"You're ridiculous," he deadpans.

"No, you're just cold and heartless and I have no idea why we're even friends," I grit out.

"Because if it weren't for me, you'd be a bitter, lonely, emo punk that has no friends. Instead, you have me."

"Look where that's gotten me," I laugh.

"h.e.l.l yeah, it's gotten you front and center in the local gossip, stripped of any good reputation, and of course the object of everyone's jealousy."

"And we're friends why?" I ask with a smirk, even though he can't see it.

"Wipe that smug grin off your face," he says, making me laugh.

"I'm fine-I promise. New Year's always makes me sentimental. Haden is coming by after his mom goes to work and we'll meet you out there at the quarry."

"Sounds good. And Lai?"

"Yeah?"

"The changes suck, but it's gotta happen."

"Yeah-yeah," I mutter. "Love you."

"You, too," he answers.

There is a faint knock on my door and I figure it's Mom, so I tell her to come in. She walks into the room with a wistful smile on her face-she's been doing that a lot lately.

"What time are you meeting everyone?"

"Ms. Searle has to work tonight, but she wanted Haden to stay with her until she does-so he'll come by around ten. Do you and Dad have any plans?"

"I think we're going to take Luka to the Camerons' party. Want to come with us for a bit?" she asks.

"No thanks, but if you have a second, I wanted to talk to you about Andie-if that's okay."

She walks over and sits at the edge of my bed and picks at a spot on my comforter. "Of course." She reaches out and pushes my hair behind my ear. She purses her lips and tries to appear nonchalant, but I can tell my request makes her nervous as she fidgets.

"I'm going on that road trip with the guys this summer, and we decided that we're all going to pick someplace to go along the way."

"That sounds like fun," she says with a sad smile.

"I think we're all pretty excited about it, but I'm sad at the same time. I was just telling Joey that I hate the idea of all of us moving and losing touch."

"You kids have been through so much. I really don't see that happening." She smiles and gives me hope that she's right.

"Well, you know, since I found out about-well, everything-I've been thinking a lot about Andie. I have so many questions, and now this crazy urge to put it behind me before I go off to school. So I was thinking that I might try to find her-Andie. What do you think?"

She closes her eyes, and when she opens them I see the beginnings of tears and I feel like the biggest jerk.

"I think you should do whatever it is you need to. And your dad and I will support and help in any way we can."

"Mom," I grab her hand and squeeze it, "you are my mom. There's nothing she could ever say or do to change that."

She laughs lightly and winks. "Trust me, I have the wrinkles and gray hair to go with all the sleepless nights and worry from being your mom. I earned these suckers."

"I'm serious."

"I know, sweetie."

"She may not want to see me, or she might not even like me. There's a chance I won't be able to find her, but I have to try. If I don't, I'll always wonder."

"Laila, you don't have to explain anything to me-you searching for her doesn't offend or scare me-I'm your mom and I always will be. But you have questions and she's the only one who can answer them for you."

"Laila," Dad yells from downstairs. "Company."

Mom rolls her eyes-Dad yelling is one of her pet peeves, mainly because he does it to annoy her.

"Send her up," Mom yells back, and I laugh.

She lifts her hand to open the door but it swings open and she's face to face with my newest friend, Ree.

"You sure it's okay if I come tonight?" Ree asks, looking past my mom.

"Ree, this is my mom, Julie."

Her cheeks flush and she extends her hand. "Sorry, I'm really nervous."

"It's fine." Mom smiles. "Laila told me you moved out here with your dad. How do you like it so far?"

She grins at my mom. "The guys are really cute."

"That's what I hear," Mom agrees before excusing herself from the room.

Ree's dad had to work and I'm not sure about her mom, so I invited her to come to the quarry with us. I know she's interested in Braxton, but clearly that's never going to happen.

"There's something I need to tell you."

"What's that?" She looks alarmed.

"I was thinking that I would set you up with Cole. He was in the cafeteria that day you stopped me from making a fool of myself and he'll be there tonight-I think you might really like him."

"Oh, okay," she sighs. "So Braxton wasn't interested."

"It's not you," I start.

"It's him," she finishes with a shrug. "Always is."

"No, it really is you. I mean, not you, but you."

"Wow, you really have a way with words, don't you?" she scoffs.

"What I mean is, Braxton is gay."

"Serious?" She drops herself into my desk chair and gawks at me. "d.a.m.n, that sucks. For me."

"Yeah, but Cole is cute-really cute. Obnoxious, but cute."

"Don't ever be a salesperson-you're not good at it. But I can do obnoxious," she almost gloats.

