"Should I get wheat bread or white bread?" 

I peeked over Chris's shoulder to see a loaf of each in his hand. "Does it matter?" 

"Well which do you prefer?" 

"Umm, wheat?" 

He nodded briefly. "Then I'll get white." 

"You-" 

"Kidding," he interjected, shooting me a sly smile as he slipped the wheat bread into the carriage. 

I puffed out my cheeks indignantly. "That gets old you know!" 

"Maybe to you, but your cute flustered expression never does to me," he remarked, flicking the tip of my nose. 

Paul giggled from the carriage seat, reaching his tiny hand up and wrapping his little fingers around Chris's larger digit. For a split-second Chris froze, his eyes snapping down to the little boy who was now pulling at his finger. I watched warily. By his expression, it looked like he wanted to fling Paul halfway across the room. Just as Chris opened his mouth to protest, I gently pried Paul's fingers away. "That's dangerous..." 

"Dangerous? What? Did you think I was going to fling him across the room?" 

A wry smile crossed my face. How did he know? "Er, no...?" 

He cocked an eyebrow. "You know you can't lie to me." 

"Right," I murmured, the earlier uncomfortable feeling in my stomach returning. If he always knew when I was lying like he claimed, how come he didn't realize I lied when I said I didn't want children? The one time it actually mattered? Why didn't I have the guts to tell him it was a lie? 

"Holly?" 

I snapped myself out of my trance, feeling frustrated. "Yeah?" 

He furrowed his eyebrows briefly before rearranging his features into a handsome, persuading smile. "Could you go grab the milk and eggs? I'll swing by the meat section and meet you in the fresh foods." 

"No problem," I responded, a plan developing in my mind. "But..." 

"But?" 

Pushing myself onto my tiptoes, I cupped his face in my hands and gave him a swift kiss, crushing our lips together. When I pulled away he was still processing what had happened. "You keep Paul!" I demanded, escaping while I could, a satisfied smile slipping across my face. 

"Holly!" 

Waving once, I disappeared around the corner and out of view. If he didn't like children now, I was going to make him like them. Paul was a good starting point. He was such a cute little boy! Chris would never be able to keep up his hateful attitude. Maybe he just wasn't used to being around children. If this was his first time babysitting Paul that would be a leading factor. He'd come around eventually. 

Humming quietly to myself, I headed to the dairy area. I smiled to myself when I realized that if I ever did live with him, this was what it was going to be like when we went grocery shopping. A giggle escaped my lips when I imagined him trying to decide what kind of milk to get. I knew he liked whole while I preferred 2%. 

"Something funny?" 

My heart stopped at the sound of the familiar voice. He could not be here right now. Not when I was having such a good weekend not worrying about him. He hadn't even popped into my head once! But now... I slowly turned to see Aaron smiling politely at me. Sagging my shoulders, my peaceful face immediately twisted into a scowl. "None of your business." 

He looked offended. "Ouch, Holly." 

I ignored him, deciding it'd be best just to pretend he wasn't there. To my dismay he began to follow me. "Go away, Aaron," I ordered over my shoulder. 

"Why? Doing something you shouldn't be? Or are you here with someone you shouldn't be?" 

"I'm here by myself," I snapped. 

"What do you know? Me too!" 

Curiosity bit at me. Pausing, I glanced at him from over my shoulder. "You don't seem like the type to grocery shop on your own." 

He seemed proud to have my attention. "I don't usually. Lexi does it. But she's out with her boyfriend right now." 

"Why don't your parents do it then?" 

"Well, my mom ditched us and my dad is dead." 

I blinked at him, too taken aback to form a coherent response. His father was dead? And his mom left? Even if it was Aaron, that still made my heart go out to him. "Oh, I'm sorry." 

He shrugged. "It's fine. Lexi and I are old enough to live by ourselves." 

"You two live by yourselves?" 

"That's what I just said." 

"Just making sure I heard you right," I snapped, losing all my compassion. 

He smirked. "Okay. But anyway, now you know why I'm here, why are you here?" 

"Same reason as you. Picking up groceries for the house." 

"Then let's shop together," he offered, looping his arm through mine. 

I instantly yanked it away, staggering back a few steps away from him. "No. We're not friends Aaron." 

"Aw, Holly-" 

"You punched my best friend! You've hit me! You tried to molest me! You're trying to ruin my relationship!" 

Aaron dropped his friendly demeanor, going for a sour one. "And you put Shawn in jail." 

It felt like a champion boxer had landed a jab in my gut. Shawn? The name brought memories swirling through my mind. Most profoundly when he tried killing Chris. Before I knew what was happening I was on the ground, clutching my stomach as my breath came out in short rasps. I couldn't breathe. Aaron dropped to his knees in front of me; his face showing part concern and part amusement. 

