Levi's POV

"Before you go, you will finish your green beans," mom barks at me.

"Ma, you know I hate green beans," I groan.

"I don't care, they're good for you." I roll my eyes and take another bite but It tastes gross and I think about something else as I chew the beans into mush. I look over at my dad, who has been on the phone this entire dinner, and notice he doesn't have any green beans on his plate because mom never forces him to eat the vegetables.

"So, you and Bailey..." Mom sits across from me arms folded, watching me eat.

"What about it?" I ask.

"She's a sweet girl and she went through a lot and I'm glad you're there for her but I can't lie, I'm concerned," she admits.

I swallow my green mush and stare at her confused. What's there to be concerned about? "About what?" I ask.

"Well, her family isn't doing so well right now. I heard Sergio checked into rehab and Sally lives at the bar."

"So?" I say, still unsure how this has to do with Bailey.

Dad finishes his conversation on the phone and chimes into the conversation. "We don't want Bailey dragging you down. It took a long time for you... to get better. Your grades have finally improved after the incident and now you will be quarterback. You shouldn't let a girl distract you. Dating her could be bad for you."

Hearing those words strikes a chord within me. What does he mean a girl?

"Tell mom that. She's been shoving Clair down my throat since she heard about her return from Paris." I point the fork at mom as I glare into dad's eyes.

Mom tries to defend herself, "Clair is different, sweetheart. She's doing well in school. Her personal life is stable and she doesn't have baggage. She could support you as you work toward your future."

"Besides, doesn't it make you feel guilty to date your best friend's little sister? You survived and he didn't," dad states.

"John," mom hisses.

"It's late, I have to go pick up my girlfriend." I stand up and throw the napkin onto my plate.

I grab my coat hanging up in the front room and I make sure to slam the door behind me.

Bailey's POV

We drove over a half hour to get to the mall which is a few towns over and I dragged Levi along for multiple reasons, the crucial one being that we needed a ride here because Jackson was using the car tonight. The other reason is because I have go on dates with him so I am counting this as one of them. Levi seems bored but he hasn't complained yet. Georgia on the other hand, is bored and won't stop complaining.

We've already been in four stores and still no luck on finding outfits for the party. Now we're walking through Windsor hoping this is our last stop. Levi grabs a seat in front of the changing room and us girls look at dresses.

"This is not how I want to spend my birthday," Georgia gripes.

"Yeah, we know. You've only told us like a bajillion times!" Denver rolls her eyes.

"What do you think of this dress?" I hold up an olive green spaghetti strap dress with a low cut front.

"Try it on!" Dakota beams.

"I'm not wearing a dress," Georgia argues.

"Then wear a top with skinny jeans birthday girl." Dakota replies.

"Denver try this on," Dakota pulls out a black dress with a white color and it fits the Weber palette of fashion.

"I love it," Denver grabs it and dashes to the changing room.

I pick up a few more dresses to try on and follow behind. Dakota plops down on the seat next to Levi. Georgia also sits down refusing to try on a dress.

I walk out in my first dress which is the Olive green one. My flat chest does not fill out the dress like it should. Levi stares at me not saying anything. "Well what'd you think?" I ask Levi.

He stumbles over his words, "I-I don't think it's appropriate for this party."

Dakota's face is scrunched up, "Yeah, your non existent tits are hanging out. Too over the top. This ain't homecoming."

Levi shoots a nasty glare at Dakota while I laugh at his statement. It's true. I close the curtain and try again. As I undress I hear Dakota, "I'm coming in."

I cover my chest with my shirt as Dakota enters the dressing room. "What the hell Dakota, I'm topless!"

"So? I'm not looking. Here try on these leather pants and this top." Dakota hands over the clothes and stands there, watching me.

"Um, privacy please," I say.

"Oh, whatever. I'll be outside." Dakota exits the changing room. As I try on the clothes I hear Levi and Dakota mumbling about something.

"I love this," Denver says.

I peek out the curtain and see Denver showing off a black dress with a white collar. She reminds me of Wednesday Adams and I'm living for it. Dakota, Levi and Georgia all approve.

