Hello my fellow authors/authorettes! I hope this update was fast enough for you guys but of course my internet was broke for three days.

Moving on... Thank you as always for the reviews! I absolutely love hearing what all ya'll think!

Okay, let's start the chapter now...

Edited: 1/25/14 through 426/14 (that took awhile whoops) edit: IT DELETED MY WHOLE EDIT SO I HAD TO START OVER COLOR ME PO'D

"Come on, May! If we don't leave now, we'll be late!" Leaf exclaimed from the top of the school steps as soon as I walked on the school grounds. She ran from Gary and met me at the bottom of the steps, grabbing my hand in hers.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, noticing all our friends were staring at us with questioning eyes. I noticed Drew was staring at me and my heart fluttered making me somewhat flustered. He had such a big affect on me without even trying.

Leaf rolled her eyes. "I'm talking about how we have to go to our auditions for the solos in Vivaldi."

"Oh my gosh, you're right," I said with wide eyes. I slapped a palm to my forehead. "I can't believe I forgot!"

"Yeah, I know I'm right. Let's go," Leaf laughed, and ran up the steps, pulling me with her.

We ran through the school, dodging students along the way and apologizing every time we ran into someone. When we finally got to the performing arts hallway, we let out a breath of relief and made our way towards the orchestra room, trying to catch our breath in the process. To our surprise, and mild annoyance, Professor Juniper wasn't even in the room, but that also gave us more time to prepare ourselves. We got our respective instruments and got our stands, tuning our instruments, too.

When Professor Juniper finally came in, she also brought along two guests that had me and Leaf rolling our eyes. Drew and Gary strolled in the room, looking around. I doubt either of them had been in here. Whether or not I'd like to admit it, orchestra students can be considered a bit dorky. It's the sad truth.

"Uh, why are they here?" Leaf asked, pointing her bow in their direction. The two guys looked at her innocently.

"I saw them in the hallway and know you're friends with them. I just thought you wouldn't mind them watching your audition," the professor explained, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"I-I guess we don't mind," I said, glancing at Leaf. She gave me a crooked smile and shrugged. Might as well just go for it.

And with that, Professor Juniper took her spot in the chair she kept in front of her stand and told us to start when we were ready. I was all too aware of Drew's eyes on the back of my head, but tried to ignore it. Glancing at Leaf, I began to play, immediately finding myself getting lost in the music. Like always. I let the notes carry me away to another place. Soon enough, I could hear the rich sound of the cello join in with me, our parts bouncing off of each other's in a way. And we continued to play through about three minutes of the song before stopping at the end of the audition section. Letting the sound ring from the strings, I didn't move until it was completely quiet. Me and Leaf shared a look and laughed.

"How was it?" Leaf asked hopefully.

Professor Juniper finished writing some notes and looked up at us, a smile on her face. "Fantastic. I'll let you know if you got the solo by the end of the week."

Today was Monday. So one week wouldn't take too long.

I tossed a glance over my shoulder. "What'd you think?" I asked the two boys.

Gary looked impressed. "Well, I didn't expect you guys to be that good."

"Compliment or insult?" Leaf asked with raised brows.

"Compliment of course."

"What about you?" I asked Drew.

He only gave a crooked smile and shrugged his shoulders. He liked it.

Without even realizing it, I'd started to stare at him and he was staring at me. But I was soon pulled away from my thoughts when Leaf began talking again. I felt a warm blush on my cheeks and I lowered my gaze.

"Should we start heading to class?" Leaf asked, already walking towards the door.

Shaking off my emotions, I only gave Drew one more glance before standing up. I tucked my instrument under my arm, tightening the hairs on my bow. "Yeah, sure, just let me put all my stuff away."

Leaf nodded and then turned as Gary came up to her. I rolled my eyes at their obvious flirting and opened my case, setting the violin in it. But I slightly jumped when I felt a hand laying on my shoulder. I turned and was met with Drew's face that was a bit closer than I'd expect it to be.

"O-Oh, Drew. Hi," I said lamely, turning so I was fully facing him, almost tripping over my feet in the process. Why was I getting so worked up?

My thoughts went back to Friday. When Drew and I basically confessed our feelings for each other. At least somewhat. And I guess it had left me spastic, awkward, and stuttering - more than usual. At the moment, I was left looking like an idiot with a red face just staring up at Drew. Please, just kill me now.

