Jax, Hunter, Amanda and I all sat in the kitchen as we waited for Jax's mom to finish making dinner.

I've always loved eating at Jax's because his mom made the best food. It was the closest thing to home cooked food Hunter and I got.

Dad rarely cooked since he was always working so we mainly ordered take out.

"Mom, is it almost done?" Amanda asks. This was the fourth time within ten minutes she asks about the food.

"Amanda, for the hundredth time, almost honey." Ms. Ashford says.

"I'm hungry." Amanda groans.

"Stop whining." Jax says.

He gets up from the stool and goes to the fridge. He takes out two cans of soda and puts them on the table. He slides them to Amanda and Hunter and goes back for another two.

"Shut up." Amanda fired back.

Jax hands me the can of soda, our hands gliding against each other.

"Thanks." I mutter.

"So, how's your dad?" Ms. Ashford asks, looking at Hunter and I as she stirred the pot on the stove.

I shrug. "He's okay, buried in work like usual."

She looks at me, pressing her lips together. "And how's school?"

"Good, I know we just started but I already need a break. I miss the summer." I pout.

"Me too." Amanda jumps in.

"Be grateful, you're only in middle school." I tell her.

"It's so stressful." She sighs.

"Trust me, you think middle school is bad wait till high school." I say.

"Amanda, go set the table please." Ms. Ashford tells her.

With a groan Amanda gets up from the stool and grabs plates from the cupboard. She exits the kitchen and goes to the living room with them.

"Jax after dinner homework, please." Jax's mom gives him a stern look.

"Awe, heard that Jax no video games." Hunter teases him earning a smack to the head from Jax.

I put my head down and try hiding a smile.

I see Ms. Ashford turn off the stove off and start cleaning the mess she made. I quickly get off the stool and head to her side, helping with the mess.

"Oh, thank you darling. It's okay, I got it." She says.

"No worries, it's not a problem." I say, continuing to help.

"I don't have homework." Jax says. He gets off the stool with his empty can in hand and throws it in the garbage. Leaning against the fridge, he looks over at me.

"Uhm, did you forget our project?" I ask.

"What project?" Hunter questions.

"A spanish project," I begin to explain. "It's Jax's fault we're doing this together."

Hunter furrows his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"He basically forc-"

"Our teacher paired us together. We asked to be separated but he wouldn't." Jax cuts me off.

I stop wiping the counter and turn to face Jax, avoided the confused look Hunter was giving us.

"Why would you wanna separate?" Jax's mom asks.

"No reason," I follow along. "We just know Jax wouldn't do any of the work."

"Yeah, right." Jax huffs.

I finish cleaning the table and leave the kitchen without a second thought.

Amanda is sitting at the table with her phone in hand, typing away.

I sit down across from her and watch as Hunter, Jax and his mom walk in, their hands filled with food.

"Do you need help?" I offer, standing up.

"No, no sit we got it." Ms. Ashford insists.

I sit back down and watch as she serves each one of us with the help of Hunter. Jax takes a seat next to me, earning a glare from Hunter.

Brushing it off, Jax immediately starts to eat. Amanda follows along and Hunter sits down with Ms. Ashford.

"It's delicious, mom."Amanda moans.

"Yeah, Ms.Ashford, it's amazing." I agree.

"Thank you, girls." She grins. "And Emma how many time do I have to tell you, call me Cathy. I feel so old when you call me by my last name."

"Okay, sorry Ms. A- Cathy." I correct myself.

-

When we finish eating, Amanda and Hunter help Cathy clean up while Jax and I sit in the living room trying to work on our project. By trying I meant I was doing all the work.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" I ask. I put down my pencil and watch as Jax's body suddenly becomes tense.

Ever since Jax lied to Hunter earlier about the project I couldn't shake it off. I had a feeling there was more to the story.

He shuts his phone off and places it on his lap.

"You technically just did." He jokes.

"Hush," I roll my eyes. "Serious, it's important."

He nods, giving me the okay to continue.

"Why didn't you tell Hunter it was your idea to do the project?" I ask. "Why'd you lie?"

He lets a breath out. "I don't know."

He bites his lip and looks away from me. Grabbing his phone, he pretends to scroll through it. I knew he was lying. He gets nervous and avoids eye contact every time he lies or tries hiding something.

"You're lying." I say.

"No, I'm not." He protests.

"Yes, you are." I fix myself on the couch and move my notebook to the coffee table. "You're doing that lip thing. That's how I know you're lying."

He scoffs. "You're crazy."

"Why can't Hunter know it was your idea?" I ask again.

"Why are you reading so much into it?" Jax becomes frustrated.

  "Fine, have it your way. I'll just go ask Hunter myself. I'm sure he'll tell me once he finds out you forced me to do it." I get up from the couch but before I could walk away Jax grabs my arm and pulls me back down.

He gets close to my face, not taking his eyes off mine.

"He knows." Jax whispers.

"Knows what?" I ask.

"Knows about my feelings for you."