Jade's POV

I waited on the corner of 21st and Elm just like I had last night, except this time I didn't know what to expect. Was Beck mad? Did he want to stop seeing me like this? And why the hell was he taking so long?

"Hey," a voice said from behind me. The second I turned around his hand were on my waist, pulling me close, and his lips smashed into mine. The heat from his breath warmed my lips as he continued to move his against mine. He pulled his face away from mine, but still held me in his arms.

"Hi," I managed to choke out. Why is it so hard to breathe around him?

"How are you?" he smiled.

"Fine," I cleared my throat, gaining some form of composure. "You're late."

He released me from his hands to pull out his phone.

"Its 12:03," he shook his head.

"Like I said," I put a hand on my hip. "You're late."

"And you're impatient."

"So?"

"Soooo let's walk," he held out his hand for me to take. I scowled at him, but still took it. I don't think his open hand is something I'll ever refuse.

We walked down 21st Street this time, and played an unofficial game of twenty questions. Neither of us kept count, we just took turns asking each other about the details of our lives. He'd started small with things like my favorite color, foods, that kind of thing, but had moved on to more personal topics the further we walked.

"So when was your first time?" he had just asked me.

"First time…" I looked at him suggestively.

"You know what I mean," he laughed lightly.

"Yeah, I know," I nodded.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

Something about the way he never forced me to do anything made me want to do things for him anyway. And the fact that he never lied to me always made me want to be honest with him.

"It was September of freshman year," I started. "At a lame house party like the one we met at. He was a senior…and I thought he really liked me." I hated this story. It made me sound like such an idiot. "So I let him take me upstairs to a bedroom and we…you know," I sighed. "It was over really fast, and he never spoke to me again."

"He didn't…force you or anything, did he?" He looked at me, slightly alarmed.

"No, no. Nothing like that. I wanted it to happen…at the time. But it was like…the second it was over, I regretted it. I just felt so stupid you know?"

"Yeah, I know," he nodded. "But hey, you were young. You're not the same girl anymore. You're stronger and smarter." He stopped walking and grabbed my other hand to hold too. "Not to mention you're so…beautiful." He sighed and raised a hand to touch my cheek.

"Don't say that," I looked away. He tilted my chin to look at him.

"Why not?"

"I don't know. It just sounds so…cheesy."

"I don't care," he smiled. "It's true."

"Whatever," I shook my head. "Anyways, Kris and I got together a couple months after that, and he was my second. And there are only two…in case you were wondering."

"I wasn't," he looked down at the ground. I was about to ask him about his first time when he put his hand on my neck. "Why'd you let him do that to you?"

I felt his thumb go over the spot he was talking about and saw his eyes just staring at it.

"What do you mean? He's my boyfriend. We're supposed to do that kind of stuff."

"Yeah, but hickeys? Come on Jade, that's so…primitive. Like he's marking his territory or something." Is he mad? I've never seen him get angry so it's kind of hard to tell, but he seems upset.

"Beck, I don't think that's what he was thinking at all. Besides, I kind of like it."

"You like being treated like an object? Like you're someone's property?! I didn't think you were that mindless." Yup, he was definitely mad.

"That's not what I meant. I just meant that Kris doesn't think that way."

"Hah! Yeah right. He's a guy Jade. Of course he does."

"Why are we talking about this?" I crossed my arms and took a step backwards from him. "What I do with my boyfriend when we're alone has absolutely nothing to do with you so just mind your damn business!"

He looked at me surprised and ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry," he shook his head, and looked up at me with worried eyes. "I didn't mean to make you upset. I just…I don't know. I'm sorry."

I sighed but didn't say anything. I already put up with Kris when he acts like an asshole, I don't need two guys doing the same thing. Then again, Kris never apologized like this and meant it.

"It's fine. Whatever," I said unconvincingly. He put his arms around me, pulling me into a hug. I rested my cheek on his collarbone, and breathed him in.

"I'm sorry," He whispered in my ear. "I take it all back. I'm so sorry."

I nodded against him, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He kissed my forehead, and smoothed down my hair, and I knew I was in big trouble. I've never felt this happy before. Yet so…guilty.

