Pogue was at a loss. He didn't know what to do, what to say to make things better with Kate. Every phone call he placed was sent straight to voice-mail and he was kicking himself for being so obvious with his dislike of Chase. He knew he was jealous, he admitted it to himself but just couldn't to her.

"I just don't want you hanging around him."

The words rang out heavy in his head, nagging and taunting that of course that translated to 'I'm very jealous and I need you to stop doing the thing that makes me jealous instead of me being a man and knowing that I don't have anything to worry about.'

She was ignoring him and he deserved it, not like it made anything any better.

She'd claimed that he was being ridiculous, that Chase was just a friend, but he clearly had life experience being a teenage boy and he knew how their mind's worked. A guy isn't just nice for no reason, he wanted something. What that was, Pogue didn't want to think about, didn't want to imagine. He could feel that his intentions weren't good and was going crazy because nobody else seemed to notice it.

Anyone he asked said the same thing: she's pissed, just give her time. But the waiting was excruciating and he'd always been incredibly impatient.

With a somber sigh and yet another one of his calls ignored, he chucked the phone onto his bed, bouncing with the pressure and ultimately landing onto the floor with a dull thud.

The night had started off so well and she was so happy, giggling as he squeezed her thigh under the table, whispering into his ear and exchanging light kisses, having even danced together alongside Sarah and Caleb. The mood had dropped some in conjunction with Ana leaving in a flurry, but what really did the evening in was Chase. Always subtly flirting with Kate and shrugging as though he were confused why Pogue didn't care for him and just wanted him to go away. You couldn't convince him that it wasn't purposeful, wasn't malicious in intent, being an obvious conscious choice in his eyes.

Was it wrong of him to take it out on Kate? Of course and he knew that.

But he also knew that it wasn't like Chase would stop. It would take Kate not spending time with him for the flirtations to quit.

Confronting her with his worries when they'd gotten back maybe wasn't the brightest idea but he couldn't keep it to himself anymore. He swore that if he had to watch him coming onto her once more, he'd be tempted to Use and wouldn't care who was around to bare witness.

His stomach ached with the thought of how he was making her feel, that he was putting her into this very tough spot of discontent and resentment. They'd been together for years and though he trusted her, he wouldn't trust him as far as he could throw him.

As his hand was reaching on its own accord for the phone, he stopped himself short. He couldn't call again. She very clearly didn't want him to.

Raking his hands through his hair, his body fell to the bed with defeat.

Ana wasn't shocked to find she was alone that morning. Part of her carried disappointment but most had expected the result. He'd sobered up, probably realizing where he was and what he previously said to her, scaring himself.

She mentally scolded herself, thinking that she should've just turned him away, told him to figure it out. She shouldn't have helped him so willingly after the way he behaved, yet she did and without a second thought. Warning herself that it needed to be a one time thing, she hoped she could commit to that. He wasn't going to learn absolutely anything if everyone kept helping him out of slick situations.

Looking at the time, the clock read noon and she was deciding on what to do when her eyes caught sight of a framed family photo, painfully reminding her that she hadn't yet been by to see her dad or the new house and it was enough to make her feel like an asshole.

Grabbing a coat, she quickly made her way down the stairs and headed into town, intentionally stepping hard into a select few puddles for the fun of it as she watched them splash up against her rain boots. The sun was attempting to peek through a break in the cloud cover, feeling the warmth on her face for the first time in what felt like months, though she knew that was somewhat of an exaggeration.

Approaching the home, the cheery yellow siding caused her lips to curl upward, well manicured bushes framing each side of the stairs that led to the porch. It was reminiscent of the one she grew up in and she was greatly thankful for the breath of nostalgia.

Her father was breaking down boxes for recycling on said porch, the box cutter slicing through the tape with ease as he added it to the pile that was quickly becoming relatively substantial. He was almost going to head inside when he had a double take at her advancing form and took the steps down to meet her.

"Well, look who it is!" He spoke excitedly, enveloping her frame in a bone-crushing bear hug. "I was beginning to think I wouldn't see you until exams were over."

"I know, I'm sorry, I-"

"Doesn't matter, I'm just glad you're here." He spoke earnestly, granting her a smile.

