Courtney wasn't going to say she had nothing to wear. That would be about the most idiotic thing she could think of since she literally sat on the floor of her closet surrounded by clothes. No, the statement, or rather the question in her mind was one she'd never asked herself before. She'd never needed to.

Okay, were there times in her formative years when she didn't know what oneise to wear at night? Yes, but everyone had those times and she'd been three. Think of all the years since then. All the effort and dedication she'd put into never having to face this question again.

Was she currently being dramatic about facing the dilemma of what to wear?

Yes, but in her defense, she did feel lost.

And for a girl whose passion in life did come from clothes and knowing the right combination, this was unsettling.

There was only one thing for it: backup. And backup from the least likely person she'd imagined she call in as reinforcement. Honestly, with this person's history, it didn't even make logical sense to call. But there were added benefits that helped tip the scales.

"What's up?" Micah asked, his beautiful face filling Courtney's phone screen.

Yes, his looks definitely played a major factor in calling him. Just look at those eyes. The feeling of complete and desolate loss is already retreating. But it still hadn't fully surrendered so the question must be voiced. Even though it pains me to say it.

"I don't know what to wear to Damon's party," Courtney said. "I need your help."

The view of Micah wavered. "I'm sorry, can you say that again?"

Courtney widened her eyes, pouring her soul and desperation into them.

"I don't know what to wear. I need your help."

Again the view flickered.

"Okay, got it," Micah said.

Courtney buried her soul again. "You recorded that, didn't you?"

"Of course. This is the moment where the student becomes the master. The Idiot becomes the Wise Ole Sage. You, are now the idiot."

"Hey! I never used your title as a form of insult. At least have the decency to call me Idiot with a capital 'I' instead of a lowercase one."

"My apologies, Idiot."

"Thank you. Now back to the dilemma of my outfit."

"I don't know how you can have the dilemma, I can see a row of clothes behind you."

"I'm not saying I don't have anything to wear, I'm saying I don't know what to wear. Please don't make me more dramatic than I've already decided to be for now."

Micah grinned. All is forgiven. Jeez, I would let him get away with murder for that smile. Okay, logically probably not... Okay, if I'm being honest I'd at least waver for half a second. It's a really good smile. Especially when his eyes do that sparkly thing.

"Are you going to help me?" Courtney asked.

"Cory, you do remember I'm the person you had to tell me what to wear about a week ago, right?"

"Are you helpless when it comes to color combinations and sizing? Yes. But I don't need that. I need help knowing what to wear. Am I supposed to be the hot blonde you're excited to introduce to your friends because they never thought you'd date me? You know so I wear something more scandalous."

Micah gave her a skeptical look. "Do you even own anything that would be called scandalous?"

"No, it's not my style. But I could make something work if that's what you wanted."

At this, Micah peered at the screen with a serious look. "What I want is for you to wear whatever you want to feel comfortable. You're beautiful and that's still true even if you're wearing pajamas. I would know I've seen you in your pajamas."

Abort! Abort! Get off-screen right now, Cory! Do it!

Cory flopped out of frame. Nope, he can't do that. He can't be this kind. It's not possible. I was right when I told Felicity he was out of my league. What am I doing with someone so wonderful?

"Cory?"

Courtney brought her phone down to where she lay on the floor. "What happened to my awkward Micah who couldn't talk?"

"I think he found a girl who saw him. Who encouraged him and he found out that he was someone worth listening to."

Courtney buried her face in the carpet. Stop it. He can't do this. Micah laughed and Courtney couldn't stop her smile.

"If you are still stuck," Micah said. "I think you look pretty in dresses. But go with whatever you're comfortable with."

My face is a tomato but there are worse vegetables to look like I suppose. Looking like an asparagus would be brutal.

"Okay," Courtney said. "I'll be ready in fifteen."

"Should I wait outside again?"

"Yeah. Best to play it safe."

"Okay. I'm hanging up now."

"You have to because if you don't I won't since looking at you is too pleasing."

