A party invitation was shoved into Juliet's hands. She looked over at her new best friend, Shawn. He smirked the way he always did. "A birthday party?" Juliet raised her eyebrows.

"Yeah, it's a paint gun party so wear as much padding as possible." He explained.

"Shawn, we're in eighth grade and you're having a birthday party?" Juliet chuckled.

Shawn shrugged, "It doesn't matter how old you are on the outside. It's how old you are on the inside." Shawn pressed a finger to his forehead.

"Shawn, this says 'No Girls Allowed' across the middle." She pointed out.

"Well, they were the only invitations with paint splatters on it. I made a few exceptions." Juliet thought she saw him wink.

"I'll try my best to go." Juliet put the invitation in the front of her binder. Shawn sat back down at his desk, staring intently at his thumbs.

Juliet looked at the invitation, something seemed to pop out at her. "Shawn this is tomorrow." Juliet turned to him. He shrugged, a smile played at his lips. "Your birthday isn't until next week.

"Shh!" Shawn looked around to make sure no one heard her. Juliet blew air out of her nose and smiled. "Just be there, okay?" Shawn said, almost begging her to come. Juliet nodded and glanced at the time. It was 3:35 PM which meant that her school would be let out soon. She set her chin in her hands and watched the clock tick away.

The sound of the bell ringing sent a sense of relief through Juliet as she grabbed her backpack and walked to the door. She walked with Shawn to the parent pick-up area and waited for Shawn's dad to arrive.

Ever since Ginger had started working the night shift at the adoption center, Juliet started carpooling with Henry and Shawn. They lived relatively close to each other, so Juliet ate a quick snack at Henry's house and walked home from there.

Henry's car pulled into the parent pick-up lane and Juliet and Shawn climbed in. "How was school today?" Henry asked. Juliet and Shawn replied with a "Good" and the car went silent. "So, Juliet, are you planning on coming to Shawn's birthday party?" Henry asked.

"I'll have to ask Ginger." Juliet replied. Henry nodded an understanding nod and continued driving.

The next afternoon, Juliet went home with Shawn as usual, but stayed there for his party. All of his other friends hung out by the pool with Shawn, while Juliet hung out with the only other girl there, her friend, Lucy.

"So, do you think Shawn invited you here so he could," Lucy paused for a second, "uh, ask you out?" Lucy nudged Juliet with her elbow.

"What makes you think that?" Juliet protested.

"Well, the fact that the invite said 'No Girls Allowed'." Lucy explained.

"Then I guess he wants to ask you out too?" Juliet crossed her arms.

"He just didn't want it to be obvious." Lucy retorted.

Juliet smiled and watched as the boys put on padding for the paint gun war that was going to take place. Shawn looked over at Juliet and smiled.

"Wanna join, Jules?" he asked.

"I forgot padding." Juliet explained.

Shawn walked towards Juliet and Lucy. "You can borrow some of mine," Shawn offered, "If you want to." He added.

"I'd rather watch, because I prefer not to be pelted with paint filled balls." Juliet smiled. Shawn nodded and turned away, running back over to his guy friends. They loaded up their guns with paint balls and colorful splatters of paint exploded everywhere.

"Boys." Lucy smiled as she watched the paint war.

Juliet felt a paint ball splatter on her leg. She gasped as a small amount of pain erupted in her shin. Lucy looked over at the green paint dripping down her pants. She giggled as Shawn ran over to her, laughing uncontrollably. "Are you okay?" he asked, trying to show some concern.

"I'm fine, Shawn." Juliet looked down, trying to hide the fact that her face was gradually getting redder. She bit her lip to channel the burning sensation in her leg.

"It was an accident, I swe-" Shawn began, but was cut off.

"Shawn, really it's no big deal. Go back to your paint gun war." She added in a chuckle. Shawn apologized once more and turned back to the game.

Lucy giggled. "I brought an extra pain of jeans. Want 'em?" she offered.

Juliet nodded and they started towards the house.

After Juliet was changed, they walked back out to see that the paint war had ended and some of the boys were getting picked up by their parents. Juliet pulled out her phone and texted her mom, telling her that the party was almost over. Shawn walked over to them, sweat dripping from his dark hair.

