A/N: This is a bit heavy on the emotions, and is mostly a flashback towards the universe of where Alicia and Will are in their first stages of dating as teenagers. Enjoy!

His lips tasted like popcorn and Pepsi, the movie they recently watched at the theatre had been diminished from their minds the moment they were able to bolt into each other's lips. She felt his body lean in closer as they sat in his old adolescent truck. She loved moments like these, when it was just them and they were able to explore each other's mouths, devourer each other without any sexual tension, though now, she could sense that there was more running through Will's mind at the moment . A month into their dating and they were already inseparable, she thought the months previous when they were just friends was fantastic enough, lately, she began to wonder if she were a hopeless romantic after all. She had an idea that her feelings towards him was taking a turn though, in route of something that she had never anticipated. She was scared to admit it, or even acknowledge it, but with each waking minute they spent together, her feelings grew, almost uncontrollably.

Before she even knew what she was doing, she unbuckled her seatbelt and straddled his lap, her lips glued to his and her hair shadowing their faces. He seemed momentarily stunned, but it hadn't lessened the need to hold her equally firm as she gripped his hair. The hill they were parked on faced out towards the view of Chicago, and the many buildings scattered from a far, and the night that played out from above the skyline suggested that it was best they go home before either of their parents were to rip their heads off, though the attraction and between both of them and hormones were starting to takes its toll. She felt his hand travel underneath her shirt towards her breast, which immediately, without hesitation turned her off completely.

"Will" she said, irritation forming in her features. She shoved his hand away, and flopped back down against her seat, leant her forearm against the window and ran a hand through her hair as she tried to regain her breathing.

"Leesh.." he placed a hand on her knee, she tensed and pushed his hand to the side once more, causing a look of pure confusion to surface through her features.

"I'm not ready Will."

"I know," he said softly, reaching for her hand. "It's okay."

She sighed and shook her head, "You don't understand." She whispered.

"I'm sure I can." He whispered softly.

"Can you just take me home?" She avoided his gaze as she gazed outside the window.

"Not unless to you tell me what's going on."

"Then I'll walk." She threatened, making eye contact with him, his face varied with pure confusion and pain.

"Are you pushing me away again?"

She sighed, rolling her eyes, she moved from his grasp. "I just want to go home."

"Did your parents have another argument or something?"

She stared at him in shock. "That's none of your business!"

"No it is. You tell me about it each time, so I'm involved now." He challenged.

She threw him a glare that was worth freezing the earth, "Maybe I should talk to somebody else then."

"Maybe you should."

She allowed her gaze to move back out the window, and her breathing to thicken. She hated how well he knew her, she hated how privy he was to her background and that he could comprehend her emotions in one fluid motion. She knew that it was partially her fault, and that she was the one who told him everything and anything about her life, but still, it wasn't a chance for him to rectify each dilemma in her life and interfere when she clearly wasn't in need for help.

Her emotions were conflicted when it came to her parents; her childhood was definitely not a fairy-tale, in fact, all she could remember from the age of eight was her mother and father arguing downstairs whilst she parented her little brother. Pushing people she cared about, in the other direction was her department.

"You can repress your feelings, and push me away as much as you want, but I'm not going anywhere." He said as he started the engine of the car, the drive home was silent, she had her legs pressed against her chest and avoided his touch, or gaze as much as possible. Once they arrived to her house, she rapidly jumped out of the car and slammed the door on her way out.

Will

Arriving home, he made his way inside the house and slumped against the sofa next to a sleeping Aubrey. Running his hands through his hair, he sighed and shook his head in defeat. He knew Alicia had problems, he was aware that when she dared herself closer to someone, the fear of getting hurt frightened her, and so she pulled away. He was conscious of the fact that he had maybe taken it a bit too far in the truck earlier on, but he didn't exactly have enough time to rationalize it, so instead he went for it, allowed his feelings to take over and somewhat pressure her into taking that step that she wasn't willing to face. He understood it, he would wait years in order for her to feel comfortable about the topic. Her reluctance into having sex was almost adorable to him, she had lost her virginity to someone she once thought she could trust, someone who Will disliked with a passion, and it alerted him that she did not want to make the same mistake, nor did he in that circumstance. That was one of the many concepts he felt relatable to Alicia, their previous relationships hadn't succeeded at all, he only ever had one girlfriend before Alicia and June wasn't exactly forthcoming, she was the complete opposite in fact and jumped at the chance to bang him once he was elected as the schools most successful and highest baseball player.