But luckily for me, my internal breakdown came to a halt when Drew started laughing. He stared down at me and flicked the hair out of his eyes. "You are honestly one of the most random and weirdest people I've met."

Deciding to just go for it, I said, "You like it though, right?"

"Right," he answered, his signature smirk spreading across his face. I guess it was good for him that I liked it.

"Yo, May!" Leaf called from the door. "Almost ready for class, or are you going to keep standing there flirting with Drew?"

Drew turned around to face her. "Take a look at yourself."

She glared at him and turned on her heel, taking Gary's wrist. "I'll see you at lunch, May!"

I laughed at her and finished putting up my instrument, and placing it in my locker. Then as Professor Juniper walked past, I remembered something and called for her. I asked if it were okay for me to go to the library again. For my art project of course. And of course she said yes. For the art. Of course.

Now, Drew and I were walking through the hallway, Leaf and Gary long gone and Professor Juniper ahead of us as well, heading to class so she wasn't late. She'd given me permission to go straight to the library.

"So, are you going to the library because you assume I'm going to be there?" Drew asked, his hand brushing against mine as we walked. It felt like an electric current ran through my veins and my stomach was infested with butterflies. I bit my lip, still genuinely surprised that I could actually get this way with anyone. Especially since this person was Drew.

However, I simply raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think you're so special that I'd miss my precious class time to spend time with you?"

"I'm wounded," he said sarcastically.

"As you should be," I responded.

"What are you even working on?" he asked, glancing at me.

I stopped my walking and opened my mouth, but nothing came out. This art project was very private and very personal and, once again, very private. "Nothing," I managed to say, picking up my feet as I began to walk again.

"Yeah, okay," Drew said with a scoff, "Don't trust me?"

"It's nothing like that," I said with a slight roll of my eyes. Even though it was. "What are you even working on?" I asked, mimicking him.

"Nothing."

"Are you really playing this game-"

"No, I'm seriously working on nothing. My teacher loves me and I'm ahead of the class by, like, five chapters. So she just lets me go to the library to 'study'," he said, looking somewhat arrogant.

"Brown nose," I announced, skipping ahead and stopping in front of him.

His green eyes locked on mine. "Name calling, are we?"

"Of course," I said.

"Well then you're red-faced and cute."

"What?"

He took my hand and laced his fingers with mine, also pulling me into him. My brain barely registered that he called me cute, let alone was hugging me. And I know what you're thinking: Hugging is not a big deal in any way, shape, or form. However, when you're caught in a situation with someone you really like and he randomly embraces you out of nowhere, you're going to experience some middle school butterflies.

When he pulled away, I was staring up at him, still caught off guard. He placed a hand on my head and laughed. "See, red-faced and cute."

Cute. Again.

Drew Hayden. Called my cute. Twice.

Okay.

By the time we were in the library and at a table, there were only a few students in there, and they were on the other end of the library, working on the computers. It wasn't exactly a busy place. I couldn't even see the librarian anywhere.

I pulled out a notebook, ignoring Drew's gaze and pulled out a pen. Then, I stared at the paper.

"That doesn't look like art," Drew commented after a couple minutes.

"It will be eventually," I murmured, thinking.

He only shrugged, going back to his work.

I shifted my gaze to his work. "And what are you working on?" I asked, watching him scrawl word after word on sheets of notebook paper.

"English."

"Oh."

The bell rang forty five minutes later. And those forty five minutes that we were working were surprisingly not awkward. There was idle chatter and, of course, some bickering every now and then. But I feel like if we didn't bicker, then it would become awkward.

"Come on, July, let's head to math," Drew sighed, collecting his things while standing up.

I glared at him, standing up as well. As we walked out of the library I said, "I thought you were done calling me names."

"I guess not," he answered, smirking down at me.

"And the smirk! Why do you do that?"

"Don't even deny it, May. You love it."

"Do not."

But as we walked through the school, I ducked my head and allowed a small smile to pull at my lips. Only for a second.

The bell rang signaling the end of math. Thank God.

I quickly jumped up from my seat and gathered my books in my arms. I looked at Drew and sighed, "I hate math."

"Sucks," he answered, walking ahead of me.

"Wow, what a great comfort you are," I said dryly, walking with him to meet with Dawn at the front of the room. She smiled when she saw us and waved in the over-cheerful way Dawn did.

