The choice of which group of friends I should invite to Mom's cookout was simple. I choose to invite Alyssa, Calvin and Vincent. I felt like they would appreciate it more. Besides, the girls had invites to a swanky Labor Day party they were excited to attend. From Jasmine's Instagram feed I could tell the party was huge and there was going to be tons of interesting stories I'll be hearing later on.

Mom's cook out wasn't much different from Dad's. Aside from the smaller guest list and the absence of a bounce house it was pretty much the same. Shawn manned the grill, but Mom hovered at his side. She was very serious about her food and had to make sure everything was perfect. Shawn didn't seem to mind though. The two of them looked very happy, just like Dad and Keisha. I silently cursed myself for not realizing it before that they were, in fact, happier in there new lives. That's all the truly mattered.

"Hey, Mia," Cassie greeted as she and Calvin entered the backyard. "Everything smells so good! I'm going to go talk to your mom," She announced before walking over to her.

"So..." Calvin drawled, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his hoodie. "Should we start with the phone call or your dad?"

I internally groaned at the reminder of both incidents. He seemed unbothered by these things, but he seemed that way about everything.

"What are the chances that you forget those things ever happened?" I laughed nervously.

"I can forget the dad thing," he agreed. "That is, if his threat wasn't serious."

"It wasn't," I confirmed. Dad may like to hover, but he's not a legit threat to anyone.

"Well, then that just leaves the phone call," he stated, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I was upset with my dad and I -"

"Stop," he cut me off and I was more than confused. "You were right."

"What?" I blinked.

"I was being a jerk and dismissing your feelings," he admitted, taking me by surprise.

"Well, it wasn't like you were wrong," I shrugged. "I was being a bit of a brat."

"True," he smirked.

I playfully smacked his shoulder, "Shut up!"

"No need to panic," following the sound of the voice I see Vincent walking through the back gate. He carried a stack of pink boxes and I already knew what was in them. "I brought pie and cake and cookies. So, no one will be passing out from low blood sugar." He announced, earning a few woos and hollers from the guest.

That boy sure knew how to make an entrance.

Alyssa followed in behind him, her fancy digital camera hanging from her neck. She never missed an opportunity to hone in on her photography skills. She walked over to Calvin and I, pulling up her camera and take a picture.

"Wow," she breathed, looking down at the shoot on the back of the camera. "You two look like deer in headlights."

"Well, were weren't ready," I defended.

"And I don't like having my picture taken," Calvin added.

"Lame," she sang. "Oh, Mia, can I get a few with you and your mom?"

"Sure," I said, starting to follow her.

"Wait," Calvin clasped onto my hand, pulling me back. "I have to ask you something first."

"I'll be there in a sec," I told Alyssa before turning back to Calvin. "What is it?"

"It's about my mom's birthday present."

"The card? Did you finish it?"

"Yeah, but I want to get her something to go with it," he explained. "And I need some help figuring out what."

He was asking me to help him pick out a gift for his mom, which might not mean anything to most but it meant a lot to me. He had other people to ask, but he choose me. On the other hand, maybe it didn't mean anything and my ever growing crush on him was just clouding my judgment.

Maybe I should stop over analyzing his question and answer him.

"Ok, has she mentioned anything she may want?"

His brow creased as he thought about this for a moment, "She has mentioned wanting a new vacuum cleaner."

"A vacuum cleaner, really?" I shook my head at him. "You think that's an appropriate gift for the woman who gave you life?"

"And that is why I'm asking for your help," he laughed.

His laugh gave me butterflies and I felt myself smiling. I needed to get these feelings under control. It's not like he felt the same way. I'd be able to tell wouldn't I?

"So, are you going to help?" He questioned, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, I'll help," I confirmed. "After we eat we'll go to the mall and find something not meant for household chores."

He smiled once more, "I look forward to it."

And there goes the butterflies again.

+ + +

"Does she like jewelry?" I asked Calvin as we stepped onto the escalator going up.

"She sold all of her jewelry when we moved from Reno," he shrugged. "And she hasn't worn any since."

She must have been desperate to get out of Nevada, but why? I didn't want to pry into his past and I doubted that he'd say anything if I asked.

"No jewelry then," I said, scanning the area once we got off the escalator. "Well, what does she like to do? Does she have any hobbies?"

