Farrah scooched back over as Kylian stood before Shae. He's on his own now, she thought.

Rain hopped up next to Farrah, giving her a high-five.

"Thanks," Farrah whispered to him. Rain nodded. They both just wanted their friends to be happy.

Rain smirked at a sudden realization.

"Did my heroic bravery earn the lady's affections?" he asked, lifting her hand to his lips. Rain pressed a gentle kiss against her soft skin. Farrah could only stare in disbelief.

"Are you serious? I wouldn't have let Shae hang out to dry for my own selfish desires. He's my friend." Farrah ripped her hand from Rain's grasp. "Glad to know you don't care for your friends like that."

"Wha--I do!" Rain began, but Farrah refused to listen. She kept her gaze locked on Kylian and her best friend, one of many she would do anything for. Rain sighed in defeat. He knew from experience he wouldn't get through to her.

Kylian stepped closer to Shae until he was only an inch away. He shoved his sweaty hands into the pockets of his jeans and swallowed the desert that was his mouth. You can do this, Kylian told himself. His eyes found Shae's. "I'm sorry for running off like that. I--I just remembered I needed something I forgot in my car."

Shae knew Kylian was lying. No one runs off in the middle of a shared moment, not unless there is need for escape. He was the reason.

Unable to hide his shame, Shae averted his gaze and said, "I see. I thought it might have been my fault." Kylian grabbed his arms, making Shae's chest skip a beat. His ears quickly warmed.

"No! Of course not," Kylian exclaimed. His own heart leapt at Shae's embarrassment. Like this. Show me more of you. Kylian realized where his hands lay and let go, his cheeks a slight pink. "I mean, it--it had nothing to do with you. It was all because of me."

Shae eyed him in caution, the fluttering within making it almost impossible to concentrate. "If you say so."

With Shae's meager words, the cheerful smile gracing Kylian left Shae speechless. He watched as Kylian pulled himself up in ease next to him. He makes it look so easy, Shae thought.

Kylian fidgeted in his seat, his skin grazing Shae's arm. It sent jolts down his spine. He's touching me! God, he's soft. Kylian glanced at Shae from the corner of his eyes. And cute, too. So cute. Kylian noted the darkness of Shae's blond hair, how it shimmered in the sun. It entranced Kylian. He wanted to reach out and caress a strand, to know how soft it was, see if its weight matched its looks. Would it, too, feel like air? Kylian wanted to know.

"So... Kylian." Shae loved the way his name slid off his tongue. It's like it was hugging him. "Do you like playing football?" Such a stupid question!

At his question, Kylian snapped back to focus.

"Yeah, I played it all through high school."

"Oh, really? I bet you were great," Shae told him. He didn't mean anything by it, but his words made Kylian fly.

"You should come see me play with the guys sometime. I'll save you a seat. I'll even bring a blanket and everything," Kylian said, beaming.

Farrah smirked, Oh, yeah. He likes you.

Shae crinkled his eyes at Kylian's smile. "Really? I won't bother you?"

"Of course not. I'd love to have you there," Kylian told him. Shae lit up.

"I'll go."

Kylian scratched his cheek and asked, "Um, then, can I have your number?" Shae's ears deepened in color. He reached for his phone, the sensation of his jeans clearer than ever.

"Sure, if I can have yours." The two exchanged numbers, both excited to know there would be a next time. They smiled at the numbers displayed in their phones.

~

Everyone headed their separate ways as the night grew closer. Shae drove Farrah home, leaving Kylian alone. Both boys were a little saddened to leave the other but knew it was for the best. They only just met. Their hearts couldn't handle any more excitement.

As Charli walked home with Adelah, an upset Rain tagged along. Farrah had ignored him the rest of the day. His words had offended her. He knew that, but how could he make amends?

"Rain, what are you doing here? You drive to school," Charli asked after awhile. Rain was following the girls in silence as he tried to come up with a plan. Charli was sick of his presence. She needed her alone time with Adelah.

"I--I made Farrah hate me. I don't know what to do."

"Did you apologize?" Adelah asked him. Rain shook his head.

"She wouldn't let me. She just ignored me every time I spoke."

"Idiot, you still should have apologized. Even if Farrah didn't say anything, she would have heard you," Charli groaned. Rain stopped and stared, dumbfounded.

Why didn't I think of that? he thought. Adelah halted, turning to look at him.

"What did you do?" she asked.

"I repulsed her with something stupid I said." The girls waited for him to continue. Rain sighed, "I asked her if she swooned from my bringing Kylian back, and I guess she thought I meant that I didn't care for my friends, like, at all."

"Geez, Rain! You can be so stupid sometimes. Not every girl is kind enough to let you slide with your flirting. I told you it would come to bite you one day," Charli said, against Adelah's wishes. Even her beloved Adelah couldn't calm her down now.

Charli loved Rain like a brother, but he wouldn't learn. Every girl. Every pass Rain made at someone. She's told him over and over again to be careful, but he always tuned her out, told her it'd never happen. Charli was fed up. She let him flirt away, waiting for the day she'd prove him wrong.

Rain looked to her, his lower lip quivering. "Please, Charli, you gotta help me. I don't want to screw this up with Farrah."

"Why? You barely know the girl. Just leave her be." Charli turned and began to stomp away, her ears flaring. Rain grabbed her arm, his gentle fingers stopping her.

"I--I don't know. I like how she plays hard to get, and how she cares for Shae. They remind me of us, like brother and sister. You know, always looking out for the other, no matter what stupid thing they do." Charli wasn't buying it. "Even with all my flirting, Farrah put him first. I could tell she was interested, even a little, but today was Shae's day. Farrah put her feelings aside for him. I don't know, I liked that. I want that."

With his voice barely above a whisper, Rain pled, "Please, Charli. I meant it when I said I don't want to screw this up. I want to make it work with her. Long-term." Charli searched his eyes. They didn't waver; they stood strong, refusing to budge. Rain was serious.

"Fine, I'll help you, but if you hurt that poor girl, I swear you're soldiers won't be marching anytime soon."