"Listen, all I'm saying is she's a psychotic bitch," Jesse proceeded to point out as he turned down my street to drop me off.

"You are so mean, she is not," I defended Lissa.

"Look I love her like a sister, but that also means I get to call her out on her crazy moments," he replied with a grin, turning the wheel of his jeep into my driveway and underneath the stairs before he parked.

I sat in the silence of his car, nothing but the air conditioner providing a quiet hum in the background as I eyed the stairs that would lead me to my dreaded mother.

Finally, I shrugged with a  sigh. "Okay fine, she's kind of crazy sometimes, but she will always have your back," I pointed out, turning in my seat slightly so I could look at him.

"Okay that I will agree with you on," he nodded.

I was catching him up on the Demi, Lissa, Jake love triangle...or hate triangle. He laughed of course and said he saw it coming because of Lissa's colorful past. We've been arguing about it ever since we left the hospital.

He sniffed slightly and rubbed the back of his head, his hazel eyes avoiding mine. I carefully eyed him, wondering what the weird air between us was.

"Thank you again...for taking me to the hospital and whatnot..." I murmured, picking at the seams of my shorts again.

I felt his eyes land on me and the heat from his stare was almost too much. I couldn't make myself look up so I stared at his infamous jeans instead.

"I would do it over again if I had to," he murmured.

"Well," I started. "I would hope you would take anyone to the hospital if they were in dire need."

With a grin, I slowly met his hazel eyes, biting my lip to stop myself from laughing. He rolled his eyes and playfully shoved my shoulder. I stared at his hand as he pulled away from me and was unable to deny the excitement that just gave me.

"So," I began. "What did Jared mean earlier?"

He glanced up, confused.

"When he said if only I knew?" I questioned further.

His eyes widened, just barely enough to notice, but he quickly recovered. "Oh," he said. "You know Jared, I'm sure he just meant something about our constant fighting."

Watching him, waiting for something else to come of this conversation, I tapped the seat. After a few moments of silence, I gave up, reaching for the door handle to get out.

"Hey Alice," he said urgently. My hand hovered over the handle as I looked back at him.

"Umm," he murmured. Blinking, he licked his lips before his eyes met mine again. He seemed nervous for some reason. It was making me nervous.

"Do you want me to come with you? I mean, I know how you and your Mom are right now and I know you don't feel very good what with everything that has happened, not to mention what happened to your brother and I'm sure your Mom might grill you about your own accident so I just figured I could--" I cut him off.

"J, breathe," I laughed. He looked away sheepishly and ran a hand through his messy hair before glancing back at me.

I smiled. "I'd like that," I said softly. Something in his eyes shifted in that moment, he looked thrilled, like I just agreed to go on a date or something.

He quickly ripped the keys out of the ignition, opened his car door and ran over to my side. He opened the door for me and I stepped out with caution. As he closed it, I crossed my arms and stared at him intently.

"What?" he asked.

"Who are you and what have you done with Jesse?" I questioned, crossing my arms.

He smiled. "Ready for service Baby Dess," he formed his hand in a mock salute.

Rolling my eyes, I laughed. That's more like it.

"Hey," he said with a smirk, making me stop. He took a step closer and quickly pecked my nose.

"Jesse!" I shrieked and shoved him away. Laughing, he came back to my side as we went up the steps. He slung his arm around me just as I was reaching for the door.

He squeezed me and brought me into his side. "Ohhh Baby Dess, what would I do without you?"

I shoved my key into the lock. "Probably find someone else's little sister to annoy," I grumbled.

I wiggled the key a little bit and felt it unlock just in time. Shoving the door open I tried to walk away from him, but he stood in place and pulled me back to him.

I met his teasing eyes as he grinned at me.

"Alice, there is no one else in this world I'd rather annoy, so do me a favor okay?" he asked.

"Yay for me," I frowned and crossed my arms. "What?"

He stepped closer and what happened next will be branded into my brain because it might be the one serious moment between Jesse and I. Not letting me move, he carefully avoided my stitches and kissed my forehead, so tenderly I almost didn't know he did it.

Shocked, I stood there after he pulled away.

"Please don't ever give me a reason to have to annoy someone else," he begged.

