A routine developed. Everyday Brady would show up on my doorstep without fail (once he was sick but still insisted on walking me to school before he went back to bed) and walk me to my classes, sit with me in Literature and pass notes when the teacher's back was turned. At lunch I would sit with Brady, Collin, Harry and Ava. Who were all very outspoken and witty people, apart from Collin of course, because he was a bit of an idiot. I developed a friendship with Ava, Mia and Emily and found myself visiting Sam and Emily's house almost everyday Brady and I didn't spend alone together, and I even found myself growing a brotherly/sisterly relationship with Seth.

And there was hormonal Anya too, growing more wilder with each breath Brady takes, but there was also a whisper at the back of my mind, a whisper saying that maybe it wasn't hormonal Anya that wanted to brush the hair out of his eyes and kiss him, maybe it was just plain Anya.

I painted more too, at night mostly, seeing as my days were always filled with Brady and his mysterious drug/gangster cult, which he was yet to tell me about. I rolled my eyes as I pulled on my parka, the rain was starting to clear up but I didn't want to take any chances.

Brady met me outside, a grin on his face as usual. Today I noticed how his brown eyes had the slightest flecks of gold in them. My heart amplified as I greeted him, suddenly feeling shy.

"Ava likes you," He said with a smile as we walked into the school, "She said you're so much clever than all the boys and that it was nice to be able to talk to someone with some brains."

I flushed, "Is that why I'm getting a solid D in chemistry?"

He waved his arm as Harry and Ava came into view, "She doesn't have to know that."

"Hey Anya, Brady." Ava smiled, entwining her fingers with Harry's. He smiled at her.

Just like the other's, Ava and Harry's relationship was so intense. The look he gave her, as though she was everything in the entire world, as though he was once blind before he met her, gave me chills. It was… kind of beautiful.

"Come get changed with me for Gym?" Ava asked me, head tilted to the side

I laughed, Gym, what a useless subject, "Yeah. See you Brady, Harry."

Harry, with a shy smile, turned to Ava and gave her a very tender yet gentle kiss. "See you in History." He said to her quietly. I felt as though I was intruding on a very intimate moment.

I gave Brady another shy smile as Ava and I twisted ourselves through the small crowd of oncoming students. I took this moment to ask her about Harry.

"How long have you and Harry been together?" I kept my voice light, not wanting to be seen as prying

She grinned, "About three years. I liked him for longer though, he was sick for a while but when he came back the connection was just magical I guess." There was something about the way she said magical, as though she was trying to hold back laughter – like it was an inside joke

When noticing my confused expression she added, "Don't worry. I think you'll find out what I mean very soon." Which confused me even more.

Days merged and I noticed Brady looking, well, staring at me. I guess I'm partially guilty at the whole staring thing, how else would I have caught him? But there was something so very intense about his stares. How his eyes were almonds of adoration and anxiety – as if I were breakable. As if I were… important. It startled me, and I often found myself dreaming of him and me, cocooned in his arms.

Sickening, I thought sheepishly. Brady was my friend, he was my friend and he felt the same way. Right?


Author's Note: Pathetic, right? With a total of now four chapters and zero reviews i've been a bit disheartened - in fact i doubt anybody is reading this anyway, which makes me feel a bit silly. I'll go now.