I walked into the store, the bell signaling my presence and making Brian look up from the magazine he was reading. His lips quirked up in a small, shy smile as he dropped the magazine on the counter and ambled around it to get to me. I met him halfway, the anxiety that had woken up with me in the morning still there, freezing my brain and my actions.

"I’m sorry…" He said, surprising me with one bone crushing hug, his arms wrapping tightly around my body. Damn, I was so small when compared to him.

I patted his back, trying to breathe, and he finally pulled away. His hands stayed on my shoulders, though, as he eyed me down, “Forgive me?" He pleaded, those chocolate brown eyes, all puppy dog like, making my insides do weird stuff.

"Yeah, it’s okay." I said, lowering my gaze from his, too shaken up with his unexpected hug.

"Cool." He let out a relieved sigh, rubbing his hands on his pants. “Do you wanna help me choose a song to play here at the store?"

My eyes swept up to his, a small smirk tainting my lips, “Yeah, don’t want the customers to run away because of your awful music taste."

Brian laughed shortly, his brown orbs swimming in a pool of amusement, “That’s quite funny, you know," He started, moving backwards to the counter, “seen that I was the one building your good taste in music."

"No, you were not!" I countered as I followed after him.

"You were into Pop. How bad is that?" Brian mocked, leaning against the counter. With crossed arms, I glared at him and at the smug smile plastered all over his face.

God, he could be so annoying sometimes.

"Still, I got over it by myself." I insisted, but Brian only smiled at me, a full smile this time, and it was heart melting.

Oh, why.

"You know I’m right." He said, taking a step forward and grabbing my cheeks, squeezing them like an old grandma.

What the fuck, Brian?

I shut my eyes tightly, scrunching up my nose while he did that, and when he finally stopped, I dared to crack one eye open. His hands were still on my face, and so was the grin on his thin lips. “Stubborn ass." He told me, poking my nose.

I blinked twice, appalled by what had just happened, “You have serious problems." I commented, making Brian chuckle.

"You don’t even know half of them."

I’m not sure I want to know more." I joked.

Brian raised a perfectly shaped brow, “Yes, you do."

Grimacing, I stepped back to create some distance between us, both to mess with him and to actually move away from his body. This proximity did me no good. “In your dreams, Haner." I scoffed.

A tiny chuckle escaped from his lips, but when I looked into his browns, there was that feeling again that I couldn’t place. His eyes were always deep, hiding away his emotions, his very thoughts, but throughout the years I’d known him I was able to figure him out. But, right now, I felt like a fish out of water and it was starting to get into my nerves.

"So… help me out?" His voice was what brought me out of my thoughts, and I was forced to grin at him.

"Lead the way."

It took us a few minutes to decide which playlist we wanted to put out, because Brian and I together in a back room, alone, with no one to smack us in the head when we started to bitch at each other, never ended up well.

"This is horrible. Try this one." I pointed to another playlist on the computer, and from the corner of my eye, I could see Brian starting to have steam coming out of his ears.

"Just fucking choose one!"

"I can’t!" I shouted back, lifting my hands up, “You’re always scrolling and I can’t read the names of the songs."

He let an aggravated sigh slip through his lips, “Hurry up. I need to get back to the store."

"Well, go ahead and let me choose by myself." I said, but when he stayed silent, I tilted my head to the side to peek at him. Saying his expression was blank would be the understatement of the year. “What?"

"You… I… Ugh!" He groaned, “Fine!"

He stormed out of the room, and I laughed for a minute or two. You’re adorable, Brian. So adorable.

I came back to the store, after choosing the playlist, and Brian was in the same spot he was when I arrived at 10 am. “Hey, asshole." I called, my voice strangely soft.

However, this time, he didn’t bother to put the magazine down and give me some attention. He ignored me completely. I frowned, circling the counter to stand beside him. “Brian?" I tried again.

And in a swift move, I was grabbed, pulled over a shoulder, and spun around, and all that crazy stuff that no one is expecting. I actually squealed at the sudden movement, holding onto Brian with all the strength that I had and hoping he wouldn’t drop me, while he laughed his ass off. “Brian, you fucking idiot!" I screamed, slapping his butt repeatedly, “Put me down!"

"Shh! People will hear you outside." He chuckled, stopping his movements for a moment. I took that chance to pinch his ass, making him jump slightly. “You little shit."

"Put me down!" I tried again, wiggling and writhing my way out of Brian’s arms, but on second thought was that really a good idea?

"Lara, you’re gonna fall on your face if you don’t stop fucking bouncing like that." Brian warned, a teasing tone lacing around his voice.

Grunting, I tried one last time, but his grip around my legs only tightened more. “Let me go!"

"Shh!"

"No! Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!" I kept repeating, until he eventually got tired of hearing me and placed me back up on my two feet.

Covering my mouth with his hand, he hushed me again, “Shh…" It was so much softer than before, his body too close for my own good.

