I grabbed a Coke – and a Diet Coke for Lexi, because I knew as soon as I went outside she would ask me to get her one – from the refrigerator and stepped out onto the pool deck. Days like these, in the middle of September, reminded me why I didn't miss living in Michigan. It was 75 degrees and sunny here – I wouldn't be surprised if it was already snowing in Detroit. I waved to some of my friends who were already in the pool. Jason was busy grilling something. It didn't really matter what it was, because it would be unrecognizable by the time he was done with it. I don't know why he didn't just give up, but every time we had a pool party, which was about once a week, he would be at the grill. In the end, we always ended up ordering pizza.

"Oh, Shane, could you…" Lexi started as soon as she saw me, but stopped when I held up the Diet Coke. "Love you!"

She and Caitlyn were in their usual chairs near the middle of the pool, lying back and trying to tan. Damn, she looked good. She was wearing her new bikini – and I would know, she made me sit in the mall for like five hours while she picked out "the perfect one." But it almost seemed didn't really seem like wasted time now, because she sure did look perfect. I never noticed what an amazing body she had. I guess I was just used to it. But all I wanted to do right now was run my hands up and down those curves and…

Wait, what the hell?

This is Lexi. My best friend. My best friend since we were five. My best friend who convinced me that it would be cool to jump off the top of the jungle gym, and who sat with me in the hospital after I broke my arm doing it, and who put Power Rangers stickers on my cast. My best friend who slept over at my house practically every night all through school because her mom worked the night shift at the hospital and her asshole father left when she was seven – though, I think I probably used the term "butthead" at the time. My best friend who started nasty rumors about the first girl who broke my heart. My best friend who didn't tell anyone that I screamed like a girl when we watched Halloween for the first time, and that when we were six I cried like a girl when Simba's dad died in The Lion King.

My best friend.

My best friend.

My best friend.

My best friend who is probably the most gorgeous girl I've ever laid eyes on, inside and out. My best friend who moved across the whole damn country because I was afraid to start a new life by myself. My best friend who made me smile just by walking into a room, even if I was having the worst day ever. My best friend who I can tell anything to. My best friend who…for some reason, I always slept better when she was right next to me.

Nate was right – she was all grown up. And it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Lexi stood up as I walked towards her and hugged me after she took the Diet Coke from my hand. My body started freaking out the second I felt her skin against mine. My heart was pounding, I started getting really hot, and my stomach was doing all these crazy flips. Why was this happening to me?!

"Thanks, sweetie," she smiled up at me. "Sit down!"

I took a step away from her. I could not have her touching me right now. "Um…I'm going to go take a nap."

She made that fucking adorable pouty-face. Why did I think it was so cute all of the sudden? I honestly wasn't sure I'd be able to say no to whatever she was about to say. "But everyone's here! You can't leave a party at your own house!"

"Yeah, well…I'm not really feeling well," I sorta lied, but in a way it was the truth. Just not in the way I was implying, I guess.

"Oh," she replied, looking more sympathetic. "Do you want me to come with you? We can just hang out, just the two…"

"NO! I mean…no, you should stay. Have fun. I'll be fine."

"Okay," she nodded. "Let me know if you change your mind."

"Okay, see ya," I replied quickly.

I practically ran back inside the house and upstairs, and then I took the longest, coldest shower of my entire life. What the hell was going on? Had I been brainwashing myself with childhood memories so I could ignore the fact that I had feelings for her? Did I even have feelings for her? Or was I just turned on by what she was wearing? Or, I guess, not wearing. But I'd seen her in a bikini before. A million times. It was never a big deal. Why was I letting what Nate said get to me? I'd never had trouble ignoring him before, so why start now?

I must have fallen asleep after my shower, because when I heard Lexi come into my room, it was dark out.

"Shane? Are you awake?"

"Yes," I said.

I jumped out of bed as fast as I could. The last thing I needed was for her to crawl into bed next to me. My body would probably have had the most epic freak-out ever.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

I turned on the light next to my bed. She had taken a shower and thrown her hair up into a wet, messy bun. She didn't have any makeup on, and she was wearing a pair of black shorts and a pink Connect 3 zip-up hoodie. Pretty much the same way she looked every single night, but all of the sudden, she was irresistible in it.

"Shane?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine," I replied.

She looked at me skeptically. She always knew when I was lying. "Are you sure? You look kind of weird."

"Yeah, I'm good."

She smiled. "No, you're not. But I guess you'll tell me when you want to…"

Lexi stood on her tiptoes and gave me a peck on the lips. "Goodnight."

My stupid body took charge and, before I even had time to think about it, I pressed my lips against hers. I was kissing my best friend. Really kissing her. Not the way I usually kissed her. And it was amazing and terrifying and confusing and a million other emotions all at one time.

And she was kissing me back. A little. I think. Maybe. Okay, I'm not really sure. But I hope so.

And then she pulled away from me. "Shane…what are you doing?"

What was I doing? "I don't know."

It was the truth. I had no fucking clue what I was doing. But I didn't regret it. I knew I probably should, but I didn't. It felt right, while I was doing it. Now…now I didn't know what I felt. I just kept staring at her, staring at me. She looked confused. And a little scared. And really, really surprised. And my mind was racing. What was she going to say? What was she going to do? Was she mad? I guess I wouldn't really be surprised if she was. She was kind of seeing this guy – well, they'd gone on like three dates, but they weren't official or anything. She wasn't even sure if she really liked him. His name was Wesley, and he was a douchebag. I never thought he was a douchebag until today. Actually, I'd never actually met him for more than about a minute. But now, I thought he was the biggest douchebag alive, and I wanted to kill him. Was she going to fucking say something or not? I felt like she was staring at me for hours, but I guess it was probably more like a few seconds.

And then she kissed me. She kissed me. She really kissed me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and I practically fell backwards onto my bed. And I was thinking a million things, but I'm pretty sure they were all good things.