"That was the longest forty five minutes of my life," Dawn groaned as we walked out of the room. I laughed and Drew only scoffed.

"You guys are so dramatic," he said with a roll of his eyes.

Dawn glared at him. "Says the guy who should be in an advanced placement class but decided not to because he's lazy as hell."

I couldn't stop the laugh coming out of my mouth. Dawn joined in as we walked into the chemistry room.

"Always picking on the smart and attractive guy because you're sad you'll never have a chance with me," Drew said.

Dawn stuck her tongue out at him before standing up straight and eyeing the two of us as we sat at our table.

"What?" I asked.

"You guys are going to the dance together right?" she asked.

"Oh, yeah," I said, biting down on the inside of my cheek. " We are. Are you going with Paul?"

Her smile seemed to falter before it grew big again. I saw through it. She laughed. "No, and he probably won't. He's not the kind of person to do these sort of things." At that moment the bell rung. Dawn groaned. "I'll see you after class." As she walked away, I noticed she didn't have the normal over-exaggerated bounce in her step.

As Professor Oak released us for the day (It wasn't for the project, actually. Today we were doing partner work from in the book), I leaned over and whispered in Drew's ear, "You have to talk to Paul, dude."

"Did you just call me dude?"

I stood up and crossed my arms. "Not the point."

Drew walked with me to the hallway. "I don't know. It's obvious he likes her but Paul isn't that kind of guy. Thought you knew that."

"I do know that, smart ass. But if you won't talk to him, I guess I will," I said, sitting down against a wall.

"I didn't peg you as one to cuss, Miracle," he said, joining me on the floor and opening his book.

I rolled my eyes, bumping into his shoulder. "I'm not. But you manage to piss me off."

He only laughed, shaking his head. He met my gaze and held it and for a split second I saw them flash with an emotion I'd never seen before in those sharp eyes of his. "You're not telling anyone you're moving at the end of the semester. Why not?"

Well, crap. I silently cursed my past self at letting that bit of information slip.

I looked down at my paper and began writing. I fixed my expression so I appeared nonchalant and calm. "No reason, I guess. I just... can't." I can't think about leaving all these new friends I've made. I can't think of not doing homework at one in the morning because I forgot to do it the night before. I can't think about everyone's reactions when I leave. I can't think of what would happen if they found out about me. I can't think about Drew. I can't think of how I have to leave the one person I've ever felt like this with.

I can't do it.

"Stop putting on that act," I heard Drew say.

Taking a quick breath through my nose, I looked at Drew with narrowed eyes. "It's not."

He chuckled. "It is. And I don't like how you're pretending. So stop. And tell me some other time." He paused, gave another short laugh and stared at his paper just as I had been doing a couple minutes ago. "Just don't make it like those cliche movies where the guy has to chase down the girl."

I knew he was joking in a sense, but I couldn't help the guilty feeling weighing down on my chest. It was bound to happen. Especially if I ended up telling him. To please him, though, I only nodded before looking back down at my own paper.

We worked in silence until my phone buzzed in my pocket. I felt Drew leaning over, his cheek grazing my temple as he read the text. I swallowed and hoped he couldn't hear the erratic beating of my heart.

To: Me, Ginger Queen, Leafy Oak

From: My Bluenette Love

Sent: 10.01

Hey friends~ I know this is late notice but we really really REALLY need people to help set up the dance. Yeah, and I'm going to need each of you to persuade your lovely boy toys so we can get a few extra hands. The dance will be great so you better be there because if it sucks it's your fault. I love you :)

"That's a bit misleading," Drew murmured.

I shrugged, but couldn't keep a smile off my face. "I'm so excited. I've never been to a dance," I confessed.

Drew leaned back just enough so we weren't touching anymore. "Really?"

"Really," I said, blushing.

He smirked. "Don't tell me I'm your first date ever."

"Ha, as if. I've had plenty of dates. Plenty. G-Guys are constantly asking me out," I finished with a stutter. It was obvious I was lying. And Drew knew that. He laughed at me and then did something that not only surprised me, but him too.

"I guess that just means I have to make the date worth it." He leaned over and placed a quick kiss on my forehead, before quickly pulling away, realizing what he did. For once, his cheeks were darkening in color.

I stared at him with wide eyes before finally cracking a small smile. "So you'll help out after school today?"