Oh, Lord, please help me.

I slowly locked our gaze, trying to read him out, curious as to why he was looking so attentively into me. Maybe he was trying to see past my eyes as well.

"You’re not screaming again, are you?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper, making me want to whine. I shook my head and he took his hand from my mouth, his lips curling into a boyish smile.

I pushed him on his chest softly and chuckled, doing my best to erase all those sneaky thoughts from my head, “You bastard."

But he didn’t stay back and pulled me back to him by my wrist, engulfing me into his arms once again.

Keep it together. Keep it fucking together. But how? How could I do that when he all but hugged me like he was never going to see me again? How could I kick and punch these overwhelming feelings from my heart if Brian insisted to remind me how strong they were starting to get, with his more than friendly manners?

"Let go of me, you fool." I said, struggling not to sound so desperate.

Luckily for me, he did, but not without slumping his bottom lip out, “You’re always pushing me away. Me sad."

Uh-oh

"It’s not that. I just don’t want Zacky or Jim to see us so…" Intimate? “So close." I said instead, hoping he would buy it, “I know they’re having a class right now and we wouldn’t want them to walk in on us."

Brian seemed to ponder over my words, his eyes diverting from mine, “Do they bother you that much?"

"Yeah." I chuckled dryly, combing a hand through my hair, “They can be a real pain in the ass."

"I told them to stay out of it, and if they wanted to shit someone’s head than it should be me. Not you."

I shrugged my shoulders, “They’re just looking out for us."

"We can look out for ourselves." Brian scoffed, his eyes narrowing in anger.

Sighing, I plopped down into Brian’s chair, playing with a pen that was lost on the counter, “Can we?"

Just as he opened his mouth to say something, the bell of the store rang. Our heads shot to the door at the front, and Brian quickly regained his composure, a not so fake smile climbing up to his lips. As the customer reached the counter, he looked at me and I knew he was mentally asking Who is she?

Well, who are you, dumb face?

"What’s up, man?" Brian shook his hand as if they knew each other. Probably, he was a regular customer.

"Did the new stuff come already?" The guy asked Brian, even though his eyes were still set on me. Fuck off.

"Sure thing." Brian replied, “They’re back there."

"New employee?" He whispered. Yeah, dude, I’m not hearing at all, you know?Brian frowned, but then realized the guy was talking about me. “Good looks bring more customers. Nice play." The guy laughed.

"Watch your mouth. She’s my best friend." Brian said, his tone serious.

"Best friend, right. I’m sure you’d tap that."

"Hey!" I called, rising from my seat, “Mind your own life, will you?"

The blonde guy brought his hands up in defense, “Woah, calm down, pretty."

"Man, don’t fuck with her." Brian warned, “You’re not gonna like the end of it."

The blonde turned to me again, a challenging look in his eye, “You gonna beat me up?"

"No, but I will." Brian threatened, pulling me to his side in a protective way, “You want your stuff? Go get it and walk off."

Oh, Brian standing up for me. How sexy.

"Chill out, man, I was just joking."

"Well, I don’t take jokes when it comes to her."

Aw.

Blondie muttered something under his breath but did as he was told.

"I’d beat him up, though." I said from behind Brian’s shoulder. He tilted his head to the side to look at me.

"I know," He chuckled, amused, “that’s why I offered myself to do it, or he wouldn’t survive to you."

"You can bet he wouldn’t!" I smirked. “But thanks, anyway." I told Brian, kissing his cheek, “That was rather nice of you."

He grinned almost shyly, “You’re very welcome."

"So," I walked over to the counter, picking up the magazine, “What were you reading?"

"Uh, Golden Gods."

"Damn, I thought I’d catch you with a gossip magazine or some shit."

Brian approached me, chortling, “So you could make fun of me."

"Of course." I beamed, earning an eye roll from Brian. “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t make fun of your ass."

"True. I think your life goal is to see how far I can handle your teasing."

That made me laugh, “You’re almost right. But my real goal," I said, grabbing a few ends of his hair, sticking them up to the sides, “is to make you rip your hair out with your own hands."

"Oh, that’s such a nice view." Brian chuckled, tickling me on my stomach so I would drop his hair, “Thanks a lot."

"That’s what friends are for." I winked and he shook his head, laughing softly.

And blondie was back, with a handful of things that I had no idea what they were. He placed them on top of the counter, looking quite apprehensive. “Is that all?" Brian asked, not even sparing a glance at the guy. He was really mad.

"Yeah. Well, Brian, man… I’m sorry." Blonde said, his hand going around his neck, scratching it. It was obvious that he was embarrassed, and he should be. “What I said was rude. I didn’t know she was really your best friend."

"It’s not me whom you should apologize to." It was all Brian said, as he registered the things the guy was buying.

Very reluctantly, blondie turned to me, “I’m sorry. I was stupid."

