A Certain Not-So-Bad Boy

{nine}

"And then I said, 'That would be funny, considering it's a Volkswagen!'" Dad finished. Lacey laughed along, and Noah and I just snickered in amusement.

"Well, thank you so much for dinner, everyone. Noah, it was delicious. I should get going now," Lacey said sweetly, standing up.

"Oh, I'll walk you home," Noah offered. I gave him a subtle thumbs up, and he rolled his eyes knowing full well what was going through my mind.

"It was great to meet you, Lacey," my dad smiled.

"Yeah, maybe we'll see you around more often," I suggested.

"Thanks again," she said as she and Noah walked out to the door.

My dad and I wasted no time. We raced to the window that looked out to the porch and peered through the blinds. Lacey and Noah were walking down the driveway. Dang it! I plopped down on the couch and scrolled through my phone, waiting for my brother to come back. When I heard the door open a few minutes later, I scrambled up and ran to him.

"Little dude..."

"What?" he asked, playing dumb.

"What 'what'? Did you kiss?"

"Uhm, no."

Nice try. "Really?"

"Yep."

"Hmm. Then... When did you start wearing strawberry lip gloss?"

He rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay. Yes. I..."

"Kissed her?" I filled in.

"Yeah that."

I laughed. "Aww, you can't even say it! Did you ask her out?"

He made a pained face. "Yes."

I wrinkled my eyebrows. "Then why do you look constipated?"

"I have no idea what to do or how to talk to her. And you're not helping."

I scoffed. "Please. That, I can fix. At least now you'll let go of Amber."

"I don't know... If things don't work out with Lacey..."

I just shoved him and heard his laugh as I walked up the stairs.

* * * * * *

I was reading in my room an hour later when someone knocked on my door. "Come in!" I was slightly annoyed, preoccupied with the twisted plot and lovable (and hateable) characters.

Noah opened the door and immediately plopped on my bed next to me. I rolled my eyes and placed the bookmark in the binding, knowing that I wouldn't be able to read if he was here.

"I have a problem."

"Which one are you talking about? There's a lot," joked. When he glared, I added, "I take a chance when I see it."

He sighed. "I have no idea what to do with Lacey. What do girls like on a first date?"

"Well, make sure you shower," I laughed. "But other than that, do something that you can do together, where you'll both have fun. And for the first date, maybe somewhere public," I advised.

"So like... a park maybe?"

"Yes! That's perfect!" I approved. "Try to push her on the swings, too." I was so proud of my baby brother. He was going on his first date! After having his first kiss!

"Cool, thanks." He dragged himself out of my room and shut the door behind him.

At least he won't be obsessed with Amber anymore. Amber. Her date! I snatched up my phone and scrambled to call her.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Tell me about the date!"

"Umm, how about you just sleep over."

"Sure. I'll be there in ten," I said, before hanging up. I launched myself off my bed and grabbed a small backpack. I changed into my pajamas before stuffing clothes, a toothbrush, my hairbrush, and a couple of other things in the bag.

"Dad, I'm sleeping over at Amber's," I told him as I passed through the kitchen.

"Okay, have fun," he called. I hopped into my car and reversed out of the driveway.

After the short drive, I pulled into Amber's familiar driveway and hopped out, making my way up to the door. I rapped my knuckles against the door three times and stepped back. A moment later, the door opened and I was greeted by Amber's mom.

"Hey sweetie!" she greeted. "Amber's up in her room. Are you staying over? I can whip up some dinner..."

I shook my head my head at her offer. This place had always been like a second home for me. "No, it's really okay. I ate already anyway."

"Okay, take whatever you want if you change your mind."

I nodded and ran up the stairs, shoving open the white door that marked the entrance to my best friend's room. "Tell me!"

"Gosh, you scared me!" she said with frantic eyes.

"Sorry," I said, waving her off. "Now tell me." I tossed my bag on her bed and plopped down, ready to hear her story.

"Okay, okay. Well, after he picked me up, he drove us to this beautiful little restaurant on the outskirts of town. The building was actually a historic house. There were little fairy lights around the wrap-around porch, and there was soft music in the background. It was perfect," she said.

"That sounds amazing," I agreed. I was so incredibly happy for her right then.

She nodded. "It was. We watched the sunset, and then we looked at the stars for a while. It was kinda cheesy, but it was so romantic and thoughtful."

Luke had definitely done a great job. He must've really liked Amber. And anyone who made Amber happy was on my good side.

"We're going on another date."

"I'm happy if you're happy."

She nodded hesitantly. "Same."

I knew her. There was something she wanted to say. "What?"

"What's been up with you and Carson?"

What had been up? "Umm... well, we... I don't know, honestly. But it's not what you're thinking!" I added, seeing the look on her face. "I guess we're just not strangers anymore."

She shrugged. "I get it. But do you like him?" She didn't ask it with any suggestive hints. She was truly curious.

"No," I scoffed. Of course not.  

{a/n}

Of course not, pfft. She doesn't like Carson, where did you get that idea from?

Thank you all for putting up with my clicheness! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and please don't forget to vote and comment. I love getting your feedback :)

QOTD: What is your zodiac sign? Mine is Libra.

See you in the next chapter! Mwah! xx

-Seagull