I think Aaron's nuts.

There was no other word for it. He told me everything that he was thinking and how he came up with it, while we strolled around town looking for any sign of Luke and Alyson.

I mean, how can Luke and Alyson be together? These were Luke and Alyson we were talking about here. I hadn't seen them talk to each other besides Physics class. That was like, only an hour a day. Not to mention, Mr. Clinton was very strict about the students talking inside the classroom during class hours. Thus, how could Luke and Alyson be together if they didn't spend time together, right?

Aaron's theory was just far-fetched. How did he freaking come up with that perception? Besides, if Luke and Alyson did have a secret relationship or something, she wouldn't hide something this big from me.

Yes, this was kind of a big deal since she never had any boyfriend before – not including the summer flings. Oh, and there was that little other thing that Luke was in an entirely different clique from us in school.

Back to my point, Alyson wouldn't hide this from me. I just didn't believe it.

"I knew you acted like a father, A," I said a-matter-of-factly. "But I didn't know you could be such a girl."

He rapidly turned his head toward me, losing grip on the wheel for a second. We swerved, almost hitting a sign post. I clutched the passenger seat's sides. Aaron immediately controlled the wheel again and returned to keeping his eyes on the road.

"What did you just say?" he demanded indignantly, not looking at me.

"Well, you're surely assuming like one," I answered, raising an eyebrow at him. "I didn't know boys could make assumptions like that. What, did you over-analyze the situation like girls always do?"

"D, just because we're boys doesn't mean we're stupid," he said, rolling his eyes.

"Did I say anything about you being stupid?" I inquired.

"No," he answered casually. "But you make it sound like we don't think."

"That's not how I meant it," I argued. "I'm just saying that you're assumptions are based on what, a hunch? That's not good enough."

"My instincts are good enough for me," he said quietly but firmly.

I sighed.

Well, I trusted him. I might as well go along with it. Besides, I knew that he originally had plans with Annabelle tonight (I didn't want to think about what they've planned to do, because I know that I might get dizzy and end up puking.) but he cancelled because he was really determined about his 'theory.' And he asked me to come with him instead of that witch. I didn't want to assume anything, okay? However, this was definitely one of the ups of being his best friend.

What was more, I enjoyed spying on people – spying, not stalking. And he knew that. It must be the reason why dragged me along.

"Call Luke," Aaron told me, handing me his phone while looking at the road. I took it from his right hand. "He's on speed dial two. If he won't answer, then try calling Allie."

"It surprises me how you never seem to get that bossiness of yours to go away in whatever kind of situation," I commented in mock surprise.

"Same thing with you on sarcasm," he retorted.

I ignored him and pressed number two on his phone's keypad, and put it on speaker. It kept on ringing until it went to voicemail. I ended the call and tried calling Alyson, but no answer too. I redialed her number. Still no luck, though.

I frowned. Weird. More often than not, Alyson answered her phone.

"Allie, it's Dakota," I said over the voicemail. "Call me as soon as you get this, you hear?" I ended the call and put down Aaron's phone on my lap. I looked out the window, my thoughts running through my mind.

Could Aaron be insanely right? Or maybe Alyson was just busy doing something in the moment that she couldn't answer her phone?

Aaron suddenly stopped the car. I turned my head to look at him. He had a calculating look placed on his face. After a few minutes, he breathed out and looked at me.

"If my guess is right," he said, "I know where they are."

We drove up to the park by the Hudson River. It was dark. The moon served as the light in the evening. While the beautiful night lights from the City looked like colorful stars.

"You think they're here?" I asked, looking around the park. That was when I froze.

Luke and Alyson were side by side, leaning on Luke's Ducati motorcycle. They faced the city, gazing at the night lights.

So it was true, then? They really were together.

"How did you...?" I muttered as I turned my eyes on Aaron. He was staring at the lights as well.

"When we were about fourteen years old," he started, "Luke and me made a pact that we would bring the first girl we'll fall in love with here at night. It seems childish, but we take that promise seriously, even now."

"Are you saying that Luke's in love with Allie?" I asked carefully, trying to wrap my mind over that fact.