Ha! Not the only one blushing now. Grinning, Courtney hung up and rolled onto her back. This boy is going to be the death of me. That smile. That kindness. She draped her arm over her eyes. My friends like him. My father approves of him. Well, he approves in the sense that he approves of him as a person and not one that he knows is currently dating his daughter.

No negatives.

Reign it in, Cory. Your heart is sprinting away from you. If you lose your heart and your head is likely to go next. And it's already been decided that's not a look you can pull off.

Courtney took a deep breath and sat up.

Focus. The boy is stupidly cute and caring but he is...

Perfect? Wonderful? Amazing? The best thing she could ever be looking for?

Moaning, Courtney fell back onto her floor, pressing her face into her carpet. I'm doomed to be headless and heartless for the rest of my life.

"You all right there?" Heather asked.

"I think I'm developing a strong attachment."

"I've always liked your closet carpet as well."

Courtney flipped around and stared up at her smiling sister. "I'm guessing I shouldn't tell dad?"

"That I've fallen for my closet carpet?"

"Yeah. He might take away the carpet's name."

"I'm not sure if the carpet could survive that."

Heather gave her a sympathetic smile. Though Courtney knew that was all it was, Heather felt that dating would eventually come and hadn't ever cared about it before. Courtney's dilemma, one that didn't involve clothes, was a foreign land.

"If he's anything like his father," Heather said. "You've found a good one. I'm not sure I've met a more kind and considerate person."

Courtney covered her face with her hands. "Not what I wanted to hear. I'm trying not to think of more reasons why he's wonderful."

"Why is that a bad thing?"

Courtney didn't answer right away. "Because I thought a lot of things about Aiden but failed there."

"Ah." Heather crouched down. "Sunshine, I'm going to tell you something that will seem stupid in its simplicity."

"Yes?"

"No relationship is perfect."

"You're right that was stupidly simple."

"But it's true. Your relationship with Aiden wasn't perfect and what you have with Micah won't be. But don't let that scare you."

"How can you give good advice when you've never dated?" Courtney asked.

"It's because of this fact that I can. Don't you know all good dating advice comes from people with zero experience?"

"That literally makes no sense."

"Don't ask me how the world works," Heather said, standing up. "I only know how computers work."

She left and Courtney laid there thinking about her advice only realizing she had no idea why Heather had stopped by in the first place.

No relationship was perfect. She knew that. She'd tried to be perfect with Aiden and well, she knew how that ended. But if that was true then Courtney didn't know how to be a girlfriend. Right now it seemed to involve a lot of near-death experiences because her boyfriend was too cute. If that was all it took then it seemed fatal. She'd never make it to her twenties.

Making jokes. Not a good sign. Or was it a good sign?

"Bleh! This is annoying! Whatever! I'm getting dressed and not thinking about it."

"Thanks for yelling out your intentions," Miles yelled.

Courtney rolled her eyes and stood up. Micah said something comfortable. He said he liked dresses. There, that was all she needed to focus on. But if she followed those guidelines was she doing it because she wanted to or because she wanted to be a good girlfriend?

That's it, she had officially gone over the edge. But this seemed to be a different falling than the positive type that usually referred to relationships. This cliff edge seemed more connected to a screaming drop into madness.

The pink dress! That's it, I'm going with the pink dress and plan to stop thinking for the rest of eternity!

"You look nice," Micah said as Courtney climbed into the passenger seat of his car.

"Thanks, it took a cliff edge, mental breakdown, and a dash of immortality to make me decide."

Micah stared at her with a puzzled brow.

"Don't overthink it, I'm trying not to."

"Okay."

They drove off and Courtney focused out the window. From the quick scenery, the world looked calm, with neat yards, pristine houses, and lit up windows with contained scenes. It was peaceful. But a little taunting.

"What are you thinking about?" Micah asked.

Courtney looked at him. "I have no idea how to be a girlfriend and it's giving me mental chaos because I don't want to mess it up but that's what I attempted last time with Aiden and that didn't end well and I'm afraid that having a list of traits I thought would make me a perfect girlfriend actually feels safer than trying to be a real girlfriend because it means I can follow a plan instead of winging it all the time."

