/Sawyer POV/

Chapter Song: Play It Again - Luke Bryan

"School starts tomorrow." I moan as I look at the calendar on the wall.

"School will be good for you. A good thing to take up all your time and steal your mind away from things." Kendall states and leans against the counter. Logan invited him over for a dinner that I didn't know I was supposed to make after being at work.

"You're right, but that doesn't mean that I wanna."

"Yeah. But, you do wanna see your friends again."

"I guess. I didn't really have any at school though. Just Cyrus." I respond to James' text then look up.

"Hmm. So, James? Are you two like a thing?"

"What makes you say that?" I arch an eyebrow and he looks at me as if I'm stupid.

"He takes you to work and picks you up, every time your phone lights up it's with a message from him, and he clings on you like static. You don't even realize it. Omg! Are you friendzoning him?" Kendall guffaws. I push him to the side and stir the pot of noodles.

"Uh. No. Haha. In fact, to celebrate my last night of freedom before school starts back up, we're going to one last party. The one at his dad's house. Anyways. He thinks it's a good way to 'announce' that we're together. Which I'm not sure if that's exactly how to put it. We're still the same. I don't think anything has changed. Do you think that's a bad thing?"

"How do you feel about it? Please, tell me that you're not just toying with James so that you can get back at Cyrus."

"Of course not. I'm not that cruel."

"I was about to say..." He rubs the back of his neck and gives a nervous chuckle.

There's a brief silence. I can see a question swimming in her eyes.

"What is it?"

"I'm not trying to be rude, but what about the situation. .. You're, you know, pregnant." He looks at me but my eyes are looking at my abdomen in the mirror near us, then I turn to face her.

"We already talked about it." I clear my throat and hand him a bowl of salad to wash off.

"Do you think anything will come of this?"

"Seeing as we're entering the relationship with major complications, I'm not sure."

"But, you've also had a long friendship."

"This is true."

From my iPod, the Hairspray soundtrack plays. What can I say? It's a family favorite. Especially while cooking.

Italian sounded really good to me; so we're preparing spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad. The meat sauce is filled with vegetables and Italian sausage too. Of course, I keep eating it, so the pile keeps shrinking.

Ugh.

I swear, I'm trying to keep my mind of it but somehow just can't. How can someone the size of a grape demand so much of my thinking space? How come the someone who put it there take up the time I'm not thinking about the baby. My mind just reels. What if one day the baby finds out and wants to track me down? What if Cyrus changes his mind? What would I do about James? What would James do to Cyrus?

To Hades with it all. I'm can't handle anymore stress. No more planning of the future. One day at a time.

"Okay. I'm back. Finally freshened up." After taking a shower, Logan bops through the house and joins us in the kitchen. "What are you two chickens talking about?"

"I was asking Sawyer about her and James."

"Wud she say?" Logan asks while filling his mouth with a taste of the meat sauce.

"I'm standing right here." I point myself out.

"Well, you won't tell anyone full details, so we band together to put the pieces together." Kendall starts dividing up the salad onto plates. "In the group so far; Lex, Carlos, Logan, your mom, and James's dad."

"Go get a hobby. When there's something to tell, I'll tell you."

"Don't deny it. You two have been in love all along." Logan teases.

"Have not! James is just my best friend and now we're just taking things to the next step. Maybe? I don't stop pressuring me. What's gonna happen is gonna happen. I don't even know what my life is gonna be like in the next months. If James and I make it, that will be a big deal. If we don't, but still remain friends, I think God will have to personally come down and slap the shock off my face. Did I make the wrong decision?"

"Hey, Guys. Sorry about being late. Had to stop and get gas." James announces from the front door as he removes his shoes and jacket.

The heat of embarrassment takes over my face and I turn back around to stir the noodles. Logan and Kendall make conversation between themselves, probably not even talking. Just mumbling so it doesn't look awkward.

"Mmm. Smells like spaghetti."

"It is. L.B. had a craving." Kendall butts in.

"Why are you still in your work uniform? Did you come in and start making dinner?" James makes his way over to me.

"Yeah." I mumble.

"I can finish here, if you want me to. You can go take a shower or at least change into something comfortable."

