There was something so sweet about being around Hayden without the presence of your brother. He always treated you so differently when it was just you two. He was soft, quiet, and such a sweetheart. But the last thing that you needed was for your brother to find that you were sneaking around with his best friend.

Hayden had been your older brother's best friend since the two of them were in middle school. While you were learning your multiplication tables, Hayden and Chase were busy chatting up the girls in their seventh grade classes. The age gap was four years, and Hayden had always seen you as just that: a younger, annoying girl that he had to put up with.

But as you started to grow and age, Hayden's perspective on you changed. You were no longer the awkward, shy girl he knew, but rather a smart, kindhearted girl instead. Hayden found himself looking at you more, observing you whenever he came over.

Now, he was a junior in college, while you were a senior in high school. Graduation had just happened, so it was summer vacation. Chase was back at home, living with you guys for the summer. That meant that Hayden was coming around more than usual again. And he was more than pleased to see you more often.

The first time the two of you were left alone was by complete accident. Chase had left right before Hayden came by, and you were the only one in the house. Your parents were both at work, leaving you to watch the house. Hayden had knocked, waiting for Chase to open the door. But instead of him, you had opened the door.

That day had happened much too quickly, ending with the two of you almost being caught by your brother in your bed. But since that day, the two of you hadn't left each other alone. Hayden texted you constantly throughout the day, asking about your day, if he could come by, anything just to talk to you. You'd go by his apartment almost every night, spending time together in the privacy of his place.

This evening had been no different. It was pouring outside, but the two of you were cozy inside. Hayden had been working on something for his job, typing away on his laptop. You were next to him in the bed, watching some movie together.

Chase hadn't found out anything, surprisingly. He'd come over spontaneously, asking Hayden to hang out while you were there. But Hayden always managed to shoo him away before anything happened. It was tedious, but the two of you made it work.

Hayden sighed, finally shutting the laptop and setting it aside. His attention turned to you, a soft look on his face. He had that look on his face, the one signifying that he wanted your attention.

"Baby," he starts softly, a hand going to rest on your thigh. A smile crosses his lips at your reaction to his behavior. "I've worked so hard.. don't you think I deserve some love?" He asks teasingly, chuckling quietly. Despite being older than you, he certainly acted like a clingy puppy at times.