"You were." I agreed, my arms crossed over my chest. I felt more powerful like that. “But I’ll let it pass. Just because you were man enough to say sorry."

"Okay. Thanks."

"Don’t thank me. You’re lucky I’m in a good mood." I said, keeping a straight face.

"If that’s your good mood." He wondered out loud, and Brian couldn’t keep his mouth shut and laughed.

I threw him a punch on his shoulder, but he kept laughing, of course. “Shut up, you."

"Are we good, man?" Blondie asked Brian, seeming honestly regretted. “Didn’t want to break the contract with the store because of what happened."

"It’s fine, dude." Brian sighed, “No need to avoid the store." He handed blondie a small bag with the stuff he had bought and the guy gave him the money, “Just don’t repeat the scene. I do care a lot about this crazy woman." Brian’s lopsided smile tugged hard at the corner of his mouth, as he squinted down at me.

You know you’re gonna hear, you son of a banana!

However, before I could even say anything, or do anything, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and my back hit his chest. A wave of warmth invaded my entire body, and my back was set on fire.

"She was going to punch me." Brian explained to the guy, who was staring at us with the best facepalm ever.

"Are you serious, right now?" I queried, my voice coming out a little in a high pitch.

"I think I’m gonna head out." Blondie chuckled. “I’m sorry for everything once again. See ya, Brian."

"Bye!"

"Brian." I groaned, pushing back against him to try to release myself, but he held me tighter and even kissed my cheek. I shut my eyes close, the touch of his lips still lingering on my skin like a ghost. “Seriously, stop." I murmured.

"Why? Aren’t you comfortable?" He laughed, and in that moment, I realized he was completely oblivious to my shuddering mess.

Breathe, Lara, breathe.

"Brian, I’m serious. S-Stop it." I couldn’t take this. His body, his arms, his hugs, his kisses, everything about him was starting to be too much, and what I feared the most was happening. “Stop." With a last push, he let go of me, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"What’s wrong? I’m sorry. I was just messing with you." He told me, his brown eyes clouding with concern, “What did I do?"

"Nothing." I walked past him, but he grabbed my hand. No, Brian. Please. I dipped my head down to the floor, circling my fingers around his wrist to make him understand I didn’t want to be touched, nor grabbed. “Just don’t."

He backed away, “Lara…"

"Brian, just… I need some air." I rushed out of the door without another word, the cold air outside slapping me hard on the face. I took in a deep breath, my heart beating almost painfully fast within my chest.

Oh my god, I’m screwed.

Why was this happening? Why now? After all the efforts I did to avoid this, here I was, in the verge of tears, hiding away from the one who was causing this rollercoaster of emotions.

I hate you so much, Brian. Ugh.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, but when I heard some movement and noise beside me, my heart sped up again. I looked up, hesitant, but sighed in relief when I saw a bunch of kids leaving the store with his parents. When did the dads and moms go inside?
It wasn’t long before Zacky stepped out as well, his smile dropping as soon as he spotted me. He walked over to where I was, hands dug into his front pockets, “What did you do to Brian? He’s going crazy inside." He chuckled, but it held no humor.

I brought my hands up to my face, rubbing it roughly, “I’m so fucked up. I don’t know what to do, Zee."

"Well, you’ve been kicking small rocks out here with your feet, instead of smacking your head against a wall, so I say we’re good." He joked, brushing his shoulder against mine. I let out a languid giggle, but I knew it wasn’t enough to please him. “What happened? Brian is clueless. But if I could take a guess, I’d say you’re confused about him."

"It’s that obvious, uh?"

"We all saw it coming." Zacky said, and I gazed up at him, not hiding the pain from my green eyes. He sighed and drew me into his arms, “You need to decide what you want to do about Brian."

"I can’t decide. I can’t even understand what I’m feeling." I mumbled into his chest. “I might be misunderstanding everything, I might be thinking too much. I just don’t know."

He rubbed my back soothingly, “Give it time and you’ll know."

I pulled back to look at him again, “What about Brian?" I waved in the store’s direction.

"Either you talk to him about it, or you wait a little bit more." Zacky said, and I grunted in frustration.

I need clear answers! Not two or three different options to choose. I can’t choose!

"I’m so fucking done. He’s gonna see that I’m weird and he’s gonna ask questions and I won’t answer, and he’ll freak out and ask if I’m okay, and of course I’ll say I’m fine but he won’t believe me and he’ll hug me and kiss my cheek and say that I can talk to him but I fucking can’t!" I blurt out, staying out of breath by the time I finished. Zacky only laughed at my rambling speech, which was so helpful. Thanks!“Don’t fucking laugh. This is serious!" I shouted, slapping his arm.

"Relax!" Zacky chuckled as he grabbed me by the shoulders, our faces inches from each other, “You’re hyperventilating!"

