I never thought speaking about those disgusting things called feelings would make me feel better. I'd bottled everything up so much that I didn't realize how much of it was consuming and sucking the life out of me. After telling Mitchell about my mom's passing, I felt a lot lighter, it felt as if a weight was lifted from my chest.

The pain was still there, and I wasn't completely back to myself, but I felt like I was finally improving. There were times I would get sad and cry alone, but I had come to terms that it was normal, and it was going to take time to heal.

Mitchell was a great support and friend, now that there were no secrets between us, he understood me better and gave me space when I needed it. He didn't insist but he felt that I should've told Faith because if anyone was concerned about me, it was her. I agreed and a few days after coming clean to him, I told Faith everything.

For as long as I knew Faith, she was the most caring person I knew, and she proved it once more when she didn't say anything but just hugged me and cried. She even stayed over for a weekend just so we could have time together, Owen missed her, but it was his idea that Faith stay for a few days. Owen was great too, so much that I found myself feeling grateful for having such an amazing group of friends – Wang included. He used humor to make me feel better and made me laugh all the time, I was starting to feel smothered, but I appreciated them.

I finally stopped giving Leo the cold shoulder and started speaking to him again, he missed me terribly as I did him. We spoke every day and he promised to make time out of his busy schedule to see me at least once a week. The girl he saw only lasted two dates, he said she was moving too fast and it overwhelmed him – I would be too if someone told me they loved me on the second date.

Mitchell and Leo still didn't like each other but Mitchell was a little less hostile to him, at least whenever he greeted Leo it wasn't as forced as before.

"So is Mitch still looking for a new place?" My thoughts were put to a halt by Faith.

We were seated on the couch sipping on hot chocolate and I accompanied mine with Oreo's, Faith thought it was a weird combination but when I dunked the Oreo in, it tasted like pudding to me.

"I have no idea," I answered honestly with a shrug, "He hasn't mentioned anything, has he said anything to you or Owen?"

Faith took a sip of her warm drink and shook her head, "Nope, but I don't think he intends on moving out," Her eyes fell to the wall behind me, "He seems very much at home."

I looked over my shoulder and she was looking at the frame I got Mitchell for his birthday. I could see where she was going with this, putting up a picture – or in this case, a ton of little pictures – of us was kind of a big deal.

"It was a birthday gift from me," I clarified, "Do not overthink it."

Faith put up a hand defensively, "I'm not but if Jimmy sees it... well he would respond in a very colorful way."

"I don't doubt that," I sighed before taking a sip of my drink, "Which is why Wang hasn't been over since that frame went up."

"I think it's super cute," Faith commented, looking at the picture once more, "I mean apart from the fact that Mitch looks like he hates his existence in about eighty percent of the pictures, you two looked to have had a great time."

That got me laughing because Faith didn't know how right she was, I lost count of the times Mitchell said he hated his life or wished someone would kill him on our trip.

"Oh, you have no idea," I laughed.

"And now he's willingly living with you," Faith added, "And it seems he's enjoying it too."

My laughter died down and my eyes fell to the balcony where Owen and Mitchell stood, seemingly engrossed in a conversation that got both smiling and laughing. Owen and Faith stopped by to say hi, but I knew Faith wanted to check in on me, I appreciated it, but I also convinced her that I was fine.

"Don't tell him I said this," I said with my gaze on him before looking Faith's way, "But I'm glad he's here."

"Oh really?" Faith drawled.

I rolled my eyes, "I mean it beats the silence and he's been a really good friend, he makes me smile and laugh a lot and when he knows I'm upset, he doesn't say anything but just puts an arm around me and doesn't let go until I ask him to."

Faith's eyes resembled a puppy, wide and round, "Aww, I had no idea he could be so sweet."

"Or that you could be comfortable with someone in your personal space," she teased as an afterthought.

'Mitchell has been an exception to that rule since summer.'

"Well," I hesitated, "You see...I mean..."

Faith laughed, "Relax, I'm just messing with you. I was a little doubtful with you and Mitchell because of the Liza situation, but I can see he's good for you and he cares a lot about you too."

