I woke up with the slightest headache and frowned. I sighed and faced towards my ceiling. I stayed in this position for what seemed like forever. I could hear my brother rushing and constantly going up and down the stairs. I dragged myself out of bed.

"Kim, d'you wanna help me out?" Daniel said breathlessly.

"Why would I want to do that?" I snapped.

"Someone's PMS-ing. Do you know where my keys are?"

"I am not PMS-ing! I'm not helping you look for you keys." OK, I was seriously letting last night get to me. I saw his keys in the kitchen when I got home.

"God, Kim. You must be having one hell of a hangover."

I ignored him and went into my room and grabbed my towel. I headed for the bathroom and tried not to slam the door. I turned on the shower angrily and I realised I had to calm down. I breathed deeply.

It worked - I think.

While I was in the shower, Daniel shouted something which I couldn't hear so I ignored it and I heard the front door being banged closed. I didn't know why I was still annoyed. I decided I would be irritated at everything and everyone today, and since I'm not leaving the house, it wouldn't matter.

Well, I probably wouldn't try and shout at my parents; they would get suspicious if I got moody at them over the phone for no reason. I was starting to miss them as they'd been abroad for a week and they'd only started doing this a few months ago since Daniel and I were old enough and mature enough to left on our own for a short time. You see, my brother's only two years older than me and he's not exactly what you'd call a golden child.

But, ever since he met Laura a year ago he went funny and he doesn't try to trash our house with parties anymore.

That's right, he's in love. I was glad he wasn't sappy or gooey about it and he's embarrassed because I always tease him about it.

But, he's a trouper and still manages to make the time to annoy the crap out of me too. Usually he tells me I need to stop being such a bitch or "Kim, you need a shower" and I can't forget the infamous "piss off." Usually, I reply with an immature remark about him and Laura and he shuts up.

Unfortunately, he's still my brother, who lives in the same house as me. Yeah, I kind of regret being so snappy at him and I was sure he would get me back in his own way.

Since it was a weekend, I wore pyjamas. I went downstairs into the kitchen and got all the junk food that was available and went into the living room.

I came into the living room and Jared was sitting on the couch.

"What the hell? What are you - how did you-" This was possibly the quickest time Daniel had ever got his revenge. He not-so-subtly looked at me up and down, but he didn't comment. I felt slightly conscious and I didn't exactly look my greatest. My hair was still wet, I was in a loose fitting shirt and wore shorts that were just above my knee. Trust me, it wasn't at all revealing or alluring in any way whatsoever.

"Your brother let me in."

"Yeah. I figured. So... why are you here? And why didn't you say anything when I was upstairs?"

He raised his eyebrows at me. No. I did not find that attractive... Focus, Kim! He still hadn't said anything. I narrowed my eyes at him in response, the pile of junk food still in my arms, most likely making me look very non-threatening.

"I wasn't going to yell at you from down here and tell you to hurry up."

He had his both of his arms rested on top of the couch. He looked so at ease, it was creepy. I didn't reply and he didn't say anything either. He was staring at me. Think, Kim! What do I say? I didn't know what to say! I wanted him to leave.

"Why are you even shirtless?" I blurted.

Now, Daniel didn't like to admit it but he's still one of those typical protective older brothers and I was sure he only let Jared in because one, he looked way out of my league, two, he probably thought I would melt or collapse in front of a shirtless boy and three, let's face it people, like I would ever make a move on Jared.

It's not like Jared and I would ever get together. I'm pretty sure we had mutual feelings for each other. I wasn't his type and I wasn't interested.

"Does it make you uncomfortable?" He joked.

I frowned. I persevered and didn't stare at his chest.

"Um. Look, if you're not even going to tell me why you're here, could you please leave." I said tiredly.

His face suddenly became serious.

"Sorry, but I wanted to check up on you." He replied sincerely.

"Uh. Why?"

"Last night..."

Was the Jared Thail, concerned about me? I almost wanted to snort aloud. When did he start to care about what happened to me? He was most likely going on his stupid, daily (shirtless) run and his route simply crossed my house.

There was a silence that felt infinite.

"Um, thanks. But I don't want to talk about it."

Why did he frown?

"Kim, I know you think it's weird that I'm here and we barely know each other, but what happened last night... I don't think it's something you can just forget."

I shrugged. "I'll be fine." I was telling the truth. I knew I would be fine.

"OK..." He said slowly, he had an incomprehensible look.

"Could you leave now?"