My heart was racing, whether it was because of Jesse or because of the shock of this moment, I don't know. Regardless, I knew my cheeks were flaming and I also knew he could see it. His eyes watched me carefully, taking in my reaction. He seemed to be waiting for me to get pissed. Rightfully so, but something in me just wouldn't let that happen. Instead, I stood there awkwardly staring at him, wondering what was happening with us.

Finally, I cleared my throat and looked away.

"We should," I began.

"Go inside," he finished.

Nodding, I slipped out from underneath his warm arm and slipped into my house. While he brought me a comfort and a familiarity into the drama of this household, he was quickly becoming my own new kind of drama and I'm not sure how I felt about it.

.....

After relentlessly promising Mom I was okay, I found myself laying on the couch watching Gossip Girl on Netflix. I was actually very thankful Jesse was there because he helped calm my Mom, which is a surprisingly hard thing to do.

He was passed out in the recliner and has been snoring for the past hour.

I want Serena's hair. It's literally always perfect, ugh.

"Honey, someone is at the door for you," Mom said. I turned around to ask who, but the look on her face clearly meant it was a boy.

Sighing, I sat up to go see who Mom was dreaming up wedding bells about.

Trudging to the front door, I swung it open and was surprised to see none other than the rockstar himself.

"No Name," he smiled. I peered around him to see if anyone else was with him, but he was by himself.

"Sorry, I just wanted to see how you were," he quickly said.

I stared at him carefully, wondering what seemed different. He looked different somehow.

"No you're good," I replied. "You want to come in?" I stepped aside to allow him entry.

He hesitated. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it's just my mom, Jesse and I," I responded.

His eyebrow seemed to twitch a little bit at that. "Ahh," he murmured. "You know, maybe I shouldn't."

"Adam," I said firmly. "It's fine, you can come in."

"Jesse won't like that, I promise," he said with a guilty grin.

Furrowing my eyebrows, I wore my confusion on my face. Placing my hands on my hips, I stared him down.

He finally raised his hands up in surrender.

"Okay, put the daggers away No Name," he laughed and stepped inside my place. "This place looks a lot better when you're not puking." He laughed.

"Shut up," I laughed with him and he followed me to the couch.

Jesse was still fast asleep, in a new position I'm very curious as to how he got into.

"So I spoke with my lawyers," he started.

Lawyers?

"About the tabloids," he answered my internal question. "I truly apologize for that."

Right, completely forgot about that mess. Man, Rae would be dying to hear about this drama.

"It's alright, nothing has changed," I shrugged. "Unless you count the teenage girls at our surf school that basically fainted when they heard."

He chuckled his deep laugh and crossed his arms, drawing my eyes to his very muscular arms.

Ugh, those forearms. Oh my gosh, speaking of arms, did I put deodorant on?

Interrupting my internal panic, he spoke.

"Well, I feel terrible, what they said wasn't very kind or considerate," he said.

"Are they ever?" I replied.

Suddenly, Jesse had an explosive snore that echoed through the room. We both turned to look at his head hanging backwards over the arm of the chair, his mouth hanging wide open.

Adam grinned and we both laughed.

"No," he said finally. "They're not, but I hate that you got caught up in that."

"It takes two," I shrugged. Reaching for the remote, I turned it down a little bit.

"You're too nice," he replied.

"Mmm, doubtful," i murmured as I set the remote back on the coffee table.

"Well, they are going to ensure your picture doesn't pass through anymore media," he said, leaning back into the couch to relax.

I continued staring at him, careful not to be too obvious, but there was definitely something different about him. What was it?

Was he darker? His hair colored? New tattoo? No...what is different about him?

"Do I have something on me?" He finally asked.

Suddenly I gasped.

"Your hair!" I exclaimed, leaning forward. "It's gone!"

He chuckled and rubbed at his now short hair.

"Yeah," he laughed. "Well most of it at least."

"Holy crap, you look so different," I murmured, staring at him in awe. His bright blue eyes met mine, the corners of his eyes crinkled up as he smiled. "I mean, good different," I corrected. 

"Thank you, Alice," he responded, his voice deep and smooth. Something inside me did a somersault at the sound of my name rolling off of his tongue.

"Why'd you cut it?" I asked, curious. His hair was famous. The man bun was a serious thing for girls around the world.

"Needed a change I guess," He explained. 

"Hey, pretty boy is here," Jesse rose to life. He wiped the drool from his mouth and quickly sat up, causing the chair to nearly topple over at his sudden movements. 