Oh, wow. So that's what word vomit looks like. Never thought it would be that color.

"Uh..."

"You know," Courtney said. "Just some thoughts. What were you thinking of?"

"Umm...I hadn't been thinking about anything at all."

"That must be nice."

Oh a hair tug, my boyfriend is completely unsettled by me. That makes two of us. Though I can't tug my hair, I worked too hard to make it look this good.

"You know... You know that I don't want you to be anything other than you, right?"

"Yes. But I don't know who girlfriend Courtney is."

"She's the same Courtney I've been hanging out with. That's all I want."

"I didn't kiss you when we hung out."

Micah smiled. "Okay, maybe girlfriend Courtney kisses me then."

"But what if girlfriend Courtney is a mess?"

"You remember I've seen you with chocolate all over your face. And face wash foam as well. Also seen you cry." He glanced at her. "I want you, Wise Ole Sage. That's it."

Courtney took a breath. Wise Ole Sage. Okay, she could do that.

*******

"Micah, it's so good to see you," Damon's mom said, opening the door for them.

Courtney assumed it was Damon's mother since it was Damon's house. But who knew, maybe it was a random lady with the same freckles and red hair as Damon.

"And who is this?" Damon's mom said, smiling at Courtney as they stepped inside.

"This is Courtney," Micah said. "My girlfriend."

Damon's mother blinked twice. Might have to get used to that reaction. It's not every day a blonde gets to date the likes of Micah. Still new to me too, lady.

"Hi," Courtney said.

Damon's mother smiled again, coming out of her shock. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She gestured to a doorway. "Everyone is in the family room. There are drinks in the kitchen that way. Food will be coming in the next hour. Have fun."

"Thanks!" Courtney said, still aware of how Damon's mother was watching her.

Maybe it was the pink dress. It was an eye-catching dress if Courtney did say so herself.

Micah headed to the family room and Courtney trailed along with him. It was the first time she'd ever trailed along, besides that one time she hiked and she swore never to do that again. But trailing felt like the best option since this wasn't her group of friends.

In the family room, Courtney found that the parties she knew and the parties Micah knew were a bit different. Firstly the level of noise came from the tv and not the room's occupants. Secondly, everyone was crowded on couches staring at the three screens set up in front of them displaying some multiplayer video game.

"Hey everyone," Micah said.

A few greetings were tossed back at him along with a few glances. But those glances became second takes as Courtney was spotted. Quickly, every set of eyes were on her. Courtney was familiar with second takes, but this was the first time those second takes were from puzzlement rather than attraction.

But at least she knew why. Though not every friend group had to have similar styles, this one did. And it was the style Micah had before he'd asked for her help. The entire group of eight guys plus one girl wore dark t-shirts and a mix of gym shorts and sweatpants.

Then there was Courtney.

The only one in a dress.

The only one in something colorful.

The only one that was out of place.

I'm like the worst and easiest version of Where's Waldo ever. Where's Waldo, I can't- oh no I can find him easily because he's a five-foot-six blonde girl in a pink dress.

In trying not to overthink her decision about what to wear she'd failed to think it over.

Courtney found Damon and smiled. "Happy birthday, Damon."

Damon continued to stare at her as did everyone else. Which seemed like a bad idea since someone got killed on screen.

"Everyone, you know Courtney," Micah said.

A few heads nodded, but knowing of her and knowing her seemed to be two foreign things.

"Where's Juan and Sophie?" Courtney asked.

They weren't there and they were the only people Courtney felt she knew in Micah's friend group. Even Max hadn't made an appearance. But maybe they were all late.

She hoped they were all late.

"Sophie wasn't feeling well so Juan went to keep her company," one guy said.

A guy Courtney was pretty sure was Henry.

"I hope she's okay," Courtney said. "And it's Henry, right?"

Henry widened his eyes then nodded.

"Right," Micah said. "You don't know everyone." He pointed down the line. "Austin, José, Philip, Adam, Tony, Garrett, and Trina."

