Lachlan

I heard soft breathing next to me. I slowly opened my eyes as I felt something move a little in my arms. There was a mess of dark gray hair in my face and a warm body pressed against me. Kali. I smiled, gently pinching my inner arm to make sure this wasn't another one of my dreams.

No, this was real. I had this beautiful human being asleep soundly in my arms and I couldn't help but feel a tinge of happiness.

I closed my eyes, attempting to enjoy this moment as much as I could until I heard my phone vibrating on my nightstand. "Fuck," I quietly cursed to myself. I gently unwrapped myself from Kali and grabbed my phone, seeing it was a little later than I thought. Mitch had texted me a few times asking when he should be expecting me. I groaned. I had forgotten I was heading there today and I still needed to edit my video, post it, and pack. I looked over at Kali, placing a gentle kiss on her head, then got up from my bed.

I walked into the office and started up my editing software. I called Mitch and he picked up after a few rings. "Dude, I thought you were heading out like an hour ago," he said, skipping pleasantries.

"Yea, I know. I kind of had a late night and forgot to set my alarm," I said in a raspy voice. "I should be heading out in about an hour. I just have to edit this video and pack really quick."

"You're not even packed, man? Oh God, you probably won't be here until tonight." I could imagine the annoyed look he had on his face.

"You only live like two hours away and it's only 10. Give me a break," I mumbled.

"What were you doing that was so important that you couldn't get ready for an epic weekend with me and Jerome?"

I sighed, mentally preparing for the rant I was about to receive. "Well, Kali came over and-"

"Dammit, Kali!" he screamed. "Go on."

I chuckled and continued. "We had dinner and recorded a video and just talked for a while. We fell asleep watching a movie and I forgot to set my alarm. Sorry, man." I was watching through the video and realized that it had captured my breakdown. I gulped as I quickly removed it from the edit and pieced it together with the outro.

"You did a video with her?" I could hear the concern in his voice. They knew how adamant I was when it came to separating Youtube from my personal life.

"Yea, it's something very different from what I would post on my channel." I let out a sigh. "We'll see how it goes I guess."

"You know, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued." He let out a light chuckle.

"Give me about thirty minutes and you'll be able to see it newly premiered on the internet." We both laughed and I could see his concern was slowly dissipating. "I do appreciate your concern man, just know that I'm alright, ok? You don't have to worry so much."

He let out a deep sigh. "I know I don't, but it's hard. I told your parents before you came here that I would be looking out for you and I don't wanna be a liar."

I bit my lip, remembering the conversation we all had when the decision was made that I come over here. It was one of the reasons why my parents were willing to let me stay on the other side of the world for a year. "I know. You won't be. I'm doing a lot better, I promise. You'll see it for yourself today."

"Good." The line was silent for a while before he decided to speak again. "Have you talked to them recently?"

My stomach tightened a little. I had been avoiding my parents for the past few days. I had spoken to them after my first therapy session and they were less than thrilled that I hadn't opened up about my self harming, even though I had tried to explain to them I have been making progress. Even after a year and a half, they still didn't really get it. "Not since Monday. Our last conversation didn't really end all that well. I have texted them everyday to let them know I was ok though."

"I'm sorry to hear that, man. But don't worry. The weekend of epicness will be the distraction you need!"

I could hear him smile as he said it and it made me smile too. Mitch has been the most supportive of all the guys. That's not to say the other guys weren't supportive, but Mitch almost took my attempt personally. He felt responsible for not knowing how bad it was, even though no one but me did. It made me feel guilty knowing what I did to him, but I honestly couldn't express to him how grateful I was. "I really appreciate it, Mitch. You're a pretty alright guy."

"Mediocrity is what I aim for," he said with a laugh.

I laughed along with him until I suddenly heard my door open. Kali walked in with two plates of waffles with Nutella and bananas. "I thought you could use some breakfast," she said with a smile and placed it in front of me, taking a seat on the chair next to me.

"Thanks," I said with a smile.

"For what?" I heard Mitch say in my ear.

"Oh, Kali brought me breakfast," I responded, taking a bite of the waffle.

"Shit, you're on the phone. I'll just go back to the kitchen." She began to stand but I grabbed her hand, my eyes pleading for her to return to the seat beside me. "You sure?" she whispered. I nodded. She sighed and sat back down, taking a bite out of her banana slice.

"Wait, Kali's there? Put me on speaker!" Mitch ordered.

