Cress usually spent most of her time in her bed.

Not that she didn't want to spend time with her friends, but she felt like she was left out.

She was happy to meet Scarlet, and they became fast friends. She was happy to see Wolf with a sparkle in his eyes- that man had always scared her, but there must have been some reason why Scarlet liked him.

Cinder was always in the middle of fixing something. Sometimes Kai would kiss her on the cheek, and she would smack him gently. "I'm working on something." She would always say. But in the end, she would stop working to talk and joke around -and maybe even share a kiss- with the emperor.

Cress was happy for them all. But as for herself, she wasn't even sure if Thorne liked her in that way.

She certainly liked him. She wanted to have a relationship with Thorne like Cinder and Kai, and Scarlet and Wolf.

As a sixteen year old girl that had literally fallen in love at first sight, she felt immature compared to Cinder and Scarlet. They both seemed so much older than her, even though the year gap was barely three years. So much more experienced, wise beyond their years. Compared to them, Cress felt like a five year old.

She was contemplating all of this as she lay in bed one morning. Hair tangled, dress rumpled, Cress doubted she was a pretty sight.

She could lay there for hours. When the window was open, she smelled the fresh air, and thought. About anything.

What was it that Wolf called Scarlet? His Alpha? I wish I was someone's Alpha.. She thought.

Cress sighed. Stop whining about every little thing. Remember? Mature?

She pasted a smile on her face, and adjusted her appearance. Her dirty old dress? Exchanged for some jeans and a shirt Cinder had given her. That frown? Exchanged for a sweet smile. That hair? Combed into blonde, shoulder length, waves.

As she walked into the room where her friends were, Thorne grinned. "Sleeping Beauty is awake!" He joked.

Cress smiled.

After a while, everyone headed out but Thorne and Cress.

Thorne walked over to Cress, slinging his arm around her shoulders and looking at her.

"Are you okay? You've been really distant lately."

Cress pasted on a fake smile and looked up.

"I'm fine. Just.. uh… hacking and stuff."

Thorne frowned.

"Are you sure?"

Cress swallowed.

"Not really."

Thorne fixed his intense blue eyes on her's.

Cress started rambling.

"I've just been thinking about Scarlet and Wolf and Kai and Cinder and how they just seem so comfortable with each other, but I'm not even sure about you and me. I mean I'm not even sure if there is a you and me and…"

Cress trailed off.

Thorne turned Cress towards him.

He smiled softly.

"Cress. Cress. Cress."

She lifted her head up.

"Of course there's a you and me. I'm just not exactly sure how to make you feel like there is."

Cress blinked. "There is?"

Thorne grinned.

"Yeah."

He then promptly lifted her chin up and kissed her.

Cress's eyes were wide, and she shut them quickly, trying to remember the moment. Their second kiss.

They broke apart, Thorne's eyes a bit wild. He grinned at her, spun her around, and pointed her towards the mirror.

"You're much prettier when you smile."