As Courtney repeated the names in her head, she waved and smiled at each of them. Most responded to her smile but some still eyed her with bafflement. Courtney smiled wider at Trina. At least I'm not the only girl, that's a relief. But Trina didn't react to Courtney's warmth, remaining blank-faced.

Okay, no sisterly bond. No matter. I can do this.

"What are we playing?" Micah asked.

He found an opening on one of the couches and sat down. Following his lead, another action Courtney had rarely done in her life, she claimed a spot next to Trina.

"Halo," Austin said. "Do you play?"

He asked Courtney but something about the way he asked told Courtney that he'd already guessed the answer. In this manner, she did fall into the blonde cheerleader stereotype.

"No, but if you show me what to do I'll do my best."

Courtney did do her best.

Well, she would have done her best if she'd been given the chance. But every time her character respawned she only managed to walk forward before being killed again.

She said nothing.

If they were messing with her, then she was fine with that. She had invaded their space, their world. She understood their want to test her.

If it was unintentional then she wasn't going to be someone who whined.

When the round ended the scores appeared on the screen. She had zero kills and seventy-two deaths.

"I say there's room for improvement," Courtney said brightly. A few of the guys chuckled at this and Courtney felt gratified by the reaction. "I'm going to get a drink. Does anyone want me to bring them anything?"

A barrage of answers were thrown at her. Courtney pulled out her phone. "Can you repeat that?"

The answers came again only in a more catchable fashion.

Micah made to stand. "Do you want help?"

"Nope, I got it."

When she left the family room, she let out a breath. Micah's world, therefore a world I need to familiarize myself with. I'm conquering a new world. Scratch that, I'm exploring a new world and being very respectful of the locals that already live there. This Wise Ole Sage has gone on her own quest.

In the kitchen, Courtney found the cooler with the sodas and started pulling out the ones requested. As she rose and set two cans on the counter, she yelped at finding Trina and Damon standing there.

"You startled me," Courtney said, laughing.

Neither of them joined in with her amusement and Courtney quickly set it aside.

"We wanted to talk to you," Trina said.

"Okay, what about?"

"Micah," Damon said. "We knew you're dating and we know he really likes you."

"But Micah has a weakness for pretty girls who pay him any attention," Trina said. "And ones that often leave him heartbroken."

"We're just telling you that if you don't like Micah as much as he likes you that you should end it now. For his sake. Because we don't want to see him hurt again."

It was the pink dress. Who knew a girl could go so wrong with a pink dress?

But points to them for honesty and intimidation.

"Do you got that?" Damon asked.

"I do," Courtney said.

They both nodded and turned away.

"Can I say something before you go?" Courtney asked.

At least they turned back, though the intense stares could be lightened a bit. Here goes nothing.

"I know Micah is someone special," Courtney said. "He's kind, thoughtful, considerate. In all honesty, I don't know why he would choose to date me. But he has and I'm going to try all I can not to lose him. But if somehow I do manage to fail him then I fully approve of your plan to make me regret it. Though you should know it probably won't reach the level of regret I will feel."

Damon looked at Trina and the girl studied Courtney as if deciding how much to believe.

"Okay," she said. "We'll hold you to that."

Before they could leave again, Courtney pushed two cans over to them. "Pepsi and sprite, right?"

They took their drinks and left. Courtney sagged against the counter. The first parle with the locals, would call it a mixed bag.

Gathering up the rest of the drinks, Courtney returned to the family room and passed them out. Did she feel pleased that she remembered exactly who wanted what? Yes, because she was taking pleasure in the small successes. Something she desperately needed right then. That and Micah's smile. Which he obligingly gave.

Deciding to sit out the next round, Courtney figured she could at least pick a topic of conversation since no one else seemed to be setting the ball rolling. She wanted something safe. Something that they would all have in common. School fell into that category.

"Are you guys looking forward to Homecoming at all?" Courtney asked.

The laughter that followed this question wasn't what Courtney expected.

"Yup," Jake said. "I have my outfit all planned out and laying on my bed."

"Dude, we better not be wearing the same thing or that's going to be embarrassing," José said.

