I ran back to Billy's apartment. I didn't want anything else to happen. It could turn into too much drama. I hope Billy isn't home yet or else .. I'll have some explaining to do. Wait, he's not my dad. I could tell him, or not. Okay, I'll go with not.

I ran the three flights of stairs and finally arrived at the doorstep. I remembered I had the key with me, so I took it out and unlocked the door. It was dark. I switched on the lights and to my luck, Billy was nowhere to be seen. He was probably still at work doing some extra stuff. I walked to the refrigerator and got me some water. It was tiring coming back.

I was about to change into a more comfortable pair of clothes when I heard a knock on the door. Huh, must be Billy. And I was right. Wow, my instincts keep getting better by day. I'm just saying. Oops, I shouldn't have said that. Now my luck will be cursed and I'll have bad instincts and bad luck! Hold it, I'm not a superstitious person. Okay, I should really shut up in my head right now.

"Hey, you're home late," I said, closing the door behind me.

"Yeah, got stuck with Henry."

"Henry?" I asked, confused.

"My boss? Wow, never thought you're memory span lasts 3 seconds," Billy laughed.

"Yeah, heh. Laugh all you want."

"Hey, what happened to your face?" Billy asked, concerned expression on his face.

"Oh, this?" I said , pointing to the bruise on my face. "I fell down the stairs."

"Oh my god. Are you okay? Did you go see a doctor?" He came closer to me to examine my face.

"I'm fine. It more of a trip. So it's cool. No doctors needed."

"You really should get someone to look at that cut."

"Billy, I told you, I'm fine."

"Shut up and sit. I'll get the first aid kit."

"There's really no need-" I realized it wasn't worth the objection so I sat down and waited.

"So when did you get home? You managed to get your clothes at your house?" Billy asked.

"I didn't actually." Shit, what excuse do I have? Okay, hurry up Casey, make something up. "The door was locked." Oh great, what a stupid excuse!

"What about the spare key? The one for emergencies you usually have?"

"It wasn't under the carpet. Guess mum took it away."

"So where'd you go after that?"

"Nowhere. I came back here." Billy finally found the first aid kit so he came and sat in front of me.

"And you didn't bother changing into something more comfortable?"

"What's with the interrogation?!" I asked, so that I wouldn't have to answer any more questions.

"What's up with you? You're so suspicious," Billy said, taking out a cotton pad and putting some iodine on it.
He reached for my face and dabbed the cotton on the cut.

"Ow! Damn, it hurts." I quickly grabbed his hand. Everything went silent. His face was inches from mine. Just like the night he kissed me that perfect kiss. All I could hear and feel was his breathing.

"Oh. Well, er, you do it yourself then." He quickly got up from the couch.

"Yeah." Billy was pacing around the room. He seems like he has something important to tell me. I waited.

"Casey, I have something I want to say," Billy finally said.

See, what did I tell ya? Great instincts huh?

"What?" I asked, curious. He sat back down in front of me and took in a deep breath. Okay, must be really important.

"I'm just gonna come right out and say it, okay?"

"Okayy."

"Promise you won't freak out?"

"Just tell me, Billy!"

"I'm in love with you!"

FUCK DID I JUST HEAR RIGHT?!

"I was attracted to you when we first met. But you weren't to me, so I didn't say anything. I didn't want to ruin what we had. Look, I've known you long enough to know that I really do love you. Not just puppy love. I really do. I was there for you when your grandmother died and because she was the only one you ever truly loved, you cried so much. I never left your side. I stood up for you when Don told lies that you were sleeping with him and was boasting about it. I helped you pass your Biology exam cause if you didn't, you'd be away to summer school and I couldn't see you. I didn't want that to happen. When you were away two summers ago, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I just had to look at you. Hear your voice again. I'm always jealous at the guys you talk about. I never really thought I could match up to them. You'll never see me as more than just a friend. And I know that, but it couldn't hurt to try right? So here I am, Casey, telling you that I love you and even if you don't love me back, I hope nothing changes between us. But that day, when I kissed you, I felt as though maybe you did love me back too because that kiss was too perfect to be true. I want to believe that we have strong chemistry and we can make this work. You were my first kiss and my first love... I guess I'm done."

I had no idea Billy felt that way about me. How could I have not noticed? All those years. He's my best friend!

