Disclaimer – I don't own any of the characters. So yeah.

Warning – I should just take this part out.

Other – Boy, do I feel stupid. Last week was finals, and I thought I'd have this chapter up right after. But then I lost the flash drive with this file on it. Sorry that it took so long to reclaim, but here it is. There might be one or two more chapters.

Summary – It was supposed to be my secret. But I guess that's a problem when your best friend is a psychic. ChRave.

Her number sits in my back pocket and though I can't see it, I can feel its presence burning against my skin. The temptation that goes with owning it is almost too great for me. I have the number of a beautiful, friendly girl who wants to date me. All I have to do is dial seven little numbers.

And yet I can't.

It's late, but I can't sleep. The digital clock beside my bed blinks out a bleary red 3:07 – I've glanced at it every five minutes or so, thinking that it's been hours. As much as I want to date someone who wants me around and isn't afraid of repercussions.

3:08 and my eyes haven't even begun to shut. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. Continue to wait for someone who may never accept my love or go for the next best thing and hope it turns out well.

My eyes droop slightly – finally. But before they get too close to sleep, my phone begins to vibrate.

"Hello?" My eyes slide shut.

"Chels? Are you awake?"

My eyes quiver, "Rae…? It's three in the morning…"

"How was the date?"

"It's three in the morning…"

"Yeah…" Her voice lowers almost imperceptibly, "I just… wanted to know."

"At three in the morning." Rapidly, I'm starting to wake up, "Couldn't it have waited?"

"I… yeah… Bye…"

"Wait, Rae. It's okay, I'm up. Talk."

She's silent a moment and I almost think she did hang up.

"Rae?"

"Did you have fun with her?" She whispers quietly, almost as if she's predicted the answer and dreads hearing it.

"Yeah… But she knows I'm waiting on someone else." I hope she can hear the hope and unspoken plea in my voice.

"Did you kiss her?"

I blush slightly in the dark, "Yes."

"Did you like it?"

The blush darkens, "Yes." Why can't I lie to her?

"Oh." I can almost picture her large brown eyes gazing downwards with disappointment. At least, I hope it's disappointment I hear.

"But…" I hear her small intake of air, "I… It wasn't as… well, you know… With you."

"With me?"

I think I made my decision, "I'll wait for you."

For a while all I can hear is her shallow breathing through the receiver. I squeeze my eyes shut and clench my fists gently.

"Good night, Chels." The firmness of her tone nearly breaks my heart.

"Yeah… night…" I hang up quickly so that she can't hear my sniffles. That sounded like another negative response.

I don't remember falling asleep, but now my clock reads 8:00 and my alarm is buzzing in my ear. Groaning, I smack the snooze and wonder how I was so silly as to set my alarm during the summer.

Gingerly, I swing my legs off the bed, rubbing my forehead as the memories of three a.m. filter back. I want to go right back to bed and stay there all day, but I know I have to face her at some point. The best thing I can do is make myself look my best and build up some emotional barriers before we talk next.

It takes an hour or two between the bathroom and my closet, but I pull together what I hope is a great outfit, fitting hair style, and tasteful make up. If she officially turns me down again, I want to at least look good, if not feel good.

Several deep breaths prep me for a long walk to the kitchen, and three slices of plain toast are all I can stomach. I'm ready to march over to her house, knock on her door, and ask straight out if I should give up.

I pull my door open only to nearly slam it shut in surprise.

"Hey, Chelsea, want to grab a bite to eat?"

"I…" I blink slightly in confusion. What was Raven doing at my door? Why was she awake before nine thirty? I was planning on waking her out of a dead slumber to demand answers.

"Just a lil breakfast." She smiles at me, beckoning with a small wave of her hand.

"I'm not really hungry. Just had some toast." I bite my lower lip, stomach churning. All the questions and statements I had planned escaped out my ears.

"How about a walk, then?" Her eyes flicker to the sidewalk and back to my face, "I just want to talk."

"Walk, then." I step out and pull the door shut behind me.

"Great." I can see the edges of her lips quivering. She's nervous about something.

We walk down the cement a few feet apart. I'm taken completely by surprise as she quickly links our arms together.

"So what do you want to talk about?"

"Us." She's unbearably cheerful.

"Yeah?" My mood mimics hers, blossoming happily.

"I was kinda hoping to try again." My arm tightens around hers. "I mean, I don't want to ruin our friendship, but I can't not know, y'know?"

I blink, completely confused, but accepting, "Yes?"

She leans in and presses a kiss on my cheek, "Great. I was hoping we could retry that movie night. Only now."

I can only nod silently. This seems so surreal. She gazes into my eyes, looking for something. I guess she found it because she surges forward again and lunges onto my lips.

Her tongue presses its way into my mouth and I just melt. She pushes me up against a nearby wall, one hand holding my hips firmly, the other roving my upper leg. There are electric jolts hitting every nerve where she touches and my mouth is on fire.

Behind us on the street, a loud, annoying siren goes off – a fire truck, I wonder. Before I can figure it out, my eyes pop open and my hand hits the snooze button again.

The time is now officially 8:09 and my heart falls.