Author's Note: So, I think you'll all love me forever after this chapter - at least, I hope so. Check out the song - which I'm now addicted to - and the picture, Sydney's homecoming dress and all that. Anyway, let me know what you think in a comment, maybe? ♥

Chapter 19 - I Don't Mind If You Don't

“Oh, come on Sydney, you know I love you, but I really don’t wanna do this.” Tanner whines.

“Tanner, quit complaining, will you?” I retort from the front seat of Bradley’s Jeep.

Tanner, Bradley and I are on our way to the mall, and Tanner’s been whining the whole time about my making him come. It’s Friday afternoon and we just left school to come to the mall. The Homecoming Dance is tonight and I need a new dress if I’m going. Also, my birthday is tomorrow, and even though all five of the boys deny it, I think they’ve planned something. Hopefully something small, because I explicitly told them nothing big.  Rather, I told Bradley, but I’m sure he told the rest of them.

Anyways, since my birthday is tomorrow, and also the first official day of the Spring Equinox, I figure that it’ll be warm enough for me to swim in our pool. Our pool guy came and cleaned out the pool yesterday morning, so it’s just back there waiting for me. Therefore, I need to get a new swimsuit today because the ones from last year either don’t look cute to me anymore or I’ve accidently bleached them. That’s why I hardly wash my own clothes anymore, because I bleached about seven of my swimsuits last summer, and that was just heartbreaking. So a dress and a swimsuit is what I have in mind to buy today before leaving.

“I mean, I’m not even coming to the dance. Why do I have to help you pick out a dress?”

“Because I need a second opinion, that’s why.” I remind him as Bradley pulls into a parking space.

Tanner and Mikey are still under extensive punishment for their fight with Reese, and because of that they’ve been barred from the rest of the school’s social events, excluding Senior Prom and Graduation of course. Walker is coming to the dance, but I didn’t ask him to come along with me to get a dress because he’s taking his icky girlfriend and I’m guessing she’s got him helping her pick out the perfect dress. And there’s Drew who is going to the dance, but he had to do some basketball thing. What, I don’t know, since the season is officially over.

“I don’t even know why you argue with the girl.” Bradley says to Tanner, unbuckling his seatbelt. “You know she has wins every single argument, because she’s just so stubborn.”

“That’s so true; I don’t know why I do it, honestly.” Tanner agrees, getting out of the car.

I unbuckle my seatbelt and sling my purse strap over my shoulder, climbing down out of Bradley’s car with the support of the black stepper thing. It annoys me to no end. I close the door and fall into step with Bradley and Tanner, walking in between up to the mall.

“I have no idea why you do it either, because I’m right.” I assure Tanner, agreeing with Bradley.

“There’s about a million and four other things I could be doing right now.”

“Why can’t you be more like Bradley? He’s not even complaining.” I tell Tanner as we walk in the mall.

Tanner snickers, “That’s because Bradley wants to see you in a bik-“

Bradley reaches behind me, hitting Tanner upside his head with his eyes widen, “Shut up, Tanner.”

“Ooow!” Tanner yelps, rubbing his head.

“You boys are so weird.” I mutter, walking towards the elevators.

I push the button and it opens almost instantly, the three of us filing in. The doors are closing, when it runs a lady with four little children. Don’t you hate that? Like when you’re somewhere with your friends that has an elevator and you and your friends get on the elevator but then someone else does? It’s just always awkward. No matter who I’m with, I always find it extremely awkward. Maybe it’s because an elevator is kinda small and having a person I don’t know that close to me kinda freaks me out. The elevator opens on the second floor and Bradley, Tanner and I file out.

“So where to first?” Bradley asks, pushing his hands down in the pockets of his jeans.

“I think we should get the dress first, so let’s go to Envy.” I reply, leading the way to Envy.

It’s this little - well not little, it’s actually really big - dress shop that sells pretty much every type of dress you can think of. Prom dresses. Wedding dresses. Homecoming dresses. Party dresses. Clubbing dresses. Just-Because dresses. Maxi dresses. Halter dresses. A-line Dresses. All kinda dresses. And those are just the ones that I can think of off the top of my head.

"This is crazy.” Bradley says as we walk into the store. “There’s no reason to have this many dresses in one store. In fact, I think it’s a fire hazard.”

I shrug, “Probably, okay, I have a plan. Homecoming starts at 8:00, and it’s already 4. So if the three of us split up and find at least four dresses, then meet in the dressing room area in fifteen minutes, I think we can pull this off.”

"You make it sound like we’re on a Charlie’s Angels Mission.” Bradley says with a boyish grin.