I cocked my eyebrow in confusion towards at Kali, getting a strange look in return. I reluctantly put Mitch on speaker and placed the phone on my desk. "You're on, man."

"Kali? Can you hear me?" Mitch asked.

Kali's eyes went wide, obviously recognizing his voice. I smiled, now seeing the slightly starstruck expression on her face. I hadn't gotten to see it when she saw me for the first time, but I guess it was similar to her face now. Her jaw dropped a little and there was a little blush slowly crossing her cheeks. I smiled at her, causing her to blush a little more when she realized I had noticed. "Oh, hey there."

"Hey, I'm Mitch. So what is this I hear about you keeping Lachlan up late and stealing time away from me?" He said it with a playful edge in his voice, but I saw Kali blush even harder.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't know he had plans to leave for the weekend until it was already late. I should have-"

Mitch bursted out laughing, cutting Kali off from her unnecessary apology. "I'm just kidding. I'm glad he's making some quality friends over there. Any friend of Lachlan is a friend of mine."

"Oh, um, thanks." Kali mumbled, embarrassed for believing Mitch earlier. "I really am sorry. I should have pushed him to get ready last night."

"Oh please. I knew he wouldn't be ready on time. He is literally the king of procrastination."

"I am not that bad!" I cut in, doing a poor job of defending myself.

Mitch started laughing again. "I'm truly curious to see how long it takes you to pack without your mom helping you."

"Shut up, ass hole!" I yelled. I started blushing as I heard Kali try to suppress a laugh beside me. "Ok I think it's time I hang up now."

"You're right. Finish your video and pack already. Can't wait to see if Kali is really as hot as you say she is." My face went red and I took the phone off speaker. I saw her blush slightly, trying to pretend she hadn't heard that.

"Bye, Mitchell," I said, hanging up the phone abruptly. I ate the rest of my breakfast in silence, trying to edit the video as fast as I could.

"So they know about me?" Kali basically said in a whisper. I nodded shyly. "Do they know I know them?" I shook my head. "Oh."

I couldn't quite read the expression on her face. "Kali, um, I may have mentioned to them that we met at group," I said, biting my lip as I waited for her reaction.

She nodded, almost like she had already expected that. "I figured. You don't really go anywhere on your own." She paused, thinking about what to say before she continued to speak. "How much do they know about me?"

I looked at her, my eyes pleading for her to trust me. "All they know is that we're in the same group and that you're my mentor. I would never tell them anything you tell me. I'm not that much of an ass hole."

She just nodded mindlessly, her mind clearly not there with us. "Can I watch it before you post it?" She motioned to the video on my screen.

I nodded and played it from the beginning. My voice rang through my speakers, followed by the sound of the piano and Kali's beautiful voice. I watched myself sing along with her, a pit of doubt forming in my stomach again. I was getting nervous about posting it.

"People would be crazy not to love it, Power. You really do play beautifully."

I smiled at her. "We both know it's the vocals that carried the song." She gave me a playful shove, a smile spreading across her face. "I don't want you to think I only like you because you're hot." Her smile dropped from her face, obviously not expecting me to bring this up again. "You truly are beautiful inside and out, Kali. I honestly believe that and I know you know I do." I lifted her chin so that she couldn't keep averting her eyes from me. I looked at her, waiting for a response.

"What do you want me to say?" She asked quietly. There was sadness in her eyes and I couldn't tell why.

"Tell me I'm not the only one who enjoyed the feeling of having you next to me while I slept. Tell me that it felt right to you too."

"Lachlan," she said as she shook her head. "If I told you I didn't agree with you, I'd be lying, but I told you Monday that this can't go very far. I need you to understand that."

"I do, I get it. I just need to know I'm not the only one feeling like this."

She came closer to me, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek. She bit her lip as she pulled away. "You're not." She got up from her seat, collecting both of our empty plates, and left the room.

Kali had left by the time I walked out of my office. I only realized it because I had found the pajama bottoms I let her borrow folded neatly on my bed with a note in her handwriting.

Didn't want to interrupt you again. Text me when you get to St. Pete safely. Enjoy your crazy weekend, Power :)

I smiled just thinking about the note as I pulled into Mitch and Jerome's driveway. I parked my car, retrieving my duffle bag, laptop, and camera bag. I walked to the door and saw that it was unlocked, so I decided that was a cue to make myself at home. "Fuckboys, I have arrived!" I shouted into the house.

