Aight, y'all. I apologize for the long ass wait, I really do. And I'm sorry this chapter isn't as good as you all would have hoped - and deserved - it to be. I'm really sorry about that. And even more so because it turned out being way too long and it's 5am and I just have no energy to edit it. I might do it some time next to week just because it really bothers me to see typos and mistakes, but I'm gonna be super honest: I won't even proof read this. I really want to go to bed, lmao.

So once more I apologize for the wait, for the really crappy chapter (I don't even know if any of it makes sense, since it took me weeks to get it done and I haven't proof read it), and I'm sorry for not editing it.
Normally, I would never upload something like this, but I just feel really, really bad for making you wait for such a long time, so I'll make an exception. Especially because I have promised a few people that this would be up by the morning.

So... What can I say? I'm sorry again. Hope y'all don't hate me too much.

Chapter XVIII

I reached for a second pillow to put on top of the one that was already covering my head when I heard my two brat little brothers run again from their room to the upstairs TV room, where were also their video games and toys and whatever fuck they played with. They kept laughing loudly and screaming at each other. When I noticed the second pillow wans't making any difference, I extended my hand and felt around the nightstand looking for my iPod. I couldn't seem to find it, so I lifted my head from down the pillows and saw it behind the digital clock that marked 7:51am.

"Are you fucking kiddin- SHUT UP!" I screamed the last words getting even more pissed upon noticing it wasn't even an acceptable time for them to be goofing around so much.

I plugged in the earbuds and settled for KT Tunstall's playlist, diving my head underneath my pillows once again.

I only noticed any time had passed after that because the last song I remembered playing was Ashes, and by the time I felt the side of my bed shift the song playing was Other Side of the World. Although I knew one of my brothers had entered my room, I kept still, pretending I was asleep, hoping they'd go away eventually. But I felt a hand creep under the hem of my tee and finger nails trace paths up and down my back, I shivered and let out a chuckle knowing just who it was.

The pillows were taken off of my head and her body snuggled into mine, without stopping the caress on the skin of my back. I paused the song and pulled the earbuds out before turning my head to the side to find Mitchie's beautiful face being sustained by her right hand. She smiled widely at me and I smiled back, resting my head on my arms and closing my eyes again.

"Good morning." She greeted in a low tone.

"G'morning." I said back still with my eyes shut enjoying her caresses. "What are you doing here so early?"

"I came to pick up your brothers." I opened my eyes and scrunched my eyebrows. "Horse riding lessons every two weeks?"

"What? That's still a thing?" She just stared at me. "Mitch, they're so annoying. Just drop them, let 'em have classes with one of the country club coaches."

"Alex!" She stopped the movements on my back to softly slap it before resuming them again. "They're your brothers! No wonder they don't treat you well, you treat them just as badly."

I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"At what time does that end, anyway? I thought we would hang out for a while before the party tonight."

"Oh, we will hang out." She said before moving her hand from under my shirt and resting her arm over my waist, scooting her body even closer to mine. I opened my eyes and our noses were less than an inch away. "We will hang out because today you're coming along with me, Justin and Max to the country club."

I scoffed at her.

"Uh, no. Sorry, babe, but it's Saturday and it's barely 8:30 in the morning. I'm not leaving this bed before noon."

"You better, Alex. Because your parents are heading to New Jersey for a big ass wedding and won't be home until later, we're babysitting until then. I love your brothers, but I'm not willing to handle them on my own."

"Wait. Isn't the wedding thing in two weeks?"

"It was. Two weeks ago! Alex, c'mon. How can you be such an airhead?"

"It's all your fault, to be honest."

Mitch sat up widening her eyes at me and letting her mouth hang open in desbelief. I had to hold in a laugh.

"How is it my fault?!"

"Well... You're all I can think about. Things that aren't related to you just don't get my attention."

She smiled and slowly ran her fingers through my head and I closed my eyes again.

"But it kinda is related to me. We're supposed to do it together, honey."

