It's better in the worst way, it's getting better in the worst way.

GRACE

I couldn't stop the high pitched squeal that shot out of my lips. I dodged around the table and ran towards the door.
"Reese!" I screamed out, jumping on him and hugging him tightly. "What are you doing here?" I questioned, still hanging off him. He wrapped his arms around my back, chuckling low in his chest.
"Well I got tired of your mom saying 'she's not here' and click so I did some investigating. Why don't I have your cell phone number anyways?"
"I got it changed after I left," I breathed, finally dropping down. "I must have forgotten to give it to you." He shook his head down at me, smiling.
"Shame on you Grace." I sighed.
"I know. But it's not my fault…you were at college."
"Yeah," his eyes flickered for a second, "I know."
"Grace?" Jeremy questioned behind me. I turned to see both him and Stefan standing there. Everyone at the table was watching openly.
"Jeremy, Stefan, this is Reese," I said, gesturing to him. "He's," I paused, unsure, "an old friend." I grabbed Reese's hand and pulled him forward. "Come meet everybody."
"The scruffy one looks like he wants to take me out back and shoot me," Reese breathed in my ear as we all walked back to the table. Against my will I chuckled before smacking him in the stomach.
"You're terrible." Jeremy wasn't scruffy…though in comparison to Stefan I suppose maybe he was. Reese just chuckled again. We stopped at the table and Stefan took his seat again. Matt shifted to the other side of the table, leaving one side for Jeremy, Reese, and I. I watched slightly nervous as they all gave him the once over. I did as well before sitting down.

Reese had strong features, blonde hair, and dark eyes. He was adorable. Not that it mattered to me. He also happened to be gay. He was my best friend though. Nobody knew me like Reese did. He wore a royal blue Duke sweatshirt and faded jeans with a hole on the right thigh and white converse. I shook my head slightly; I would never know how he kept them so clean. "I still don't understand what you're doing here."
"It's hooky day. You didn't seem to get the memo though."
"You and Uncle Dustin planned this?" I demanded, incredulous. He just shrugged innocently, smiling the whole time.
"So Grace," Caroline cut in, "who is this?"
"Oh, sorry," I let out, feeling myself blush, "everybody, this is Reese. Reese this is Elena, Stefan, Caroline, Matt, and Jeremy." Reese nodded at everyone, eyes pausing the longest on Jeremy. I felt Jeremy tense next to me. Apparently he noticed too.
"And you're…friends?" Caroline pressed.
"Yeah."
"We both like boys," Reese announced, poking me in the side. I blushed deeper as I collided with Jeremy. In response, Jeremy choked on his milk. There was a brief, awkward silence.
"We met a few years ago at a party," I blurted out. They didn't need to know that I hadn't technically met Reese until the next morning. "And then he went to college super far away." He just rolled his eyes at my teasing tone.
"And someone didn't give me their new number." I stuck out my tongue.
"I've had a lot on my mind." I purposely didn't look at Jeremy as I said it. I just thought about it.
"Mmhmm," he let out. Somehow it was as if Reese knew exactly what I was thinking about. His gaze slid past me to Jeremy for a second. My blush only confirmed it. He smiled knowingly.

I shoved him lightly. Reese laughed.
"I hate you," I muttered.
"Love you too baby." Elena chuckled.
"You two are obviously close," Stefan said. I rolled my eyes.
"Sometimes."
"I think it's adorable," Elena said gently. Reese shot her a wink,
"I like you," he added cheekily. I punched him in the ribs.
"Yeah," Caroline agreed, eyes alight, "isn't it adorable Jer?" The whole table fell silent. I sneaked a glance to Jeremy under my lashes. His hands were clenched on the legs of his jeans as he stared at Caroline.
"Adorable," he finally let out quietly.
"And it's official," Reese stated, wrapping an arm around my neck and pulling me towards him while ruffling my hair.
"Hey ouch," I protested, shoving him off and rubbing my neck.
"Sorry," he murmured, dropping his arm and searching my face, "you alright?"
"Yeah, I just slept on it funny."
"You would." I let out a sigh.
"You're a jerk," I muttered, crossing my arms.
"You're a dork," he shot back playfully. Conversation slowly resumed around us and Reese and I messed around for the rest of the period. He seemed to enjoy the game of pushing me into Jeremy and eventually Jeremy just wrapped an arm around my shoulder and held me in place. I didn't mind that development so much. He wasn't participating in either conversation. He just held on, chewing on his lip every so often. The bell rang and Jeremy eventually released me. I stood and waved goodbye to everyone before walking with Reese. We stopped at the door.

I stood on tip toe to hug him tightly.
"I love you," I sighed out, pressing a kiss to his cheek when I pulled back.
"Love you too." He brushed some hair out of my face gently. "You know you're the only girl for me." I smiled, sorely tempted to hug him again. "You seem better," he added quietly.
"I am," I admitted. Seeing Reese brought back a lot of things. A lot of the worst things. It was a good reminder. "I still have another class," I said, half gesturing to the rest of the school building.
"I'll wait for you in the parking lot. I've got a test to study for anyway." I nodded. Surely Jeremy wouldn't mind if I skipped out on my free period today. It wasn't like there was anyone to monitor it anyways.
"What's the plan after that?"
"Whatever you want it to be," he offered with a smile.
"I already said I love you, right?" Reese widened his smile, nodding.
"I'll see you in a bit. Get to class." Rolling my eyes slightly, I did as I was told. Art dragged and I couldn't decide whether it was Tyler's blatant absence or the fact that I was waiting to see Reese. Perhaps just a clever combination of the two. The bell finally rang and I didn't move, waiting for the teacher to leave before jumping ship. Jeremy came in before she did, sitting next to me. He didn't say anything, pulling out a text book and notebook instead.
"So Reese seems…cool." It sounded like a question.
"Yep."
"Is your neck okay?" he asked suddenly, looking at me. I blushed unexpectedly. I couldn't help it. He was looking at my face like tomorrow's lottery tickets were tattooed there.
"It's fine. Just a little sore. I'm not made of porcelain you know," I finally huffed out. I didn't need everybody worrying about me. It made me uncomfortable.
"Can I…see?" I arched an eyebrow. He continued to stare at me. I pulled my hair back, leaning forward a tiny bit. His fingertips traced under my jaw as he examined both sides of my neck. He hmm'd quietly but didn't say anything. Slowly he began massaging both sides, watching his hands as he did. I felt my head flop forward a bit. It felt amazing.
"God, Jeremy…that feels really, really good." He smiled slightly; I took in the expression with fluttering eyelids. "I have to…" I drifted off as I forgot what I was talking about. A few minutes later the thought lazily drifted into my head. Reese. Right, Reese. How could I forget? "I have to go meet Reese," I breathed, pulling back slowly.
"Okay," Jeremy said, looking exceptionally pleased with himself.
"I don't have to tip you do I?"
"First one's on the house." I laughed.
"Alright." I gathered my things, sense of urgency renewed. "I'll see you later."

A/N: It's that time again. Or at least, in the writing it is. I'm pretty sure that I already know the answer, but just in case. Keep the rating at T? Or kick it up a notch and go for broke with an M? Do note that it's not going to be for a while though…