the fall • s.m.

12 • problems

// margot kate franklin //

@margotkatefranklin: "and you think it's crazy what I'm trying to do...well baby, I'm a fool for you."

• • •

"So you two are actually dating now? For real?" Liz asked as she, myself, and my dad sat at the kitchen table, eating a dinner of Chinese takeout.

"Is that an issue?" I replied, eyeing both of them.

"He's one of the nicest, most respectful and responsible kids I know, which is hard to find. I still think you need to be very cautious, but I think he'll definitely treat you right. And if he doesn't, we're going to have an issue," my dad said, and I smiled weakly.

"Thanks, I think?" I replied, and he nodded.

"It's just...he's famous, Margot. Hundreds of girls want to date him, and now you are. You don't think that's going to be a bit of a conflict?" Liz said, and I shrugged.

"I really don't think it's that big of a deal. I'm not going to take anything of what they say to heart, and it doesn't really matter what a bunch of strangers think of me anyways. I know what is true and what's not, so I really think you don't have to worry," I told her.

"I think that's a great mindset, sweetie," my dad said, and Liz groaned.

"I can't believe you're taking her side in this," she said to my dad, and I gave her a look.

"I didn't know it was a taking sides thing, Liz," Dad said.

"Of course it is. My side is: Margot don't date that teenage celebrity heartthrob because nothing good will come from it, and her side is dating him anyways," Liz told us, and I laughed.

"I don't understand why this bothers you so much, Elizabeth," my dad said.

"She's jealous, plain and simple," I interjected, and she scoffed.

"You wish."

"Whatever you say, Liz. You're not worried about protecting me or whatever crap you're spewing, all you care about is me having something you don't. And you're jealous," I said.

She was giving me a death glare, and I was loving every second of it. She never thought this whole thing between Shawn and I would ever turn into something real, and now her own words of getting the guy and taking risks are biting her in the ass.

"Let's end this conversation here. Good talk ladies," Dad said.

"Yeah, it was great," Liz said sarcastically, getting up and bolting to her room.

"She's so difficult," I said to my dad when she was out of earshot.

"Honey, you're right. She is jealous. The fact that she's been here a year and hasn't seemed to find any guy worth being interested in, and the fact that you have been her four weeks and have already met someone seemingly amazing is really bothering her. I know that she is totally being a brat about it, but maybe just try to not bring it up. It's a little sensitive for her, and I know you're excited and want to share with her, but maybe just wait a while," he told me.

He was right. I mean, how lucky am I? Insanely lucky. And I don't want to come off as a bitch, and maybe I was. And if the situation were reversed, I would definitely be a little jealous.

"You're right. I'll just...take it easy, I suppose," I replied, and my dad smiled and nodded.

"I think that's very mature of you. You're doing everything right, you know," he told me.