based around the season four episodes 'humilithon', 'family reunion', and 'stupid girl'

❛ I'll get you down on the floor
Shimmering, beautiful
And when I break it's in a million pieces ❜
- Mirrorball, Taylor Swift

The last time I saw my own mother was when she visited in 2000. I was 12 at the time, and she left just two days later because of the Wilkerson boys. I don't blame them, she was always too pretentious for their family.

I recently found out she sent my father a plane ticket so I can visit her in Atlanta for the summer, and I don't know how to feel. First, I haven't spent a day away from the Wilkersons in years. Second, I have never been on a plane before. Third, what am I even going to do with her? As soon as I found out, I was dreading it all July.

When August comes up, I have to pack my bags and say my goodbyes. It's only going to be a month but I can't help but get teary eyed. 'But you're going to miss my birthday,' I remember Reese's sad voice when I told him. His birthday is always the most fun and I'm not even going to be there for it. My dad waits for me in the car so he can drive me to the airport, the entire Wilkerson family is standing in the driveway. I hug each of them, Malcolm looks really upset, Dewey is crying and I can see Reese's eyes well up. At least I'm not the only one, we're really not used to being apart.

Turns out, Atlanta isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It's a big city, and I'm not really used to that. However, my mom is more pleasant than I thought she would be too—I guess she acts differently when she isn't around my dad. This month made me realize I don't know her at all, and it's actually fun spending time with her.

On the way home from the airport, she asks me about the Wilkersons. "So how are those boys? Still the same little rascals?" I nod. "The eldest still away? What about that boy... what was it? Reese? The one your age."

"Francis is married now actually, and Reese is fine— so are Malcolm and Dewey." I mention the other two, she probably forgot about them.

"Oh yeah, those too. God, I don't know how Lois does it. Four boys?!" I nod along.

"I guess she got used to it. They're not even that bad." It starts off awkward, but once my mom began opening up—it was as if I was getting to know a new woman.

She introduced me to her friends, who have daughters my age. I thought they'd hate me since I'm not as cool as they are, but they're actually nice. They take me shopping often with their friend groups, something I rarely ever get the chance to do back home.

To put it simply, my trip went much better than I expected.

My mom drives me back to the airport in August, and I feel like a completely different person than when I got here. She hugs me so tightly when I get out of the car, I feel like I'm going to get crushed. She looks at me with her blue eyes, the ones that when I look into them, it looks like I'm looking into a mirror because of how identical they are to mine. They're tearing up, and mine almost do too.

She cups my face, "You take care, okay? I love you." That's a phrase I've only heard come out of her mouth once or twice.

"I love you too, Mom," I smile. She lets go of me and I can go into the airport. My time here flew by, but I can't wait to see the faces I miss so much back home and tell them all about what happened.

My Dad picks me up from the airport and drives me back, I didn't think I'd miss California so much. I roll down the window and the wind blows through my hair. The girls from Atlanta taught me all about hair, and how jealous they were that mine was curly. What was first a wavy mess, became a nice mane of curls thanks to them. They also taught me how to put on makeup, so my mother got me some. They taught me a lot of girly stuff, but I didn't pick up all of it—the pink clothes and skirts just didn't stick with me. It was nice spending time with girls for once, but I can't wait to see Reese and Malcolm and get back to their shenanigans.

I see the sign that reads 'Welcome to Star City' and excitement surges through me. I talked to the boys on the phone a few times, but it couldn't soothe how much I missed them. We reach our street and my dad pulls into the driveway. The three of them must have been waiting, because as soon as my Dad parks, they come running out the front door, "Tess!"

A huge smile spreads across my face when I see them and I waste no time opening the car door to greet them. I don't get to say hi before they engulf me in a group hug. Dewey's the fastest to wrap his arms around me—only reaching my waist. "I missed you guys so much," I say against Malcolms hair. I almost can't breathe, but I don't want them to pull away just yet.

We finally part and their smiles mirror mine. How did all of them grow taller in just a month? I look at each of their faces, my eyes landing on Reese's stupid face—his bright smile.

I spend the next few weeks over at their house more than ever before. I didn't even know that was possible. School starts a week into September. Hello, Sophomore year! Malcolm is going to be joining Reese and I for his first year at High School though, so that's exciting.

The girls at school treat me differently this time around, and I assume it's because of my new look, but mostly because I'm not a freshman anymore. Malcolm has a terrible first day, and I can't help but feel terrible for him. Reese is still the same old Reese. Walking around either alone or with me, tormenting students or laughing at the water dispenser. Literally. He does that.

