I hear my phone vibrate, but ignore it the first time.

Two minutes later it goes off again.

This time I roll onto my side and grab my phone off of the charger.

It's a new number.. Huh- oh!

My friend wants your number so--

I raise my eyebrows as I read the texts.

Hey uh, TJ, hey.

This is Jordan by the way :)

I write a quick reply.

Oh- Jordan, hey :)

I wait about a minute or so before I get a reply.

Hey. So I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go to the movies or something?

I mean not as a date! Sorry. I should have probably worded that a bit better. Lol

Haha it's fine! Don't worry :) when do you wanna meet up?

Tomorrow at noon? It's my day off- and if you can't do it tomorrow then we could do it another time.

Alright but Jordan I have to tell you something..

What is it? Oh! Gotta go. Business calls ;) talk to you later.

I sigh and place my phone on my night stand then place my hands on my face and allow a groan to escape my lips.

I grab my phone again and open the messaging app back up.

Jordan I'm mute!

I then drop my phone back on my night stand and stare up at the ceiling.

Well.. Let's see how he's going to react to this..

About a half hour later, I get a text back.

You- really? Oh. Sorry to hear that. But honestly that doesn't matter to me. Just because you have a disability, doesn't mean you're any less human. You're gorgeous anyways, and honestly that makes up for you being mute. Don't think otherwise, alright?

My cheeks turn pink when I read the part where he said you're gorgeous anyways.

You.. Think I'm gorgeous?

Of course. I wouldn't lie about that.

I smile a bit and run a hand through my hair.

So you said tomorrow?

Yeah. I mean if it's a good time for you that is.

Yeah! It's a great time. Hey, Nerve has been playing for a few days now, and I was wanting to see it if you'd like to see it as well.

Sure! I've been waiting a while for that to come out as well. You need a ride to the movie?

Nope! I can get a friend to drive me- since I live with her. Thanks for the offer though :)

Alright :) meet at 12:30?

Perfect. See you tomorrow.

See yah!

I smile a bit. Maybe this can help me get over Red- no. I'm not doing this to use him. I- I'm not.

I mean yeah. I have a huge crush on Red but- Jordan is pretty hot as well, so..

I smile a bit and look at my phone that's turned off, no more notifications going through.

I get up and trot down the stairs, my phone in hand.

I sit outside on the deck and stare out at the lake, a smile forming on my face.

"Hey, TJ." Alesa grabs my attention as she walks out of the house.

She sees my facial expression and raises her eyebrows slightly.

"What's got you smiling like that?" She asks, her expression quickly brightening up a bit.

I look down at my phone and quickly open up the messages and hand my phone to Alesa.

"You're going on a date with Jordan, aww," Alesa coos.

I feel a blush form on my cheeks and I swat an imaginary bug out of the air.

Alesa laughs a bit and hands my phone back to me.

"Don't worry- but if Adam finds out he might get really protective," she warns.

I nod a bit and smile as well then look back to the water.

"So do you want me to drive you to the theater at around noon?" She asks.

I nod a bit and look over at her.

"Alright- I'm gonna go back inside now. It's supposed to rain here in a bit so- don't stay out here for too long. Alright?" She asks.

I nod a bit and smile then look back at the lake, watching as geese circle it before landing in the water.

I look at the black screen on my phone and see a clear raindrop land and splatter on the phone screen.

I look up and feel a raindrop land on my cheek.

I stand up and grab my phone then walk into the house, sitting at the kitchen table and looking at my phone in my hands as I scroll through Instagram, stopping and staring when I see a selfie of Red and his Girlfriend.

Brunette. Blonde highlights. Green eyes. Pink lips. Clear complexion.. Perfect.

I blink a couple of times at the picture before scrolling past it and liking a couple of Rob and Lachlan's pictures before turning my phone off and resting my head on the table.

Next thing I know it, I'm woken up by the front door and my name being called.

I look at the kitchen doorway and see Adam appear, his eyebrows immediately scrunching up.

"You're going on a date with Jordan tomorrow?" He asks.

Shit..

I nod slowly and look at my phone for a second before looking back at Adam.

He looks at me for a few seconds before turning and huffing then going to Alesa.

I immediately feel a pang of regret, guilt and pain all at the same time in my chest.

Why do I feel like Adam's mad at me now?

I grab my phone then silently walk up the stairs, letting a tear fall before I blink the rest away and wipe away the tear that escaped before going into my room and shutting the wooden door.

Well, shit.

I possibly just pissed off my adoptive father by going on a... Date? With one of the people he works with..

Yeah. Fun..

"Sorry.." I whisper below my breath, the sound a bit hoarse and choppy but you can make out what I said.

I go to my bean bag and slowly sit down in the green saggy.. Thing, before turning my phone back on and doing something to occupy myself so I don't feel too bad about going on a date with Jordan.

But to be fair.. I can go dates with whoever I want.

Right?

Yeah. Of course I can. If we don't go on another date, we don't. If we become boyfriend and girlfriend, we do. If we break up, we do. So what? It's not like it's the end of the world.

Right.