Courtney moved with the tide of students towards the parking lot, except they moved like quick minnows and she was a lazy whale.

Bleh, that was not the image she needed connected with herself right now, especially since she wasn't consistently cheering. But her whale-like slow progression made it easy for Micah to find her. Cause again she was a whale!

Nope, she was a sleek dolphin, cutting through the waves...okay like just generally swimming through the waves.

"Hey," he said. "How are you doing?"

Great, I'm a whale! Correction, slower-than-others dolphin.

"If you were going to equate yourself to a sea mammal what would you be?" she asked.

"I don't know, a seal."

Well, at least seals were large and he wasn't, so maybe her being a whale wasn't actually what it seemed. Wow, putting way too much stock into a simile. I need to get out of this school of fish.

"Why a seal?"

He shrugged. "They kind of laze about and are cute."

"It's good you know your strengths."

Micah laughed. "What about you?"

"Currently it's a whale."

"No."

"What do you mean no?"

"I mean that's not it at all. You're more like a dolphin. Happy and lively."

Ha! Even he saw the dolphin connection! I'll take it.

"Why are we talking about sea mammals?" Micah asked.

"School of fish."

"And we're all swimming with the tide out to the parking lot."

Gotta love a man who can connect the bizarre dots of your mind.

When they reached Micah's Jeep, he took her crutches for her. She hopped to the passenger door and got in, noticing the interior had been thoroughly cleaned.

Micah started the car and 7 Ships blasted through the speakers. He instantly turned down the volume.

"Sorry," he said, backing out of the parking spot and joining the line of exiting cars.

"It's a good song."

"You like 7 Ships?"

"Among a lot of other things."

"Such as?"

"Boy bands like Hey Farewell, Sebastian Colfax, Knox Hamilton. And general pop like Lennon Kayhill and the B-Girls."

"I love the B-Girls."

"Yeah?"

"My sisters created dances to them when we were young. All the songs got stuck in my head."

"They are catchy like that."

As they inched towards the parking lot exit, Courtney spotted Max standing by her motorcycle. When they got closer, she noticed that Blake was standing there with her, talking to her. Courtney looked at Micah. He'd seen.

"Want me to throw something at his head?" she asked.

"Nah, he'd probably do that cool thing where he was able to sense it and catch it in time."

"He's not Spiderman, he doesn't have a Peter Tingle."

"No, but I bet he has some Bad Boy sixth sense or something."

"That explains him being the villain. Every villain has to have some epic evil power."

Micah grinned and shook his head. They passed the pair and though Micah might not have wanted Courtney to throw something, she still threw an evil eye at Max. Though Max didn't notice at all, caught up in Blake's Bad Boy charade.

They pulled onto the road and the wind rushed inside, tangling Courtney's hair. She didn't mind, her focus on Micah, who seemed calm as he drove.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

He didn't look over. "Not really. It's...whatever." He tugged at his curls. "I stalked you last night."

Brilliant segue if ever there was one.

"I told my family there was someone in the bushes!"

"No...I mean...online....your social media accounts."

"Oh, that makes it less weird."

Ah, he looks like he's going to have a heart attack. Can't have that since he's the one in control of the car.

"You can keep breathing, Micah. I heard oxygen is a good thing."

He glanced at her and when he saw her teasing smile, he did relax.

"What made you decide to stalk me?" she asked.

"It was...what you talked about yesterday. Your love of clothes. I saw all your outfits, did you make those?"

"Some, yes."

"It's amazing."

"Thanks."

"I wanted to follow you, but I didn't know if that would be weird."

"Not sure how it would be interesting to you."

"Uh...well in your captions you talked about patterns, how to mix them, how to choose the right color combinations. I don't know, it was interesting."

"So you don't want to follow me because I'm hot? Wow, mildly disappointed. And here I wanted to be objectified while doing what I love. You really can't have everything, can you?"

Micah narrowed his eyes at her then burst out laughing.

"I would have asked to followed your personal one but I couldn't find one."

"I don't have a personal one. I like keeping it neat. Means no embarrassing photos and such."

"Can't imagine you having anything embarrassing."

"Yeah, only the video of me falling and twisting my ankle. But I don't think anyone's seen that, so phew! That's a relief. Or else that would be super embarrassing."

Micah winced. You've watched it on repeat as well, Micah? Same, though mine came from a horror that it was even real. Though that goat scream is classic, simply wished it wasn't coming out of my mouth.

"I'm sorry about that," Micah said.

"Why? Did you post it? If so, PLOT TWIST! Didn't see that one coming."

"Uh, no. It just...sucks."

Yes, yes it did. But what could you do besides go into hiding, get reconstructive surgery, or hack into one of the world's largest platforms? She did always think she'd look better as a brunette.

