It's funny how a simple conversation has the power to change things. Since Bennett and I talked yesterday at the library, I feel closer to him than I've ever been.

It's weird and it's nice at the same time. It doesn't really mean anything, it's not like we have a super connection now, but I'm happy that we're getting along, especially because Dylan and I are on really good terms, which means that if we start dating - something that I hope will happen soon - it will just make things easier.

Not to mention that one day Bennett could be my brother in law and being his friend will make it even better. Yeah, call me crazy, but I'm still dreaming about my wedding with Dylan.

I confess that I have been planning it since I was twelve, but I'm not that crazy, so it's not like I want to get married anytime soon.

My plan is to graduate from college and get married in about three years after that on a rooftop in Manhattan - very specific, I know. It gives me and Dylan enough time to kick off our careers, that I still don't know what will be.

I should probably be thinking about what I want to do for a living instead of daydreaming about Dylan, but I can't help it.

''Earth to Alex.'' Lilly's voice startles me as she sits next to me in the auditorium.

Today we have a student council meeting and Mr. Cromwell, our principal, is going to make some announcements. You know, that kind of thing that no one cares about, but we attend because 1) it's mandatory and 2) it's a great reason to hang out with your friends instead of having classes.

I scan the room and I find Bennett on the other side, so we wave a quick hello to each other, before that friend of his - the one that flirted with him a while ago when he offered to tutor me - touches his arm to get his attention back to her.

''So, Lil, where is your mysterious co-star? Is he here?'' I look around trying to find Harris, but I don't see him anywhere. ''I must say, he is pretty hot by the picture I sa--''

''Shh, will you be quiet? Someone might hear you.'' She cuts me off and abruptly pulls my arm in her direction, making me sit down on my chair with a loud thud.

''Would that be such a bad thing?'' I try not to laugh while I adjust my cardigan on the arm that she pulled.

''Yes, people will think I'm interested in him.'' I raise an eyebrow. ''and I'm not!''

''I think you are.'' She blushes again and I know I caught her there.

''No, no, I'm not into him because I'm... well, uhn...'' She seems to be thinking of an excuse. ''There's another guy I'm interested in. Yeah, that's it. It's been a while now.''

She blurts out and plays with her hair. I analyze her for a few moments and although she seems to be acting a bit off, I look at her seriously. I know I said she was thinking of an excuse, but what if it's not?

What if she just didn't want to tell me that she likes someone?

''Who?'' She doesn't say anything. ''Lilly, come on, you have to tell me. Who is he?''

She looks away from me, a blank expression on her face. What the hell is going on with her? She wouldn't lie about something like this, would she?

''No one important, seriously, never mind.'' Lilly is so lucky, because the moment I was about to inquire further, the principal's voice echoes on the mic and I can't continue my imminent interrogation.

For now, at least. I'm not letting this go though.

Lilly is finally into someone and that's huge. She has gone on a few dates with some random guys from our school and even a college guy, but that's pretty much it. Nothing to the point of really liking them, so this is the first time.

She always said that she's too busy for dating and she's enough for herself. I must say, I truly admire her self-confidence.

Anyway, is this guy someone I know? Or maybe she's embarrassed of him. Why would she be though? I wouldn't judge whoever she likes, so I can't see a reason why she couldn't tell me.

I still think there's something fishy, because she blushed when I asked about Harris and Lilly never blushes.

I'm overthinking as usual, it could still be just an excuse not to talk about Harris, nothing else.

I glance at her, who is looking ahead, her eyes focused on the principal. I'm lost in my Lilly thoughts when the phone buzzes in my pocket.

I can't wait to see you tomorrow! -  Dylan

I smile widely as I see Dylan's text and I let go of trying to find out who Lilly's crush is for a moment to focus on my phone.

Isn't Dylan adorable? He is coming home from campus to spend the whole weekend here. He's been staying a lot on campus, working hard on his assignments and he told me that he's crashing at some friend's dorm instead of coming back home since he's usually busy until late, so I haven't seen him all week.

I just can't wait to see that handsome face of his tomorrow at our parents weekly dinner.

I'm really looking forward to spending some time with you this weekend too! - Alex

His reply comes not even a minute later.

There's actually something I want to ask you. I'll text you later, ok? ;) - Dylan

Everyone starts applauding and I put my phone back in my pocket as I try to catch up to whatever is going on the stage.

All I know is that I can't stop smiling the whole remainder of the meeting.

Once the meeting is over, the auditorium is fuzzy when I spot the person I was looking for.

Harris' sister is easy to spot, to be honest. She is as tall as Lilly, has shiny dark hair that is put up on a ponytail and her outfit screams England everywhere, although I can't explain why. I guess she looks like she's ready for afternoon tea.

