There was a change in his tone when he spoke about the raven haired boy, and Taylor felt it. Taylor had called Jake when he had finished work, telling him to give the boy a chance; there was a smile flowing through as she mentioned his name, but Jake was in denial that it was about him.

It was as if Tay had sent him herself, when Caiden had knocked on the curly haired lad's door. It was eleven, and Jake was ready to collapse, but the view before him gave him a sudden jolt of energy.

Taylor was sure her friend would ignore the suggestion of one night of recklessness, but she had no idea how hooked the boy had truly been to the serial kisser.

He didn't expect him to stay the night; Caiden didn't seem like the type of guy to cuddle and wake up with someone beside him, but Jake couldn't say it didn't hurt when he saw Todd from one of his classes flirting with Caiden the next morning in the halls.

Jake wanted to say something, tell him how seeing some guy all over him, while Caiden reciprocated it was sucky. But he had no right to. He got what he wanted, and for a good moment, it felt damn good.

Just a single thought of the raven haired boy had Jake in heaven, remembering how their chemistry could burn the entire school. They were magnets and the attraction was apparent to everyone around them.

"You're happy," Jake pushed the thoughts of Caiden aside. Or, at least attempted to, when he heard Taylor's voice.

The two met up by a small park by the school for breakfast. Taylor insisted on sitting by the grass, and Jake was never against being around nature. Taking a sip of his iced coffee, Jake handed Taylor her milkshake, as she was not a coffee drinker.

"I had some fun last night, that's all," he shrugged, not giving too much detail.

"You don't do fun," Taylor almost spit out her drink, puzzled by the reply, "You didn't even answer my calls."

"No, but I do Caiden," he said, as if it was the most common thing coming out of the boy's mouth.

"YOU FUCKED CAIDEN?" she shouted a bit too loudly, earning herself some stares.

"I mean he was on top, but yeah," he nodded, a blush appearing on his golden cheeks.

"Yo, did he eat you? What's that on your damn neck?!" Taylor tilted Jake's head, taking a look at one of the art pieces left by Caiden.

"I mean, they match the scratches on his back..." he muttered, but the brunette heard him.

Taylor wasn't sure if to laugh, be proud, or feel anxious over what she had just heard. Her best friend, Jake Hart, had just broken the one and only rule he had set for himself.

"How do you feel?" Taylor asked, hoping he wasn't overthinking the situation.

"I'm hooked."

This was not the response Taylor had expected, but she wasn't opposed to it.

****

He was dressed with a permanent smile, and his friends could easily visualize it being the boy they had met the other day at the place with the milkshakes. Eli and Ava were awaiting details, as they sat in Caiden's room. Landon had greeted them before heading to class that morning; he was on his way to surprise Kai for some breakfast.

"Should we continue wondering, or are you gonna tell us how the sex was?" Ava voiced what both her and Eli were thinking.

"You never ask how the sex was..." Caiden was weirded out by being asked that, because it wasn't something they ever questioned. They only asked about Evan, and if Caiden was getting enough rest. They knew that sex was nothing but a sport to the raven haired boy.

"Well, to be fair, you never have a smile on your face while the sun is up," Eli responded, taking a seat on Caiden's bed, as he was sitting on Landon's desk chair.

"He might be worth a second night," Caiden spoke, leaving Eli and Ava in awe, as this was the rarest thing possible.

"Can I make a suggestion?" though Ava asked, she didn't actually mean to wait for a response. "Break up with Evan."

"I can't even get him on the phone; how do I break up with him?" Caiden had been trying to get a hold of the so-called "boyfriend" for quite some time, but he wouldn't pick up. And Caiden was fine with leaving it as it was, since in reality, it wasn't anything, but something told him it would bite him in the ass later.

"Have you tried calling Ricky, or-" Eli began, but was cut off by the raven haired boy.

"I have three numbers on my phone; you guys and Evan. I'm about to delete his," Caiden shook his head, not wanting to talk to any of those Eli was about to name.

"I'll take care of it," Ava ended the conversation, hearing her stomach grumble like a hungry beast.

"I'll treat you guys for breakfast; let's go," Caiden spoke, getting up with the others right behind him.

"Do you like him, or was it just sex?" Eli randomly questioned, walking with the others towards the cafeteria.

