," I say, fiddling with the combination lock on my locker. No matter what, it always sticks and gives me a hard time. "It's just Jackson."

"Oh yeah, just Jackson."

"It is just Jackson."

"I know you guys kissed," she says, poking my side.

I shrug a little, purposefully coy. "Maybe we did," I say, unable to keep the corners of my lips from inching upwards with a grin.

"You so totally did!" she squeals.

"Shut up," I say, hushing her. "You told me to act natural and now you're being a complete psycho."

"When? Where?" she asks, begging for details on the kiss.

"Callie's party on Saturday," I say.

"Were you drunk?"

"No!" I hiss. "I had like, one beer, and so did he. We were pretty much sober."

"How did it happen? Why didn't you tell me sooner? You bitch!"

I giggle, checking over my shoulder. Jackson is distracted by a friend in the hall, so he isn't headed this way anymore. Even so, he lifts his eyes to meet mine and we both smile and look away soon after. "Um… it just kind of happened," I say. "We were on the couch with a bunch of other people and then they all left to play beer pong or something stupid. And it was just us. And he put his arm around me and… yeah." I laugh and shrug. "It was just one kiss. I had to get home for curfew."

"Holy shit," she says, eyes wide as she looks behind me. "Shit. Here he comes."

I turn around casually, like I hadn't been waiting for the moment he'd show up. "Hey," he says smoothly, leaning on the locker next to mine. Then, he looks to my friend. "Hey, Lexie. What's up?"

"Um… not a lot," she says tersely. "Me and April were just catching up. About the weekend."

He makes heavy eye contact with me and I feel it all the way to my core. "It was a great weekend," he says. "Wasn't it?"

I nod and say, "Mm-hmm."

He laughs, low and amused. "Torres' house is the best. I was really happy you were there, April. I don't usually see you out at parties."

"I wanted a change of pace, I guess," I say, trying to play it cool.

"Change is good," he says, then looks at my locker. "You need help with this thing?" He wiggles the fingers of one hand. "I have a magic touch."

"Oh," I say. "Sure." He spins the lock after I tell him the combination and it comes open right away. "Thanks," I say. "I probably would've been standing here all morning."

"Nah, I wouldn't have let that happen," he says, eyes shining. Then, the warning bell rings. "Shit," he says, then clears his throat. "Um… so, I wanted to ask. Are you coming to the game tonight? Coach told me I get to start. And I wanted to know if you like, wanted to come see me play. I thought it'd be cool if you could."

My insides jump like my stomach is filled with a thousand butterflies, and I practically feel Lexie buzzing beside me. I try and stay calm, though, saying, "Of course I'll be there. I'm selling chocolate-covered strawberries for the student council fundraiser." I smile widely. "So, I pretty much have no choice."

"Well, cool then," he says, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, that means I'll see you."

"And I'll see you," I say, working up every ounce of gumption I possess.

"Sure will," he says. "Maybe you'll be my good luck charm."

I giggle softly, breaking eye contact to look at the floor - my shyness is taking over. I can't last in this flirtation much longer. "Yeah, maybe," I say.

Then, the second bell rings. "I gotta get to Bio," he says, then reaches to touch my wrist. "But I'll see you tonight."

"See you, too," I say, then blink hard. "I mean, yes. You will see me. I'll be there. Student council. I'll be there… yes." My press my lips together and feel my face heat up. "I will see you."

He waves, tells Lexie goodbye, then she and I look at each other with huge, bugged-out eyes. "He has the world's biggest crush on you," she tells me as we walk to Psych. "And you're so totally in love with him!"

"Oh, whatever," I say, brushing it off only because I'm pretty sure she's right.

…

The student council booth is set up outside the gym, so I hand out strawberries and collect money as everyone files in for the game. I keep an eye out for Jackson while knowing I probably won't see him; he's busy in the locker room with the team, preparing for the game. Even if I were in the audience like everyone else, I wouldn't see him. Still, though, it's hard not to look.