"Bu-"

"Shut up." He demanded. “Now breathe the fuck in, and then breathe out." When his words registered in my brain, I did what he said and filled my lungs until it hurt, and then blew it all out. “Good." Zacky said. “Now, you’re gonna come back inside with me. Brian will be there."

"Duh, I know."

"Okay. Just don’t freak out."

We both started for the door, and although I was scared as fucking hell, I had to do it. Brian was my best friend. I’d been hanging out with him for the past two weeks, and it’d been amazing. I couldn’t ruin it all because of a moment of panic.

As soon as Zacky and I crossed the door, the bell went off like it always did when someone entered the store. Brian and Jimmy were by the CD section, yet they both looked toward us at the sound of the bell. My eyes fell on Brian’s ones almost instantly and I could see the turmoil swirling in his brown orbs, even from a far distance.

"Morning, peanut head!" Jimmy greeted me, acting as if nothing was wrong.

I gave him a brief hug, “Hey, Jim." My voice, though, didn’t sound as cheery and happy as his.

Brian seemed nervous, reluctant even to look at me. Fuck. I wanted to hug him to assure that everything was okay, but then I’d be lying.

"Uh. Well, we should go, man." Zacky said a bit awkwardly, nodding to the exit.

Jimmy’s eyes flitted between Brian and I for a moment, before he turned to Zacky, “Yup. Let’s leave these two to it."

I hated those words. They held too much commitment.

"Bye, guys!" I tried to make my voice sound less shaky than it was willing to be, and I think I succeeded for the most part.

When they left, the tension in the air became palpable. I didn’t know what to say and I couldn’t bring myself to meet Brian’s eyes.

Please, awkwardness, go away.

"You feeling better?" He asked to my surprise.

"Uh-uh."

"Good. I was worried."

I finally allowed myself to peek up at him. He smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes, didn’t light up his face like usual. “Brian, I-"

"Don’t." He shook his head, making my brows knit together. He was so cold. “You don’t need to explain."

"Oh. Okay."

"I mean…" He reached behind his neck, pulling at his hair, “I want you to know that I really value our friendship, and… I… I’ll put it first before anything else. I lost you once, but it won’t happen again." He said, his words slowly sinking into my brain. Friendship. It’s all about that.

"I won’t mess it up, I promise." I told him, searching for his eyes, “I really appreciate the second chance you gave me."

"Then don’t do this." He stressed, “Don’t push me away and run from me like you did while ago. It scares me."

"Oh, Brian," I put all of my doubts in the back of my head and moved forward to hug him. I could handle my own feelings and my own pain, but not his sad, rueful eyes. “I’m sorry." I whispered, wrapping my arms around his torso. It took him a few seconds before he returned the hug. “I’m really sorry."

"Don’t run, okay? If you’re not feeling well, tell me and I leave you alone, but don’t disappear like that, and don’t push me away. It really hurts." He whispered the last part, and I wondered if he’d wanted me to hear it at all.

Wow. I wasn’t used to seeing this vulnerable side of Brian, and it made me want to comfort him even more. I kissed his clothed chest and then rested my forehead against it. Why had things to be so difficult?

"Thank you." He said after a while, squeezing me a little before pulling away from the hug.

"For what?"

"The hug. I really needed it."

I offered him a genuine smile, “We’re getting so mushy." Chuckling, he mumbled his agreement. “I think you need to do something silly so I can make fun of you. You’re ruining my cold hearted bitch side with your hugs and cute words."

Finally, he laughed long and hard, breaking the ice between us. “Cold hearted bitch? That façade? I unmasked you long time ago." He said.

"Don’t try me!"

"I pull out a sad face and you literally throw yourself at me. That doesn’t define a cold hearted bitch." He pointed matter-of-factly, a smirk wanting to appear on his lips.

Damn.

"Well, blame my soft side. Who knew I had one." I said with a shrug.

Brian shook his head, rolling his eyes, “And I’m the silly one."

---

Despite what had happened at the store, I wasn’t going to let myself chicken out and run away from Brian again. Okay, maybe Brian and I had a more intimate moment with each other, or maybe what we did wasn’t appropriate for two best friends, but that was the thing. We were best friends, we loved to mess and to tease the hell out of with each other’s head, but that was it. Our problem was that we thought too much, and we put most of our past between us. Past was Past, and we were living in the Present. And the sooner we realized that, the better for us and our friendship.

That was my very conclusion as I sprawled out on my hotel bed, hands behind my head, eyes close. I needed to stop being an idiot and enjoy every single day of my stay here in California with my best friend. Feeling motivated, I rolled to my side and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. I scrolled through my contacts and when I found ‘Asshole <3’ I pressed the button to call him.

I smiled absently as I heard his voice, “Hey, hey!”

“What’s up, motherfucker?”

“Nothing much, just chilling on my couch.” He said, sounding bored as fuck. Perhaps my proposal to him with with light up his mood.

