❝All I got is these broken clocks, I ain't got no time, just burning daylight❞

- SZA, Broken Clocks.

"Rae, you made it!" Kaleb grinned the moment I walked through the front door.

The party was already in full swing. The living room was a bit full and so was every other place in the house probably. The basketball team usually hosted big parties.

I rolled my eyes at Kaleb, "Yeah, yeah."

"What changed your mind, though?" He asked, raising a can of Mountain Dew to his mouth.

"I'll tell you about that later. I don't even want to think about it right now."

"Here," he handed his drink to me and I took it from him, taking a long sip.

I could handle parties at Kaleb's. Anything else could be done apart from drink alcohol. I knew some guys would probably bring some alcohol over, but Kaleb himself never hosted a party and served alcohol.

"Hey, there's some spaghetti and grilled chicken in the kitchen if you're hungry. Mom made some before leaving," Kaleb told me.

"Great. I'm starved. After that I'm going up to your room to crash."

"You won't be here?"

I shrugged, "I'm here if you think about it. Just not here. I think I just really need sleep right now."

"Alright, sure," he said before quickly making his way to where everybody was.

Greeting a few people as I walked to the kitchen, I got there and dished some spaghetti and a chicken in a plate. After eating the spaghetti, I took the chicken in my hand and decided it was time to go up to Kaleb's room. I chewed mindlessly as I made my way to his room. Honestly, I didn't want to sleep. I just didn't want to be in the party. Why do that when I could be sat up in Kaleb's bed, eating chicken and scrolling through Twitter.

With my free hand, I pushed the door to Kaleb's room open and my eyes widened, "Oh my God, I'm so sorry." I immediately shut the door.

I couldn't believe my eyes. That was a guy seated on Kaleb's bed with... Harper on his lap, his head buried in her neck. Was that Jace? It most likely was. I shrugged. Not that it was exactly my business, but then, if that was Jace, how were they doing that? Last I remember, Harper was even scared to talk to him.

I got to the stairs and not wanting to go down, I sat on it and took a huge bite of my chicken.

"Why are you sat here eating a chicken?" I heard a familiar voice ask.

Logan.

I chuckled and answered him, "Don't judge. I was hungry."

He laughed lowly as well and sat right beside me, the scent of his cologne filling my nostrils. "When did you get here?"

"Not long ago. Hey, I didn't get to thank you again for the chocolates. I loved them."

"It's nothing," his voice was low. "Apparently, Kaden loved them too."

I opened my mouth then shook my head, "I'm sorry... Kaleb. Kaleb's an idiot."

He nodded, a smile on his face, "Yeah, he is. I'll never count that against you, though. I'm just glad you loved the chocolates. I used the help of my sisters."

"You didn't have to go through all that stress, you know," I nudged his side, smiling.

"It wasn't stressful if you think about it. Besides, I don't mind. I really like you, bubbles," he said and then in a low voice, he added, "I have for a while now."

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I didn't want to give him any false hope.

"You don't have to say anything," he pulled my cheek. "I just want you to know how I feel about you."

Well, that was something River failed to do.

I wanted to stop comparing them. It was just hard trying to figure who was genuine.

Shoving the thought aside, I let myself feel comfortable with Logan and we talked, teased each other and laughed while the party went on.

It felt nice that I had someone to talk to. It was nicer that Logan had totally left the party just to talk to me.

"Why didn't you inform me you were going to stay over at Kaleb's?" Tanner asked sternly the next morning when I got home.

"It totally skipped my mind, I'm sorry," I retorted.

"What would it have taken you to get out your phone after work to text? You had me worried for a bit."

"Well, actually, I came home, but you didn't notice due to the activities you and your girlfriend were displaying on the couch," I could feel a light smile on my face.

Tanner on the other hand, ran a hand down his face and shook his head.

"Oh my, Renée, you're back."

I looked to see Kendall who had just come out of the kitchen... in Tanner's shirt.

I was a bit surprised she had stayed over.

"Hi," I greeted dryly.

She smiled, "How are you? I was just making breakfast."

"It's fine. I'm not hungry."

I was terribly hungry and my stomach growled. That was before me and Kaleb got tacos in Taco Bell.

"You're such a liar," Kaleb said, taking a bite of his taco. I'd told him about Kendall.

"I know," I chewed on mine.

"And your pride us probably as large as America."

"I know, but that depends."

"And—"

"Shut up."

He chuckled and we chewed in silence until he said, "You mist have dipped out really early last night."

"No, actually. I got to your room and saw Harper and some guy making out on your bed."

"People made out on my bed?!"

"Yep," I nodded.

"Where'd you go then?"

"Well, I decided to chill on the staircase, then Logan came along. We talked for a long time."

"No wonder the idiot was no where to be found. Did anything happen between you two?"

"Oh God, no. We talked, and enjoyed each other's companies, I guess."

"Well, that's a relief," he said and I rolled my eyes.

"What's up? What happened yesterday?" He asked.

I shrugged, "River said he missed me and then, I told him I'd seen him kiss another girl and all that stuff."

"What did he say?"

"I didn't give him the breath to say anything."

"Great. We can now move to step three."

"What else is there to do?"

"Uh, make him jealous."

I raised an eyebrow, "Isn't that being petty?"

"No. It's petty if you want him to notice," he said slowly, gesticulating.

I was confused. "Isn't that the point, though? I want him to notice, that's what'll make him jealous."

He knew I was right, so he scoffed and rolled his eyes, "Fine. It is petty alright, but that's whatever."

I let out a breath, "You talk trash sometimes."

"Are you in or not?"

"I'm not sure," I shrugged.

"Look, making him jealous will make him wonder why he didn't just tell you how he felt in the first place. Two, making him jealous will make him realise how much he actually wants you. And not just want you, but want you for himself."

"He has a girlfriend."

"So freaking what? I'm a guy. I know what that kind of stuff will do to me."

"He's really observant and will know it's all a plan in no time."

"Just trust me."

I bit my lower lip, "Fine. But how do we go about it? We have to get a guy, right?"

"Yeah, but why bother searching when I'm seated right in front of you?"

"Okay," I nodded, then added dramatically. "Just promise me you won't fall in love with me."

"I don't think I could, even if I tried," he laughed.

"Better," I sighed.

"So, can I have your remaining taco?"

I scowled, "No."

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