Right now, for some random reason, I'm freaking out over my spirit animal. Curiosity got to me and I did a test. It told me that I'm a 'hummingbird', BUT, I suddenly had a CAT popping up at the end of my dream this morning.

I don't know what to believe...

How did you guys find your spirit animal?

---

Wednesday evening, after getting into my new loose shirt and black jeans, I styled my hair to the side. I didn't bother on anything else. The new shirt was enough and I knew mum would loose it when she sees me in it. 

It was supposed to be my birthday clothes, bought at the start of the year because mum somehow knew that she wouldn't have time for it later in the future.

Not like it mattered, no one went out to buy actual birthday clothes these days.

I made my way down to the kitchen, grabbing my keys from the bowl.

"Mum, dad! I'm going out! Tell Katie that she going to need a ride if she wants to go somewhere! I'd be late, don't leave me dinner." I wouldn't be late, late. But, I knew I planned to take Bailey for dinner.

"Sure thing! Tell Drake that I'll be calling him for a special dinner soon!"

I frowned at that. Why did my mum automatically think that it'd be Drake that I'd be going out with? "I'm not going out to see Drake!"

"Then who?!"

I didn't respond and rushed out. Checking if I had my wallet filled, I made it to my car, ready to start it up when I heard mum yell out from her room.

"Alan! Who are you going to meet up with this late?!"

I snickered, getting out of the driveway as fast as I can. Moving along, followed the address Bailey'd texted me and found myself at her house, which was at the edge of the town.

Hey, I'm here.

I saw her a few seconds after my message. She was wearing a blue dress, up to her knee, netted and all. It covered her neck and had short sleeves which made me smile. Leave it to Bailey to have precautions before going on a date.

She had a little handbag that hung on her right shoulder and a silver bracelet that shinned every time light reflected off of it. She also, surprisingly, had her hair up in a high ponytail.

"What a gentleman," she said, opening the door by herself and slipping into the passenger side.

I chuckled, pulling out of her property. "Well, it is a friendly date. I thought you had perfectly fitted hands."

"Sure, sure." She adjusted her dress before relaxing into the seat.

"Well, if it makes you feel better. You look absolutely beautiful tonight." I meant it, even if I didn't have any romantic feelings for her; yet.

She turned to me with a casual smile. Something was different about Bailey. She seemed more let-go and open. "If you don't want me falling for you Alan, then you wouldn't say things that would make my heart fluter."

Okay...

"That made your heart fluter?!" I was genuinely surprised. I never thought she'd say that so easily.

"Sure, I'm a girl going on a date with one of the hottest boys in school, what do you expect?"

"One of the hottest boys in school? Who else is in that list?" I kept looking back and forth from the road to her.

"Just a few others I found my eyes lingering towards."

I had to chuckle at that. "Oh, so you have a standard that's hard to pass?"

"You passed with flying colors. I don't know why you care."

"The girl I'm going on a date with is outright telling me that she's been looking at hot guys in school!"

She laughed along with me, "the girl who you're going on a friendly date with."

"Of course, we can't forget that."

After a silence, Bailey spoke again. "Thank you, this really means a lot. Even if it's just a friendly gesture."

"No problem. It was my fault for not remembering the date. I feel so bad for that. Trust me, I'm not usually like that. I've just been having a lot in mind."

"Yeah, no biggie. But, you're not usually like that? Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

We argued, laughing together, playing along. Just, casual friends going out to the movies for the evening. It felt nice. Sure, Drake and the boys always invited me along to things like it and I sometimes, took Katie with me, but I never really hung out with a girl as a friend.

It didn't bother me at all that she didn't make a move.

"Alright, what movie?"

We were at the cinemas and the place was more crowded than we'd thought, since it was a work day. But, a few movies were out from the start of the month.

"I think, how about something horror. There's two movies out."

That was my opinion, but Bailey had other thoughts. "No way, what the hell, do you want me to die on our date?!" She shook her head side to side, three times, just like Katie and it made me laugh. "We're watching something I choose since it's supposed to be my day. And I say... Wonder Park!"

