-Laura's POV-

I was still on the floor when I heard the heavy front door open and close again. Did he forget something? My heart was beating frantically and I wondered if it was possible for it to burst out of my chest.

Oh, please don't be him. I had seen and felt enough of him today.

"Why are you on the floor?" A feminine softer voice echoed in my ears.

I was tremendously relieved to hear Dania was in my house and not the bringer of torture. She had a hand relaxed on her curvy hip and her dark brown eyes were laughing at me profusely. She could already tell I had an interesting story to go with my current situation.

"I was washing the floors."

"Haha, yeah right. We both know you're no Cinderella." She grew suspicious but propped herself on one of the high chairs and dug into the fruit basket. "So I just saw Chris leaving."

Oh no. She couldn't possibly guess what really happened between the two of us.

"He was dropping of his cousins."

My nostrils were picking up on a sweet sugary aroma. Oh my gosh; the cookies! I forgot about the cookies. I turned the oven off and grabbed a towel to pull the tray out. Thankfully I hadn't burnt them. Man that was a close one.

"Did you guys fight again?" She tore into an apple and curiously waited for me to answer.

Did with our lips count? I felt the blood rushing to my cheeks and boil over just thinking about it again.

"Um we were a little more civil with the girls around."

"It's interesting. What did you even do to him?"

Me? I did nothing; except perhaps exist in his perfect little world. This was not my fault.

She continued to get on my nervous boasting about him. "He's really not that bad of a person. I've never seen him so nasty like the way he was last night with you."

"I didn't do anything to his precious royal pain in the butt. I swore." I began to aggressively pick at the cookies, placing them on another plate to cool. Why was it just me he was treating like this?

"I don't know what it is but if he tries that again and hurts you, I'm going to have a serious talk with him."

"Maybe an ass whipping would do him some good." I would probably pay to see it.

"I might have to hire someone for that but it can be arranged."

I smiled. I had some really incredible friends that I knew would do anything for me.

"There's also plenty of girls I could think of who would be happy to punish him with a whipping."

I pursed my lips knowing very well she was right. Dania and I made our way to the couch overlooking the backyard where the girls were playing. It was nice to finally relax and maybe have the opportunity to forget Chris for a while.

"So are you going to go with us tomorrow?" Dania asked breaking the silence.

I took a sip of the coffee I placed on the side table earlier that morning. It was semi cold but not too bad. "What's happening tomorrow?"

"The camping trip, remember?"

Obviously I didn't. How was I supposed to remember anything with Chris' random make out attacks? I could barely keep my head on straight.

"The trip the Compton's invited us to." I specified.

She nodded grinning like a child. Someone was excited. Clark and Aaron invited me a few days ago. They were planning on taking a few friends on a road trip through the woods and then camp out in the middle of nowhere. I wasn't much of a camper considering the last time I saw a bear literally ten feet away from me. I was scared shitless. But bears weren't my problem this time. It was Chris. I knew he was going to come along so that seriously ruined my chances of going. I didn't want to be anywhere near him.

"I don't think I'm going."

Her mouth dropped. "Are you kidding me Laura? Who am I going to crack jokes with? You have to come."

I shook my head. "I actually don't." I was completely content staying home.

"But Clark really wants you to come and I know for a fact so does Aaron."

"I'll see them when they get back." What was with her? Usually she was always persistent but today felt extra pushy.

"Laura, if this is about Chris I promise he won't try anything. I'll talk to him. Please. Please come."

Aww and then it hit me. A certain someone must be going too. "Is Angelo invited?"

She froze and tried to scowl me but at this point in our long friendship she couldn't hide anything from me.

"Maybe."

I laughed. She has had this crush on Angelo for as long as I could remember. He wasn't a bad guy just really distracted with other things to even notice Dania's continuous attempts at getting his attention.

"Oh Dania, when will you ever learn?"

She threw a couch pillow at my face. She was so lucky I didn't have the cup of coffee in my hands.

"You know that's a really good way of convincing me to go," I fumed.

"Just say you'll go."