"I'm sorry." I rambled in a low tone starting to doze off again at Mitchie's caresses.

"Lex, don't fall asleep." She asked in a low tone when she stopped moving her fingers. I sighed in disappointment but didn't move. "Please, baby, get up. The sooner we get to the club, the sooner we can come back and take a nap."

I opened only one of my eyes and looked at her.

"Together?" She nodded. "Cuddling?" She rolled eyes but nodded again. I let out a sigh and turned around, laying on my back before stretching my whole body. I noticed Mitch's eyes scanning me up and down and her inconcious lip bite. I chuckled and shook my head. "Aight. I'm gonna take a shower and get ready. Give me 20 minutes."

Twenty five minutes later I got downstairs and saw my brothers watching cartoons on the TV while rambling in Spanish. I rolled my eyes thinking how annoying that was getting. I made my way to the kitchen and was welcomed with the sight of nothing else than Mitchie's perfectly sculpted butt. Her elbows leaning on the island counter and her back to the door. She was wearing those painfully tight and very provocative horse riding pants, though she had flip flops instead of the sexy boots.

I noticed she was flipping through the pages of a magazine or whatever, so I silently walked behind her before hugging her waist tightly and ducking my head in the crook of her neck. She kissed the side of my head and kept reading the magazine. I looked up and saw it was an article titled "Of Mice and Manet". I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What the hell are you reading?"

"This Japanese psychologist is studying mice's brains trying to find out wether their able to appreciate or differentiate art or not."

"Wh- Mitchie, why are you even reading that?"

"What? It's interesting! Turns out mice can actually differentiate an author's painting from the others when given incentives like morphine. And milk."

"Ugh. That's so boring. Who cares about that? Can I please have a kiss?"

She kept her eyes focused on the pages.

"I'm still reading, baby. Why don't you have breakfast meanwhile so we can go?" She tapped her phone and glanced at the time before her eyes were locked on the magazine again. "It's getting late. Please, hurry."

I scrunched my eyebrows and sighed. This woman...

Grabbing her by the waist, I turned her body around pushing her back against the counter and her front against mine.

"No."

I gave her a conceited smile before softly pressing my lips against hers. She sighed and I felt her hot breath on my skin.

"Mitchie, honey?" My mom's voice echoed from the living room and Mitch automatically pulled away, running her index finger and thumb through the corners of her lips and glared at me before narrowing her eyes.

"What?!" I whispered at the same time she yelled letting my mom know she was in the kitchen.

"Sweetie," My mom stood at the door while looking for something inside her bag. She didn't even look up. "I talked to Margaux, who's the mother of one of Max and Justin's friend from soccer, and she said the boys can spend the night there with Olivier." She sighed in frustration and disappeared for a moment before coming back with a small notebook, flipping through its pages. "The Andersons just invited us to stay in their house so we can have brunch tomorrow." She scoffed. "Who does that in such short notice, right?" She glanced over at Mitchie, finally noticing me standing next to the girl. "Oh, good morning, Lex." She gave me a small smile before finally stopping at a page. "Here." She walked over to the counter laying the notebook there. She walked back into the living room for a second before coming back with a pen. "Here's Margaux's house number, I'm writing down the address too." When she finished writing she looked up at Mitchie. "Do you think you can drop them there at around five or will it get in the way of your plans with Alex?"

...But

"Oh, no, Theresa! It's no problem at all. We're not leaving before ten, we will still have a lot of time left. Is there anything specific I have to pack for the boys?"

My mom tapped the pen against her chin , thinking. Both completely ignoring me.

"I don't think so, honey, but would you mind asking them if there's anything they wanna bring with them when you're all packing?"

"Sure. No problem." Mitchie's smiled and took a quick look at the address my mom had just written down on the notebook. "Oh, that's actually close to a friend's house. I know how to get there."

"Oh, wonderful! Thank you, sweetie."

"Um." I cleared my throat getting their attention. "Excuse me, why are you telling all of this to Mitchie? Last time I checked, I'm your daughter and older sister to both your sons, shouldn't you be asking me to do all of this?"

