A/n – Thank you all so much for the reviews/follows/favourites, I'm glad you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing.
I'm still not really sure where the plot is going but I want it to be more than just a fluff/romance story so if you have any suggestions as to where you would like it to go then let me know!

Chapter 5: Unexpected

(Wanda's POV)

When the movie had finished, Ian and Jared walked us home. We took a detour through an old park in our town; it was well lit by the street lamps and the moon overhead; which made for a perfect stroll.
As usual, I tugged on Ian's arm to walk ahead of Mel and Jared; I think both the guys have caught on to what we've been planning as they didn't say anything about the separation.

'I've really liked hanging out tonight and meeting you both' Ian squeezed my arm that was laced through his and smiled down at me, the now-cool night air made me shiver 'you're cold?' it was more a statement than a question but I nodded my head in response, which only made him pull me closer to his side.

I was surprised at how comfortable I felt with Ian. I liked that he was different from the typical jock stereotype, someone that actually listened and cared about the little things; like what movie we went to see or making sure he refilled my popcorn when he did his, or the way he holds me close to try and escape the breeze.

'Hey, I thought you were cold, what's with the blush?' he stroked the back of his free hand down my cheek, making the pink go to a full-blown-red. I just smiled up at him, craning my neck to look into his eyes, 'maybe I should wear heels next time so I'm not so short compared to you' crap did I actually just say that out loud? Jeez, why did I have to blurt the first thing that popped into my head?!

'I mean, if we all hang out again…' I tore my gaze away, feeling shy and embarrassed about my big-mouth-syndrome, he just chuckled.

'Yeah it'd be cool to hang out again, but you don't need killer heels, I like how you are now' was he flirting? I just smiled again, possibly more embarrassed than before by his compliment.

The guys walked us back home, I couldn't help but notice the grins on both Mel and Jared's faces – I hope Mel will tell me all about it when we're inside.

'Earth to Wanda?' Ian pulled me from my thoughts and physically away from the two lovebirds. 'So…I had fun tonight. Maybe we could swap numbers and do it again sometime?' Ian asked as he pulled out his phone, 'I had a good time too, and yeah of course I'll let you know when we do, I'm sure it'll be soon if Mel and Jared have anything to say about it' I giggled as I watched the two of them look into each other's eyes.

We said our goodbyes, Ian pulling Jared away from Mel and back to the car so they could leave, which only made me and Mel both start giggling like little girls.

As soon as we were back in the house, and heard Jared's car start up and drive off, Mel grabbed me in an almighty hug and started squealing.

'He likes me! He likes me! He. Likes. Me!' I joined in on the squealing and we were jumping around like maniacs in the hallway – (thankfully Mel's parents decided to go out tonight too and aren't home yet).

'C'mon we need junk food' Mel pulled me into the kitchen and shoved all kinds of chips and chocolate at me to cart upstairs to Mel's room.

We sat on the bed and Mel talked about tonight and went into all the tiny details of what Jared said and how he acted.

'…and halfway through the film he actually put his arm around me! I mean, it was there anyway, but not touching me! For the second half of the film I could barely concentrate!' I was digging into a bag of chips and just listening, I had barely gotten a word in for the past half an hour while she pranced around the room, '…I'm so glad we decided to go through the park, the trees, the moonlight, ugh it was all so perfect‼'

This went on for the next hour, Mel over-analysing every little touch or look or smile, and I was laying on the bed throwing in my input, my thoughts often wandering off to Ian…but whenever I did I would always look up into green eyes instead of his electric blue…

'Are you listening!? So what do you think?' huh? Oh crap, what did she say?

'Sorry Mel, I wasn't listening, what do I think about what?' I sat up as she got onto the bed too.

'You've been in a world of your own since the guys left – what happened with Ian?' was it that obvious… 'He seemed nice, and you two were definitely getting along…' she nudged my arm with hers and waggled her eyebrows at me.

'No, nothing like that, we just hung out when you were off with your booooyfriend' singing the last word, I stuck my tongue out at her; which only made her laugh and start squealing again.

'…but c'mon, you did seem really happy to have just been hanging out together, and don't tell me otherwise because I saw the smile on both of your faces! Ian looked like he won the lottery!' Mel wasn't going to let this one go anytime soon…was Ian really looking at me like that?

'Well, we had a good night, he's a nice guy.' I shrugged my shoulders, not really knowing what else to say, 'We swapped phone numbers and I said I'd call when we were all going to hang out again'.

'So he has your number?' Mel was practically ecstatic 'this is great! Why don't we double date?' whoa whoa whoa, 'Do you think he'll call you first?'