I frowned, "You do know that we are just friends, right? Him being here for me is what a good friend does, like you would."

Faith nodded and casually took a sip of her hot chocolate, "Of course."

I gave her a look, "Fay."

"I agreed with you, didn't I?" She casually retorted.

"Good," I mumbled before dunking an Oreo in the hot chocolate.

After a bit of unimportant chatter between Faith and I, Mitchell and Owen were back inside, and both looked like icicles. After all this time staying in Boston, they still weren't used to the cold, whiles New York wasn't quite as cold as Boston, I could still manage the winter.

Owen placed a hand on Faith's shoulder, "You ready to go, babe?"

"So soon?" It didn't take me a second to respond before Faith could answer.

Faith looked at me sheepishly, "I mean if you want me to stay longer, I will gladly do so."

I was about to tell her I did want her to stay longer but the slight look of disappointment on Owen's face stopped me – Faith had been spending all her free time with me in the last two weeks and he didn't complain once.

I shook my head, "No, I'll pass my time torturing the pussy monster."

"The what now?" Owen questioned with curious, wide eyes.

I glanced at Mitchell and by the way he was looking at me, I could tell he was thinking of at least five ways he wanted to kill me. He glared at me and shook his head before looking Owen's way.

"Why are you still surprised by what she calls me?" Mitchell asked in a bored tone.

"Wait," Faith interjected, "Like the song?"

Mitchell nodded. "Thankfully, someone has common sense in this room." He said in his prudish tone, "Just like the song, she heard it once in my car and now she thinks it's cute calling me that."

"What kind of music do you listen to?" Owen drawled.

"Clearly the same crap Mitch listens to," I answered on behalf of Faith.

"Oh yeah because singing about watermelons and juice is so great," Faith rolled her eyes.

"Or G-Wagons," Mitchell added.

Owen and I exchanged looks before I said, "First of all one does not simply bitch the genius behind those songs," I very sassily said before looking Mitchell's way, "And secondly, Mitch, you were blasting the song you're bitching about two weeks ago."

Before Mitchell or Faith could respond Owen put up his hand for a high five, "Preach Mils!"

I didn't leave him hanging and gave him the high-five before saying, "Clearly we have some uncultured idiots among us."

Mitchell rolled his eyes and placed his hands in his pockets but living with him for months now, I could see through his façade, he was amused with this conversation.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, don't say it, 'cause I know I'm cute," Owen sang under his breath and I grinned because I had the same song in my head now – thanks to Faith.

"Louis down to my drawers, LV all on my shoes," With a smile I sang the next line of the song.

Owen's face lit up and he looked excited, "I be dripping so much sauce. gotta been looking like ragù," Owen sang the next verse.

It had been ages since I sang, and it felt... good. I wore a genuine smile and my heart felt lighter, I never thought Owen would be the one who would get me to sing after such a long time – heck I didn't even know Owen and I had the same taste in music.

"Ooh," Owen excitedly said, "This is my favorite line from that song," He cleared his throat and sang, "I was born like this, don't even gotta try, I'm like Chardonnay, get better over time."

"Mine's better," I smugly said before singing my favorite part of the song, "No, I'm not a snack at all, look, baby, I'm the whole damn meal,"

Owen grinned and put up his hands in defeat, "Alright, I agree, that is a sick line."

"It ain't my fault that I'm out here getting loose," I moved my shoulders with a small dance as I sang.

"Gotta blame it on the Goose, gotta blame it on my juice," Owen sang after me.

"You sound like a dying goose," Mitchell bitterly said to Owen.

"Yeah," Faith drawled, "I love you, but singing isn't for everyone."

"You guys are just jealous that Owen and I were having fun while forgetting you two were still here," I smugly retorted, and once again Owen was about to high-five me, but the glare Faith sent him made him retract his hand and grin sheepishly at her.

"I knew you were here," He muttered.

"Mila is my best friend," Faith scooted closer to me and glanced at Mitchell and Owen when she added, "Go sing with yours."

"No can do," Mitchell said, "Mila's my singing buddy."