Of course, I didn't make the wrong decision. James is a great guy.

"That would actually be great. Thank you so much. You're the best." I set the wooden spoon aside and wrap my arms around his ribs.

*At Home After school, The Next Day*

Everything about today seemed better. The sun, air, and me. It just feels like a big burden has been lifted off me. And, not even sitting at the dining room table doing homework could bring me down.

"Guess who" Two hands cover my eyes.

"Adam Levine?" I call out.

"Nope."

"Chris Hemsworth?"

"No."

"Ohhh, James!"

"Yes!" He removes his hands and I turn around to face him.

"You look nice." He does. Denim jeans, tee shirt, and worn out converses. A smile dazzles across his face. "Let me go find my shoes and then I'll be back down, okay?"

"Alright. Take your time."

My shoes are in two different places. One under the bed and the other in the bathroom. Organization isn't my strongest attribute. That's something that Logan, Kendall, and I share; but James and Carlos are the clean freaks.

With socks and shoes on, I literally bounce down the stairs and out the door.

"You seem to be in a good mood." He states as he opens the passenger door for me and leans on the outside of it, I lean on the inside part, our faces just inches apart. Smiles grazing both of us.

"I am." I drop down into the car, then he shuts the door. Shortly after, he's in the driver's side, starting the car, and pulling out of the parking lot.

"Well, that's great to hear. I'm glad. You hungry?"

"A little."

"Good. Tonight will be fun. The last fun like this that we're gonna have until April." He sarcastically rolls his eyes.

"Let's make it count then. Have all the fun that is to be offered."

*James POV*

She just chitter-chatters on. It's so hard to make conversation when she's taking my breath away. I avert my eyes from the road for a second to see her scan through the radio.

- "I love you. And, I need you. Nelly, I love you. I do need you. No matter what I do, all I think about is you. Even when I'm with my Buu. Boy, you know I'm crazy over you. No matter what I do, all I think about is you. Even when I'm with my Buu. Boy, you know I'm crazy over you." (Dilemma - Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland)

"This song is so old!" She exclaims. That didn't stop her from singing right along to it.

"I know. How does anyone even remember this song exists?"

"Because, - no matter what I do; all I think about is you." She sings and shares a full smile with a fit of laughter following. Today seems like an 'up' day for her. She's been stuck in the rut that Cyrus left her in, but not today. Once again, she scans through the radio.

- "Well, I love a rainy night. I love a rainy night. I love to hear the thunder, watch the lightning when it lights up the sky. You know it makes me feel good." (I Love A Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbit)

"Oh my gosh! This is my song!"

"I know. You've liked this song for the longest time." I turn the volume up and roll down the windows. Her favorite feeling.

"Yes! Can you remember all the words?!"

"I dunno! Let's see."

- "Well, I love a rainy night. Such a beautiful sight. I love to feel the rain on my face, taste the rain on my lips.; in the moonlight's shadow."

"Showers wash all my cares away, and I wake up to a sunny day! 'Cause I love a rainy night!" She might not sing completely on key, but it doesn't matter. We reach my dad's house, park, and about cut the car off, but she stopped me. In the two seconds it took, she is out of the car and pulling my door open.

"I wanna dance!" She says and takes my hand. No pleading needed, the smile that her face bares gives me so choice. Sort of funny how that works. I twirl her around before pulling her close.

The song comes to an end shortly; I cut the car off and turn back to Sawyer. I watch her bounce up to the front door and knock. That girl is something else. Dad opens the door and they hug in greeting, then they both wave their hands at me to hurry up.

"I'm coming. I'm coming."

The house is lightly decorated with people; a few members of the family and some friends. I take Sawyer's hand, but it's her who intertwines our fingers. Sure we've held hands before, but not like this.

Right off the bat; Philip, Carlos, Kendall, Dustin, Ali, and her baby Emma are here. I'm sure Logan is around way or coming later. We make our way around the people.

"Why don't you head back here and get you two something to eat." Dad calls from the sliding glass door that leads to the back deck. I look at her to see what her say is; she nods and bites her lip.

"You okay?"

"Yeah."

"Sure?"

"Yes. But, what if I get sick from the smell?" She whispers that last part.

