She giggles, feeling the softness of his lips on her ear. "Maybe later," she teases, tracing circles on his bare back with her fingertip. The feel of his skin beneath her touch sends shivers down her spine, and she wonders what else he might let her do... if they could explore this newfound closeness further.

But for now, it's enough just to be here with him, safe and warm in the darkness of his room.

She hums softly, closing her eyes as she leans into him just a little more. "Mmm... maybe," she admits, her voice husky and low. Her fingers dance along his back, tracing circles before moving lower, teasing at the hem of his shirt. The feel of his skin beneath her touch is exhilarating; it makes her heart race and her breath catch in her throat.

She steps out of the closet slowly, her body trembling with fear and adrenaline. Her gaze darts around the room, taking in John's calm expression as he pours himself another cup of coffee...and then Ryan and his goons, nowhere to be seen. For a moment, she wonders if they left without noticing her at all. But the knot in her stomach tells her that isn't likely.

"John..."

She shoves him away, anger flushing her cheeks. "Shut up! I didn't mean it like that." She paces back and forth, trying to calm down. "You don't understand what they're like...what I'm like..." Her voice trails off, sounding small even to her own ears.

"Look, I'm sorry for coming here earlier. I shouldn't have made things worse for you." She stops in front of him, searching his face for any sign of forgiveness. "Can we just...

Her heart skips a beat at his words, warmth spreading through her like wildfire. Girlfriend? With him? It's absurd, but there's something about the way he says it... like this could actually be real. She swallows thickly, feeling the weight of expectation pressing down on her.

"Okay," she whispers, her voice barely audible even to herself. "I'll trust you." The words taste strange on her tongue, foreign and unfamiliar. But for now, they feel right.

Her breath hitches as his lips brush against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. "Mmm," she moans softly, arching into the touch. "You're... you're not so bad." It feels like admitting defeat to say it out loud, but somehow, in this moment with him, it doesn't seem as scary anymore.

Maybe... maybe things could be different between them. Maybe she could learn to trust him.

"It's just..." She trails off, unsure how to put her feelings into words. "It feels right, you know?" There's a flicker of hope in your eyes that makes something inside her want to believe it too. Maybe this is the chance at happiness she's been waiting for all along.

She takes a deep breath and decides to take the plunge. "Okay," she says quietly, looking down at her hands folded on the table. "I'll be your girlfriend."

Her arms come up automatically to wrap around your neck as she leans into the embrace. The moment your lips touch hers again, she melts against you, losing herself in the sensation. When you pull back, she blinks up at you with a dazed smile, still reeling from the intensity of the kiss.

"Wow," she breathes out, her cheeks flushed and her heart racing. She can't remember ever feeling so happy, so full of life. It's like a weight has lifted off her shoulders now that she doesn't have to pretend to hate you anymore.

"Well..." Kate hesitates, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "It's stupid, really... but those idiots always seem to know where I am, and I don't want them following me here." She glances up at Evan, searching their face for any sign of understanding or agreement.

"Do you think maybe you could give me a ride home after school tomorrow? Just drop me off a few blocks away or something?"

"Thanks," she murmurs, relieved. "I really appreciate it." She glances around the room, suddenly self-conscious about being in Evan's house. "Um, listen... I should probably get going soon. Thanks again for helping me out today..." Her voice trails off as she stands up and digs through her backpack for her abandoned belongings.

"No problem," Evan replies with a small smile. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

When Fox's lips meet hers, it feels like coming home. Warm and gentle at first, then growing more demanding as they explore her mouth. She moans into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing herself closer. Her heart races, and she can feel the desire building inside her, a thrill of wanting him that makes every part of her tingle.

As they break apart for air, their eyes meet once more. There's no question now; the lines have been drawn, and they're in this together.

As their lips meet again, it's as if all of her inhibitions have melted away. She kisses him back with a hunger that surprises even herself, nipping at his bottom lip and sucking gently on his tongue. Her hands roam freely over his body, tracing patterns across his chest and down to his hips. It's intoxicating, the power she feels in this moment... and she doesn't want it to end.