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Dakota's POV

When Reid left the next morning, I hugged him tightly.

"Thank you so much. For everything. Who knows what would've happened had you not come looking for me... or stayed with me last night. Also, thank you for cooking." He laughed and ruffled up my hair.

"No problem Dak. Hey, rememeber what I told you. Stop trusting people so easily." I nodded, but rolled my eyes.

"I'm paying you for a reason: protect me so I don't have to worry about that." He frowned and I smiled sheepishly. "Okay, I'll stop being so naive. Have a nice day Reid." He laughed and squeezed my shoulder before leaving. I sighed and called my parents, wanting to talk to them about yesterday. They'd called me, but of course I was asleep.

"David, it's Dakota! Honey! You haven't answered our calls, we were worried sick. We were just buying tickets to come back."

"I'm fine, I'm sorry I gave you such a scare." My mom sighed, I could just see her shaking her head. "I went to the beach yesterday with Sadie. This guy got mad because I didn't like him, so he got someone beat me up to take me. But, Reid found me and beat their asses."

"Go ahead and buy the tickets David!" I heard her tell my Dad.

"No, it's okay I promise. I'm going to be more careful. You guys stay there."

"Sweetie, I don't know about this. You just said someone beat you up. How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling good actually. Reid stayed over with me last night and he cooked for me this morning." I smiled a little, thinking about it.

"Oh...okay. Are you sure you don't want us to come home? Or send you here?" I pondered it for a second. It would be nice to have them home, or to even go there with them. But, I decided against it.

"No, it's okay. I promise promise promise I'll call if anything goes wrong." She sighed.

"Okay, I'm hoping you're telling me the truth."

"I love you Dakota! Stay safe!" My father said, making me smile.

"I love you too. The both of you. Talk to you later." I hung up and sighed, looking around the house. What will I do today?

I decided to go take a shower first. When I got to my room, I remembered last night.

"So, where do I need to sleep?" Reid asked me. I shrugged.

"There's a guest room right next door." He nodded, then studied me.

"I can sleep in here, on the floor since you're here alone." I frowned.

"I'm not a baby Reid. You can sleep in the guest room. I'll holler if I get afraid." I said the last part sarcastically and he rolled his eyes.

"I'll sleep on the floor in here." I sighed.

"I don't like the thought of you sleeping on the floor. That's going to be so uncomfortable."

"I'll just sleep in the bed with you. My head's just gonna be at the bottom." I thought it was weird, because most straight guys say it's gay to sleep in a bed with a gay guy. But Reid was a nice straight guy, so I guess it's different.

"Well... okay then. I'm too tired to shower, do you want to?" He shook his head and got into the bed. I did the same, just on my end.

"Goodnight Dakota."

"Goodnight Reid. Wait, does this mean I have to give you another raise or will you just–"

"Dakota, go to sleep."

"Okay."

I smiled, thinking about the whole thing.

I took a shower, making sure to clean myself really well. Who knows what I could get into today.

I got out of the shower and I had a missed call from Oliver. I called him back, because otherwise he would just show up and I didn't want that.

"Hey Dakota, how are you feeling?" He asked me.l

"I'm fine. Just a bit sore."

"Good. Can I come see you?"

"No, Oliver, I don't think you should. We're broken up." He sighed.

"I'm sorry Dakota, I really just... I'm afraid. I know, you're out and things are fine for you. But, it just isn't the same for me."

"You can't hide forever. Anyone who doesn't accept you doesn't deserve to be your friend."

"I know... I know. I'm sorry for never showing you off. Do you think you can forgive me?"

"Yeah... definitely. In time, I think I will."

"Great. Thank you. I'll see you around." I hung up and decided to go to the mall. I went alone, thinking that I deserved a day alone.

But, once actually looking around, I got bored quickly. As I was going to leave, I saw Oliver walking into a boutique. I raised my eyebrow and went in behind him.

