The day she dreaded more than that time she had to recite a thousand-word essay by memory had come. And honestly if one was to measure how anxious she felt. It would probably be somewhere between realizing that you forgot your ten-page essay at home and remembering you left your child on public transport.

Haley had spared no expense for this dinner. Her hair had been pulled back into such a difficult braid that she was surprised she managed to pull it off. She lined her eyes with sharp eyeliner and painted on bright eyeshadow. Her white sundress and blue square heels completed the look.

Her parents had already left the house for a dinner date but not before making her promise she would say hello to Jupiter. They still didn't know she was the date of the second Pluto brother.

Upon arriving, Matt practically ran out the door to greet her. Which Haley had to admit was quite adorable if not for the realization days earlier.

Matt offered her his elbow which she gratefully took. She couldn't continue this relationship anymore. No matter how much she wished and hope. She could never love Matt the way she loves Jupiter.

Speaking of Jupiter. Haley didn't forget the familiar red car parked next to her. He was here and judging from the way that the passenger seat was reclined. He wasn't alone.

Jupiter always left the passenger the same because it was her seat. But now it was scouted at least four inches forward.

" You look great," Matt muttered into her ear as they entered the house. Immediately she was greeted with the familiar scents of the Pluto's rich Asian background.

He led her to the living room where Jupiter and a pretty girl with newly dyed pink tips sat. Their fingers were interlaced.

" Hi." Haley croaked.

" Hi. It's so nice to meet you I'm Mindy." The girl greeted happily. God, she was so beautiful. Everything from her hair to her cute dress was matched perfectly.

" Hey," Jupiter said slowly.

It was so awkward. Even Matt couldn't find a stupid joke to dish out. In fact, he seemed more interested at glaring at Mindy than anything.

" Hi kids." Mr. Pluto with his exceptional timing walked in.

" Oh hi, you must be Matt's date." He turned to Mindy and shook her hand. It was like he didn't even see the fact that their hands were interlaced or that she was nowhere near Matt.

" Actually I'm Jupiter's date." She said.

" Haley's my date tonight." Matt followed, with the same level of awkwardness.

Mindy seemed to perk up at the sound of her name and glanced at Jupiter who revealed nothing.

" Oh." Mr. Pluto replied.

And at this moment Mrs. Pluto walked in. Same as her husband she greeted Mindy.

" Hi. You must be Matt's date. Wow, you're so pretty."

" No dear. That's Jupiter's date." Mr. Pluto corrected. Jupiter looked like he wanted to die and Haley didn't blame him.

" Oh." She said slowly.

" And Haley here is Matt's date."

" Oh."

" Well, we're just gonna leave you kids alone while we finish up." Mr. Pluto said and whisked him and his wife into the kitchen.

Even after living in this house for many years. They always forgot how thin the walls were. Haley heard everything.

" What you mean our son broke up with Haley? Why she's such a nice girl. At times yes she can be quiet. But I see no flaws in that."

" I think it's because Haley's always been more close with Matt. Think about it. No one's that close to a platonic friend."

Haley flushed.

" I didn't expect Jupiter to bring home a college girl. He didn't even mention to us that they broke up. Maybe it was a bad idea sending him there. He's obviously been thinking more about girls and parties than actually studying. Maybe next semester he should move back and attend Hensen instead."

Jupiter's ears turned pink.

" I always suspected that Matt liked Haley. Our boy always wanted whatever Jupiter had."

" Honey don't say that. Haley was Matt's friend first. It's only natural for boys to start having their first crushes at that point."

Matt shifted uncomfortably and his grip tightens on his knee.

" And that new girl. She seems nice. But that hair? How could any college accept that? It's so...bright."

" Do you think she knows that Haley been Jupiter's date for years?"

There were sounds of footsteps and moving pots.

Mindy turned to look at Jupiter but he refused to look back. Well, she does now.

The Pluto appeared back at the doorway and smiled. Seemingly forgetting they were basically tearing all of them apart moments earlier.

" Dinner's ready." Mrs. Pluto chirped.

They filed into a line and followed them into the dining room. Haley sat down almost instinctively in her usual spot. Jupiter did too.

Fun.

They stared at each other and Haley muttered an apology before getting up and taking a seat next to Matt. The seat had always been left empty. Matt never brought a girl to the dinner, even if he was dating someone at the time.

She watched Mindy hesitate before taking the seat. Mr. and Mrs. Pluto watched this exchange carefully.

Haley began to eat and Jupiter followed suit. She sent him a glare, don't copy me.

He sent one back, I'm hungry.

Ice breakers in 3...2...1

" So Matt how's high school?" Surprisingly it was Mindy who was the first to speak up.

Matt smiled and entertained her. Charming as always. " It's good. I plan on attending Westfield next year."

Westfield. A college dedicated to its tennis team and prides itself on its ability to turn students into employees. A decent school, one even Jupiter can't complain about. Also a hundred miles south of Beachview.

" Wow, that's so far. You're not even interested in Beachview and staying close to your brother?"

Matt's eyes darken, " I don't plan on making the same mistakes as my brother." Something told her he wasn't talking about colleges.

" Well, maybe Beachview is right for me. Maybe Westfield is too vanilla for me."

" Or maybe you're just too much of an ass-"

" Enough!" Mrs. Pluto interjected. Strong dark eyes ran in the Pluto family and Haley was not about to test Mrs. Pluto's wrath.

" Let's have a nice dinner okay?"

The rest of the dinner was silent. When everyone was finished with dessert, a delicious bowl of mango sticky rice with extra coconut milk. Mrs. Pluto sent everyone into the backyard while she said that she was going to clean up.

Haley didn't miss the fact that the kitchen window opened perfectly into the backyard. A prime spot for spying.

When she stepped outside. She turned and sure enough, Mr. and Mrs. Pluto was staring right back at her. They jumped and pretended to rinse a plate.

Matt and Jupiter had cooled off since the argument and were happily playing on the old trampoline.

God, that thing's been there since Haley met the Pluto family, she remembered playing on it and nearly breaking an ankle when Jupiter thought it was smart to ambush her. She felt her heart jump, it was also the place where Jupiter first kissed her.

Mindy suddenly turned to her, " Hey can we talk?"