Disclaimer: I still don't own any of the characters in this story, so please don't sue me Brent and Co.

Travis watched from a distance as Lily struggled with her books at her locker. He hadn't slept much the night before as he kept replaying the kiss that they had shared. A real one this time. One where Lily didn't run away afterward. She had looked into his eyes and told him again how much he really meant to her. Now, he took a moment to just look at her. He decided that she was adorable when she looked frustrated.

Lily tried to juggle the books she had in her hands as she reached for the math notebook that she had accidentally left inside of the locker. She sighed, feeling frustrated with everything that was going on in her life at the moment. She had stayed up most of the night worrying about what she has said to Travis. She kept thinking that she was moving too quickly. She was going to lose her own private escape, a place where nothing could hurt her and she could feel love. A place where she could just relax and forget the rest of the world. Now she couldn't reach the damn notebook without dropping the books in her arms onto the floor. She felt all of the harshness of reality and wanted to go back into her private world.

" You look like you could use some help," he said in a gentle tone and extended his hand to take her books for her.

" Travis," she said, putting on a smile and pretending that everything was normal. " I was just thinking about you," she said after she handed him the books in her hands. " Thanks," she smiled again, then reached inside her locker and pulled out the elusive notebook.

" I haven't stopped thinking about you," he said, feeling uncomfortable after the words came out. " I mean...I'm just glad that we don't have to hide our feelings anymore. It feels good to be able to just kiss you if I want and not have anyone else to worry about."

" Yeah," she answered " Well, I umm...," she stalled, not sure of what to say to him.

His face fell " Another mistake?" he asked with a hint of frustration in his voice.

" No," she answered quickly. " Well, yes," she said a little slower. She could see the hurt that she had caused him yet again and wanted to take the last two words back. " I just think we should hold off on letting everyone in on...us," she said, trying to choose her words carefully.

" Why?" he asked, clearing his throat " What are you afraid of Lily?"

" I'm not afraid," she said, and now felt as if she were being attacked. " Travis, I'm not sorry about what happened last night. I just don't want to rush things. I don't want to make a mistake that I will always regret.

" No," he confirmed " I don't either. I knew I should have stopped this," he said, taking a step back.

" I have feelings for you Travis," she said, her defensiveness now turning to shame and sadness. " I honestly do. I just don't want anyone else involved right now. I need time to think, to sort things out for myself," she looked down at her shoes, not wanting to see the look on his face.

" Why Lily?" he asked, exasperated. " Why is it that every time I think that we are getting somewhere, you back away?"

" Because that's what I do," she answered, gaining the strength to look at him again. " I act on my feelings, get confused, freak myself out, then run." She reached out and touched his cheek " I want this. I want you." She pulled her hand back. " I just want to be sure. I want things to be right this time," she whispered.

" Well, let me know when you're sure ok?" he said. His face still felt warm where she had touched it. " No pressure, Lily, but no more spending time alone until you do decide ok?" The words were hard for him to say but he knew that he had to say them, he couldn't handle a replay of their last "attempt" at romance.

" Are you angry with me, Travis?" she asked tentatively, her eyes focused on the floor again.

" No, I'm not angry," he answered, though he wasn't exactly sure what he felt anymore. " Let me walk you to class," he said as he took her arm. " Just take your time with the hard questions and remember that I am here for you ok? I will always be here."

Lily smiled and allowed herself to savor the warm feeling that always seemed to emulate from him. " When I figure myself out, you'll be the second person to know about it," she said playfully as they walked down the hallway.

" I'll see you later," he said after he handed her books back to her. He wanted to kiss her. At least a small kiss on her cheek, but she quickly disappeared into the classroom. He turned and walked away to his own class, deep in thought.

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The impact jostled him out of his thoughts and he turned to see what had just slammed into him as he heared a panicked apology. " Parker," he laughed " Are you ok?"

She looked back at him, feeling her face turning crimson " So sorry," she said " I...umm...I guess I just have my mind on things other than walking right now."

Travis smiled and extended his arm to steady her " Anything I can help with?" he asked.

You had hundreds of people that you could have ran into but of course you had to pick him. " No," she said quickly " I mean, nothing that you can help with." Come on Parker, you can be a little more cryptic. " I had a date. Had being the operative word here," she explained, sighing as she looked at the clock, now tardiness would be added to her troubles. " I was just set to go out tonight and this guy canceled on me. Not that I am serious about him or anything," she added " I just wanted to go out and have some fun without bothering Lily for the fifth Friday in a row."

" I could use some fun too," Travis said, thinking that an evening without Lily would be just the right thing for him too. And Parker was a fun person to be with. " Let's go somewhere together," he suggested, " Wherever you want," he smiled.

" Ok," she said, feeling flustered. " Maybe we can catch a movie or something?"

" Sounds good," he said. " I'll meet up with you later ok? We're going to be late." He smiled at her " Whoever he is, he's missing out," he said before he walked away.

Parker forced herself not to jump for joy right then and there.