"I was going to go with sweatpants," Jake said.

"Same. You have to change because I decided first."

Everyone laughed at the banter.

"We haven't ever gone to a dance before," Micah said.

He sent her an apologetic look. But she didn't need that, what was there to apologize for? Everyone had their preference. That was fine. Totally fine.

"What would be the point?" Garrett said. "We'd stand around talking in a smelly gym not interacting with people we already don't interact with. Why dress up and do that when we can come here instead."

"Or go anywhere else," Austin said.

Courtney looked at Trina. "You've never wanted to go to a dance?"

Trina didn't look at Courtney as she shrugged and continued playing the game. "I'm not a dance or dress sort of girl."

Courtney touched the edge of her dress. And here she was wearing a dress she'd made. This is a whole new world. Only lacking the magic carpet and singing aspect.

"I'm not sure why people go to dances," Tony said. "They never seem fun to me. I mean why deal with all the hassle?"

Which was an opinion and a completely valid one to have. Dances weren't for everyone. That was fine. Nothing wrong with having an opinion.

"It takes too much work," Philip said. "To have to dress up to stand around with balloon arches while listening to crappy music."

"Right!" Adam laughed.

Courtney stood. "Where's the bathroom?"

"On the left, down the hall," Damon said.

Courtney exited the room and headed away but not before she heard Micah.

"Dude, don't be a jerk. She's running Homecoming."

"She is?" someone asked. "Why?"

Courtney stepped into the bathroom and leaned against the door, closing it.

Next to add to the dramatic sense of the moment, slowly slid down and curl your arms around your legs. Laying your head on your knees and maybe crying would also be very cinematic.

Courtney let out a breath. Breathing, something she seemed to be doing consistently. A definite positive for the longevity of her life.

Feedback is key to knowing how to move forward.

What was the feedback? Micah and his friends didn't go to school dances. They didn't like school dances. They thought school dances were a waste of time. From the way they talked school dances could have been a common topic of amusement for them.

Was Courtney one of the people trying to make a school dance worthwhile? Yes.

But people were allowed to have their opinions. Opinions were simply opinions and rarely did all of them align with other people's.

You're the explorer here, Cory. You already knew this. It's that simple.

When in doubt, sit back and observe.

Courtney nodded. She could do that.

A soft knock sounded on the door. Oh tentative, either a nervous person in need of the bathroom or a concerned boyfriend. Courtney met her reflection and smiled. Yup, a Wise Ole Sage prepared to continue her exploration endeavors.

Courtney opened the bathroom door. Oh look, a cute concerned boyfriend.

"Hey," he said. "Are you okay?"

"Yup."

Micah studied her. "I'm sorry about-"

"Micah, I'm guessing this isn't something new your friends joke about."

"Not really."

"Then there is no need to apologize, people have different interests. And it's a good sign they feel comfortable enough to still joke around even though I'm here. It means my presence doesn't feel intrusive."

"Are you sure?"

"Were they trying to be mean?"

"No, they've said stuff like that before."

"Then it's fine." She motioned back down the hallway. "It's your world, I'm happy I get to be a part of it."

And Courtney was a part of it. A part of it in the sense that she watched and slowly got to know them. They discussed anything and everything. The topics hardly mattered as long as two people thought different, it would be discussed. They were quick with comebacks and didn't shy away from poking fun at each other good-naturedly.

By the time Micah pulled his car up to the front of Courtney's house a couple of hours later, she'd learned a lot. Specifically, she'd learned she was the oil in the water of their world.

Courtney walked to her front door and Micah joined her. He paused, looking at her and playing with his curls. Courtney smiled, his habit still something she found completely endearing. At her smile, Micah stopped.

"Since you know that me and my friends have never gone to a dance," he said. "You can guess that means I've never asked someone. But... Well, do you... do you want to go with me?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Grinning, Micah skipped down the steps.

"Micah," Courtney said, making him turn back. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

He shrugged. "Church. Homework."

"Do you want to have brunch with my family? And then afterward sit with me while I finish Lynn's dress? I kinda miss our bubble."

