I squeeze my eyes shut and try to fall back asleep. Ultimately, I fail and snuggle further into my comforter, warm and encircling me, evoking recent memories of her arms doing the same. I lay here as long as I can, enjoying the blend of awake and sleep that lets me wallow in my dreams. But eventually my body wakes up and I'm forced to open my eyes. And use the bathroom.

I hop down the steps, taking them two at a time. "Good morning." I greet my mother warmly, maneuvering around her to turn on the keurig. She stares after me with wide eyes and a bewildered but happy smile. "Good morning, Tori. Sleep well?" I hold a box of different teas to my chest. "Amazing." I start fixing myself tea and cereal while she leans against the island and watches, but I'm unfazed by her confusion. Today is just too good a day.

Trina descends the stairs much less enthusiastically, but its still 8 o'clock on a Saturday. My mom looks at the clock while Trina steals my breakfast. "You guys are up early. Care to share?" Instead of yelling I just start making more food, only adding to this enigma. "Were going to the beach today." I say happily. "And that's whats got you excited enough to be up before noon?" She asks skeptically.

Trina looks up at her with lifeless eyes. "She's just happy she gets to perv on the new girl all day." She answers in monotone. That sours my mood a little, but I brush it off quickly. Tired Trina is a lot easier to ignore. My mom turns to me with an expectant look. "I am excited Jade is coming." I offer.

I take my new breakfast and set it on the counter across from her. "This'll be date number two." I say excitedly, before swallowing a spoonful of cheerios. "Dates? Two!?" She says exasperatedly, looking between me and Trina, who just shrugs and moves to the couch. I've been dying to talk slash brag to her about Jade all week, but our relationship is so muddled. I just wanted to put in some real life hours before I reported back to mom.

"Well? Who is she? Tell me everything." She devolves into gossip mode, and I forfeit all appropriate knowledge. Unfortunately, remove all the juicy bits and all your left with is how we met and what she looks like. "She sounds...tough?" I nod, and so does she. "Well... That's nice." She says, looking away, seemingly mulling it over. "Yes, your father and I worry about you, you know. She could be a good influence on you." She says decidedly. I smile.

Thank god she's not apposed to me dating someone like Jade. The last thing we need is another hoop to jump through.

...

A wave of excitement washes over me while I watch Jades car pull into my drive way. As much as I hate Trina for saying it, a day at the beach will be awesome for Jade-watching. I back away from the window as she exits her car and wait for her to voluntarily make her presence know. She knocks at the door and I restrain from flinging it open. Instead I wait a couple seconds, then swing it open casually.

"Hey...Jade." I falter while taking in her outfit. Her dark hair is tied back, and revealing beautiful contours. Like her collarbones sharply outlining a white tee. She's so simple and yet, so painfully pretty. My eyes fall from her shorts down her long toned legs, and I gulp.

I shoot them back to her eyes and shes smiling so wide. She steps forward and wraps her arms around me tightly. "Hi." She says, in the closest thing to a squeal I've ever heard from her. "Um, hi." I reply dumbly, returning the embrace. She squeezes me tighter then releases me, taking a hand instead.

"Ready to go?" She asks. I squeeze her hand fondly and reply "Actually, Beck is coming to pick us up. He's driving everyone since he has that big trailer." She gives me a questioning look. "He sleeps in it, in his parents driveway." Her eyebrows shoot to her hairline. "His roof, his rules." I say plainly. "Ahh..." She says, and nodding slowly despite the clear confusion still lingering in her expression.

Until that cute little half smirk appears, although this time it has a devious edge to it. She lays a hand on my stomach, then slides it down suggestively and raises it again so the tips of her fingers tips are under my shirt. "Well, if we have some time, how about a sneak peak?" She says, eyes narrowed at her hand.

I swallow and choke out laugh, slapping it away. She moves her grasp to my hips and whines out a halfhearted please. "You can wait." I say surely, wrapping my arms around her neck and plucking absently at her swim suit tie. She looks at me oddly for a moment, then shakes her head. "Nope. I don't think I can." She sighs. "I might need something to tide me over." The look on her face appears down right evil, and it does funny things to my insides, cause I've been studying her face long enough to know how she feels.

It's also sweet. The way her eyes crinkle at the corners give her away. I lift on my toes and press lips to hers chastely, and I feel her smile behind the kiss. I knew it. After a few moments she pulls away and begins pressing soft kisses to my neck, squeezing my hips pleasantly. "I missed you." She mumbles.