"So… I was thinking-”

“Oh, you think.” He mocked, my ear catching a muffled chuckle from him.

“Asshole. Now I should hang up on you and leave you all to yourself.”

“No, no, no, I’m sorry!” He said quickly, but failing to hide his fit of laughter.“Please, continue.” He insisted, clearing his throat.

“Tonight is a full moon night,” I went on, “so I thought that the monster in you would be tempted to come out under these conditions." I said, waiting for his reaction.

Brian took a few seconds to answer me, and I knew he was mulling over my words. Dude, they’re not that hard to understand. “Really?" He chuckled, his voice laced with doubt. Did he think I was joking?

"Yes."

“So you want to come to my house at night to see monster Brian?"

I rolled my eyes, feeling desperate, “Yes." I repeated, and Brian burst out laughing. Of course. Typical. “I’m serious, you fool!"

“Fine, fine. He said, his laughter finally beginning to subside, “Oh, this is gonna be amazing.”

"We have a deal again, then." I said.

I heard some shuffling on the other side of the line, and then Brian chuckled again,"Yes, yes we do." Just by the tone of his voice, I could picture him smiling from ear to ear. Was that happiness because he was spending time with me, or did he have something prepared up his sleeve?

“See you at night, Brian.”

“See you later… Damn, I need to get my camera.” And the line was dead.

What? What camera? Why?

The night was cold and scary as I left the hotel. Unfortunately, I had to take a cab to Brian’s house which wasn’t that far away from the Hotel but was still boring. I took that fifteen minutes’ drive to think about what was going to happen tonight, or what might happen tonight. I had no idea what the plans were. Brian got me intrigued with that camera thing. Either way, I knew I was going to have a lot of fun with Brian. Another sleep over, but what harm could that cause?

Lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t realize the driver had pulled over on Brian’s street. I grabbed the money from my purse and handed it to the man. “Thanks!” I shouted once I hopped off the car, shutting the door behind me. I walked past a couple of houses until I recognized Brian’s one. Climbing up the front steps, I rang at the bell. I waited for a few moments before the door swung open, revealing Brian with a black towel wrapped around his waist, his chest leaving nothing to the imagination, and his hair dripping wet.

Holy mother of fucking GOD!

“Hi.” He breathed out.

I eyed him up and down shamelessly, “Wow.”

He looked at himself as well, leaning against the doorframe, and smirked as he did so. “I know I look good, but you could at least control the drool that’s falling on my floor.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? W-Why are you in nothing but a towel?” I covered my face with both of my hands. I couldn’t look at him like that. It just wasn’t fair.Ugh.

He chuckled, “I can’t believe you’re doing that.”

“Just go change, will you?” I asked, daring to take my hands from off my eyes. He was still in a towel, still hot, still bloody sexy, and my belly was jumping up and down with excitement. “And don’t fucking drop the towel!”

He stepped away to let me in, mirth blurring his eyes, “You’d love that, wouldn’t you?”

I walked in, heading to his living room, “You have no idea.” I replied sarcastically, but there was no sarcasm behind that statement. He really had no idea how bad I wanted to see the towel drop. What? LARA! NO! No, no, no!

“I’ll be back in a minute.” He announced, locking himself on his bedroom.

I sat down on the couch and kicked my shoes off so I could pull my knees up. But before I could even grab the remote, Brian was walking out of his bedroom, this time in sweat pants and in a black T-shirt. I’d seen his fully inked arms before on the other night I’d slept here, but as he threw himself on the couch right next to me, I took one of his arms in my hands.

I eyed it carefully, turning and lifting his arm to have a better look. “Monsters, uh?” I said. How ironic. Brian chuckled and nodded sheepishly at me. “I like it.” I confessed, looking away from him.

He kissed my cheek quickly, “Thanks.”

Oh. My own hand touched my face where his lips had been, and I diverted my eyes to his again, “What was that for?”

His gaze was intense as he came up with some explanation, “You didn’t hug me while ago.” It was all he said, before he stood up and went to the kitchen. I lowered my head to my lap, feeling that knowing tingle at the pit of my stomach. “Want anything to drink?” He asked.

“Uh.” Drinking. Was that a good idea? “Have any coke?” I asked back, letting my eyes wander to where he was. An open kitchen was pretty cool. We could cook and watch TV at the same time. Or we could watch our best friend preparing drinks from the couch. Biting on my lower lip and cursing to myself, I forced my eyes to focus on the big television instead of Brian.

He came back with a beer and a coke. He gave me my drink and took his previous seat next to me, propping his feet onto the center table in front of us. “Have any idea about what you’re going to experience today?” He asked as he took a sip of his beer, but not even that was enough to hide that sneaky smile curling up on his lips.

“No. And I don’t think you’re gonna light me up on that subject, either.”

Shaking his head, he laughed, “No, I won’t.”