"What the hell?" I heard Jerome say as he turned the corner from the living room into the front entrance. He smiled as he got closer, pulling me into a tight hug. "You've been missed! Thanks for the announcement by the way. I love being woken from my afternoon nap so peacefully."

I laughed as I put my bags down on the floor. "I do what I can. Where's Mitch?" I asked as I looked around and realized he still hadn't shown up.

"Before I fell asleep, he said he was going to get some pizza so he's probably on his way back now."

I shrugged and nodded, picking up my bags as I made my way to the guest room I usually stay in. Jerome followed me, helping me setup my laptop and camera on the desk that I'd be using for the next two days.

"Honey, I'm home." Mitch exclaimed from downstairs. I walked into the kitchen and pulled him into a hug. "Thanks for telling me you were here by the way, ass hole. I had to guess when you'd be arriving since you are literally the worst at sending an ETA."

"Shit, that reminds me, I have to text Kali." I pulled out my phone and sent her a quick message. She quickly replied, telling me to enjoy myself and that I shouldn't test her while I was with my friends. I smiled, typing a response and quickly put my phone away, only to look up and see two pairs of eyes staring at me with huge smirks on their faces. "What?"

"We saw the video," Jerome said, pulling one of the pizza boxes towards him and grabbing a pepperoni slice.

"Ok?" I said cautiously, grabbing a slice for myself and taking a bite.

"We saw the way you looked at her, man." Mitch said, the smirk never leaving his face. "How do you fall so hard for someone so fast?"

I felt myself blushing, but knew it was stupid to pretend that they didn't have a point. "Ok, I like her a lot. It sucks. I don't know what to do."

They looked at me, confusion clear on their faces. "What do you mean you don't know what to do?" Mitch asked. "She was giving you the same look. She obviously likes you too."

"She made it very clear that nothing serious can happen between us." I said, starting to lose my appetite.

Jerome nearly choked on his pizza. "Wait, so you like want to have like a relationship with his girl? Who are you?"

"She's different. I can't quite explain it, but I've known her for less than two weeks and she already makes me want to be a better person. Is that crazy?"

Jerome stared at me in shock while Mitch smiled at me like he was proud or something. "Fuck it," Jerome said, causing Mitch and I to switch our focus on him. "We're going out tonight. I don't know how I feel about this lovestruck Lachlan, but I think you just need to get laid."

I looked at him, and I'm sure he could see the confusion in my face. "I'm down to go out, but why is it bad that I want to be in a relationship with this girl?"

Jerome just shrugged. "I just don't want you to get hurt, ok? You came here to get better and I don't think chasing after this girl is gonna help."

Mitch decided to speak up. "Why are you assuming the worst?"

Jerome glared at Mitch, making me feel really uncomfortable. "Because someone needs to be realistic. You can't tell me that you don't think the same. You've known her for like two weeks and she's already on your channel? How do you know she's not using you?"

"Because I asked her to be in it. She didn't push it." I looked at Jerome dead in the eyes. He was beginning to make me angry.

He looked back between Mitch and I, backing up. "Fine. Don't get mad at me for being worried. I don't want to say I told you so down the line, so please don't make me have to." He walked out of the room and slammed his door.

I laid in my bed in silence after we came back from some club. Jerome had apologized for being a dick and I accepted, but I couldn't stop thinking about what he had said. Kali couldn't be using me, right? I had pushed those concerns out of my head already since she seemed way too genuine for that, but how could I know for sure? I felt a tight knot in my stomach and I felt like I just had to see her. It was around two in the morning so I was hoping she'd be awake when I called her on FaceTime.

It rang three times before I saw her face come across my screen. "Lachlan?" She said, a worried look on her face. "Are you ok?"

All the doubts Jerome had presented quickly faded. I smiled at her concern, sitting up on my bed so she wouldn't be looking at me at an awkward angle. "I'm fine, just miss you I guess."

She gave me a questioning look. "Didn't I tell you not to bother me while you're with your friends?"

"You said not to text you. I didn't text you." I gave her a cheeky smile as she rolled her eyes at me in faux annoyance.

"How did you know I wasn't sleeping?"

"Wishful thinking I guess. Plus I knew you missed me too and I couldn't let you sleep with that pain." She flipped me off and I bursted out laughing. "I know that's how you show your affection."

"I would punch you if I was there."

"And here I was thinking we could do something else," I said biting my lip. I knew I was coming off strong, but it was getting late and I couldn't help it. The little bit of alcohol I had at the club was clouding my judgment.

