A/n – What do you guys think about a chapter from Ian/Jared's POV? Or should I just stick with Wanda/Mel?

Also sorry if it seems to be going a little slow, I just want to work up to some big things! (If anyone has any ideas for this story let me know!)

Chapter 7: Romance or Friendship?

(Mel's POV)

I walked home alone, leaving Wanda and Ian back in the diner.

I don't know what's gotten into Wanda – one minute it seems like she never wants to see Ian again and the next she's sharing ice-cream and looking at him like they should be in private rather than a very public diner!

At least I managed to bring up the idea of mine and Jared's date-plan, Ian seemed happy to spend more time with Wanda anyway.

As I walked through the streets, taking the quickest way home rather than walk through the park again, I noticed someone staring at me and walking towards me - though I couldn't place his face…

'Hey, you're Wanda's sister Mel right?' He was tall, verging on lanky, but he held himself well. He jogged the rest of the way and ended up right in front of me, making me stop walking.

'Erm, I'm her cousin actually. How do you know Wanda?' Why had she not told me she's met someone new?
'Oh, I'm new to your school, a transfer, my name's Burns. Wanda and I have English together, she just left some notes from our last class' He pulled open his bag and grabbed a few sheets of loose paper that had obviously fallen out of one of Wanda's many notebooks.
'Okay, y'know you could have just waited until tomorrow at school?' I didn't mean to be rude, but something about Burns just seemed off, like an itch you can't scratch.

He chuckled as he passed me the notes, 'I know, I just saw you and thought she may as well have them back today…' my face must have been wary as his smile dropped when he saw my expression 'well nice meeting you anyways, I'll see you around' with that he crossed the street and started walking away, turning around after he reached the sidewalk to give me a little wave, which I returned reluctantly.

Why was my gut telling me not to be around him? He seemed okay, even nice!

I wish Wanda would talk to me… perhaps I'll ask her about him, see if there's anything going on that I should know about…why did he get transferred anyway?

Later that evening, I was hunched over a workbook in the front-room looking out towards the yard, I could see Ian's car still parked outside. I positioned myself close to the door so I could hear when Wanda got home, she'd been out all afternoon…unlike her, but I suppose it is only the first week back at school and she's obviously done all of her homework, unlike me who leaves everything to the last minute leaving me house-bound for most of my Sundays.

…maybe I could get Wanda to help me when she comes home…no. I wasn't playing the cousin-guilt-card anymore; I had to do this on my own…

Sighing, I returned to more hunching and nail biting, trying to get through an impossible work sheet I was given this week, at least I'm trying right?

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know someone's shaking me awake, seeing the small hand on my shoulder it could only mean that Wanda's finally home.

Glancing out of the window I noticed it was starting to get pretty dark, I must have dozed off when I finally finished everything; I'm surprised Wanda stayed out so long, not that she wasn't allowed to…it's just that she never did.

'Hey' I croaked through sleep 'How was your day?' I eased in to the conversation, not wanting to push too hard hoping Wanda might finally open up to me.

'Oh Mel, It was great, I'm so glad me and Ian are friends.' Just friends? Didn't look that way to me in the diner… 'I know you want us to be more, but I just don't see it…' she plopped down on the couch next to me.

'I was just making an observation Wanda, he seemed head-over-heels for you…I'd be careful if you don't feel the same…' I left the conversation open, hoping she'd confess something. Her cheeks started to brighten as she stared at the carpet.

'Maybe I could…' she grinned as she looked up to me, her silver-grey eyes shining at the thought. I couldn't help it…I squealed and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug, she went with it, obviously sensing I had been waiting for this moment.

'I'm still not sure… I'm just happy being his friend for now. And anyway, he probably see's me as a little girl, I can barely rest my head on his shoulder without tip-toeing.' As she shook her head her blonde curls flew everywhere, making her look like the little girl she described.
'Well then, I'll just have to make you look drop-dead-gorgeous for our friendly diner-date!'

We stayed on the couch and talked for what felt like hours, it was a long overdue confessional-talk…I hoped this meant we were growing closer, we barely ever had talks like this anymore.

I had my doubts about Jared, of course, but Wanda told me I was being silly even considering them, and that Jared apparently looked smitten whenever I was around him…I couldn't help my grin as I thought about being with Jared…I just couldn't get enough of spending time with him, I don't think I ever will!

We laughed and moved upstairs into my room, when my parents told us how late it was. We put some music on quietly and continued discussing the new people in our lives…

'Oh, I almost forgot, a guy came up to me on the street when I was walking home' Wanda immediately looked worried… 'No nothing like that, he said his name was Burns, he was a transfer student or something. He said that you're in the same class together?' I tilted my head at her as if to say tell me everything.
'Really? Erm…yeah we have English together, I ended up having to sit next to him, someone else stole my spot. What did he want anyway?' was she being evasive again?
'He just picked up some notes of yours that must have fallen out of your bag' I reached across to my desk and picked up my own bag. As I passed her the now-crumpled notes I noticed she was blushing ever so slightly.
'What's the deal with him anyway?'
'huh? Oh erm nothing? I don't know why he was transferred if that's what you mean…' it wasn't what I meant.
'Are you guys friends then?' I stared at her willing to tell me what she was hiding.

Wanda let out a sigh, I knew I had her, 'No not really, I guess I should have told you earlier, but It's all just so weird. First I saw him staring at me in the hallway on the first day back…just staring, it was kinda creepy. He ended up being in my English class.' She sighed then continued, 'Then Friday the only seat left in the room was next to him so obviously I had to sit with him, he just ignored me all through class, if you don't class the way he stared at me like I was a moron when I dropped my pen, then said Hi to me at the end...'

I had never seen Wanda this agitated by one person before, her cheeks were bright red as she let out a breath she had clearly been holding.
'He sounds like a creeper…it's always the good-looking ones…' sighing sarcastically I started to giggle but Wanda just blushed harder and looked away, ha! That's it! She likes him!
'Something you want to tell me!?' I nudged her shoulder with mine 'I mean, when I saw him this afternoon I can't deny that he was kind of attractive…in that tall almost lanky way…no Jared or Ian though' I smiled at Wanda, not wanting to show that I was wary about him and wanted her to stay away.
'I-I guess.' She shrugged her shoulders and quickly changed the subject, maybe I was wrong.

I'd definitely be keeping an eye on Wanda at school; I still don't think she should be around him...