He looked in the mirror at the brown hair he now sported. He ran a fast hand through it and turned to look at his best friend. "Cali I liked it better red." He sighed and tugged on the leather jacket that the studio was making him wear. "I also liked my big shirts."

"Yeah me to. I miss your glasses." Cali said. She had known Clay long before the fame, more then that she had a major crush on him for about 2 years now.

"Those I don't miss." He smiled at her and walked to the door, his boots clicked.

"God Clay those shoes are awful." Cali stood and walked towards him. He held the door and she walked out. Clay was always doing those kind of things. Holding doors, paying the check, kissing her tenderly. �Stop it Cali your losing her mind. He wouldn't kiss you anymore then he would kiss Simon.' Cali cracked a smile at that thought and Clay wrinkled his nose.

People are talkin, talking 'bout people
I hear them whisper, you won't believe it
They think we're lovers kept under covers
I just ignore it, but they keep saying
We laugh just a little too loud
We stand just a little too close
We stare just a little too long
Maybe they're seeing, something we don't, Darlin'

"Penny for your thoughts."

"I was thinking of you falling on your ass in those boots."

"Language Cali. I have virgin ears." Clay slammed the car door.

"Yeah Clay just because you're a virgin doesn't make your ears virgin to." Cali slid in next to him.

"I so am not a virgin. I've been with tons of women."

"Yeah then you woke up in a puddle in bed."

"CALI!" Clay yelped. Clay squinted and adjusted the rear view mirror.

"You know Clay maybe you and your virgin ears should be wearing your glasses." Cali popped a piece of gum into her mouth.

"No, never again will I wear my glasses. At least not in public." Clay acted horrified and pulled out of the drive way. Clay pushed the cd in the player and gasped. "I love this song!"

Cali covered her ears, and yelled. "Of course you do it's your cd."

Clay giggled. "Yeah it is. That's vain isn't it?"

"No not at all. Can you turn it down?" Cali rolled her eyes, and they happened to land on his hands. She loved his hands. So long and graceful. She sighed.

Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love?

"What cha thinking about? Me right. You love me don't cha?" Clay teased. Cali's heart did a flip flop.

"Yeah Clayton I adore you."

"I knew it. Ugh don't call me that California." Clay used her full first name which he knew she hated.

"Clay I told you never to say my full name. My mom was such a hippy." Cali poked him in his ribs. "Oh I love this song Clay." Invisible had just come on.

"Do you? Have you ever felt that way?" Clay asked as they sat at a red light.

"Yeah I have." Cali replied while playing with her seatbelt.

"Oh yeah? About who?" Clay smirked and the light turned green.

"I'm not telling."

"Oh come on Cali I'm your best friend." Clay teased. "Tell me, do I know this lucky man?"

"Boy is more like it. Yeah you know him."

"I know him. Ruben?" Clay asked.

"Ha, no."

"Tell me." Clay whined.

"I can't tell you that I love you. It would screw things up." Cali covered her mouth as Clay slammed on the breaks. "Ok lets pretend I didn't say it. Yes I love Ruben."

I feel so foolish, I never noticed
You'd act so nervous, could you be falling for me?
It took a rumor to make me wonder
Now I'm convinced I'm going under
Thinking 'bout you every day
Dreaming 'bout you every night
Hoping that you feel the same way
Now that we know it, let's really show it, Darlin'

"Do you?" Clay asked as the cars behind him started honking.

"What love Ruben? Yes he's a god." Cali tried to lighten up the situation.

"No do you love me?"

"I TOLD YOU I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS." Cali yelled.

"Well obviously you did or you wouldn't have said that." Clay said smartly as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"Just shut up and drive Clay. Where are we going anyway?" Cali was looking out the window willing her heart to slide back out of her throat.

"It's a surprise. Most of today is a surprise." Clay pushed the gas pedal hard and they jerked back into traffic. Clay could feel his stomach doing little flip flops. He knew she liked him but he had no idea she LIKED him. Maybe she really didn't mean it. He was trying to convince himself.

"Don't think to hard about it Clay it will screw things up." She watched him as he pulled in to a reasturant. "Oh Clay I can't afford this."

"I know. But I can now. You're my best friend I can spoil you a bit right?" Clay smiled and looked at her. What he saw there took his breath away. No longer was she a dirty six year old. She was a beautiful 23 year old woman. "You look really beautiful Cali..."

"Clay...." She whispered as he leaned closer to her. Was he going to kiss her?

"Yeah?" He barely breathed the words.

Let's give them something to talk about
A little mystery to figure out
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love, love, love, love?

"Shut up." She jerked open the car door and got out. Clay sat back and let out a woosh of air. What the hell was he doing? What the hell was he thinking. "Are you coming?"

"Huh? Oh yeah." Clay got out of the car. They went into the restaurant and were seated. He could smell her. He had never been this aware of her before.

"What are you staring at Aiken?" Cali picked up a menu and stuck out her tongue at him

"You. That was very attractive Cali." He watched her as she made a face. "What's wrong now?"

"Look at the prices." Cali played with her hair and looked at the menu. "This dinner costs more then I have in my bank account." Clay reached over and placed his hand on hers and made her put the menu down. Cali's heart lodged a bit farther in her throat. Clay felt a spark and he jerked his hand away. Cali frowned.

"Just pretend there are no prices." Clay coughed and took a sip of water.

"I have cooties huh Clay" Cali teased.

"I....well...no...I" Clay reached out and placed his hand on hers again. Cali lifted the menu so he couldn't see her smile. The waiter came and Cali jerk her hand away hitting the water glass. All she could do was watch as the ice and water went all over Clay's leather jacket and black pants. He yipped and stood. "That's cold!" Cali jumped up with her napkin and tried to wipe off the water. Clay grabbed her hand and noticed how close she was. He leaned in and kissed her firmly on the mouth. She sighed and melted to him.

"I'll come back." The waiter walked off smirking.

They finally got most of the water off or it dried while they were kissing. The waiter came back and they ordered.

"I wish you'd stop smirking Mr. Aiken." Cali teased.

"I've got a girlfriend. Never had one before." Clay sang.

"What about the tons of women you've "been" with?" Cali asked.

"I...well...not true." He said softly. "You're the first girl I've kissed."

"Oh yeah? Who ever said I was your girlfriend." Cali asked with a mouth full of food.

"Nice Cali I always enjoy seafood." Clay said as he wiped the corners of his mouth.

"Yeah I do too." She stuck her tongue out all the way.

"CALI. I can't take you anywhere." Clay exclaimed.

"Maybe we should have stayed home...alone."

"By ourselves." Clay grabbed her hand again.

"Together..." The waiter coughed and asked if they were ok. Both smiled and said yes.

Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love, love, love, love?

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