Heyy! Alright, I'm skipping a little bit ahead in time right now, because if I took the time to write two weeks of nothing, than it would take forever to get to the juicy stuff. And you don't want that, right?

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Two weeks later: December 31: New Years Eve

Amy shivered, pulling her coat closer to her body. She had been standing at the end of the driveway for nearly thirty minutes, waiting.

She wouldn't have waited for him, she wouldn't have, if he wasn't so damn cute. When he'd asked her to wait for him outside, so it was easier, she had eagerly accepted. No need to make him come up to the door or beep, right? Because beeping would be too strenuous for him. Stressing those godlike arms and everything. Then she'd had the thought. Why make him come all the way up the overlong driveway? Why not walk down to make it easier for them? So she had.

God, she was pathetic. And the worst part is, she knew it...and embraced it.

Now she was left standing in the freezing December air, without enough clothes to keep her pinky warm.

As she pondered over the suckiness of her night, her phone vibrated in her jeans pocket, and she quickly snatched it up with cold fingers.

"H-hello?" Her teeth chattered.

"Hey! Where are you?" Ty's voice flew through the phone, music throbbing in the background, making her feel even more moronic than before.

"Um, still waiting." She heard Ty's sigh of anger as his feet shuffled to a more quiet place. She knew he was angry because he had told her he wouldn't come. He had.

"He's here." Amy felt tears rise in her eyes, but blinked them away. He was wrong.

"What do you mean?"

"Braydon. He's at the party, Amy." Amy bit her bottom lip, blinking at the sky.

"He got here about twenty minutes ago. I didn't see him walk in, so I figured you'd just wandered off somewhere. I tried looking for you, but couldn't find you. So I called." Amy took a deep breath before answering.

"Uh, you're sure it him?"

"Positive. I'm sorry, Ames." Amy shook her head at no one.

"No, don't be. It's no big deal. He just...forgot, I bet. It's something that can easily slip anyones mind." She heard Ty's cynical laugh.

"Yeah, Amy. Because you're so easily forgotten." Amy crinkled her brow in confusion. "I mean, you've been talking to the guy for two weeks now...you don't just forget a friend."

Amy cringed at the hot anger pouring through her phone. She knew Ty had a right to be angry, but not until they'd heard Braydon's side of the story.

"Listen, I'll talk to him at the par...tomorrow. If he did forget me, then okay. But, its just...it's fine Ty."

"I'm coming to get you." She could practically feel his clenched teeth.

"No, I'm fine. Really. I'll go get some homework done." She heard Ty say something rude as someone bumped into him.

"The hell you will. Just because the prick left you there, freezing, no doubt, doesn't mean you aren't going to enjoy this party." Amy couldn't help but smile a little.

"No, really. I'm fi..."

"If you say you're fine one more time, I swear to God..."

"Okay! Okay, I'll be waiting." She readied herself against the wind. Mentally preparing herself for another ten minutes.

"Okay. But get inside and warm up." Amy rolled her eyes.

"I'm already out here." She heard Ty's car starting. The one he had just bought a week ago.

"I don't care. I would never make you wait out there in the first place. You're probably an icicle." Amy looked down at her fingers. She sure was an icicle.

"Alright. Hurry up." Amy flipped her phone shut, hurrying up the driveway.

"Warm enough?" Ty looked over at Amy. She could see in his eyes that he was still angry, but worry was coursing through his eyes also, steadily taking over.

"Toasty." She smiled reassuringly at him.

"I can't believe he didn't pick you up. Haven't you had it planned for nearly a week now?" Amy turned away, hurt.

Braydon had come up to her right before Christmas vacation and asked her what she was doing for New Years. When she said she was attending the Grants' New Years party, because of her parents, that is, he smiled and offered her a ride. Of course she accepted. To be honest, she nearly jumped on the chance to spend even one more moment with him. She couldn't hide it from anyone. She was majorly crushing on Braydon, and didn't care who knew it. When he talked to her, he made her feel special. When he made her laugh, she melted. Of course, she always felt like he was holding back, but she figured she could work on that.

"Nearly." Nearly a week? Try a week and a half.

"The bastard son of a..."

"Ty!" Amy looked at him, stunned. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Ty looked at her ruefully. "The first day the guy came to school, there were already rumors about him being a convict, Amy. Then he lies to you. What do you expect me to think of the guy?"

"First of all, I told you the rumors were a lie. Yes, he's working at Green Briar, but only for the money. He's not doing a service. His parents moved here because his dad got a new job." Ty looked unbelieving. "And he didn't lie to me. At least, we don't know for sure yet. Give him a chance."

"Whatever." Ty looked straight ahead as he maneuvered his car into a parking spot on the spacious lawn.

Amy sighed, looking at him. When he didn't answer her stare, she climbed out of the car and headed up without him. She wanted to see Braydon, so find out why he hadn't picked her up...but she was scared of the answer.

