Semi-edited

Thank you for the cover! @Lizz_Skys- I love it!!! <3

Lost Boy by Ruth B on the side. I freaking love this song right now :)

Carter's Pov

That morning...

I grinned down at my finished drawing. It has taken me a while to finish it and I was beyond satisfied of the end result. Although the drawing did no justice for the actual person I would have to do with it. With my art portfolio being pushed up to Monday, I had to hurry and finish up the pieces I wanted to put in it.

After going to the Empire State Building with Gage I was struck with some inspiration, or at least it sparked some creative juice. For my art portfolio I needed three pictures and thankfully I was able to sketch all three in the last few days. And I had to say they were my absolute favorites that I wanted to get back after they were graded.

One was of an eye up close that showed inside the iris some of my favorite things; New York Skyline, the moon, and even a ferris wheel. I mean who didn't love the fair when it came into town.

The next one kind of went with my photography. It was a sketch of a girl holding up a camera. To me it showed that there is beauty in doing something you love, for me it was drawing and taking photographs. This one took me a little while as I tried to get the hair just right and the camera.

And the final one was of Gage. I hadn't even realize what I was doing until it was finished with it. I only drew half of his face. In a way I almost hated it because it did him no justice. At first I wasn't going to add it in with the other two but to me Gage was beautiful in a masculine type way. The professor wanted a peek into our minds and wanted us to be real about what we chose. She better appreciate this one because even I didn't know I would sketch Gage at first.

With my art sketches done all I had to do was put them in a binder. I already got the other half done earlier before I added some finishing touches to my drawings. Now all I had to focus on was my Photography portfolio which I hope wouldn't take me too long, I mean I already had quite a bit of photos I am going to use.

Setting aside my drawings I looked over at the clock and sighed. It wasn't even 10 o'clock yet and I was already getting bored. I know I could keep doing homework but there is only so much you can do before you just want to chuck it against a wall. Getting up early never helped because by time 10 came you were bored and ready to do something, while others were just barely getting up.

I forced myself to get up and head to the living room to see if Macey was around. Lately I haven't seen much of her other then when I get home from classes or in the mornings. What is great about us though is we don't have to always see and talk to one another. We both got that we are busy and sometimes can't see each other during school hours.

Seeing a note that sound Macey left to the gym I glanced around. Great now I am home alone bored. Not wanting to be here all day I decided to get dress and see what my brother and Ethan were doing. Better than nothing.

It didn't take my long to get dressed. I mean I wasn't dressing to impress so I didn't bother looking my greatest, just a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt was fun. It was not even 10 minutes later that I was leaving the apartment and heading in the direction of my brothers dorm room. If anything I could just hang out there for a few hours.

Not wanting to look like a weirdo I grabbed my phone from my pocket and started scrolling through my Facebook. I always felt like people were silently judging me if I was walking alone or if at a restaurant Macey went to the bathroom they would think I got stood up. That is why I always looked like I was on my phone because I didn't want to be that person who sat alone. Same goes for this.

There wasn't anyone out as I walked which didn't surprise me. It was a Sunday after all. Most people were either home hungover, studying or doing last minute assignments, or even still asleep.

Because it was so quiet out here when I heard a giggle it made me pause. For a split second I thought I imagined it but it happened again but louder this time. What was weird is that laugh was familiar to me. Confused I headed in the direction the noises were coming from. You know what they say, Curiosity kills the cat.

The closer I got towards the noises my stomach clenched. There was a small warning in the back of my mind telling me I should turn back and just keep walking but as normal I ignored it. It was almost like my body was on autopilot and I couldn't stop myself.

When I came up the sight I should haven't have felt so hurt because in a small way I knew. Like I already suspected it but didn't full comprehend just exactly what it was. But no seeing the two people in front of me playing tonsil hocking made my heart shatter and fall to my feet.

None other than Ethan my long time crush and one of my best friends Amy, were making out. It wasn't just a soft make out scene it was full on spit swapping kissing. Ethan had Amy pressed against the wall of a dorm building with his arms caging her against it. She of course was pressed firmly against his front side and had her hands all over him.

The sight of them two made me sick but I could do nothing but stand here staring. It was like I was watching my worst nightmare come to life and I could do nothing to stop it. My crush and best friend were kissing....right in front of me.

