The Boy Next Door

Secret Crushes (Part 1)

"Your an asshole, you know that right?" I tell him.

"Yeah, but I'm a pretty hot one though," He retorts. I involuntarily smile, but quickly wipe it off my face.

"Don't think I didn't see that," he smirks. I just roll my eyes.

"Where are you taking me?" I ask.

"Home," He replies. I look at him, shocked.

"That's it? Your not gonna take me somewhere to torture me?" I ask. He laughs. God, that laugh is gonna be the end of me. Wait, stop. Don't fall for it.

"Yep," He says, driving me into my driveway.

"Okay.....?" I say. I open the door and walk up to my front door. I look over my shoulder once more before opening the door.

"Oh, and Archer! Watch your back," He calls after me. I shiver. What does that mean?!

*************************************
"I will love you like I've never been hurt!" I sing along with the song that's blasting from my iPod. I put the 4th popcorn packet in the microwave and press start.

I was setting up for movie night with my friends. I walk over to the DVD player and put in the first Lord of the Rings movie.

I run upstairs to change into a comfy outfit. I grab some sweatpants and a loose t-shirt. I pull off my pink tank-top so I'm only in my black bra.

Knock! Knock!

I whip around to see Jared standing on my balcony. I freeze in shock. His eyes travel down my body and I chills up and down my spine. I quickly grab my top and try to cover myself the best I can. I walk over and open the glass door.

"What do your think your doing!?!" I yell.

"Checking you out," He smirks.

"Eww. Pervert!" I scream at him and walk back over to my bed. I reach at the shirt I was going to put on.

Suddenly hands snake around my waist and pull my body to Jared's hard one. The wind gets knocked out of me. I feel his thumbs do circles on my side and sparks fly everywhere. He turns me around so fast that I think I'm gonna fall over, but he catches me.

"W-what are y-you doing?" I whisper softly.

"Seducing you," He whispers back, while pressing me against his 6 pack. Breath! Breath, Malia! He moves his head closer and I close my eyes. His minty breath mingles with mine.

Knock! Knock!

My eyes fly open and Jared takes a step back. I lose my balance and fall backwards onto the bed. Jared quickly runs out onto my balcony and jumps over to his balcony.

"One moment!" I yell to the person behind the door. I get up and close the glass door and the curtains. I throw on the loose t-shirt and head over to the door.

"He-" I lost my voice as I see who it is. Jayden Green. The best friend I thought I lost. The crush of my life.

Jayden and I became best friends in 5th grade when he moved to our school. We would do everything together. In 8th grade I developed a HUGE crush on him.

Of course I never told him. I never knew how he felt. Last year, in 10th grade, he left with his dad to live in England. I was devastated. I promised myself that I'd never fall like that for someone like that again.

But seeing him right here in front of me, all of those feelings come crashing down on me. The pain, joy, heartbreak, and young love.

He leans forward and raps me in his arms. Then I realize there are tears streaming down my face.

I hug him back and we stand there for what feels like eternity. Finally he lets go and stands up. I wipe off my face.

"Hey," He says.

"Hey," I say." You made it to movie night," I smile. He laughs.

"I missed you too," He hugs me again."How've you been?" He asks.

"Good, you?" I reply.

"Same," he smiles. Oh god I missed that smile. "The girls are waiting for us" he says.

"Okay," I reply. We walk down the stairs to the girls giggling their heads off.

"Surprise!" All 3 of them yell at the same time." Jayden's back!!" They scream. I laugh.

"Really? I didn't see him," I joke. Everyone laughs. Soon we all sit down to enjoy our popcorn and movies.

*************************************
The screen lights up the dark room. I look over in Jayden's direction. The screen is shining just enough light for me to see him.

I remember him being smaller and more skinny. Now he has abs and big biceps. There not as comforting as Jared's though. Wait, why am I comparing him to Jared?

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and get back to watching the movie. He is really hot now though. I look over once more and see he's formed a perfect jaw line. His hands look bigger and his frame is stronger. Stop checking him out Malia! You told yourself you weren't going to fall for anyone ever again. I look back at the TV.

"So, are you coming to school tomorrow?" Zamora asks him before he heads out the door. We've finished all the movies and everyone's going home.

"Yeah, I'll see you guys there," He smiles. He looks at me." It was nice to see you again," he says. I smile and give him a hug.

"Bye," I say before he walks out the door. He goes over to his car and drives off. I suddenly hear giggling coming from all 3 girls.

"What?" I ask, confused.

"Nothing," Allison replies and they all head out the door, bidding their goodbyes. I have the house all to myself tonight since my mom had to work late. She's a nurse and doesn't always come home. I'm used to it though. I put everything away and head upstairs for bed.
*************************************
Ring!

The end of the day bell rings in my ears. I grab all my stuff and head out the door. I haven't seen Jayden all day and have been looking for him tentatively. I soon see Lydia at her locker and decide to ask her if she's seen him.

"Hey. Have you seen Jayden?" I say when I reach her. I hear a quick giggle.

"Nope." she says between giggles. She only does this when she's hiding something.

"Okay. spit it out," I demand.

"Spit what out?" She giggles.

"I know your hiding something. Spit it out or I'll pinch you," I say. She stops giggling.

"I'm not hiding anything," she states.

"You asked for it," I reach over and punch her hard in the arm.

"Okay, okay! I'll tell you! Just let me go," she cries. I stop and wait for her to tell me.

"The others didn't want you to know quite yet," she starts," but we know you really liked Jayden and we thought you still do based on what we saw last night. So we went and made a letter saying you liked him and we made it sound like it was from you. We slipped it into his bag this morning. We only did it cause we thought it would be good for yo-"

"YOU DID WHAT?!?!" I yell, interrupting her monologue. I don't wait for her to explain. I rush past her and look around hoping to find him. I need to tell him that wasn't me and that none of that is true.

But do you really Malia? What if he says he likes you back? What if it's everything you hoped for? It could turn out wonderfully. Just give it a chance.

I think about it. It could go up from here. I could be happy. But it could also be heartbreaking.

"Malia?"