I exhaled. I honestly had no choice, did I? "Fine."

For the first time in a long time I was dreading hanging out with my friends. I wanted to go, really I did. When they first told me about the camping trip I was actually looking forward to it. I always have fun with the Comptons but this time would be different. This time Chris was coming along and he has been sucking the fun out of everything for me lately.

I woke up the next morning with someone jumping on my butt. I groaned and tried to push them off but failed miserably.

"I'll give you three seconds to get off me before I throw you across my room."

"Ha," she laughed. "I'd like to see you try."

My mood immediately shifted at the sound of her melodious voice. The culprit finally got off me and I hugged the skinny blonde who had disturbed my sleep.

"Demi, what are you doing here? I thought you were in Florida till Tuesday."

Her gorgeous smile lit up. "We came back early."

"You're going on this trip with us?"

She nodded making her ponytail bounce. "Yup."

Now I was somewhat glad I decided to go. Demi was like my partner in crime. We always had fun and 99% of the time we caused some kind of mischief to entertain ourselves. This was a guarantee I was going to have a good time. I had my culprit with me.

"Come on. Get your lazy bum out of bed. We're all waiting for you."

I yawned, rubbing my eyes. "Whose bright idea was it anyway to wake up so early? I don't even see the sun out yet."

"Probably Michael's. It's like an eight hour drive; we have to leave early."

I slumped out of bed and started scrambling for something clean to wear. My room was a war zone covered in clothes. Yes I was a slob but to my defense I was constantly busy with work. I was hardly home to clean and then I also had the girls over last night.

"At least you're not driving." She said folding her arms behind her head, relaxing on top of my bed.

Demi was so used to my nasty room but I doubt hers was any better.

"Yeah. I'm planning on sleeping the whole way there."

I grabbed my bag full of my survival things for this trip and a pillow off my comfy bed.

We went downstairs and I was hit with the unappreciated welcoming from Ren's cheery self. She was the nagging leech that liked to invite herself to every event. She was constantly gossiping about something or someone. I just hoped we weren't in the same car.

Why was she in my house to begin with?

She smiled at me and I swore it was so wide I thought her cheeks might get stuck. Why was she giving me that funny look? Did she even know she was making that face; that face that anyone would run away from?

"Aren't you going to say anything to me?" Ren clasped her hands together.

"Umm, hi."

She snorted. That was not attractive.

"It's my birthday Laura."

I was so grateful the coffee machine was on a timer. Every member in my family was a coffee addict so coffee was essential in the morning. I poured myself some before giving her a big fake smile. I need this coffee to survive the trip.

"Happy birthday. How old are you? Ten..." She acted even younger.

"Aww, do I really look that young?"

Of course she'd take that as a compliment.

I batted my eyelashes a few times just wondering how anyone could stand her.

"Good morning Laura." Tommy waltzed into the kitchen wearing swim trunks and a black tank. You'd think he was ready for the beach. Tommy stole my cup from my very hands and drank the rest of my life source.

I smacked the back of his head. "Bad Thomas."

He scowled me for a few seconds. He hated when I called him that but he shouldn't have drank my precious liquid gold.

"Call me that one more time and you're riding in the trunk."

I rolled my eyes. "Punish your parents for your name not me."

"Okay come on guys. Time is wasting." Demi exaggerated as she picked up my bag and carried it outside for me. There were three cars parked in my driveway and people scattered around.

"Mmmm, can I unwrap him for my birthday?"

I turned to the direction Ren was looking and almost gaged. She was talking about Chris.

"Good luck with that. He's a tough one to get a hold of long enough to unwrap." Demi nudged my shoulder.

To every girl he was known for playing hard to get. Girls fell for him all the time. Chris just never showed any interest in them.

The irony made me laugh. He was a tough catch my butt. I couldn't get the guy to stop attacking me with his lips. Sarah immediately waved me over to Michael's Honda Civic. I hope she didn't need anything from me. The sun was barely out; it was too early to function.

"Hey you're going to ride with us."

Michael was in the driver's seat and Sarah was in the passenger's seat and to my unfortunate dismay Chris was in the back.

