Chapter 2

I quickly shuffled into the backseat of the Clearwater's little suburban, hoping not to attract attention to myself. As Sue and Seth carried on their conversation from earlier in the airport, I thought back to my past. Why had this happened to me? I did nothing wrong. Or at least I thought so. According to someone who I can't even think about right now without throwing up, I brought it on myself. I was too tempting.

I don't see why. I'm averagely plain. My natural honey blonde hair never does what I want it to. I'm too short to get noticed by any guys. My skin is surprisingly pale, and I have naturally pink cheeks. The only semi-interesting thing about me is my eyes. They are a pretty emerald green with flecks of hazel, rimmed with long naturally curling eye lashes. I don't see how I am related to Uncle Billy and Jacob. I look nothing like them. I take after more of my... mother. Which is a blessing and a curse if you ask me.

I'm pulled back into reality by Seth shaking shoulder. "Hey Karrista, we are at my house cause neither Billy nor Jake are home, so your gonna crash here k?" Sleep. That sounds nice. Who cares if I just met them 4 hours ago. I threw all my worries out the window as I took in the scenery around me. It's just like a movie. I couldn't help but just stand and gape at the eerily safe looking forest right in front of me. I've never been one to scare easily, so I was at peace with the idea that these dense forests were all that surrounded the area. In fact, I felt comforted. Like no matter what, I would be safe.

"Karrista? Hello?" Seth was waving a hand in front of my face trying to re-gain my attention.

"Sorry, ya that sounds good. I'm fucked. And by the way, if we are going to be friends, you need to know I space out occasionally. Well a lot really." He was looking at me in a strange accepting kind of way.

"What are you looking at?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"You." Was his simple answer. I giggled as I felt my face heat up with the unwanted added color.

He led me into the house carrying both of our bags with ease, and set them down in front of the door. I looked around the house with a new found respect. These people were good. Truly and deeply good. I realized with little to no thought, that this is where I belong. Everything that the Clearwaters did, oozed love and acceptance.

"Am I really that boring that you have to day dream when I talk all the time?" Seth asked trying to hold down a laugh. And failing I might add.

I looked down bashfully and muttered a soft sorry. It was then I decided I wanted to have a little fun with Seth.

"Hey Seth?..." I asked in what I hoped was a fun and flirty tone. He looked up from the game seeing as he was now seated on the couch. He still didn't make any effort to move. He playfully cocked an eyebrow silently asking what it was I needed. This will be fun. I thought mysteriously. I'm in the mood for some Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

I sashayed my way over to stand directly in between in legs. Even with him sitting down he was just as tall as me. He looked surprised, and a little apprehensive. I smirked in what I hoped was a sexy way, and leaned in close to his ear. I quickly noticed that the remote was almost smashed next to his hip, in hopes I wouldn't take it. Good thing he didn't know what I was planning.

"Seth..." I breathed in a raspy tone, letting my hot breath send shivers down his neck and spine. As if on cue, a shudder rippled through his body. Perfect.

"Uh-huh...?" he answered almost as if he was out of breath. I placed a soft open-mouthed kiss just below his ear. And again, he shuddered from pleasure.

"Whatcha watchin?" I asked continuing to kiss along the length of his massive neck.

"The uh, t..the game?" He stated it more like a question, and in stutters. Right where I want him. Now just one more thing... I let my teeth graze his earlobe and gently bit down uttering a soft and gentle "Not anymore..."

He responded with a "Whaaa?" It was then that I snatched the remote away and quickly stuffed it down my shirt. There was no way a gentleman like Seth would reach for it. And to my pleasure I was right. He looked at me for a long moment, amusement showing clearly in his deep brown eyes. I smiled innocently and said a quick "You wouldn't have given it to me if I just asked."

With that being said, I flipped to my show and snuggled into the soft cushioned reclining chair. Ah. This is nice. After about an hour and a half of the Kardashians, I started to feel sleepy. It was past 12. Sue went to sleep about 45 minutes ago, telling us to behave and with a goodnight kiss to each of our cheeks. Which I was surprised by, but relaxed when I understood it's what mothers do. Seeing as I wouldn't know.

"Seth? Where am I sleeping?" I really didn't care, as long as I found my bed for the night soon.

"My bed." He responded without missing a beat. Would we be...?

Almost as if he could tell what I was thinking, he quickly backtracked and added "Don't worry your pretty little head of yours, I'm sleeping on the couch." I instantly felt bad. I was taking his bed away and forcing him to sleep on a couch where a foot of him hung off.

