"Would you stop fidgeting?" Robyn growls next to me, reaching over to swat at my hands when I adjust the thin straps of my white crop top for the eighth time. Isla and Robyn had been encouraging in my wearing it, the hem reaching just the top of my destroyed dark denim shorts. "You look incredible. Felix won't know what hit him."

I roll my eyes as I move her hands away, running my fingers through my long loosely curled hair that hangs around my shoulders. It isn't that I'm not used to dressing like this. I live in jeans and tank top, but it's the added pressure of knowing there is a possibility of seeing Felix again that makes me nervous.

Though I'll never admit that out loud.

"I don't know why I let you guys talk me into this," a sigh falling from my lips as I cross my arms over my chest, pressing my back into the leather of Miles' backseat.

"Talk you into this? If you didn't want to go, you wouldn't have told us about the party," Isla teases from the passenger seat, turning slightly in her seat to smile at me. "It's cute how nervous he makes you."

"Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen you nervous, Stevie," Miles chimes in and I have to press my lips together, glaring at him through the rearview mirror. "How'd you get an invite to Felix Montgomery's party, anyways?"

"He was at my house this morning." I say as I cross one leg over the other. "He has a project with Riker and I happened to be there. And...he asked."

"He didn't have to invite you though," Robyn smiles. "He clearly wants you here."

"Or he was being nice."

"Why do you have such a hard time believe he likes you, Vee?" Isla quizzes and her eyes darting over to her boyfriend, questions about her own relationship probably swirling through her head.

They've been together since the middle of sophomore year and are more back and forth than anyone I've ever met. Their relationship status constantly changing and it isn't because they don't work. Miles is a sweet guy and when they're together, he usually hangs out with us and we all got along well. Isla likes him, but she likes romance and Miles isn't always the most romantic guy.

He's simplistic, which in my opinion is exactly what Isla needs. Someone to calm her storm. To be her partner. Someone to push back, and not be a doormat for her to walk on. He is the ocean to her waves.

"It's not that," I sigh. "Can we drop it?"

"Consider it dropped," Robyn bobs her head. "We're here anyways."

I lean over to look through her window as Miles comes to a stop outside a massive stone house. It's only a twenty minute drive away from mine, and it likely could fit inside my house. Not that it matters, but still, it's noticeably large and it makes me wonder about what his family is like.

He made a name for himself. He's recognized as Felix Montgomery, star quarterback – probably going all the way to the pros and unlike me, whose known as Luke Alexander's daughter. Or Greyson Alexander's sister. I have so many titles but none of them are my own. No one is sitting there looking at me and saying, there's Stevie Alexander.

"Shall we, Vee?" Isla asks from the passenger seat as Robyn and Miles climb out.

"I hate this."

Isla smiles weakly, "Just give it a try. If you decide you need to leave, then come find me and say the safe word. You don't need to give us any explanation. Safe word and we're out of there, okay?"

"Safe word?"

She hums softly and bobs her head. "Mango."

"Mango and we're out?"

"Mango and we're out," she nods. "Sound good?"

"Thank you, Isla," I smile softly.

"I got your back, Vee."

My lips curl up as I bob my head, throwing the strap of my camera onto my shoulder that sat in the middle of the backseat. I grasp the lens in my hand and open the back door, my sneakers connecting with the pavement when I step out. A sigh falling from my lips as I walk around to the front of the car, eyeing my friends and how amazing they're dressed.

"Let's do this before I change my mind," I exhale and head for the front door, the yard scattered with people mingling among themselves.

The street vibrating with the sound of the music coming from the house, and it only grows louder as we step into the front foyer. My eyes darting around the room, from the sweaty bodies grinding together in the living room pounding with music to the kitchen coated in cups and people trying to get drinks. At the end of the hall, the back door's wide open and there are even more teenage bodies out there.

"Drinks first?" Robyn asks.

Isla shakes her head and grabs Miles' hand. "I think we're gonna go dance for a bit first."

"Okay," she nods. "Vee?"

"Yeah, I'm down," I smile and nod my head as I clutch my camera to my chest, following her into the kitchen. The two of us stop in front of the counter set up with an array of alcohols, chasers, plastic cups and mixers. I reach for the coke bottle at the same time a round of synced shouts fills the room.

"Robby!" A few of Robyn's fellow cheerleaders excitedly giggle as they run into the room. "Come outside with us! They need a fourth for beer bong."