They both frowned and looked at me blankly for a moment.

"Excuse me, don't you always hate when I ask you to do stuff like this for me?" My mom shot back. "Besides, your brothers seem to be fonder of your girlfriend and actually obey her, which makes things a lot easier. What would take you two hours, because you get carried away in their provocations, takes Mitchie twenty minutes." My mouth dropped and I winked at them several times. "Alex, baby, I don't know why this impresses you? You know Mitchie better than I do, there's a reason why you fell for her. And by the way, honey, how many times am I gonna have to ask you to stop buying and wearing those ripped jeans? They make you look like those filthy grunge people who hang in front of 7 Eleven back in Seattle, it's not pretty." She said before walking out of the kitchen and sunddenly start clapping her hands. "Chop, chop, boys!" I heard her from the other room. "Get upstairs to brush your teeth and put on your shoes, you're leaving in a bit."

"Alex?" Mitchie placed a hand on my hip and sheeted it before turning me around to look at her. "What's wrong?" She asked seeming a little surprised at my frowning expression.

"Nothing."

I shrugged and moved away from her walking to the fridge.

"It's obviously something." I kept rummaging through the fridge and didnt bother to answer. "You're not jealous, are you?"

"Psh. Yeah, right." I rolled my eyes. I shut the fridge and placed the raspberry jam pot on the counter. "Of what?!" I asked as I reached for the bread.

I took a sit on the opposite end of the island, always focused on spreading the jam on the bread slice.

"Alex." I glanced at her before taking a bite. "Really?!" Mitch started making her way over to me. "Come on, you can't be serious."

"I didn't even say anything!" I raised my eyes just to notice she was already standing right by my side.

"Exactly." She said. "It's when you don't talk that I have to worry." I just kept eating. She brushed my hair and kissed my shoulder. "Come on, Alex. Don't do this. What did you want me to do? Say no to your mom?"

We locked eyes while I chewed on my food. I swallowed it and looked back down to my plate to put jam on a new slice of bread.

"Can you get me some water, please?"

Mitchie sighed. A few seconds later she placed a glass of water in front of me.

"Are we gonna stay like this all day long?"

I took a sip of the water before raising my gaze to meet hers just as my brothers stormed into the kitchen.

"We're ready!" They yelled in unison.

Mitch gave them a shaky grin.

"Good! Do you have all your stuff? Remember we're having lunch at the club's restaurant, so if you don't wanna be wearing the boots all the time bring your flip flops or sneakers, alright?"

"We already did." Justin informed pointing at his backpack laying near his feet.

"Right. So we're good to go, then?" They both nodded eagerly. Mitchie turned around and looked at me. "Are you coming?"

Well... I wasn't actually pissed at Mitchie. Or my mother, for that matter. But I was a little jealous of Mitchie getting so much attention from my whole family. Every day we would hang out at my house, she'd spend more time giving attention to my brothers and parents who always wanted to be around her than actually being with me. Besides, even though we were on vacations, Mitchie still always had things to do, and we had barely spent any time together the previous week. So I thought I could act on it a little bit...

I looked at her expectant eyes and almost gave in.

"Maybe I'll meet you there later for lunch. Just text me when you're done with the class."

Her eyes rested on me for a while, but I got up and made my way to the sink to start washing the dishes.

"Boys, why don't you go ahead and buckle up?" I saw her handing Justin her car keys through the corner of my eyes.

"Race you there!" Max yelled running off while Justin complained about how his foot had gotten tied around the strap of his backpack.

"Guys, please be careful!" Mitchie shouted. I turned back to the sink focusing on what I was doing when I noticed her walking in my direction. She stopped a few inches with her body facing me and her side leaning against the counter. "Can I at least have a kiss goodbye?"

I sighed finishing what I was doing and reaching for a cloth to dry my hands. I turned around and and kissed her cheek, just an inch away from the corner of her lips.