"Do you wanna wait in here? Or do you not wanna eat at all?" I turn to her, rubbing my thumbs on her forearms.

"Maybe, you can see if it's really potent. Like, see if the smell is really strong."

"Okay. I will." My hands slide down her arms and over her hands. I make small talk with Dad while checking 'the coast'. Once I deem the air trustworthy of not being sickening, I nod.

"There you are. How are you, Hun?" Dad asks of her as she slides in beside me. I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

"I'm doing fine. This boy keeps me sane." Her hand lightly presses to my chest and the warmth of her palm is felt through my shirt.

"James is good at that. He is always one for a charity case." Dad winks and nudges her with his elbow.

Why, Dad, why? All of the possible descriptions that you could use, charity case? She probably is thinking the worst things of me now.

"You're right, he is." Thea smiles.

"Well, I'm not meaning to starve you. You two just go ahead and eat. I'm gonna go make sure nothing of mine is broke." They swap pleasantries until he actually departs.

For a moment we just stand there. Then, the elongated sigh and crossing of her arms tipped me off that she has something on her mind. She picks up a plastic cup of tea then takes a seat on one of the lawn chairs by the table. I'm not sure what the thought is, if it's not about what my dad said, then I don't wanna bring it up. Both in thought, we have silence.

"A charity case? Is that what I am?" Her finger taps at the lip of the cup.

"No. No, not at all." I squat down in front of her, cupping my hands around the back of her knees and rubbing my thumbs over the top.

"Does he think you're just with me so I didn't get an abortion?"

"He doesn't even know about the baby. He knows that I'm with you because I care about you. I'm not with you so you didn't get an abortion. I'm with you, because I waited." I set the cup on the table, take both her hands in mine; holding onto them. "He just had a poor choice of words. You know me better than that, and you know that you are more than that to me. "

"But, what about the baby? What if you realize that you don't wanna be with me because you don't wanna deal with the mood swings and someone else's child? What if it gets to be too much for you?"

"Sawyer, Baby. Stop. Stop. You're working yourself up." I cup both sides of her face.

"I'm scared, James."

"I know. It's scary, but it's gonna be okay. Even if something does happen, I won't stop being your friend. You are gonna be fine. We're gonna be fine. I promise. It's okay to be scared, I'll be there to help you." I raise up a little to wrap my arms around her and she returns the favor.

"Thank you."

"Of course." We lean back out of the hug.

"Did you call me 'Baby'?" She smiles.

"I guess I did." I blush.

"I like the way it sounds." She bites her lip. I move to sit in the chair next to her. We spend most of the evening talking to Dad, who joins us a little while later. Then, Ali comes out carrying Emma. They sit on the other side of Sawyer. I watch her study the mother and daughter.

I wonder if she's considering keeping her baby.

"Can I see my niece?" I ask with outstretched arms. Ali passes Emma over to me. I set the infant on my lap, bouncing my leg a little.

"Well, here's Uncle James' girlfriend. Well, what do you think about her? Quite a catch, right?"

"You're crazy." Sawyer shakes her head, trying to hide her smile.

"I am."

Emma scrunches her nose and smiles, patting her hands on my face.

*Later on that evening, when James is taking Sawyer home*

"You're right. Tonight was so fun."

"I told ya." I hit the 'seek' button on the radio, hoping that we can hear that song just one more time. It would a nice end to the night. Seeing as we are pulling into her driveway, it seems like that isn't gonna happen. So, I stop scanning.

But, the odds are in my favor, because the next song to come on is it. You should see her eyes light up.

- "Well, I love a rainy night."

"I can't believe that it actually came back on!"

"Let's dance." I get out the car and go to open her door, I take her hand. She smiles as I lead her to the front of the car. We spin softly in the headlights. This time, it's a slower dance. I just hold her and sway.

All good things must come to an end, but I would give the DJ anything to play it again.

I spin her one last time, she stops when she faces me. Her arms wrap around my neck and the space that's between us disappears.

She's kisses me and I kiss her back, then she leans her forehead against mine.

"Let me get you in." I take her hand for the last time tonight. We walk to the door.

"Good night, James. "

"Good night, Thea." She pushes on her tip toes, kisses my cheek, and enters the house.