I found the little interaction cute and funny; I couldn't help but laugh. It felt so good to be around people who did everything they could to make me smile and laugh.

"I agree, Mila is your best friend," Owen said to Faith before adding to Mitchell, "And Mitch, screw you, Mila can sing with whoever she wants."

"Don't you have an anniversary dinner to go to?" Mitchell said to Owen.

That was news to me, I looked between Owen and Faith before asking, "Anniversary?"

Faith nodded, "Today is mine and Owen's anniversary, he planned something special so that's why we're leaving so soon."

Faith sounded apologetic for leaving to celebrate their anniversary, she was too sweet for words – she was willing to cancel a special date just for my sake.

"Yeah," Owen gazed at Faith, "I met the love of my life exactly a year ago today."

"And," He averted his gaze to me, "I have you to thank for that, if you didn't insist on Faith attending that Frat party, I would've never met her."

That frat party meaning the very same one I not only met Mitchell and almost slept with him, but it was also the one where I threw up in his mouth. Which meant it marked exactly a year since I met Mitchell, I wondered if he knew that too.

I looked Mitchell's way and he wore no expression, but his eyes were on me which gave me the impression he was thinking the same as me – he knew it was our barf-aversary too. Suddenly the air in the room was a little awkward and I looked away from Mitchell, even after a year, I could never bring up that mortifying night.

"I guess it's been a year since we met too, Mils," Owen added as an afterthought, placing a hand on my shoulder, "And if you and Mitch met that night, it would've been your anniversary too."

My eyes looked down and then slowly to Mitchell who was looking anywhere except at me, if only Owen knew that Mitchell and I did a lot more than just meet that day.

Mitchell cleared his throat and looked at Owen in annoyance, "Aren't you getting late for your dinner?"

Owen gave Mitchell an incredulous look but shook his head and plastered on a small grin, he removed his hand from my shoulder and took a step closer to Mitchell, "Oh yeah, I almost forgot," Owen mused and then looked mine and Faith's way, "Mitchell likes to pretend he never attended that party, he said it was the worst night of his life."

Worst? I mean yeah it was bad and disgusting but he must've had a worse night than that, other than the way it ended we got along fine, and I had a nice time. But then again that night didn't exactly go the way he imagined, so yeah, I could see why he wanted to erase it.

Owen was making it very awkward and Mitchell tried his best not to let his irritation show but the look he was giving Owen, made it pretty obvious how he felt. I felt the same, although I was a lot more embarrassed than angry, Owen was clueless about that night so I couldn't blame him, the poor guy was just happy he met Faith. 

I looked at Faith for help because she knew how Mitchell and I must've felt, she assured me with her eyes she'll handle it, but I could see the hint of disgust mixed with threatening laughter in her demeanor.

"We're getting late," Faith announced as she stood up.

"Yeah," Owen agreed and took Faith's hand in his, "Don't want to miss a second of our special evening."

The way Owen looked at Faith was heartwarming and a little weird, he held so much affection in his eyes but there was excitement too which proved they had a lot more than just dinner planned for the night.

Faith giggled at his words which only confirmed my doubts, I stood up after Faith and grinned at her knowingly which made her blush.

"Be safe kids," I drawled, "Or you'd be having one of your own."

"Thank God I don't live with you guys anymore," Mitchell mumbled under his breath.

After bidding farewell to Faith and Owen, Mitchell and I were back on the couch. Mitchell was busy with something on his phone while I surfed for something good to watch on television – I had tons of work to do but I was procrastinating as usual.

There was a bit of awkwardness between us and it was because of the topic Owen brought up and I knew Mitchell felt weird about it too. It had been a whole year since I first met Mitchell, I was pretty drunk when I spotted him and I recalled at that moment he was the best-looking guy I ever laid eyes on, thinking about my thoughts from that night was embarrassing and making me want to fall into a pit and hide.

