Ba da da da da dum. Ba da da da da dum. Ba da da da da dum. A weird musical tune jerked me awake and as I looked around for the source of the noise I realized it was the alarm I had set on my new phone. It was crazy that I didn't need an alarm anymore and I clicked the off button on my phone.

I peeled back the sheets and forced myself to stand up and stretch, realizing I had slept in my day clothes last night by accident. I shrugged and headed to my bathroom, my feet dragging on the carpet. I turned the hot water on, letting it warm up and I peeled my dirty clothes off, finding a clothes hamper in the small bathroom closet that hid by the sink's countertop. My shower was already stocked with soaps and shampoos and conditioners. Tara asked what kind of products I like and had picked them up for me before I had even moved in.

I stepped into the shower, letting the luke-warm water run over my head and down my body. I didn't want hot water because that would just make me sleepier, but cold water would make me want to kill someone, so I settled for a temperature in the middle. I washed my hair quickly, then poured a generous amount of conditioner into my hands, running it through my hair and letting it sit while I washed my body and face. After thoroughly rinsing the conditioner out of my hair and the soap off of my body, I stepped out of the shower, onto the soft bath mat. I wrapped a towel around my hair and walked out into my room, stark nude, not caring since I was going to my closet anyway.

I picked out a pretty yellow summer dress, it was light and flowy and made of a really soft material that felt like clouds against my skin and it even had pockets. I grabbed a matching white bra and panty set, slipping them on quickly, then I pulled my dress over my head too. I grabbed my phone and slipped it into my dress pocket then grabbed a pair of white flats to go with my dress and unwrapped my hair from the towel, my hair still damp, so I just threw it in a quick braid down my back. I decided on skipping any makeup today. I threw open my door, preparing to skip out into the hallway when I crashed into Cole who had been preparing to knock on my door.

"Ahh! Oh my god, I am so sorry," I exclaimed as I regained my balance.

"No worries, sweetpea. I was just coming to wake you up, anyways. We wanted to see if you wanted breakfast, and if so, what you wanted," Cole said with a smile and a good morning hug. I hugged back tightly before responding.

"Hmmm, PANCAKES!" I shouted giddily and clapped my hands together like a child. Cole nodded at me with a chuckle.

"Pancakes it is," Cole giggled as he looped my arm through his and we started down the stairs and towards the kitchen.

"Do you think we could go visit the orphanage today? I know it's only been a day, but it's already the longest I've been away from everyone," I said with a sheepish look and a slight blush creeping up my face.

"Of course, sweetpea. We can go after breakfast, we just can't stay too long. We have something to do today," Cole said as he pressed a kiss to my cheek and pulled my chair out for me as we walked into the kitchen.

Tara was already in there, whipping up breakfast for us, a small pile of pancakes already made. That's weird, I thought to myself and cocked my head sideways in confusion.

"How'd you know I wanted pancakes?" I asked as I tapped my nails on the counter. Tara's face turned to a shocked expression but quickly covered it up with a small smile.

"Errr, happy coincidence I guess, I also wanted pancakes and just started whipping some up," Tara mumbled out quickly as if she was unsure of what she was saying. I hummed in response and brushed it off. It was weird but nothing too crazy I supposed.

I hopped up and helped Cole set the table for breakfast, which Tara had finished in just a few more minutes.I had to admit, Tara was an amazing cook. Every single bite of food melted in my mouth and caused me to groan in delight. I wolfed down my plate quickly, savoring every single bite and Cole and Tara gave me curious looks and giggled at me. After we finished eating, we all cleaned up the mess and Cole guided me towards the front door.

"Got everything you need, sweetpea?" Cole asked as he grabbed his keys. I simply nodded in response.

"I love you, baby. We'll be back soon!" Cole shouted to Tara as we shut the door behind us and hurried to the car. The sky was cloudy and the color of fresh ashes. A cold tingly feeling spread across my skin as I realized that it was sprinkling a little bit.

Cole and I rushed to his car, hopping inside quickly. Cole shook his head gently, droplets of water falling from his dark locks. My hands reached up to my own hair and twisted it slightly, allowing the excess of water to drip down onto the car floor. I felt horrible about dripping onto the sleek interior of the lamborghini but I didn't really have a choice. The air was slightly chilly, a combination of being wet and the sun not warming up the earth as of yet. I turned the heat on low as soon as Cole started up the car. The drive to the orphanage was short, it seemed to me that every time we made this drive it got shorter and shorter.

"Was there something specific that prompted this visit, sweetpea?" Cole asked me softly, his eyes firmly locked on the road. Despite not being able to see his face I could imagine the curious look with slight concern behind his eyes. I fiddled with my hands as I answered.

"I've never been away from them this long, even though it's only been a day. Plus, I just really miss Ms. Jean and Jackson," I said, blushing as I mentioned Jackson.

"Oooooo, Jackson. Is that the boy that you were with when we picked you up yesterday?" Cole said suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows playfully at me. I chuckled at his adorable but childish behavior.

"Yes, that's him," I managed to keep my voice even as the blush became more apparent on my face.

"Is it anything kissy-faced?" Cole asked, puckering his lips as he poked fun at me. I scoffed and lightly slapped his shoulder and shushed him.

"Maybe. A little bit," I whispered and my face surely had reddened to the point of a boiled lobster at that point.

The orphanage came into view and the rain had let up, the sky was still gray and heavy with clouds waiting to weep and release their tears. I unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed out of the car as soon as Cole parked and I ran up to the front door to ring the doorbell. I peeked over my shoulder and saw Cole waiting in the car. I had the feeling he was going to give me some privacy to talk to everyone, which I appreciated greatly. After a couple of seconds, I heard the familiar lock of the door, which then creaked open revealing an equally familiar face.

