Chapter 1

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Riley's P.O.V.

With my ear plugs in my ears, I bob my head up and down to the sound of The Beatles, Black Bird, playing in my ears. I don't know where I developed my love for such old music but there is something about it that just speaks to me. I finish up my pencil drawing of two hands holding each other and roll off my bed to hang it up on my wall, along with the other million drawings that I have done. As I am taping the final corner of my picture, I feel a pair of hands suddenly grab my waist. "Get off!!" I scream, as I thrash my body around in this intruders arms. I hear slight shouting, but the blaring music from my headphones make it difficult to make out who it is. 

When I am finally able to turn around and face my attacker, my eyes meet a pair of light grey ones. I am at ease when I realise it is just Kayden. "Oh my god, you just about gave me a heart attack!" I say as he loosens his grip and I take my headphones out.

"Well maybe if you were downstairs wishing your favorite person a happy birthday, I wouldn't have to come scare the life out of you." He says grinning with his hands still loosely on my hips. I roll my eyes at him as I try to shove him off. He laughs and grips both of my wrists with each hand, pulling me closer to him. "Nice try princess." he whispers with his face only inches from mine. I stay silent while I watch his eyes scan over my face.

"I-I-I am sorry for scaring you." I hear Kayden whisper, his minty breath blowing across my face. I am still lost in my trance as I try to think of something to say back to him.

"Um..h-happy birthday." I say in a barely audiable whisper. He doesn't respond, instead he continues his gaze on me. My eyes never leave his because I know if I stare at those perfect lips of his I will be too tempted to kiss them. His hand moves from my waist, to gently tilt my head up with his finger and thumb. That is when I give in to temptation and let my eyes travel over his flawless face. I have always admired how perfect his jawline is, sometimes imagining my self trailing kisses across it. When I make my way to his lips, I lick my own, my mouth suddenly becoming very dry. They are so full and they look so soft, I wonder how they would feel against mine. I watch as our lips get closer when he begins to lean in to me, his hand now cupping my cheek. I start to panic, I am about to kiss my best friend, maybe this is not such a good idea. With doubt in my mind, I try to stop what is about to happen, "I thi-"

"Don't speak." He whispers. I stifle a moan as his hot breathe fans over my face, and his hold on me tightens. I do as he says and just stare at him, while I predict what is next to come. He gets closer, our lips only a breath apart. My heart beat quickens when I realise I actually about to do this. Do I want this? Of course I do, who am I kidding? I have wanted this ever since I was eleven. I close my eyes to block out my thoughts. My breath hitches when I feel his lips brush against mine, I was right, they are so soft-

"Hey Ril- what the hell?!" My brother shouts as he barges into my room. Kayden and I quickly pull apart and stare at Jace in shock. "What the fuck is going on?!" He yells getting closer to Kayden as if he was going to punch him.

"I-I just, I mean he- we were just..." I stutter as I try to come up with a logical explaination as to why I was just almost kissing my best friend.

"Riley had an eyelash get stuck in her eye and I was just trying to help her out bro. Calm the hell down." Kayden explains so smoothly that I almost believe him myself. 

Jace thinks about it for a minute,"Okay, I'm sorry bro. You know how protective I am over her, I didn't mean to snap like that." he apologizes looking quite convinced.

"Hey don't sweat it man. I understand, us three boys have to look out for our little sis." he says patting me on the back. Well that explains why I haven't had a boyfriend for more than- wait...little sis? Okay that hurt, big time. Might as well just stab me in the chest while you're at it. But I guess he is right, despite what just happened, we will never be more than just friends. I mean we can't, especially how Jace just acted, but if Kayden doesn't feel the same then why did he just try to kiss me? I'm so confused...

Jace chuckles and walks out of my room, only to come back a second later, "Oh and happy birthday man." he says smiling in the door way. Kayden nods his head in appreciation as Jace exits for the final time. I sigh, and sit on my bed. Kayden follows suit, taking a seat specifically right next to me. 

"Are you okay Riley?" I look surprised when I hear Kayden's question.

"Yeah of course! Why wouldn't I be?" I smile, trying to mask the hurt that is clearly in my eyes. I don't give him time to answer my retorical question as I stand up and walk towards my door. "Well come on! We have a birthday to celebrate!" I say excitedly. He stands up and follows me out of my room and down stairs to the back yard where the party is being held.

"Well there they are!" My aunt Ava shouts. She is not my real aunt, she is more of a godmother, but Jace and I have always called her auntie. Her and my mother have been best friends since grade school, and dad and Uncle Tanner have been best friends since junior high. So it's safe to say that they are pretty much our family. They both met through our parents and hit it off, they married about a year after my parents did.

Kayden and I walk to the open seats, that just so happen to be right next to each other. Perfect. It's not that I don't want to sit next to him, I just feel a little bit awkward and extremely hurt. When we take our seats, Kayden reaches over and takes my hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. That is nothing new, he always did that whenever I was upset, but now I have to try and hide the sparks that I feel whenever he touches me. I look up at him and give him a weak smile, pulling my hand out of his grip. Imediately a frown forms on his lips, but he hides it by smiling back at me.

When I look over at auntie, she is still standing. "Okay everybody, I would like to say something please." she says as everyone gives her their full attention, with the exception of Kayden, who is still staring at me. "About fifteen years ago, Tanner and I got married, then later we decided to start a family. We tried, and tried so hard to have a baby..." Auntie looks down at her feet trying to hide the tears forming in her eyes. Uncle Tanner stands up by her side and rubs small circles on her back to comfort her.

When she is okay to speak again she continues, "Anyway, we soon found out, that I can't have children...so we made the courages decision to adopt. And I am so thankful that we did, because now I have Kayden and Finn. Kayden you have turned into such a handsome, and respectful young man and I just can't believe you are already seventeen. I am so proud of you."

Auntie takes her red cup from the table and lifts it into the air, "Happy birthday Kayden." she says. He smiles at his mom then everybody follows her actions, lifting up their cups and wishing him a happy birthday, including me. He looks around at everybody and thanks them with a smile. Then auntie suddenly leaves and walks into the kitchen. I look at my mom, confused, but then she mouths 'cake' and I understand.

A few moments later auntie comes out with a round cake with lit candles on it singing happy birthday. We all join her as she places the cake in front of Kayden. When we finish he closes his eyes like a little boy and makes a wish, something he has always done. We all clap when he blows out the candles. "Okay, now who wants cake?" auntie exclaims throwing her hands in the air.

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A few hours later, after eating cake and giving Kayden his gifts, I walk with my mom to say goodbye to everybody who is waiting at the door. I look around for Kayden but he is nowhere to be found, "Hey auntie, where did Kayden go?" I ask. 

She looks at me confused, "Oh, well he said that he is sleeping over tonight, is he not?" she asks.

"Well I-"

"Of course he can! Don't be silly Ava." my mom answers for me. Great, just great. After what happened earlier, who knows what is going to happen tonight. He could tell me that he didn't mean anything by it, which will crush me. Or things will be very awkward between us, like they have been all night. He could just pretend like nothing ever happened, but I do not know how I would feel about that. I guess we just have to let tonight play out and see what happens. All I know is that tonight is going to be way different than all the other nights he has slept over...

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, I can't tell you how excited I am to be writing this book. I have so many ideas to come! Please don't forget to leave a comment or two, and vote because the more comments and votes, the quicker I will update! Thanks!xx-jade

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