He felt eyes on him, as the boy from one of his old dorm halls gave him a seductive look. Caiden watched as Todd licked his lips, purposely walking into him, touching slowly on his lower back.

Caiden flirted back, whispering in his ear how he's missed his body, though both Todd and Caiden knew there wasn't going to be a round two; it was solely a one time thing. But that didn't mean he couldn't flirt with the boy.

"I guess sex is all it was," Ava laughed, before turning to her left, thinking she saw someone, but the person had gone.

"I mean, I don't do feelings, you know that," Caiden wasn't one for emotions; they were scary and they only broke you in the end.

"I know, but I don't know, dude, you have an ear to ear grin and I know it wasn't Todd you fucked, because you don't ever do the same person twice," Ava responded, pointing her index finger at the smile Caiden had been wearing.

"I think he saw that, by the way," Eli voiced his thoughts.

"I thought I felt someone looking at me, but I don't know; it's not like I owe anyone any explanations. I'm just having fun," Caiden brushed it off, lying mostly to himself.

****

It became a habit of Jake's to walk the long way back to the dorms, once realizing how often Caiden had people throw themselves at him. It was like high school all over again, watching the hot guy with everyone around him. The difference was Caiden truly hated the attention; it was unnerving and frustrating to constantly be around that many people.

He didn't mind it when he was around Jake and the others, because he felt a sense of belonging; he found himself in the same headspace he had when he was around Ava and Eli. With others, however, he felt almost trapped and broken.

Jake didn't want to admit to himself, or to anyone, for that matter that he felt annoyed watching the raven haired boy flirting and touching other people. He didn't want to be that person who got jealous over something so dumb, especially since they were nothing but friends. Or, whatever one could call their relationship.

Once finishing up the last of his classes for the day, Jake found himself by the park, once again, with his guitar in hand. This was a rare sight, as he hadn't truly played it in quite some time, other than the occasional bonfire, of course. His back fit perfectly against the tree trunk, stretching out his muscles, and laying out his books beside him to solely concentrate on the instrument in hand.

"You're avoiding me," a familiar voice spoke, causing Jake to look up, using his hand to block the bright sun.

He stood taller than ever, a smile of unknown thoughts and emotions read on Caiden's face. Jake could only decipher one of the many expressions the raven haired boy held; sadness.

There wasn't an underlying tone of any teasing in Caiden's voice when he said those words. The dejection in his voice was apparent, but the unreadable eyes had Jake apprehensive.

"No, I'm not," Jake simply responded, watching the boy take a seat right in front of him, as to block the sun for him.

"I haven't seen you at all today, and I'm pretty sure we live right by one another." Caiden wasn't sure if he sounded as if he missed the boy, or simply clingy, but he sure didn't want to sound like either one. Sure, he missed him terribly, but that was something his heart hasn't told his mind, yet.

"We never saw each other before this weekend; I didn't even know you went to Brandon," Jake laughed, messing around with the strings of the acoustic guitar he has been holding.

"Yeah, but that's different since we lived in different buildings..." Caiden felt like slowly throwing himself into the earth, sounding like a jealous boyfriend. He hated feeling vulnerable, mostly around people who could hurt him. Or worse, leave him.

"You're here, now, and we're seeing each other," Jake was uncertain of what Caiden wanted, as he didn't seem the type to miss someone he had slept with the night before. "Also, shouldn't you be avoiding me?"

"You're a special case, Hart; I don't want to avoid you," Caiden heard the words erupt from his mouth. "So, what are you doing?"

"I finished my last class of the day a little while ago, so I'm just here relaxing for the first time in a while."

"Play something for me."

"I was working on a song, actually, but I haven't fully mastered it, yet."

Caiden nodded, sitting in the comfortable silence that washed over the pair. Jake began playing along to what he had been writing; it's been some time since he had his guitar so close to him. He missed the feeling of writing and playing music. This was something he would do with Taylor, but life forced him to push away his love for the art.

"You doing anything later?" Caiden asked, watching the curly haired boy test out a few different cords.

"I work in about three hours with Landon and Jenna. I should be off at like eleven," Jake's eyes were focused on his fingers and the strings, replying to Caiden.

"I'll see you at eleven, then," Caiden got up, walking back towards the school, leaving Jake with his guitar.

