Disclaimer: I do not own American Idiot.

This morning, I wake up to the rhythm of Krystina's quiet breathing. Her chest slowly rises and falls beside me, reminding me that today, I am exactly where I need to be. I feel a satisfying swelling in my chest as I lean over, pulling her into my arms. I can't believe I've been staying with her for a whole week. It's been amazing. Ever since I met this girl, I've been having the time of my life.

"Are you awake?" She whispers as I gently lay my hand on her stomach from behind.

"Yeah," I admit, nuzzling my cheek against hers. "How did you sleep?"
"It was nice." She says, and I feel her start to smile. "Do you want to meet some of my friends?"

I keep my eyes closed. I didn't really know if Krystina had any close friends to introduce me too, not that it matters. But I know I would do anything if it made her happy.

"Sure." I respond, kissing down her neck. She lets out a quick sigh, leaning into me.

"We should probably… Get up, get dressed…" She moans softly as I suck on a spot on her neck. "Or something."

I laugh, sucking harder before I begin to kiss back up to her lips.

"Yeah," I grin, now holding myself above her. "Or something."

"This is Gabe, Scott, and Jen." Krystina introduces me to some of her friends that night, smiling softly. "Guys, this is my boyfriend, Will."

I smile and shake their hands, a feeling of pride smothering my chest. Just hearing her call me her boyfriend makes me feels things I never thought I could.

"You should feel lucky." Jen says, looking me in the eyes. "She hasn't dated since last year. No matter how hard we tried."

"But there was that guy." Scott says, glancing at Krystina. "She needed time."

Jen pauses, looking at Scott for a minute. "Right, but. It wasn't that fun to watch her mope around for months."

Scott nods, rolls his eyes, and turns. "I'm going to go get a drink."

We're at a concert that Krystina has been working on all week. Apparently she's known all the guys in the band since college, and they're supposed to be really good. But, they haven't started playing yet.

"We even tried to set her up with Scott, but she wasn't having any of it." Jen tells me, and I notice Gabe wrap an arm around her waist. "We were starting to think she was totally hopeless."

"Well, I'm glad she was holding out for me." I say quietly, squeezing Krystina's hand. "I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

"You're really cute." Jen says after a moment, leaning into Gabe. "Where are you from?"

"Uh, Jingletown, I guess." I say, playing with Krystina's hand.

"Wow, I've never even heard of it. That's so cool. What do you do?"

"Um," I start, glancing at Krystina. "I have a son."

For some reason, I really don't want her friends to think I'm a total loser, so that's all I say.

"Geez." Is all Jen says, and then she turns to whisper something to Gabe.

Scott comes back with a beer in hand, watching Krystina with sad eyes. I tighten my grip on her hand, feeling something strange. He seems… Jealous. Maybe he's not really, but it seems like he really doesn't care for me and really, really cares about Krystina.

"So, how did you two meet?" Jen asks.

Scott tilts his head back and takes a swig.

"I thought there'd be some insane after party." I say as Krystina and I walk down the sidewalk, towards her apartment.

Her friends are going to meet us there to hang out after they've picked up some beer and shit. Although I don't say anything, I'd rather just have some time alone with Krystina. But, she did all this for me. And it was even worse because of Johnny.

"Well, sometimes there is, but they knew I wanted them to meet you tonight, so." She says, leaning into me. "I love you."

I stop her quickly, leaning down to press my lips to hers. I kiss her deeply, laying a hand on her cheek, closing my eyes gently. I don't want to stop; I don't know if I can.

After what seems like not long enough, she pulls away, exhaling quickly. Her eyes meet mine and we stay like that, just looking at each other while I caress her cheek for a long time.

"I love you too." I say.

"I know."

Later that night, I'm introduced to Krystina's friends from the band: Dan, Larkin, Joshua, and Jake. They're accompanied by Jen, Gabe, and Scott. I notice that Jake and Scott quickly take the spots beside Krystina on the couch, while Larkin and Dan watch her closely. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but it seems like there's something more going on there.