'Me and Ian are just friends Mel! We've hung out once!' She took no notice of me and starting making up plans for what we could all do together.

I shook my head, knowing she'll end up setting this 'date' up anyway, there's no point in fighting her, and at least I'll get to hang out with Ian everyone again…

(Mel's POV)

It's been two days and I can't get rid of the goofy grin that's invaded my face since Friday night. I keep having to pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming…Wanda's is surely sick of me asking her if it's true or if I made it all up, but I don't care, all I know is that Jared Howe likes me!

Speaking of Wanda…she and Ian really hit it off on Friday, but she won't tell me anything about it, she just claims that they had a nice night of talking and hanging out. For a moment I wish I wasn't totally hung up on Jared so I could have seen how they were together…that thought quickly left my mind when I remembered Jared's eyes…his strong jaw line…his lips…

Stop it, I need to focus. My calc notes were laid out on the coffee table in front of me, I've read the same equation about ten times only to get distracted by my thoughts.

I decide to get out of the house, there's no point sitting still when all I want to do is get some air and think up a plan.

I grabbed some shoes and headed out after asking Wanda if she wanted to join – but of course she's held up in her room studying or doing homework or some after-school-club related work.

Taking a deep breath of the outside air I started walking towards the park. What could we all do together that would bring Wanda and Ian closer…

I know that she likes him otherwise she wouldn't be evasive when I asked her about it, her blush and shyness gives her away every time. I'm a little hurt that she doesn't want to share this with me…I've got to try and get them together again so maybe she'll tell me…maybe that's it, she's just unsure of his feelings so she's not getting her hopes up.

Well, we'll soon sort that out, first of all I need to see when Jared can hang out again – if me and Jared aren't there then Wanda will never agree to going out again.

I open the door to the diner, knowing Jared often works Sunday's when he's asked to, and I'm immediately met with his grin as he walks towards me standing awkwardly at the door.

'Hey' he whispered as he leaned in to kiss my cheek, 'come to see me already? Couldn't wait until tomorrow at lunch?' he jokes and winks at me, making me smile.

'I'm actually here to talk to you about another little plan for Wanda and Ian…' He called over to his boss to take a break and led me through the back of the diner and into a small office.

'Ya'know Ian wouldn't stop talking about Wanda on the ride home, kept asking me all about her' he confessed as he closed the door. We were alone in the office and I could feel the air heating up between us and he moved across to me and took my hand in his. 'It got kind of annoying after a while, but I answered the questions he had…all I could think about was you…'

My mouth dried as he looked up from our entwined hands and stared into my eyes. Was he going to kiss me?

I hoped he would…but as soon as I thought it he dropped my hand and moved across to the other side of the wooden desk, essentially separating us from each other. Pain coursed through my chest as though he'd physically stabbed me…oh god, how could I have been so stupid? Of course he doesn't want me; all this time Wanda wasn't getting her hopes up with Ian…I should have done the same.

The pain must have been evident on my face, 'Mel don't.'

Don't what? You walked away not me…

'As much as I want to kiss you right now…I-I shouldn't' He raked his fingers through his dark hair and sighed deeply.

'Look, I want to do this right with you Mel. I've never had a girlfriend befo…' GIRLFRIEND? Did he just say the G word? Jared was suddenly in front of me again, his hand on the side of my face, 'I know this might be a bit fast, and we don't have to label it right away, but I want that for us…I want to do this right' he repeated, as if it were a mantra to stop him from touching his lips to mine.

'O-okay…' I managed to mumble, frozen by what just happened…I only came in here to ask him to hang out again.

I was so confused and happy and excited all at the same time, it was overwhelming.

'Why is it that whenever I see you in private I always make you cry…' Jared whispered as he leaned towards me again. I shook my head slightly, blinking rapidly to clear the tears that had collected in my eyes, not letting any fall this time.

'I don't know…this is just all happening so fast and like I imagined it would, I just can't believe it's actually happening' Jared wrapped his arms around me and laughed quietly, I could feel his warm chest shaking as he chuckled. I inhaled his scent and placed my arms around his neck, squeezing him against me so there was no space between us.

I don't know how long we stayed this way, but when we let go we were both smiling.

'Don't we have a plan to make?' Jared grabbed hand and pulled me with him onto the large desk chair so I was sat in his lap. We talked for the rest of his break about what we could do to get Wanda and Ian together again – from what he told me about Ian, he definitely seemed to have an interest in Wanda…if only she'd tell me how she feels.