"Say something, Casey."

I didn't say anything but I did something. I kissed him. It was that same perfect kiss, only better. I didn't know what I was thinking. I didn't want to think.

The same thing happened that night. Kisses, more, sex. But this time, I didn't regret any minute of it. It was, as I always said, perfect. Definitely a night to remember.

Ashton's planning to stay over at my house that night but mum didn't know anything about it yet. I was planning to inform her after the movie, which was taking a long time obviously because we were only at the part where the girl has finally met the guy of her dreams. However, i felt guilty so i went down to tell her during the boring bits of the movie. It was getting late already, i wonder if she's still awake.

"Where are you going?" he asked as soon as i moved his hand away from my shoulder.

"Kitchen, to get a few cans of beer. You want any chips?"

"No thanks. I'm full. You didn't even finish your coke just now and now you want to drink."

"Is it wrong to do so."

He chuckled slightly and said, "Go on. Go get the drinks and come back quickly."

He continued watching the movie and to be honest, i was afraid of going down alone. I sat down on the bed, next to him, thinking if i should ask him to follow me down. I'm sure mum will be there, i know it. It's just, you wouldn't know if lizards will just fall from the ceiling and such. It's dark outside and..

"You're not scared to go down alone, are you?" he teased.

"Yes.... I mean! No, I'm.. I'm just going to watch this part before going down."

He stared at me, not beliving what i've just told him. "Minnie, this part is not even nice. She's only talking to the Starbucks guy."

"What.. He's," i paused to think of the right word. "Cute."

"Right."

"Ashton?"

"Yeah."

"I.. I er." There was a short silence. Ashton wasn't waiting for my reply anyway, he's too busy watching the movie.

"I'm afraid of lizards." I muttered.

He turned to look at me and laughed aloud. "Afraid of lizards? That's the funniest thing i've ever heard!"

"Well, i find them.. different from other insects and they are very.. disgusting," i spoke lamely. "Besides, it's late. And i don't have a torch light with me and.."

"Chillax, Minnie." he interuppted. "Lizards won't eat you."

"But they're UGHHHH!" i groaned.

"Calm down. Think of something to get that off your mind. The whole 'lizards are disgusting and its tail can fall on me anytime' thing. Lizards are nothing, Minnie. You're way bigger than them. You can just step on them anytime."

"Okay.."

I dragged the door open and turned around to say, "Wish me luck."

"Do you want me to follow?"

OH YESSSSSSSSS!

And before i could answer him, he quickly said, "Nah i'm lazy."

So much of a good friend.

*

There weren't any lizards, thank God. I was also glad, mum wasn't asleep yet.

"Heeeeeeeeeey mum." i greeted softly. The lights were still on and she was at the living room, reading. Omfg, reading? At time like this? If i were her, i'd fall asleep on the couch already.

Oh well, my mum's cool.

"Hey hun. What are you doing up so late?" she looked up to see me for a sec and then back to her book. By the way, she was wearing her hideous spectacles. Har Har.

"Watching a movie," i nodded while smiling, "With Ashton." i added.

"Is he going to stay over?" she asked simply while keeping her eyes locked on her book.

"Yeah, if it's okay with you, of course." i said shakily. Please mum, let him staaaay.

"Why not?" her voice was pitched high. "He seem nice."

"Yeah yeah he is. He helps me with homework and stuffs." i breathed a sigh of relief.

There was a short awkward silence. I think my mum got carried away with the story in her book.

"You better get going or you'll miss half of the movie." mum reminded.

"Right right! The drinks." I went over to the refrigerator and grabbed a few cans before i forget.

"Good night, mum! Love you."

"Good Night, Minnie. Love you too." she kissed my forehead and said, "Go to bed. You have school tomorrow."

"I will!"

I walked up the stairs with caution, trying not to get attacked by lizards.

*

I pulled the door open and stood by it.

"I'm alivee!" i laughed to myself.

And i get no reply.

"Ashton?" I tip-toed into my cold, air-conditioned room and to my desk, to put the drinks down. I walked to my bed to find him, fast asleep already. What? So early? That is so not like him. Ew, i just stepped on something! My room's in a mess. Omg, he's so going to clean this up tomorrow.

Well, since i wasn't sleepy yet and the movie was still on, i'll just watch it then.