A few more weeks go by. Francis and Piama visit. I really like Piama, she's cool and is actually super nice—she's just always mean around Lois. We find out the Wilkersons are having a family reunion during dinner. I stay silent as they discuss it for the next few days. And then, one day before they leave, they tell me to pack my things too.

It's ridiculous. I love spending time with them, but a family reunion? I keep saying I can't go, but the boys insist. Even Lois agreed with me that it's a bit too much to take me to a family event. "But she goes everywhere with us, how is this any different?" The boys say.

Long story short, all five of us ended up with hair and fancy clothes soaked with pool water in the back of the minivan.

The school dance is coming up soon, and I don't have a date yet, even though a lot of the boys at school have been taking more interest in me. The other day, a cute senior boy even told me hi.

I think Malcolm has a girlfriend now, Alison. It's surprising that she would talk to him. I remember her from last year, she was never really nice to me—even though we rarely ever crossed paths. We were in completely different social circles. She was in the popular clique—the one that often dated jocks, not guys like Malcolm. I'm not sure, but I think she's even a cheerleader! He has been acting really strange after he started seeing her, though.

Reese is going to the dance, so I just go with him—who else would I take? I've been going with Reese to school dances ever since I was able to.

I wear a nice shirt of mine and jeans. I don't look any different from how I usually do, I just put more effort into my makeup.

We get to the dance, which is in the school gym. For some reason, Stevie didn't want to go. Reese walks away for about half an hour, doing god knows what. I stand in the corner, I don't even know why I came at this point. Reese isn't really the best date at these things. I can see Malcolm and Alison dancing on the other side of the gym, and I feel a twang of jealousy in my chest. I never got to actually dance at a school dance.

I see Reese again, so I go up to him. "Hey, you wanna dance?" I ask, I can already predict his answer.

"Dance? High school dances aren't for you to actually dance, they're so you can pick on the kids that are sitting alone and to barge in on the people making out," he grins mischievously. I can't believe I had the slightest expectation he'd say yes.

"Come on, Reese. Please? I didn't come here with you for nothing," I whine.

"Hey, you could join me if you want to." He shrugs, but then he sees the look on my face and gives in, "Ugh, okay."

I beam, and grab him by the wrist to where everyone else is dancing. I place his hands on my waist and my arms go up around his neck.

"You've been different ever since you came back from Atlanta," he says once we start swaying to the soft music.

"Really? Well, sorry I'm a person who is impacted by time and is capable of some change," I give him a sarcastic look and he rolls his eyes.

"No, I mean, when did you even start wearing makeup?"

"After I spent some time around girls. Why? Is it a problem? Does it make you feel insecure now that I'm prettier than you?"

He scoffs, "you wish." Malcolm and Alison pass by us and he looks at them leave.

"I thought you were a good dancer. Why so lousy?" I ask.

"Oh, you wanna see some good dancing?" He removes his hand from my waist to grab my hand and begins moving it up and down as he drags us across the dance floor in a terrible waltz. I laugh at his antics and try to stop him.

"Okay, okay. You can stop now, this is a slow dancing song. I get it." He's laughing too, he places his hand back on my waist and gives a threatening look to a couple staring at us. My hand goes to touch his hair lightly. I notice how it's been more blond at the tips lately, I always tease him for dyeing his hair—but it suits him. The spiky hair is his signature, even if he spends a little too much time gelling it in the mornings.

It's really nice for a minute. The dim colorful lights illuminate his features softly, his green eyes bore into mine, and I look away. His hand goes lower on my hip, and I swear I could see him blush the slightest bit.

It's safe to say I got the slow dancing experience I wanted.

The song ends and we part. The rest of the night is eventful, Lois catches Malcolm with a pack of beers. And at the end of the week, his girlfriend dumps him. Sad.

But not a few days after, Alison and Reese begin dating. I'm not sure how to feel about it, I've never seen him with a girlfriend. She seems to get along with him relatively well, which is surprising. As much as I hate to say it, she's the epitome of a dumb blonde—I can't help but think he deserves better. Hell, even Malcolm didn't deserve the way she dumped him just for saying a big word. She's bound to hurt Reese too. But for now, their relationship seems as perfect as highschool relationships get. How could Reese find someone before I did?

AN:

ok i really like alison, but i think you can understand why tess isn't exactly fond of her lol. there's gonna be some big you belong with me vibes coming up, so stay tuned! sorry if this chapter was a bit of a filler.
also, reese doesn't have a canon birthday, so i just made it august 17th
should i even explain why I think he's a leo?

in the meantime, here's some season 4 reese for your eyes

s4 has to be his cutest season, i'm obsesseddd