She cocked her eyebrow at me, adjusting herself in her bed. "What did you have in mind?"

"Is it bad that I really liked how you felt against me last night?"

She shook her head and laughed. "I knew I shouldn't have stayed the night."

"I should have kissed you," I said before I could fully process what I was saying. I felt myself blush and watched as she did the same.

"Maybe you should have."

"Would you have let me?" I asked hopefully, knowing that she felt conflicted about her feelings for me. I knew she felt the same way I did, but the damn rules of the group wouldn't let her act on it.

"Who knows? Maybe third time would have been the charm," she said, biting her lip playfully.

"It drives me crazy when you do that," my voice coming out low.

"Do what?" she asked playing as she played with her hair. Her phone slipped a bit, exposing her cleavage. I felt a lump form in my throats and I started feeling hot. It's been a while since I've been…intimate with someone so my senses were heightened. I felt Kali could tell and a blush instantly covered her face. "Go take a cold shower before you say or do something you're going to regret tomorrow."

I nodded slowly, my eyes moving from her hazy eyes to her soft lips to her… "You're probably right. Good night, beautiful."

She chuckled. "Night, handsome," she said with a wink before she disappeared from my screen. My mind continued to wander to places it shouldn't have and I couldn't stop, nor did I want to. I guess there's no surprise what I'll be dreaming about tonight.

Kali

I woke up to the feeling of Lachlan's arms leaving my waist and I suddenly felt like something was missing. I turned my head and watched him leave the room. I guess he hadn't realized that he woke me up. I got out of the bed and made my way to the kitchen, deciding to surprise Lachlan with some breakfast. I saw he had a waffle maker when we were baking last week and pulled it out, letting it heat up as I quickly prepared some batter. I poured it into the large waffle maker and began to chop some bananas to put on the waffles. I pulled out some Nutella from his pantry and smeared it on the fresh waffles and spread the bananas on top. It may not have looked that appetizing, but it smelled delicious.

I figured Lachlan was in his office so I made my way there, gently opening the door so I wouldn't distract him too much. I heard him laugh as he looked back and saw me carrying in the food. "I thought you could use some breakfast," I said with a smile as I sat next to him.

"Thanks," he said, returning my smile. "Oh, Kali brought me breakfast."

I looked at him, confused. Then I realized it. "Shit, you're on the phone. I'll just go back to the kitchen." I felt him grab my hand, pulling me down towards the chair. "You sure?" I saw him nod before I reluctantly sat back down.

I began to quietly eat my breakfast until I felt him look back at me with a confused look on his face, causing me to do the same. He put his phone face down on the desk. "You're on, man," he said, taking a big bite out of his waffle.

"Kali," a very familiar voice said, "can you hear me?"

I felt my eyes go wide and my mouth drop a little. Was this really happening? I felt Lachlan looking at me and my face instantly went red from embarrassment. I realized I hadn't responded after what was possibly an uncomfortable pause on his end. "Oh, hey there," I tried to say as casually as possible.

"Hey, I'm Mitch,"he said, reaffirming my suspicions as to who he was. "So what is this I hear about you keeping Lachlan up late and stealing time away from me?" he asked, what sounded like anger and jealously laced in his voice.

I felt my face get super hot. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't know he had plans to leave for the weekend until it was already late. I should have-" he cut me off with loud laughter from my rant of an apology.

"I'm just kidding," he said when he was finally able to stop laughing. "I'm glad he's making some quality friends over there. Any friend of Lachlan is a friend of mine."

"Oh, um, thanks. I really am sorry. I should have pushed him to get ready last night."

"Oh, please," he said, letting out another laugh. "I knew he wouldn't be ready on time. He is literally the king of procrastination."

Lachlan looked at the phone angrily. "I am not that bad!"

Mitch started laughing harder. "I'm truly curious to see how long it takes you to pack without your mom helping you."

I covered my mouth, trying to pretend I was coughing but actually trying to cover up a laugh. "Shut up, ass hole!" Lachlan yelled beside me. I saw him blush in embarrassment and it made me want to laugh harder. "Ok I think it's time I hang up now."

"You're right," Mitch's voice rang from the phone. "Finish your video and pack already. Can't wait to see if Kali is really as hot as you say she is." I saw his face go red just as mine did. I looked away and mindlessly played with the little bits of food on my plate.

