I Checked Out the Badboy's Boxers

(16) Homecoming

Fall has always been my favorite season for about as long as I can remember.

Everything's perfect. The leaves slowly drifting down from the trees, the auburn colors floating all around and the smells surrounding everyone in their wonderful amiss.

Perfect.

Of course, despite the fact that it's currently fall, and the doors to homecoming open in just a few minutes, my life is far from perfect.

Parker hasn't spoken a word to me, not since he found out I broke his promise to him and said yes to Jared.

I wish he'd just let me explain.

And on the other hand, Elle is beyond ecstatic about my 'thing with Jared.'

I sigh.

Why can't things just go back to normal? If things were normal, Jared would be laughing it up with Elle right now, not waiting in line alone to get our tickets. Elle would be partying with our group, not awkwardly introducing a guy we've never met and expecting us all to hit it off. Mason would probably be sulking, not banging on the door to the bathroom I'm currently in and yelling at me to "hurry my ass up." As for me? I would be with Parker. I'd be wrapped in his arms and he'd kiss my hair ever so softly, treating the long strands as if they're the most fragile item on the planet.

Unfortunately, that's not the way things are.

Man up, I tell myself as I stare into my reflection. I look good, my dress fits me snugly, and my makeup has not a smudge in sight. I sigh, brushing back a loose curl, to its original place tucked casually behind my ear.

"Lexa, open the damn door." Mason complains, now sounding rather bored.

"This is the girls bathroom, Boxer Boy. You can't come in."

"I can do whoever the hell I want."

"Don't you mean whatever?" I raise an eyebrow. Then immediately lower it after realizing that he can't see me. God, I'm stupid.

"Yes, I'll do that too." He responds, a hint of smugness in his tone.

I walk over to the door and unlock it, before pulling him in and closing it again.

"Damn." He chuckles, "If you wanted to go this far on the first date you should've just told me."

"See Mase, in order to have a first date with someone you have to actually like them."

Mason locks the door and winks.

I gulp silently, a slight shiver appearing on my arms.

I fidget with my bracelet.

"You look beautiful. By the way." He says awkwardly.

"You look nice as well, and even nicer now that I see you finally figured out how to compliment a girl without the using the vile choices of words that make up the majority of your general vocabulary."

"You sound hot when you use big words around me." He smirks and crosses his arms over his chest as he leans against one of the stalls casually.

"Don't feel flattered, when there's little things in the room, sometimes I have to use my big words to make up for that." A slight smile rises to my face.

You don't need to tell me I'm a fracking savage.

I already know.

"That's what you think now." He chuckles.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Maybe you'll find out." He glances at my dress, "Or maybe you won't."