"Don't mention this to anyone, got it?" he threatened in a low voice. "I don't want Mr. Ross and Mr. Heywood on my case." 

I could barely comprehend his words. He knew Shawn? Were they friends? Did Shawn tell him to harass me? If he knew Shawn that meant he knew a lot more than he led on... 

"Holly?" 

"Uh-oh," Aaron muttered, pushing himself up from the ground. "Your loyal boyfriend is here." 

For a split-second I thought it was Chris, but when Jeremy's green eyes appeared in my vision, confusion swept through me. So Aaron knew Shawn, but still thought I was dating Jeremy? That didn't make any sense at all! Shawn knew Chris and I were together? 

"What did you do to her?" Jeremy demanded in an angry growl. 

"I just surprised her is all, right Holly?" 

I tried to calm myself down. Jeremy would get suspicious if I kept panicking. After taking a few deep breaths I finally nodded. "Yeah. He just caught me off guard..." 

Jeremy gave me a flat look. "Don't cover up for him." 

"I seriously didn't do anything," Aaron urged, putting on his best innocent expression. 

"And why should I believe you?" Jeremy inquired, now helping me back to my feet. "After what you've done?" 

He gave a one-shouldered shrug. "You don't have to believe me. But you'd think you would believe your girlfriend, wouldn't you?" 

I frowned deeply, creating a crease in my forehead. It didn't make sense at all. Why wouldn't Shawn tell Aaron I was dating Chris, not Jeremy? Did Shawn implant the idea that Jeremy was dating me into Aaron's head? 

"Although she is a little liar," Aaron continued thoughtfully. "She told me she was here alone." 

"I am here alone," I interjected before Jeremy could respond. "Jeremy works here, stupid. Look at his vest." 

Aaron's gaze slid past me to Jeremy. Part of his smug expression fell briefly, but it quickly reappeared as he thought of a witty response. "Oh how cute. Not only does he give you good grades in gym, but he also gives you a discount on groceries?" 

"I don't," Jeremy retorted, narrowing his eyes. "I don't even get a discount." 

Aaron snickered. "Then you're pretty useless..." 

"Get out," Jeremy ordered, advancing on Aaron. "Leave Holly alone." 

"You can't kick me out of a grocery store." 

"Watch me. I'll say you're sexually harassing her." 

Aaron looked dubious. "Sure you will." 

"Well, if you want to stick around and find out, you're more than welcome to," he replied simply. "Come on, Holly. I'll escort you out." He wrapped an arm around me, turning me around. 

I quickly turned my head to keep an eye on Aaron. Jeremy abruptly stopped, causing me to stumble forward. Aaron laughed through his nose at me. 

"Er, hello, Chris..." 

My head snapped back around to where Chris was, Paul wriggling in his arms. His eyes narrowed at the sight of Aaron. "What's going on?" he questioned. 

"Oh you know, I'm just harassing Holly," Aaron told him lightheartedly. 

His eyes flashed. "What?" 

"Hi!" Paul called brightly, waving at Aaron. Aaron blinked at him. 

I silently cursed the world. So much for my idea of just shoving this incident under the rug. "He didn't-" 

"I don't know what happened," Jeremy cut me off. "She was on the ground when I found her." 

"Aaron," Chris started menacingly, thrusting Paul into Jeremy's open arm before moving toward Aaron. "What did you do?" 

"Nothing much," he drawled in a teasing tone. He didn't look intimidated in the least. "Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you." 

Chris stopped about a foot away from him, hovering a good few inches taller. "I think you need to be taught a lesson." 

"Good thing you're a teacher," Aaron responded in a flirtatious voice. "You can teach me all kinds of lessons... Like you teach Holly." 

"That's it-" 

"Chris!" I cried, halting him. "Leave it! He didn't do anything!" 

He glared at me. "Don't lie, Holly." 

"I-I'm not!" 

"Yes you are." 

"It was just my overreaction!" 

Aaron nodded in agreement. "It really was. You should back down, guard dog. You're acting more like her boyfriend than Mr. Ross is..." He trailed off, gazing between Chris and I suspiciously. "Unless..." 

"I wouldn't cheat on Jeremy," I said quickly, not letting him finish his thought. 

"I don't know, you seem more intimate with Mr. Heywood... I've never seen you and Mr. Ross do anything couple-y." 

I glowered at him. "I don't like PDA." 

Jeremy grinned. "She really doesn't." 

"So you and Mr. Heywood do it behind the scenes?" Aaron guessed. 

