(Colton's POV)

Drooling over a hot girl was one thing, but having a crush on the girl next door was something else. An actual, "I can't wait to see this girl today," kind of crush. I hadn't had one of those since I discovered the pink power ranger when I was 5. But Kenzie was more than the girl I'd walk into a locker over, and I knew it. Unknowingly, she dragged me out of bed and on time for classes I otherwise would have not cared about. She was beautiful, and every part of me appreciated that.

And now here she was, with the length of her body lying along mine, and those brown eyes staring right into me. Those deep, dark brown eyes, which always seemed to reflect the light, making them sparkle even when her face was down, or half-asleep as she was in that moment. But she had a question, and the anticipation was in her eyes. A very attractive blush spread across her cheeks as she said it.

"I don't blame you. I was just...I was jealous."

Just the sound of her voice triggered emotions that I had tried to suppress. I wasn't sure I could hold it in any longer, or if I even wanted to.

I told her not to be jealous. That's all I could really say at that moment. There was so much more I could have said to reassure her, if that's what she was looking for. But I couldn't really form coherent thoughts.

I could feel the rhythm of her breath calming, and hear her pulse starting to slow as she relaxed back into my arms. Her soft hair was taunting me with the smell of something fruity, and something sweet, like honey.

It was sweet torture being so close to her. I held my breath every time she moved against my body, brushing her fingers against my skin.

"You can't move." I heard, her breath lingering on my skin.

There was no way I would be going anywhere. Even if all she ever wanted was friendship. I'd be here. With her arms around me and my face buried in her hair, I said it...

"I love you."

I'm pretty sure there's something wrong with telling someone you love them for the first time while they're asleep. I wasn't ready to feel it, and something tells me she wouldn't be ready to hear it. I guess it worked out for the best.

The sun had already started peaking through the blinds when I finally fell asleep. The next thing I remember is hearing a thump and waking up to see Kenzie pick herself up off the ground.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" she breathed, "You can go back to sleep if you want. I just freaked."

I looked over at the clock hanging on the wall across from me. 10 past noon. I let out a yawn and stretched, as I sat up on the couch. Kenzie was still on the ground.

"Did you fall?" I asked, not being able to hold back a smirk.

"I...what?" She asked, oblivious, then looked down at the carpet underneath her, and blushed instantly.

She took her ponytail down and rose up to her feet, managing to brighten up the day without even trying.

"Sorry. It wasn't because I was sleeping with you. I mean next to you, or I guess...on top of you" she corrected, then bit her lip, looking flustered. "I just freaked when I saw the time."

"You have prom preparations, right?" I asked, helping her out.

She smiled warmly. "I'll see you there?"

I was incapable of answering her when she smiled like that. I just nodded my head and let the moment linger as long as possible before having to go.

"I should probably go check in with my parents."

"Yea," she agreed, "that's probably a good idea."

As I started for the door, she stopped me.

"Hey...I'm glad you stayed last night."

I turned towards her and shook my head as if to say it was nothing. If only she knew it felt more than nothing, and I would gladly do it whenever she asked.

Then out of nowhere, Alex whipped past me with a kit of something that looked heavy.

"Colt, look at your hair, did you just wake up and go?" she laughed.

"Ha, ha..." I said, nonchalantly, but peaked at Kenzie from the corner of my eye. "I'll see you guys later."

They rushed upstairs as I closed the door behind me, and walked over to my house. My mother's car was gone. She was probably already at the shop. My parents had figured out a way to work without bumping into each other, which meant they communicated through me.

I took out a carton of milk from the fridge and drank the last bit of it.

My father's voice echoed from the other end of the house. "Colt, are you in?"

I took a pop tart from the cupboard and sat down on the couch, waiting.