I try to subtly mention that I am, in fact, her boyfriend, but I can barely get a word in. They all already know each other and have inside jokes and important things to say. I wonder if Krystina felt this out of place in Jingletown. I hope not.

So, instead I watch everything from a chair at the side of the room, trying to take note of what everyone is like. It seems to me the only people not drooling over Krystina are Jen and Gabe, seeing as they're too busy drooling over each other. And, as much as it annoys me, it's also kind of… cool. Obviously Krystina could be with a number of different, more interesting people, but she only feels right with me. That's really good.

I try to hang onto that thought as five pairs of puppy dog eyes carefully watch my girlfriend's every move. But, it's too hard. Eventually I pretend to be really drunk and excuse myself to the bedroom to lay down.

After ten minutes of staring at the ceiling, Krystina walks in, gently closing the door.

"You haven't even had one drink." She says softly as she comes to sit on the edge of the bed.

"It's just… A lot. I'm sorry I made you do this." I reply, reaching for her hand.

"I liked it. Your friends were nice to me." She sighs, tucks some hair behind her ear. "You know, I don't even have a best friend."

I look at her before squeezing her hand gently. "That's okay. Lots of people don't."

"But most people do. Or they at least they have someone they can talk to. I can't tell anyone anything. They don't even listen to me." She says it softly, and I think she might be holding back tears. "And you have two different best friends and all these people who care about you. I can even get one of my friends to ask how I'm doing."

I sit up, pulling her close.

"No, that's not true. I have you. You're my best friend, and you can tell me anything. I'll always listen." I kiss across her shoulder, closing my eyes.

Her eyes well with tears, but she wipes them away before they can fall.

"I love you, and I love that, but it would be nice to have someone else." She whispers, burying her head in my neck. "I'm not saying you aren't enough. But I want more."

I nod, gently stroking her hair. "Maybe you need different friends, then. If they're stupid enough to mistreat you."

"…I knew Jillian for less than a week and she was nicer to me than anyone in there." Krystina admits, lifting her head slightly. "And Tunny was too. Even Heather wasn't completely shitty. How'd you get so lucky?"

"I got lucky when I met you, Krystina." I kiss her forehead, running my fingers through her hair. "Do all your friends like you or something?" I ask hesitantly after a few moments, looking away from her.

She laughs, nudging me slightly.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

I can't help but feel like something is off about Krystina's friends. Like it's plainly obvious to anyone but her that they're undeserving of her presence. I never once see them specifically ask her about her life or how she's doing. And, after I notice this, I make sure to give her extra attention at all times.

It isn't hard, though. The more time I spend with her, staying with her, falling asleep and waking up beside her, the more I fall in love with everything about her. She is everything for me. And I can't let go.

So I spend a lot of time with her and her friends. I witness a lot of lustful stares sent in her direction. I see them make it very clear they barely know anything about her. And I force myself to say nothing about it, even though I desperately want to. She deserves so much better.

But they are her friends. She didn't tell me to change mine, even when my best friend turned out to be her ex boyfriend. And there's no way that Krystina doesn't see reason. She's the smartest person I know. She has to understand what's happening.

But it still hurts to watch. Like today, we're eating lunch with Jen and Gabe. And, every time Krystina tries to open her mouth, Jen talks over her. Gabe barely says anything, and spends most of his time staring at Jen. I keep a hand just above Krystina's knee, breathing evenly. I just want to hear her voice. I want them to let her fucking talk already.

"…How long have you two been together now?" Jen asks, looking at us.

It actually takes me a minute to realize she's actually talking to us. I look at Krystina, biting my lip. I know exactly how long we've been dating, because every minute has been the best of my life. But, I don't want to seem like a douche bag.

"A little over two months, I think." Krystina offers, laying her hand over mine. A smile spreads across her face as she watches our handles wrap around each other. "I love you." She whispers, this time only for me to hear.

I move, kissing her temple, whispering it back near her ear. It suddenly feels weird to have Jen and Gabe watching us. I quickly pull away, keeping her hand in mine.

"Gabe and I have been together for six months now." Jen informs me, and I roll my eyes. "Krystina actually introduced us, at this concert. We knew we fit together right away, I swear."

