Jake Hart never really understood the actual point of getting up early on days off.

Unless, of course, there was a test or project due.

He not only was free from any lessons, but he was off of work, as well, which was about as rare as him not overworking himself.

Jake actually was originally scheduled for a midday shift at the pizza shop, but with agreeing on driving that hour and a half to the lake house, he had to call in and request the day off, as well as, the rest of the weekend.

On any typical day, Lucas would have been upset about having to cover for anyone. Especially, when it was last minute and the reasons were 'personal', without any specific details. However, this time, Lucas practically threw a party on his own when Jake admitted that he was in need of the days off due to a weekend with friends.

Lucas had known the lot of friends since they arrived three years prior to Brandon University; his dad owned the shop. Lucas was still in high school when the friends claimed the restaurant as their go to place.

Lucas had learned two things while working with the group. A, his crush for Jake Hart would never die, if anything, it got stronger as time passed, and B, Jake was the world's biggest studyholic on the planet.

Jake didn't understand the meaning of the word relaxation, to the point of spending his breaks studying for tests that were never announced.

And yes, Jake Hart knew about Lucas's schoolboy crush on him. Everyone and anyone was aware that the red headed boy with the beautiful green eyes was crazy about the curly haired lad.

Jake did like Lucas, but never in the way Lucas would want, and not because he wasn't attractive or anything; Jake truly found Lucas to be smart, funny, and handsome, and enjoyed laughing and spending time with him. But Lucas was also a lot younger than Jake, and that sort of irked him. Jake was more than okay being the boy's friend, but dating him was not something that he would ever consider.

At barely eight in the morning, Jake Hart was awake on his day off, frustrated with the sun for being so bright. He could feel the sun screaming through the closed blinds like nails on a chalkboard.

And what troubled Jake Hart most of all was that he had awoken before his alarm rang.

Yawns were sounding and escaping every so often, reminding Jake how exhausted he was, and yet, he knew he had no alternative but to get up. Jake had to be packed and ready by nine, considering Landon pronounced it as the time they were heading on the road.

This actually meant that Jake had to be by his car at eight forty-five, since he had consistently taken the longest to get to the parking lot.

Having his room nearest to the parked cars, in reality, had worked against Jake, given that he continuously thought he had more time than he did.

****

The disturbing beeping sound of the alarm rang from his phone, causing the curly haired boy to huff, groggily. He didn't know what Kai did when he messed with it a week ago, but it seemed whenever he set up an alarm, the beeping got louder every second.

That was a headache waiting to happen, and Jake was not up for that.

Another sound rang from his phone, several minutes later, and this time it was a text.

'YO! 1 HOUR DUDE!' Jake read Landon's text out loud, but he had no intention of replying.

It was morning. And Jake didn't like mornings.

There were very few times he wished he had a roommate, and at this moment, he mentally demanded one; someone who would talk him into a good mood without being overly perky. He just needed the company of someone who had the ability to make him smile, which wasn't difficult in the least.

Twenty minutes had passed and Jake had finally gotten up, stretched, and jumped in the shower. The steaming, hot water cascading down his body helped him jolt awake, even if it was only for a few minutes.

Jake could have gone hours in there, just relaxing and thinking about everything that came to mind, but apparently, his plans were not allowing him.

It was around eight thirty when Jake finished packing his black duffle bag full of his clothes and necessities, as well as, his black backpack full of books for the rides there and back.

He came to a twisted realization at eight thirty-five that morning, which of course didn't help his circumstance.

Jake Hart was out of coffee.

Now, Jake wasn't a coffee addict or anything of the sort; he barely drank it, but on a day like today, where he was awake against his will, he required it in an IV.

So there he was, ready and staring at the white, popcorn style ceiling contemplating every single one of his life choices.

For one, he felt utterly puzzled on how he so simply gave in to his friends' begging and convincing. He was never the one to cave so quickly, or at all, actually.

It was exactly eight forty-five when his legs moved on their own towards the door. Grabbing the key to the room, Jake verified he had his car keys, bags, charger, phone, and everything else necessary for his trip.

He was close to the exit of the building when he dropped his phone and had to turn around and bend to pick it up.

When getting back up, something had Jake stop in his tracks; yielding without warning.