"No idea," he said and my eyes rolled.

"You are no help," I groaned.

"What did you expect?" He snorted. "I wouldn't have asked for help if I had any idea what I was doing."

"How about clothes? Maybe a cute sweater?" I suggested, pointing to black and tan fair isle sweater in a window display.

"She could use a sweater," he nodded in agreement. "This is the first place we lived where it snows regularly."

We went into the shop picked out a sweater for Cassie in, what Calvin thinks is her favorite color, purple. There were also some gorgeous silver, teardrop earrings near the register that I talked him into getting as well, even though she might not wear them. After purchasing everything we left the mall and waited at the bus stop.

"Can you keep this stuff at your house until her birthday," he asked as we sat on the bench and waited for the bus. "My mom is a hound dog when it comes to gifts."

"Sure," I laughed.

A familiar silver car pulled up where the bus usually would and I tensed up. Was he stalking me now?

"Hey," Derek grinned, leaning over to the passenger side window. "Need a ride?"

Before I could decline the offer Calvin stood, accepting the ride. He and Derek seemed friendly as they greeted each other, I never would've thought they were friends. Calvin and I climbed into the back since Derek had his bulldog, Daisy, was riding shotgun.

"Is there something wrong with your phone, Mia?" He questioned as he drove off.

"Yeah, you have the number," I said flatly.

He chuckled at what I said, "I might have gone a little overboard with texting you."

"A little?" I scoffed. 

Glancing over at Calvin I realized he looked utterly confused about what was going on. "He wants me to get him back together with Faye, even though I told him not to dump her in the first place."

"That was a momentary lapse in judgment," he defended. "And she seems calmer now."

"I'm not talking to her for you," I stated firmly.

"Cal, help me out here," he plead. "You know what it's like not being with the girl you like."

My gaze shifted to the boy next to me. Did Calvin have a crush on someone? My brain went into overdrive as I try to figure out who it could be. Then the things Alyssa said about him liking me came to mind. It couldn't possibly be me, could it?

My palms began to sweat and my stomach felt like it was doing backflips. He didn't like me. I was being full of myself and over thinking things. Over analyzing stuff was my signature move. My heart finally began beat at a calmer pace as I zoned back in on the conversation.

They switched topics and were now focused on Vincent and how he was apparently getting better at basketball. Honestly, I was grateful for the change in subject because I didn't think I was ready to know the answers to my questions.

My phone rang and since I knew it wasn't Derek I happily answered.

"Hello?" I answered, trying to hear over the boys chatter.

"Guess what I found!"

The voice on the other end of the line was unmistakable. Panicking, I fumbled to hang up the phone. I should really start looking at the caller i.d. before answering my phone.

"Are you okay," Calvin asked, looking concerned. "Who was on the phone?"

"Faye," I mumbled, looking down at my phone which rang again. Faye's name flashed across the screen. "And she's calling again."

"Here," Derek reaches his back towards me. "Let me talk to her."

"No! I am not supposed to be in the car with you," I groaned. "Let me out."

"Are you for real?" Calvin asked as Derek came to a stop at the curb.

"Yes, I need to call her back and I can't do that in the car with him," I explained as I started to get out of the car.

"If you'd just let me talk to her..."

"Shut up," I growled at him.

"I'll walk with you," Calvin said, but I stopped him before he undid his seat belt.

Taking the bag holding his mothers gifts, I shut the door. "Thanks, but I'll be fine."

Once Derek drove away I called Faye back and told her a lie about dropping my phone. I felt guilty not telling her I was in contact with her ex, but I was on thin ice already. Everything was finally starting to get better for me I wasn't going to mess that up because Derek couldn't make up his mind.

Shaking all thoughts of him from my head, I focus on what Faye is saying.

"As I was saying before," she said cheerfully. "I found the cutest cheetah print dress at the mall just now."

My heart stopped beating. She was at the mall? Only one thought ran through my head: Did she see me get into Derek's car?

//

Mia's being all fsgkjjk because she likes Calvin 

& Calvin has a secret crush 

& Derek is still in love with Faye 

& Faye may or may not know Mia's been talking to Derek!!!!

So much is happening, lol.

~ Thanks SO much for reading ~

Don't  forget to comment & vote! <3