The pain I was feeling in my chest was something I have never felt before. Not even when my ex boyfriend cheated on me, no this was way worse. It almost felt like a betrayal. About a week ago Ethan and I went on a date and now here he is with Amy. Yes it wasn't even technically a date it had felt like it to me. Clearly it didn't to him.

You know I may have been fine seeing Ethan kissing some other random girl but seeing him with my best friend felt like someone stabbed me in the heart and just kept going. The pain blossoming in my chest felt just like that.

My eyes stayed firm on both of their figures as they were ignorant to my presence. I was a good few feet from them but they never stopped once to think someone could or was watching them. They were in their own bubble, oblivious to everyone else.

As I stared at them realization seemed to hit me. Was this why Amy has been avoiding me lately? Has she been seeing Ethan behind my back than avoiding me because she felt guilty? I wasn't sure if she was aware of my crush on Ethan but even if she was this was low.

Feeling my throat starting to close up and my body to shake I knew I had to get out of here. I couldn't stay watching these two any second longer. With tears starting to burn my eyes and roll down my cheeks I physically had to make myself turn my head and look away from them. With as force as I could muster I moved my legs to go back the way I came from.

As I walked away I felt like I was leaving apart of my heart back there and that I would never be getting it back. Once I was back on the other side of the building my legs had a mind of their own. I didn't even try to fight it was I took off running. This time I was not forcing myself to run, I wanted nothing else than to get far away from here as possible.

I ran blindly as tears rolled down my face. It was all starting to sink in and the pain was coming in waves. I was grateful no one was around to watch as I ran across campus sobbing like a mad woman. With no idea where I was going I just ran in the total opposite direction as Ethan and Amy. I almost felt like I couldn't get far enough away from them.

My vision was blurry as I my legs took me to my destination, a destination I wasn't quite sure of yet. I wasn't even aware that I had come to a stop in front of a familiar door until my hand rapidly hit the door. My body shook as did my hand as I repeated hit the door. What if he wasn't home? My inner voice asked but I instantly pushed it back not wanting to even think about that. If he wasn't home I don't know what I would do.

I was in the middle of knocking again when the door flew open and my fist hit a hard chest. I blinked to clear my vision although that didn't help me any, the tears were coming faster now.

"Carter?" Gage asked surprise clear in his voice. The moment he spoke was like he flip the switch to my self control. Not even thinking I lunged into his arms and wrapped mine tightly around his body, pressing my face to his chest. My body shook as I clung to Gage like a life line.

I can't believe this is happening. It just can't. I chanted in my mind.

******

Current Time...

"Thank you Ms. Harper for letting me stay and eat dinner with you guys." I said hugging Gage's grandma.

"You are always welcome to come over sweetie." Rose said hugging me back tightly. "Take care of my boys for me." She whispered in my ear.

"I will." I whispered back as we pulled away from one another. Deciding to tag alone with Gage and Dylan was a good decision. At first I was scared that I was intruding on Gage's family time but after being around his grandma for a few minutes it all disappeared.

Grandma Rose was different than most grandma's. She was sarcastic and had tons of witty remarks. She cursed like Gage and I knew that he were he probably go it from. Being in her house I felt like I was back at home. The house was almost like I imagined my house would be when I got older.

Being able to come here and play games while learning a little bit of both Gage and Dylan took my mind completely off of Ethan and Amy. What happened this morning was put in the farthest place in my mind and I was determined not to think about it again until at least tomorrow. I wanted the rest of today to continue on being nice and fun, not cloudy with the thoughts of those two.

"Come back soon you guys." Said as she pulled away from Gage who was the last the hug her. Making our way down the front steps towards the car I waved at her over my shoulder. Silently I hoped that I would be seeing her again. I got in the passenger side forcing Dylan to sit in the back and grumble about it.

I had a soft smile on my face as we drove away. It was nice being around a family atmosphere. My parents were currently over seas seeing my aunt and uncle Neena and Liam. It would be a few weeks until I saw them again so seeing Rose kind of helped that feeling.

"Man I am so full." Dylan groaned in the backseat. I grinned turning in the seat to look at him.