It was past 2 when we got to my house and kissed goodnight, but I wasn't the least bit tired. It was like Beck had turned into my lullaby; something I needed before I went to bed.

The following day at school, we acted like we were barely acquaintances. We talked when it was appropriate for us to, but otherwise kept our cool. When no one was looking though, we stole quick smiles and winks.

We saw each other every night like a ritual. Meeting on the same corner, but walking a new route. We'd talk nonstop until my house, where we'd settle to make out for as long as our bodies could handle without pushing for more. He'd say goodnight, and I'd watch him leave, wanting more than anything to stop him.

Friday finally rolled around, and the sleep deprivation must have been taking a toll on my body because I felt sluggish the whole day. At lunch I was barely contributing to the conversation, and eventually collapsed on the table.

I'd never been so happy to see Kris' car when he picked me up afterschool because it meant I could go home and sleep before Tori's tonight.

"Wow, babe," Kris said when I got in the car. "You look like shit."

I punched him in the arm, and ignored him. We got to my house and he came inside, sitting on my couch to watch TV like usual.

"I'm gonna go take a nap," I said as I started to climb my staircase. "Wake me up at 6:30 okay? We're supposed to be at my friend's house at 7."

"Ugh!" He exaggerated. "Do we have to go? I don't even know these people. And Jeremy's cousin is throwing a rager at his parent's beach house!"

"Kris," I stopped at the top of the stairs. "You already told me you'd go. It won't be that bad."

"What is it supposed to be again?"

"Just a little get together. A few friends hanging out."

"Will there be beer?" I highly doubt it.

"Maybe."

"Alright alright," he nodded, and returned to the screen. I walked into my room and crashed on my bed. I must've been more tired than I realized because when I woke up, it was 7:15.

I jumped out of bed, and ran to my closet. I changed into tight blue jeans and a loose black shirt that slid off my left shoulder. I threw on my combat boots, and ran downstairs to find Kris knocked out on my couch. I hit him with a pillow and he woke up with a yawn.

"Kris! Get up!" I yelled, trying to fix my bed head in the mirror next to my front door. "I told you to wake me up!"

"Mmm, sorry babe," He said groggily as he stood up. "Some documentary came on and it was so boring it made me really sleepy."

"Ugh, whatever. Let's go!"

We ran out of my house and got into his car. Luckily Tori didn't live too far from me, and with the way Kris drove we got there in five minutes flat.

"Look, Kris," I said as we stood on Tori's front steps. "I know you think this is dumb, but I'm trying to make friends here so just be nice, okay?"

"Chill babe, I'll be on my best behavior," He said as he rang the doorbell. God, I hope so. Tori answered the door within a minute and let us in.

"Hi, I'm Kristofer with a K," Kris had said to the entire gang when we stood before them in the living room. From the corner of my eye, I saw Beck roll his eyes.

"This is Tori, Andre, Beck, Allison, Robbie, and Cat," I told him, and they all waved politely.

"It's great to finally meet you all. I've heard so much about you." Liar. I never spoke about them. "So what're we playing?"

"Go fish," Andre said, and we sat down to play.

To my surprise, Kris really was on his best behavior. He was really charming when he wanted to be, and everyone who met him usually liked him immediately, the gang included. We played a round of Go Fish, a game of Clue, and had just started Taboo when the doorbell rang.

"Oh that must be the pizza," Tori said standing up. "Alright guys, fork it over." Everyone reached into their pockets and only came up with about six dollars."Really? Come on guys, we ordered three boxes!"

"Relax, Tori," Kris said, standing up. "It's on me." He went to the door, and paid the pizza boy, returning with the food. Everyone thanked him profusely, and he of course said it was nothing. I'd forgotten how likeable he could be when he wanted to be.

"Hey, do you have anything to drink?" Kris asked

"Yeah, let me get you some cocoa, it's Belgian!" Tori got up and went to her kitchen. Kris made a face at me, and I shrugged. I guess no beer tonight.

"Hey, where's your bathroom?" I asked Tori when she came back. She gave me directions and I headed upstairs. Inside her restroom, I looked at myself in the mirror. I still had light purple shadows under my eyes, but I looked a bit more rested than I had this morning.