But I couldn't deny that a part of me wouldn't take back that night – I would go about it differently – but I was glad I met him. Being around him for the last few months was good for me, sure he had a way of getting under my skin like no one else, but he was certainly one of the most caring and genuine people in my life. With him I could be myself and be vulnerable, opening up to him didn't feel like a chore, it came so naturally, and he never held any judgment when I shared my grief, he didn't even offer any words of comfort, he simply just sat there and held me until I felt okay again.

Mitchell certainly became one of my best friends and I held him dear, I hated feelings and emotions, but I couldn't deny that he was an important person in my life. I couldn't imagine how life would be if he wasn't in it, I cared a lot for him and I enjoyed his company and presence.

My thoughts were interrupted when I received a text, I reached for my phone from the coffee table in front. I stared at the notification for a long moment, it was a text from Leo.

Leo: Hey Chubbles, just checking in to see if you've given coming home with me for Thanksgiving a thought.

Thanksgiving was in a week and it was the first time I didn't have my grandparents around, I always spent it with them even when my mom forgot who I was, we still made the best of it. However, this year was different, I wasn't in the mood to celebrate but Leo and his parents offered for me to join them. As much as I appreciated their offer, I was skeptical because I wasn't ready to go to Leo's parents' place and look next door to see my grandparents weren't there anymore. I was trying to heal so I was doing my best to move forward and not think of things that would only hold me back.

Mila: Still not so sure... Can I get back to you in a day or two?

Leo: Of course.

I was in the middle of replying to Leo's text, but Mitchell's voice stopped me.

"What say?"

"Huh?" I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear what he was saying.

His eyes were on me and I tried to recall what he must've asked or said but I didn't hear his voice let alone words.

"I was saying," he began casually, "I was hoping you could satisfy a craving of mine."

"Sure..." I trailed off when I registered what he said, I dropped my phone on my lap and raised a brow, "Um, what?"

He sighed, "I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't desperate, I don't know why but I've been craving it for weeks now."

I wasn't one hundred percent sure what he meant but my filthy mind was interpreting his words in a very dirty way.

"O-okay?" I drawled, unsure what to say because I could've been misreading his words and end up making a fool of myself.

"It's been a long time since I had any," He said, "Just thinking about how sweet, soft and moist it is has me drooling."

My mouth dropped open a few inches and I was doing my best to not let my eyes be legible. Was he thinking about my...? I couldn't even finish that thought. I messed around with him a lot, but he has never directly asked for it before, I would've preferred if he flirted as he used to – this just made me awkward and nervous for some reason.

I opened my mouth to reply but he groaned under his breath which resulted in my eyes widening.

"Just thinking about it is driving my tastebuds crazy," He said more to himself.

"Oh," I muttered, a little perplexed.

He scooted closer and looked into my eyes, "Will you help me?"

I hesitated, "I mean, I'm not sure if I will be much help?" I more like asked.

"Trust me you will," He said confidently, "I need your help because I am terrible at it, I just make a big mess more than achieving results."

"Wow," I whispered under my breath, "It's big of you to admit that."

"I know right?" Mitchell said, "You'd think a big guy like me would be able to do a simple task like this."

'Uh...'

"Why are you asking me?" I blurted.

"Because I know you're good at it," He answered as if I asked him a stupid question.

I had no idea how he assumed that, but he caught me off guard, especially at how casual he was which meant either he was way too comfortable with me or I was reading him wrong and he was implying something completely different from what I was thinking.

"Um," I began, "How do you know this?"

He gave me a look which asked if I was seriously asking him that, "I live with you," He pointed out, "I've seen you when you're busy."

"What?" I choked, "That's impossible."

And it was because I barely had time to breathe let alone do what he was implying.

He sighed, "Are you going to help me or not?"

I pursed my lips and gave it a thought for a moment, "What's in it for me?"

"You're asking such stupid questions today," He rolled his eyes before adding, "You'll enjoy it – possibly more than me."

I wasn't too sure about that, especially after he admitted how bad he was, and he just ended up making a mess before completing the task – I assumed that was his way of warning me he couldn't hold it in very long.

"I don't know, Mitch," I drawled.

It was fun when we were teasing each other but now, this seemed too serious. Besides, we were at a good place, one little act to satisfy his