After the crowd finds their seats, the game starts and activity in the lobby dies down. I leave the vice president to man the booth so I can slip inside the main doors of the gym, leaning on the bleachers as I watch Jackson start - just like he said he would. He's great at basketball, no doubt he'll get a scholarship next year; he's amazing to watch. He makes it look so easy, like he doesn't even have to try. Me, on the other hand, I don't think I've ever made a basket in my life. I used to play in elementary school, but I was so bad that I quit halfway through the season.

Of course, he scores the most points. He's the star of the team, everyone knows that, and they depend on him. He shines out there, radiating confidence. It's an attractive quality - especially mixed with the sweat glistening on his skin. I can't take my eyes off of him.

But when halftime rolls around, it's time to get back to the booth. George can't handle that big of a crowd by himself and I would never make him, anyway. We sell more than we thought we would, handing out strawberries to students and parents alike, and we've almost run out when Jackson comes through the gym doors with a water bottle in hand.

He weaves through the sparse crowd until he reaches the table, then leans forward onto both hands so his face hovers near mine. "Hey," he says.

"Hey," I say back. "You're playing great out there."

"Oh, you saw?"

I nod. "Uh-huh. I snuck in and watched you start."

"Oh, cool," he says, grinning.

"You're a ball hog, though," I say teasingly.

He shrugs. "It's not a bad thing when I'm scoring all the points."

"Don't let it get to your head," I say, beaming.

"Too late," he says, then pulls out a $1 bill from his pocket. "I'll take one of these, by the way."

I take his bill, then trade him for a wrapped strawberry. "Some mid-game sustenance?" I ask.

"Nah," he says. "A gift."

"Who's the lucky lady?"

He unwraps the strawberry dipped in hardened chocolate, then hands it over to me. "I'm lookin' at her," he says. "Here. For you."

"Oh," I say, surprised and blushing. "Thanks. I… you didn't have to. I mean, I made these. I could've just…"

"Yeah, but it's for the cause," he says. We're raising money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital this year. "What you guys do is cool."

"Well, thank you," I say, taking the strawberry. I bite into it, cupping one hand under my chin as juice dribbles down. Before it can go anywhere, though, he catches it with one thumb and locks eyes with me, smiling softly. "God, I'm a mess," I say, mouth full of fruit.

"Nah, you're cute," he says, looking away. When he looks back, he clears his throat before glancing to the gym again. "Uh, I gotta go soon. But I was wondering if you'd, um… if you'd maybe wanna go see the new Jordan Peele movie that's out? It's called Us. Like… go see it with me. Tomorrow night, maybe? I just thought it'd be cool."

I barely let a beat pass before I answer. "Yeah," I say. "That sounds really fun."

"Cool," he says, grinning as he exhales - seemingly with relief. "Wanna meet there around 7? I'll text you before." He smiles again after I nod, this time even bigger. "Yeah. Cool. I heard it's awesome."

"I can't wait," I say.

"Avery!" Coach shouts, making us both jump. "Get back in here, we need you!"

"Shit, I gotta go," Jackson says. "But I'll see you tomorrow."

"Right," I say, warm inside and out. "Tomorrow."

…

"Wait. He invited you to see Us?"

"Yeah," I say, lying on my bed in the room that my fraternal twin and I share. My sister, Ashtyn, is grounded and therefore couldn't come to the game tonight. She knows all about my trials and tribulations with Jackson, though, including the kiss at Callie's party - so she's been waiting for me to get home to hear an update. "He was so cute about it, too."

"Well, he is cute," she agrees. "But like… April. Come on."

"What?" I say, sitting up to work my hair into a loose bun.

"Don't play dumb," she says.

"I'm not!"

"So you're really this idiotic?" she says.

"You're the idiot," I say. "What are you even talking about?"

