just as I reached the living room. "Come to the kitchen."

"Yes, Mum!"

Walking to the kitchen, mum was already making her mouth-watering pancakes. She was wearing one of her old jeans and a black T-shirt, and her shoulder-length brown hair was tied in a low ponytail on her head. Honestly, I didn't realize how much I'd missed seeing her every morning and how much I'd missed her home-cooked meals until she returned.

She lifted her head from the plate she was holding, then said, "I made pancakes for breakfast. Eat before you go to school."

I smiled and walked to where she stood before hugging her from behind. "You know I wouldn't miss them for the world."

She froze. "Daesyn?"

"Yes, Mum?" I asked, resting my cheeks on her hair.

"You're—" Her voice broke and she sniffed. "You're not mad at me? You forgive me?"

Turning her around with her shoulders, I collected the plate of pancakes. "I forgive you, Mum," I said, sitting on the chair. A part of me knew my good mood was entirely because of Caelum coming over the day before to apologize. It was refreshing to see that side of him. Sadly, he couldn't stay because Caleb wanted them to go spend some 'buddy time' together.

"It was never my intention to hurt you or rip what was left of our family apart," she said with a small smile. "Your father was a great man and I really did love him. I still do love him. My work just acted as a distraction from everything and I never knew I was hurting you in the process," she paused, pursing her lips. "I know I said I had found somebody, but nobody can replace you and your dad, honey. I love you so much and I know I don't want to lose you."

I honestly didn't know she was crying until I heard her sniff. Seeing my mother cry sucked big time. It reminded me of the time we lost Dad.

"I know you don't want to hear this, but I really do love Brett," she continued, wiping a few stray tears from her eyes. "But you have to understand that you come first to me. I mean, if you dislike the idea of me seeing or talking to Brett, I completely understand and I will stop talking to him."

I felt the urge to tell her to stop seeing Brett, but that was going to be selfish. Sure, I'd assumed Brett was replacing me and dad, but I knew I could never live with myself if I was the reason for my mother's unhappiness. She was obviously moving on, and if I told her I didn't like the idea of her and Brett, I wasn't sure she was going to smile again.

Blinking a few times, I tried to prevent myself from crying as I focused on the designs on the marble countertop. "Stay with him, mum." Although those words were really hard for me to say, I knew it was for the wellness of our family. I knew Dad was going to be proud of me for not putting myself first. "Brett, stay with him."

----------------

I was beyond late and rushing to my third-period class—AP US History.

I was glad things between mum and I were slowly going back to normal, but I wouldn't lie, I had mixed feelings about this Brett guy. So maybe I still thought I was going to be replaced, or maybe it was because I really had no idea if this guy was really a good guy, but I tried to convince myself regardless that all that mattered was my mum's happiness.

"Ms. McCready," Mr. Sean said as soon as I stepped into the classroom. "You're late."

Scoffing internally, I silently thanked him for spelling out the obvious. Great job, captain Sean!

"I'm sorry," I apologized. "It won't happen again."

He nodded and told me to go to my seat. I was glad I wasn't given detention, though. Coming late to class was the only rule I had broken in all my years in Maverick high. Walking to my seat, a certain pair of eyes were still fixed on me. I mouthed a 'what' to him but he just shrugged.

I placed my bag on the ground beside me after bringing out my History notes, then turned to Caelum. "Spill."

"Spill what?" he asked, quietly tapping his pen on his desk.

"Why were you staring at me like that?" I pointed out and took a quick glance at Mr. Sean. His back was still turned to the class.

"You're late," he murmured. "Why?"

The fact that Caelum cared to know why I arrived late made my heart skip multiple beats. Butterflies danced in my stomach. He cared. He cared enough to come all the way to my house to apologize, he cared enough to ask the reason I came late to school. And even if he decided to continue being an ass, I knew he cared. I'd wormed my way inside his head and possibly his heart.

"I just had to settle some things here and there," I said, tucking a stray lock of brown hair behind my ear. "Why do you care?"

"Is it your mother?" he asked.

My head whipped completely to face him. "Who told you that?" I asked. "What do you know about her?"

My reaction didn't faze him one bit. He leaned back against the chair, crossing his arms. "She told me you were mad at her," he said. "Is that the reason you came late to class?"