He stared at me for a moment. He sighed, but nodded wordlessly.

"Thanks," I said with a smile. Drew gave a shake of his head and gave a breathy chuckle before turning back to his work.

We remained that way until the bell rung, signaling the end of class.

School was moving at a slow place, so when the final bell rang, I was elated to say the least. Dawn and I parted and Drew and I followed each other to our respective lockers before walking through the school to go to the gym.

"I'm so happy I'm done with P.E. for the rest of my school career," Drew said, interlocking his fingers behind his neck as we walked.

I hated exercising. "And I'm glad I never had to take it at all."

He looked at me. "You never had to take it at your old school?"

"Uh, no, I did. I guess you could say that," I muttered, thinking back to how I always had to exercise at home. It was awful. Worst experience of my life.

When we got to the gym, Leaf and Misty were already there, laughing as Leaf showed Misty something on her phone. When they saw me, their expressions brightened and they waved me over. I looked over my shoulder to see if Drew was still standing there, but then I noticed he had moved and was now walking towards Ash and Gary who were just walking into the gym. Turning back around, Leaf and Misty were already walking towards me, they're gazes also fixed behind me. Turning around again, I saw Dawn was entering the gym with the normal pep in her step and an annoyed Paul coming in behind her. I was surprised, and by the looks I exchanged with Leaf and Misty, they were surprised too. The fact that anyone could get Paul to do something like this was a miracle in itself.

The three of us, began making our way towards Dawn and we met halfway. Her expression was bright and most of all, filled with relief. I almost laughed when Dawn grabbed the first person she could-Misty-and grabbed the ginger's shoulders, practically bowing.

"Thanks for coming down to help," Dawn said with a breath.

"Hey, no problem," Leaf laughed. Dawn lifted her head and smiled before jumping back up and making her way in front of the small crowd gathered.

With a quick look around, she found a bucked and turned it over, stepping on the top of it. She cleared her throat. "Welcome to the dance committee!" she announced.

"There are eight people here," Gary pointed out, Ash nodding right beside him. Both Misty and Leaf shot them looks.

"Exactly why I need you. Thanks for understanding," Dawn said, twirling her hair around her finger somewhat nervously. She continued on. "First thing first. The theme is already picked so all we need to do is decorate. We have a week to get the entire gym put together and looking presentable and if we're not done by Friday, we'll have time to do it after school. I know it's really late notice but I really really need help," she trailed off, shrugging sheepishly.

I rolled my eyes at her nervous state. "Of course we'll all do it," I said, a smile on my face.

"Yeah," Misty pitched in, placing a hand on her hip. "So, where do we start?"

Dawn's eyes grew wide and she jumped from her bucket, picking up a bucket of paint and a brush. "Well, to start off. . ."

"My hands hurt," I mumbled, turning them palms-up. "And so does my head," I added. Drew and I were walking to his car. After he had kindly offered to take me home after three hours of working, I was quick to grab it.

Drew scoffed. "You weren't the only one listening to everyone being loud the entire time," he pointed out, and I had to nod my head and agree with him.

"Yeah, I guess. They're not exactly a quiet group," I said, only somewhat seriously. Loud or not, they were my friends and I was grateful for that.

"Hell," Drew said from next to me. I shot him a questioning look. "That's what you got yourself into when agreeing to be friends with them," he explained, though I saw the slight fondness in his eyes as he talked. I don't think I could ever understand what happened and why they had a pause on their friendship. Everyone complimented each other so perfectly. Fighting included.

"You're exaggerating," I teased him, bumping shoulders with him. "You guys balance each other out." He rolled his eyes, bumping me back.

"I'm not exaggerating," he protested stubbornly. "And you shouldn't leave yourself out of this. You fit in too. Perfectly as a matter of face."

I didn't have a reply to that, and instead felt my cheeks heating up like they always seemed to do.

Finally, we reached his car, and I finally found my voice saying, "I love your car," while climbing into the passenger's seat.

"Oh, I know. You make sure to tell me anytime I give you a ride," he said, flashing me a crooked smile. I shook my head at him, turning my gaze to the window, staring blankly. "Have I ever told you that you space out a lot, too?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I've been calling your name for three minutes."

I crossed my arms, not became flustered for once. "Is it bad I think a lot?"