"Bye, Mitchell," he said quickly as he hung up the phone. He averted eye contact with me as he quickly finished his food and edited the video we recorded yesterday.

"So they know about me?" I asked, breaking the silence. He nodded slowly. "Do they know I know them?" He slowly shook his head. "Oh," I said, not sure how to feel.

He looked at me and I could tell he was going to tell me something he didn't want to. "Kali, um, I may have mentioned to them that we met at group." He spoke in such a quiet whisper, I almost wasn't sure if I had heard him correctly.

But I knew I had. I nodded slowly, not surprised by what he had said. "I figured. You don't really go anywhere on your own." A thought crossed my mind that I had never felt the need to think about before, but now it felt painfully obvious to ask. "How much do they know about me?"

Lachlan's eyes lightened as I looked at them, almost like they were becoming a little more glassy. "All they know is that we're in the same group and that you're my mentor. I would never tell them anything you tell me." I felt him grab my hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm not that much of an ass hole."

I nodded as my thoughts began to run wild. How could I be certain that he didn't accidently slip up when he was talking to his friends? They already knew I self harmed, and like I had told him before, that's not something I really liked to advertise. I felt uncomfortable sitting next to him now, and I felt terrible for thinking that but it's kind of hard not to. I looked at the screen and saw he was quickly creating a thumbnail for our video together. "Can I watch it before you post it?"

He nodded and played the video. He gave his intro and luckily I didn't look as awkward on camera as I had felt during that part. The song sounded beautiful in the video and I couldn't help but think about how I had cradled him in my arms after we had finished this recording. He had allowed himself to be so vulnerable with me and I did the same with him. I felt guilty for doubting how much a could trust him and quickly pushed any negative thoughts I had had to the back of my mind, enjoying the sound of his voice and mine as he played the melody of a song he held so close to him.

"People would be crazy not to love it, Power," I said, feeling he had shifted uncomfortably during the video. "You really do play beautifully."

He gave me a warm smile, the glassy look still present in his eyes. "We both know it's the vocals that carried the song." I gave him a playful shove and a reassuring smile. "I don't want you to think I only like you because you're hot," he said quickly, the smiles leaving both of our faces at his untimely confession. "You truly are beautiful inside and out, Kali. I honestly believe that and I know you know I do." I felt his hand raise my chin, forcing me to look into his icy, blue eyes.

"What do you want me to say?" That was all I could manage to get out without my emotions going crazy. Of course I knew how he felt about me and I know he knows I reciprocate those feelings. I feel like I'm the only one trying to stop them even though we both know there is no good that can come of it.

I held both my hands in his, his eyes never breaking away from mine. "Tell me I'm not the only one who enjoyed the feeling of having you next to me while I slept. Tell me it felt right to you too."

I bit my lip and shook my head, trying to find the words to say to the beautiful man sitting in front of me. "Lachlan, if I told you I didn't agree with you, I'd be lying, but I told you Monday that this can't go very far. I need you to understand that."

"I do," he pleaded, "I get it. I just need to know I'm not the only one feeling like this."

I looked him in his eyes and leaned in closer, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. I pulled away and averted my eyes again. "You're not," I said as i grabbed our plates and went into the kitchen. I washed the dishes I had dirtied and wiped off the counters, making it look as untouched as possible.

He was still in his office, so I decided now would be the perfect time for me to leave without us having to have any further conversations that I knew neither of us were ready for. I quickly made his bed and slid out of the pajama bottoms he had let me borrow and into my own jeans and sweater. I folded it and started towards the door. I stopped when I grabbed the handle, my conscience telling me it was wrong to leave without telling him. I sighed as I looked for a plain piece of paper and a pen and quickly wrote a note. I left it on top of his pajama bottoms and walked out of his front door as quickly and as quietly as I could.

I got back to my apartment and I silently prayed my roommates were either in their rooms or out for the day. I hadn't told them that I was spending time with a new friend, and I definitely didn't tell them it was a guy. I got to the door and could hear noise from inside. I signed, knowing this wasn't going to be as pain free as I was hoping.

I walked in and saw Analys and Carina in the living room watching Christmas cartoons. Their eyes both shot to me, mischievous looks crossing their faces. Analys muted the television and watched me expectantly as I hung up my keys and tried to make my way to my room. "I knew you didn't sleep here last night."

Carina tried to hold back a smile, but I could see it pushing its way out. "Had a long night, Kal?"

I sighed, turning around and sitting down with them on the couch, "It's not what you think, I promise."

