Evelyn had been compulsively training for her upcoming track meet that was rapidly approaching. Whether it was her working out at her home gym or staying late after her practices to do more drills, she was doing it. That also meant she wasn't spending much time with her friends. Specifically, Layla who had just gotten out from rehab. But, that might've been more intentional than she intended it to be.

"Evie!" Liv waved her over as soon as she stepped foot into the cafe.

"Oh, hi," she said, stepping toward the group of three that consisted of Liv, Layla, and Spencer. "I'm just here to grab a protein shake. Not here to interrupt anything."

"Evie, you're our friend," Spencer chuckled. "You're not interrupting anything."

"Yeah," Layla softly said. "Sit."

"Actually, Layla, can we talk?" she suggested. "Alone?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea!" Liv encouraged.

Layla nodded, following her over to an empty table. "Yeah, of course."

"I'm sorry," Evelyn apologized. "For...you know, not visiting you whenever Liv went. I just couldn't."

"Can I ask why?" she questioned. "You don't have to explain yourself to me. But, can I ask?"

"I felt terrible...the night of Liv's birthday, I called you a raging bitch," Evelyn sighed, remorsefully. "But, you weren't in the right space mentally and I didn't even...notice. I thought you were just acting out and that Spencer and Liv were being overly dramatic when they were trying to get you help. I guess, in a way, I kind of felt guilty."

"No, you were right. I was being a bitch. I never got to apologize for what I said that night either. We were both pretty out of line," Layla said. "But, I'm over it, and you have nothing to feel guilty about. I refused their help and tried to act like nothing was wrong with me. I'm sorry, too."

She lifted her eyebrow up, staring intently at her. "Friends?"

"Of course," Layla grinned.

"There is one more thing..." she trailed off.

"You're dating Asher. I know," Layla chuckled. "I still have Instagram. I saw Asher's post from a couple of nights ago about you two. And I think I speak for everyone when I say, we all saw it coming."

"Oh, thank God," Evelyn breathed out. "I'm kind of stupid for thinking that you wouldn't see that."

"Yeah, Evie," Layla giggled. "I saw it."

☆☆☆

"This is so weird."

Evelyn had temporarily taken her brother's place seeing as he had flaked on Liv for the thousandth time for her dance rehearsal. The two girls were face to face...or in Evelyn's case due to her height, face to boobs, as they danced.

"Yeah, your face is literally near my boobs," Liv scoffed. "I hate your stupid twin brother."

"Me too," she agreed. "Sorry. If I knew he'd flake so much I wouldn't have suggested for you two to be partners."

Olivia let out a slight scoff. "Let's just sit."

"You okay?" Spencer asked as he and Kia joined the two girls on the bench. "Look, I can dance with you again. You know, if you need someone taller. Or there's always Mrs. Philpott."

"Yeah, she's too handsy," Liv said, looking at the dance instructor. "And Evie's a great partner she's just not Enrique."

"I'm sure he has a good reason for bailing," Kia added.

"Asher said they had to stay after practice," Evelyn informed, reading a message off of her phone. "Matt Springer's there."

"Matt Springer's at their practice?" Spencer asked, a little too enthusiastically. "I m-mean, yeah. He should be here."

"Nice going, Spencer," Evelyn whispered, nudging him in the ribs. "Just sit and look pretty."

"I'm gonna need to find another escort if it isn't too late," Liv sighed.

"What's Jordan doing?" Kia asked.

"Ew, no. I am not going with my brother," Liv denied.

"No, I meant maybe I could with go him and Spencer could take you," Kia suggested.

"You'd be alright with that?" Liv asked.

"If Jordan is. He's cute," Kia hesitated as she turned to look at Evelyn. "Wait, Evelyn, sorry...That was probably weird."

"It's fine. I mean, even though Asher's being just as flakey as Ricky. Jordan's my ex for a reason," Evelyn scoffed. "Plus, his dancing...average at best."

"Wait, Asher's been flakey, too?" Liv questioned. "Do I need to kick his ass?"

"He's just been super busy training and I get it," Evelyn sighed. "I'm an athlete too. But, it'd be kind of nice if he'd pay a little more attention to me."

☆☆☆

After Liv's dance rehearsals, Evelyn went straight home. She went right to her brother's room ready to tell him off for being inconsiderate of her best friend's time and feelings.

"What the hell, Ricky?" she hissed, entering his room.