"If you follow me, does that mean I can stalk you in return?" she asked.

He shrugged. Which Courtney took as an 'okay' to instantly search for his profile and start stalking. What better way to stalk someone than when they were right there? No need to use binoculars.

Micah's feed was a random collection of group photos, half of them she figured someone needed to be there to understand the context. She liked it. He wasn't posting shirtless mirror selfies or beach sunsets with lyrics. It was unprofessional, chaotic, and real.

There wasn't much of it and quickly she came to a photo she knew had to be very old. In it, Micah was with Denzel but it wasn't the muscular Denzel Courtney knew. But he was still in a football uniform so she guessed it was Denzel's freshman year. Denzel had his arm around Micah's neck and they were both grinning.

That was the most recent photo of them together.

Courtney showed Micah her screen. "When was this?"

Micah cast a look at it then focused back on the road. "After his first game during freshman year."

"You guys look close."

"Uh-huh."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

Courtney closed out of his profile and turned up the music. Beside her, Micah relaxed and she eased back in her seat. It wasn't her place to dig deeper but boy, did she grip her mental shovel tightly working to resist.

"Do you want something to eat first?" Micah asked as he stopped his car at the front steps.

"Let's just dive in. The snack afterward will be the reward. That and seeing your closet beautifully organized."

At Micah's door to his room, Courtney paused, making Micah pause with his hand on the doorknob.

"Do you want to go in?" he asked.

"Based on my previous visit I figured I give you a moment to scramble and make the room look neat. I'm not in a swooning state this time, so you have time."

Micah grinned and ducked his head, combing his fingers through his curls.

"Since I know you were coming over I...It's neat."

Courtney fought against a pleased smile. Why was this small thing so heartwarming?

Micah opened the door and led the way inside. He had in fact made sure the room was neat. Compared to last time it looked as if someone else lived there, like a very OCD maid. The downside to the tidiness was if she decided to die here there was no place to hide her body. Better put off dying then.

When Micah opened the doors to his closet, Courtney found that the OCD maid hadn't left this untouched either. No clothes on the floor, every drawer shut with no clothes peeking through the cracks. One side was a rack of shirts with a line of shoes beneath it. On the other side were jackets and sweaters with drawers below. Courtney assumed the drawers held his shorts and jeans.

"Okay, let's get to work. Did you keep the medium shirts separate?" she asked.

Micah crossed to the far side and made a gap in the shirts. "The left side is all smalls."

"Perfect."

Courtney moved to the closest section and started plucking out shirts. She tried to shift but her crutches twisted under her arms and she stumbled. Micah roughly grabbed her shoulders, stabilizing her.

"Thanks," she said. She rehung the shirts and put her crutches to the side. "I won't be able to move with those so you're going to have to keep me balanced. Can you do that?"

Micah swallowed but nodded.

"Just stand behind me and make sure I don't fall."

"I can do that."

Hopping from one end of the shirts to the other, Courtney started to make sense of his closest. Along with organizing, she started a mental catalog of his clothes, in case he decided he needed her assistant on outfits until he was sixty. By that time, most of the graphic t-shirts would be able to be labeled as vintage.

Armed with a large group of darks that needed to be transported to the other end, Courtney began to hop her way over but faltered the weight throwing off her balance.

She crashed back into Micah and they both fell. Courtney flailed, her elbow connecting with Micah's nose. He jerked back, kneeing Courtney in the stomach, hard.

Courtney gasped and rolled onto her side clutching her stomach. She was going to murder every author who made falling into a guy seem romantic, this was painful. Where was the falling on top of the guy's muscular chest and staring longingly into his eyes? What a load of baloney!

As she finally caught her breath, Micah staggered to his feet, clutching his nose, and made his wobbly way out of the closet. Courtney laid there, her stomach sore, her pride bruised, and her thoughts vengeful towards romance authors.

Micah reappeared with a piece of scrunched-up toilet paper hanging out one side of his nose.

"Did I break it?" she asked.

He gingerly touched it. "No, just caused it to bleed. I think I hit you, are you okay?"

Besides not living out a classic Teen Fiction cliché and instead getting impaled by a boney knee, totally fine.

"I'm all right," she said.

Micah reached out his hand and she took it. He helped her up and they both tottered. Courtney gripped Micah's forearms and he grabbed her upper arms. They stood there, both frozen.

She looked up at him but he was looking at their feet as if making sure they were stable and not about to repeat the last couple of minutes.

"I think we're good," Micah said.

He loosened his hold and Courtney did likewise. Wow, missed a golden cliché opportunity yet again. If only Max could be experiencing such life-altering situations then she could see the world clearly. Maybe then she'd stop hating Courtney.

