[ Brett ]

I woke up the same afternoon, the living room barely lit with the exception of soft rays spilling from the window.

It's been a while since I had a long nap, with the student council business being a bother lately, I haven’t had the chance to sleep in. Afternoons at home without anyone to bother me was the safe haven I always longed. Sitting up, I stretched my arms and legs, taking in the few moments of solitude.

It was too quiet, and I wondered whether the three musketeres drove the girl insane or to my dismay, committed suicide (knocks on wood).

A yawn escaped me as I stood up, searching the whereabouts of that girl and those rascals.

As I saw it, she hadn’t have a problem cleaning after them. Usually I’d have to shovel my way though the piles of toys flooding the floor, but I guess the idiot must have been OCD. I’ll tease her about it when I find them.

Climbing upstairs, I easily found them at kid’s room. I didn’t know what to expect when I peaked into through the door. A dead body with a pool of blood? Maybe Paige was a hot mess trying to control the freak-show trio, but as I fully entered and gently shut the door, she was sleeping in a dress nestled between the two boys, Tamara lying on her chest.

I couldn't help my gaze cascading along the smooth surface of her skin. The way they looked silky and soft to the touch, tempting me to run a hand over them. I also realized as I found myself slowly drawing near them, I was mesmerized by the sight of her sleeping face.

She had long eyelashes, a small nose, rosy cheeks, and a pillowy soft shade for lips - that trembled even in her sleep, her bottom lip fuller than the top. For some odd reason I wanted to taste them, confirm their softness.

I did, unknowingly leaning down and kissed her.

Her nose wrinkled and I pulled back just in time before her eyes flew wide open.

What seemed like a thousand years of awkward silence passed between us and I sunk down the mattress, crossing my legs under me.

I forced a smile, "They were troublesome, huh?"

Bewildered for a moment, she laughed, "Runs in the blood I believe."

"I'm surprised you managed to calm them down." I replied, looking into her soft doe eyes. She was awkwardly shifting her weight, probably because she wasn't used to compliments. "It's rare but you're the only one who got them to like you."

"Hearing that from you scares me a lot." she giggled, stroking the bangs off Tamara's forehead, smiling in-spite of herself. A part of me wondered how beautiful she could have been as a mother of my kids.

"You'd make a good wife someday." I stupidly said suddenly voicing my thoughts.

Glancing over her, she jerked up, a look of shock easily seen in her expression. The unintentional gesture however, resulted a crying Tamara. She hugged the little girl, as if she was her very own and easily pacified the child. Soon enough Tamara drifted back to sleep.

Freaking idiot don't you ever drop your guard down like that... I might not be able to control myself.

I shook the thoughts away.

"You're a natural at this." I faked a chuckle as I leaned back on both arms. Well this was awkward.

"Did you just..." She began, confusion settling in her doe eyes. She was contemplating something and absently felt her lower lip "… when I was asleep?"

"You really want to know?" I cooed being the dick I was and taunted her with a mischievous grin.

"A part of me says yes and another says I shouldn’t"

I wasn't thinking right then.

"Go on a date with me then."

“What’s that got to do with anything?” She looked taken aback. It was so like her to not take anything I say seriously. I mean why would she? I couldn’t trust what I was saying right now. “It’s a simple yes or no question!”

"I'll tell the whole school you have an affair with your teacher" I must have been desperate. My consciousness was nagging at me as if I was the stupidest guy on planet.

Really Brett? The angel part of my conscience sassed. If you want to ask her out the least you can do is ask like a man. It said, and man I hated it when he was right. Do you honestly think she'll say yes to you? After everything you've done?

Play it cool bro, the devil side of my conscience whispered, she’ll start to like you with a little more persistence. You’re doing it right, don’t worry, it said.

"Fine," She finally answered, snapping me back to my senses "but only because you forced me into this."

Somehow the idea of her saying yes was all that mattered, and I couldn't wipe this stupid smirk off my face.

“This date doesn’t mean anything.” She added, “Heck it shouldn’t even be a date”

“Oh? Then what is it then?” I challenged. When a man and woman go out for lunch and they’re not friend, wouldn’t that mean its a date? I mean I clearly said date.

“Lunch!” She replied as if it weren’t that obvious. Poor girl, she probably hasn’t gone out with someone in her life. But I guess that’s fine.

“Lunch?” I scoffed, but I needed more clarity. We’re not friends so what were we? “a lunch as what?”

“Acquaintances, what else could it be?”

She must have seen the disappointment on my eyes. But why was I disappointed anyway? Girls practically swoon over me!

“I don’t know,” I try to play it off, straddling over her just to tease her.

She’s crumpling into a ball, dragging her butt and pushing herself against the wall.

The mattress is sinking under our weight. She’s like a doe cowering in fright, cringing as she braced herself.

I mean I won’t bite, so what’s her deal? It’s as if I’d murder her.

Blood is beating hard against my ears, as I drew near, I realize I’m breathing hard.

“I still have your underwear” I whisper in her ear. She goes pale, sitting there frozen.

I pull back, she’s blushing so hard I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Stupid pervert.” She’s glaring as she slaps her cheeks furiously, “give it back.”

Like I would.

“Finders keepers love,”

Finders keepers.