That was what he essentially loved about Alicia, her heart was soft, she was undeniably funny and sexy, and of course stunning, she worked hard in school and avoided the uncharacteristic things teenagers did these days, she hardly went out of the house except with him, and she enjoyed a challenge. He failed to inform her on any of these details though, nor was he ever willing to inform her on his feelings, afraid of what were to happen if she were to neglect him fully considering she had a tendency to push him away when things got too serious.

"You want a drink honey?" his mother's voice echoed, glancing up, he saw that she had a mug of hot chocolate in her hand.

He smiled up at her, "thanks mom." He allowed it's warm fragrance and hot liquid to reduce his nerves.

"You're late." She noticed,

"Yea sorry, I promise, it won't happen again."

"How's Alicia?"

His long silence was her answer, he figured by the way she eyed him curiously that she had read through him like a glass wall, he avoided eye contact and lingered his gaze along the tv screen from a far.

"Why are girls so confusing?" his naïve question caused a questionable glance from the older woman, shrugging, he continued. "I just don't understand it."

"A woman's mind works ten different ways William, You should understand this by now with three woman in the household."

"I think Sara's mind is only capable of working once." He mumbled,

"That's enough. What happened?"

He shrugged, "I think Alicia's mind works ten million different ways. She has the ability to feel content, and then in a matter of seconds, it can disappear into dust, as if she weren't happy at all."

"Well, have you talked to her about it? Maybe she needs guidance, maybe she doesn't know any better."

"How can I talk to her about it if she won't even allow me in?"

"She's a girl William, she isn't going to fly into your arms and cry hysterically. I've met her father, he's a quiet man, incredibly successful and they're very much the same from what I can see. You should wait a little longer, she'll come around."

He sighed, "Yea, whatever."

She stood up, and ruffled her hand through his hair, "I'm going to sleep. Make sure your sister gets to bed, I won't allow her to sleep on that couch once more, she'll use it as an excuse to watch those nonsense pictures all night."

Once she descended out of the room, he shook Aubrey awake without much hesitation, under her dissatisfaction and gestured towards the staircase. "Go to bed, mom said." He instructed.

She snorted, "So you can watch tv all night? No way!"

He sighed, "Fine, but in case mom or dad come down, you're taking full responsibility."

"You sound like our sister."

"Well, unfortunately for you, I've grown up." He ruffled her blonde hair,

"Grownups don't make out with their girlfriend in the back of her car." She whispered cheekily.

Rolling his eyes, he grinned as she settled her back against his side and claimed the boll of popcorn. "Where is Alicia anyway?"

"Home."

"I thought you would bring her over so we could watch movies together, it is Saturday night." She pouted falsely,

He laughed, "So you do like her?"

"Of course I do! She's pretty.."

"She's pretty? That's it?" he smirked.

"And nice. I like her. You should keep her Will."

"So you can claim her as one of your pet toys?" he teased.

She smiled cunningly and nodded her head, "Yep."

It never crossed his mind until later on that night that maybe his twelve year old sister was right, he knew Alicia was pretty, but she was so much more than that, and that's what she needed, she needed to be reminded of it and to be comforted even when she was reluctant to admit she needed emotional support.

He paced back and forth in the dining room across from the landline, mentally discussing whether or not to call her, it was eleven thirty at night, and if either of her parents were to answer, they would sure think he was a lunatic. That was not the first impression he planned with meeting her parents.

"Oh just call her!" he heard Aubrey yell from the living room, popping his head around the corner, he glared.

"Ssshh! You'll wake up the whole household and then we'll really be screwed!"

Just as he returned his attention back to the phone, it began to ring. His eyes must have resided over it for over five seconds before he heard Aubrey complaining in the background, he rebuffed the need to get his hopes up, so he inhaled deeply and answered it with a gentle voice.

"Hello?"

"Will?" Alicia's voice echoed his ears, he almost stumbled on his feet and fell to the ground, retaining his composure, he inhaled deeply. "Alicia?"

"Did I wake you?"

He faltered on his words, "No, no, I… I was just studying."

Studying. Was that really all he could come up with? He heard Aubrey snort in the background.

"Actually, uh…" –he continued. "I was just about to call you.." he said,

"Call me?"

"Yea, I've been thinking about what happened and I wanted to apologize.."

"You shouldn't be the one apologizing Will, I'm just an idiot and you did not deserve to be treated that way."

"You're not an idiot Leesh.." he whispered, "You're smart and funny and beautiful and I shouldn't have allowed you to feel pressured."