I was sure my face showed utter bemusement. As it sunk in me, I couldn't help but smile. I was happy for Allie. I'd never felt so happy for someone before. She was one of my fewest friends. She deserved full support from me. Even though I couldn't make my life into a fairy tale, at least, hers was. That was enough for me.

I was not jealous that she got what I'd been dreaming of since I realized I was in love with my best friend. She fell in love with a popular jock. I was glad that that jock was Luke. He was the most decent jock I know in that jungle. Okay, so I might've known him since we were kids. But that was just how I know he was decent. And most importantly, he was in love with her, too.

Wait. Maybe that was why Alyson didn't tell me. She must have thought that I would get jealous because she knew how much I wished for what she had right now. She didn't want me to get hurt... But I wasn't. In fact, I was quite happy for her.

Yes, I did wish for something like that. However, I knew how improbable that dream was. I wasn't being pessimistic about my chances of having a relationship with Aaron. I was just being realistic about it. I had no chance with him, especially with Annabelle around. Of all the years I'd known him, I was extremely disappointed of his choice of girls.

Anyway, I was satisfied where I was now, being his best friend.

"He obviously is," answered Aaron. When he turned to look at me, he was a little bit surprised to see me smiling. "What are you smiling about?"

"I'm just happy for Allie."

He looked at the city lights again. There was a long pause for I debated whether to ask him a question or not. I decided to ask him anyway.

"Are you planning on bringing Annabelle here, then?" I asked, trying to sound very casual. To bring Annabelle here would mean he was in love her. And I was very well aware that he hadn't been in love with someone before.

He didn't answer me at once. He just continued to stare ahead.

"I'm not in love with her," he sighed, but then added, "yet."

I couldn't describe how hearing those words made me feel. Because right at that moment, I noticed that the song being played on the radio was Taylor Swift's Teardrops on My Guitar. I felt really annoyed at the song. It not only described my situation with Aaron, it was also right on cue when he answered my question.

After what felt like ages, Luke and Alyson decided to leave. When they turned around, they were surprised to see me and Aaron in the Hummer. They exchanged looks, and then they walked toward us. Aaron opened his side of the door and climbed out. I got out and followed him.

When we were near enough, Aaron and Luke did the fist-pound thingy. You know, the 'male handshake.' Then, Luke glanced curiously at me and Aaron, which I got the feeling that he was smirking in his mind. Anyway, Alyson was the first one who spoke.

"Dakota," she said, sounding apologetically. "I'm so –"

I interrupted her by abruptly hugging her.

"I'm so happy for you, Allie!" I whispered ecstatically. My words weren't even enough to express how much happy I was for her.

Slowly, I felt Alyson return my hug. I could bet that she was smiling, too.

"How did you guys end up together?" I heard Aaron ask Luke.

I gently pulled away from Alyson, gave her a look, and said, "I absolutely agree with his question."

"I think it started with AL," answered Alyson, glancing at Luke. He nodded.

"Who's AL?" I asked inquiringly.

"He's a puppy," explained Luke.

I could see from Aaron's face that he was as confused as I was. Alyson seemed to notice because she said, "I'll tell the story." She turned to me. "I went to North Carolina for the summer, remember?"

I nodded slowly, trying to remember. She might've mentioned it on the first day of school.

"Well, one day while I was in town," Alyson continued, "I saw a thin puppy inside a pet shop by the window. I went inside to see him closer. I learned from the pet shop owner that AL, the puppy, was so thin that no one wants to buy him. I felt really sorry that I decided to keep him. But then, I was short of money because I didn't expect that I would want to buy something when I left the beach house."

Typical Allie, I thought. I fought the sudden urge to roll my eyes.

"I begged the owner if I could buy AL with the only cash I have at the moment," Alyson continued, "but he refused. And then, he excused himself to manage another customer who just entered the shop. I stayed to play with AL. When the owner came back, he gave me AL saying that the man who's currently leaving the store paid it for me. I chased the man while carrying AL in my arms.

"When I caught up with him, he already had his helmet on and was about to drive away on his motorcycle. I quickly went up to him and thanked him. To show my gratitude, I offered to teach him how to build a sand castle. He removed his helmet, then. I was so surprised to see that it was Luke Wright," Alyson finished, beaming at Luke.