"Yeah, I miss it too." He opened the door to his Jeep. His head popped up over the roof. "Don't let what my friends said about Homecoming get to you, okay?"

"They are simply opinions, everyone has them."

Micah nodded and then slipped into the driver's seat. Courtney waved at him as he drove off and then stepped into the house. The silence told her that her family was locked away in their own little worlds. She climbed the stairs and stopped before her bedroom door.

It was opinions. Simply opinions that opposed her own, which was understandable. They were different people.

Courtney stared at her door.

Why?

That one word: why.

Why would she put so much effort into something that essentially pared down to a smelly gym and balloon arches?

She looked down the hall and spotted a strip of light peeking beneath Heather's door. When Courtney entered her sister's room, she found Heather curled up in a chair before her two computers, headphones on. Courtney crossed to the bed and fell backward onto it.

Eventually, Heather spun around and draped her headphones around her neck.

"Is what I do with cheerleading, student council, and all that comes with it superficial and pointless?"

Heather crossed her arms. "Did the carpet tell you this?"

"No, the carpet's companions said things that made me wonder."

Heather twisted back to her computers. "Give me their names. I'll hack their computers and wipe all the data."

Courtney didn't respond to her sister's joke. She was pretty sure it was a joke. Yeah, it was a joke. Though one that could come in handy if she was feeling vengeful at some point.

Also, a joke that spoke to her sister's ability. To who her sister was. To what she'd done in her life. More than her life what she'd done in high school.

"I didn't create an app my junior year," Courtney said.

"That's true. And neither did millions of other students either. Also, millions of other students haven't won positions on the student council and handled the responsibilities that come with it. Some haven't made the cheer squad. You see where I'm going with this?"

Courtney turned her head. "I'm one in a million?"

"No, I'm saying if you focus on living in someone else's shadow you'll fail to see you have your own light to shine."

"Woah. Where did that come from?"

"Dad quote."

Courtney nodded. "So what I do isn't superficial, or pointless?"

"What would it matter if it was? Does it make you happy? Are you excited about what you do? If it's not actively harming someone else then people's opinions don't matter. It makes you happy, that's what matters. Some people collect spoons. I can not for the life of me understand why but who cares? They do it because it makes them happy. Don't view your life in regard to how others might view it. If you do then you'll never do anything because someone will always find a reason to judge it."

Courtney stared up at the ceiling.

Holy nuggets! How in the world did she have the title of Wise Ole Sage? Oh right, she gave it to herself. But that meant she could hand over the title because her sister deserved it.

"You're really wise," Courtney said.

Heather shrugged. "Sometimes."

And those sometimes were the times Courtney appreciated the most.

Courtney smiled. "Thank you."

"Of course. And I wasn't joking. If carpet or his companions hurt you, then I will take them down." She grinned. "That's what makes me happy."

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

Cackling coconuts!

(You know if coconuts are cackling some serious ish must be about to go down. Or they saw a meme and found it hilarious. It's one of the other)

Am I going to ask for your thoughts? Yes, yes I am because I always do and if we break tradition it's seven years bad luck... Or you've sold off your first born ice cream. It's one or the other. Either way, best to keep the tradition. So... thoughts? 💬🗯💭🥥

Life update: my family now has a gazing ball in our garden. A big, gold one and as my sister put it, we can now rule the seven realms with it. So stay tuned, might be getting into world domination. If I feel like it.

Now that I've given you a life update, go ahead and give me one as well. But it can't contain plans for a global takeover, that's my thing.

I was asked this question by mabrickson11 and I want you to answer it as well: Favorite obscure quote?

Answer: Pare down, expand the boundaries, up the stakes, make it matter - Tennessee Willians.

It's about writing and a quote that my mom used a lot when helping me edit A Secret Service.

Ha! See I can have a wacky random thought and then throw out a deep quote, my duality is on pare with Jimin! I have peaked.

Votu, Cumentu, Segui (Corsican)

Shout out to PhantomSpectra9 for creating these totally cute versions of Courtney and Micah! What do you think?

Also meme!