"Oh, my god," she says, rolling her eyes while letting out a long sigh. "Us is a horror movie."

"Yeah, I know. But it's supposed to be good and like, smart."

"Still a horror movie," Ashtyn says matter-of-factly. "And guys only invite girls to see horror movies for one reason. Literally." I give her a blank stare and she looks at me like I'm the dumbest person alive. "So you'll get scared and get all cuddly with him!" she spews. "Then, you guys will make out and it'll be like this whole perfect setup. That's why he wants to take you to see a horror movie."

I scoff and lay back down. "You don't know that," I say, waving her off. "You've never even had a boyfriend."

"Neither have you!" she points out. "And I've seen way more movies than you. That's what all the guys do. It's like, a tactic for them."

"Movies aren't real life, genius," I say.

"Well, they're all I have to go off right now," she says. "I just want you to be prepared. What are you gonna do if he tries to kiss you?"

"I don't know… kiss him back?" I say, voice tilting upwards at the end.

She laughs and says, "Slut!" Then, takes it back immediately. "I'm just kidding. You're not."

"Maybe I wanna be… with Jackson," I say, wiggling my eyebrows for suggestive effect.

Ashtyn bursts out laughing, loud and raucous - so boisterous, she makes me laugh out loud, too. We cackle until we hear, "Girls! Lights out was an hour ago!"

"Oops," I say, then cover my mouth with my hands.

"Night, slut," Ashtyn says, rolling over with a smile in her voice.

"Night, whore."

…

I get to the movie theater before Jackson the following night, wearing a dark green dress paired with a jean jacket. I rock back and forth on the heels of my ankle boots while I wait, chewing gum to keep my mouth from going dry with nerves. When I see him get out of the driver's side of a Jeep, there's a pang in my stomach. I'm 17 and so is he, but I was driven here. I only have my permit, which means I still have to drive with an adult in the car. This is so embarrassing. I can't believe I'm going to have to wait outside for my twin to come get me while he drives off on his own. I feel like such a child for taking so long with driver's ed.

As he walks through the door, I look around like I hadn't just been watching his every move. "Hey, April," he calls, sauntering towards me in that ever-so-casual way. "You beat me."

"Yeah," I say, tucking my hair behind my ear. "I'm always early. It's a thing. My sister hates it."

"It's all good," he says. "Your sister… you guys are twins, right?"

"Yeah, twins," I say.

"I've seen her around school," he says, leading the way to the ticket counter. "You guys don't really look alike. Except the hair."

"Yeah…" I say. "People expect this whole Mary-Kate and Ashley thing, but that's really not the case. We're fraternal. So, it's like any other siblings, really. We just happened to come out at the same time. We never shared a cell or anything."

"Maybe you will someday, if you get in enough trouble."

"What?" I say.

He chuckles softly. "Share a cell. Like, jail. Sorry, stupid joke."

I nudge him with my shoulder and say, "Shut up. I'm not trouble between the two of us. She is. I'm the one who gets us out of trouble."

"Uh-huh," he says.

"It's true!"

"Sure…" he says again. "Nah, I know you're trouble, April Kepner."

"I am not," I say, smirking through my pout.

"I guess we'll have to see about that."

Jackson buys both of our tickets and I only protest once. The truth is that I wanted him to buy them not because I'm cheap, I have plenty of money saved, but it's a 'date' thing to do. And I really want this to be a date.

"Where should we sit?" I ask, eyeing the mostly-empty movie theater once we get inside. It's a weeknight; the only other people in here are middle-aged, and even so, there aren't many. I find myself wishing it were even emptier. "Do you have a preference?"

He shrugs. "The back is cool. No one to kick your seat."

"Sure," I say, but Ashtyn's words from last night ring through my head. Did he bring me here just to make out with me? Will we watch the movie at all? Am I going to know what I'm doing? Suddenly, my palms begin to sweat so much that my pop almost slips out of my grip.