"Well if you hadn't eaten 3 pieces of lasagna as well as 3 slices of pie you would feel okay."

"I didn't eat that much." He defended.

"Yeah you did. I know because we all counted. You probably would have eaten more if Rose didn't stop you." It was true Dylan just kept eating and eating until Grandma Rose literally had to force the plate from his hands. He was like he had a never ending stomach. Rose had apparently planned ahead of time of Dylan coming because there was plenty for all of us to eat and some even after his whole eating escapade.

"I wanted that last slice of pie." He grumbled under his breath.

"He always eats like that, don't worry you get use to it." Gage said staring at the road.

"So it is a regular occurrence for your grandma to pry the plate from his hand?" I asked.

"Usually." I smiled and shook my head. For the next few minutes all of us were silent, stuck in our own thoughts. The silence of course didn't last long.

"I want ice cream!" Dylan suddenly whined in the backseat.

"We literally just had desert a few minutes ago." Gage said looking at him through the review mirror.

"So? Come on there is a great ice cream pallor not too far away from here." Dylan kept saying please every 5 seconds until finally Gage snapped at him.

"Fine we will! God you are like a fucking 5 year old." He muttered the last bit.

"He is isn't he." I grinned over at Gage. "How is he not fat?" I asked confused on how he could eat so much without gaining weight. If it was me I would instantly gain weight.

"I ask myself that all the time."

"You know I can hear you right? I'm not deaf." Dylan poked his head in-between the seats.

"We meant for you to hear us." The two started bickering back and forth. Who knew being around these guys would be so entertaining.

Not even 5 minutes later we were pulling up to the ice cream pallor Luke and I went on our first day of school. Gage barely parked before Dylan flew out of the car and headed inside.

"He really is a 5 year old isn't he?" I asked staring after him.

"I worry about that kid sometimes." Gage sighed.

"You sound like you are his father." I nudged him with my shoulder as we headed inside.

"Someones got to be." Was all he said before he headed for the counter. I stared after him silently wondering who Gage really was. At times he had this bad boy, mysterious vibe about him. Others he seemed like a caring guy for those around him; like today.

When I first met him he was beyond rude. He clearly didn't care for me or anyone for that matter. But now that I have broken down a few of his walls I can see he did care for others; Dylan, his grandma. Although he was nicer to me he had his moments. I almost wonder if it was way for Gage to keep people at a distance.

Now that I think about it Gage is only nice to Dylan and now me. Around others he is closed off and rude. He clearly doesn't care what others think of him and I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous. I wish I wouldn't care about what people thought of me but it was hard. Having such a great family people are always looking at you and expecting you to be this perfect princess. I almost wished I could be like Gage who didn't care and did what he wanted. I mean he snuck us to the top of the Empire State Building. If it was anybody else I would have refused but with him I felt like I could do anything, like I was free.

"Princess want anything?" Gage called out to me. Realizing I was still standing in the middle of the place just staring at Gage I ducked my head in embarrassment. Feeling a few peoples eyes on me I scurried over to his side. Pushing aside my embarrassment for just a second I scanned the flavors of ice cream.

Like any normal person I wanted every single flavor. Choosing my favorite ice cream was such a hard thing to do in my opinion. Not wanting to keep Gage or the lady waiting I quickly ordered the first thing that came to mind.

"Can I get a single scoop of the rainbow sherbet?" I asked. The girl didn't even say anything as she started getting my order. It was clear she didn't want to be here any longer. It was only 5 o'clock so soon a rush would probably come after people ate their dinner wanting something sweet.

"Sherbet really?" Gage asked as he paid.

"What is wrong with sherbet?" I asked offended.

"It is not even ice cream." The lady handed him a bowl that had two scoops of what looked like mint chocolate chip and what looked like coffee.

"Yes it is! Anything can be ice cream." I defended my ice cream.

"It has to say 'ice cream' in the title." He lead me over to an empty table near the front of the store. I glanced around to see Dylan was sitting at another table flirting with some girl. So much for him hanging with us. I took seat across from Gage and sat my bowl on the table.

"Your reasoning is invalid." I said taking a spoonful and putting it in my mouth. "Sherbet is amazing." Gage just stared at me like I lost my mind.

"How can you hate ice cream!" He almost yelled at me.