"Have fun." I smiled, but before I could walk away, she softly held my hand stopping me.

She let out a sigh and hugged me. I just placed my hands on top of her shoulders, fighting the urge to hug her back. I felt her breath on my neck and closed my eyes.

"I don't what I've done, but I'm sorry. Please don't give me the cold shoulder." She sighed and pulled back to look at me. "I'll call you later." I nodded and accepted the quick peck on my lips before watching her walk away.

I took a deep breath as I made my way to the living room and heard her leave the driveway, already regretting this stupid, childish plan.

"Alex?" I jumped at my dad's voice behind me. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going with them?"

"No... I'm only meeting them for lunch."

"Oh wow... That girl really is something, huh? Not even you like taking the boys out by yourself, and you're their sister!" He chuckled.

I groaned rolling my eyes and climbing the stairs. I got into my room and saw my phone light up and vibrate on top of my bed.

Mitchie: I know this week has been a bit hectic and we didn't get to spend a lot of time with each other, so we can ditch the party later and just be together if you want to.

I smiled and hugged my knees leaning against the headboard.

Alex: it's Lindsay's farewell party, she'd probably be pissed if we didnt show up.

I slapped my own forehead after I hit send, thinking how infantile I was being. But I just wanted to know how far I could take this before I gave him.

I reached for the remote and stopped zapping when I saw there was a marathon of Friends reruns on, though it was on commercial break.

Mitchie's answer arrived seconds later.

Mitchie: please don't be like this :(

I just wish I could be there with you right now, but I can't just ditch your brothers, Lex. I'm not dropping them off at their friend's house until 5pm. It's stil 9:50am. Please don't be like that all day.

"Honey?" I looked up and saw my mom standing by my door. "Did you seriously let Mitchie go alone with your bothers to the country club? Do you not know what they're capable of?" I shrugged as I started typing Mitchie's reply. My mom sighed. "Your father and I are leaving. We should be back at around 2pm tomorrow. We're gonna pick up your brothers on our way back, so don't worry about him. I'll call you later tonight. Please, be safe at this party. Don't drive if you're planning on drinking, just call a can or something. And it's okay for Mitchie to spend the night."

"Alright. Thanks."

"Don't forget to set the alarm when leave for the party and before you go to sleep, please."

"Okay, mom."

She sighed and made her way over to me before leaning down and kissing my head.

"I'll see you tomorrow, baby. I'll be on my cell."

"Alright. Tell dad I said bye."

"I will. Be safe."

Alex: I don't know what you're talking about.

I cringed as I sent it. That was probably gonna be just enough to get Mitchie pissed. I giggled. Oh wow. Who knew I was such a masochist?

Her answer came a few minutes later.

Mitchie: fine.

Oh.

When I finally got to the country club a little before noon, Mitchie and my brothers weren't where they usually stay during the classes, so I walked to the barns.

"Ugh." The smell was just gross. I had to cover my nose in order to focus on looking for them, otherwise I'd end up puking on one of those really expensive horses and I'd be fucked.

"Alex?"

I turned around and saw Natalie walking in with Lauren, her friend who lives in Katonah and who was carrying a saddle to place in front of one of the cubicles.

Well, that's pretty fucking weird.

"Hey, Nat. What are you doing here?" I asked with my awkward nasal voice, still trying to ignore the stink. How were they not smelling it?!

"It's Lauren's parents' anniversary, they're throwing a party later tonight at their house." She answered as she walked closer to mez "We're just killing some time here. What are you doing here?"

"Uh. Mitchie is teaching horse riding to my brothers, I'm looking for them."

"Oh. How's that going, by the way? I mean, with you and Mitchie." We hadn't talked much since the break up, even though we had agreed to stay friends. For a moment I thought of Mitch and smiled, distractedly letting go of the hold on my nose. And when I breathed in, I started coughing impossibly hard and felt all my breakfast turn inside my stomach. "Alex, oh my God." Nat came closer to me and placed a hand on my back. "Alex, are you okay? Do you want some water? Lauren, help me!"