*

An hour has just passed and the movie's coming to an end! The guy was going to kiss her anytime now..

"Damnit! Just kiss her already."

No he didn't. He was still talking and talking and talking and talking. Wth is wrong with that guy!?

While i was busy paying attention to the movie, that's when Ashton surprised me from the back by putting his hand around my waist. Practically, he gave me the shock of my life.

"What the fuck? Weren't you asleep all this while?"

"I couldn't sleep." he kissed my neck gently and hm. I liked it.

"Stop it, it's ticklish." i giggled.

"You smell good. What did you use today?"

"Er, i don't know.."

"Whatever it is, use it everyday."

"What makes you think, you can come this close to me."

"Shhhh." he hugged me tighter. "They're about to kiss."

We remained silent for the kissing scene. I didn't dare to move nor say anything. What was he doing to me? We're just friends and friends don't do that. In fact, i was afraid of him. I could see that he was trying to get closer to me, just like how the guy was doing to the girl on TV. What was i suppose to do!?

I don't want to lose my first kiss to..

Oh fuck. I did want to lose it to him. I've waited my whole life for this moment, and it's going to happen real soon, right here, on my bed, in my house at.. I managed to look at the clock and it was 1:59 am.

"How i wished time would stop right now." i thought to myself.

I didn't really know what was he trying to do to me though. He hasn't kissed me wtf and yet he was trying to take my shirt off first. And there i was, topless but still with my lingerie on. What was the next move?

And that's when.

My handphone vibrated. WTF, great timing. Just great.

"Sorry," i smiled. He let go of me and i went to get my handphone on the table.

It was Casey.

Ugh, why did she have to call at this time !?

I rolled on my bed but i couldn't roll any further cause Alyssa was right next to me . I stared right up to the ceiling . I couldn't sleep , i didn't know the reason why . So i decided to go down to the kitchen to drink some milk , maybe it could help .

" Hey mum . What are you still doing in the kitchen , so late ? " I asked .

" To have some milk . Maybe it would help me in my sleeps . How bout you , Sophie ? Aren't you suppose to be in bed for school tomorrow ? "

" Hah , me too . I couldnt sleep . I guess we think alike . " I chuckled .

" So , i heard you said that .. Trace gave you some surprises ? Mind spitting it out ? " Mum asked politely .

" Well . He pranked me . Thinking that it was some shit of good joke for me , but it wasn't . "

" Chill , darling . What did he do ? "

" He brought me to the beach yesterday night , and i slept in his car . We watched the sunrise and suddenly he took out a ring from his pocket and asked me to be his girlfriend . And... "

" OH MY GOSH . Did you say yes , Sophie ? "

" Wait for it , mum . Guess what ? He said he was joking and he just wanted to try on me to see my reaction . What a jerkass . Pfft . "

" Right . Okay , that's really cute. "

" MUM ! How cute was that ? Don't you find it very rude ? "

" Well , maybe a little . What ? You're mad at him , Soph ? "

" Yes . Very . "

" Oh ? So you're mad at him because you thought he was serious , and i bet you were hoping that he was serious but he was just joking . Right ? "

" What ? Mum , what are you saying ? "

" Sophie , admit it . You like Trace ! "

" No i don't ! He's just a guy friend to me . A normal guy friend . "

" Right .. "

" Maybe more than a normal guy friend , okay . "

" Anyways , what's up with Martin and you ? Did Trace stole my precious daughter away from Martin ? "

" No , he didn't . Mum , Trace doesn't even like me . "

" Okay okay . I get it . Tell me bout Martin now . "

" He ... is hanging out with the oh-so-hot-cheerleaders right now . He ditched me over them . And this girl name Jessica , told me she loves him and begged me to let him go . Well , i don't think i trust Martin anymore ? "

" Is that it ? "

" Erh , yeah . That's it . "

" Have you tried to talk to him ? I know you didn't . I know you well , Soph . "

" He ... He ... Erm . " I was speechless .

" See , Soph . You didn't even give him a chance to explain right ? "

" Yeah okay . You do know your daughter well . "

" Give him a call to meet up or something . Talk to him bout this . "

" Right . I bet he will go on with his lies . "

" Sophie , maybe there's some misunderstandings . And you don't want this relationship to end just because of this ... Josephine coming along right ? Martin and you , have been years man . Years . " Mum dragged on the word ' years ' . Trying to make me realise that my relationship with Martin have been long .

