Mr. Tredway's jaw is agape and the rest of the cla.s.s laughs at my response while Fallon continues to scowl. Joey does his best to keep a straight face, but I can tell it's getting tougher for him to do that.

"Any-are there any other-questions?" the teacher manages but the bell sounds and everyone files out in a hurry.

"d.a.m.n, Lai," Joey scoffs as he gathers his papers together. "Guess you got her to shut up for once. I don't think I've ever seen her that quiet before."

"What can I say? I have that effect on people." I shove my papers into my folder and wave to a stunned Mr. Tredway on the way out.

"What happened in there?" Haden asks when I walk out of the room. "People were saying that it was an interesting cla.s.s."

"You know Laila," Joey answers. "Never pa.s.ses up an opportunity to put someone in their place." He walks off to meet with Bailey and leaves me alone with Haden.

"Do you want to come with me to the gallery after school? I told Stefon that I'd help him set up for his next exhibit."

"I can't. I have plans." I exhale and start to walk toward the cafeteria.

"Wait, plans? With who?" He jogs to my side and wraps an arm around my waist before kissing my cheek. "Better not cancel on our date tomorrow."

"I'm going to swim a few laps at the pool for the meet tomorrow and then Mom is picking me up so we can go shopping."

"You hate shopping," he quips.

"Trust me, I know I do. But she wants to help me pick a prom dress. Have you gotten your tux yet?"

"I've been waiting for you to tell me what you want me to wear."

"Black," I state simply.

"Black? That's it?"

"You like black. You live in black. I'm not going to tell you to wear something that isn't you."

"You're no help," he laughs. "Do I at least get to see your dress?"

"I'll send you a picture, but you don't get to see it on me until prom night."

"See what?" Ree asks from behind us.

Haden walks ahead of me into the cafeteria and I stay back with Ree.

"He wants to see my prom dress."

"Did you get it already? I wanna see!"

"I'm going with my mom today after swim. Did you get yours?"

"My dad gave me his credit card and told me to get whatever I want," she says with a sad smile. "Sucks not having a mom around."

"You're welcome to come with us," I offer, but she shakes her head.

"I have a feeling this is something you two need to do alone, but how 'bout if you help me next week?"

"Count me in," I agree.

"What's going on?" Bailey asks when we sit at the table with everyone.

"I'm going shopping with Ree next week to find a dress."

"Mind if I come along? I have my dress already, but I need to get shoes," Bailey says with a smile directed at Joey.

"Does next Wednesday work for y'all?" Ree asks and we both nod.

"Great." She grins victoriously. "I'll see if my dad will let me drive his car that day-ya know, because it's way nicer than mine."

"At least you have a car," I say, narrowing my eyes at her playfully. "I've had to rely on these guys to take me everywhere."

"Have we ever complained?" Cole asks, feigning offense.

I look at the guys, who are all waiting for my answer. If I acknowledge that they have complained, there's a chance they'll try to cut me off.

"Yes, especially you." I point at Cole and he shakes his head.

"I'll remember that next time you need someone to take you to practice," he smirks.

"With the way you drive, that's a chance I'm willing to take," I reply.

"He's not that bad," Ree laughs. "I mean, sure I have a little bit of whiplash from our date the other night, but it's to be expected. Right?"

"Great," Cole throws his arms up. "Now you have her in on it. I give up."

"Good choice," Braxton answers and pats him on the back. "You'll never win that battle, because I'm pretty sure we've all had a near-death experience with your driving."

Cole looks at everyone and flips us off before he finishes eating his lunch.

"I gotta go." Haden stands up and bends down to kiss me. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Are you going to tell me anything about this date?" I ask as he walks away.

He turns back and smiles. "Wear comfortable shoes."

Chapter 24 ~ Finding Fun.

"I'm so proud of you, honey," Mom gushes when I walk through the door. "Second place!"

"Thanks, Mom. I wish you could have been there." I smile and return her hug.

"I know, me too. Your sister is still running a fever, though."

"No, it's fine, really. I think both Dad and I were bored for most of it."

"He was texting me the entire time, so I really doubt it. Are you hungry? Do you need anything?" she rushes.