We get comfortable in the back row and he stretches his legs - there's no one in the row ahead of us, either. I cross my legs towards him, trying to keep my nerves from closing off my body, and wonder whether I should put my eyes on the previews or on him. The silence is weird, even though there are ads playing. I have a feeling that I'm in over my head and I hope he doesn't regret taking me here. I'm awkward and clueless.

"So… this movie's supposed to be really good," I say, trying to remember the phrases from reviews I read earlier tonight.

"Oh yeah, definitely," he responds. "Jordan Peele's a genius. Like real shit, a genius. Did you see Get Out?" I shake my head no. "You have to see it. It's so fucking good."

"Okay," I say.

"You like scary movies?"

I shrug one shoulder and smile, saying, "I like anything, really."

Not necessarily true. I don't know why I said that; I'm not usually the type to mold myself into some version of what I think a guy will like. I always try to remain true to myself, unapologetically so. Lying about the fact that I like scary movies is a pretty big lie. The only one I've ever seen is the original Poltergeist, and that scared the life out of me. I was 15 and didn't sleep for a week. I have a feeling Us is going to be way more intense. I have no idea what I've gotten myself into.

The movie doesn't start out too bad. In fact, it's pretty interesting. It holds my attention so firmly that I forget to be cautious, but all that changes when the other family stands forebodingly outside the original's house. "God," I say, gasping as the screen flashes over to them. I slam backwards in my seat, recoiling as if they're going to jump out and grab me.

In one fluid motion, Jackson stretches and rests an arm along the back of my seat. When I realize what's happening, I try and look over to him with just my eyes - noticing that his focus is still on the screen. "It's about to get really good," he whispers.

His fingertips brush my opposite shoulder and electricity jolts through my body in waves. Was Ashtyn right? Was this his plan all along? The most surprising part is that I don't hate the idea. I used to think the trope of people making out in movie theaters was trashy and desperate. But now that there's a possibility of it happening to me, I'm tempted. I see the draw now. Everything is dark and the movie is loud. It feels like we're in our own little bubble. How bad would it be to live up to one teeny, tiny teenage stereotype?

As the movie's plot furthers and gets increasingly bloodier, my eyes are closed more than they're open. I fall for every single jump scare. And before the halfway point, Jackson's hand finds its way to my thigh. My bare thigh, just under the fabric of my dress.

Kissing in the movie theater is something I'm okay with, although as much hasn't happened yet. But below-the-belt touching? That seems borderline exhibitionist. I only just had my first kiss last week - with him. The potential of this contact gives me jitters that I'm not sure are good or bad. I have to say something. It's in my blabbermouth nature to say something.

"Jackson," I hiss through the darkness. My eyes dart to his hand, which hasn't moved. It's warm and dry, comforting really, but in completely new territory. Is this wrong? Should I feel inappropriate? I have no idea what to think.

"Yeah?"

I lick my lips and take a tepid breath, wondering how to say what I want without coming off rude or confrontational. Neither of those things are me. "Um… did you bring me to see a scary movie just so we could do stuff?" I ask.

"What?"

I widen my eyes. "Are we seeing Us just so like, I get scared and we can make out?"

Someone from a lower row hushes us. "Shhh!"

Jackson's eyes dart towards them as he laughs, speaking anyway. "Uh, no," he says. "I saw this movie already and thought it was badass, and I wanted to see it again. It kinda felt like a good like, date idea… so I asked you." He pauses. "But I'm not against the idea of making out, if you're down."

"Shhh!"

"You shhh!" I call back, eyebrows furrowed. I look back to Jackson and ask, "Right here?" He nods. "How?"

"I mean… I'd just kiss you," he says. "I've been wanting to do it again ever since the party. There just hasn't really been a good time."

My eyes flash to the screen, then to a sound by the theater doors. But seeing nothing, I revert back to him. "So, do it then," I say mischievously, turning my body to face him.

