She was hiding something from me. Cassidy got in my car, dressed up as normal, in a blue dress and white pumps with her blond hair curled and bouncy and a huge smile plastered on her face.

"What?"

"Nothing." She said giggling.

"You're a terrible liar."

"Oh just Shut up and drive."

I started moving and flipped on the radio which was ironically playing the song Shut Up and Drive.
Cassidy laughed and I gave her a glance and she put her hand up to stifle it.

"Why are you in such a good mood this early?"

"I can't just be happy?"

"No."

She whacked me lightly on the arm. "Why not."

"This is coming from the girl that almost ripped off my arm when I forgot to stop for morning coffee." I said making sure I took the turn to Starbucks. "I love you Cassy but you're usually downright unpleasant in the morning."

She stuck her tongue out at me. "Whatever. Im turning over a new leaf."

I snorted. "Yeah okay."

She stuck her younger out again but striped to smother her smile for the rest of the drive. She sipped her coffee and said, "there's something I want to talk to you about."

I cringed. Her smile had vanished and she was all business like.

"Okay...shoot."

"I want you to talk to Ted."

There was no beating around the bush with her.

"Why?" I said, hands tightening on the steering wheel.

"Because you're both in pain. He wants to work it out with you so will you at least listen to him?" I didn't say anything so she continued. "I'm not saying you have to forgive him but just hear him out."

I sighed. "Cass..."

"Please?" She asked. "For me?"

I could feel her puppy dog eyes burning into the side of my face. "Fine."

The smile returned. "Good." We pulled into school and I parked. Cassy jumped out of the car and headed toward school with me on her heels. She dumped her coffee cup in a nearby trashcan and turned to me. "Smile Jojo."

"Cassidy."

She rolled her eyes. "Sorry, Johan"

It was my turn to roll my eyes and I started walking into school. I reached the main hallway and called to Cass that I was going to my locker while she went to the Cafeteria. I wanted to get my books out before hand so I wouldn't have to push through the crowd of students on my way to 1st period.
I had just put in my combination when a hand came out and pulled me back. I turned.

"Hey nerd." Ted's best friend Jake sneered. He pushed me back into my locker. "You're way overdue for a good beating." He pulled his hand back to punch me and I tensed but moved and he just clipped my shoulder. Jake scoweled. He slammed my books to the floor. "I'm freaking sick of you. Think you're all cool now that you're hanging out with Cassidy? Well you're not. You're still as worthless as you were from day one." He pushed me back again and I tripped and fell. Jake raised his foot and slammed it into my chest, knocking all the wind out of me.

"Stop!" Ted came running down the hall, pure rage on his face. "What the shell is wrong with you?" He asked pushing Jake back.

"Me? What's wrong with you?" What happened, this used to be your favorite pastime. What? Fall in love with the nerd now did you Ted?" Ted didn't answer and his face went red but Jake didn't notice. He pulled himself away from Ted. "I don't know what your deal is but everyone knows their place here."

I had just stood up and was backing off when Jake reached out and grabbed the front of my shirt. "Why are you defending him huh Ted? A worthless piece of carp like him?" He shook me a little and Ted went over the edge. He ripped Jake's arm from my shirt and threw Jake back into a locker with surprising force.

Now was not the time to laugh but I was kinda happy that Jake got a taste of his own medicine. Ted turned to me and I stood rooted to the spot. He walked over and pushed me-gently-to the other side of the hall to keep me out of the way. Jake pushed himself up and went back at Ted but got a punch in the face, which I think shocked him most of all.

Jake stopped and put his hand to his face. "Did you- did you just punch me?" He was yelling and asked again, "what's wrong with you? Why would you hurt me and help a nerd?"

"Because he's my soul mate!" Ted yelled and the hallway went so quiet you could hear a pin drop. A crowd had gathered but Ted paid them no attention. And I made a mistake." He turned around to me and looked into my eyes. I was captivated and couldn't look away. "I was wrong to try and hide it. I was wrong to try and keep it a secret. And I was wrong to keep my relationship with Alex going at the same time. I was stupid, and careless, and didn't think about you're feelings and I regret it everyday." His voice broke. He took in a deep breath. "I love you Johan."

I felt the breath rush out of my lungs and my eyes teared up, but they didn't fall.