"Honestly, I'm exhausted and Haden's taking me out tonight-I'm not sure I'll be able to hang."

"Then I suggest you take a nice warm bath and maybe a little nap." She smiles.

"Do you know where he's taking me?" I question suspiciously.

She shakes her head and walks away, leaving me to wonder as I have been all day. She's been secretive ever since our little shopping excursion last night. It took three tries to find the perfect dress for prom. I had Mom snap a picture of the dress on the hanger to send over to Haden but he won't see it on until prom night. For the next ten minutes they went back and forth, and every time I tried to look at her screen she'd move away.

Dad walks in from the garage like the proud parent he is and high-fives me. "Our girl did great," he beams.

"So you said," Mom pouts. "I told her she needs to rest for tonight because she's not hungry."

"Who said I'm not hungry?" I interject.

She walks to the refrigerator and pulls out some lunchmeat and condiments and places them on the counter. "Okay, well you go shower and I'll make some sandwiches."

I give her the salute I know she hates and run upstairs to get cleaned up. I have texts from Haden and Joey, but I skip reading them when the phone rings and I see it's Haden.

"Second place," I answer without greeting him.

"That's awesome! Maybe your boyfriend should take you out tonight," he answers.

"I thought he was, but I'm not sure what to wear."

"Didn't he tell you to wear something comfortable?"

"Yeah, well that doesn't tell me much, now, does it?" I laugh. "Are you sure you can't give me a hint?"

"Nope."

"You suck," I answer back with a roll of my eyes, even though he can't see it.

"No I don't. You just hate being out of the loop," he reminds me, which is completely true, though I won't admit it to him.

"Did you call to hara.s.s me?"

Lame, I know-but it's the best I can come up with. I'm so bad at flirting.

"That and to tell you that I love you and I'll pick you up at six," he says sweetly.

I think my stomach swirls a little. No matter how often he says those three words to me, or how long I've known him as one of the guys on my street-my best friend-he still has this way of making my heart flip.

"I'll be ready," I breathe out as I try to compose myself. "I'm about to take a shower now."

"Lai?"

"Yeah?"

"I'll see you at five thirty," he strains out.

"But you just said six," I remind him and panic at the loss of those thirty minutes.

"Five thirty just sounds better," he answers. "See you then. Bye."

"Haden?" I rush out, hoping that he's still on the line.

"Yeah?"

"Love you, too," I answer, and hang up as I throw myself onto my bed to catch my breath.

"Thanks for waking me up," I tell Mom when I go to the kitchen fully rested. "I guess you still won't tell me what's going on."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she says with a straight face. It would be convincing if I didn't know her as well as I do, so I choose to play along.

"Am I dressed okay?" I ask in an attempt to garner any new information out of her.

She looks me up and down as she takes in my skinny jeans and sleeveless striped tank that I'm wearing under my gray jacket and shrugs. Haden said dress comfortable and this fits that for me. I have my hair in a high ponytail so it is out of my face, and a smidgen of makeup on, but other than that I look the same as I do every other time he sees me.

"You always look pretty. Roll the sleeves up and I think you're good to go." She smiles and looks at her watch. "What time is he coming to get you?"

"Five thirty," I answer and raise my brow in question.

"Then he should be here any-"

Someone ringing the doorbell interrupts her comment, and of course we know who it is.

"I got it," Luka yells and runs into the living room despite not feeling well.

Mom runs after her to stop her from getting him sick, but by the time we get there, my little sister is already in his arms, resting her head on his shoulder.

He gives me a c.o.c.ky look and hands Luka off to my mom before kissing my cheek. I think it's sweet that he's so...Haden in front of my parents. Mom asks a few questions, but I pay no attention because my eyes are stuck on the guy I get to call my boyfriend. He opted out of his trademark jeans and looks preppy in his cargo shorts and collared shirt. His black hair and brooding appearance is a stark contrast from the look he's trying out, but I think it's cute all the same.

Mom says her goodbyes, and before I know it Haden has me in his car, driving to some location he still refuses to divulge.

It's not for a lack of trying on my part, that's for sure.

The entire fifteen-minute drive, I ask for hints, possible date-crashers, or any other clue he can give me so I can figure out where we're going, but he's a steel trap-smirking the entire time.