I had to get out of there, or else I was going to throw up all over Lauren and Natalie. And she looked way too pretty for me for ruin her.

"I-I..." Ugh. "Outside." I managed to let out in between coughs.

"Let's take her outside, come on." I heard Lauren say and just then realized she was on my other side, holding my arm. They lead me outside the barns and I took a few breaths. My eyes were watering and my throat was a little raspy. I'm such a pussy. "I'm gonna get you some water, okay?"

I nodded, rubbing my face and taking a deep breath.

"Jesus! What the hell was that?! You scared the shit outta me!" She had a hand over her chest and her cheeks were slightly blushed.

Ugh, she's so pretty.

"I don't know... It's just... That... Smell."

"Was all that because of the smell of the horses' poop?!" I nodded suddenly feeling like an idiot. Even more so when Natalie started laughing.

"I'm from Seattle, okay?! I'm used to the smell of CO2, not horse shit! You're in New York now, but you grew up in this giant farm, don't mock me, country girl."

"I'm not. It was just funny. You're still a weirdo." She giggled and brought her right hand to softly touch my cheek.

And then a very sarcastic 'hi' echoed through my ears making me immediately pull Nat's hand away from my face as I recognized Mitchie's unmistakable voice.

"Long time no see, Natalie. How are you?" She asked politely at the same time she placed two fingers in the corner of my front right pocket in an obvious yet subtle possessive gesture.

"I'm great, Mitchie. What about you?"

"I'm wonderful." And there was that sarcasm again, the side look in my direction not going unnoticed.

"Hey, here's your water Alex." I let out a relieved breath and mumbled out a low 'thanks' before taking the bottle from Lauren's hand, thankful for finally having something to occupy myself with. "Hi, Mitchie!"

Mitchie smiled and nodded at her, pulling me closer by my pocket, making my body softly bump into hers.

"So, uh..." Nat trailed off, obviously feeling the awkwardness. "Lauren and I were about to head out. I guess we'll see you guys around?"

"Sure!" I said before motioning to lean in and kiss her face goodbye, but Mitchie held me still pulling my arm to rest around her waist. "See ya." Nat tried to hide the entertained smile and raised her eyebrows as if saying 'wow' at Mitchie's public display of jealousy. She and Lauren waved at us and started walking back into the barns.

Mitch and I stood there watching them, her fingers still inside my pocket and my free arm still around her waist. I took advantage of that to hold her closer and tighter, ducking my face in her neck. But it barely lasted for a few seconds before she pushed me away.

"Don't even." She pointed her index finger at me and turned on her heels, walking away.

I let out a low, bitter laugh, wondering what was it that, at the end of the day, I was always the one trying to apologize to Mitchie? How did everything always turn in her favor and against me?

For the rest of the day, we only spoke to each other when it was absolutely necessary. I wasn't even keeping up with my stupid idea of giving her the cold shoulder anymore, but I was too lazy to crawl at her feet apologizing too. Especially when my brothers were all over our asses talking about how Max made a girl throw up at lunch once when he was talking about the shapes of his poops. I figured when Mitch and I were finally back home alone, I would make it up to her. That chance didn't come until hours later, though. When we got home, we went to take showers at separate bathrooms, and after that I had to clean my room, while Mitchie offered to clean by brothers'. When we were done, we cleaned the mess they had left at the TV room and layed on the floor - keeping a distance from each other at Mitchie's request - to watch The Sound of Music. When the movie was over, I stretched myself and sat up looking for the remote. After I turned off the DVD player I noticed Mitch was still laying on her back, sound asleep. Her left arm was folded and her hand was resting on the side of her neck.

I smirked and gently took her other hand that was laying on her stomach and softly placed it on the floor. I slipped closer to her body and leaned down, placing my hands on the floor by each side of her head and slowly kissed the right side of her neck. I brought my lips up to her earlobe and brushed my teeth against it, immediately feeling her breath change its pace, becoming a little bit restless. I smiled to myself and pulled back just a few inches to look at her face. She was still asleep. I leaned back down and started placing butterfly kisses along her collarbone, exposed by the white tank top she was wearing. Before I could realize, I was laying on top of her, with my right leg between hers and feeling myself throb I'm between mine.