"I miss you." She whispered

He smiled through the phone and suddenly felt as though he were on air. He wished he weren't such a hopeless school girl when he was around her but he couldn't help himself. "I miss you too."

"Do you think you can come over tomorrow morning?" she asked, he visioned her yawing tiredly through the other side.

He smiled, of course he would, in fact, it would most likely be the first thing on his mind once the sun arose. "Of course."

"Do you think you're ready to meet my parents?" he heard her prodder gently through the other line at her words, it had naturally taken him completely off guard. He had the privilege of meeting her father a few months ago, but it only last a minute and he and Alicia weren't even close to friends back then. He had also met Veronica a couple of weeks ago but again, it wasn't formal, instead he was more or less sure it was the most awkward situation he had ever established; Veronica had knocked on his car window grasping Alicia's attention as she had her tongue stuck down his throat and he swore, that morning that he would never forgive himself for allowing Alicia to take complete control leading them in no place but trouble.

"uhh, okay.."

"You don't have to if you don't want to.." she said softly, though he could hear the discrepancy behind her voice.

"No no, If it's what you want.."

"It is." He smiled at her lack of hesitation, and his heart warmed as he realised she had faith in him, though he couldn't deny that this was going to keep him awake all night.

"Okay, I'll be over in the morning."

"Great. I can't wait." He could hear the excitement behind her voice and smiled. "I have to go, Owen is being a pain and wants the phone."

"Okay, oh and Leesh?" he paused,

"Hhm?"

"Sweet dreams"

"You too. Goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow."

As he pressed the phone back down, he sighed, he was close to spelling the same three words that had been playing out in his mind for the last month but he was aware that is was too early, and that she most likely did not feel the same, yet, at least.

Alicia

She awoke that next morning, and her thoughts, like most mornings in the last week, drifted off to Will. She imagined his hands running down her body, she imagined his lips pressed against her neck, she foolishly imagined his hard chest pressed against hers, it was ridiculous. She was ridiculous. She had never been such a school girl with Peter, she had told herself she was in love with him, but it was the idea of love and dating the quarterback of the school that appealed to her. Nowadays, things were completely different. She was different.

And there were moments in the day she desired Will above all else, and it was a large distraction, which was frightening.

She showered, and grabbed the summer dress her mother had brought for her two days ago, it was relatively short, dark navy blue and flowed lightly against her body, the back was bear, slightly from her shoulder neck and ended just above her bottom with a ribbon tied in the middle. She gazed at herself in the mirror, her skin was as pale as a vampire, but she chose it for the guy who was slowly, by each day stealing her heart.

When she heard his truck pull up, she quickly rushed down the stairs and ran towards the kitchen, her father sat in the dining room with his single shot rifle placed above the table, dressed in his hunting gear, he smiled over at her.

"Daddy.." she said hesitantly. "What are you doing?"

"Phil and I are going hunting this afternoon sweetheart, I told you remember."

She raised a brow, "Well can you at least put your rifle away please? Will's here remember? I told you I was introducing him to you and mom."

"Will?" he said confused, she knew by the smile that played on his lips that he was well aware of who Will was, and wasn't easing to make a hefty impression as well.

Alicia sighed, and moved closer. "Daddy, he's really important to me."

"I know sweetheart, I feel exactly the same way about you… and my rifle.." He lifted it above his shoulder, grasped the rest of his gear and headed into the direction of the garage, she sighed, glad that he was leaving them in his car, and away from Will's eyes. She ran off onto the front porch, and beamed down at him from a far. The moment she reached him though, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and embraced him with all the power she could afford.

She wasn't willing to admit that she had made a mistake last night, that she had possibly over-reacted, even though it was all entirely true, she was too stubborn for her own good, the odds were never really in her favor when it came to admission, but she was able to admit that she missed him, that leaving him with an argument and a few strong glares wasn't the ideal goodbye so she had to show him just how much he meant to her.

Pulling back, she leant her face into his, which he returned and pressed his lips against hers, ever so softly, while she caressed his cheek. "Mmm, I missed you." She murmured.

"I missed you." He replied,

"I'm sorry." She whispered, gazed up at him through her lashes and pouted somewhat foolishly, though she couldn't deny the grin that spread across his features.

"I know."

"You must be the infamous Will I've heard a lot about." Her father's voice interrupted their daze, they both pulled back immediately, and she rested her hands behind her back as she gazed between her boyfriend and her father.