"Dude, knock," Enrique spat.

"Liv was depending on you to be there for her cotillion and you didn't even bother to show up for any of her rehearsals," she said. "You're being a jerk."

"And I care because..." he scoffed. "Matt Springer was at practice. What was I supposed to do? Leave to go to your stupid friend's dance rehearsals."

"She's your friend, too," Evelyn sneered. "Plus, dad's literally a super bowl MVP. What the hell is Matt Springer telling you that dad can't?"

"Evelyn get the hell out of here. I don't want to listen to a lecture from my sister," Enrique scoffed, storming over to the door and slamming it shut.

"Enrique!" Evelyn yelled, banging on his door repeatedly. "You're such an asshole!"

☆☆☆

"Is Asher picking you up?"

Joaquin walked into his daughter's room seeing the door ajar and spotting her at her vanity brushing the last bit of powder to her face.

Evelyn gave her dad a shrug. "I don't know."

"And your brother? Have you spoken to him?" he asked sitting on the couch that was placed in the corner of her room. "He's been avoiding me."

"You and me both," she sighed, clasping a bracelet around her wrist.

"And you? We haven't spoken much since you two found out the truth. Anything you want to talk about?" Joaquin asked.

She turned around grabbing the nude pumps that were beside her desk and slipped them onto her feet. "I'm over it, promise."

"Asher's treating you well?" he continued on.

"Yeah, I guess," she shrugged. "I mean, he hasn't been the most consistent person on the planet. But, he makes me happy. Look, dad, I have to get to Liv's cotillion, I'll see you and mom later."

"The dress is nice. You look beautiful, mija," Joaquin sighed, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Well, your wife designed this dress," she scoffed. "You have to like it, dad."

He let out a small laugh. "Bye, Evie."

☆☆☆

"The party's not out here, Evelyn," Jordan teased, spotting his ex-girlfriend erratically pacing the floor.

Evelyn let out a small huff, reluctantly turning around to face him. "I know. I'm just...dumb."

He lifted his eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"

"I was just really hoping Asher would come," she sighed. "Our first official outing as a couple. I don't know, maybe, I'm reading too much into it. He's just been a little distant."

"Asher's a good guy," Jordan told her, faking a smile as he reached for her shoulder giving it an affectionate squeeze. "I'm sure he'll come. Just give him some more time. But, for now, go out there and sit with my parents. They miss you."

"I have accidentally been abandoning my ex-in-laws," she giggled. "Thanks, Jordan."

Jordan smiled...this time a genuine one. "Anytime, Evie."

Evelyn shook the thought of Asher from her mind, approaching Mr. and Mrs. Baker at the table, and threw a soft smile as she sat down.

"Hey, mom and dad," she teased.

"Ooh, look who remembered we existed," Mr. Baker joked.

"Sorry," she winced.

"It's fine," Mrs. Baker reassured, giving the teen a smile. "As long as you stay for a while."

The teen gave her a nod but before she could attempt to answer, the lights dimmed and the debutantes and their partners were announced. The Baker's plus Evelyn clapped loudly once Liv, Spencer, Jordan, and Kia walked down arm-in-arm.

Evelyn watched, grinning in approval at how great they were doing as they danced. She couldn't help but notice how good Spencer and Olivia looked together. Their chemistry on the dance floor was impressive but the whole Layla situation was...complicated.

"Still no sign of Asher?" Jordan approached, watching her scroll through her phone aimlessly.

"Asher?" Mrs. Baker raised an eyebrow.

"Laura, let's grab a drink," Mr. Baker chuckled stepping away from the table.

"Gotta love your mom," she giggled.

"Yeah, well she loves you," Jordan sighed. "She practically tried to disown me when she found out what I did. Told me I was losing the best thing that ever happened to me."

"As she should," she scoffed.

"Hey!" Liv slammed her palm down interrupting their conversation. "Stop bothering my best friend. I want to dance with her."

"No, Liv, we weren't talking about anything important," Jordan sarcastically told his sister. "Feel free to go if you want."

Evelyn stood from her seat, clamping her hand down on his shoulder. "Sorry, the better Baker needs me."

"He's totally staring at your ass right now," Liv pointed out as they moved to the dance floor. "Where's Asher?"

"Where do you think, Liv?" she groaned. "He's probably at the gym or something. Seeing as the gym is pleasuring Asher in ways that I can't."

