"I thought we were going to the bleachers?" Heather stands confused when we walk around them.

"We are, but under."

"Why?"

"So we can stay out here longer." I take off my hoodie and lay it out on the ground. "Sit here."

"You're just going to put your jacket on the grass?" She seemed shocked.

"Yeah, I don't need it. It's warm out," I pull her down with me. We're shoulder to shoulder and she holds my hand without saying another thing. "We're good?" I ask.

"Why wouldn't we be?"

"Just making sure you'd say something if we weren't."

"You know I would."

"Yeah," I smirked, she's more outspoken now than she used to be.

"And you would too."

"For sure." Even though it's hard to with you.

"Is this because I was too tired to talk on the phone last night?"

"No, that was my fault. I'm sorry I called so late."

"It's okay...I was glad you remembered," she smiled.

I smiled back, "How could I not? I thought about you all day."

"Couldn't have been all day," she said modestly.

"You doubt how much I think about you?"

Heather leaned in close, brushing her nose over mine before I had her lips pressed to me. The sun cutting through the bleachers hit part of my face, and it still wasn't warmer than her.

I lay my head on her lap. "Read to me."

"What?" She almost laughs.

"You brought the books. Open one."

"It makes me nervous reading in front of someone. I'll stutter."

"Not someone, me."

"You're still someone even if you're my someone."

"How do you write poems and not read them out loud? The teachers here make it seem like a rule."

"I write them for myself, so the rules don't apply."

I smirked, "You gonna write some more about me?"

"Who says I haven't already?"

"Tease."

"Tease?"

"Because you're not gonna let me see them, are you?" A smile comes across her face, and she shakes her head 'no.' It's okay, butterfly. It sounds like poetry, line by line, whenever you say something nice to me. "In a couple weeks, it'll make 6 months since we got together. You know that?"

"I do," her hand combs through my hair.

"I've never dated anyone this long before."

"Tired of me yet?"

"Not even close." I turn around and slide Heather down by her waist until our faces are aligned. I like your eyes more than you like mine. Your pupils get all big, your heart races, and it's just your eyes looking at me. Close them and kiss me. I feel her fingertips against my cheek as my lips move between hers, softly, pulling back to kiss her again over and over until she holds me down on her. "Butterfly," I nestle my head by her neck. "Is the six months thing a gift day or what?"

"It doesn't have to be a gift day. We can get dinner or spend the whole day kissing and hugging and talking about the next 6 months," she said happily, a smile appearing at the thought of a future with me.

"Let's do both, but I'll make dinner, and we'll have a picnic on the roof."

Her face lights up. "On the roof?"

I nod and lay next to her, "Closer to the stars. But I'm still not sure how great we'll see them."

"I'll be looking at you anyway," she said softly.

"We can take up blankets and just chill for a while."

"You're really good at this for someone who's never had to celebrate an anniversary."

"It's easy figuring out what would make you happy."

"How so?"

"It's probably because I love you. I just know what you would want."

"I love you more," she climbs on top of me, staring down sentimentally.

I shake my head but smile anyway, and before I could tell her to, she kisses me again. I feel her hand slip under my shirt, and Heather sits up to expose my stomach.

"You look better."

"I am."

She touches the light color left behind by fading bruises. She's not sad seeing them anymore, it feels like she's admiring me now. I watch intently as she lowers down to bring her lips to my stomach.

"Mm," I smirked.

"No," Heather laughed at where my mind went.

"Tease."

"Hush, do you want me to read to you or not?"

"Oh, my god," I say in relief and frustration as Tony walks up.

"Ali," he smiled and pulled me in for a hug.

"I've been trying to talk to you for a week. The headmistress said you weren't suspended. I made a petition and more than half the school signed, and you were allowed to be here the whole time?"

"Yes, but I did my work at home for a while. They all thought it was best to let things die down on their own instead of bringing more attention by punishing me."

"Okay...what happens now?"

"It's buried...but to prevent further issues, Alex isn't coming back next year."

"This is all my fault," I said guiltily.

"Not all. I took the blame, I wanted to."

"Why would you do that?"

"It was my second offense this year, but it would've been your second time accused of the same offense. They wouldn't have buried that, it's too risky."

I sigh and pull him toward me again, wrapping my arms around him tightly. Tony doesn't hug me back and pulls away quickly, holding his side while trying to give me a smile.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I furrowed my eyebrows and poked him hard where his hand tried to cover. "Ow," he laughed it off but I could see it actually hurt him. "Alison!" Tony looks around at the people shooting questioning gazes while I untuck his shirt from his pants so I can see what he's hiding.

I gasp, "Tony..."

"It's fine," he steps back from me and holds his shirt down to keep me from looking at the purple blots and welts.

"What happened?"

"My parents are...stern. They don't like when I cause trouble, so..."

"They did this?"

"My dad," Tony shrugs, "he takes after my grandfather. This is how you make a man."

"No, it's not."

"Well, you're a girl so it's different for you."

"Tony, your parents aren't supposed to-"

"Alison, you don't know," he said in irritation. "Your parents are different, fine, but maybe they shouldn't be."

"Excuse me?" I scoffed.