There was no use lying or dragging the issue out so I sighed, cutting the story short. "Yeah, we were settling our differences."

He nodded. "Nice."

"Yeah."

"Daesyn."

I turned back to him. "What?"

He smirked. "Nice bum."

My face flamed in embarrassment, and I nudged his sides with my elbow. "Shut up!"

"Ms. McCready," Mr. Sean called. "Do you have something you'd like to share with the class?"

"No sir," I said, averting my gaze to the front of the class.

"I'll suggest you pay a little more attention to my teachings and a little less attention to Mr. Jensen."

I didn't think my face could get any hotter than it already was. Caelum snickered beside me and it took all of my willpower to stop myself from sending a punch his way.

"And if you still feel the need to disrupt my class, I will not hesitate to keep you for hours after school."

I nodded and Mr. Sean returned to his teaching. Today was honestly not my day.

Home economics wasn't meant to be boring, but I was paired with a guy that looked like he was going to literally jump me if we had stayed in that class for a minute longer.

I wasn't excited about Government as usual. I mean spending 45 minutes listening to Mrs. Garcia drone on and on about things that we weren't going to need in the future? No, thanks.

Placing my tray in my hand, I exited the lunch line and made my way to the lunch table only to find it empty. I hadn't seen Emery, Clara, or Melanie throughout the day and I couldn't even call or text them because I didn't bring my phone. I looked around the bustling cafeteria hoping to see Emery's blonde hair or Clara's curly hair, but I came up with nothing.

I eventually spotted Caelum sitting alone on a deserted table far away from the other tables. He was oblivious to me approaching him, so I took my time admiring the way his eyes quickly skimmed through the lines, the way he bit his lips, the rhythmic tapping his fingers made on the table, and the way his eyebrows were creased together in full concentration.

His eyes were still fixed on his book so I quickly shook away my thoughts and planked myself down on the seat beside him.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, taking a bite from my apple.

"Do I look like their keeper?" he muttered without a glance my way.

I shrugged, munching my apple loudly. "Just tell me where they are."

"Can you stop doing that?"

"What?" I asked.

He sighed, turning to look at me. "That." His voice was barely above a whisper, but I felt it against my skin. I didn't know how or when we got so close, but when I looked up at him, I held in a breath. My heart slammed against my chest as my eyes dropped to his lips. I could've sworn, he gulped.

It sucked that I so badly wanted him to kiss me, but I still remembered what happened the last time I'd tried it. He was going to go back to being an asshole, and I was going to get burned.

I awkwardly shifted back, breaking the moment and keeping myself sane. I watched the way his jaw tensed as he gripped the book he was holding tighter. Almost in disappointment, but I knew better.

The sound of a flash brought me back to reality. When I looked up, I saw Emery holding her phone—a huge grin on her lips.

I almost died from embarrassment when she asked if we were ever going to kiss. I didn't respond, though. Instead, I watched as Caelum picked his bag up from the table and walked away. That was pretty much what he did best: walking away.

Emery cooed. "You both looked so adorable sitting there."

"Shut up, Emery," I muttered, my cheeks flaming even more.

"What was that?"

"I don't know," I said with a shrug.

"But you guys were about to kiss!" she exclaimed.

"Where is Clara?" I asked, trying to change the subject. "Or even Melanie?"

"They were held up in their classes," she replied. "Why didn't you come to English?"

"Oh, I was talking with mum," I explained. "I forgave her."

She grinned, almost proudly. "I knew you were eventually going to forgive her."

"Yeah," I muttered.

"Do you like him?" Emery suddenly asked. "Caelum, I mean."

I shook my head awkwardly, wincing at my answer. "No, Em," I said. "I find him attractive and all but he's rude and obnoxious."

That line sounded really familiar to me, only that this time, it sounded like I was trying to convince myself.

"So, you're okay if Melanie gets together with him and tries to kiss him again, yeah?" she taunted and I almost lost it.

"No, Em," I growled as the realization hit me. "I am not okay with it because I have a fucking crush on Caelum."

-

Holy shit guysssss...... I really did not see that coming ;)

Is it too soon for Daesyn to realize her crush on Caelum? I don't think it's too soon though, but leave your votes and comments.