I struggled not to laugh, but the weird look on Jesse's face made me slightly nervous. It made me questions whether I should have let Adam in.

"Jesse," Adam greeted him.

I crossed my legs on the couch, my head moving back and forth between the two.

"Adam," Jesse nodded once. "Nice hair."

"Thanks," Adam said curtly.

Jesse suddenly turned to me, looking slightly betrayed, but he blinked once and the look seemed to disappear.

I stared at the two, feeling so unbelievably awkward. 

I cleared my throat and glanced at Adam who seemed to be feeling comfortable in the awkward silence.

Of course he does, he's famous, this probably isn't the first time he has been in awkward situations.

"Well," Jesse said, kicking his feet to the ground. "I think I'll leave you two to whatever...this is."

He began walking away so I stood up to chase after him, but my vision blurred and I had to rest my hand on the back of the couch to hold myself up. Adam placed his hand on my forearm to help steady me. 

Glancing back, I saw a sympathetic look in his eyes. I shook my head to say it wasn't his fault and pushed away to go after Jesse.

Jogging down the stairs to his jeep, he was already opening up the door and starting his car.

I caught his door just as he was shutting it.

"Jesse stop," I demanded.

"What's up Baby Dess?" he smiled, his hand resting on the steering wheel.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Stop being like that," I said, wondering what his angle was.

He raised his eyebrows. "Being like what? You're busy, I get it. I don't need to be here anymore."

"Jesse," I murmured.

He grabbed my hand suddenly and his eyes stared deep into mine.

"Hey," he said quietly. "I'll see you tomorrow at the shack okay?"

I stared back at him, searching for something, anything, but finally nodded.

"Wouldn't miss it," I responded.

"Oh beware though," he warned with a grin. "It's shark week." 

I grimaced. "No, not the shark suit."

"The shark suit is amazing," he laughed.

"No," I shot back, laughing with him.

"You love it," he said, a soft smile resting on his lips. His hazel eyes were more green today and his stare was making me uncomfortable in all of the right ways.

Feeling trapped by his magnetic eyes, I let out a deep breath. 

"Maybe," I admitted. 

He winked. "There's my girl."

My heart skipped a beat at that.

"Are you blushing right now?" he teased, running his thumb across my heated cheek.

I shoved his hand away playfully. "Stop!" I exclaimed and covered my cheeks with my hands.

He laughed and leaned back in his seat. Running his hands through his curly hair, he grinned up into the air.

"What?" I asked, wondering what he was thinking.

"Oh nothing, Alice. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" he said with a wide grin.

"I feel like you're planning something evil," I said, skeptical.

"I'm always planning evil things," he smile this cheshire grin then laughed and evil laugh. Rolling my eyes I stepped away from his jeep.

He reached out for my hand one more time and stared at it in his won, then he slowly glanced up at me.

"Be careful, I don't want to see you get hurt anymore with him," he warned.

Surprised, I cocked my head to the side.

"I don't think he plans on doing anything to hurt me," I defended Adam.

"Guys like him never try Al, it just happens," he said. He let go of my hand and nodded to say goodbye. 

I stepped away from his jeep and he shut the door. Placing it in reverse, he backed out of my driveway and drove away. I stood there a moment longer, staring at the palm trees that he disappeared behind and sighed.

What is happening in my life right now?

Dragging my exhausted body back up the steps, I headed back inside to the rockstar and for some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that I might be heading back up to the wrong guy.

He's a rockstar, Alice, you're just afraid. 

Maybe, I thought to myself, maybe not.

I shut the door and suddenly, my life was flashing before my eyes.

My mother...had the baby album out.

"Oh. My. God." I whispered in horror. 

Adam was laughing and pointing at a photo.

"Oh and this is the time she pooped in the bath tub!" Mom laughed,exaggerating her volume as usual.

"Shit," I whispered and quickly moved to the living room to stop any further embarrassment. She just can't show him the--

"And this," she started.

No. Not that photo.

"This was when she received her first period kit!" she said proudly.

Kill me. 

"Mom!" I exclaimed, frantically rushing in and leaning over Adam to slam the album shut. 

"Wow Alice, very detailed photos in there," Adam laughed.

Can you say face palm?

My life can end now, there is no coming back from this. Oh my gosh.