"No!" I shouted, causing an old man in a business suit to jump in alarm. After tossing me an annoyed look, he scurried off. "Just go away, Aaron!" 

He crossed his arms. "Don't tell me what to do. If you want me to believe you, then prove it." 

"No-" I started, but was cut off when Jeremy swiftly planted his lips onto mine.  

For a second I was taken aback, too surprised to move. When he pulled away, he gave a bright smile to Aaron. "Enough proof?" 

My gaze went to straight to Chris. He looked just as shocked as I felt. Even Aaron looked surprised. "Er, good enough," he finally muttered, dropping his gaze. 

"Good. Now let's go." Jeremy started ushering me away again. Paul waved at Aaron and Chris from over his shoulder. "Chris, do you mind grabbing some milk and eggs for Holly?" 

He didn't wait for an answer before pulling me down the cereal aisle, my hand in one of his, his other hand preoccupied by holding Paul. The situation finally caught up to me and I felt my face flame. Using my free hand, I wiped off my lips with the back of it. "Ew! Jeremy! Cooties!" 

He glanced down at me, grinning. "Glad you can take this so lightheartedly! I thought you were going to slap me." 

"I might not slap you, but you might get shot." 

"Ah, Chris," he winced. "But I did it to protect you guys and it's not like you kissed me back." 

"Still..." 

He sighed contently. "I was actually waiting for the day I got to kiss you, Holly. Your lips were just as soft and tasty as I imagined!" 

"Jeremy!" 

He squeezed my hand. "I'm kidding, Holly. No offense, but I'm not romantically attracted to you." 

"Neither am I," I muttered, pulling my hand out of his. 

"So what did Aaron do?" 

"He really didn't do anything... He just scared me." It really was the truth... partially. 

Jeremy pursed his lips. "Sure, Holly." 

"I'm serious," I insisted, feeling my lips turn down in annoyance. "He didn't even touch me. I really just got scared." 

He thought about it for a second. "Well... I guess you are the type to start hyperventilating from just being scared..." 

I grimaced. 

"I have to leave you here because I've got to get back to work," Jeremy informed me, stopping by the grocery store exit. He placed Paul into my arms. "I'll see you later, okay?" 

"Sure," I mumbled, repositioning Paul more comfortably in my arms. "If you see Chris, tell him I'm here..." 

Barely five minutes passed before Chris appeared at the closest cash register, eyeing me impatiently while the cashier rang up his food. I smiled hesitantly back at him. Paul randomly started wailing, causing me to start in surprise. In order not to annoy the customers, I used my head to gesture that I would be waiting outside. For a February afternoon, it wasn't that cold out. I could still see my breath, but it wasn't unbearable. I bounced a little on my feet, trying to keep Paul quiet. Moments later Chris appeared, his hands full of grocery bags. 

"Car." 

Surprised by his commanding tone, I trotted behind him as he headed for his car. "What about Aaron?" 

"Your boyfriend has him preoccupied." 

I didn't know whether to smile or frown. A jealous Chris was a cute Chris... but also a pain to deal with. "You're my boyfriend," I finally sighed. 

"That's right," he stated, stopping abruptly in front of his trunk. Using a lighter tone, he gave me a begging look. "Put Paul in for me?" 

"Er, sure," I responded, moving around the car to put the grinning child into the back seat. He waved at me as I strapped him in. Smiling, I waved back before finishing buckling him. 

Chris was already in the driver's seat by the time I slipped into the passenger's. I snapped my seatbelt and turned to him, frowning when I realized he wasn't wearing his. "Chris, put on your seat-" 

My words were caught off for the second time by a pair of lips. These ones were more forceful though. I pulled away, making a face. "Hey!" 

"Come back here," he ordered, taking my face in his hand. "I have to get those Jeremy germs off you." 

I rolled my eyes, turning my face to the side as he tried to kiss me again. "You know kissing them off me is indirectly kissing Jeremy?" 

"I've kissed him before," Chris replied simply before forcing my face back to him again. 

"You have?" I murmured just before he kissed me, this time softer and sweeter. I responded to this one, bringing my hand up to cover his. 

When he finally pulled away, he nodded. "Jeremy is a horrible drunk." 

I couldn't help but to smile at the thought. "I can imagine..." Moving my head forwards to kiss Chris again, I barely touched them before he pulled away. "Hey!" 

He chuckled. "Hay is for horses." 

"You're the one who said you had to disinfect my lips!" 

"Not in the parking lot where Aaron could appear any second," he notified me. "When we get back to my house. In the mean time though, you can explain to me what happened in there and don't you even think about lying." 

"Ah, nothing..." 

