Okay before we get into this chapter, I just want to say I'm really sorry for the long ass wait. I've been preoccupied with another story idea and not to mention family issues. Anyways, this chapter will probably be pretty short, but the next chapter will be...quite interesting. Enjoy!

Aiden's P.O.V

"Hold on...did you just say boyfriend?" I asked Nicky in complete shock.

"That's right, Aiden. I have a boyfriend. I know how much that word scares you, but it's true," she said with an eyeroll.

Was she serious?

"Nicky, you're not ready for a relationship. You're only thirteen."

"Well mom doesn't care so I should be able to do what I want."

"Nick-"

"Could you give us a second?" She told her new "boyfriend" named Cody. He nodded before leaving the two of us. "Look, Aiden. It isn't right that you get to bring girls over all the time, yet if I just bring ONE guy over, you go nuts."

I huffed, knowing all too well that Nicky was going to put up a fight about this.

"If this is about me and Clara, you need to get over it. We're just friends."

"Bullshit, you never talk to girls as much as you do with Clara. You two clearly got something going on."

"Nicky, we've only known each other for two weeks. We're just friends," I say frustratedly.

"Right..."

"Tell me, how long have you known this Cody guy?"

"We've...well...that's not the point!"

"Nick, how long have you known him?" I press further while crossing my arms.

She shrugs and looks around at anything but me, "I don't know. A couple of days."

My mouth dropped open, "Are you kidding me?"

"It doesn't matter!" She stomped her foot. "There's something between us. I know it."

"Yeah right," now it was my turn to roll my eyes.

"Well Cody actually pays attention to me, unlike you! All you do is run away from me because apparently I'm too embarrassing for you."

"Well...I mean you are."

"Really? How?"

"Do you really not know? When we were at the beach, you had to announce that I was staring at Clara's ass, which I was not."

She folded her arms, "You so were! Don't even try to deny it!"

"No I wasn't."

"Your face is getting red!"

"Nicky..."

"You know, instead of your name being Aiden Pearce, it should be changed to Aiden Pervert," she giggled.

"I wasn't trying to be a pervert."

"So you admit it!" She pointed at me.

"It's...what men do."

"No, staring at a girl's butt is what boys do, not men."

"Yeah? Cody's a boy. I bet he stares at yours all the time."

Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened, "He does not."

"Does too."

Nicky continued to try and convince me that Cody wasn't just some player until mom emerged from the kitchen and approached us.

"What are you two arguing about now?" She glared at the two of us.

"Aiden hates Cody!" Nicky accused me.

"I never said that."

"Both of you come inside. I don't know why you guys are standing out there."

It occurred to me that I was still standing in front of the door and I hadn't come in yet. Nicky rolled her eyes once more and stepped aside so I could come in.

I got a good whiff of air conditioning as I entered the living room and came face to face with Nicky's new boyfriend, Cody. He was comfortably reclined on the sofa and his legs crossed.

He took notice of me and gave me a small wave. As much as I didn't want to return the gesture, Nicky would lose her shit if I appeared threatening to this guy, so I hesitantly waved back before scurrying out of there. Was mom okay with this? I had to talk to her.

I found her in the kitchen cleaning out the oven. She didn't notice that I was behind her until I called out her name, causing her to jump and bump her head on the roof of the oven.

She hissed in pain and while rubbing her head, she turned towards me.

"What do you want?" She snapped.

"Uh...I must have come at a bad time."

Upon hearing this, she sighed. "No, it's fine. My head just hurts. Is there something you're here for?"

"Actually, I wanted to talk about Nicky's new boyfriend, Cody."

"Oh, him? You don't need to worry about that. It's a middle school relationship and they'll separate eventually."

I thought about it for a moment. "Maybe you're right, but this is the first time Nicky has ever dated someone. It just caught me off guard when I saw him."

I heard a light chuckle come from her. "Oh trust me, I was taken aback as well, but yet again they really don't seem like soulmates. I wouldn't worry about it."

As much as I wanted to agree with my mother, something was telling me to keep an eye on the kid.

"Whatever you say, mom."

Soon after that, I retreated to my room as I usually did after school. Mom may be giving the kid a pass, but unlike her, I was vigilant.

Marcus's P.O.V

(2 Weeks Later)

Ever since Sitara came back after her suspension, she's been wondering nonstop about who helped her get out of being expelled or arrested. I denied having any involvement of course knowing all too well that I was the one who did it and if she were to find out, I'd have to tell her why which also means I'd have to tell her how I feel.

Right now, I was taking a run around the school track with some old school hip hop blasting through my earbuds. Every once in a while I'd come here after school to clear my head and after everything that's happened, I could definitely use some time here right now.

After a few minutes, I stopped to take a water break. As I chugged some of it down, I heard someone call out my name from behind me.

"Yo, Marcus!"

I turn around and I'm surprised to see Sitara, the exact person who I was trying to get my mind off of. She was wearing all white today. She had on a white oversized sweatshirt and white shorts with black cross symbols on them. "What are you doing out here?"

"I'm just going for a run."

"On the school track? I never knew that you came out here after school. If I would have, I'd join you, which is exactly what I'm going to do. Hope you don't mind."

"Nah, no worries. Let me guess, you wanna race?" I said while raising an eyebrow, knowing all too well that she was the competitive type.

A smug like smirk formed on her face, "Well, I was actually wanting to go for a jog with you, but if it's a race you want..."

Not even less than a second later, she bolts right past me, tempting me to follow suit. I was quick to run after her as she began to speed down the entire track. It took me a good bit, but I finally managed to pass her just when she was about to cross the white line.

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw her shocked facial expression upon me beating her in a race for once.

"You just got your ass beat," I mocked her.

"You got lucky that time."

"Just admit that I beat you," I smirked.

She gave me a huge eye roll before grumbling, "Fine."

After doing a little victory dance, Sitara's glare turned into a smile.

"Alright, alright. Calm your tits," she said while shaking her head. "Hey, I'm planning on setting up a little welcome back party, you know since I am back after rotting at home for a week with nothing to do.

"Let me guess, this party is going to be at your house, or should I say mansion?"

"Yep, and I'm thinking of doing some karaoke and playing a few games."

"I might just be there."

"You bet your ass you'll be there. I'm making sure to invite all of you. Even Aiden if he wants to come."

A small twinge of jealousy hit me when she brought up Aiden, but then I remembered what Horatio told me about him not being interested in Sitara.

"I'm gonna be having it this Saturday. Not sure what time yet, but it's definitely happening and you better be there," she gave me a playful nudge.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure I come. Have you told the others?"

"No, but I'll be sure to let everyone know soon. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow, Marcus," she said as her lip quirked up into a smirk which made her look even more attractive than she already was.

I grinned back at her and soon after that she was gone. I had to admit, I enjoyed spending time with her, even though I was just trying to get my mind off of her a moment ago.

I wonder how she'd react if she knew about my involvement. The thought almost gives me chills and I'm hoping it doesn't get to that point, but I know at some point it will. I'd have to think of what to say besides confessing my feelings. I got into deep thought about it as I went for another run around the track.