"Everything that's happened this year. If you weren't let off so easy all the time you'd get in less trouble."

"Stop staring at the clock like you're the one working. It's making me anxious," Peyton complained.

"Sorry."

"Why are you even here?"

"I'm meeting friends."

Aaron called and told me to meet him here during his break. I want to apologize to him and get back together and finally be a good boyfriend who deserves Aaron, and in 5 minutes, I can do that.

"Then go," Peyton points toward the exit.

"But it's not-" I sighed, "fine." What difference do 5 minutes make?

I glared at Peyton as I walked out of the store, and she flipped me off.

Loitering around him while he's with a customer would be awkward, and I kinda want this to be perfect. I can buy him dip n' dots and joke about that dinner we had with his parents...or buy him skittles because he likes them a lot, or maybe we can-

No...

I pause outside of Spencer's when I see Evan through the glass.

You didn't...

Evan nods in my direction, making Aaron turn to face me.

Who would judge me if I ran right now?

"Zach," Aaron said, and it ushered me inside.

"Hey..." My breath comes out shallow.

"Something you should tell me?" Aaron asked.

"I guess you already know."

"I want to hear it from you."

"I didn't mean to-"

"Don't give me that."

"I'm sorry."

"Why'd you do it?" His voice cracked.

"I don't know."

"No," he nodded. "You do."

"I don't know...I guess I...I didn't see Evan as someone anything could happen with anymore...and then that changed, but I already had feelings for you...I had feelings for both of you."

"What the fuck, Zach?" Aaron said loudly, drawing the attention of the stray customers in the store.

"I wasn't going to do anything with him! But I was too nervous to do anything with you...until after."

"He was the one guy? While we were together?"

He said disgusted and shocked and disappointed and hurt, and I looked at Evan the same way. "Don't look at him. He didn't owe me anything, and he at least told me you were playing me."

"He only told you because I called it quits with him. I knew it was wrong, and I stopped because I should be with you."

"Yeah, and I said I would only be here when you didn't think of me as a choice. Get out."

"Aaron-"

"No, it's over, Zach. Don't call me, don't come by the store. I know you know which shifts I have since that's when you made time to hook up with him."

"I'm sorry."

"Just go away."

"I'm thinking about going back to school," Amanda said, throwing away the empty cup of ice cream.

"Yeah? Chester or Addington?"

"You think I can get into your school?" She laughed. "I don't know anyway. I hate everything about school."

"Who doesn't? That's part of it."

"No, everyone says they hate it when they really just don't like it. I hated it so I didn't go back. You don't like it, and you're there every day so."

"My friends are in school, there are girls in school."

"There are friends here," she motioned toward herself. "There are girls here," Amanda pointed toward a group not far ahead. I looked closely at one of them. She's cute. "See."

"See nothing," I looked away.

"Go ask her for her number."

I scoffed. "She's with her friends."

"Aw, are you scared of them? You don't know how to talk to girls anymore?"

"Shut up, I can do it, I just don't want to."

"Yeah, you do, because she looks like Val and you're into that type of girl."

"What type?"

Amanda crossed her arms, "Daniel! Where are we going? Daniel, hold my purse. Daniel, take me home now!"

I laughed to myself, "she doesn't even look like Val, she looks like,"...damn..."you."

It got quiet...

"That got weird, didn't it?" She laughed.

"I wouldn't have seen that she kinda looks like you if you hadn't talked about her looking like people," I said in defense.

"Forget it, it was a joke, relax."

"Shut up." I hand her the rest of my ice cream, "Eat this."

"Ooo," she puts a spoonful in her mouth. "Now, go."

"Nah...I changed my mind. I bet she's got a guy."

Amanda rolled her eyes at me and then started walking toward the girl. I tried to pull her back, but she was already too far ahead for me to chase after her without them noticing.

Dammit, Mandy.

I stand awkwardly on the sidewalk, not wanting to stare like a loser, but not being able to pretend they're not looking at me. Amanda and her lookalike smiled in my direction, and I gave them the dumbest fucking wave without thinking it through. Dammit, Mandy.

She came prancing back with a smile on her face even though I was visibly annoyed.

"I said I didn't want to, why would you-"

She holds her hand out to show me the number written on it. "Can you grow a pair in time to call her later?"

"You're an asshole," I sighed. "Thanks."

"Easy does it, Vivian," I said while watching her pour a large glass of wine.

"I know," she sighed and poured half into another cup for me.

"What's on your mind?"

"Nothing if I can help it."

"I don't blame you," I tilt the glass at her before downing the wine.

"How's...Audrey— was it?"

"As great as we were as a power couple...there are only so many hours in a day, and some people just don't have enough time for you."

"I'll drink to that," Vivian spoke bitterly.

"Is that what's upsetting you? Time?"

"A lack thereof."

"...You get used to him not being around."

"You're not supposed to."

"I have Harry...and you, don't I? Which means you have the same. What more could anyone ask for?"

She laughs empathetically. "You have a knack for making people feel important. You must've gotten that from your mother."

"Along with my good looks."

"And compassion."

"And charm."

"And modesty," she said sarcastically.