"You must owe Krys a lot, then." I mutter.

"It was a lot more to do with fate, I think." Jen says, and I groan, unable to take it anymore.

I stand up, storming out of the restaurant. I hear Jen ask Krystina if I'm okay just before I make it out of the door. I stuff my hands into my coat pockets, turning to face the street. It really isn't fair, how they treat her. I can't imagine anyone not wanting that girl to feel like she's the most important person in the world. Because she is. She's perfect.

After a minute, Krys appears beside me, not looking at me. She decides to stare at the street as well, and we're silent. I try to think of how I can say what I'm feeling without hurting her. I really don't want to cause her any pain.

"…They shouldn't act like that to you." I finally mumble. "Doesn't it just piss you off?"

"That's just how she is." Krystina responds quietly.

"You deserve so much more." I whisper, reaching for her. I pull her against me, breathing in deeply. "You deserve everything."

"And you are everything. I don't care if they act…Differently than your friends. You've known your friends forever. I've known these people for a few years at the most. I might not remember them in a few more. Please don't worry. Just try to pretend like you like them, or whatever. Okay?"

"…Okay. But only for you."

My phone rings from its place in my pocket as I'm lying in Krystina's bed that night. She's working on some flyers in the kitchen, and seemed too preoccupied for anything I had in mind. So, I decided to head to bed early so I would be able to force myself out of bed in the morning and go to work.

I pull it out of my pocket, looking at the screen. JOHNNY. Shit.

I pick up, clearing my throat.

"Hey."

"So you are alive!" Is his response as I think I hear him laugh into the phone. "It's been weeks. You haven't called anyone. We miss you."

"Uh…" I start, unsure of what to say.

"Big news, big news." Johnny says, and I shift to sit up. "But I don't think I'm supposed to tell you."

He covers the receiver lazily, because I can hear every word as he asks Tunny if he wants to talk to me. Tunny says yes, and suddenly he talks into the speaker.

"I did it." He says, happiness lining his voice. It takes me a minute to realize what "it" is, but when I do, I grin.

"She said yes?" I ask eagerly, now fully sitting up.

"She fucking cried and everything. She loved the ring, too. She said she almost didn't even want to get a real one."

"Congrats." I say, closing my eyes. "I'm really happy for you two."

"How is it going over there?" He asks immediately.

I frown, telling him everything. I let it spill out of me, not realizing that he might not have wanted the long answer. I tell him about Krystina's friends, and how they aren't right for her, and how sad it makes me. I even tell him what she told me the first night I met them, about how she doesn't have a best friend.

He's quiet for a long time before he takes a deep breath.

"I think… Look, I think maybe you should, if you want to be with her forever, you should bring her back here. Because everyone who met her really likes her. Jillian tells me she misses both of you every day. And I know you won't be happy watching that every day."

"…I'll see what I can do." Is all I say, inhaling deeply. "I should probably go."

"Okay. I hope you come back soon, Will." He replies.

I nod, telling him I'll try, and then I hang up, looking at my phone.

I hesitate before dialing Heather's number, holding the phone right against my ear, listening to each ring. I want to make sure she's okay and maybe talk to Elton.

But, after a few rings, her answering machine picks up, and the recording of her voice tells me she went off to some audition with Alex and won't be able to get back to anyone for a few weeks. Without thinking, I quickly throw my phone to the side. It smacks the wall, dropping to the ground. Definitely broken. But, I don't care.

Suddenly, Krystina comes into the room, frowning.

"What happened?" She asks softly.

"I threw my phone." I admit quietly, looking up at you. "Just shit with Heather. Did you finish?"

She nods, bites her lip.

"Jillian called me." She says, not sure if she believes it herself. "She just… Called me to talk to me. And she told me that Tunny asked her to marry him with a little plastic ring. And she said she missed me." She sits beside me, confusion filling her face. "Is that… Is that normal?"

I grin, pulling her into my arms, kissing along her temple and her jaw line, suddenly realizing that not all of Krystina's friends are so bad.

"Krys, that's what friends do."