"What do you think we think?" Analys asked, blinking her small brown eyes at me.

I threw my head in my hands, knowing that the sooner I get this over with, the better. Carina and Analys were both members of the Latina women's group I was part of during college. We all joined around the same time and had gotten really close since then, despite them being cousins and being a few years older than me. Carina was like the big sister I never had and always motivated me to stay focused and keep a good head on my shoulders. Analys was a wild child, bringing out more of my free spirited side. They had taken me under their wing when I was just a freshman and we had been close ever since. Since we were so close, that means they also knew just how to get under my skin and get what they wanted out of me. "Yes, I was with a guy. No, we did not have sex."

Analys covered her mouth as she squealed with excitement. Carina just laughed at her cousin's dramatic reaction. Analys glared at her before looking back at me, genuine excitement in her eyes. "You didn't tell me you were talking to someone."

I looked away from both of them and stared at the silent television screen. "I didn't tell anyone because we're not talking, we're just friends."

"Oh so you stayed up all night?" Carina looked at me, giving me a look that says that she knows that's bull shit.

"Ok, ok. We slept together but we didn't sleep together." I tried to fight a smile from spreading across my face but I knew I was failing miserably.

"Oh my god! Girl, you really like him! Oh my god, let me see what he looks like." Analys gushed. She had been pushing me to start dating since a few months back, telling me it wasn't healthy to still be hung up on Reese, even though that wasn't really what was happening. She kept telling me I needed to find a distraction, even if it was just a guy to keep my mind from wandering to my dark place. I reluctantly pulled out my phone and scrolled through my pictures. We had taken some pretty terrible selfies while mini golfing and just looking at them made me smile. I opted to show her the picture that we took in front of the hot air balloon at Downtown Disney.

I sighed and handed her my phone and watched as her and Carina studied the picture. "Kali, you look so pretty and happy in this picture! I love your outfit!" Analys exclaimed.

Carina let out a soft chuckle. "Bruh, I always knew you'd end up with a white boy."

I rolled my eyes at her, recalling the jokes they had made over the past few years and the faux bets they had placed on the ethnicity of the man I would end up with. I had convinced myself I would end up with a Latino guy. Analys always said I would end up with a black guy since all my boyfriends prior to Reese had been African American. Carina, on the other hand, was adamant that my inner white girl would get the best of me and I would end up with a blond haired, blue eyed white boy and at the moment, I was doing very little to prove her wrong. "Fuck, Cari, he's like fresh off the plane Australian, too," I said with a groan. I hated when they were right.

They both started laughing hysterically, knowing good and well I was embarrassed. "Only you, man. But on a serious note, when do we get to meet this mystery boy?" Analys asked, passing me back my phone.

"I invited him as my plus one to Ash's Christmas party since she told us we could bring someone, so I guess if he's crazy enough to come like he said he was, you'll meet him there."

They both focused their attention back to the television as I took the movie off of mute. "He has one week," Carina mumbled, "God bless his soul."

I chuckled as I walked back to my room, knowing that Lachlan really may need that blessing when he meets my friends. I quickly grabbed a pair of black jeans and a slightly cropped olive green sweater from my closet and tossed them on my bed, making my way to the bathroom for a quick shower. I had plans to meet Eirene for lunch and some Christmas shopping. I had already gotten something for my family and a few close friends, but I knew my sister needed to get something for her girlfriend and I had decided that maybe I should get something for Lachlan.

I got ready fairly quickly, touching up my hair just a bit since I had gotten severe bed head last night before hearing my phone ring. I looked and saw it was Rene texting me that she was here. I quickly slipped on my shoes and grabbed my bag before running downstairs.

We were walking through Michael's as I looked for some art supplies for Lachlan's gift. My sister had been pretty quiet, which was weird for her and it really started bugging me. "Are you good, Rene?"

She looked at me, her eyes widening expectantly. "You tell me, Kal."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked as I picked up a medium sized, blank canvas.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" I cocked my eyebrow, obviously not following. She pulled out her phone and typed something quickly, turning it to me once the image was clear. On the screen was the thumbnail of the video Lachlan had posted of us, and I could feel my face instantly go red.

"How did you even find this?" I whispered, taking the phone from her and closing out of it.

"I subbed his channel and followed him on Insta and Twitter. If you weren't going to cyberstalk, someone had to." She shrugged casually as we made our way to the pencil aisle. "I still don't know why you didn't tell me."