"Wait." This was getting irritating. I had forgotten I was only wearing pyjamas in front of him.

"What?"

He looked at me intensely for a moment and I was about to look away when his eyes became glazed over and he now looked to be in deep thought. I sighed and put down all the junk food on the coffee table and left Jared to get myself a drink.

I came back and he had moved to one side of the couch and had the TV remote in one hand.

"How very polite of you." My tone dripped with sarcasm.

"Look, Jared. Could you... leave. I want to be alone." I told him honestly.

For a millisecond I thought he looked almost hurt but it was quickly replaced by a smile.

"Nope, I think I'll stay."

I looked at him incredulously.

"When did you get so annoying? Go. Away." He ignored me and turned on the TV. I stood in front of the screen and gawked at him. He smiled at me warmly. I grimaced in return. This guy should be a freaking actor.

I sized him up. OK, he was huge. He wasn't even human anymore. He saw the look on my face and laughed.

"Wanna try kicking me out?" He challenged, he held his arms open in an almost welcoming fashion. I glared at him.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Why are you always asking questions?"

"You're asking a question right now." I retorted.

"But you're always asking questions."

"Only because you're a madman who won't leave my house!"

"Madman? I'll be quiet if you let me stay."

"Why would I want you to stay?"

"See, you're asking questions again."

"I don't think that was a question anymore! It was more like a hysterical statement telling you to leave."

He laughed heartily. "I'm staying."

I stomped upstairs and grabbed a blanket from my room. I sat down on my bed for a few minutes thinking about the ludicrous situation I was currently in. Why was he even here? Should I stay in my room? I can't believe I had to consider that. Screw him. It was my house and I would go downstairs to watch a movie on my extremely comfortable couch.

"If you're going to stay, could you move to that chair?" I pointed to the single one, opposite the side of the coffee table.

"Nah, this spot's comfy and you get a good view of the TV."

Exactly! Now, move. Please?" For a second Jared looked like he was about to succumb but then he looked away and faced the TV. He ignored me.

I narrowed my eyes and lost all dignity when I sat down next to him. I tucked my legs into the couch and made sure we weren't touching. I grabbed the bag of chips in front of me and opened it.

"You won't leave my house, you won't tell me why you're here and you won't even move seats. Can't I at least pick what we're going to watch?"

He shrugged and handed me the remote. I found a movie called The Illusionist. The synopsis looked interesting so I kept it there. I lifted my blanket higher up towards me and couldn't help feeling awkward.

Almost two hours later, I no longer cared whether Jared was next to me or not; I was engrossed. I barely noticed that I had unconsciously shared my bag of chips and I let him eat most of the food that was on the table.

The movie ended and Jared said quietly,

"That was... genius."

"Yeah."

We sat there quietly and I found The Goonies, which had already started. I looked at Jared expectantly.

"What? I like The Goonies." He said plainly.

I rolled my eyes and almost smiled, looking back at the TV screen.

I woke up and my legs were no longer tucked beneath me. Groggy from sleep I blinked a few times. They were resting innocently on Jared's lap. The heat of his legs radiated mine, my blanket hiding both our legs. One of his large hands rested lightly against my ankle.

My first instinct was to pull them away. But Jared was fast asleep and he snored lightly. He looked different. His cheek rested gently on the side of the couch, his face towards me. I noticed how he looked so very calm and there was something about it that made him peaceful, not because he was simply asleep. It was just him.

Now I sound crazy. I don't know, I can't quite put my finger on it but it seems like when he's awake, even when he joked around, Jared had a certain worried look that was there sometimes where I've only had a small glimpse of when he wasn't paying attention.

Oh dear god, how have I noticed that! I sound like a stalker. Note to self: stop unconsciously analysing Jared.

He stayed asleep when I got off the couch, only stirring slightly, mumbling something incoherent.

When I came back from the bathroom, he was leaning forward towards the coffee table slightly whilst still sitting on the couch. He ran both hands through his hair and rubbed his neck.

His back muscles flexed and I inwardly drooled. Hey, I'm only human. But I still found it kind of creepy that this was only his second time in my house and on the first occasion he had also been shirtless. I never thought I'd be thinking those words.

"Boy, you really know how to make yourself feel at home."

He chuckled. "What time is it?" Jared asked sleepily.

"Around 4:30-ish."

"Shit!" He stood up quickly.

"So, now you want to leave." I grumbled.

"Today was fun." Jared beamed.