"No, not necessarily. I just don't know what you'd have to think about all the time. Care to enlighten me?" he wondered, keeping his eyes on the road. He sounded genuinely curious.

"Now that you're asking me, I can't think of what I think about. Lots of stuff, I guess," I said.

"Like? Come on, it can't be that hard to recall what you're constantly thinking of," he persisted.

Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, "You." My face immediately flushed and I slapped a hand over my mouth, slumping in the seat. I closed my eyes, just hoping he didn't hear it.

"Me?"

I opened one eye, trying to see what he was thinking. His cheeks were barely pink and the corners of his lips were twitching slightly upward. Hell, I guess I'd just keep going with the truth. There was going to be no getting around it.

"Yeah," I mumbled, sitting up a little straight. I crossed my arms and looked out the window again.

"Are they good thoughts?"

The question startled me and I turned my head to look at him. "I-I mean, of course they are. You. . . Well, you annoy the hell out of me all the time but you. . . you also make me really happy. So, I guess my thoughts coincidentally always go back to you." I noticed how soft my voice seemed to be getting and how much harder my heart began beating. Somehow saying this was harder than what I'd told Drew in my backyard. I looked at him to see his reaction, and was met with an actual smile. There was no smirk or only a half smile, but a full smile.

He waited a moment before speaking. "You know, Miracle, I knew you liked me. What I didn't know is you think about me as much as I think about you." As soon as those words left his mouth, I knew my face was positively red.

Gently, and almost hesitantly, Drew raised his hand, cupping my cheek. His eyes flitted to my lips before back into my eyes. I felt my cheeks burn with a blush and I swallowed thickly. I bit my lip and looked at him, hoping he understood that I was telling him I wanted him to. I wanted him to kiss me.

He leaned in, faster and more confident that I thought he would. But he stopped only a hair away from my lips. He pressed his forehead against mine and, oh God, it felt like my heart was beating so fast it was going to jump up my throat. I knew my hands were shaking too, because when I went to place one on the back of his neck, Drew smiled; one of the smiles that was partly teasing and partly affectionate. I'd come to realize that smile was only for me.

With one last chuckle, Drew closed his eyes and pressed his lips against me.

I'm going to skip all the stuff about fireworks and how everything felt magical and suddenly my whole life was turned upside down, but I did notice the way my body seemed to move naturally with him and how my heart was calm now that his lips were on mine. I noticed how he was now vulnerable and not cocky and a smart ass, but instead he was gentle and just as nervous as I was. Because when we pulled away, his breathing was shakier than even mine was, and his brows were just barely furrowed, showing me that he had a doubt somewhere in the back of his mind that I didn't think the kiss was good.

However, to put it simply: the kiss was amazing. And I wanted him to kiss me again. He did. Actually, he kissed me more than once more, and by the time we pulled away, we were both laughing.

"I'm so glad I brought you home tonight," he admitted, a smirk pulling at his now damp and somewhat swollen lips. I blushed just by looking at them.

My hand settled on the handle of the car door. "Honestly, it would have happened sooner or later," I said, trying the confident attitude for myself.

To my relief, Drew laughed and nodded his head. His fingers tucked a stand of hair behind me ears. "Oh, hell yeah it would have."

With another laugh, I got out of the car and close the door, barely making it safe inside my house before I let out one of the loudest squeals I could have thought possible.

That night when I was laying in my bed, hugging a pillow close to my chest, I turned on my side and stared at my wall. I touched the tip of my tongue to my lips and almost laughed at the thought I had.

His lips tasted like mint.

Hehe, so cute! ^_^ I just love contestshipping, don't you? Next few chapters will be preparing for the dance and then the actual dance so whoopee!

Again like I mentioned before the story, thanks for the reviews and don't forget to review as well!

I have the rest of the story planned out so I'll update more I hope and I have a three day weekend coming up so that's good too!

If you have any suggestions just shoot me a PM:) Type ya later!

PS: I'm sure all of you have seen the May and Drew episodes in the anime Pokemon right? Anyway did you see the thing I did there with the thoughts conversation between them in the car? The "were they good thoughts?" and "of course they were!". I got that from one of the episodes! I think it's called the 'Unbeatable Lightness of Seeing' You should watch the ep, it's cute!

-dorkyreader859

Edit: Does anyone even read this edited chapters? [stares into an empty auditorium and drops mic] guess not