"Since you got a good start," Micah said, eying Courtney's process. "Maybe you should just stand there and tell me where to move stuff."

"Sounds safe enough."

Micah bent down and began to pick up the pile of darks Courtney had dropped. Looking at his large array of clothes, Courtney realized what they were doing was a lot of effort. She helped because she liked seeing someone discover their confidence through clothes. But was Micah's effort worth it? Especially for a girl who was talking with another guy.

"Micah."

Micah straightened, his arms full of shirts. They locked eyes and he raised his eyebrows in question. Did Courtney even have a right to question his feelings? They were his after all. She'd only offered help. But he was her friend too. Micah shifted the pile and took a step closer.

"What's up?" he asked.

Before Courtney could decide how to answer that question, two girls appeared at the opening of the closet. Courtney recognized Felicity and guessed the second girl was her twin, Destiny. Felicity broke into a wide grin at seeing them standing there.

"Mom! There's a girl in Micah's closet!" she yelled.

Micah froze and Destiny rolled her eyes, clearly familiar with her twin's sense of humor.

"And they're making out!" Courtney yelled.

Micah nearly fainted while Felicity and Destiny stared in shock. Courtney grinned and pointed to herself.

"Little sister as well," she said.

At this, Felicity burst out laughing. "Forget that Max girl, you should like her, Micah."

Micah looked like he was about to spontaneously combust and since they were all in the danger zone, Courtney felt it was the safest option to change the topic.

"You must be Destiny," she said.

Destiny smiled a little and nodded. "You're Courtney, right?"

Courtney looked to Micah and she was certain he was going to combust. Well, she'd lived a good life. Goodbye world.

"Micah's told us about you," Destiny said.

"Yeah, that you're the girl who has managed to do what Dee and I have been trying to do for years," Felicity said. "What are you doing in the closet?"

"You mean besides making out?" Courtney said.

Both girls laughed while Micah appeared to be devising plans of escape.

"I'm color coordinating his closet so it makes it easier to help him choose his outfits."

"Oh great! Micah, get out." Felicity shoved her brother towards Destiny, ignoring the fact that he was still holding a load of shirts. "Okay, Cory I bought Micah a shirt last year and he still hasn't worn it, you're going to help me design an outfit. Since he won't listen to me, he'll listen to you."

"I listen to-"

"No, you don't Micah. Or else you wouldn't have a stylist in your closet."

"She's not my-"

"She plans your outfits, what else would you call her?"

"Personal slave?" Courtney said.

"Micah's too nice for that. Now!"

Felicity moved to the rack of shirts and searched through them until she stopped at a deep purple shirt with a strange design on it.

"No," Micah said. "You know I don't-"

"Not even having this discussion," Felicity said.

Always cut off, maybe that's where his broken sentence habit came from. Though he hadn't talked to her in broken sentences for a few days now, so maybe that wasn't the connection. Still a puzzle to solve then.

"Okay," Felicity said, handing Courtney the shirt. "Work your magic on Micah."

"Seriously?" Micah turned around and headed further into his room, Destiny moving with him.

Courtney pivoted towards the drawer of shorts and jeans.

"You found him his jeans, right?" Felicity asked.

"Yeah, his kept annoying me. They looked so bad on him."

"I know! You can't believe how many times I told him he needed to buy a different size." She rolled her eyes. "But, no he didn't want to listen to me."

Courtney smiled. Gotta love a fellow fashionista. As she scanned the collection of shorts for the right pair, Felicity glanced out of the closet then shifted closer to Courtney.

"Okay," she said, lowering her voice. "I need to know, is this Max girl worth it?"

A question Courtney had just asked herself.

"I can't say," Courtney said. "Micah knows her better than I do."

Felicity eyed her. "I see. You don't like her."

"I didn't say that. But she doesn't seem to like me."

"Oh. Then she is not right for Micah."

"Because she doesn't like me?"

"Exactly."

Not really seeing the connection.

"If she doesn't like you, someone who is pretty, friendly, and kind then clearly she has a problem. Jealousy, perhaps. Either way, she's not right for Micah."

Couldn't agree more but what can you do? Seen too many times how guys fall for the rebel and girls fall for the bad boy. Doesn't make a lick of sense to me but what do I know.

"What can we do to change the direction of his affections?" Felicity asked.

"I'm not sure that's something anyone has control over."

"Yes, but it needs to happen." Again Felicity glanced to the open doors. "You've probably seen this, but my brother is sweet and kind and any girl could run right over him. I love him to death but he's easy pickings for some girl who wants to be adored and not give a crap about how it might affect him. I'm not going to let that happen. He's already dated a girl that it didn't end on the greatest terms. I can't watch that again."

Courtney fought the urge to hug Felicity. This was sisterly love. Thank goodness Micah had someone like her looking out for him.