He flashes me a smirk that matches mine and holds my face in his hands, bringing it closer. When our lips touch, it felt just like it did at the party, only better. This time, there aren't drunk teenagers around us playing stupid party games, or too-loud music in the next room. Right now, it's only me and him in the dark, in a row all to ourselves.

"Hey, you two," a gruff voice says. I jump and pull away from Jackson, covering my mouth with one hand. "We've gotten a few noise complaints. And this is no place for getting handsy. I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."

"Oh, god," I say, blushing so violently that I'm worried my head will explode. I gather my purse and keep my head ducked, allowing the usher to show us out. I'm beyond mortified. Something like that has never happened to me.

Once we're in the brightly-lit hallway, Jackson starts laughing. I look up at him with humiliation written all over my face and shake my head, bewildered at how lightly he's taking this.

"I am so sorry," I say. "I know you wanted to see that again. And now we…"

He takes my hand, lacing our fingers together in a motion that feels more natural than anything. "I thought you said you weren't trouble," he mutters, speaking so close to my ear that his voice gives me chills.

Those words rejuvenate me and make the embarrassment fade to something more brazen. Possibly bolder than anything else I've ever felt before. "Maybe I was wrong," I say. "And my curfew isn't for another hour."

"What do you wanna do?" he asks.

I quickly text Ashtyn and tell her I'm getting a ride home, then look to Jackson. "Let's drive."

…

We do drive for a little while. It's too cold to roll the windows down, but we crank the radio in his Lincoln and cruise back country roads at a speed I never have before. We live in the same neighborhood and he takes the long way there, curving down winding roads and taking corners fast, all the while never letting go of my hand.

When we pull onto my street, he parks a few houses down from mine. I can see it - the two-story brick is hard to miss - but we're still a good distance away. He shifts the car to a stop and turns to me, eyes glinting. I know what it's next; I don't have to ask. "Should we finish what we started?" I say.

"Wanna get in the back?" he says, gesturing with his head.

Before I know it, my body is pressed under his - his hips rest between my spread thighs and I wind my feet around to rest on his calves, keeping him as close as humanly possible while he drops kisses to my neck. I melt because of the way it feels, fanning my fingers out across his shoulder blades as he sighs against my skin.

"Is this okay?" he asks.

"It's great," I say, running my fingernails up his back. "It feels really good."

"Good," he says, smiling as he kisses the spot right below my ear. He tangles his fingers in my hair and moves to kiss my cheek, then my lips. I tighten my thighs around him, locking his body in place as I open my mouth to allow his tongue inside. The only sound in the car is that of our mouths moving against each other and heavy breathing - so heavy that the windows are sufficiently foggy when I open my eyes in response to a knocking sound.

"What was that?" I ask, arms around his neck as he kisses my ear.

"Probably something falling in the back," he mutters, moving to my collarbone again.

Then, I hear it again. A definite, defined knock. Three taps in succession. "Wait," I say, sitting up while supporting myself with arms behind me. Jackson moves with me, his body still overlapping mine, as the knock comes again. "Shit. Who is that?"

"April?"

"What the…" I say, then maneuver myself out from underneath Jackson to open the back door. When I do, I see my twin standing there in her sweatpants, a nervous and uncomfortable look on her face. She can't meet my eyes. "What do you want?" I spit.

"It's curfew in 3 minutes. Mom and Dad just texted the group that they'll be home in 5. I figured this car was you, so I'm actually saving your ass right now."

"Shit," I curse, then shove my feet into my ankle boots. I look to Jackson, whose face is flushed - lips swollen and red from so much kissing. I hold his cheek with one hand and peck him affectionately, but hurriedly. "I'm sorry, I gotta go. My parents will kill me if they find out."

"Of course," he says. "Yeah, it's cool."

"I'm really sorry," I say, and we both get out of the car. It's hard not to notice that he has a raging boner. "I feel bad. Leaving you in the dust like-"

"April, we are both gonna be so dead if you don't wrap this up."