"I already know how I'm going to match you," Dakota says as he crosses his legs. He's been acting different. How long has he been an expert on fashion? I walk out of the dressing room with my Dakota-approved outfit. Levi once again just stares at me. Georgia also stares at me.

"Do you guys like it?" I ask. No one has said anything for a solid ten seconds.

"You look hot," Denver admits.

"Told you, this is the winner," Dakota nods.

"Yeah, I'm actually surprised," Georgia admits.

Levi says nothing. His cheeks are flushed and he looks around the store. What's his deal? "Do you like it Levi?" I ask him. "Yeah, it works." He states.

Georgia stands up, "Good, I want to go to Hot Topic now."

Georgia and I walk into Hot Topic while Dakota and Denver drag Levi into H&M. Georgia points out some shirts she likes, but they're all band tees. I try and pull out some shirts suitable for the party but she sticks her nose up at them.

"Alright, whatever you choose, I'll buy for you." I tell her.

"You already bought my dinner!" She states.

"I bought you chicken nuggets and nacho fries from the food court. It's your birthday and you're my best friend. Now pick something." I say.

"That's all I need in life, food!" Georgia says.

Georgia continues to walk through the store, "Oh, and this My Chemical Romance shirt." She smiles at me. Not exactly what I had in mind, but if that's what she wants. I crack a smile at her. These Webers and their black clothing.

Dakota's POV

We browse through H&M looking for the right outfit for Levi. Normally, I only get to dress my sisters and Bailey so It's exciting to have a new doll in the family to play with.

So far, Levi has rejected four shirts and a sweater Denver pulled from the rack. For someone as laid back as Levi, I'm surprised how picky he is when it comes to clothing.

"You pick something then and we will tell you if we approve of it or not," I tell him, defeated.

Levi hums, as he thumbs through the racks and grabs a lime green henley and shows it to us. In unison, Denver and I shake our heads. We can't approve that shade on his warm skin tone.

He puts it back and continues his journey and pulls out a maroon button up and although it's not the sexiest for a party, it will look good on him.

I nod, "Go try that on."

Levi heads to the fitting room and Denver and I both agree to look for more options.

"Looking for outfits for your boyfriend?" A voice says behind me and when I turn around I draw out a lengthy breath at Zach and Devon. Zach hates me because his dad is the pastor in town and so naturally he's against homosexuals, and assumes I am one because of how stylish I am. I can't help that I'm attractive and have good taste in things that matter in life.

"No, I'm shopping for myself," I lie.

"No, you're not, that size is too large for you, gay-boy," He scoffs at the large shirt I hold in my hand.

"How original of you. Did your pastor daddy teach you that one or did you expand your vocabulary all on your own?" I mock.

"If you and your family actually went to church you would know that you're going to hell."

"Hey, as long as you won't be there, it will be my heaven," I snort.

"Come on Zach, chill. The guy's harmless," Devon chimes in.

"Whatever, when you're done shopping you should go read the Bible," Zach huffs and they both leave.

I turn toward Denver and she gives me the same sympathetic eyes as she always does when someone teases me and I shake my head, "I'm fine, really. Give this to Levi to try on."

Denver takes the shirt from me, "Are you sur-"

I interject, "Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

She does as I say and heads to the dressing room and I continue to distract myself by finding more outfits for Levi to try on but no matter how many colors and different fabrics I immerse myself in, the tears still fill the brim of my eyes. I know I should be used to it by now but sometimes I'm still stunned by how poorly he treats me.

A hand comes from behind me, wiping a tear away and whispers, "Sorry, about that back there but you know I love you."

He kisses me on the cheek and when I turn around to thank him, he disappears. I smile; then again, he can treat me so well sometimes.

Oh yeah, I'm one hundred percent gay and have been in a secret relationship with Devon Washington for the past seven months.

Bailey's POV

As we exit I ask Georgia something that's been sitting on my mind, "Georgia, is Dakota, gay?"