He sighed, putting his key in the ignition. After he started the engine, he spoke again. "I don't lie to you, Holly." 

"You know, you're a lot calmer talking about this when Aaron isn't around." 

"That's because every time I see his face I want to punch him."  

I wrinkled my nose. "You shouldn't say that, Chris..." 

"Did he hit you?" 

"No, he honestly didn't touch me. He just surprised me and then threatened me. Nothing unusual." 

A wry smile crossed Chris's face. "A mini-Shawn..." 

My heart skipped a beat and I dropped my head so he wouldn't see my wide eyes. I knew he was joking, but that was too close to the truth. "I guess so." 

"Remember you promised me you'd tell me if he threatened to hurt you." 

"He didn't," I assured him. I didn't want to lie, but I wasn't ready to mention Shawn to Chris at all. "It's just the normal stuff." 

Chris nodded begrudgingly. "Fine." 

I smiled at him. It was cute how protective he was.  

"Don't take this the wrong way, Holly..." 

"Don't take what the wrong way?" I inquired, dropping my smile. Usually when someone started off something that way, I did take it the wrong way. 

He glanced at me uneasily. "You're too nice to him for your own good." 

I laughed. "What? I'm so mean to him!" 

"No you're not," Chris responded, an amused smile slipping onto his face. "That may seem mean to you because you're a nice person, but you aren't even being a little bit cruel. You're letting him walk all over you." 

"No I'm not!" 

"Yes you are." 

I puffed out my chest. "No, I'm not." 

Chris shook his head. "Yes, you are, Holly. You know, to get him away you could always resort to violence." 

"I'm not like you," I deadpanned. 

A grin flashed across his face. "I guess that's a good thing. But seriously, Holly. Stand up to him a little more." 

"I... Will do," I muttered in resignation. There was no use arguing with him. 

He nodded. "That's more like it." 

Paul chose that precise moment to let out an unpleasant burp. I swiveled around in my seat to give him a look of disgust. He grinned happily at me. "Mom!" 

"I'm not..." I trailed off, unable to stop grinning at how cute he was. He could call me Mom as much as he wanted. 

"Holly, you want kids, don't you?" 

My breath caught in my throat. Slowly I turned my gaze to Chris, who was focusing on the road. "Um, well, I'm actually not too fond of baby goats..." 

He glanced sarcastically at me for a brief second. "Good one. You want children then, don't you?" 

"Yes," I admitted quietly, dropping my eyes to my lap. "I'm sorry, Chris. I just really like them! I understand you don't like them. I won't break up with you over it though! I'd rather have you than a child!" 

He used a hand to lightly smack my head. "Are you stupid, Holly?"  

Confused, I stared at him. "What?" 

"If it's a child with you, then I want it." 

I blinked at him. Well, that wasn't what I expected. "You do?" I questioned, excitement bubbling in my stomach. "Even though you hate children?" 

"Someone told me it's different when it's your own," he informed me, the corners of his lips twitching. "Besides, I wouldn't take that away from you. I'm not that selfish. I can tell already how much you like kids." 

"Oh," I breathed in relief. Laughter racked through my body. So I was worried for nothing? I should have expected this from him! 

"You okay?" 

"I love you," I said, putting my hand over his. 

"I love you too," he responded, sounding confused. "Are you tired or something?" 

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What? I can't say I love you for the heck of it?" 

"Well usually you'd just mumble it in that cute, embarrassed way of yours..." 

Now a blush rose to my cheeks. "I-I don't mumble it!" 

"Ah, there we go. I was wondering when your cute blush would come out to play..." 

"Stop calling it cute! It's annoying!" 

He chuckled, nudging my arm with his. "Not to me, Holly. It's actually one of my favorite things about you." 

"You're attracted to strange things." 

"I am." 

It took me a second to realize the insult in that. "Chris!" 

He laughed again. "I'm kidding..." 

I rolled my eyes again. "Good"  

"Kinda." 

_________________________________________

Wee! An ASR update! Totally hit writer's block in this chapter...... hard. I decided I wanted to have Shawn play a little part in this story. Why? Because it's my story and what I says goes! :D He won't have a big part though, and there still won't be gangs, but there will be mentions of him. I like the idea of Aaron and him having a connection... I'm going to go back and add some clues to the other chapters hinting toward it.

There's school tomorrow -_- I hate school. It's the worse thing ever.

This chapter is dedicated to the lovely twins I chatted with on Skype~ It's really fun to chat with fans!

Facebook in external link~ And the amusing image of Chris and Holly was made my xAlliestarx :D

Today's song is Dirty Dancer by Enrique Iglesias :3 I love him.