"No, no, no, no, and no. Not gonna happen. I'm not taking an innocent boy's bed away from him. I'm 17 and I've slept on a couch before. Either you are sleeping on your bed and me on the couch, or you on the couch and me on the floor. Take your pick." I made my point all in one breath. Impressive. I thought to myself.

Seth just kept looking at me like I had snakes for a head. It's almost like no girl has ever stood up to him before. Well that changed the minute we met. I stood there with my hands on my hips, awaiting his answer. Apparently, I would have to push it out of him.

"Seeeeettttthhhhhhhh...?" I drawled out his name for 10 seconds until he decided to stop me and state his opinion.

"Oh shut up and take the bed!" Woah! Boy doesn't know who he's messing with.

"No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"I SAID NO!"

"I SAID YES!"

By this point we were practically screaming at each other. Nose to chest. So loud even, that Sue had to come break us up. She came decked out in a long fuzzy pink robe, penguin pajama pants, a University of Washington t-shirt, four sizes to large, and her hair half in curlers. It took all that I had not to laugh in her face. Because after all, she is letting me stay in her house tonight. Don't bite the hand that feeds you ay?

The expression of her face on the other hand, was that of, well, a raging middle-aged woman who you just woke up in the middle of the night because two people both didn't want to sleep in one person's bed. To say I was scared shit-less, would be an understatement.

"Both of you shut up! Now since neither of you can seem to decide on who gets the bed, you're both sleeping on the floor!" I heard her mutter something along the lines of "Who do they think they are? Waking me from my much needed beauty sleep."

With me and Seth not moving an inch, until we were absolutely positive Sue had gone to sleep, I couldn't help but like Sue even more. She has the guts to stand up for herself and take charge. I liked that.

So you can see why Seth's sneaking up on me would scare the shit of me, seeing I was so far gone in that little head of mine.

"Ah god you idiot! You almost made me cream myself!" I yell-whispered to my new found best friend. He didn't know it yet, but I would make sure he knew we were on the same page.

"Ha ha ha ha ha oh sorry Reese! It was just too good." I smiled at him showing that he was forgiven.

"So... Reese huh? My new nick-name? I like it." And I did like it. It was a lot easier to say then Karrista.

He suddenly seemed a little nervous that he gave me a nickname. I wondered why.

"Hey Seth?" He looked down at me, seeing he was over a foot taller than me. I literally had to crane my neck way up to be able to see him. "Your my best friend. Did you know that? I like you a lot, and we are going to best friends until we die." I told him truthfully.

The nervousness was completely gone now. All that was left was pure happiness. He suddenly bent down, and picked me up into the tightest bear hug I've ever had. Since he's so tall, my feet were a good foot off the ground. Just dangling. Like loose noodles.

"Reese, your my best friend too." Was all he whispered in my ear, still holding on to me. I smiled into his neck and wrapped my arms tighter around his neck, and brought my legs up and around his waist. And to anybody else this would have felt sexual, and awkward. But, with Seth I was completely comfortable. He was like my brother, and I knew he felt like I was his sister.

After a good five minutes of just hugging, he finally set me down. He was smiling so big it looked like his cheeks were in pain. I couldn't help by smile hugely when I was around him.

Before I even knew what was happening, he was out of the room, and back with an armful of pillows and a pile of blankets. I raised an eyebrow silently questioning what he was up to. All he did was laugh.

So naturally, without him answering me, I grew frustrated.

"Seth?" He looked up from getting tape from a drawer in the kitchen. "What in the hell are you doing?"

He smirked, and said two little words that brought me back to my younger years. The easier ones.

"A fort." I was instantly excited. I started to help him get chairs and tall objects to put the sheets on to, to make the ceiling.

An hour later, shelves made out of boxes filled with food, a lamp, decorations, pillows, and blankets were what inhabited our giant ass fort. I am not kidding when I say it was humongous. It filled the entire family room, and half the entryway into the kitchen. The sheets covered the top and came all the way down the sides. Giving it a private homey type feel to it.

Inside the fort, was enough room for 5 fat men to sleep comfortably. We had all we needed. Well not a bathroom, but we can't go ripping that our of the floor now can we? After all of our hard work, it was now past two. I'm fucked.

"Hey Seth." He looked over at me, waiting for me to continue. "I'm fucked." He laughed a deep genuine laugh. I smiled.

"Okay, well good night then Reese. I'm really glad we met and became best friends today." He smiled a happy, kind smile.

"I am too Seth. I feel like a kid again with you. It's so easy to forget my...problems...when I'm around you. I'll see you in the morning."

He turned off the light, and not even two minutes later, he was snoring. I smiled as I brushed the hair out of his face. I lay back, and for once, I felt like I belong. Goodnight best friend. I mentally added before I drifted off into welcomed unconsciousness.