Georgia doesn't seemed fazed by my question, "You say that as if it's a terrible thing to be gay."

"Oh- no, I just. I never met anyone gay before. Does that mean he is?"

"It's not my story to tell, if you're curious, ask him," She says.

"Well, look who is coming out of the devil's store." AnnaMae and Hayley stand before Georgia and I, looking us up and down.

"It's Levi's girlfriend and her redheaded friend." Hayley states.

"Where is your boyfriend? Or did you two already break up?" AnnaMae asks.

"My name's Bailey and stop acting like you don't know that and we didn't break up he's here actually."

"I still can't believe Levi would date you over Clair," Hayley says with her arms crossed.

"He's dating Bailey over you too, Hayley," Georgia says. She knows about Levi and Hayley's history together. I tell her everything.

"Have you two even kissed yet? I heard how inexperienced you are." AnnaMae says.

"I'm more experienced than you think," I tell her as I step forward.

"Oh, really? So you and Levi are already hooking up? Wow, it doesn't take long to get into your pants." AnnaMae smirks.

"Then you know how unfortunate it is that you're with him. He's also 'inexperienced'." Hayley laughs.

"If he's so bad in bed, then why are you so desperate to date him, Hayley?" Georgia says and now I'm the one who's laughing.

"What, you think you're cool now because you're dating a football player?" AnnaMae closes the gap between us and her perfume fills the compact space and it smells expensive unlike what I wear.

We glare into each other's eyes. Her curly blonde hair is tucked behind her ear and her hoop earring shines off the yellow lights. She's always been a few inches tall than me but in heels she makes me feel even more insignificant. Her perfect white teeth smile at me, but I know better to know she's fake as hell. I rack my brain for a comeback, but I'm drawing a blank. Now would be a splendid time for Georgia to step in.

"What are you guys doing here?" Levi walks up to us, weaving his fingers into mine. I squeeze his hand hard, letting him know how pissed I am.

"Oh, you didn't hear, Levi? There's a sale at the diet pill store," Denver adds.

"Wow, humor must be the only quality the Weber family has," AnnaMae spits.

"Hey, we're going to miss our movie, let's go," Levi says, trying to diffuse the situation.

We all walk away but I turn back, "See you at the party tomorrow!" I wave my thimble little fingers at them. They both scoff and walk off.

++++++++

We all find our seats and settle in the movie theater.

"How was H&M?" I ask Levi.

"Torture, but I found an outfit. Thanks to the Weber twins." He says.

"Thanks for driving us today." I smile at him.

"You need to learn how to drive," he affirms.

"Why, when I have you?" I smile again, but this time more bratty.

He rolls his eyes, "you're such a brat."

I stuff my mouth with popcorn, "I know."

The theater lights turn off and the screen turns on. Georgia picked a horror movie for her birthday which is our favorite genre to watch and it doesn't take long for the jump scares to happen.

I laugh at the half naked girl running through the woods and every campy horror film starts the same but I love that they're so predictable.

As the masked killer pops out from behind the shower curtain I feel a squeeze on my arm; I look over and Levi's eyes are closed as he holds onto my arm for comfort. I had no idea he didn't like horror films.

I shake his arm to get his attention however, when he opens them another pop scare happens in the movie, making Levi jump and lean in toward me even more. I pat his arm to let him know he's going to be okay.

Once the music dies down and the dialogue starts up, he opens his eyes, and relaxes a bit. However, in the middle of the main character's conversation the person she was talking to, gets stabbed by the masked killer.

Levi yelps, throwing my arm around his neck and buries himself into my armpit. I can't help but laugh at how ridiculous he is acting. I was not expecting him to be scared of such a bad movie. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

I laugh some more and whisper in his ear, "You're cute."

~~~~~4/6/20 • 2390 words~~~~~

No questions today. Stay safe and keep social distancing! 😃 Also, thank you for being patient as I am sort of on a hiatus with this book. This pandemic has me working long hours, but I'm trying to balance both!

🌸Thank you for reading. Please vote/comment if you enjoyed the chapter!🌸