I elbowed him on the side, in a way of scolding him, and pouted, “Teaser.”

“Just a little.”

I can imagine.

Jokes aside, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy myself tonight. Between watching movies and talking about everything and anything, Brian and I shared a good amount of laughing moments. He was silly as fuck, and joining my sarcastic humor, we made a pretty good couple. I mean duo.

“It’s almost midnight. Where’s the monster?” I asked him, my feet now resting on his lap. He tickled the base of my feet and smiled when I squirmed around a little.

“He’s shy. He’ll probably come out when you’re least expecting it.”

My face contorted at that, “I’m pretty scared, you know.”

“He won’t bite you. Hard.” He smirked, and I brought my foot up and kicked down dangerously close to his crotch. He gasped in pure shock and fear, his hands flying straight to between his legs, making me laugh rather loudly. “Jesus, woman! That’s a sensitive area.”

“You don’t say.” I bit back a chuckle, but his pursed lips only fueled my will to laugh. He pushed my legs away from him and curled up on the opposite side of the couch.

“I don’t want you near me again.” He said, pouting.

Aw.

“Brian…” I drawled, crawling over to him and leaning against his side, even if hepretended he wanted nothing to do with me. “You know I was just kidding.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He continued to wave me off, but when climbed to his lap and hugged him around his neck, he gave in and started laughing, too. “Right, now you wanna win me over with meaningless hugs.” He scoffed, a hint of a smile plucking at his voice.

“They’re not meaningless,” I countered, coughing out a giggle, “but they’re your weak point, so I admit I’m using them to my advantage.” Pulling away from the hug, I looked at him and he was fighting against a smile.

“Blackmailing me, I see.”

I shrugged my shoulder, “Just a little.” Did I mention how much I enjoyed using his very same words against him?

Almost one in the morning and no signs of the monster. An unwitting yawn escaped my lips and I covered it with the back of my hand, even though that didn’t keep Brian from seeing it.

“Someone’s sleepy.” He sang, and I buried my face deeper into the pillow that was between my face and his shoulder. “Wanna go to bed?” He asked softly.

“What about the monster?”

He chuckled lightly, “I told you he was shy.”

My eyebrows furrowed at the center of my forehead, and in my lazy state I couldn’t think properly. Maybe this had been just a prank. “I don’t get it.” I mumbled, raising a little to sit straight.

“Come on. I’ll tuck you into bed.”

I looked up at him, even more confused, “What?”

Standing up, he allowed himself to laugh, “I’m just kidding. I’m gonna lend you a shirt so you can sleep more comfortably.” Right. Because I had forgotten completely to bring my pajamas with me. Smart, Lara. Smart. “Come on.” He took hold of my hand and dragged me with him to his bedroom. After searching in his closet, he ended up by giving me a red shirt. “You know where the bathroom is, so make yourself at home.” He winked at me at the doorway, his hand grasping the handle. “Goodnight, shorty.” And then closed the door with a low click, leaving me alone.

How odd. Wasn’t he rushing me too much like he was eager to jerk off or some sick shit like that? I shook those weird thoughts from my head and changed to his shirt before jumping into his bed and snuggling inside. So comfortable. I smiled in content.

I was dead asleep, probably in my fifth dream, when I felt a hard shake on my shoulders and a set of growls right at my ear. At first, I thought I was still dreaming, but when the sound became more clear and my body started being shaken to an unbearable level, my eyes shot open and a scream was heard in the entire house, and I bet in the entire neighborhood as well.

Right on top of me was a monster, a big, ugly face of a green and brown monster with red eyes and a yellow tongue hanging from its mouth. My heart fired at high speed and more screams assaulted me as I tried my hardest to push that creature from off of me. I kicked and punched and slapped the monster as hard and fast as I could, turning my face away to avoid looking at it. It was only after I heard a familiar laughter above my own screams that I stopped what I was doing and looked at the supposed creepy thing.

A lantern flashed in my eyes, making me shut them close immediately, and when I reopened them there was no more monster. In its place there was a very amused Brian, laughing his ass off. I gave him a hard push on his chest so he would roll out of me, and in the heat of the moment, I actually threw him out of the bed. He fell with a loud thud. “Ow.” He chuckled.

As I peeked out of the bed and looked at the floor, there he was, on his back, still laughing a little and holding onto his stomach. “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?” I shouted, “YOU SCARED THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF ME, YOU ASSHOLE!” To make my point clear, I smacked a pillow on his face, before sitting back on the bed with a long sigh. I ran a hand through my hair, taking deep and slow breaths.

“That was so fucking awesome!” He laughed. I looked at my side just as he sat up, placing the pillow back on the bed. “It was so much better than I thought it would be. And it’s all recorded on my camera.”

The camera.