I washed my hands, and opened the door to leave only to have Kristofer push me back inside. He smothered my mouth with his, and lifted me to sit on the sink. Before I could even catch my next breath, he was kissing my neck rapidly, and putting his hands on my chest.

I focused on trying to make my breathing normal again, and looked away from where he stood. I closed my eyes and imagined that it was Beck here with me instead. I didn't mean to, but that was just the first place my mind went.

As if some unknown power could hear my thoughts, I opened my eyes just in time to see Beck push the already ajar door wide open. Kris jumped back surprised and I hopped down from the sink and put my hands in my pockets. I could feel my eyes widen in shock, but couldn't get myself to say anything.

"Sorry," Beck said monotonously. His expression was empty and cold. "I should've knocked." With that he turned around and went back downstairs.

Damn it. When I said I wanted Beck to be here, I did not mean like that.

Beck's POV

My blood was boiling as I stomped down Tori's staircase, and walked directly to the kitchen. I poured myself a glass of water, and tried to think clearly.

Okay, relax Beck. Nothing wrong has happened tonight. You're hanging out with your closest friends, and your girlfriend. You just happened to walk in on one of those FRIENDS with her boyfriend.

While he was pawing at her body like he was some kind of caveman. And kissing her like…like…like he was her boyfriend.

I slammed my cup down on the counter, and turned when I heard someone enter the kitchen. Great.

"Hey, man," Kristofer 'with a K' said to me as he strutted into the room. "Sorry about that, you know how it is."

"No, I don't," I said, looking down into the sink. Why was this asshole talking to me?

"Haha come on, man. I see the girl you got in there. Don't tell me you can go long without putting your hands on her," he chuckled. The image of his hands on Jade's body popped into my head, and just as I was about to speak another voice did.

"Kris," Jade said from the doorway. "Let's go, I'm tired."

"Mkay," He responded. "Good meeting you man." He said in my direction before strolling out of the room.

Jade stayed leaning against the door frame and looked at me. She opened her mouth like she was about to say something, but just shook her head and left. I looked down at my hands realizing my fists were clenched and that my nails had dug into my skin.

I released my grip on myself and shook my head to clear my mind. The rest of the night I was quiet, not really paying attention when we played Charades, and not noticing when Ally asked me what was wrong.

The only thing that shook me from my state of obscurity was the ringing noise coming from my pocket. I took my phone out and almost gasped when I saw who was calling.

"Uhh, it's my dad. I have to take this," I said to the group as I left the room and walked onto Tori's terrace outside.

"Hello?" I said after accepting the call.

"Hey," Jade whispered. I know I just saw her less than an hour ago, but still I was excited to hear her voice.

"Why are you whispering?"

"I'm in my bathroom, Kris is in my room."

"Oh."

"Look, I'm calling 'cause I don't think he's gonna leave tonight."

"So now you're telling me about YOUR relationship problems?"

"No, I'm telling you because I don't want you to be waiting out on the corner for me if I'm not gonna show up." Even though she was whispering I could hear the attitude in her tone.

"Well, what if I wasn't planning on waiting on the corner?"

"Then I guess we don't have a problem do we?"

"I guess not."

"Whatever." She said before hanging up.

Damn it. Before I realized what my finger was doing, I had already pressed the redial button.

"What?" She answered after one ring, still whispering.

"Sorry."

"For what?"

"I don't know, giving you attitude."

"Don't be, I think I'm rubbing off on you." She joked. "I wasn't just calling to cancel on you, by the way."

"Oh no? What else were you gonna say?"

"I was gonna invite you over tomorrow…say around 3?"

"You mean I actually get to see you in the daylight?"

"I guess so," she laughed and it sounded like music. "If you want to…"

"Of course I do. I'll be there."

"Okay coo—"

"Babe what's taking so long?" I heard Kris' muffled voice interrupt her. Just like that, my mood did a 180.

"One minute!" she yelled away from the phone. "I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah." I mumbled.

"Beck?"

"Yeah?"

"I really umm…forget it."

"No, say it." I pressed.

"I just…I know you might not believe me, but I really wish it was you here right now…" And again, my mood did a 180; putting me back on the high I always got around Jade.

"I really wish it was me there too."

"Goodnight."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"I can't wait."