"I don't hate ice cream! I just wanted sherbet today." I pointed my spoon at him. "It is slightly healthier anyways."

"You don't need to be healthy." He said taking big bite of his ice cream. "You are skinny enough." I felt myself blush at his compliment if you could call it that.

"What kind did you get?" I asked suddenly.

"Mint chocolate chip and coffee." I only heard coffee and immediately grabbed my spoon. I went to take some of his only to have him move it away.

"Hey!"

"You can't have my ice cream." Gage shook his head at me.

"Why not?"

"Because it is mine."

"You can have some of mine and I'll have some of yours." I offered.

"No." I looked at him a plan formed in my head. With a sly smile I leaned all the way across the small table. My plan was to distract him for a split second so I could steal some from his bowl.

"Gage." I tried to make my voice sound low and husky like I have seen girls do. I probably sounded like a smoker instead of sexy. My thoughts were right as Gage raised an eyebrow at me.

"What are you doing?" He asked looking at me like I was a weirdo.

"I uh..." There went my plan. Damn I really need to learn how to flirt or be seductive. "Nothing." I finally got out. Not wanting to look at him I looked out the window to my left. I am just so smooth aren't I.

We both sat quietly for a few minutes before I noticed Gage slide his bowl towards me. Turning to look at him he gestured for me to take a scoop. I couldn't stop the full blown grin that spread across my face. I think Gage was getting a soft spot for me.

I happily stuck my spoon in his coffee flavored ice cream and when I tasted it I almost moaned. I hadn't seen it when I ordered or else that is what I would have gotten.

"Okay since I shared, pass yours along too." He pointed his own spoon at my bowl. I didn't even hesitate to slide it towards him. I sat there waiting to see what he thought of my choice but his face remained expressionless.

The next little bit we sat quietly together just enjoying our ice cream and each others company. I kept peeking up at Gage every so often trying to understand the butterflies I was feeling in my stomach. Just looking at Gage made my chest ache and my pulse sky rocket. Maybe because he was now being sweet to me or that he let me tag along to hang out with his grandma. I don't know what it was but sitting here looking at Gage I knew I was starting to feel something towards him.

Our little moment though was cut short as the front door of the pallor dinged, alerting new customers. Like everybody else my eyes went to see who it was only to freeze in my spot. Of course this had to happen. It was like my life was one big drama tv series. I swear someone above really hated me or something. It was just my luck that Ethan and Amy would show up to the same place I was at with Gage.

I couldn't bring myself to look at them anymore. Tearing my gaze away from them I looked down at my sherbet like it was the most fascinating thing on the planet. I prayed to the god above that neither of them would notice me and just leave. Maybe for once something can go my way.

"Carter?" Never mind. I guess that was too hard to ask for. I wanted to pretend like I didn't hear Amy but Gage had already looked up. I almost kicked him under the table but refrained from doing so. Pushing down the hurt I felt I looked up to see Ethan and Amy heading our way.

As they got closer I noticed they were holding hands. My heart clenched at the sight but I made sure my face didn't show it. They don't know that you know they are together. Play it off. The voice in my head whispered to me.

"Oh hey Amy." I forced a smile at her. "And Ethan. What are you guys doing here?" I asked trying to act like I didn't see them holding hands.

"Uh we are just...getting some ice cream." Amy stammered out clearly not knowing what to say to me. The look on both of their faces showed they hadn't planned on seeing anyone they knew.

"Are you guys..." I trailed off gesturing between them two.

"Well." Ethan said bringing a hand up to rub his neck, the tell sign that he was nervous. "Kind of." He finished.

"We have been seeing each other the last couple of days." Amy put in. I didn't believe that from the looks of them. They wouldn't be holding hands so soon. They are dating. Dating. I couldn't help but think, my heart slowly crumbling anymore. If this continued I'd have too many pieces that I couldn't put it back together.

They stood there staring at me waiting for my response. Amy looked kind of nervous and Ethan looked ashamed. He kind of should be he took me out not even a week ago. The silence was starting to become deafening. All I wanted to do was yell but instead I made myself stand up with a smile on my face.

"Congratulations!" I said with a wide grin pulling Amy into a hug. She seemed surprised by it but quickly recovered and hugged me back.