"I know. He deserves someone good."

"Like you."

Courtney laughed. "Your brother is out of my league." Before Felicity could talk, Courtney went on. "Since we don't want him hurt, should I stop helping with his style? Me helping him look more attractive seems counterintuitive."

"No! Don't stop. The more time he spends with you the more he can see the type of person he should be with."

Not going to fight that decision, can't lose my Idiot Adventurer.

Can't lose him.

"In that case, let's pair this shirt." She grabbed a pair of black jeans Micah had bought the previous day. "Here we go."

"Perfect! Now, tell me how you hurt your ankle while I finish color coordinating his shirts."

Felicity was able to commiserate with Courtney over her pain and the lack of being able to do what she loved since a year ago she'd hurt her ankle as well. They flowed from that into injuries they'd had and how they'd gotten into cheerleading and gymnastics respectfully.

By the time the shirts were coordinated, Courtney had an invite to visit the gym in the house for a friendly tumble routine competition when her ankle was healed. Though Courtney hadn't officially accepted the invite, Felicity declared it to Micah and Destiny as she walked out of the closet.

"Also your shirts are organized and tomorrow's outfit is on top of the drawers," Courtney said.

"Thanks," Micah said. "Do you want that rewarding snack now?"

Even though Courtney smiled, she felt worn out from standing on one leg for so long. Nothing like recovering from an injury to make you feel pathetic on a daily basis.

"Can I get a raincheck on that?" she asked.

"Of course. I'll drive you home."

This seemed to be an invitation to Felicity to follow them out of the house, talking the whole time. At least with her constant stream, Courtney didn't have to find responses. Besides, it explained Micah a bit more. Pinned in between the charismatic Denzel and the bubbly Felicity it was a miracle he knew how to speak at all.

"I'm sorry if my sister is overwhelming," Micah said as they drove through the neighborhood.

"I like her. She cares about you a lot."

Micah nodded and stared at the road. "She's always been there for me. She might be two years younger but sometimes I feel like we're the same age."

Close to her but not Denzel. What was that story?

"I'm guessing it will be hard when you go away to college."

"Yeah, it will be. Are you close to your siblings?"

"Kinda. Just not like you and Felicity."

Micah slowed and turned into Courtney's driveway. He stopped at the front steps. As Courtney opened her door, he jumped out and collected her crutches for her. Considerate as always. Max, you do not deserve him.

"Thanks for letting me take over your closet," she said, smiling up at him.

"Thanks for not freaking out when you met my sister."

"Seems like you were the one who was panicking."

"Yeah...well what Fee said." He shook his head. "She likes to embarrass me."

"What little sister doesn't?"

Courtney headed up the stairs but Micah stopped her.

"I'm going to hold you to that raincheck," he said.

She smiled. "You're just saying that because you feel obligated since I'm giving you free fashion advice."

"No," he said, walking backwards towards the driver-side door. "I like your company."

**********************************************************************

Scattering shattering skittles!

(The question is are the skittles scattering because they're shattering or are they shattering and therefore scattering? Candy for thought)

If you have thoughts then share them, if no thoughts have you then share my thoughts with you, I will. 🗯💭💬

How many of you still saw Micah with a piece of kleenex in his nose when he said the last line?

(I never mentioned it being removed so I'm curious. I think it would be hilarious if he still had it in)

Question asked by crazi_reader: Which one of your many characters do you relate to the most ?

Can you guess which one I would choose?

(I'm curious if you have your own answer to this question)

Now, drum roll please 🥁🥁🥁🥁

My answer: Funny enough it's Courtney. Our lovable wackadoo.

Something I've never shared before is the fact that I've been chronically ill for the last six years.

(Basically that means my health is wack, I barely leave my house, and the smallest of tasks take a lot of energy. I know, my life is fan-tastic!)

I've never shared this because oh my gosh how depressing! I mean now you should feel really super duper bad for me and send me all the ice cream you can to cheer me up. I, being a wonderful person, will happily accept the burden of eating it all.

I never talked about it before because let's face it, it's not like talking about it is going to change anything. Bleh! Worse enough to live through it, so why would I make you live through it too? I know I have a dark side but jeez not that dark!!

Besides, focusing on the negative is not my cup of tea ☕️. I would rather focus on the positive, my name is Joy after all 💁‍♀️. And nothing is more cheering than ice cream🍦, Grant Gustin, my dog and the most random things I can pick out of my brain. 🤪🤓

In the simplest of terms, we are both always the oddest person in the room.

Any diddle doo! You know what to do!

Glasaj, prokomentariši, zaprati! (Serbian)Thanks to Ammimalfoy for making me this cover!!

I made this book aesthetic, what do you think?

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]