I usually don't start conversations easily with random people, but she is the sister of the guy Lilly might like, so I thought maybe a push would be helpful.

I pull Lilly's arms in her direction and she widens her eyes when she realizes who I'm targeting.

"What are you doing?" She whispers, more like a plea to stop, but I ignore her.

"Audrey, right?" The girl turns to me and nods, giving me a questioning look. "I'm Alex, this is Lilly, she's working on the play with your brother."

"Oh, yes, I've heard. It's lovely to meet you." She is so polite that I consider extending my hand for her to shake.

"H-hi. Yeah, of course. I mean, me too." Lilly is so nervous that it's almost funny. It's very rare to see her nervous and stuttering, and that tells me she really has a crush on him.

"So, you're friends with my brother?" She smiles and I immediately like her.

"We're co-stars, not friends exactly, I guess." Lilly corrects her fast enough.

"He actually mentioned about you. He said you are very talented."

"He did?" I can see Lilly's face light up, not sure because Harris talked about her with his sister or if it's because he complimented her. Probably both.

"Well, he's devoted to acting. One of his passions, so it's good to see he's making friends. What about you? It's Alex, right? Are you in the school play as well?"

I almost laugh. She obviously doesn't know me to ask such a question.

"No, no, definitely not. She's the talented one, I'm just helping with scenario and stuff." She smiles and turns to Lilly again.

''How does it feel to be the lead actress?'' Audrey seems to really interested in what Lilly has to say, which is good, I guess.

They continue talking and I can see Lilly is close to being her normal self, so I excuse myself to go talk to Mrs. Martinez about the quiz she's giving us this week.

I glance back to see the two girls talking excitedly and I hope this helps Lilly to get closer to Harris. Maybe I can even make a new friend.

Just looking at them, I know that my work here is done.

.........................

''What did you want to talk to me about?'' I ask Dylan as he grabs my hand and leads us to the couch.

After the meeting yesterday, all I did was think of either who Lilly is interested in or what Dylan wanted to ask me, so when he texted me today saying that he'd be home earlier than expected, I didn't hesitate to come to his house right after school.

I told my parents I was going to study with Bennett, as I don't want them asking questions. Plus the fact that they know I've been hanging out with him makes it less suspicious.

Not that I think they would ask anything, but I'm not risking it, not after that embarrassing moment with my dad when I was back from a date with Dylan, which feels like forever ago.

And I had to lie to Bennett, he asked if we were going to study after class, but I said I was busy with my parents.

I don't usually lie... a lot, but the situation requires it.

''There's something I want to ask you.'' I nod, telling him to go ahead and smiling.

Actually, I've been smiling like an idiot since the moment I walked through the door. When our eyes met, Dylan's smile equaled mine and he engulfed me in a tight hug, telling me how much he missed me this week.

He then kissed me and just to make this even better, I felt something! I mean, it wasn't fireworks or anything of that magnitude, but it was good. I guess it's because I missed him so much that just being near him is enough to make me feel great.

I focus my attention back on him as he's now sitting next to me, his fingers intertwined with mine.

''Ok, what is it?'' I ask curious as he doesn't say anything for the second time and he takes a deep breath.

''We've been going out for a few weeks now, right?'' I nod, even though I have a feeling it's a rhetorical question. ''And we've been texting a lot.''

''Yeah, I guess.'' I answer, still not getting what he wants to ask.

I'm starting to get a bit anxious. Maybe he wants to call things off before they even start, but if this is the case he wouldn't have told me how he wanted to take me to his campus so he could show me around.

''I've already told you that this is incredibly unexpected to me, but you're the first person I want to talk to about my day and I enjoy spending time with you." He pauses for a few seconds. "What I'm trying to say, Alex, is that I like you.''

Hold on a second. I need to make sure I'm hearing things right.

Dylan West likes me? Like, really likes me? I'm not just another girl on his list? He likes me the way I like him?

I don't think it's possible to have a bigger smile than the one I have on my face right now. Really, I should hold the world record for biggest smile.

"You like me? For real or like a friend you're hanging out with?" I need to make sure and he snorts a laugh, before he squeezes my hand.

"I like you for real."

Did you hear that sound? No? It's my heart beating so damn fast.

"I like you too." I say, trying not to get too emotional, because this is it! I said it. I finally told Dylan how I feel.

I shouldn't make a big deal out of it, we just said we like each other, but this is what I've been hoping for so long, so it's good enough for me.

''To be honest, I've liked you since I was ten." I feel bold enough to go even further in my confession.

"Really?" His face lights up and I'm not sure if it's because I said I like him too or it's just the fact that someone would be into him for so long. He would love that. "I feel so stupid now, I should've noticed you before. Apparently this could have happened a lot sooner if I did."

Well, I can't argue with him on that.

"It's ok, you notice me now." I smile.