Jake wasn't exactly sure why he was so captivated with the tall, raven haired boy walking beside Landon. The boy wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary that would instantly catch someone's attention.

He was sporting a simple white t and dark jeans. Nothing that should make anyone halt in place over. Jake began to wonder if the boy had been his friend's one night stand, or was he someone Landon was currently dating.

What was that pang he felt in his chest?

Certainly, Landon was not the type to sleep around, or really date, at all. He did enjoy the occasional flirting, but like Lucas's crush on Jake, Landon's crush on Kai had been clear to everyone, except for the the boys themselves.

Jake decided to shake it off, finally feeling his feet transporting themselves once again. It was a good thing they had a mind of their own at times, because he probably could have stayed there a lot longer had they not picked themselves up.

Jake stood by his car, putting his black duffle bag in the trunk of his navy colored SUV. He wanted to throw his keys to Landon, knowing he would be the one driving, but was somewhat distracted by a long legged creature.

Landon did agree to drive Jake's car, knowing it was the only way Jake had agreed to attend the gathering.

Somehow, Jake was once again paralyzed; his breath was nonexistent and he could feel the desert, that was once his throat, drying up even more. He was almost positive he had never felt so dehydrated in his days of living, even though the sun wasn't strong enough to cause him to collapse.

Jake Hart wanted to tell himself that he wasn't affected by the way the boy simply stood beside Landon, or by watching the way he brushed his hair back with his hands, several times without much thought.

'You're in control. You're okay.' Jake heard a small voice in his mind speak. He didn't know if that little pep talk was a lie, but deciding to listen to it was what he did. Of course, pressing the small button on the gadget he had found and kept in his pocket helped.

Maybe if his head wasn't so completely in the clouds, his ears would have perked up at the muffled sound the boy had let out.

"Earth to Jake!" Taylor managed to bring Jake's head back to earth.

"Huh?" the curly haired boy seemed confused, realizing that Landon was still a few feet from him with the other boy, while Tay was standing closer to him.

"Landon here called your name about fifteen times, J, and probably gave up," Taylor laughed, pointing to their friend, standing by the boy who had Jake lightheaded and parched.

"Oh, sorry, dude. The music was too loud," Jake lied, though he might have gotten away with it, as he did have his headphones on.

Truth is, his spotify app was open, and he was ready to dive into his study playlist, when the view of the dark haired boy engulfed him.

"Anyway, why do you have an entire bag of books with you, J? What happened to enjoying this weekend?" Landon pointed at the backpack Jake was holding.

"I told you I'm only coming if I can study on the way there and back, Lan," Jake rolled his eyes, almost looking annoyed. But, his group of friends knew Jake and knew it took a lot more to get under his skin.

"You didn't have to rob a bookstore, though," Bailey laughed, putting her stuff in the back of Taylor's car. Kai and Kailey were already seated in Taylor's car awaiting the hour and a half trip towards the lake house.

"Jenna and Mike will meet us there," Taylor stated, before getting in her car and driving off. She had to stop by a gas station on the way and wanted to get a head start on the road.

Jake couldn't seem to comprehend why no one had even spoken about, or to the boy standing beside Landon. He was almost like a statue, or a figment of Jake's imagination. Maybe he was an angel just there to mess with him. Jake could feel himself feeling drowsy again, seeing the boy and Landon walk closer towards him.

Maybe it was that the boy in the dark hair was not very talkative, or maybe he just wanted to wait for someone to introduce him, but he didn't word a single sound.

Something about the way the raven haired boy swung his hips when he moved forward had Jake in a million pieces, yet completely whole.

The boy in the simple white t took one single look towards the curly haired lad then up to the sky, smiling at nothing and no one in particular.

Jake could feel himself slowly turning into goo; he was almost melting into utter nothingness with just the simplicity of the boy's smile.

Jake didn't have the vaguest idea how or why this tall boy was striking him so strongly.

Rarely did Jake find someone so attractive. He wasn't one to be overly picky; he found many boys cute, but none that made him this unsteady.

'You're in control. You're okay.' The voice in his head was back, though Jake Hart wouldn't let it fool him again.

It was safe to say the long ride would be just the beginning of a very interesting weekend.

Jake originally had this ridiculous idea that this journey would be treacherous and irritating.

That was absolute false.

Click. Click.