****

Lucas had Jake work the register, as Jenna waited the tables and Landon helped with cooking in the back. Jake, unknowingly, kept checking his phone for the time. Though he wasn't used to the knocking of his heart and the zoo growing in his veins, he craved the touch of the raven haired boy, and wanted to be back in his room, on his bed, with Caiden right above him.

"Dude, what's with the face?" a voice broke Jake out of his thoughts. Noticing it was Taylor, Jake put his phone away, giving her his full attention.

"What's wrong with my face, T?" confusion read in Jake's tone.

"It's all impatient and happy and stuff." Taylor laughed, teasing her friend.

"Want the usual, Tay?" Landon asked, his voice echoing through the kitchen.

"Yup; Jenna is gonna eat with me. She's gonna take her break," Taylor shouted in return, earning her an okay from Lucas.

Jake knew what Taylor was talking about, as he wasn't very good at hiding his emotions. He was impatiently waiting for Caiden's lips and his touch, and that only made him excited; the thrill of anticipation read throughout his eyes, his smile, and his overall expression.

It was quiet and slow in the pizza shop, so Lucas allowed the three friends to take their breaks at once. Then again, he didn't really mind if they took constant breaks, as long as they tended to the customers when they came in.

Jake couldn't seem to stomach the food, feeling sick from the anxiety and excitement running through him. But knowing how easily word would spread to the others, as well as, questions would begin, Jake took bite after bite, slowly.

"Listen, I don't give a fuck if you're fucking my roommate, but not in my room. Got it?" Landon randomly spoke, as they were enjoying their dinner.

"What-?" Jake glared at Taylor, knowing she would be the one to share the information.

"Oh, she didn't say anything, dude, it's written on your face," Jenna laughed, practically choking on the soda she had drunk. "Y'all were pretty close this weekend."

"We didn't even fuck this weekend though..." Jake shrugged, honesty showing in his eyes.

"Whatever, anyway, not in my room; you seem like you're loud, and I like my sleep."

"Dude, I'm sure you're louder," Taylor defended Jake, countering Landon.

"I mean Kai is the loud one, but that's why we go to his room, since his roommate is always sleeping out."

The group of four broke into fits of laughter, when Lucas came by with blushed cheeks, once hearing the conversation. This wasn't an abnormal topic for the lot of friends, and Lucas knew it, as he's heard something of the sort before. Still, every time he heard it, he felt shy and weirded out.

"Uh... So, I'm gonna go for the night; Jake, you have the keys, so close up. Good night," Lucas wanted to disappear from the awkwardness of it all.

"As usual, dude; I got you," Jake nodded, knowing he had another two hours before he was finally able to get home.

"Wait, you, or Bai?" Taylor asked Jenna, since they were on the topic, anyway.

"Bailey for sure; she's a high noter," Landon swallowed what he had been chewing, before speaking.

"High noter?" Jake tilted his head, puzzled by the statement.

"It's a thing, J," Landon chuckled, brushing it off.

"Bailey..." Jenna's voice was almost unheard, as she whispered.

****

When eleven came around, Jake wanted nothing more than to shower, get in bed, and stay asleep until he was in complete dire need of getting up. Caiden had other plans, and the curly haired lad knew better than to mess them up.

The knock was low and if it weren't for the fact that Jake was right by his door awaiting Caiden's arrival, he probably wouldn't have heard it. Jake took a deep breath, before opening the door to a sight that left him breathless.

Caiden was solely wearing a dark grey towel, hung a bit too low; the rest of his body exposed to the world. He didn't wait for the curly haired boy to open the door fully; his eyes desired his canvas, and his lips were ready to pounce on Jake's.

"Remove," Caiden pointed to Jake's body, referring to the clothes he had on.

Jake didn't nod. Jake didn't say a word. Jake didn't make a sound. He complied, almost instantly, watching the raven haired lad make his way inside, locking the door.

"How about a replay of last night?" Caiden was steps away from Jake, speaking to his lips.

Jake's breath hitched, wanting to nod, but was completely still. Wanting to have somewhat of a say, Jake reached into his pant pocket for the gadget he had stolen the night prior, clicking a couple of times.

Caiden felt a familiar vibration of ecstasy reach him, igniting the fire within him to touch the electric currents enclosed by Jake.

"You truly think you're in control?" Caiden's chuckle was dark, seductive.

"Maybe, maybe not; but, I can help, or harm you," Jake spoke, before attaching their lips and letting his hand slip into the towel Caiden had been wearing, letting it fall.