I'd Always Do Anything (Sequel to Touchdown Boy)

6. Into the Woods

"That is so cute!" Adrienne squealed, causing Skye to blush and smile sheepishly.

"It's one of my favorite songs to see them perform," Skye admitted.

The four girl friends were at Adrienne's house for a mini spa day. After painting their nails and watching 10 Things I Hate About You, the girls started talking about small romantic gestures that their boyfriends have done for them, prompted by Heath Ledger's serenade. Skye was winning with her story about Mark changing the words in "Going Away to College" to include Skye's name whenever he sang it live.

"Billie never does anything like that," Adrienne stated, hugging one of her pillows to her chest. "He has his romantic moments, but sometimes I think all he cares about is the sex."

"That is not true," Addison protested. "He adores you. You should see the way his face lights up whenever he sees you."

"Really?" Adrienne bit her lip. It amazed Addison how insecure she was about her relationship with Billie Joe. The two had been together for over five years. Addison had never seen a more perfect couple, except in the movies.

"Yeah," Noelle agreed, reaching for a piece of popcorn. "It's kind of like the way Tom looks at Addison."

Addison glared at her friend, hurt that she had brought up Addison's past relationship. "We're not together anymore, Noelle," she reminded.

"I know, but that still doesn't change the fact that he's still in love with you," Noelle looked pointedly at Addison.

"He's not in love with me," Addison rolled her eyes.

"Besides, she's with Pierre now," Adrienne interjected. Addison noticed that she didn't comment on Tom's supposed affections, only stated that it didn't matter.

"How's that going?" Skye asked curiously.

"Well. I think," Addison answered, unable to fight the smile on her lips. "I like him."

"Oh? Do tell," Adrienne grinned, feeding Addison's excitement.

"I don't know. I just like being with him. He makes everything seem so new and exciting."

Skye, always the practical one, was already thinking ahead. "Do you think you guys will try to make it work once the summer's over?" she asked. "I know that long distance relationships can be challenging."

"We talked about that a bit," Addison answered, her smile fading. "We decided that neither of us really wants to be in a long distance relationship."

"So...what are you going to do?" Noelle asked, frowning with confusion. "Are you not dating at all then?"

"Not really," Addison shrugged. "It's just a summer fling kind of thing, like a friends-with-benefits relationship."

"And you're okay with that?" Skye asked, concern displayed on her face.

"Why wouldn't I be? I like being with him, and this way it'll be easier when we have to say goodbye," Addison defended. She folded her arms in front of her chest unconsciously.

"It's just seems like those relationships never work out," Skye explained carefully, not wanting to upset Addison. "One person always ends up falling for the other and then both end up getting hurt."

"But we already like each other," Addison argued.

"Then I don't understand why you don't want a serious relationship with him," Skye said, furrowing her eyebrows as if she was trying to see Addison's perspective.