The Speech

Chapter 15

Theo's POV

     What the hell am I even supposed to wear on a double date with the girl I'm in love with and the girl who was supposed to be a one night distraction? The only reason I'm even showing up tonight is so I don't stand Haley up. I don't wanna be a dick to her, it's not like she knows how I feel about Avery. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll talk Haley into ditching the double date with me. That is if I ever leave my house to pick her up. Fuck it, I'm just stalling.

      I pass my parents in the living room, my dad sprawled out in his recliner, TV remote in hand, and my mom sitting on the couch reading a book. Jane Austen: Ahead of Her Time. My mom's 4th book this month about Jane Austen, wonder how long it's gonna last her this time.
"Have a good night sweetie." My mom says without looking up.
"Keep out of trouble." My dad warns, before turning up the volume of the TV.
"Love you all too." I retort, before closing the front door. I head over to Haley's, driving past Avery's house on the way. For a second I think about stopping there, going up to her room, and asking her to call the whole thing off. Telling her that it would be agony to go on this date and have her not be the one I'm going with. Tell her that I've been in love with her since I met her and I screwed up by not telling her before she got together with Jayden. Tell her that if she'd let me, I would show her what it's like to truly be loved.

"Running a little late are we?" I jump at the sound of Haley's voice. She doesn't notice as she climbs into my car.
"Sorry, I forgot I needed gas." I make up an excuse.
"It's okay, I'm just messing with you." She says with a faint laugh. She's dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt tucked into the waistline. She's got a black corduroy jacket over it and combat boots to match. Her long hair is nearly placed on one shoulder.
"We could go do something just you and I instead?" I offer and she smiles.
"As much as I'd love to keep you to myself tonight, I think it's best if we do this double thing. It keeps it casual." It was worth a shot.

Jackie's POV

     The one day a month that I'm able to borrow my mom's car and drive myself wherever I like and it falls on a Friday this time. The one time I can take myself to hangout and do things and my best friend schedules a double date with my only other friend. I've been wracking my brain for someone to call, but all I've come up with is Dylan. I haven't seen him since Monday night, though not for lack of trying. I never catch him at school and I haven't been over to Avery's house because I've had too much homework to do in the evenings. Knowing that she's gonna be gone for the night however, I feel like it might be a good opportunity to drop by and see if I can't get him to talk to me. He owes it to me anyways after using me as his make out buddy and then going radio silence on me for days.

     I just want to clear the air, and know where he's standing with a sober mind. My guess is he's been ignoring me because he realized how crazy his idea of friends with benefits was once he woke up the next morning. At least I'm hoping it's that and not that he's been shacked up with May all week. Cause there's a difference between using me to get past the first day of your breakup and using me to fill the time before you get back together with you ex girlfriend. And I'm only okay with the first one.

       After internally debating it I finally drive over to their house, cautiously pulling up to make sure Jayden's car isn't there. They should've left by now but the last thing I want is to knock on the door and have Avery answer. I don't think I'd be able to lie to her about why I'm there. As I pull up I'm thankful to not see Jayden's car, but I do see someone else's. It's not May's, calm down. I tell myself. But he does have someone over... Maybe this was a bad idea. Just as I'm about to back out of the driveway I see Pez walk out of the house. Curious, I get out of the car.
"Hey Pez. Dylan inside?" I ask.
"Uh, yeah. He's in there, I don't know if it's a good time though." He says reluctantly.
"I think I'll try my luck." I tell him and walk up to the door. I notice it's not completely shut and let myself in.
"Dylan? It's Jackie!"