“Don’t fucking talk to me! I beyond pissed off at you!” I crossed my arms over my chest, still trying to simmer down from this agitated moment. I felt my heart racing wildly in my chest, my cheeks were hot and flushed, and cold sweat ran up and down my spine. This was not how I pictured my night to be.

“Oh, come on. It was fun.” Brian tried, climbing up to the bed and turning the light on the nightstand on. “Hey, don’t be like that.” I brushed his hand off when he tried to touch me, and he chuckled. “Lara.” He called, but I lifted my chin to the other side. “Are you seriously mad?”

“Yes.” I answered without thinking. But of course I was mad. I almost shit myself.

“No, you’re not. You’re just scared.”

“I’m angry at you!” I said firmly, my eyes burning into his, “I was sleeping so fucking well and you fucking moron had to wake me up like that!” I hissed, pushing him away again when he got a little closer. “Go away, Brian.”

“Lara, come on. I was just messing with you.”

Ugh. That voice. Why did my heart give in so easily to his sweet talking.

“Lara…” He called softly.

“I hate you just so you know. Idiot. Who the fuck does that to best friends?”

“You’d do the same if you could.” He chuckled, and I looked at him from the corner of my eye. “You would.”

“Maybe.”

“See?” He inched closer to me, his smile blinding me from my rage.

“You’re still an asshole!” I remarked, punching his shoulder, but he grabbed my hand and brought me down to the bed, tickling me everywhere. “Stop!” I giggled, shooing his fingers away, “Stop, Brian!” I finally took hold of his wrists and pulled him down with me, straddling his waist, “Go to sleep and leave me alone.” I told him, a smile breaking across my lips.

“Not if you stay like that on top of me.” He smirked, which earned him another slap on his chest. If he didn’t shut up he’d wake up tomorrow full of bruises.

“Just go.” I said, freeing his legs, but he just stared at me, propped onto his elbows. “Go!” I laughed, pushing him out of the mattress.

“Okay, I got it.” He held his hands up and went to stand up, but before that, he caught me off guard and kissed my cheek. Twice. “G’night.”

Hum. His lips were soft.

“Yeah. Don’t you dare doing that monster thing again! I’ll cut your balls off and fry them with salt.”

“Jeez. Fine.” He looked at me, horrified, making me chuckle.

I turned the lights off and lay back down on the bed. However, I couldn’t fall asleep. I was still a bit scared and the images of the fake monster were still playing in my head. I looked around the room several times to see if Brian wasn’t preparing another prank, but every time I did, I was welcomed with nothing but silence. This wasn’t going to work.

“Brian!” I called.

“What?”

“Come here.”

I heard faint steps approaching the bedroom door. Poking his head inside, Brian raised an eyebrow, “What?”

“I can’t sleep. Stay here.” I told him.

“What?” He laughed. “You’re scared? In case you didn’t understand, I was the monster. You wanna sleep with the monster?”

“Yes. Just drag your ass up here.” I patted the spot next to mine, “You have to stay with me until I fall asleep.”

Smiling, amused, Brian walked back to the living room just to return a minute later with his pillow under his arm. “You sure you want me to sleep with you?” He asked, smirking.

I rolled my eyes, “No. I want you to sleep here on the same bed. Not with me.”

“Same shit.” He insisted.

What a child.

“Whatever. Don’t leave until you’re one hundred percent sure I’m sleeping.” I said.

“Fine. But can I leave when you do?”

No. Why would he want to leave, anyway?

“I don’t care,” I lied, “Just as long as you don’t go anywhere while I’m still awake.”

“Okay.”

Looking at him for a little while longer, I let out a deep sigh and relaxed against the soft sheets, my back facing him. He moved around for a moment, but then silence settled in. Deciding to peek over my shoulder, I saw, even in the darkness of the room, that he was watching me sleep. “Are you going to stare at me while I try to sleep?”

“You wanted me to protect you, so yes.”

“I didn’t want you to protect me.” I countered, frowning, “I just wanted you to stay here.”

“To protect you.” He added, smiling.

“Shut up.” I rolled to my side again and closed my eyes.

Not even a minute had gone by and Brian was talking again, “Do you want me to hold you?” He asked.

“No.”

“Um. Hold your hand?”

“No.” I said again, this time trying not to smile.

“Do you wanna cuddle?”

At that, I had to turn to him, rolling my eyes, “Brian, no.” However, it was hard not to grin when he sent us that sweet smile of his. “Let me sleep.” I said, chuckling.

“You’re no fun.”

“And don’t look at me.”

“No can do.”

I lost count of the times I’d rolled onto my back to see him, and in the last one, I realized he was really watching me. His cheek rested against his palm and his eyes were completely fixed on me. “Creepy. Turn to the other side.” I told him playfully, but he didn’t budge. I pressed my hand against his shoulder and tried to make him roll, but he fought me back, smirking. “Brian, turn!” Finally, he allowed me to push him and he rolled to face away from me. Just to make sure, I cracked one eye open and sneaked over my shoulder. He was doing the same thing which made us erupt with laughter.