I walked, carefully looking over the colored pencils before me and selecting the ones in the best condition. "It's not a big deal or anything. I'm trying really hard to keep it low key, and you're not really helping, sissy. You didn't tell anyone or post that anywhere, right?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "I'm not an idiot. I wouldn't have done that without your permission."

She stopped talking, but I knew there was more she wanted to say. Her lingering silence was killing me. "What now?" I asked, turning to her impatiently.

"Nothing, I just haven't heard you sing in a while. And did you see the way he looked at you, or more importantly the way you looked at him?"

I scuffed at her and walked quickly down the aisle. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Just then, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

LACHLAN: Hey, I just got to Mitch and Jerome's. Hope you're not missing me too much ;)

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile.

KALI:Not even a little bit ^_^ Glad to hear you're there safe. Enjoy your weekend and I swear I better not see your name in my inbox while you're visiting your friends

LACHLAN: Fine! Have a good weekend Kal, text you Monday

I read his message and put my phone away, smiling like an idiot. I felt eyes on me and saw my sister looking at me. "What?"

"He must have texted you because I know you don't smile like that when Mami or Papi text you."

"Shut the fuck up and let's get out of here."

I had been working on Lachlan's gift since Rene dropped me off back home. What she had said had been ringing in my head. How do I really feel about him? Can she see something that I can't? I bit my lip before going on YouTube and clicking on the video. I saw his face come across the screen and mine quickly joined it. I tried to watch the way we interacted. It didn't look like anything further than friendship, right? The glances we stole at each other weren't indicating anything more than I thought they were, were they?

Halfway through the video, my phone started ringing. Lachlan was Facetiming me and it was 2 in the morning. My mind immediately assumed the worse. "Lachlan?" I asked as his face showed up on my screen. "Are you ok?"

He smiled at me as he sat up on his bed, giving me a glimpse of his bare chest. "I'm fine, just miss you I guess."

"Didn't I tell you not to bother me while you're with your friends?"

"You said not to text you. I didn't text you."

I rolled my eyes at him as he tried to give me his innocent smile. "How did you know I wasn't sleeping?"

"Wishful thinking I guess. Plus I knew you missed me too and I couldn't let you sleep with that pain."I flipped him off and he started laughing hysterically, the sound filling my room. "I know that's how you show your affection."

"I would punch you if I was there," I said with a sly smirk.

"And here I was thinking we could do something else." He bit his lip as his voice trailed off at the end. I could see his eyes getting clouded with what looked like lust.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little curious as to what he was getting at. "What did you have in mind?"

"Is it bad that I really liked how you felt against me last night?" He looked at me like he needed approval for his feelings.

I shook my head and laughed. Believe me, your body made it clear that you like how it felt, I thought to myself. "I knew I shouldn't have stayed the night."

"I should have kissed you." His face went red and I could feel mine begin to do the same. He seemed a little off, his thoughts jumping around, but I couldn't tell why.

"Maybe you should have," I tried to sound casual, but I think it kind of came out as more of a tease.

"Would you have let me?" I could see the hope in his eyes, but his question rang in my ears. Would I have let him?

I bit my lip, contemplating my thoughts but knowing I needed to give him some sort of an answer. "Who knows? Maybe third time would have been the charm."

"It drives me crazy when you do that," he said in a low, husky voice. There was definitely lust in his eyes now.

I couldn't help but tease him a little bit. "Do what?" I tried to play with my hair in a way that would be perceived as sexy until my phone slipped from my hand into my lap. I could feel him staring at me, his eyes wandering from my lips to my chest and it was making my face hot. "Go take a cold shower before you say or do something you're going to regret tomorrow," I tried to say it playfully, but I meant it. I meant it more for me, though, than I did for him. He could say something and I'd be wrapped around his finger, but I can't let him put me in that position. I can't allow myself to be in that position.

I could still feel his eyes running over me, but something about the way he did it excited me. "You're probably right," he said, his voice still low. "Good night, beautiful."

"Night, handsome," I whispered before hanging up. I was left alone with my thoughts and Lachlan's unfinished gift laid before me. I placed the materials on the floor and really considered my growing feelings for the blond guy that I used to watch through my screen. I knew it was wrong, but is it really that bad if it felt so right?

My mind continued to play out scenarios it shouldn't have and I couldn't stop, nor did I want to. I guess there's no surprise what I'll be dreaming about tonight.