"Stella? What are you doing here?" Jackson's soft voice rang out in surprise as his beautiful blue-gray eyes widened.

"Jackson!" I exclaimed and wrapped my arms around him tightly, to which he eagerly returned the gesture, spinning me around the way he did and giving me a quick peck on the cheek. "I'm a sap. I missed you guys already and came to see you," I blushed a little and brushed a stray strand of hair that had fallen out of my braid behind my ear.

"Well, I'm glad you're here. I missed you too," Jackson said as he pressed his body up against mine further.

We had already kissed once, but the tension was still there every time that he was near. It was a delicious sensation that would result in me being putty in Jackson's hands if he made the move. Jackson's hand reached up to my face, his thumb stroked my cheek as his palm rested along my jawline. His other hand had wrapped around my body and rested on the small of my back, keeping me from backing away. Jackson's breath fanned over my face, warm and comforting as I looked into his eyes. I brought both of my hands up, one rested on his chest and the other trailed along his jaw, tracing it with the tips of my fingers. An awkward coughing sound broke us apart, causing us both to blush furiously.

"Stella, I didn't know you were coming to visit today!" Ms. Jean exclaimed as she rushed over to hug me, giving Jackson the stink eye in the process. Her arms firmly wrapped around me, purposely positioning herself between me and Jackson. I giggle quietly, hugging her back just as fiercely.

"I just wanted to stop by and visit real quick. Cole has plans for us today, although I don't know what so I can't stay, but I missed you guys so much already," I choked out, tears forming in my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

"Aww, baby, well you know you're welcome here any time. I have to run, though. One of the boys has a fever and I have to go to the pharmacy and pick up his prescription," Ms. Jean said as she hugged me again before heading out the door, leaving me and Jackson alone again.

"Where were we?" Jackson said with a little smirk as he playfully grabbed my hips and pulled me flush against his body again. My face blushed and my lips ached with need.

"I think we were right about..." I whispered as I closed the distance between our lips but not quite touching, "here," and I kissed Jackson, softly and lovingly, but the passion took over as Jackson nibbled on my bottom lip and flicked his tongue across it, asking for entrance which I eagerly gave him.

Our tongues entwined in a graceful and delicate dance, the way that ballet partners dance across the stage in an intimate and emotional way. Jackson wound his arm that was on my hip completely around my waist. His other hand had raised to the back of my head, his fingers trailing through my chestnut hair, gently pulling, which elicited a soft moan of approval from my lips. My hands trailed along his face and chest, the feel of his muscles and warmth rested beneath my fingertips before I too, twirled my fingers through Jackson's hair. Before long, the need to take a proper breath overwhelmed me and I pulled away, feeling cold at the loss of Jackson's lips.

"Wow. That's something I could get used to," Jackson whispered to me as his fingers traced my cheek and jawline.

"Definitely. I wouldn't mind getting to do that every day," I said with a little giggle. Still wrapped in each other's arms, I rested my head against Jackson's chest, enjoying the warmth that his body provided. As Jackson stroked my hair and kissed my forehead, a car horn beeped shortly three times.

"Shit. That's Cole. I gotta go," I say sadly, pulling away enough to look at Jackson's face but not pulling out of his grip. "Oh, and before I forget, give me your phone," I said as I held out my hand expectantly. Jackson only had a cheap flip phone as that was all he could afford but it was enough. He handed it to me curiously, and I wasted no time punching my number in and sending myself a text message from his phone.

"There. Now we have each other's numbers," I said with a big smile.

"Since when do you have a phone?" Jackson looked at me incredulously.

"Since yesterday, when Cole and Tara took me shopping and dropped probably about three grand on me total," I said sheepishly and with a slight grimace. Of course I appreciated all that they did for me, but I wish they hadn't spent so much. It didn't feel like I was worth it or earned it and it made me feel guilty. Jackson just dropped his jaw to which I playfully snapped it closed.

"Careful, don't wanna catch flies," I chuckled at my own joke.

"Well, I've said it before and I'll say it again. Lucky bitch," Jackson teased as he kissed my nose. We shared another sweet kiss, but this one was much shorter lived as the car horn beeped one more time but a few seconds longer than the other beeps were.

"I gotta go," I pulled away from Jackson and turned the door handle, before spinning back around and placing one last little peck on his lips and disappearing out the door. In just the few minutes that I was inside, the rain had started up again, pouring down much more than the light sprinkles that had teased the earth earlier.

I raced to the car, flinging the door open and I jumped inside before the rain drenched me too much. Cole looked at me with that suspicious and suggestive look and wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"Did you see Jackson?" Cole teased me. I blushed bright red, thinking about the kisses we had shared today. I hid my face in my hands as Cole laughed. "So that's a yes." Cole laughed heartily as I meekly nodded my head.

"Alright, well we gotta head back home, sweetpea," Cole said as we pulled out of the parking lot.

"I thought you said we had something to do today?" I asked, knocking myself out of my embarrassed stupor.

"Well, yes. But at home. We all need to sit down and have a conversation, and I fear it'll take up the better part of the day and honestly be a difficult conversation to have," Cole responded solemnly and I looked at him with wide eyes, terrified that they were going to abandon me. Cole saw my scared expression and rushed to clarify.

"Oh, god sweetpea, please don't worry. It's nothing bad, I promise. It's just a heavy subject and it's probably going to be super emotional and overwhelming but not bad. I can guarantee whatever it is you're thinking, you're wrong, sweetpea," Cole said softly, his voice laced with regret for coming across so depressing originally. He held my hand for the rest of the drive home, which comforted me and eased my nerves which now were extremely on edge. Before long, I saw the familiar driveway and the house reaching from atop the trees.