I didn’t wake up until I felt myself on the edge of the bed, almost falling. I opened my eyes, narrowing them as the morning light peering through the curtains hit me. I tried to veer off the end of the bed. However, when I did that, my butt and back found an obstacle. Brian. He was literally on top of me, all spread out. No wonder I had half of my body out of the bed.

Grunting, I sat up and pushed him away. He woke up with a jolt and rubbed his sleepy eyes. “The hell…” He muttered. I fell back onto the bed and snuggled against my pillow, ignoring his complaints. “Lara.” My name left his lips in a whisper, as realization hit him. “Morning.”

When I opened my eyes again he was much closer than last night, and that scared me for some reason. Why so close, Brian? Just why? “Go get me breakfast.” I asked him.

“No… I wanna sleep. It’s too early.” He placed the sheets above his head, making me smile. Damn, he looked cute, and his hoarse, raspy voice was so- nothing. It was nothing.

I uncovered his head and shook his arm, “Please, I’m hungry.” I wasn’t that hungry, but I needed some time alone to calm down. He looked so tempting with tousled, bed hair and that sleepy face of him.

He groaned and a slow smirk worked its way up to his lips, “You can’t say those things when I just woke up.”

Oh my.

“Food, Brian. All I want is real food.” I clarified, hoping that my cheeks were in the same color than before and not red. “Go, be a gentleman and feed me.”

“Lara, stop with that.” He warned, “I’m serious.”

“Just go.” I sighed, giving up on my attempt to sleep, and stared up at the ceiling. Brian crawled out of the bed and left my sight. He had to stop with those comments, otherwise I would run out of this house before I did some crazy shit. Bad idea sleeping with him. But he was the one who chose to stay on the bed. He could’ve gone to the couch.

He came back after a while, the tension gone for the most part, as he carried a small smile on his lips. “Found these on the kitchen.”

I gasped when my eyes locked with a plate full of donuts with different colors, different toppings, all of them looking delicious. “Oh my god, are you serious?”

“Just don’t cum on my bed.”

“Gross.” I chuckled as he placed the plate in front of me.

“I’m gonna make us some coffee.”

YES. Coffee and donuts. Perfect!

“Don’t eat them all.” He said with a teasing tone in his voice.

“Can’t promise you that.”

When he returned, we both ate that amazing breakfast he had already planned, I’m sure. He knew I was crazy about donuts and he did it on purpose. He was adorable, though, for thinking of me.

“Is this coconut?” I asked him, and he stole the donut from my hand and smelled the topping.

“I think so.”

Pulling out a face, I let him have that one, “I don’t like it.”

“Really?” He gave it a big bite, filling his mouth with donut, and then smiled at me. “Sho tashty.”

“Oh, please!” I tilted his face to the other side, laughing, “You’re so disgusting.”

“Wo I’m wot.” He said, his voice muffled by the food still on his mouth.

I laughed again, shaking my head, “Stop talking.”

Gritty and obsessed as I was over donuts, I was still able to leave a couple of them on the plate. I was so full. I wrapped my arms around my stomach and leaned my back against the headboard. “Hum. So good.”

“You’re welcome.” Brian said, his head low.

Smiling, I couldn’t help but kiss his cheek, “Thank you.” It was the least I could do. He looked at me, rather surprised, and then out of nothing, grabbed my hand. I tried to withdraw it from his grip, but he shook his head and tightened his hold on my hand.

His chocolate brown eyes searched mine, looking for an explanation for my behavior, “Why can’t I do this?” He queried. “You used to like it. You used to be much more… physical with me. When were were best friends, I mean.”

"Brian, things have changed, you know?" I said gently, tugging my hand to myself. He got the hint and loosened his grip. “No matter how much we try to ignore what happened, those memories of the Past will always get between us."

"Not if we agree to move on. It’s Past, Lara."

"We were in love." I cut in, my voice unwavering, “We can’t ignore that. I loved you. Deeply. And… I… I’m scared, Brian. What if-" I stopped myself, rubbing my face with my hands. This was pointless.

"I loved you, too. But this friendship we’re in now depends only on us.” He insisted, his fingers stroking my chin, “We can be friends or best friends. We’ve been doing good lately." He said, and either he was being really ingenuous or he was just pretending he didn’t feel anything like I was. But I was tired of pretending.

"Brian…" I whispered, drifting my eyes close, “This will only get worse."

"This what?" He asked carefully.

Glancing timidly at him, I sighed, “I think I’m falling for you.”

Notes

Wow. Revelations. What now? She finally admitted she's falling for Brian. Will he tell her the same? Will he run away? Will he laugh and call her silly?

Anyway, hope you guys liked the chapter!! Thanks for reading! Comments are always appreciated :p