And I know exactly what she means. We haven't really gotten to touch each other all week, and I know it means more to her than me. I love just being around her, but I've noticed she gets a bit antsy when she's not touching me. I know restraints not something she enjoys, but PDA doesn't seem to be either.

"Gross. Okay, separate! Another human is in the room now!" Trina barks. I slide my hands to her shoulders but Jade doesn't pull away. "Hello to you too." She says, resting her temple on my shoulder and pressing a light kiss to my chin. Trina rolls her eyes but ignores her. "When is Beck going to be here?" She asks me. "Uh...in like 10 minutes..." I answer distractedly, as Jade hasn't stopped her barrage of affection. "Okay, well I'm going to wait in my room to avoid being scarred any more." She snaps derisively.

"You do that." Jade mumbles, and her hands start to wander up the back of my tank top, causing me to gasp. Trina shivers and lets out a yuck before hurrying up the stairs. "Can we wait in your room?" I chuckle and shake my head, and she laughs to before growling and nipping my ear playfully. I laugh again. She's cute.

"You're cute." She pulls back and looks at me in mock shock. "Excuse me?" She asks. I smile up at her brightly. "You're cute." I repeat, just as simply as the first time. She pulls away completely and crosses her arms, but I don't miss the smile tugging at her lips. "Take it back." She replies sternly. "What?" I chuckle out.

She advances on me, making me stand in front of the couch before moving too close and shoving me lightly so my only choice is to fall back on it. "Take it back." She's full blown smiling now, and I join her. "No way, you're cute." I respond cheekily. She sighs dramatically and throws her head back before dropping onto the couch beside me.

"Tori, Tori, Tori." She meets my eyes. "You've got a lot to learn about me." I narrow my eyes at her, I don't know if I agree with that. "Give it time, you'll realize I'm anything but cute." She purrs, leaning in slowly. She turns and kisses my cheek, before settling into my side. She picks up my arm and drops it over her shoulders and then gets comfy again.

She just got here and shes already left me breathless twice, effortlessly I might add. I sigh and rest my head on hers, I missed this too. My dreams are no comparison for her, really.

...

Were in a similar position now, spread out on a big beach towel with her head on my arm. The sun seeps into my skin, warming me to my core. But it reflects off Jades, giving her this heavenly glow. If it wasn't so bright I might never look away. Not too far into the water I can make out the girls, Beck, and Robbie playing chicken. I smile as I imagine how loud Cat is screaming right now. Andres next to us messing with his 'vintage' boom box his grandma gave him, until something catchy starts playing and he finally relaxes.

I feel like that's enough of a break, and I go back to roaming Jades ethereal form. She's wearing sunglasses and her head is turned away from me, I think she might be trying to sleep. She must feel me staring cause after a few moments she stirs. She stretches her arms, then pulls them back closely while turning on her side. Her head on my shoulder, her hand on my stomach, the sun isn't the only thing keeping me warm anymore.

"Im hungry." She says. "Okay, Andre, what's in the cooler?" I ask. He pops off the lid and shifts around a few things. "We got water and...soda." He answers cheerfully. I look back to Jade and she's pouting. I search the beach until spot a little ice cream cart. I point it out and she nods quickly. "That's perfect." I curl my arm around her head and lift her sunglasses, kissing the bridge of her nose lightly before letting them go. "Get me one too?" She sighs dramatically but agrees.

I'm waiting for her to return when something blocks my sun. "Um, hi." Hes tall, nervous, and inarguably handsome. Too bad the only person I've ever looked twice at is getting me a cone.

I sit up on my elbows and smile up at him, genuinely sorry I'm going to have to upset him soon. It's a lovely day, what a bummer. "Hi." He looks relieved for a moment, then nervous again. "Um, I'm Mark. And that's-" he gestures behind him "Tom. We were wondering if, um, if you wanted to play volleyball with us?"

Hmm, that actually sounds like fun. "Maybe later." I answer kindly. "Cool." He huffs proudly. "Uh, do you mind if I hang out till then?" He doesn't even seem sure of that, and my smile falters. "She's taken bro." Andre calls. His face turns beet red and he throws his hands up in defense. "Sorry man. I didn't mean to hit on your girlfriend. Im not like tha-"

We both laugh and he looks between us, confusion evident. I'm about to explain when Jade comes back. She drops to her knees beside me, pecking my lips before handing me a cone. She settles indian style beside me and looks at him with what I assume is a sunglass-concealed death glare. "What'd I miss?" Marks face is comically embarrassed, but shes not laughing. "This is Mark. He was inviting us to a volleyball game." I tell her, busying myself with licking my ice cream. "All of us?" She asks skeptically.