"Right," I say, then give Jackson a quick hug and one more kiss. "Text me, okay?"

"Yeah, of course," he says. "See you tomorrow."

With a wave, Ashtyn and I race down the street and up our driveway, then stampede up the stairs just before hearing the sound of the garage door. "You are a goddamn lifesaver," I tell her, changing out of my date clothes.

"And you are a goddamn horny teenager," she says. "Dry humping in his car like that. Naughty, naughty!"

"Girls?"

I widen my eyes and mimic the motion of my finger slicing my neck. Ashtyn gets the idea. "Up here, mom," I say.

She peeks her head in the door and smiles at both of us, innocent as ever. I had quickly changed into my pajamas and Ashtyn was already there; as we sit on our respective beds, she's none the wiser. "Hope you stayed out of trouble while we were gone," she says.

"Oh, always," Ashtyn says, her voice sugar-sweet.

"Yep," I say.

"How was the movie?" Mom asks me.

"Pretty good," I say. "Freaky."

"I heard she and Jackson even held hands," Ashtyn says, and I grit my teeth together while trying not to seem obvious.

"Sweet," Mom says, then eyes me. "I want you to be careful around boys. Both of you. Sometimes, you don't always know what they're capable of."

"I think April knows," Ashtyn says slyly.

Mom shoots me a look, but I pretend to be equally as confused. "I don't know what you're talking about," I say, looking at my comforter instead of their eyes. "But I'm really tired. We can talk more in the morning, maybe?"

Once Mom leaves, I throw a pillow at my sister as hard as I can. "Ow!" she laughs, falling backwards on her bed.

"You bitch!" I say. "Way to be obvious."

"I wasn't gonna say shit!"

"You almost did."

"Chill, geez," she says, rubbing where the pillow hit her. "Call you Babe Ruth with that fuckin' arm."

"You deserved it," I say.

"Whatever," she says. "You'd literally be in the grave right now if it weren't for me. If Mom and Dad would've noticed you not home or even worse, in Jackson's car pinned under him?" She raises her eyebrows. "You'd be watching me from heaven right now. Or maybe… given your latest excursion… somewhere a little warmer."

I can't help but laugh when I say, "You're the literal worst."

"I think you mean 'best,'" she says. "Common rookie mistake."

"No, I meant what I said," I say, pulling my covers up and switching off my light. "Worst."

…

The next day during my free period, I come up with a plan.

I know what class Jackson is in right now - Spanish 2 with Mrs. Bonnette. So, I make my way there, stride as confident as ever, and knock on the door with curt efficiency.

"April, hi," Mrs. Bonnette says. "Good to see you! It's been so long."

I'm in Spanish 4B now with Mrs. Ruiz; I haven't taken this class since I was a sophomore. "Hi," I say warmly. "I was hoping I could borrow Jackson Avery for a while. We need him for an interview for the yearbook. We're finishing up the winter sports pages today."

"Of course," she says. "Jackson, take the pass."

I give him a friendly smile as he looks at me with confusion, then lead the way out of the classroom, shutting the door behind us. "Yearbook?" he asks once we're alone. "You guys do interviews now?"

"No," I say, still walking briskly.

"Then where are you taking me?" he says. "Wait. Did April Kepner just lie to a teacher?"

"A white lie," I say sneakily, pulling a ring of keys out of my messenger bag. I find the one with the blue grip and use it to open the janitor's closet where we've stopped.

"What the hell are we doing?" he asks as I open the door.

My eyes flash as my face splits into a smile. I grab a fistful of his shirt and tug him inside with me, saying, "We're gonna finish what we started. And this time, no one's gonna interrupt."

I close the door behind us and keep the light off. I can still see his eyes shining in the darkness, though, and I like it. "What'd I say," he says softly, kissing me in the middle of his sentence. "You're trouble."