Before she could grasp a chance to formally speak though, Will pushed his fears aside, and jumped in. "Yes, sir. Will Gardner." He stretched a hand out, Alicia bit her lip nervously as she watched him shake Will's hand with more solidness than necessary.

"Uh right.. I've heard a lot about you, Alicia speaks the world of you." She felt her cheeks redden in embarrassment and made eye contact with Will who wore a look of surprise and amusement.

"I speak the world of her too."

"I hope you're not eager to cause tears upon those pretty little eyes of hers in my house."

"Dad!" she gaped in shock, glaring at him, she shook her head defeated and grasped onto Will's hand.

"No sir." He said, noticeably firm and grim. "That's the furthest thing from my mind."

"Good, I'm glad we understand." She was in shock at her father's behaviour, there were days where he avoided the need to interfere between her relationships, he found it just as awkward as she did, sex, love, boys, was not a topic she shared with her father on a daily basis, that was all intended for her mother's ears, and yet, there were days, like this for an example where he had no problem in stating a point.

She tugged Will away by his arm and brought him into the house, he had been inside before, only once a few months ago when they partnered up as study companions, now the scenario was entirely different. She entwined her fingers with his, and inhaled deeply as she heard her mother walk through the back porch, she carried a vase of flowers and set them on the sink before turning to the noise.

"Mom.." she said hesitantly, praying that Veronica would make a much more better impression than her father. "You remember Will?"

"Oh yes!" she exclaimed. "How could I forget?"

"Nice to meet you, formally Mrs Cavanaugh." He stretched a hand out.

"You too. And Veronica is fine. Alicia's speaks highly of you."

"That's new to me," he responded to which Alicia rolled her eyes half grinning.

"no, she's talks a lot about you. Trust me. I know." she winked

"Okayy. That's enough." Alicia said, grasping his hand. "We're heading out mom, I won't be long."

She snorted, "Yeah right, I've heard that before. I want you home no later than eight, a no funny business."

Alicia sighed in embarrassment, "Yes mom." She mumbled, dragging Will by the hand, she grabbed her bag, once reaching his car, she shook her head.

"Sorry about them Will, they make it their mission to embarrass me."

He smiled, "It's okay Leesh, I don't mind."

She smiled, and pressed her lips against his cheek before settling in her seat. "Okay, let's go before my father walks out with his rifle."

"His what?"

She shook her head, "Nothing."

They drove to their usual spot, in the far outskirts of the city and sat under the tree. She had her back against his chest as she read a book and smiled as she felt his lips pressed against her neck. "We're not going to accomplish any study if you keep doing that." She whispered,

He snorted, "You're the one studying, I'm just observing."

She grinned, "Is that what you call observing now?"

He hummed in agreement, causing a giggle to her lips. This was what she valued the most with them, they both enjoyed the quiet, the serenity in small things that other people took for granted. She allowed her attention to move back towards reading, and shuddered as she felt his lips press against her cheek, she felt him chuckle smugly and rolled her eyes.

"Hey Leesh?" he whispered gently,

"Hmm?"

"It's none of my business, but I just want you to know, that with what happened yesterday, you can tell me anything, you don't have to hide your feelings away from me." She sat up, gaining better access and gazed into his eyes.

She smiled, "I know."

He nodded, "Good."

Turning back, her gaze fell to the ground, she was aware that she had her own problems, and always wondered how much Will would play a part in that, but nonetheless she was still wary of opening herself up to someone, she had done it so many times with others, including her best friend who ultimately betrayed her. She knew that Will was the opposite, but she wasn't ready, though that did not mean she was willing to lose him, even if her feelings right now were conflicted.

She turned back to grasp his attention, "Will?" he looked up from his book and raised a brow.

She seemed hesitant at first, but continued. "You'll never leave me right?" It wasn't her objective to sound vulnerable or feeble, even if it came out that way, she could see by the confusion that waved across his face that she hadn't made sense.

"What do you mean?"

She shrugged and looked down, "Everyone in my life, disappoints me one way or another, my brother never listens to me, nor do my parents, and my friends, are no longer my friends anymore. You're the only one I can trust.."

He sighed and pulled her in for a hug, "I'll never hurt you Leesh or leave you for that matter, not on purpose anyway. But I think you have to promise me the same."

She shook her head, "I'll never leave you Will."

She looked up at Finn, the man who she had only recently vowed to marry, his eyes mirrored sorrow, drenched, from her recent admission, and she sighed.

"I can't marry you Finn."