"Hey, what're you doing in here?" He jumped, surprised. Then he smiled.

"My mom's birthday is coming up. I'm just looking for something for her. What're you doing in here by yourself?"

"Just having some alone time. But it turned out to be a bad idea." He laughed and nodded. He checked me out, then licked his lips. "I think I should go." I told him. He grabbed my hand, stopping me from going.

"Wait. You should help me find her something." I smiled and shrugged.

"Okay, that would be fun." He grinned widely and nodded.

"Great." We walked around, looking for things. But I had more of a feminine touch than he did, so I helped a lot. We mostly talked about crazy stuff while we looked.

"You need a hair cut." I told him, ruffling up his hair. He and I are the same height, it didn't look so weird.

"My hair is perfectly fine, thank you." I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever boy. Maybe if you do that, I'd think you were attractive. But for now, you're just regular." His mouth dropped and I laughed, he was cute.

"You're an ass Dakota." He said laughing. "Why's your hair always so perfect?" I raised my eyebrow.

"Because I'm perfect bitch." He laughed again, shaking his head.

"You are something else, you know?"

We finished shopping and walked to my car. He looked around and took my hand in his.

"I had a great time with you Dakota. Thank you so much for helping me pick this stuff out." I shrugged.

"No problem. This is the longest we've hung out in public."

"It is, isn't it? I don't regret it." I smiled widely.

"Good." He looked at my lips. I leaned in and kissed him. He cupped my face in his hands while I played with the hem of his shirt, wanting to move my hands up. I pulled back and he searched my eyes.

"Can I come over?" And after that... you already know what happened.

I'm not a whore! Don't judge me. I used a condom and that's all that matters!

~

After Oliver left, I smiled, thankful that our relationship was moving forward.

Sadie called me and I answered quickly. I love that the two of us always make time to call the other to talk about our days.

"Hey!" I yelled as soon as she answered.

"I know that voice, you just got fucked! Did you and Oliver get back together?" She asked apprehensively. She didn't like Oliver, but she tried to be supportive to me.

"Yes... at least I think so. He and I actually hung out in public today."

"Wow, that's some progress."

"Yup! It was a good day. How was yours?"

"Mostly a chill day with Reid." I smiled, thinking of yesterday again.

"That's nice. Hey Reid."

"Hey Dakota." I heard him say.

"Oh! After the lake on Friday, I just realized, we can all come here. Ya know, since my parents aren't here."

"Good idea! That'll be fun."

"I can't wait for the lake, actually. I might just swim a little."

"You? Swim?" I heard Reid say. "I'm not saving you again." I rolled my eyes.

"Sadie, take me off of speaker phone. If I wanted to be read to filth, I'd just call my grandma." She laughed loudly and I heard Reid chuckle a little.

"What am I going to do with you Dakota?" She said.

"You could feed me. That'd be nice."

"Pizza would be good." I heard Reid mumble. I rolled my eyes because she didn't even take me off of speaker that asshole. But, I could possibly be getting food, so I quieted down.

"Yes, it would." Sadie said.

"Alrighty then, it's settled. I'll meet you guys at The Pizza House in ten!" I hung up the phone, not waiting for their reactions.

I threw my shorts and a shirt on, looking at myself in the mirror. I ignored my bruised cheek and smiled.

"God, I'm so damn beautiful I don't even need to do anything to make myself look good." I mumbled before spraying some cologne on.

I ran down the stairs and to my car. I knew I would make it there after them, which is why I went so quickly. I liked to drive slowly. Because, there's no reason to rush. Besides, I don't need to get into a wreck and mess this pretty face up. Again.

I made it to the Pizza House fifteen minutes later. I saw Sadie's car there already and I went inside. I looked around and saw the two already sitting down with pizza in front of them.

"Great, we don't have to wait." They frowned at me, but I ignored it. "Ugh, I'm so hungry. I could eat a whale." Reid shook his head at me. I went in for a slice and so did they.