Lucy's mother pulled into the driveway and Lucy turned to leave. She whispered a "Good luck" to Juliet and left, leaving only Shawn and Juliet at the party.

"Uh, I just texted my mom, she'll be here soon. I hope." Juliet explained awkwardly.

Shawn nodded and invited her inside to wait. "How's your leg?" he asked. Juliet pulled up her pant leg to reveal a small welt. Shawn cringed in sympathetic pain. "Honestly, I shot at Gus and he ducked." Shawn explained.

Juliet smiled, "It's really fine. I barely feel anything." Juliet lied, ignoring the throbbing pain in her shin. Her phone vibrated in her pocket. Ginger sent her a text that read, Stuck at work. Can you walk? Sorry! Juliet replied with a 'Yes' and turned to face Shawn.

"I'm gonna walk home because Ginger's still at work." Juliet explained.

Shawn nodded as she turned around and began walking home. "Wait, Jules. Would you like me to walk you home?" he asked. "It's getting kinda dark." He added in.

Juliet felt butterflies erupt in her stomach as she turned back around. "If you want to." She smiled.

Shawn caught up with her and they began walking together. The walk was silent until Shawn reach for her hand and held it. Juliet accepted and turned to look at him. He was a few inches taller than her so she had to look up a bit. "So, did you have fun at the party?" Juliet asked, breaking the extremely awkward silence.

"It was really fun." Shawn replied. Juliet could feel her hands get sweaty. She wiped her hand on her jeans and intertwined her hand with his again. As Juliet's house came into view, Shawn let go of her hand and turned to face her once more. "Thanks for coming." Shawn thanked her.

"No problem. I had fun catching up with Lucy." Juliet smiled. "Thanks for walking me home." She added, giving him a hug.

Shawn accepted the hug and they stared at each other for a few seconds. Adrenaline coursed through Juliet's veins as she wondered if Shawn was going to "Make A Move". They stared at each other for what felt like hours, but was only a few seconds. Shawn blinked and stepped closer to her. Juliet felt his warmth as he took her hand again. He saw the pure fear in Juliet's eyes and looked away.

Juliet felt her heartbeat speed up as Shawn looked back into her eyes. There was a long silence that seemed to make Juliet more fearful of what might happen next. Shawn leaned in closer, puckering his lips slightly. Juliet felt a wave of mixed emotions come over her as she leaned in closer to him. Their lips met for a few seconds until Juliet stepped back. She looked down at the ground then back up at Shawn. A tiny smile spread across her face and she told him good-bye. A thoroughly embarrassed Shawn turned and walked home.

Juliet burst through the door of her house, not knowing which emotion to feel. She felt like screaming with joy, all while she felt extreme regret. Juliet sat down on her bed and sighed, trying to clear her head. She heard Ginger walk inside and walk towards her room. "I'm home, Jules." She smiled, sitting on the edge of Juliet's bed. "How was the party?" Ginger asked.

"It was fun." Juliet replied, feeling the urge to tell Ginger what had happened. She decided to ignore the urge and let Ginger leave.

Juliet changed into pajamas and turned off her light, letting her thoughts slowly drift her off to sleep.

It was two in the morning when Juliet got a call for an unfamiliar number. She answered with a weary hello.

"Is this Juliet O'Hara?" a man's voice asked. Juliet was quiet for a second contemplating whether or not she should say yes. The voice was deep, and almost sounded like her dad's voice. Juliet felt a chill run up her spine.

"Y-Yes." Juliet croaked out.

"Jules, it's Ewan!"

YAY CHAPTER 9 IS UP!

My stomach was all butterfly-y when I wrote this! AAAH I FEEL THE FEELS!

Only a mention of Gus in this chapter, but he'll be a major character in a few chapters.

So how'd you guys like it? I am really excited to write the next chapter, there's a major plot twist that only I am expecting (Unless you're psychic like Shawn ;). )

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! I LOVE ALL THE REVIEWS THAT I GET! YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.

REVIEW-FAVORITE-FOLLOW!

YAY FOR PSYCH!