"How's this almost-seventeen year old?" Troy greeted without knocking, almost startling Evelyn. Evelyn sat cross-legged on her bed, writing about her past month with Troy. It was seventh day of July, meaning that there was less than five days until her seventeenth birthday.

     "She missed you," she tried to shut her notebook as subtly as possible.

     "Oh, did she now?" Troy teased as he sat down onto her bed. Evelyn nodded with a smile that very clearly displayed her giddiness. "Maybe she did," he shrugged, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her in for a short kiss. Even though it didn't last very long, Evelyn appreciated it.

     "I can't believe i'm gonna be seventeen. I mean, senior year! Wow," Evelyn rested her head on Troy's shoulder. "And you're gonna be eighteen. Jeez."

     "What's that supposed to mean, Ev?" he pinched her thigh, leaving a red mark on the olive-colored skin.

     "You're old!" she insulted jokingly. "I'm kidding, but do you have any plans for after high school, almost-eighteen year old?"

Troy shrugged. "Probably just gonna stay here," he spoke, his tone nonchalant. "What about you?"

Evelyn fixed her eyes on bedroom floor. What were her plans for after high school? Her whole life, she'd wanted to run as far away from the ranch as possible as soon as she could, but things were different now. She didn't want to have to break up with Troy to move hours away. She wanted their unofficial "relationship" to last as long as it could. "College," she stated simply, not wanting to go further into detail.

"Where?" Evelyn shut her eyes and sighed at the question. She focused on the way Troy's hand gently caressed her thigh as she thought up an answer.

"I don't know," she responded honestly. She lifted her head from his shoulder and placed her hands there instead. "I've always wanted to go... somewhere up north, away from here, but I don't know anymore."

"I mean, I'd like it if you didn't go so far," Troy muttered, turning his head so that he was facing her. "How else would I be able to do this?" he leaned in to steal a kiss. Evelyn sighed in content when he pulled away. She'd miss that a lot.

"I'll figure it out," she said with a lingering smile, wrapping her arms around his neck to be as close to him as possible.

"Come, I left some things in the kitchen," Troy grabbed her hand and pulled her downstairs. "Since it's your birthday week," he started once they reached Evelyn's living room, "I thought we should do something in spirit."

"Like what?" Evelyn asked curiously with a smile.

"Like, trying our best to bake a birthday cake," Troy grabbed both of her hands and gently pulled her close. Evelyn grinned up at him.

"Are you serious?"

"So serious."

"We're gonna mess this up so bad," the girl laughed. Troy agreed.

"Okay, so, the box says to preheat the oven."

"Okay, to what?" Evelyn cluelessly stared at all the buttons and knobs.

"I don't know," Troy shrugged. Evelyn facepalmed.

"oh my gosh!" evelyn suddenly exclaimed as the two began to mix batter.

"what?"

"Are we gonna have one of those romantic couple movie moments where they like, have a food fight with whatever they're making and it's so cute and adorable?" Troy stared at the girl as she rambled.

"No," troy stared blankly, causing Evelyn to frown.

"Why not?" she whined, leaning into Troy to show her fake sadness.

"We are keeping this kitchen as clean as possible," Troy scolded, attempting to cover up the flour they'd spilled just a few minutes prior.

"Boring," Evelyn stepped away from him. "You're probably right though, my dad would kill me if he found this kitchen a mess."

"Okay, now we wait," Troy muttered after placing the mixture into the oven. Evelyn stood with her lower back pressed against the counter, her eyes not leaving the boy's face. "What?"

"It's nothing," Evelyn looked away as she bit her lip.

"No, tell me," Troy sneered, moving over to place his hands on her waist. "Why were you looking at me so weird?"

Evelyn playfully rolled her eyes. She knew he wasn't going to let up, so she figured she might as well just answer. "I just like your face," she sheepishly looked away.

"I figured that'd be the case. I mean, who doesn't?" Troy joked. Evelyn poked him, causing him to jerk away and grip his side.

"Yeah. Now you know how it feels," Evelyn sassily placed her hands on her hips, replacing Troy's.

"Fine," Troy shrugged. "I was going to ask you something, but I guess now you won't get to know."

Evelyn's shoulders dropped. "What were you going to ask me, Troy?" she pulled at his arms, trying to get him closer to her. He shook his head. "Stop being so stubborn and tell me!" she whined.

Troy looked at her in shock. "I'm stubborn now?" he exclaimed. Evelyn groaned. She liked when they pretended to argue, she felt it strengthened their relationship, but this was just torture.

"Tell me!"

"Fine," Troy huffed sarcastically. He stepped closer to Evelyn. The teasing smile on his face quickly disappeared, causing Evelyn to wonder what he was really up to. "So, Ev," he grabbed her hands.

"Yeah?" Evelyn couldn't hold back her giddy smile. Troy always had the craziest effects on her. She couldn't remember feeling this way for anyone. Not even Bryce Whitney, some blond boy from her 5th grade class who she had claimed to be in love with.

"How would you feel if..."

Evelyn sighed as Troy trailed off. she'd never know why he liked to tease her like this in these situations. "Spit it out," she rushed. her cheeks were beginning to feel sore from how much she'd been smiling.

"If we could become like, official?" Troy's lip quirked up into an almost smile, or a smirk. Evelyn couldn't tell. He waited for the girl's reaction, he knew she'd react in the most 'Evelyn' way possible.

Evelyn felt like she could die of happiness. She'd imagined this scenario in her head thousands of times now, and though it was so simple, she thought it couldn't get any more perfect. Evelyn looked down, suddenly becoming shy. Troy's gaze somehow got her to blush even more.

"What do you say?" Troy asked, grinning. He knew what her answer was going to be. Her reaction gave it all away, he just wanted to hear her say it explicitly.

"Like, officially dating?" Evelyn questioned stupidly. She knew it was a dumb question, but she needed to be sure, and she also wanted to drag this moment out as far as it could go.

"What else would I be asking?" Troy dropped his head and chuckled.

"I would like that," Evelyn nodded and beamed. She finally got the courage to look up into his light blue eyes. They were together now. Like, together together, and Evelyn couldn't be happier. The situation was so crazy to her, it didn't settle in until Troy pressed his lips against hers.

a/n
SO THEYRE DATING NOW
OMG OMG OMG
guys i can't freaking believe
it i literally love this little
story and troy and evelyn sooo
much!!! and even though this
chapter was a little cringy i like it!!!
hope y'all enjoyed
sorry for mistakes
wc: 1239
04.04.22