"So, I saw the All Stars 3 episode that I missed last week. That was crazy."

"Yes, the gag of the season. But I respect Dela's decision. I just think it's gonna be hard for the winner to be really respected as the winner. I hope it isn't too bad for them."

"I agree. I was so crushed to see her go!" I shrugged, I was too, but I was over it now.

"Hey Dakota... are you and Oliver back together?" Reid asked me slowly. I nodded, raising my eyebrow.

"Yeah..."

"Well... take a look at this." He showed me a picture of Oliver and some girl, holding the stuff we found today. I knew it wasn't his mom, because I met her personally before.

I frowned, looking down at my pizza. I sighed and shrugged, trying not to feel bad about it, but I did. He tricked me. He told me it was for his mother, I was under the impression that he wasn't dating anyone.

"Are you okay?" Sadie asked, worriedly.

"I'll be fine." I said, smiling as best as I could. Reid shook his head and sighed. I know, he probably thought I was stupid.

"He's stupid Dakota. Don't let him upset you, okay? Just... give yourself some time. Don't trust him anymore." Reid told me. I nodded and he smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile back and my heart sped up. No... heart, don't do this to me. Not with him.

My eyes widened and I shook my head.

"Guys! I just realized, I left the water running in my kitchen–"

"Dakota, you don't even go in your kitchen, you can't cook–" Sadie started.

"I'm so sorry. I'm gonna take some of this pizza and get outta here before I flood my house." I gave them a fake laugh and stood, taking the pan of pizza. I kissed Sadie's cheek and scrambled out of the parlor.

I sat in my car and backed out.

I have a fucking crush, on my best friend's boyfriend. Fuck, this is crazy. Why me?

I went home and sat on my bed, thinking for a while.

"I can't like him. That's just crazy. Sadie's such a good best friend, how could I even thinking about liking him?" I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "It's okay, I'll get over him. Yeah, I will." I nodded to myself. "I'm a great best friend." 

~

I hadn't talked to Sadie in a few days... well, really had a conversation with her. We texted sometimes, but that's it. I think I was over Reid now, thankfully. Well, I had no choice but to be over him.

Tonight was the night of the lake gathering.

So, of course, I dressed to be the best. My bruise on my face was starting to leave and I was insanely happy about that.

When I got to the lake, mostly everyone was there. I walked over to Reid and Sadie. I saw them kissing and I groaned.

"Totally not over it." I rolled my eyes but sat beside them.

"Hey guys." I told them. Sadie pulled back from him and hugged me tightly.

"Dakota! I missed you. How've you been since the Oliver thing?" Reid shook his head, but looked at me hopefully.

"Uhh... I'm doing well." She nodded and rubbed my back. I guess she thought that's why I haven't called her. Sure, I'd take it.

"I'm going to go get a drink, okay?" Sadie said.

"Yeah, bring me one." I told her. She walked away and Reid stared at me. I figited under his stare, starting to appreciate how attractive he really was. His eyes were beautiful, the stormy orbs, and I looked at them as he stared.

"Are you sure you're fine?" I nodded, rubbing my arms shyly. "There's the son of a bitch now." Reid muttered. I turned around to see Oliver with his girlfriend. He looked at me, staring for a while before looking away. He had a black eye, which was surprising to me.

"Wonder who beat his ass." I muttered.

"Me." He said, shaking his head. I raised my eyebrow.

"Why? Aren't you two friends?"

"Yeah. But, he was an ass for what he did to you. You were just hurt the night before. He should've had some sympathy or at least told you about it." My mouth opened to say something but Sadie came back.

"I just realized you're driving home. So, I only brought you a coke." I rolled my eyes.

"You suck." I muttered, opening it. But not before I stared at Reid to see him staring at the water longingly.

I sighed, taking a long sip of coke.

My feelings for him just grew more. No one's ever done this for me.

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