"Actually I was going to ride with Demi and the others."

Sarah frowned. "But we need to discuss a few more things about the wedding."

This was a nightmare. It was not like I could refuse either. I already signed up to be her MOH. I needed to honor the pact and suck it up. It was times like these it made me wonder why she didn't choose Dania to be her MOH. She sounded better on paper, more reliable and organized.

Sarah then began to pout like she used to do when we were kids to get her way. "Please."

What was left to talk about? I promise we went over every inch of this wedding.

"Fine." Suck it up buttercup.

I took one last glance at Demi getting into Clark's Escalade and frowned. Chris was out of the car when I turned back around. His tall physique totally towered over me. He was holding the door open, waiting for me to get in. That was fishy and completely out of character for him. What was I missing? I bent down and stared at the backseat. The other end of the car had a huge tent occupying the side. So basically we would have to scrunch together.

No, no, no, no, no. This was not what I signed up for. I blamed Dania, who which by the way hitched a ride with Angelo and didn't even secure me a seat.

That traitor.

I took a very long and needed breath before sitting down and sliding over. I moved as close to the tent equipment as possible but it didn't matter. I could still feel and touch Chris' body next to mine.

Dang it.

"So I was thinking we could..." Sarah went on to tell me about her new ideas she wanted to incorporate into the wedding, but I couldn't really focus.

Chris' body warmth and the brush of his leg against mine was driving me crazy. He, on the other hand, was completely at ease and unbothered. His head was slouched back on the seat and his eyes were closed as he was listening to music off his IPhone. The music was loud and rock, which seriously surprised me. I didn't know he listened to rock music and by the sound of it Linkin Park.

Then again I never assumed he liked anything other than himself.

He pursed his lips together and I subconsciously licked mine. God, I could still taste his perfect mouth. What the hell was wrong with me? Why was I thinking about it? As if knowing I was looking at him Chris opened his eyes and turned to me. His green eyes gave nothing away. They were just simply searching. Searching mine but for what? I shook it off and decide to lean my head back and follow in my plan. Sleep was the only solution that sounded bulletproof.

I squinted my eyes open from what felt like a ten hour nap. My head was laying on something soft but not soft like my pillow. It was strange and I swear it was slowly moving. I gradually pulled my head away and almost smack myself for sleeping on Chris' shoulder. He was passed out and didn't even wake as I removed myself from him.

"Hey we're at a gas station. Want me to get you anything?" Sarah whispered from the front seat.

I shook my head. I really needed to get out of the car and not just to stretch. "I need to pee."

She nodded and left without even trying to help my situation. I had the tents on one side and Chris on the other blocking me from escaping. I exhaled my frustration and decided not to care. A normal person would have probably woken him up and asked him to move. Chris ruled out that kind of politeness from me a long time ago. I opened the door and shoved him out. He hit the pavement pretty hard and I tried not to laugh. Chris grunted, giving me the death stare.

"I realize I probably woke you from a horrid blonde bimbo fantasy but that's what you get for picking the window seat."

I quickly maneuvered my way around him before he could grab my foot and drag me down with him. He was slowly getting up and dusting off his pants when I reached the door of the gas station. I had to laugh and give myself a pat on the back for that one. Next time I would have to get it on camera.

I scanned the aisles and tried to find some chocolate covered pretzels. I seriously needed something to boost my mood and chocolate always seemed to do the trick. Finally after five straight minutes I found what I was looking for; they were behind the freakin Doritos. I started walking and ended up bumping into somebody, who I was pretty sure was carrying a drink.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't-" I stopped as soon as I realized who it was. Chris had his head down facing his shirt which was covered in chocolate milk or maybe it was hot coffee. He looked pissed either way.

"I take that back. I'm not sorry." He deserved that and so much more.

His jaw contracted and he started moving forward causing me to take a few steps back till my back hit a wall. Damn, he had me cornered.

"No apology," his hot breath hit my ear and I felt small chills run down my back. His voice was dangerous and yet playful, two scary combinations for him.