"Fun?"

"Yeah." he was still grinning.

"You wouldn't even tell my why you're here."

"I wanted to make you feel better. That's what friends do, right?" He was being completely serious, unaware of the meaning of his words. Awkward moment. This was not what I was expecting.

Sort of ignoring what he had said, I walked to my front door and opened it wide, I turned around to tell him -

"Oh!" I looked up at him. He was so close and that tall. I could feel his warmth and I took a step back.

"Bye." I said, not looking at him properly.

"Kim, you OK?" He tilted his head slightly so I was now looking at him directly. I wanted to frown at him but I didn't.

"Mmhm." He raised his eyebrows.

"Sheesh. Leave. And this is the first and last time you'll be doing... this." I warned him.

"OK, OK. I'll go." He smiled.

He was half way out the door when he stopped and turned around.

"What is it, now?"

"Kim, d'you wanna come over to Emily's for dinner sometime? And with all the other guys?" He looked nervous.

I blinked at him.

"Um, look Jared. You don't have to feel sorry for me. Thank you, really. But it's OK." I smiled at him a little.

"But I-"

I pushed a scorching shoulder hesitantly and to my surprise he didn't resist. He didn't continue with what he was about to say and finally walked out the door.

As he stood on the front porch, I could now see his large built had hidden someone from my viewpoint. It was a wide eyed Chloe standing completely still next to the mailbox.

She looked at me and back at Jared. She looked back at my rumpled attire and Jared's non-existant shirt. Her eyes were now going to pop out of their sockets.

"No, Chloe. No...no. No!" I exclaimed, horrified.

"Bye, Kim!" Jared said brightly. He strode across my front lawn in a flash and I knew he gave Chloe a secretive smile.

"Asshole." I grumbled. He turned briefly at me and laughed. Oh, great. He had super hearing now. He waved and it was pretty darn adorable but I had attained a steely glare. Jared laughed again at my expression before literally sprinting away. Show off.

I had to tell Chloe what had happened at James' birthday, which she had obviously great about. I didn't tell her in great detail but she cheered when I told her I had punched him. After that part, we never spoke about it again because instinctively she knew I already felt better by talking about it the tiniest bit. She was used to my introvert personality. Chloe knew I would be OK and would know if I was really affected by it.

I'm generally a reserved person which is why people mistake me for being extremely shy. I can be shy but I'll only say something when I need to, specifically if I don't know them very well. You can imagine a billion awkward moments in my short life so far. The few friends I have are the ones I've had since Kindergarten but right now, I wasn't impressed with one of them as they were cruelly taunting me.

Chloe was merciless once I explained to her (rationally, may I add) how a shirtless Jared ended up in my home. It was Monday morning in the school parking lot and for what felt like the nth time, I told her there was absolutely nothing going on between Jared and I.

"This is my revenge for you not telling me that Jared Thail, hottie of all hotties, has a big, fat, gigantic crush on you!"

"He doesn't! You know he and I have sat next to each other for years! It wouldn't make any sense, he can't just start liking me out of the blue."

"You don't know that! Anyway, I've heard he's been single for awhile now." She waggled her eyebrows.

"Chloe, you know I have no time for that kind of stuff. I am a busy woman and I don't want to pursue some popular kid who you think likes me, but probably doesn't."

"Mrs. Kimberly Emily Thail. Wow, it sounds beautiful." She dabbed the corner of her eyes dramatically.

"Oh, shut up. I'm going." I said moodily, I began to storm away.

"Kim and Jared, sitting in a tree..." I turned my head to quickly glare at her and she waved shouting,

"Love you, Kim!"

I nearly smiled at her so I turned away and headed for my next lesson.

At lunch, I was distractedly looking for the purse in my bag while walking to the cafeteria when I accidently bumped into someone.

"Oops, sorry." I didn't bother looking up and so I was shocked when they grabbed my arm. I looked up and it was the school's queen bee. The look on her face was utter fury and the next words that were to come out of her perfectly lip glossed mouth, were not ones I was expecting.

"Listen, bitch." Olivia snarled.

Oh boy, this day was going to be eventful.

A/N

Hullo, sorry this is a cliffy. It seemed like the right moment to stop and I'm evil like that.

As mentioned, The Illusionist and The Goonies are both very different films that I recommend if you haven't seen it... Or don't, it's a free country :P

Do you guys read this? Well if you are, I was thinking of doing a Jared POV in the future. Thoughts?

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