Lost.

Not a date to me.

"I seen you talking to Cameron. He hasn't been around in awhile." My mother said as she drove us home. My dad had taken my brother to college football tryouts for the next year.

The sun blinded me as I stared out of the car window at the lush California grass. "Yeah." I kept it short not wanting to talk about why we don't hang out. She knows everything that happened that night but I left out the part about Cameron being there.

She must have got that hint that I didn't want to talk about him because she changed the subject. "You and Alex should join me and your father for dinner tonight."

That's not a subject I want to talk about either. "Ok"

We pulled in to the driveway and I unbuckled my seat belt in attempt to get out of the car before we could talk anymore. I was successful and I hurried upstairs to change.

"Mom I'm going to the mall with Madi I'll be home in time for dinner."

"Alright honey. I'm going to visit Grandma just call if you need anything."

"K love you." I closed the door behind me.

Madi only lived a few streets away so I arrived at her house within a matter of minutes. When I pulled in the driveway I honked and dialed Alex's number.

"Hey babe what's up?"

"Hey. It's my parents anniversary and they're having dinner up town and they want us to go with them."

"You know Sunday's gym night."

"I know I just thought you could skip one night."

"Babe you know that's not an option. Maybe next time though."

"No it's fine it was stupid of me to ask anyway." I rolled my eyes at his ignorance as Madi got in the passenger seat.

"It's fine I'll call you later."

"Okay." I hung up the phone. I wasn't upset. If anything I was glad I didn't have to spend extra time with him and his arrogant ego. 

"Was that Alex?" I put the car and reverse and eased my foot off the break.

"Yeah ditching dinner with my parents for gym night. It's whatever I don't really care that much."

"Isn't this the third time in two weeks he's bailed?"

"Yeah. But Sunday's gym night." We paused for a minute before we couldn't contain our laughter.

When she finally calmed down she spoke again "but seriously why don't you ask Cameron to go?"

I took my eyes off of the road to see if she was serious. Her face didn't hint at any signs of sarcasm. "Cameron? Really?"

"I mean I would bang him." Obviously she's very open about her feelings, and her sex life for that matter.

"Don't be gross. And you know that if I invite him Alex will start shit with him."

"Just tell him it's not a date you just need someone to go so your not third wheeling with your parents." She laughed a little at the idea. "I mean come on Jordan you twowere so close there's no denying you miss him."

I didn't miss him. Up until the party. Even then I knew I could push him to the back of my mind. But last night he was there when no one else was. It stirred up so many old memories and yearned to be young again.

"Do you miss him? Be honest with me J."

I stared at the car ahead of me while I thought. "Yeah." The word came out soft and quiet.

"Then ask him."

"But what about Alex."

"Me and you both know your unhappy. And we also know you're not going to do anything about it so go out and live a little. Before its too late."

Our mall experience was of the basic teenage girl. It included Starbucks, shoe shopping, and pointing out the attractive boys that passed by. I dropped her off and arrived at home by 6.

'Hey it's Jordan. I don't know if you still have my number. Anyway my parents anniversary dinner is tonight and Alex ditched me. Do you maybe want to go?'

I threw my phone on my bed and walked to the closet to find something to wear. I picked out a simple black dress and my red pumps. Then I heard my phone ding.

'Are you asking me on a date? 😏'

I smiled at his response. 'No this is most certainly not a date.'

I stripped down and put the dress on before my phone rang again.

'I guess I'll go since you're begging me'

'Don't flatter yourself '

'I'll go as long as I get to pick you up.'

' this is not a date, we can meet there.'

' I'll be there in 10.'

'Cameron I'm being serious I have a boyfriend this isn't a date.'

' whatever you say 😉'

I rolled my eyes a slid on my heels.

In exactly 20 minutes his car horn sounded outside. He stood by the passenger door with a single blood red rose in his hand. I felt the heat rising to my cheeks and the corners of my lips curling into a smile. I took a deep breath and tried my best to hide the way he made me feel.

He extended his arm to offer me the rose but I declined by crossing my arms over my chest and rolling my eyes. "I told you this is not a date Dallas."

"I know what you said," he opened the door and held out his hand, a gesture I accepted "But I seen you blushing." Now his words were hot against my ear ending goosebumps down my spine.

As I slid past him his hand rested a little to low for comfort but caused a smirk to spread across my face. I leaned back so my words were clear as I swatted his hand away "no touching," I paused "at least until the second date.