"Since then, we've been meeting up regularly," added Luke.

"Sand castle?" asked Aaron, amused. He raised an eyebrow at Luke.

"How could I turn down an offer like that?" asked Luke, giving out a childish grin that showed his dimples. Then, he looked guiltily at Aaron. "Sorry for not telling you, man. It's just –"

"It's my fault," Alyson cut off, turning to Aaron. "I didn't want anyone to know. Luke hates keeping it from you, but I asked him to. Complications will arise in school if anyone finds out. I'm aware of how the others will react about this. Luke has so many admirers; if any of them finds out that he's dating me... You wouldn't understand, Aaron."

I looked away. She was right, he wouldn't. She already had an insight of what it would be like when others knew about her and Luke. I understood how she felt. I also know that she was not that strong to handle harsh comments from others.

I'd been telling her how I felt from the everyday life in that freaking jungle. Of course, I was always acting deaf whenever someone crudely talked about my friendship with Aaron. But deep inside, it hurt a little bit. I could take it, though.

Ugh. I hated feeling weak.

"It's okay," said Aaron, after a few moments. I thought he would argue with Alyson's statement. Turned out, I was wrong. "Your secret is safe with me."

I turned my eyes to him. His facial expression wasn't giving anything away. It made me want to have the ability to read people's minds.

I smiled at Alyson. "You know you can trust me, too," I told her.

"Aren't we going home yet?"

"Why? Do you want to go home?"

Luke and Alyson already went home half an hour ago. Aaron and I stayed by the railing near the river. We decided to gaze at the city lights across.

"Why, yes," I answered sarcastically. "I think that's the reason why I asked," I added, smiling sweetly. Then, I unintentionally shivered.

Darn. I forgot to bring my jacket.

To my surprise, Aaron ignored my sarcasm. He just took off his jersey jacket. And after putting it around me, he continued to stare at the city lights.

"Thanks," I said, unsure on what else to say.

Doing that out of the blue... Even though I know that he cared about me as a friend, I couldn't help but be confused at his actions. Then again, maybe I was imagining things as always.

We took our time gazing at the sparkling buildings of New York City. It felt nice, being with him in the peacefulness of the night...

Okay, so I was also crazily jubilant about the fact that I was the first girl that Aaron brought here (Take that, witch), to the place where he and Luke made a pact that they'd take the first girl they would fall in love with here. I was not assuming or anything. I was still very well aware of the fact that we were best friends. But the night was just so beautiful that I didn't want reality to step in yet.

I sighed, and then I stared at him. I watched the wind blow his dark hair. His bluish green eyes looked serene. The shape of his nose and jaws were close to perfect. My eyes wandered to his lips. It looked so soft. I wondered what if would feel like, kissing him...

"Take a picture, it lasts longer."

I almost jumped in startle. My heart beat accelerated. My eyes widened, while my cheeks flushed red. I saw Aaron smirking at me. I guiltily looked away, anywhere but him. But then, I quickly composed myself before looking back at him.

"I was just amazed at how anyone could be so ugly," I said, as I pulled off the most convincing awestruck look.

He laughed. "Come here." He grabbed my elbow and pulled me toward him. He put his right arm around me, while his free hand ruffled my already messy hair.

"Hey!" I grimaced as I tried to push away, but his grip on me was unbreakable. "Stop it, A!" I demanded.

He stopped ruffling my hair, which made me surprised again because he did what he was told. He didn't remove his arm around my shoulders, though.

"I'll be in the car," I muttered, removing his arm and turning away.

"Wait," Aaron said quietly.

I looked up at him. His put hands in his pockets. He cocked his head to the side as he stared at me. I couldn't describe his expression at the moment – peaceful, maybe?

"Stay with me."

I blinked, trying very hard to read his expression. There wasn't any bossiness in his voice when he said those words. I couldn't locate any smugness on his face either.

I waited, maybe his sentence wasn't finished. After all, he always ruined the moment without him knowing it. But then nothing came. He was simply asking me to stay with him.

So I smiled. "Sure."