As her lead her inside, she was shocked and even a little saddened by the state of the interior. Boxes were still strewn about, at least categorized correctly by room but she noted that most of them were half-unpacked, if at all. It hit her then that she should've already come over as he clearly needed assistance but would never ask. He was always going to be busy at the hospital so there was no way he'd be able to unpack his family's life all by his lonesome, though he was trying his damnedest.

She'd been meaning to drop by sooner, she really had, but clearly life had gotten complicated in a blink and she wasn't sure what to do about it anymore.

All she knew was that was needed a break and needed to see her parents.

"Mom still not back from the trip?" She asked idly, observing the very sad, messy state of the house as she walked closer.

Ana didn't think her mother quite knew just how demanding her work would be when she fell in love with the profession of being a wedding baker, especially when clients will ask for her by name to assist with their cakes and other sweet treats. It didn't matter if it was another town or even another state, they'd pay for her specifically. It would never get easier to have her gone but she was extremely proud to call her her mom and she knew just how happy baking made her.

"It got extended another week, said the client is the pickiest she's had but they're willing to compensate for the trouble. She sounded excited to get home."

"Well, good," She began, leaning her body to peek into the kitchen. "Uh, need some help?"

He stopped, mid-movement of opening a box and met the eyes that looked exactly like his own.

"You probably have things you'd rather-"

"I'll start on that depressing ass kitchen." She stated with a smile.

"You're the best daughter anyone could ask for."

Stepping through the archway, she surveyed the work ahead of her, knowing from the looks of it that was in for hours worth of labor.

Her father was clearly living from these boxes, opting for takeout versus cooking considering that every cooking utensil, plate and cutlery were still safely packed away, only a few glasses sitting in the sink. Laying the contents from the first box out onto the counter, she opened the doors to every cabinet in order to access how much room she was working with. Pleased with the depth of the cabinets and the number of shelves and deciding that there was more than enough space, she began making quick work of it.

She was right in the middle of organizing the dishes inside the cupboards when she felt her phone buzzing inside of her jeans pocket. Retrieving the device, she saw that it was Kate calling. Accepting the call and balancing the phone between her shoulder and cheek, she continued to set plates and bowls in their new homes, confident that she could definitely multitask.

"If Pogue calls you, don't answer." Kate spoke immediately, tone blunt.

"Okay?" Ana replied unsure, expecting an explanation any moment.

Kate let out a long sigh. "He's so jealous! He told me not to hang out with Chase anymore, like he has the right to tell me what to do." She grumbled.

"And you said?"

Kate described that she told him that he was being ridiculous. She could hang out with whoever she wanted to and that she didn't understand his issue with Chase, further explaining that he'd been jealous from the moment they began dating but it wasn't as bad at first so she thought it wouldn't always be like that. Ana informed her gently that Chase really did act like he was interested in her and that was most likely why Pogue was acting so irrationally.

"But Pogue should still trust you." Ana added.

"See!" Kate exclaimed, Ana hearing rustling on the other end that sounded like she was adjusting her position sitting on her bed. "So if he calls you, either don't answer or tell him to leave me alone. He's been calling over and over since last night but he took a break now."

Ana was quiet for a second, moving on to unloading pots and pans from the next box and shimmying open the storage underneath the oven.

"Have you considered talking to him?" She proposed.

"He's being a complete idiot, Ana, I don't wanna talk to him."

"Ignoring him won't solve the issue you know." She reasoned. "How long are you planning on icing him out?"

"As long as I see fit." Kate answered definitively.

"Alright, well if he calls asking me to talk sense into you I'll tell him I already tried and he just needs to wait until you're ready."

"Thank you!" She sang, saying goodbye with a click.

Shaking her head, she returned the phone to her pocket. She supposed there just wasn't ever going to be a dull moment, getting back into the rhythm of the organization process.

With breath showing in the brisk autumn air, Ana hurried her steps to get to the warmth of the massive dorm building. She hadn't been aware of how late it was getting nor the amount of which the temperature had dropped as she'd been working, her only concern being to get as much done for her father as possible but she wasn't a fan of either one. No good deed going unpunished was apparently very real.

