APOV

"Ugh!"

I shoved my book of my bed and it hit the wooden floor with a loud thump. Shoving my hands into my hair, I rolled onto my side and curled into a ball.

"What the hell am I supposed to do. This is madness!"

I sat there in silence for a few moments then giggled. That reminded me of a movie I had seen when I was younger. I giggled some more, then the giggling morphed into a sad whimpering. I still had homework to do that I didn't understand. Great.

I stopped whimpering and sat up. I leaned over the end of my bed to pick up my book. My phone was next to it.

That's right! I could just text Jasper. He can help me.

I remembered our conversation in the car just before he had gotten out. I was worried about him. Maybe more worried than I should be, but I don't care. I picked up my phone, leaving my book sitting on the floor, and scrolled through my contacts to Jasper's number. I smiled.

The name read "Jazz" with a winky face with it's tongue sticking out.

I clicked on the blank place where his picture should have been and selected the option to send a message.

Hey, it's Alice. Can you help me with something? I know it hasn't been too much more than an hour since I was dropping you off, but I'm already stumped.

I hit send. A few moments later, I got a message back.

Yeah, sure. :3 What do you need help with?

That was the cutest smiley ever! I replied back:

Love the smiley. Lol.

I added on the paragraph long message, explaining what I was stuck on, feeling dumber and dumber by the letter. Send.

His message:

How bout I just come over? It seems like that would be really tough to handle over the phone.

I laughed.

Okay, sure. :)

I sent a separate message with the directions to my house.

He replied:

Okay, be over in a few.

I sat there for a few moments. I gasped and picked up my phone, speedily typing.

What about your gas?

He replied:

Don't worry. I have enough to make this trip.

About ten minutes later, there was a knock on my door. I ran out of my room and down the stairs. I opened the door and smiled.

"Hey," I said.

"Hi."

I stood there for a few moments, just looking at him.

"Mind if I come in? I'm not a fan of the rain."

I shook my head at my stupidity. "Of course. I'm sorry." I moved out of the way for him to come in.

He walked in and shrugged off his coat, hanging it on the coat rack next to the door.

"So, you excited to learn?" he said.

I laughed humorlessly. "Yeah, sure."

"I'll make it fun. I promise."

I smiled and led the way to my bedroom. I closed the door behind us and stared at my mess of books, papers, and laptop all over my bed and floor.

"You're quite the studious one, aren't you?" he teased.

"No, I just like knowing what I'm doing," I countered.

"Fair enough."

He sat on my bed, scooting some papers over to make room for me. I sat next to him. My bed was old, so it caved easily under the combined weight of both of us. We were forced to lean against each other.

I laughed. "Sorry, my bed is really old. I don't have many visitors."

"I can't imagine why." He wasn't being sarcastic.

I reached over him and grabbed a book and a few papers. "This is what I've been having trouble with. I really don't understand how-" I stopped talking when I looked up at him. He was staring intently at me, his eyes seeming to glow.

"What?" I asked.

He stared for a few more moments then let out a short breath. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Have you ever kissed anyone before?"

My heart skipped a beat. "Um, no. Why do you ask?"

He dropped his eyes to his hands, then after a moment looked back up at me. "Do you want to?"

My breathing hitched and I stopped to prevent myself from coughing. I cleared my throat. "I-don't know."

He bit his bottom lip, a nervous gesture. He placed his hand on the side of my face and put his forehead against mine.

"Alice," he said.

I looked into his eyes, saying nothing.

He closed his eyes and I closed mine. I waited for the feel of his warm lips against mine. But it never came.

I heard him chuckled and I opened my eyes. He was smiling lovingly at me. "No, I'm not going to do that. I don't want to move to fast. I apoloize. I should have controlled myself better."

"You're fine." My voice was breathless. I was confused.

"But I have to tell you something."

I watched him.

"I think...I think I love you, Alice. I can't stop thinking about you."

Without my permission, my hand reached out and intertwined with his on his knee. "I love you, too."

He smiled sweetly and kissed me once on the forehead, then messed up my hair. I giggled.

"So what does this make us?" I asked.

"Well, will you agree to be my girlfriend?" he said.

"Yes." I smiled stupidly at him, totally head over heels.

We stared at each other for an amount of time I couldn't reconize.

"Maybe we should get started on your biology?" he said, breaking the silence.

"Right." I reached for the papers again and began to explain my stupidity.

You're loved, Alice. He loves you.

That was the best thought in the world.