What the hell?

That kid movie? The one with all the different colors and smily faces?

"You sure?" A nod was my response. "Okay, fine. I'll watch it just because I feel bad for standing you up." Then we paid and made our way into the theaters with a bucket of popcorn and a cup of coke in both of our hands.

The movie, was surprisingly fun, not boring as I'd thought of it to be. Bailey, loved it. She was so happy by the time we finished and I was glad. When we'd made it out and back into the car and I'd u-turned for a diner, she'd told me that she didn't want to ruin the fun we'd had with an awkward dinner.

I agreed at the end, and in the end, we ended up at a cafe regulars go to.

~~~

"So, how was it?" Max sat across from me and I turned my attention back to him. Thursday evening, after a long day of school and practice, and here I was at Ginny's cafe with Max Winters.

"How was what?" As always, I was early and sitting at our table with my favorite and only order with the help of Ginny. I'd ordered Max's black coffee which he gladly took and I couldn't help but compare it with what I'd experience with Bailey.

Bailey had ordered the same iced coffee as me and we sat facing each other, talking about all the gossips form school. We kept the conversation lively and running, talking about her life before she moved to Stratford High. 

It was fun but I realized, something was always on the edge while I talked with her.

I'd been more relaxed when I got home after, laying on my bed, taking deep breaths.

With Max, it was different. I wasn't sitting on the edge of my seat and I didn't have to talk to keep the conversation going. We didn't even need a conversation. He sat on his own, sipping his black coffee while I ate my cherry.

We glanced at each from time to time, remembering that we had things to talk about, but it didn't matter. We'd do the work later. For now, it was all about relaxing. I loved relaxing. Especially after a long, tiring day.

Max Winters made sure I was relaxed when I was with him. It freaked me out a little.

"Your date. With the new girl." 

I frowned at that; I never told him who I had a date with.

"Oh, Bailey? Yeah, it was fun. We went to the movies and then grabbed a cup of coffee. I wore these clothes."

Damnit, why did I say that? Now he probably thought that I don't wash my clothes regularly!

"So, this is a date too?"

I choked on my cherry. "What?!" I took a sip on my coffee. "Why would you think that?!"

"Well, you're wearing the same clothes as yesterday. That was a date and I just thought those wear reserved for important outings."

I shook my head fast. "No! These are my birthday clothes for this year. I wore it because I didn't have anything else decent to wear at that moment. It doesn't mean that I think of this as a date! What the heck man?! Plus, we're both dudes!"

A deep blush made their way to my cheeks and I bowed my head in shame. Did Max Winters know that I was feeling different towards him?

"It was just a friendly date anyways. We weren't looking for a relationship or anything..."

Why was I acting so out of it all of a sudden?

"Oh," was his reply. He cleared his throat and I notice him looking behind me. "I thought... right, whatever. So, you're not looking for a relationship?"

I scoffed, crossing my hands in front of me. "Does that seem so surprising?"

"Yeah, almost. You're always with someone during school. People at school are actually surprised that you're not with someone yet."

I grumbled in agreement. Bailey had said the same thing, smiling throughout it. She just casually seemed to be curious about it. I didn't respond to it yesterday. 

Instead, I'd just repeated that I was really busy and had a lot going on in my mind. She'd thought that I was talking about grandma May and didn't dig deep, which I was grateful about.

"Okay, so, should we finish the discussion? We can write the lyrics another time. You look like you're ready to drop dead."

I was glad that we moved on from that topic and nodded. We sat across each other, discussing the book and writing down any important points. Then, Ginny came around at six, handing Max the guitar.

I'd rolled my eyes and didn't move away from my seat this time while she continued to take pictures of his playing. No matter the situation, I found myself falling asleep to Max Winters's soothing voice.

The best dates are always the one that lets you be yourself and relax.

---

One: I've never watched that kid movie so I'm sorry if I made any wrong assumptions...

Two: this chapter is duller than I thought it would be...

Three: Love U guys, have a great day/night!