Maybe she'd ignore him. That could work. Ignore him and call him in the morning. Then, she can just hang up if he admits to forgetting her. It would be so much less embarrassing than having to stutter through a forgiveness speech, when really she was hurt down to her core...

"Amy!" She whirled around, her body froze as she spotted who had called her name.

"Braydon." His eyes flitted from her to the busty brunette he had been talking to. He said something to her, kissed her cheek, then walked towards Amy.

"Amy, I'm so sorry! I didn't even..." He looked like he was on a high. The apology, or whatever his pathetic mumbling was about, sounded wrong coming from a face that kept lighting up when he saw someone he knew. "I'm sorry I didn't pick you up. I forgot, I'm so sorry!" Now, she thought, he looked truly sorry.

"It's okay." She smiled lightly up at him. Looking into his root beer eyes made all troubles fly away.

"Really?" His eyes lit up when she nodded, smiling. He looked around, then grabbed her hand. "Come with me." He led her through the crowd, grabbing a drink for her on the way, down a hall, and into a dark room. When the light flickered on, Amy saw they were in a small study. It couldn't be bigger than twenty by twenty, but it was a cozy small. The leather couch situated in front of the stone fireplace made a soothing environment.

"How'd you know this was here?" Amy's eyes glittered in excitement.

"Ashley's dad hired me in this room." Amy looked at him, seeing a smile light his face.

"It's great!" Amy walked towards the mahogany desk behind the couch. She lightly ran a fingertip across its surface, as a light fingertip ran across her hip. She whirled, shocked by the touch, and found herself in Braydon's arms.

"You make me crazy, Amy." Amy's eyes flickered around the room, towards the closed door, then back to his eyes.

"I...I do?" She stuttered, her heart beating quicker. Braydon only nodded, lowering his head to kiss her cheek lightly. He trailed kisses along her cheekbone, down her neck, and onto her collarbone. He then lifted his head, resting his lips against hers lightly, talking against them.

"But we can't do this." Amy, shocked, blinked.

"Why not?" She rested a hand on his chest, which he brushed off as he backed away slightly, leaving his hands on her hips.

"Because, I don't do flings." Amy looked at him, suddenly excited.

"Neither do I." She backed away too.

"No." He looked troubled. "Look, I'm experienced in this area. Girls who don't have boyfriends, or have never had a steady boyfriend, tend to be uncommitted." Amy looked up at him, thinking he was crazy.

"Are you serious? If anything, it's the other way around!" Braydon shook his head sadly.

"Look, it's just my...philosophy. I've dated girls who have had steady boyfriends before, or have a boyfriend when I've met them. Those girls have been faithful and committed. Others, the ones who have never had a boyfriend, or are single, tend to leave or cheat. And I'm not talking about this just first hand. It's happened to people I know too."

Amy now knew, for sure, that he was crazy. But, oddly enough, she didn't care. She didn't care about his philosophy, she just wanted to feel his touch again. She's do anything.

Suddenly, before she knew what she was doing, she had pushed him away roughly. "What the hell!?"

She looked at him. His beautiful face was shocked.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"What the hell do you think you were doing? Did you slip something in my drink?" What was she doing? Oh God, please help her.

"No! Amy, what the hell is going on?" His eyes were bulging.

"I can't believe...I don't know what I was thinking! He's going to kill me!" She nearly skewered herself on the spot. What kind of bullshit was she slinging?

"I don't understand..." Braydon looked like he was getting what was going on, but wanted an explanation.

"Ty! He's going to murder me. Oh, God." She didn't know how she did it, but tears were pouring down her cheeks.

"Ty? What does he have to do with thi..." Braydon stopped mid-sentence, his eyes taking on a new light. "Are you dating?"

Amy shook her head vigorously. "No! I mean, yes, but no." Braydon looked agitated. Amy had to come up with something, and quick.

"We started dating a little before you got here. I lied that day...in the gym?" Braydon looked like he was beginning to understand. "We just, we don't want anyone to know yet. We've been friends for so long, that we wanted to make sure it was going to work before we announced it."

Braydon cast her a skeptical look. "Then why are you here, with me? And why was I going to pick you up tonight?"

Amy wiped away stray tears. "We got in a fight and broke up. But I want him back, I do. So when you asked me I said yes because I wanted to make him jealous. When you forgot me, I had no choice but to find another ride. I had my mom bring me. I needed to make him jealous, I had to." She let more tears stray, for good measure. She had to make it believable. "And, when you dragged me away, I saw him notice and followed you, hoping it would make him jealous still. But, you came on to me...and I couldn't stop you. I...I don't have a backbone. Then, when you told me your philosophy? That just pissed me off. I mean, how horrible is that?"

"Amy, I..." She cut him off.

"No, its not the point. The point is I want him back." She paused. "Need him back. And now that I kissed you? God, he'll kill me!"

Braydon thought about this for a moment, before smiling softly at her. "Amy. You know I like you. I mean, I think I just made that clear." The kisses rushed through her mind like a wildfire. "But I can see that you love Ty. So...I won't tell him. No one needs to know that you let me kiss you. And if they do find out? It was all my fault. We won't even be lying."