"Mitch..." I called in a husky tone against her skin as I reached for her right hand still resting near her neck and laced my fingers with hers, anticipating the moment she'd wake up and properly respond to my touches. "Baby, please wake up." My lips were touching her ear this time.

I felt her free hand land on my hip and her fingers squeeze mine. When I looked at her she still had her eyes shut, so I leaned in and kissed her lips, barely waiting a second before I licked them and immediately felt them break apart under mine.

She freed her hand from mine and brought it to my neck just as I gently pushed my thigh against her crotch, earning a deep, long breath from her, who broke the kiss to let out a moan when I repeated the action. Mitchie's hand slipped under the hem of my shirt and her nails dug into my skin, making me hince. I kissed my way down through her jawline and neck until I reached the exposed upper part of her breasts, briefly brushing my lips over her skin before I grabbed her left thigh covered by her dark red sweatpants and squeezed it.

"Stop it." Mitch's request sounded afar and almost unreal in my trance. I didn't stop. Instead, I licked the skin of her neck again before slowly sucking onto it. "Alex." Her moan echoed inside my head just as I located her pulse point. "Damn it, Alex, stop it!" And then it hit me how her hands were on my shoulders trying push me from her and how I was forcing myself against it.

I stopped what I was doing and propped myself on my elbows that were on each side of Mitchie's body, and looked into her eyes. Our faces were mere inches apart. I could still feel her warm breath against my chin.

"What is it?" My voice was low and still husky from the anticipation of what we were about to do just seconds ago.

"What is it?!" She repeated my words and scoffed, letting her hands fall from my shoulders. "Alex, what is wrong with you? You barely looked me in the face this morning for whatever reason, then you show up at the club and I bust you flirting with your ex, then we come back here and you wanna act like nothing ever happened, and now you actually wanna have sex? What is your problem, huh?"

"It's nothing, baby. It was just a weird day. I'm sorry. And I wasn't flirting with Nat."

"Get off of me." She asked looking away. I didn't move, trying to get her gaze back to me. "Alex!" She exclaimed before finally looking at me again, but she was pissed. I sighed and rolled away, laying on my back again and staring at the ceiling. From the corner of my eye, I saw her sit up and straighten her tank top that was rolled up to the line beneath her bra. I hadn't even noticed I had tried to take her shirt off. "Look, I know I haven't been very successful at making more room for us to spend time together these past few days, but there's a lot of things I have to do before I leave for college, Alex. You don't do anything, so it's easy for you to just complain." She was staring at the empty TV screen while talking. "But maybe if instead of sitting on your ass all day long texting me about how bored you are, you could help me with the shit I have to do, so I can finish them earlier and we can be together." She went silent for a second before letting out a deep breath and standing up. She reached for her phone that was near the TV next to mine and unlocked it. "It's almost 8pm. We should go get ready." She said while making her way out of the room.

I slapped myself on the forehead and closed my eyes, wondering why I couldn't just have apologized and agreed to helping her? Especially now that everything seemed to be working out for is.

I took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling, knowing that was going to be a long night.

"What's up between you and the lady, honey?" Miley asked sitting down next to me on the couch.

I was in my own little world watching Demi mingle with the rest of the people, although she didn't really seem in a very talkative mood herself. We would just exchange glances across the room occasionally and stay away.

The ride to Miley's house had been excrutiating. And before at my house while we were getting ready, Mitch and I didn't exchange one single word. I did want to tell her how beautiful she looked in that dress, although it was a couple of inches too short for my taste. And how I loved when she had her hair pulled back in a ponytail, showing off her beautiful face.

But I didn't.

And after we got to Miley's house, we greeted Lindsay and Brad before parting ways. She offered to drive, so I was allowed to get as shitfaced as I would like.

