Trisha Louise Lockwood. 

A girl who's tired of having a bad reputation. A girl who decides to change despite her challenging home situation. A girl who thought she was unreadable until she met Tobias Melvin. 

She didn't know one person could change her entire life. 

She didn't know one person could save her from so many demons. 

He calls her SUGAR despite her life being anything but sweet.

"When something tastes bitter, what do you do? You add sugar because it sweetens it up perfectly and it tastes better." Tobias responds, his eyes flickering between my lips and eyes. I feel like my heart is going to burst through my chest and I simply nod back at him. 

"I strongly believe if you enter someone's life, you'll sweeten it up completely," Tobias whispers, his breathing becoming shallow. His eyes are fully trained on my lips now and I let my tongue flick out, wetting my bottom lip. 

I don't know if it's my imagination but I'm sure I hear an animal like growl come from his throat. . . 
                     
Only for a split second. 

"Do you need sugar in your life?" I whisper bravely, my voice trembling. He takes a few seconds to reply but his response has me quivering at the knees -

"You know I do."

SUGAR

When I walk into the diner, my attention zones in on my friends. Jake, Emily and Ivory are all sat in the booth far back, chatting quietly under their voices. They don't notice Tobias and I enter so I pause for a moment. I can't describe the feeling growing inside my stomach, a fixture of fear and anxiety. I don't know what to expect. Tobias' hand slips into mine, squeezing it for reassurance and comfort. 


"Are you okay? We can leave if you want to." 


I breathe deeply for a second, closing my eyes. I remind myself that Leroy would hate to see me like this, sad and broken. The last thing I need is to distance myself away from the people I love most, especially when I need them right now. 


"Leave and miss out on pancakes? No way," I respond, barely a smile on my face. He gives me a longing look, the corners of his lips tugging upwards slightly. "I have to face them some day, besides I've missed the craziness." I sniffle, standing up tall. 


Friends.