"We could do this all day," I smirked.

"It's too bad I'm tired."

"It's late..."

"I should get to bed."

"It wouldn't hurt to do the same," I walked around the bar, prepared to follow her down the hall to our separate chambers. "Would you look at that," I say while she's still near.

"What?" Vivian comes up to where I've stopped by the window.

"It's raining."

"So it is."

"I love stormy nights," I said more deviously than intended.

"I'm not fond of the thunder."

"I could keep you company until you fall asleep."

"Thank you...but I'm sure I'll be fine."

"I am too...but it's an option even if you are."

"Good night," she replied in a cunning manner. If you were more clever, I'd fear you figured out my game. But you're not, so

Tomorrow then...or the day after...

I sigh and head into the spare bedroom.

Courting would be simpler with alcohol but I want to do this without it. Not because I like the challenge— but so that even if it's just me who knows, she folded by her own volition...whenever she folds, that is.

"Why are you in here?" Vivian stands in the door frame.

Not off to bed, after all.

"Audrey slept in here when she stayed with me...this was before the whole 'dating' thing, of course. We've always been great friends."

"You miss her," she said sympathetically.

"No, I see her almost every day. And I don't see her like that. The way I see most beautiful women. You."

She looks down, "I don't think you should say things like that to me."

"You don't like to hear it?" I raised an eyebrow. "You're beautiful. I've always thought so...you know that...I told you then at the wedding."

"I thought we were done talking about that," she sighed.

"You don't like remembering?" I approached her slowly. "I thought I did well...but I've gotten better, I swear."

"I am with Arthur."

"He's...not...here," I leaned down, and my lips met hers with caution until realizing they already knew each other. My arms wrapped around her and brought Vivian's warm body to my colder, harder one.

She bunched my shirt in her hand but let go of it fast. She hummed on my lips as if she were going to moan but stifled it instead. It pained her to resist, but she did.

"Trevor...we can't," Vivian backed away until she was completely out of the room. "This is wrong."

"I'm sorry....Good night."

"Good night."

"If you need anything. I'll be here."

"You're kind," she said as if she wished I weren't.

"It's the least I can do considering I stopped you from drinking the rest of the wine."

"Probably for the better."

"No hangover," I nodded.

"And a clear enough head to not fall for that charm you mentioned."

"Then better for who exactly?" I raised an eyebrow, and she gave me an amused smile. "See you in the morning."

"Wait..." Vivian called out before I closed the door.

"Yes?"

"About the thunder..."

"I don't hear anything," I replied. She seemed disappointed...and I wanted to smirk, but I held back. "So, come in here with me where it's quiet."

"Thank you."

Hook. Line. And sinker.

Vivian crawls into the bed and gets under the covers.

I look at her, the lights are still on, and I can sense her nerves. She knows she shouldn't share my bed, but she wants to, so I make sure there's space between us when I get in with her.

"I forget, sometimes, how it feels to lay next to someone," Vivian spoke.

"I imagine you forget how a lot of things feel."

And in the quiet of the room, I hear your breath quicken.

She doesn't respond, and I roll over on my side to see if she is looking at me. She is.

"It's warm in here..." Vivian said and glanced down at where we're blanketed.

"I agree."

She watches as I sit up and pull my shirt over my head, and in response, she hesitantly stripped off the robe she was wearing to cover up the thin material of what she sleeps in, or better yet, what she doesn't.

"Much better," I said as I laid back, closer than before...I can feel just how hot she truly is.

"Mhm."

I pushed up on her, under the guise of getting comfortable. With my eyes closed, I'm giving the impression of being a busy sleeper. My hand fell to her waist for a moment as I moved to adjust myself, and she seemed to do the same in the less subtle way of her leg coming across me. I held onto it, pressing myself against her since she's spread open so nicely.

She quivered, letting out a shaky breath and dying to whimper at the contact. That's when I opened my eyes again. God, if you don't look sex-starved.

And isn't it grand that I desperately need to feed you.

I kissed her for the second time this night, and there was finally thunder. Fever hit hard, the temperature rising quickly as she tasted me. Her hands melted into my skin, reeling me in close and clinging to me desirously. If you want to cling on to me, do it when I'm in the depths of you. I held her down and dragged her panties down her legs, she lifted her hips up and waited with deep breaths for when I'd finally release her. Being above her, it's like dangling meat in front of a dog.

When the rest of our clothes fall to the floor, I see Vivian in flashes. For a moment, my hand is between her legs, and I'm kissing her like life depends on memorizing her mouth with my tongue. Next, she's on all fours looking behind her and knowing exactly who I am...my name...my taste...my look of sudden pleasure when she pushes back until I'm inside of her.

I'll tell the story of you, Vivian. Under the thralls of passion, how eagerly you slid onto me. The way you whispered how good it felt...

I smirk, pulling her hair and thrusting into her while she shamelessly moans from it. I knew it'd be easy...

She was who wanted it so badly. All I did was get us alone. Though, I imagine everyone hearing her name pass my lips would make this that much more satisfying— to have my father know that I am purely inside her, that she is wet on my skin,

And, yes, he will know.

Smile for the camera, Viv.