"Nothing." I muttered before taking another gulp from my beer.

"Yeah, right. You two can hardly ever keep your hands off of each other and she's hanging with those losers from the lacrosse team."

I rolled my eyes.

"There are only two people from the lacrosse team here, Miley."

"Then who are those?"

"How am I supposed to know?! I'm new!"

"And I'm high! I don't know shit either."

I sighed and watched Mitchie sitting between Lindsay and some other girl, listening to them talk while blankly staring at the boys card game going on at the large coffee table in the center of the living room.

"I think I'm kinda drunk..."

Miley giggled.

"We all are, babe."

"I'm gonna grab another beer."

"You do that."

I nodded at Miley and slowly made my way to the kitchen. I notice the door of the fridge was opened and someone was rummaging through it, so I threw my empty bottle of Heineken in the trash and waited for them to finish. A moment later, when the door closed, I saw Caitlyn turn in my direction.

There was an awkward silence for an instant before the let out a shaky smile.

"Hey, Alex."

"Hi."

She pressed her lips together and moved away when she realized I wanted to pass.

"So, uh... Is... Everything okay? I mean, between you and Mitch."

I rolled my eyes when I reached a new bottle and closed the door. I tapped the bottleneck against the marble sink and opened it.

"Like you care." I leaned my hip against the island counter still staring at her.

Caitlyn let out a sigh.

"Look, I screwed up by getting with Nick and saying those things to her about you, but I-"

"Hold it." I interrupted her. "What things?"

She scrunched her eyebrows and then her expression shifted in realization of something she probably didn't mean to say.

"It doesn't matter, really. I just-"

"Caitlyn, tell me."

She took a deep breath and waited a few seconds, but when she opened her mouth to talk a high pitched 'what' echoed from the living room to the kitchen. I immediately recognized Mitchie's voice. Caitlyn and I exchanged a glare before I ran past her.

"...so I guess Nick probably stopped delivering it for you to get to the point of going after a girl, am I right?" That was the first thing I heard as soon as I got back into the living room. It was silent, except for the low sound of a random Local Natives song, and everyone's heads snapped in my direction when I emerged through the door. I recognized that boy from school, but I had no idea who he was or what was his name. He was sitting by the coffee table with the other boys - Nick included - playing cards. I immediately looked for Mitchie's gaze and wasn't surprised to notice her eyes were fixed on me. I couldn't read them and that suddenly made me desperate. "Oh, hi, Alex Russo." The same boy kept talking, but I ignored him, still trying to read Mitchie's expression. "Tell us, what is your secret? Because you did in months what monst of us have been trying to do for years, which is stealing her from Nick." He chuckled and a few other people joined him.

That was when I finally teared my eyes from Mitchie's and looked down at the boy, who was looking at the set of card he had in is hands, as if nothing had happened.

"Who are you again?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

He looked at me and let out a sarcastic chuckle.

"As if you don't know."

"No, I don't. Reason why I'm asking myself why the fuck are you talking about me and Mitchie like you know shit."

"Whatever, dyke."

"Excuse me?"

"What's going on?" Miley asked coming up from the basent with Charlie, Liam, Lindsay, Brad and a couple of other people. No one answered. Not me, not Mitchie, not the asshole causing all of that, not Nick. "What the fuck?"

I shook my head walked over to Mitchie.

"Come on." I said offering a hand that she instantaneously took, standing up from the couch and making her way around the coffee table, on the opposite side of where the boy was sitting.

"Are you serious? You're not even gonna make out before you leave?"

"Harry, what the fuck?!" Lindsay asked astonished.

"What is your problem?" Miley exclaimed almost simultaneously.

I heard him laugh just as other people started talking too, some censoring his drunk ass, other talking amongst themselves about what the hell had just happened, since a lot of people still didn't know about Mitchie and I, especially people we hardly ever hung out with like Lindsay's friends.

I didn't care about them, though. I brought Mitchie by the hand to the dining room and cupped her face with my hands.