"I'm kind of with Stevie right now, guys," she turns her head to look at me and I smile, waving her off.

"Go ahead. I'll go find Isla and Miles. Or Riker and Isaac."

"Are you sure? I can stay with you," she protests.

"No, it's okay. Go ahead," I offer a reassuring smile.

"Okay," she smiles and squeezes my hand. "I'll come find you later, boo."

"Yeah," I nod. "Later."

"Okay," Robyn turns towards her cheerleader friends. "Let's do this!"

A small laugh falls from my lips as I turn towards the counter and reach for one of the red cups, but hold my hand back as I peer around the room. I can feel eyes on me, but they aren't. It's in my head, I'm sure of it and despite knowing that it doesn't stop me from pulling my hand back and heading toward the living room in hopes of spotting Isla and Miles.

I do.

Unfortunately, I find them tangled up together on the living room floor dancing. My eyes make a quick dart for the back door, before they wander up the staircase and without a second thought I head for them. Taking one step at a time, I reach the second floor and walk down the halls. Looking from picture to picture, a smile creeping up onto my lips at how many are of Felix before I reach a door at the back of the house.

There's a do not enter sign attached to the door, but it doesn't stop me from reaching for the door handle. Part of me is expecting it to be locked, before realizing there wouldn't be a note if it was. Opening the door wider, I move inside only to realize I've managed to find Felix's room. The layout being split, part of it decorated with a sitting area and gaming setup that Isaac would die over while the rest is made up of his king size bed.

"You came," Felix stops in the doorway of the room, his arms crossed over his chest.

I turn my head at the sound of his voice and nod my head. "Yeah."

"And you don't listen to signs."

"Sorry," I move my free hand to the chain around my neck, playing with the silver between my fingertips. "I was just looking for a space to breathe. I can leave."

"No," he shakes his head and waves it off, as if I am silly to even suggest it. "Can I show you something?"

"I guess so," I nod.

He smiles and steps deeper into the room, turning to shut the door quietly behind him. Without a word, he takes a few long strides, stepping up onto his neatly made bed until he reaches the window his bed's rests against. Unlocking the latch, he lifts it all the way open and moves one leg over the low headboard, resting one foot on the siding before turning to look at me.

"You may want to leave that here," he points to the camera in my hands.

"Felix, what are you doing?"

"Climbing onto the roof," he sits on the window seal and looks at me.

"Isn't that kind of dangerous?" I ask, setting my camera down on his nightstand before stepping up onto the mattress, bracing myself on the headboard.

"Highly, but what's the point of living without a little danger?" He asks as I get closer to him. My leg brushing his as I rest my hands on the window seal and lean out to look into his yard and the party guests that crowd it.

"I could think of one or two reasons," I look at him, not realizing how close I've gotten to him.

"Those being?"

"Riker and Isaac," I point to my twin brothers on his lawn. Riker sitting on the edge of the pool, his legs dangling in the water with Lena next to him while Isaac and Mika play beer pong with Robyn and another cheerleader. "Greyson. My mom. My dad. That's five right there."

"Stop being a smart-ass and get out here already. It's not every day I show a girl my secret hiding place," he eyes me with a teasing smile.

"This is a roof," I roll my eyes. "Not much of a secret."

"Nicks, seriously?" He groans and finishes climbing onto the roof, careful not to hit me as he brings his other leg over and kneels down, holding onto the outside of the window to look at me. "Come on, I won't let you fall. I do this all the time."

"I'm not scared."

"Prove it then," he holds his hand out to me and I shake my head as I follow his movements, climbing through the opening in the window until I'm kneeling on the rooftop in front of him. "That way," he points to his right, showing me where to climb and I try not to flinch when his hand rests on the small of my back for support.

"It's nice up here," I admit, moving over to let him sit in the space next to me. It's an adrenaline rush really, seeing as if I slip I'm falling to my death. "If I die, it's your fault though."

A small laugh falls from his lips, causing a shiver to run up my back as he lays back. Raising his arms to rest under his head, causing his shirt to slide up just enough for me to see the top of his boxers and jeans. My eyes lingering on the exposed skin above it before forcing my eyes forward.

"You're not going to die," he tells me, grabbing my elbow with the arm not tucked under his head. "Lay down with me."