" Its Jessica , Mum . It's only a year and a month . "

" A year and a month sounds short . But , 13 months , sounds long . 390 days sounds longer dear. "

Right . I have been together with Martin for 390 days . Why didn't anyone even remind me that ? I guess that 390 days do sounds long .

" Okay , mum . I'll talk to him . I think i'm gonna watch some TV . Talk to you later . "

" You better . "

I went back up to my room to check on my cellphone . Well , as usual , Trace will be the one leaving me messages , missed calls , voicemails and so on . I walked back down to catch up with Heroes .

From Trace : (03:25pm)

Hello Sophie , Good Afternoon .

Trace .

From Trace : (04:30pm)

Are you there , Sophie ?

Trace .

From Trace : (06:45pm)

Have you had your dinner ?

Trace .

From Trace : (09:35pm)

How was dinner today ?

Trace .

From Trace : (10.45pm)

If you're not replying any of my messages , latest by 11.59pm . I'm so gonna hunt you down in school tomorrow .

Trace .

Yeah . Trace was being very gay . I texted him right on 11.59pm . He asked me to give him 3 super reasons why i didnt reply him . Well , i explained . Then he called me and we had a few hours talk on the phone . We talked bout so many things , from boys to girls . From school to college . From college to future . I really enjoy talking to Trace on the phone , cause he can really make me laugh .

Until 2am , we finally hang up , cause Casey called me for i dont know what reason .

Casey woke up at 2 am in the morning. Billy was still sleeping on the couch with his arm around Casey's waist. She needed to tell Minnie and Sophie what happened so she pushed his arm slowly, got up and changed into some clothes. She then went into the toilet.

Dialing...

Casey: Mims, Sophie?

Mimi: Casey! Ughh. Thanks alot.

Sophie: What's up ? Its 2 in the morning , and you're calling us !

Casey: I have to tell you guys something.

Sophie: Can't you tell us in school ? Anyway , what is it ?

Casey: It's about ...

Mimi: I bet it has something to do with sex.

Sophie: Minnie, shut up! Go on, Casey.

Casey: I had sex with Eric and when I came back to Billy's apartment, he confessed to me. Told me he loves me and all that crap and then, well, we had sex.

Mimi: HAH! I knew it.

Sophie : What ?! You had sex with two guys , in one day . And the worse , you had sex with Billy too !

Mimi: My god, even your best friend?

Casey: But it was perfect sex! Like you know, like we had real chemistry. Oh my god, you wouldn't believe it! I won't go into details though.

Mimi: I know you want to. You're just lazy that's all.

Sophie : Haha. So what do you plan to do ?

Casey: And now, I have no idea what to do. I mean, it's obviously clear that Eric wants to get back with me. Or no, maybe he just haven't had sex in a while but no, that can't be. I saw him with some chick. And then the thing with Billy. Tell me what to do guys! And don't say it's up to me because I have no idea whatsoever to do.

Sophie : Do you love Billy or Eric ?

Casey: Billy, Eric? I don't know! You don't expect me to choose now right? But in general, definitely Billy. I dated Eric once. Didn't work out so well, did it?

Mimi: Oh yeah, i remember that jerk. Ugh, but he's hot AND rich!

Sophie : Are you sure you want to date ... your BEST FRIEND ?

Casey: I don't want to ruin anything between us. That's what he said too. I don't know, really. Maybe I just need some time to think things through. You guys will be there for me right? Oh my god! What am I saying?! I'm Casey, I don't need people to bear my troubles with me. Oh great, all this love talk is making me sick.

Mimi: Just get some sleep. That's what we all need now.

Sophie : Casey , always remember this . Mims and I will always be there for you alright ? And yes , you need some time to think this over .

Mimi: Yeah, what she's just said.

Sophie: So , where's Billy right now ? Did he say anything when you got up ?

Casey: He's sleeping. He didn't hear me get up. When we face each other later, it's gonna be so awkward. Anyway, I gotta get to sleep. We'll talk more later, in school.

Mimi: Okay, i'll see you all!

Sophie : *yawns*. Good Idea . Anyways , see ya later .

Casey: Ciao, guys.

Mimi: Nights.