Throwing open the door, she all but ran inside as it slammed shut behind her and carried in the last chill she'd feel for the night.

"You're getting in late." The voice broke the silence, a figure she somehow hadn't noticed before coming into focus.

It was Tyler, complete with a messy head of brown hair and relaxed t-shirt covered by an army green jacket, his usual attire.

"Yeah, I stopped by my parents house for the afternoon and ended up staying longer than planned."

He smiled. "That was nice of you. How are things with the folks?

"Pretty good, uh, my dad was having to get settled in alone until my mom gets back so I helped out a bit." She informed, observing his slight confusion of her mother's whereabouts and adding, "She was chosen by a picky and expensive client. Believe me, she didn't want to be gone for the move but you know." She shrugged, an 'it is what it is' attitude to her words. He definitely remembered from childhood when her mom was starting to be fairly known and the frequency of trips picked up from there.

He'd informed her that he had been up studying before he noticed the time and was the sole person getting kicked out of the library on a Sunday, a laugh coming from the blonde stood before him at the revelation. Waiting a beat before speaking again, he took the moment to collect his sentence within their comfortable quiet.

"Not to be that person," Looking down and back up, he continued, "But what was that last night?"

"That?" She quizzed him.

"Well, we were all having a good time and you just up and left..." He trailed off.

"Oh." She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, away from her sight. If she was being honest, she knew exactly what he meant but there was an odd feeling she had of wanting to be wrong this time. "Just tired out of nowhere."

"Just tired? That's what you're going with?" He asked, seeking confirmation.

Ana nodded simply and he took a step to her so they were toe to toe, his face holding an emotion she couldn't quite place yet. She could see he didn't entirely believe her but also knew him well enough to know that he wouldn't push it further without proof and especially not when he could feel that she had no desire to talk about it, whatever reason it may be not being of importance. She'd turned, about to head to her room, genuinely exhausted now from unpacking when he spoke again, turning back to face him.

"So I know you've been acting like it's fine, but do you swear that you're alright?" He questions softly, eyes landing on her wrist.

She rubbed the discoloration softly, greens and yellows already showing past the purple, letting her know it would simply be nothing but a memory soon.

"I'm ok, really," She smiled, "I appreciate you being so concerned, though."

It was his turn to gently grasp the delicate wrist, inspecting it with care and a tender touch before he sighed.

There was a question hidden behind his eyes it seemed, mouth opening, then closing again before he could say anything. She rose her brows expectantly, a small smile shaping her lips to encourage him. He was apprehensive about something, taking a few steps in toward her but still maintaining space, blue eyes meeting her own for a moment before they flicked back down to the floor.

"Ty?"

She was perplexed, watching his movements in silence as his mind was apparently very busy.

Stepping closer to her now with his body mere centimeters away, she met his gaze with an obviously puzzled expression. His face shown that he was highly serious and deep in thought, taking a step back first, then deciding on closing the gap between their forms bravely. Tyler's look was shifting between her eyes and mouth, slowly lowering his face to hers with an aura of trepidation. He was hesitant, hovering just above her lips as his nervous breathing spread across them, the precursor to a kiss.

The courage was gathered promptly and his lips were pressed to hers, quite tame in his approach, something she wasn't used to. He was soft and caring, careful to not overstep any possible boundaries with placing his hand against her cheek and pulling her in closer. She reciprocated like it was only natural, allowing the moment to play out before her thoughts could intrude.

He pulled away after a beat, seemingly surprised by his own actions and Ana blinked a few times in sheer disbelief, the realization setting in for the both of them.

"I'm sorry," He paused, closing his eyes with a shake of his head and backing away a couple of steps.

"Tyler-"

Before she could continue however, he was speeding away from her and up the old staircase, the rumbling footsteps echoing loudly off of the walls.

Ana stared blankly at the brick wall, swallowing thickly and desperately attempting to understand what just happened because it didn't seem real.

And to think she thought that things were complicated before.

Cheers for chapter ten and a new year! As always, please be sure to follow and favorite if you enjoyed reading and pretty please leave me a review down below. Reviews make my day every time I get an email for one. xx