"I care about you so much. I miss you everyday we aren't together and I am such an idiot for hurting you. I never want to do that again." He caught a tear that had slipped down my face. "I never want to make you cry again." His hand went up to cup the side of my face and I learned into his touch. "I love you." He whispered again.

I looked up into his face, so much emotion writers all over and against my will, more tears dropped. "I love you too." I said. Ted's face broke out into a huge smile and he leaned down and captured my lips in a soft kiss. It was sweet and gentle and the world around us disappeared. My hands went around his neck and I pulled him closer never wanting that moment to end. It was just the two of us in that moment. Well it was until clapping erupted and brought me back to reality. I pulled back, my face red as a strawberry and glanced around. I saw Jake, staring, his face deathly pale. He grabbed his bag and stormed off looking livid. Then I looked to the crowd and saw Cassy there at the front smiling so wide it looked as if it would split her face.

Ted paid no attention to anyone and buried his face in my neck. He held me against him, as if afraid that I would disappear if he let me go. We stayed that way until the bell rang and we unwillingly parted ways for class with one last kiss. And I didn't stop smiling for the rest of the day.
*************

"Let me see it."

"It's fine."

"Johan please."

"Ted..."

"Please."

I rolled my eyes. We were in Ted's room lying on his bed and watching a movie. He was insisting that I take my shirt off so he could see if Jake left a bruise. If Ted saw it he'd probably kill Jake and I didn't want my boyfriend imprisoned right after I got him back. But I couldn't resist him so I pulled the shirt over my head, wincing at the sudden movement in my shoulder.

Ted's eyes darkened and he looked like he could tear the Hulk apart.

I rested my hand lightly on his cheek. "It's okay."

He relaxed under my gaze and calmed down. Slowly, and extremely gingerly, he ran his hand over the large bruise. I sighed lightly at his touch and he smirked. My face blushed but Ted reached up and pulled me down for a kiss.

"Wait here." He said and got up. He left the room and I pulled one of his pillows closer to his face. It smelled like him. Like lavender and Cool Water cologne. I didn't even notice when Ted walked in.

"Smells good?" He asked chuckling.

My face went red again and I chose not to answer.

"Here. Sit up." He said. I did as I was told and he gave me a pack of ice wrapped in a cloth. "Does it hurt bad?" He asked.

"No. Only when I move a certain way."

"I'm going to kill Jake."

"No you are not. Just leave it alone. Promise me."

He looked at me like he was upset about it still but consented.

I settled back against the pillows and he rested his head on my leg. We turned out attention back to the movie and I gently ran my hand through his soft blonde hair. Around 8 o' clock that night Ted got a phone call. He woke up from a light sleep and picked up his cell. "Hello?" He said sleepily. He rubbed his eyes listening to the person on the other end. "Sure. I'll be right over."

He sat up and pulled on a jacket. "I gotta go pick up Cassidy."

"Cassidy?"

"Yeah. I'll explain on the way if you're coming."

"Oh yeah sure." I pulled on my shirt and jacket and followed Ted out the door.

Ted told me all about Cassy's parents and how she sometimes had to stay at Ted's house, or her grandma's, but recently she'd been staying home alone. I was upset at first that Cassidy didn't tell me but Ted told me not to be. It's not something she likes to tell people and I understood.

"Hey Jojo. Hey Ted." Cassidy said when she climbed in the backseat.

"Hey Cass." The two of us said together. Ted pulled off and I told him to drop me home. Amie would be mad if I was out too late. I waved bye to Cassidy and then Ted walked me to the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I said. He leaned forward and kissed me goodnight. Before I was ready the kiss ended and I had opened the door to my house. I had just closed it back when Amie called me from the kitchen. I walked over to her and sat down in a chair. "Yeah?"

"Were you out with that Ted boy?"

"Yes."

"I don't like him Johan. He's malas noticias"

"No he isn't Amie."

"But he hurts you so much."

"He's made mistakes but he's changed. I promise. Trust me okay?"

"I trust you hijo I just don't trust him."

"I know. And I appreciate your concern Amie. It'll be fine though."

I kissed her cheek and went up to my room after checking on all my sister's. I know that Ted has become a completely different person and I love him so much for it. I fell asleep completely happy for the first time in weeks last night.