I consider not doing it but the look on his face when I turn my head to look at him has my stomach doing flips. Excitement, fear and hope running through me all at once.

He's so cute it hurts.

Pushing my hair over my shoulders I shift my weight before lying back, bring my feet up to bend my knees and catch my shoes on the shingles. The setting sun is even prettier from the rooftop. It's refreshing. Like a break from the rest of the world and it makes me wonder how often Felix needs the escape.

For the next few minutes, we lay in complete silence staring up at the darkening sky. My hands rested against my torso, my fingers tangled in the hem of my shirt to avoid touching anything else. The quiet's nice. Usually I like the noise, the rushing pace of the school hallways. Riker hacking away on his drum kit in his room but somehow, being able to sit in total silence with someone and not feel uncomfortable is better.

"You always this quiet?" Felix says as he turns his head to look at me.

"Just enjoying the silence," I hum out as I close my eyes, letting the remaining sun hit my face and soak my skin.

"This is where you tell me all your hopes and dreams, Nicks."

"My hope is you stop calling me Nicks," I turn my head to meet his eyes, a serious look on my face but in the back of my head, I'm praying he'll argue.

Say you won't.

Say you thinks it fits me.

And I don't know why I feel this way or why I'm being like this.

"I don't think so, Nicks," he smiles softly. "It fits you."

I roll my eyes at him, but my heart's hammering in excitement. The nickname is kind of cute actually and I know my dad will love it once he hears it. Probably wondering why he never thought of it.

"Come on, seriously," he nudges me. "Talk to me."

I shake my head, holding my lips together causing him to smirk. A look of amusement on his face as he shuffles over, the top of his arm pressing against mine.

"How about this? I'll tell you mine and then if you feel like telling me, you can," he offers and I turn my head, holding my breath when I see how close we are.

"That seems fair."

Felix laughs before sitting up, crossing his arms over his knees and I follow suit, shuffling over a bit to sit cross legged next to him. My hands rested in my lap as I avoid looking at him, giving him the space to speak.

"Sometimes I wish I wasn't Felix Montgomery," he says gently as he looks out on the view. "There is a lot of pressure that comes with that name and there are days where I wish I could wake up and be someone else. Someone no one looks at and doesn't care about. If something happens to me, it's like everyone knows and their eyes are always on me."

"At least the name they know you for is your own," I tell him with a sad smile. "I'm not saying it doesn't suck, but I wish people knew me for me. I'm always someone's something. Front man for Rock Salt, Luke Alexander's daughter. Malibu High football legend, Greyson Alexander's little sister. Brainiac, Riker's sister. Artistic genius, Isaac's sister. I'm never just Stevie and sometimes I wonder if I'm destined to spend the rest of my life as someone's shadow."

Felix nods as if he understands exactly what I'm saying, except he doesn't. He's wishing he had a shadow to hide in, but what he says next takes me by surprise. "I see you, Stevie Alexander. Amazing photographer. Beautiful smile. Ocean eyes. You're destined for greatness. Or should I say Wheeler?"

A laugh falls from my lips despite the heart attack taking place in my chest. When we were younger, my parents decided to avoid being known as Luke Alexander's kids that we'd go by our mom's maiden name, Wheeler. It only lasted so long before we went by the names on our birth certificates but for a while we were known as the Wheeler siblings and it was nice for a minute, but I didn't want to distance myself from my dad. None of us did. So, when we were old enough to understand why they made that decision for us. We made the decision together to be the Alexander's instead.

"Alexander," I smile. "Thank you."

He nods, "I'm sorry about your parents, by the way. I tend to avoid listening to gossip but-."

"But this one was hard to ignore?"

He shrugs, "You just looked bummed out. Has it gotten any better?"

"If divorce is what you call better," I blurt out before realizing I shared too much. Revealing the most vulnerable part of my heart to him.

"Divorce?" He frowns.

"We should probably go back inside before it gets too dark," I swallow and adjust in my spot to move, but Felix is sitting closer to the window and needs to move first. "I don't want to get blamed for our star quarterback breaking his leg."

"Stevie."

"Can you just forget I said anything?"

"Yeah..." he nods his head and sighs. "Sure."

a/n;

This is the chapter that started the whole book for me and I'm happy it's finally here to share. The whole rooftop confessions being the thing that opened up all these other ideas and brought these two characters to life for me.

Remember to vote if you enjoyed the chapter :) x