"Yeah, I really do." He leans forward and quickly pecks me on the lips and I'm speechless for a moment.

"So, you said you wanted to ask me something?" I remind him, when I get my senses back.

"Oh, right. So I've been thinking, these past weeks proved that we work together, right?'' I nod, waiting to see what he'll say next. ''So why don't we make it official?"

"Make what official? You mean..." I pause.

"I mean us."

"Like a real couple?" It's suddenly incredibly hard to breathe. Is he asking me what I think he's asking?

"Yeah. Will you be my girlfriend?"

My. Heart. Literally. Stopped.

I want to cry happy tears, scream, clap my hands, but I refrain myself or he'll think this is a bit too much, but how could I not cry?

Seven years of dreaming about being his girlfriend and now that's exactly what I'm going to be.

I am Dylan West's girlfriend.

Holy freaking shit. I'm his girlfriend.

I'm struggling big time to keep my tears inside.

"So, what do you say?" He adjusts himself nervously and I realize I didn't answer him yet.

"Yes! Of course!" I jump on the couch and I launch myself at him, making us both stumble back.

"Cool." He puts his arms around me and laughs that amazing laugh of his.

I'm so radiantly happy right now that nothing could ruin this moment.

When we pull apart from our hug, we hear the front door open and I jump back, putting more distance between us, completely out of instinct.

Bennett walks in the living room and gives me an inquisitive look, before looking at his brother and then back at me.

I suddenly feel my face on fire and I can't help but be a bit embarrassed under his stare, as usual. He can probably notice how red my cheeks are.

"What's going on?" Bennett asks with a frown on his face.

Dylan opens his mouth to say something with his classic smirk, but before he does, I'm already answering his brother.

"We're just catching up. It's been forever that we don't see each other. I was done helping my parents, so I stopped by to visit." I lie.

Dylan inspects me with curiosity, probably wondering why I didn't tell him the truth.

Bennett nods, but somehow I don't think he buys what I said. He looks so serious and I can't look at him, so I fit the floor.

"I'm going to my room." He's out of sight in a heartbeat and I can feel Dylan's questioning eyes.

"Why didn't you tell him we're dating now?"

I knew this question was coming and the truth is, I don't know. The lie was out of my mouth before I could think it through.

"It's just... I guess it's just too good to be true and so soon, like minutes soon. I want a moment to process that information before telling anyone. Are you mad?''

"So, too good to be true, uhn?" He smirks again and I know I'm safe. He's not mad at me.

I bite my lip and nod. He comes forward to be a bit closer to me and I feel his warm breath on my face before he leans in for another kiss.

He kisses me deeply and I kiss him back, his skillful tongue exploring my mouth like never before.

I'm just secretly hoping that Bennett won't come down the stairs right now or he'll see us locking lips.

As we kiss, I realize why I didn't want to tell Bennett. I lied shamelessly, it's not because I want to process that - holy shot again - I'm Dylan's girlfriend now, I mean, I actually do need to pinch myself to believe it's true, but I feel that this could affect our recently recovered friendship and I don't want that.

I enjoy spending time with Bennett and I know he won't like the fact that I'm with Dylan now. Not that it should matter, but I don't want to be hanging out at his place and have disapproving eyes on me again.

It's not that he'll mind exactly, but I know he thinks his brother is a player, which is true. Was true... I always heard that dating is just as regular as changing clothes to Dylan, like he doesn't need to be in love or anything to ask girls to date him.

It's different with me, I know it is.

That's why I don't want to hear Bennett say how Dylan will probably get tired of me and move on in a heartbeat. I heard him say this once about one of Dylan's ex-girlfriend.

Ok, Alex, you have issues, the guy of your dreams asked you to be his girlfriend and you're worried about his brother. Stop thinking about this. Now!

I shake my head and focus on Dylan instead, my boyfriend who is in front of me, smiling broadly.

He gives me another soft kiss and I give in to him entirely.

We pull apart after a while, but he lets his hands on my cheek, caressing my face with his thumb.

"Damn, I like kissing you." He says in a low voice that makes me melt under his touch and I smile again.

I can say the same, I like kissing him, but there's a pressing issue I need to fix before I lose my mind.

I still don't feel the fireworks when he kisses me. I love when we talk and he says nice things, like this whole conversation, but when he actually does kiss me, even after he asked me to officially date him, I still don't feel that special feeling.

I don't understand why and that scares the shit out of me.

.........................

Hello Lovely Readers,

I hope you enjoy this chapter. Ot my favorite one to be honest. Alex and Dylan are dating and I don't know how to feel about that!!! What do you think? I mean, apparently dating is a bigger deal to Alex than it is to Dylan, but things should be different with her, right?

What do you think is going on with Lilly? We'll find out soon ;)

Share your thoughts!! <3

Love,
Me