I may not have any classes with her, but we do manage to chat a little in the hallways and at lunch. Unfortunately a lot of people have that idea and I've had to calm her down on more than one occasion already. It seems so ridiculous to me. Guys have been asking me out long before she was real and I never strayed. She doesn't know shes the only one for me. Silly.

"Yu-Yes. Yes of course." He stutters. "Obviously...all of you..." He mutters lamely. "We'll uh, be over there." He says before disappearing. I know Jades looking at me but I'm so happy to have my sun back, I ignore her. No bummers today. She keeps doing it so I finally look at her, and I instantly feel guilty. She's sad.

"What's wrong?" I ask. She looks away. "Nothing." She deadpans. Okay, so minor bummers today. I switch my ice cream between hands and trail my fingers over hers. She looks at our hands and smiles slightly. "I feel dumb." My fingers squeeze hers reassuringly, and she elaborates.

"Like...I wanna be a possessive asshole, but I get the feeling you don't like possessive assholes. But I don't like guys hitting on you, which is the whole 'dumb' thing cause were not even dating so like, what right do I have to rip some guys head off? And I'm not saying you should wear something that says property of Jade West but how awesome would that be?" I try not to laugh but it fights its way out and she rolls her eyes and looks away again.

"See, its so fucking dumb." She mumbles and I shake my head in protest. "No no, I get it, its just...relax okay? I'm not going anywhere." I smile warmly, holding her gaze until she returns it. Satisfied, I go back to eating my ice cream.

She wants me to be hers. I mean I have been for so long, but she wants me. I watch her eat. Full lips make the action almost sensual. I I blush and avert my eyes to are hands. Hers is pale and slight, looking wonderful woven with my tan one.

Maybe...maybe shes mine too.

I lift her hand to my lips and kiss it. "Okay, I'll stop sulking." She mumbles, but I'm not really listening. She lays down and I follow her. I insert myself under her arm, and she allows it. I kiss her cheek, her chin, her neck, and she hums in approval. This is exhilarating. It finally occurs to me, I'm no longer a passenger, watching our interactions go by. I get a say, and she likes that.

...

Don't freak out. Be normal. Hold a conversation. Act like you cant feel her steady hands on your hips, keeping you in place everytime Becks truck takes a turn. But I can.

A few more sharp turns and strong arms envelope me. I sink back contentedly, finally relaxing into the comforting hold. She rests her chin on my shoulder and I close my eyes. The sounds of my friends chatter is lulling, even more so when Jade replies eliciting a rumble from her chest behind me. The endless jostles of the road, the warmth, my belly full of ice cream, I fall asleep.

"Hey, were almost there." A low voice whispers. I blink once, twice, and face her. "There being?" I ask groggily. She laughs before answering. "Home." I smile dopily, finally remembering the events of today. "I had a dream about you." She smiles. "Really? Just now?" I nod, before sinking back into her arms again. She shifts so she can rest her chin on my head.

Trinas passed out of the couch across from us, and I almost fall back asleep when she speaks again. "Was it nice?" I close my eyes and images of soft lips and softer skin rise in the blackness. "Yes."

...

When we reach my house, Jade bypasses her car and comes inside, much to my delight. We sit on the couch, hands still joined, while Trina channel surfs at the other end, much to my dismay.

Jade looks nervous, like she wants to speak. I give Trina a pointed look for the thousandth time, and again, she ignores me. I turn to Jade with an apologetic smile. She looks at me, then at are joined hands.

Her thumb starts rubbing my hand and she opens her mouth a few times before she lets out a small huff and speaks so softly. "I just want you to be mine..." And I have to fight the urge to laugh. Instead I gently press my lips to hers. "I already am, dummy."

"Already?" She teases with a small smile. "Right?" Trina cheers from behind me. I actually forgot she was here for a moment. Now I'm painfully aware of her presence and I glare at her. "You don't date anyone. Like, ever. And then all the sudden your all over this girl? You don't date, you never date!" She looks to Jade "I mean never-" "Trina!" I yell. She shrugs. "I was just trying to convey how special she must be." She explains slowly. "Thank you." I snap, then turn back to Jade, who wears a light pink on her cheeks.

She's right. You are special. How could I date someone else when the love of my life was waiting for me. Had I known you were waiting, it might have made the last three years a little easier, but still. I love you. And only you. I could tell you, ease some of your doubt. But no, I'm cursed to slowly convince you to love me too first. Then again, the way your looking at me makes me think that might not be that hard. Or enjoyable.