"Really?" She asked pulling back.

"Of course I am so happy for you guys!" With every word I said I felt myself breaking. The guy I have been in love with for years is now dating my best friend. My best friend is dating my crush. No matter how I put it, it didn't sound any better to me. What hurt the worst though was I knew deep down was they had been seeing each other behind my back for a while. They were probably just sleeping together at first but still. That is why Amy has been avoiding me and why she has skipped out on meeting with Macey and I. She has been busy with Ethan.

I knew I should have seen it coming. I mean they were perfect for each other. Both were 'popular', both gorgeous. With her being a cheerleader and him one of the best players on the team it made sense for them to get together. Staring at them they made sense.

"We have been wondering when you guys would start dating." I found myself saying even though it was a huge lie. I never wanted to think about my best friend dating Ethan.

I cleared my throat all awkwardly. Everyone could tell there was some kind of tension between the three of us.

"Does anyone else know?" I asked.

"Not yet. We were going to tell you guys tomorrow night." Amy said.

"Well I won't say a word until you guys say something." I sent her a smile but I bet it looked more like a grimace. "Macey will be extremely happy." I sat back down in my seat afraid my legs would give out from underneath me.

Looking at Amy I noticed how shy she was being. Normally she was really out spoken and confident but standing in front of me she looked different than usual. I studied her and notice how she wasn't wearing revealing clothing nor lots of makeup. In fact she looked like the same girl that we first met in high school before she got really into her looks. I also noticed the hollowness of her cheeks and the slight bags under her eyes. I have been so obsessed with myself lately that I hadn't even noticed how Amy was doing. She looked so different than usual and it almost scared me. My hate for her dimmed slightly in that moment.

"I'll let you get back to your ice cream. I hope you guys have a good night." I said noticing Ethan shifting on his feet beside Amy. I bet they wanted to leave just as bad as I wanted them to. Just went I thought they would leave Ethan had to say something.

"What are you doing here with him?" Ethan asked nodding his head to Gage. I hated to say it but I had completely forgotten he was sitting across from me. I shouldn't have put it past Ethan to not saying anything about Gage. I mean he was the one who told me to stay away from him.

As he glared over at Gage I couldn't stop myself from feeling somewhat happy. Hear I was hanging out with Gage, the person Ethan didn't want me near. In a way it was like I was doing something against his wishes while he did something against mine, although he had no clue I was upset about Amy. I almost felt like a rebel doing something against his 'wishes'.

"We are on a date." I heard Gage say as I was brought back into the conversation. As the words registered my eyes widened and I looked over at Gage who was staring right back at Ethan.

"A date?" Ethan asked bewildered. Next to him Amy sent me a confused but happy look.

"Yes a date which you are interrupting." Gage bit out. He clenched his jaw as he sent Ethan a hard look. I placed a hand on Gage's arm just as Amy did the same to Ethan. We both had enough common sense to know that nothing good would come out of these two fighting. I hated to say it but I knew Gage would win in that fight.

"We are going to get going. See you tomorrow Carter." Amy said with a tight smile. Hand in hand with Ethan she jerked him after her as they left the ice cream pallor. When they disappeared through the door I let out a huge breath and sagged down in my seat. That encounter literally took 5 years off my life.

"What was that about?" Gage asked after a few minutes of silence.

"They are dating." I said numbly.

"So who is she?"

"One of my best friends." I stared down at the table slowly twirling my spoon in my melting sherbet.

"Your best friend is dating your crush." He stated but his tone changed when he said the word 'crush'.

"How did you know he was my crush?" I asked my head snapping up.

"Carter you are the easiest person to read. When they walked in your face looked like someone kicked a puppy." I sighed knowing he was probably right.

"It is stupid I know. How can I like Ethan. He is my brothers best friend and he grew up with me. Now on top of that he is dating Amy." I groaned out. I had no clue why I was just spilling this to Gage all of the sudden. "I just want to get over him, more now than ever. Or at least get him back in a way for dating my best friend." I muttered.

