OPEN [boyxboy] ✓

twenty-nine:: when you learn how to bond.

Paul saw this as absurd, "Hate you? Why would he hate you?"

"I don't know..."

I ruin everything.

But Paul didn't agree. Shaking his head, I watched as he brought my hand to his lip and kissed the back of it, fire burning in that spot. "Your dad loves you, he supports you and he cares about you. He wants you to be happy... I hope you're happy."

And the little insecurity in his voice made me frown, "You make me happy."

He smiled, looking over at me before looking down at our intertwined hands and then back at the road. He looked like he wanted to kiss me but couldn't due to safety so leaning over, I kissed him on the cheek and then again when I'd noticed the bright red tint on his ears. He adjusted his glasses, "You make me happy too."

I couldn't picture anything better.

"This is about the best moment of my life."

And it was. It was officially the first day he'd driven me to school as my boyfriend and I felt a little more confident. Paul understood me and I could make him happy, those were the most important things to me. He was amazing.

"It can't be the best."

His modesty was getting him nowhere. "I really like you, Paul."

"I love hearing you say that."

And if the smile in his voice didn't say anything, the slight pink on his cheeks did, "You're blushing."

He shook his head, kissing my hand yet again before he turned into the school drop off section and looked briefly before pulling my head towards his. I felt his lips on mine, gentle and chaste but it was enough. Picking up my bag, I pecked his lips again before opening the door. His hand gripped my ass as I stepped out and I rolled my eyes before shutting the door. I was halfway to the other side of the drop off when I heard Paul's laugh and right before I was out of earshot, I heard him call out.

"God, Jules, what're you doing to me?"

: : :

It was around lunch when Andy had spoken up and directed the sentence toward me. It being a shock to everyone at the table, I listened, the hostility between us was getting a little old. He hadn't talked to me as nonchalantly as before, in fact, he wouldn't even look at me. I was sure it seemed like some sort of secret when he informed me of our late practice that day.

And immediately I had texted Paul, hoping he'd at least be on break from his barista job in the local Barns and Nobel. 'Do you think you could pick me up a little late today, mandatory practice.'

'What time?'

I informed him of the times we'd be ending that day, Paul assuring that he'd be there and telling me to 'have a good practice, beautiful.' I tried to push the smile off my face at that, oddly not wanting Andy to see it as I sensed he was still somewhat upset with me.

But I was quickly proven wrong when he struck up a conversation with me, Benji leaving his argument with Will at 'you're allergic to peanuts,' and listening in on ours. "You think substituting Ryland in for T was a good idea?"