Saving Her || Ian Gallagher

Double Date

*1 Week Later*

-Lexi's POV-

I walk down to the kitchen and hear my dad's voice growing louder and louder. When I enter the kitchen, he's dressed in his typical work suit and pacing back and forth on the phone. By the look on his face and his body language I can tell he's angry. I go to the fridge and grab out a water and an apple.

"This has been put on hold for months. When is this actually going to be taken to court? I'm sick of getting bullshit answers from people." He angrily shouts into the phone. We make eye contact briefly and he holds up a finger telling me to wait before leaving for class.

"Well my family, my daughters, deserve this to be handled. It's been dragged out for far too long and I will be calling back next week." He says into the phone and then hangs up. He lets out a long sigh and places his phone on the counter.

"I just can't believe how difficult this whole process has been. I mean, this guy has severely damaged yours and Serena's lives and we have yet to make any progress in this case." He says, throwing his hands up.

My parents have kept Serena and I mostly out of the loop on what happened with the truck driver who hit us 6 months ago. I know that criminal charges have been pressed but it has been a very slow stop-and-go process. It's not as quick and easy as it happens on TV. I walk over and hug my dad from the side. He leans down and kisses the top of my head.

"I just want what's right for my girls." He says quietly and the sadness in his voice makes my heart hurt.

"We'll get there soon." I say, smiling up at him. I let go of him and tell him goodbye as I walk out the front door to the car. I drive 20 minutes to campus and walk over to the Starbucks. I order a holiday drink for me and one for Kenzie. I grab a table and wait for her to arrive.

She walks in and as soon as she spots me a huge smile spreads across her face. She's wearing a white hat and a white puffer coat. She looks effortlessly gorgeous. She slides into the booth and takes a sip of her coffee.

"Mmm, just what I needed. Thank you!" She says as she unzips her coat and takes it off. We try to meet every Friday morning before our afternoon classes.

"I haven't seen you all week, what's up?" She asks, giving me her full attention.

"You know, just been slammed with finals coming up soon." I respond, looking down at my notes I've placed on the table.

"And??? What else??" She asks eagerly, leaning over the table. I look at her freshly painted red nails as she interlocks her fingers under her chin.

"What else what?" I ask, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Oh come on. You've been avoiding talking about last weekend all week." She says and I roll my eyes. She's right though, I've been avoiding each and every question she's thrown my way about Ian and that weird night.

"There really isn't anything to talk about."

"That's bullshit and you know it. I know what I saw." She says, narrowing her eyes at me.

"What you saw was a meaningless hug between old friends."

"Yeah that did not look meaningless and it did not look like old friends. You've told me nothing about him. I didn't even know he existed and I know like everything about you. Have you been seeing him secretly?" She asks eagerly with a wink.

"No, Kenz. I have not been seeing him. I hadn't seen him for 3 months and it threw drunk me for a loop. It's not happening again." I say firmly and she backs down a little.

"Alright, if you say so. Brady didn't know anything either. So secretive. He is very cute though. The whole red head and freckles thing is very adorable. By the way, I'm going out with Brady again tonight on an actual date. I'm so excited!" She says, clapping her hands together once.

"Do you guys have a lot in common?" I ask her out of curiosity. Kenzie has dated a lot of guys since I've known her. They never usually last past the third date but she likes dating that way so I don't judge her. I usually judge the guys though if I'm being honest.

"Oh, yeah. We have a lot in common." She says with a devilish grin. I immediately register what she means and I roll my eyes.

"That's not what I meant."

"Relax, we have plenty of similar interests. You could have a lot in common too with someone if you tried. Whatever happened to that guy you went out with last month? What was his name? Tom?" She asks while placing her finger on her chin as if in thought.

"It was Tim and gross, no." I respond with a grimace. Just thinking about that awfully awkward date makes me want to vomit. It was bad enough for me to delete the dating apps I had just downloaded.

"Hmmm. Oh my gosh! I have the perfect idea!" She shouts, grabbing my arms tightly with her hands. Her eyes are beaming and I just know it's not going to be a perfect idea.

"How about...instead of Brady and I going on a date with just us, you and Ian come along and we make it a double date! Doesn't that sound amazing?" She asks with a squeal.

"No offense Kenz, but that sounds like the worst idea you've ever had and I've listened to many of your ideas." I say, pulling my arms out of her grasp. I'm trying not to get frustrated and rude with her but it's times like these when our personalities really clash and I have to find a way to let her down gently.

"Aw, come on Lexi. I've never been on a double date and I think it would be really fun to do with you." She says quietly, bringing out her frown and puppy eyes.

"I get it Kenz. But you really just don't understand. My situation with Ian is weird and I think it would be really uncomfortable." I say gently. I'm already thinking of how to reroute the conversation so she drops it and moves on. Her eyes are now glued to her phone and she's typing frantically. She doesn't respond to me and when her phone vibrates she finally looks up and smiles at me.

"I guess we'll find out. Be ready at 7:00 tonight."