"No," I said confidently. I wasn't backing down like a coward.

He tilted his head in so our faces were direct; his lips slowly taunting mine with the small space between them. What was he doing?

"Whatcha gonna do about it?" He wouldn't dare kiss me in public... I don't think.

"What happened to your shirt Chris?" Tommy's voice made Chris instantly pull away.

Man you got to love Tommy for his perfect timing. He saved me.

"His milk was leaking." In my eyes that comment was hysterically funny but of course Chris had to take it to the next level.

"Want to milk me?" He whispered into my ear.

Ugh. What a stupid guy? I used all my strength and shoved his shoulder as I passed. "In your dreams."

"I'm sure they're in yours," Chris replied.

Okay he was going to regret that. I paid for my food and set out to find Ren. She was lying in car and humming to a really bad tune.

"Are you ready for your present?"

She popped up out of her seat and stared at me confused.

"Come on."

She followed me to the Honda where Chris and everyone else were already waiting. I raised my hand to Chris.

"Here it is. Enjoy. Have fun unwrapping." I was positive Chris was scowling me while Ren was thanking me. Over all, it was the best decision I made all day. I swapped seats with her; therefore, I got to be with Demi and the gang. I was liking this arrangement a lot better.

"So finally decided to join the fun car?" Aaron playfully asked.

"Yeah. I was so scrunched in there, I could barely breathe." Maybe it was because of Chris' intoxicating cologne too but I was not going to admit that.

"Well get ready for a whole lot of fun," Clark laughed while cranking up the music. Awe yes this was my kind of people.

I fluffed my pillow and placed it on Tommy's shoulder so I could really relax. He didn't mind.

"Aaron we never did get to finish our conversation," Demi said a little louder to get over the music.

"What were you guys talking about?" I was semi curious and partly groggy. That coffee had no effect on me.

"This girl he likes, but he doesn't want to tell me her name." Demi wasn't a nosy person so for them to spark her interest it had to be good and juicy.

I was guessing it was the same girl we talked about at Clark's birthday party. "The older woman?"

Clark nodded. "That's the one."

I really wanted to know but I knew that when Aaron didn't want people to know, he didn't want people to know. I didn't want to push him.

"Did you tell her how you feel yet?"

Aaron turned to me from the driver's seat. "No."

"Why not?"

He turned his eyes back on the road like he wanted to avoid the question but he answered me anyway. "I haven't found the right time."

I decided to end it there. The rest of the ride was fun and filled with laughing moments. We drove up on a dirt road for like twenty minutes before picking a quiet spot next to a little lake. It was surrounded by a huge forest of trees and wildlife. I had already pointed out three species I had no interest in coming into contact with.

Yet the view was unbelievably gorgeous. Waking up to that was going to be worth all the horrible Chris moments.

We started to unpack the gear and volunteered the guys to set up the tents. Knowing us girls, we'd probably build a tent that would last a few seconds. When the sun started setting we built a campfire. We all sat around and told random stories. In the end I was glad I came.

Dania looked really comfy under that blanket she was sharing with Angelo. Ren had a goofy smile plastered on her face ever since we left the gas station. I guess she truly enjoyed the little present I arranged. Surprisingly Chris hadn't spoken or looked at me for the past three hours. I figured he was only waiting for the perfect moment to strike and pay me back for what I did.

It was pitch black outside of our bonfire because the only light we had was the faint glow of the small crescent moon. It wasn't enough to see anything. The woods were completely black and scary. And of course this would be the time my bladder decided it needed to torture me. I really needed to pee.

Stupid bladder.

"I'm got to go pee. I'll be right back." I told Demi who was sitting right next to me.

"Do you want me to come with you?" In all honesty I did want her to come but decided that a little night was not going to scare me.

"No. I'll be fine. But if I don't come back in ten minutes call a search party."

She nodded. "Copy that."

I got up and ventured into the darkness...alone.

-Chris' POV-

I watched as Laura got up and disappeared into the dark woods. I was kind of surprised she went by herself. I figured most girls traveled