"Are you okay?" She nodded placing a hand over mine. Her face was a little blushed and she seemed a bit agitated. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I was expecting something, but not tonight and not necessarily from people from school."

"Baby, calm down, okay?" She asked in a smooth voice, sliding her hands through my arms. "It wasn't your fault and I've been preparing myself for... Y'know..." She trailed off and sighed. "I didn't think anything would happen tonight either, but it's okay. Don't apologize."

"Let's just go home. We've been here long enough." She nodded and I pecked her cheek before grabbing her hand and walking back into the living room, which seemed to have gone back to normal.

"Guys, I'm sorry about Harry." Lindsay said walking over to us. "He's drunk out of his ass. And he kinda always had a thing for Mitch, so..."

I frowned and looked at Mitchie who had a small embarrassed smile on her lips.

"Did you know about this?" She nodded slowly.

"But I never though it meant anything."

"Well, I really wanted to apologize, since I know he won't. And I don't mind of you guys wanna leave. I totally understand."

"Thanks, Lindsay." Mitchie said. "We are gonna go, though. I think things would just be even more awkward of we stayed."

"Yeah, totally. Thanks for coming, though."

"Thanks for inviting us! Don't forget to e-mail Jen when you guys get there. She said she might be able to take a few days off and meet you wherever you are."

"Yeah, I think Brad is already in contact with her. But thanks anyways. I'll bring you guys gifts!"

We smiled and hugged her.

"Hey, guys. You're leaving?" I nodded at Miley. "Alright. I'll call y'all tomorrow. Maybe we could catch a movie or something. Y'know, go on a double date, since you finally told Mitchie's parents."

I smiled and her and grabbed Mitchie's hand.

"Sure. I'll talk to you later."

We walked hand in hand to the front door. Just as I reached for the doorknob, I heard him again.

"Hey, Torres! Remind your dad not to try out for the Senate next year! I don't think people would like having someone whose daughters are paying taxes to the queen, healing governments we help destroy, and eating pussy like a-"

Before I knew it, I had jumped over the couch, climbed over the coffee table and punched him in the nose. And if Liam hadn't pulled me away from him, I'd probably have broken his jaw.

"Don't you dare ever talking about Mitchie and her family again, you asshole!" I spit on his hair before storming out of the house just to notice Mitch was still frozen near the door. I took a few steps back and stood in front of her, rubbing her upper arms. "Mitchie, please, let's leave."

She took a deep breath and started walking to the car. I placed an arm over her shoulders and kissed the side of her head.

"Can you drive?"

"Of course."

"Mitch?" I called later that night while laying on my back and staring at the ceiling. Mitch was laying next to me and I didn't have to look at her to know she was still awake."

"Yes?"

I sighed.

"I'm sorry for today. For the whole day, really." I rolled on my side and looked at her. She slowly turned her head to look at me too. "I was acting stupid. I promise I'm gonna help you out so we can be together."

She smiled and caressed my face before turning on her side to face me.

"I love you. That's for what you did back there, but, please, don't ever do it again, Alex. I still think your finger is broken."

I chuckled.

"Well, it was worth it. And after that ice pack, it's actually pretty bearable. But just so you know, I would've done it all over again, Mitchie."

She smiled again and slid the tip of her nose over mine before turning around so her back was facing me. I immediately scooted closer and spooned her before placing an arm over her waste and another one under her neck. I kissed her bare shoulder and hid my face in the crook of her neck, taking a deep breath know that was the exact place I would like to sleep and wake up for the rest of my days.

There you go. I'm really sorry for this mess. I promise to make it up to you on the next chapter - which, by the way, has an 80% chance of being the last one. But I'll let you all know on Twitter, depending on how the writing process is coming along. Follow me there (at sign)nsv91. Same as here.

Also, if you can, check out my new story called Seeds! It's the one I'm gonne be writing after I wrap TACC, though the first chapter is already up.

Anyways, sorry again.

Hope y'all have a great weekend!