I did want to get him back in a way. He probably has no clue about my feelings but he should have at least asked me if it was okay. I know he doesn't need my permission to date someone but it would have been nice for a little heads up. I wouldn't be so blind sided or hurt right now. Or Amy should have told me. I knew for a fact that Amy had some kind of idea that I liked Ethan. Like what Gage said, I'm easy to read. You would think she would have picked up on it when Ethan was around or when we would talk about guys at sleepovers. Sure I made sure not say his name directly but I clued it in multiple times.

"You want to get him back?" Gage asked suddenly snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Kind of. I mean not in a bad or revengeful type of way. But yeah."

"Date me." I looked at him like he had grown 3 heads. Date him? What?

"Huh?" I asked confused and caught off guard.

"Date me. Ethan doesn't like me, did you see his face when I said we were on a date? He clearly doesn't want you near me so it would be a perfect way to get back at him." Gage said shrugging.

The idea sunk into my head and I realized that I was thinking about doing the same thing not even a month ago. I had planned on using someone to make Ethan jealous but decided against it because I didn't want to use someone like that. As much as the idea appealed to me I couldn't do that to Gage. I would not use him to get back at Ethan, that just isn't me.

"No I can't do that." I shook my head.

"Why not?" He asked like it wasn't that big of a deal.

"Cause I don't want to use you. And what would we even do? Fake date and try to be around Ethan? That won't work." A very small part of me didn't want to just fake date Gage, if I was going to date him I wanted it to be real. "Also when did you care about me to want to fake date me?"

"The best way to get over that ass to is to forget about him. Being with me will help with that and just my presence annoys the shit out of him. It is a win win." I sat back thinking of Gage's offer.

Could I really fake date Gage just to get back at Ethan? That is way out of my comfort zone that I wasn't sure if I could even do that. Just a few minutes ago I was telling myself I was starting to get feelings for him. What if we fake date and my feelings grow so much I do fall for Gage. What then? It is not like he would like me back, I would just get shot down. Or maybe he could have feelings for you too. The voice once again chimed in.

There were so many 'what if's' that my mind was spinning. If I was going to do that there was no better person than Gage, because we both knew Ethan hated his guts for some unknown reason. Gage liked to goad him anyways so it would get under his skin even faster. But in many ways I did want to get over Ethan. I didn't want to sit alone pining after a guy that will never think about me the same way. Maybe being with Gage I could lose some of my feelings for Ethan and try to move on.

I did have a great time when I was around Gage. He did make me feel alive and I had to admit in just the last few weeks he has made me think about him more then I have about Ethan. Ethan's face wasn't appearing in my dreams or my mind every 5 seconds. When I was around Gage I felt like a totally different person; someone who did things I normally don't do, I am more confident and sarcastic around him. Hell I even snuck to the top of the Empire State Building with him when we could have been arrested but I didn't even care in that moment or the following ones. If it wasn't for him I would have stayed home all day crying about Ethan and Amy. I wouldn't be sitting here right now having had a great day.

The longer I thought about it the more I liked the idea. It was growing on me or better yet Gage was growing on me. I felt his chocolate eyes staring at me waiting for my answer. Maybe, just maybe something good could come out of this whole thing. Gnawing at my bottom lip I thought about my answer one last time. If I said yes I couldn't back out but if I said no the deal may not come up again. Finally I came to a decision. I just hope I wouldn't regret it.

"Okay lets do it."

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I know, I know this is a long awaited chapter! I just didn't feel like writing this weekend and when I did I didn't like what I wrote or I had to keep getting up every 5 seconds. But no worries the chapter is here now. This is a HUGE filler because I had no clue what to write but the end is the start to the upcoming chapters. As I said before things are starting to pick up now :)

I want to thank you guys for submitting your questions in for the Characters Magazine article they are doing for 'Something Inside'! It means the world to me!! I can't wait to answer the questions and see them in the magazine app.

ALSO thank you guys for getting this story to over 500 THOUSAND READS!! We are halfway to a million read already, and this story is only on chapter 23! You guys are incredible and I can not thank you enough!!!! <3 <3 <3

The WATTY'S start June 20th! I am going to enter this story as well as my other one "A Year Agreement" in them! I hope this year we can win! Later this week I will add more about how to vote and what not so you all can help get this story a watty award!!!!

VOTE, COMMENT, TELL ME YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR!

<3 <3 <3

-Ken