Liv grimaced. "Gross. I'm sure he'll have a great explanation. Give him a chance."

"I'm so tired of people saying that," she groaned. "Now, can we go back to the table? I'm starving."

"Okay, okay," Liv said, ushering her back over to the table. "Eat, you grumpy girl."

"I could eat ten burgers right now," Evelyn complained stabbing her fork into an appetizer. "Why do these things only serve tiny foods?"

"Because they don't expect for such a small girl to eat so much," Jordan retorted, sliding over his plate. "Here. Take mine."

"Thanks," she grinned, waving her hand at Mr. and Mrs. Baker who had joined them at the table.

The attention shifted once a woman stepped behind the microphone to announce an award. "Ladies and Gentlemen, every year we present an award for our most promising cotillionaire. Not only has this young lady volunteered over 100 hours, she also started a podcast to bring attention to social justice issues, and doing this while attending high school. Olivia Baker, would you come up here, please?"

"That's our girl," Evelyn teased, nudging Mrs. Baker on her arm.

"That's right," she nodded, smiling proudly as she watched her daughter on the stage.

Once Liv stepped off the stage they all took turns congratulating the girl. "Congrats, my best friend's pretty amazing," Evelyn grinned, kissing her on the cheek before walking off to join Jordan so that Spencer could talk to Liv.

"Hey," Jordan softly said, grabbing ahold of her wrist. "The bracelet. You still have it...I thought you got rid of it."

Evelyn smiled up at him, the warmth of his hand engulfing her dainty wrist. "Yeah, uh, sentimental value and all of that. Plus, it matches my dress. So...it just made sense to wear it."

Asher who had entered the event late and was dressed all nice. Watched from afar as his girlfriend seemed to be basking in the attention of her ex-boyfriend. He stormed over to her, catching the attention of Jordan who politely stepped away.

"Nice to see who you run to when I'm not here," Asher commented.

"You mean, Jordan? Who we've known since we were kids?" she retorted. "He was being a good friend. Do you know how upset I was because you weren't here tonight?"

"Well, he seemed to be doing a hell of a job," he scoffed.

"Asher. How many text messages did I send? Asking if you were coming?" she questioned. "All I wanted was for my boyfriend to make me a priority for once. But you made your priorities crystal clear."

"Football is all I have, Evie," Asher raised his voice at her. "Maybe if I had a famous football player for a dad. I'd be set for life, too. But, not all of us are spoiled daddy's girls. Some of us have to actually work to get to where we want to be!"

"You think I don't know that!" she yelled back. "I work hard, too. I don't just depend on my dad for everything. I work my ass off, too, Asher. But, I know how to make time for the people that I care about!" She took a step back from her boyfriend once things began to get a little heated and soon enough tears started welling up in her eyes.

Mr. Baker stepped in, getting protective over Evelyn once he noticed the tears welling up in her eyes. "I think you should...You should leave, Ash."

"I think you're right," Asher scoffed. He sent his girlfriend one last look before turning around and exiting the event.

"You alright?" Mr. Baker asked the emotional teen.

"Yeah," she nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Baker."

"I'm so sorry," Liv comforted, wrapping her arm around the girl.

"Don't be sorry," she scoffed. "It's your cotillion and Asher just had to be an ass and make it all about himself. Sorry for ruining your night."

"No need to apologize," Liv smiled. "Need a ride? I drove here."

"Yes, please," Evelyn groaned. "I took an Uber, because I was hoping I'd end up leaving with Asher, but...That happened instead."

Liv nodded her head, keeping her arm protectively around her friend. "Come on, let's go."

Spencer noticed the two heading for the exit and immediately walked over to them. "Can I walk you two out?"

"Ugh, more testosterone," Evelyn groaned.

"Hey, I'm not Asher," Spencer said, holding his hands up. "You better make him sweat a little before you forgive him."

"Forgive him?" Liv scoffed. "He embarrassed the hell out of her."

"I'm right here," Evelyn scoffed. "Can we not?"

Spencer let out a breathy laugh as they stood by Liv's car. Evelyn stood beside Olivia while he stood on the other side, kind of like a sandwich. He kept his eyes on the bright headlights, the tires screeching against the pavement, and the sound of a pistol going off as Spencer went into flight mode knocking the two girls down like dominoes and placing himself in the line of fire.

"Spencer! Spencer!"

2x10