Amy hoped to God this was all worth it. "Really? Thank you!" She leaped at him with a hug, just as the door opened.

"Amy? Are you in here?" Ty's voice drifted into the room before his head popped in. "We need to ta..." He stopped as he sighted them, enfolded in each others arms.

Amy, horrified, ran at him. " You're right, come on." She grabbed his hand and pulled him forcefully from the room without looking back.

"What's going on?" Ty asked, and Amy felt instantly bad. How was she going to pull this off?

"Nothing, we need to talk. You're right." She pulled him through the party and out towards his car. When they were situated in their seats, Amy looked at him.

"I have to tell you something, but you have to promise not to kill me."

Ty looked stunned. "Uh, I thought we were going to talk about before..." Amy's eyes landed everywhere but on his face.

"Amy?"

"Look, you were right before. Braydon did forget, but he's truly sorry." Ty chuckled sarcastically.

"Sorry? Amy, he left you in the freezing cold!" Amy scowled at him.

"Yeah, yeah. Who cares? He's a great guy Ty, please give him a second chance?" Amy pouted at him. "For me?"

Ty looked at her. "I don't get why you're so willing to forgive this guy."

"I like him, okay?!" She shouted, getting fed up. Wasn't it obvious?

Ty flinched, his eyes widening. "You...like him?"

"Yes, okay? I like him. I really, really like him." Ty cleared his throat.

"Okay." Amy's head spun towards him.

"Okay? You're that willing to accept it, when you've been so pissed all night?"

"Amy, I know what its like to like someone. It's hard not to forgive them." Ty laughed at her face. "Amy, come on. I have liked a few girls in my years. I used to think I'd do anything to get them."

"Anything?" Amy's eyes brightened.

"Yeah. I mean, when you like someone, all you want is to be with them." Amy smiled at him.

"Look, about that thing I didn't want you to kill me for..." Amy bit her lip.

"Wasn't it that you liked Braydon?" Ty looked confused again.

"Not exactly..."

"WHAT!?" Amy cringed at Ty bellowed at her. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?"

"I wasn't, obviously!" Amy watched as he hit his steering wheel. "Look, you said yourself you'd do anything to get your crush."

"I was exaggerating, obviously." He mimicked, looking at her with anger. "And I sure as hell didn't mean lying."

"I'm sorry, okay? I made a mistake. A huge mistake." She felt tears rising as she looked out the windshield.

"Yeah, you can say that again. Do you seriously think he's going to want you after this?" Amy gasped. "Yeah, didn't think about the consequences did you?"

"I...I thought that if I had a boyfriend he would try and get me..." Amy felt a tear slip out.

"Yeah, but the truth has to come out, Amy. He won't want a liar." He chuckled. "No matter how fucked up his views of relationships are, no guy wants a liar."

"I know...you're right." And suddenly she was crying. Crying so hard her insides hurt. She heard Ty sigh and then felt his strong arm wrap around her shoulders, soothing her with small murmurs.

When she calmed down, she pulled away. "There has to be a way...a way to make him want me without telling him."

Ty looked at her, fast. "Amy! Are you kidding? I told you, we can't keep this lie going. What if he does tell, what then?"

"Would that really be so bad?" She looked at him, saddened.

"You know I didn't mean it like that. It's just, we aren't dating!" Amy cringed again as his voice raised.

"I know! But he thinks we are." Suddenly, she had an idea. "Ty, he thinks we are!"

Ty looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "So?"

"So? So!? Ty, if we kept 'dating' for a little longer, but made it public, than he would want me!" Ty looked like he was about to yell again. "No, just hear me out. Look, he said himself that he only liked the girls who'd had steady boyfriends previously, or when they'd met. I guess that means they break up and he steps in."

"Amy..."

"No! Listen. So if we date for like, a month, and break up, than he would swoop in and take me. He said himself that he likes me." Amy was suddenly excited.

"Amy, we can't lie like that." Amy rolled her eyes.

"Ty. People lie all the time, and we don't. One lie won't hurt anyone. Plus, once we break up, no more lying. I won't lie to Braydon anymore. Just this once. I swear."

Ty looked hesitant. "Amy, this is crazy." Amy let her head fall into her hands. "You really like him, huh?" Amy nodded in her palm. There was a long pause. "Okay."

Amy's head snapped up. "Okay?"

Ty nodded. "I don't like it at all, but if you really like this guy..." Amy nodded vigorously. "And this is the only way..." She kept nodding. There was no other way. "Then I'll do it."

"Are you serious?!" Amy smiled, nearly crying again.

"Yeah, I'm serious. But only for show. We'll tell people, and hold hands. That should do it, right?" Amy nodded, hugging him.

"Thank you, Ty. I owe you big time."

"You have no idea."

Ahhhh, there you go. Not exactly how I planned it, but it worked. Review for next chapter, please. You know, the little button to the left. Click it, you know you want to ;)