"Great, because he's going to be here in twenty minutes to get you."

"Aren't you coming with?"

"It's not my date. I'm not a chaperone," I protest jokingly. "Haden's coming by for me later, so y'all go ahead and I'll see you in a bit."

"Does Cole know that I was interested in Braxton?"

"Nope. Didn't say a word. He saw you that day in the cafeteria and heard that we had a cla.s.s together. He asked about you, but since you were talking about Brax, I downplayed it, but now-game on."

She laughs but sobers before asking, "Does Braxton know?"

I give her a wink. "He'll never say a word."

"Hurry up." I yank on Haden's hand, causing him to laugh. "And stop making fun of me. I want to meet Scot."

Braxton said that he would think about bringing his boyfriend out to the quarry for our annual New Year's Eve get-together, but made no promises. However, I talked to him earlier today and he said that Scot really wants to meet us, so they're supposed to show up around ten.

Haden tugs at my hand and pulls me to him in the middle of the path that leads to the quarry.

"I love you, Laila Jude," he says before bringing his lips to mine.

I feel the kiss all the way to my toes and find it hard to remain standing.

"This has been the best year of my life, and it's because of you. If I don't get to tell you later, thank you for being the best part of next year."

I wrap my arms around his neck and practically swoon before I return his kiss. It still baffles me how I was so blind about his feelings for me. He is the most attentive and caring guy, yet I never thought he saw me as anything more than one of the guys. I see it in the way he looks at me now-and it's the way he always did, I was just too stupid to see it.

"I love you, too. Every sweet and sappy thing that comes out of your mouth makes me love you more. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared."

"Scared? Of what?"

"What's going on with us is the highlight of my year, too-no doubt. But the year is ending and you'll be moving away for school and so will I. Do you really think we can make it work?"

"You're not breaking up with me yet, are you?" he laughs, kissing me again. "Because if you are, then I need to find someone else who's less baggage. Maybe someone with no ambition, someone who will do and think anything I want her to-that way, it'll be a lot easier to leave when the summer is over."

"Yeah, you'd hate that." I scrunch my nose at him, though I doubt he can see much in the darkness.

"You're right, because you are the one that I want. So be with me, here and now. We'll worry about everything else later."

"If that line really works on her, you're gonna have to teach me your ways, master," Joey says from behind us, holding Bailey's hand.

"Bite me," I snap at Joey as he pa.s.ses by. "Hey, Bailey, why are you with this guy? You could do so much better."

"What can I say, he wore me down," she says in monotone, causing me to laugh.

I push at Joey's shoulder and we follow them through to the clearing where Cole and Ree are talking with Braxton. No Scot?

"d.a.m.n," I mutter to myself, but of course Haden hears.

"Maybe he's coming later," he reasons.

I let go of Haden's hand and walk over to say h.e.l.lo to everyone else. We all brought chairs, and I sent Cole out with a cooler of drinks and snack foods. None of us want to be going back and forth all night long.

"Nice fire," I say, looking at the small fire pit near Braxton. "Whose handiwork is this?"

"That would be mine," a voice calls out from behind us. Braxton grins and nods once at me, answering my unasked question.

"You must be Scot." I walk over to introduce myself. "It's nice to meet you."

"And you must be the Laila I've heard about." He looks at my hand and smirks before pushing it aside to hug me. "Glad to finally meet you."

"So then you've already met Cole and Ree?"

He nods and Braxton walks over to stand next to him.

"This is Haden," Braxton motions, "and this is Joey and his girlfriend Bailey."

Everyone stands around and gets to know Scot, who we learn is finishing up his first year of college and he's planning to study graphic design. He's originally from Ohio, but moved to Texas his senior year of high school to live with his mom. He doesn't seem to want to talk about that too much, so we finally settle into light conversation about everyday things.

"Did you write your essay yet?" Joey asks me, throwing me to the center of attention.

"Not yet," I admit.

He gives me the look that says he gets why based on our conversation, but I choose to ignore it.

"I have the applications filled out, but no essay. What about you?"

He c.o.c.ks his head to the side. "Really? How long have you known me? Of course it's done-all I have to do is mail them out."

Everyone nods in agreement-even Haden-and I feel like the idiot of the bunch.

"Really? All of you are ready?"

"Most deadlines have already pa.s.sed, depending on where you go, you might have another week or two," Cole pipes up. "I have three filled out and ready to send on Monday."

"Of course you have," I mutter as anxiety rolls through me. "I can't believe I've waited so long."