It's October, and the first Hogsmeade weekend of term.

I was looking for Emma and Landon when I heard familiar voices coming from behind the door leading to the boy's dormitories. I walked closer and I could hear what they were saying.

"She's happy Emma, what do you think that will do. It will just confuse her." Landon said.

"But you need to tell her!" Emma insisted.

"I'm not going to ruin this. Even if I don't like him, she does. I'm not telling her and ruining that!"

"Look, if you don't tell her, then I will." Emma said stubbornly.

I could picture her crossing her arms. Landon sighed in frustration. There was a short silence before Landon spoke up.

"I'll tell her when you tell her." He said coolly.

"What are you talking about?" Emma asked.

Yeah, what was he talking about?

"You know what I'm talking about." Landon said pointedly.

Silence again.

"Fine" Emma said icily.

"What?!" Landon asked, clearly shocked.

"You heard me. I'll tell her. She needs to know."

"You're serious?" Landon asked incredulously.

"I'm dead serious." Emma said.

I walked away from the door and dropped into an armchair. What are they telling me? Why did Emma sound so mad? And Landon so shocked? Well, at least I know I'll find out sooner or later. I just hope it'll be sooner rather than later. I heard the door open and then close.

"Peyton, you here?" She asked happily.

Apparently, she'd gotten her bubbly attitude back.

"Yeah. Over here, in the chair." I said.

"Oh, okay." She said.

Landon and Emma came over and stood by the chair.

"You ready to go?"Landon asked.

I nodded and stood, "I'm ready. Are you?"

They both nodded.

"All right, let's go." I said.

The plan was that I'd spend the morning with them, eat lunch with them and Caleb, and then leave with Caleb.

"You guys don't mind me spending the afternoon with Caleb, do you?" I asked, as we walked.

"Of course not! He's your boyfriend you need to spend time with him" Emma said.

"Thanks. Landon?" I asked.

He seemed thoughtful, after a few seconds he answered.

He shrugged, "It's not really my choice."

"Yes it is, if you don't want me to go with him, I won't." I said.

He shook his head, "No, Em's right. He's your boyfriend and you need to do stuff with him. We'll be fine."

Did I imagine the pause before the word 'Boyfriend'?

"Okay. But what's wrong?" I asked, noticing his bothered expression.

He looked surprised, "What? Nothing's wrong."

I rolled my eyes, "Come on Landon, I know you. And I know something's bothering you. What is it?"

"Yeah Landon, what's wrong?" Emma said in a teasing voice.

He shot a glare at Emma before sighing in defeat.

"It's just, I don't really like him. He seems…….too nice." He confessed.

That's it? He doesn't like him? Who is he, my big brother? I sighed inwardly. I guess he's just worried.

"Don't worry Landon, I'll be fine. I can take care of myself" I teased.

"I know. Just be careful, okay?" He asked his eyes boring into mine.

"Okay, I promise." I said, grinning.

He smiled, "Good."

~~*~~*~~

Landon, Emma and I had spent the morning buying sweets, drinking Butterbeer, and exploring Hogsmeade. They'd been here many times, but I'd never been here before. Now its lunch time and we're heading to the Three Broomsticks to meet Caleb.

Caleb was waiting for us at the door. He smiled at me.

"Hey Beautiful." He said.

"Hi" I said, returning his smile.

Landon glared at him. I rolled my eyes. What was his problem? Seriously!

"Hello, Emma" Caleb said.

"Hey!" Emma replied cheerfully.

"Landon" He said politely.

"Caleb" Landon returned hostilely.

Caleb opened the door for me and Emma, then followed us, letting go of the door. When Landon walked in, he glared at the back of Caleb's head.

I held back as Emma and Caleb went to get a table.

"Be nice" I warned.

"Why should I?" He snapped.

"Please? For me?" I asked.

He sagged his shoulders and sighed in frustration.

"Fine."

I smiled, "Thanks."

He just rolled his eyes.

~~*~~*~~

Emma and Landon left, and Caleb and I are walking up a path towards the Shrieking Shack.

"So, have you heard from your brother lately?" Caleb asked, making small talk.

"No, he doesn't write that much. He's always really busy." I said.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

I shrugged, "It's okay. Kylee and I are always worrying about him, but we know he can handle it."

We'd made it to the clearing, so we stopped.

"Hey, I'm sorry about Landon, he can be kind of……." I trailed off, not knowing what to say.

Caleb smirked, "If you ask me, I'd say he's jealous."

My eyes went wide, "He's not gay!"

Caleb laughed, "I meant jealous of me!"

I blushed, "Oh. Sorry."

I thought about what Caleb said. Could Landon really be jealous? It would sort of explain his behavior towards Caleb. No, that's ridiculous. He's just being a good friend.

I shook my head, "Nah, I don't think that's it."

He shrugged, "Whatever you say."

He stepped closer and tucked a strand of lose hair behind my ear.

He looked worried, "You don't……You know…….Have feelings for…….?"

"Landon?" I asked, surprised.

He nodded, biting his lower lip.

I snorted, "No!"

He smiled in relief, "Okay."

I didn't, did I? My stomach does do a flip every time he smiles at me. And my heart rate increases when we touch…..No, that absolutely ridiculous! He's my best friend. That's all! I pushed the thought away, knowing it wasn't fair to Caleb.

Caleb leaned in, getting closer and closer. Gently, his lips touched mine. When I didn't protest, he put his hand on the back of my head and pulled me closer. I kissed him back.

The kiss grew intense, too intense for my liking. I pushed him away gently. I half expected him to protest, but he just smiled at me.

"That was better than I imagined." He said, breathing slightly harder than normal.

What was that supposed to mean?! Did he think I wasn't a good kisser, or he just didn't know what to expect? I knew it was supposed to be a complement, but I couldn't help but feel defensive and a little hurt. Now Landon…..he wouldn't have said someting like that……….Dang it! Stop it! I do not like Landon! And He doesn't like me. I told myself firmly.

I realized Caleb was giving me a funny look, so I smiled and nodded.

I looked at my watch, "I've- er- got to go. I'll see you later?" I said.

"Okay. Bye, Peyton."

I started to walk off when Caleb called after me.

"Wait! Peyton! Do you want me to walk you back to the castle?" He asked.

I shook my head, "No. I'll be fine. But thank you for the offer."

He nodded, "Okay, if you're sure."

I nodded. He smiled, so I smiled back, and then walked away.

I didn't really have to go, Emma and Landon weren't expecting me back until dinner and it was only 4 o'clock. But I needed time to think. Maybe Landon was right, I should be careful. I wasn't sure why, but our kiss bothered me. I shook off the feeling. What does it matter? We kissed! It felt wonderful. My lips felt a little hot when I thought about it. I couldn't wait to get to the castle and tell Emma.

~~*~~*~~

I found Emma in the common room, doing homework.

"Emma!" I said, practically squealing.

She looked up and saw me; she stood and came over to me.

"Peyton! How'd it go?" She asked.

"We kissed!"

She gasped, "Oh my gosh! That's so cool!"

We hugged excitedly. Landon came up beside us.

"What's up?" He asked.

"They kissed!" Emma squealed.

Landon had a weird expression on his face; it was a mix of anger and alarm.

The look cleared and he smiled, but I could tell it was forced, "That's great."

"Thanks" I said, smiling back.