"This is a mission. A Sydney Barker Mission.” I inform him.

"So are there guidelines?” Tanner wonders, looking around the store.

“Oh right. As long it isn’t too short and the neckline doesn’t plunge too far, it’s okay. And no green. I don't work green too well.”

“Got it.” Tanner replies, nodding blearily.

“Okay, ready? Let’s break.” I say. “Tanner, you go that way. Bradley you go that way. I’ll stay over here.”

-------

Twenty minutes later, I’m sitting on the cushioned bench in the dressing room area, waiting on Bradley and Tanner. It’s already nearly 4:30, and I need at least an hour to get ready for homecoming. I mean, it’s my last ever High School Homecoming, it’s pretty special. Then of course there’s Prom in May, which is like, the epitome of every high schooler’s life. I specifically told them fifteen minutes, and it’s been more than fifteen minutes. I even managed to pick out four nice dresses in that time frame. And on account of this store being so huge I can’t even see Bradley or Tanner. Then again, I am sitting down, but I just don’t feel like looking for either of them. A few seconds later, the two boys appear in front of me with their arms full of satin and chiffon dresses. Standing up, I raise an eyebrow at them.

“We’re here.” Tanner announces in a sing-song voice, shifting the dresses in his arms.

“Holy motley, that’s a lot of dresses. Way more than four.” I note, eyeing the fabrics in their arms.

Bradley wrinkles his forehead, “Did you just say holy motley? Like Motley Crue?”

“No time for questions, we’re losing precious time.” I tell them, collecting my four dresses I picked out and walking into the dressing room. I close the door behind me and hang the dresses all up on the various hooks, before quickly stripping down to my underwear.

“You’re such a girl, Syd.” Tanner calls from the other side of the door.

“I’m not sure whether that was a compliment or an insult.” I shout back, grabbing the first dress.

I pull the first dress off of the hook and unzip the small zip at the back, stepping into it and pulling it up. It’s a hot pink ‘A-line sweetheart sleeveless cocktail’ dress. At least, that’s what the label brands it as. The neckline of it is lined in a shimmering silver band, and it ruffles around the lower part of the ribs. I unlock the door dressing room door, and walk out, putting my hands on my hips.

“Wow, you look amazing.” Bradley says, looking up from the floor.

“You think so?” I ask, looking down at the dress. It’s not too short, stopping a few inches above my knees.

He nods, “Definitely.”

"What do you think Tanner?” I wonder.

“I agree with Bradley, you do look amazing.” Tanner tells me, nodding his head.

“Thanks guys.” I say smiling, and smothering out the dress. “Okay, I’m gonna try on the next one.”

“You’re not getting that one?” Tanner questions.

I shrug, “I dunno, I have to try on the rest to see which I look the best in.”

“That seems redundant.”

“It is redundant. Thank your lucky your stars you’re a boy.” I tell him, going back into the dressing room.

Thirty minutes later, just after five p.m., we’ve got it narrowed down to three dresses. Bradley picked out six, Tanner got five, and then there was my four, so I’ve tried on fifteen dresses in the forty-five minutes we’re been here, which is more than enough for me. If we had time I’d just get my Prom dress now so I don’t have to do this again in two months. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited and all about Prom, I just don’t like the process of buying dresses. Because then you have to get the perfect shoes and the perfect bag and get your hair and nails done, and all of that stuff.

Anyway, we’ve got it narrowed down to a white one shouldered sleeveless dress courtesy of Bradford, a J.Crew tall Arabelle dress laced in silk and chiffon - which I’m sure is incredibly expensive, and a mini yellow chiffon cocktail which I picked out. Even though we all liked the pink dress I tried on at first, I thought the hot pink would make me stand out in the crowd, which I didn’t wanna do, so I vetoed it.

“Why don’t you just get all three of them if you love them all so much?” Bradley asks, exasperated.

“Because this one,” I say, gesturing to the yellow dress I’m wearing, “Is like $130.”

“And?” Tanner eggs on.

"And I only have like $250.” I reply.

“Well,” Tanner says, reaching down into his jean pocket and retrieving his wallet. “I’ll buy you this one, and then you can by the white one.”

“And I’ll buy the brown one.” Bradley tells me, referring to the J.Crew dress.

“It’s peach, and really, no that’s okay guys. I really don’t want you to have to waste your money on me.”

"Any money spent on you is nothing wasted.” Bradley says, scoffing. “Besides, you can consider them birthday gifts.”

“Where do you guys get all this money from?” I wonder, suspiciously.

Tanner shrugs, “I get mine from my mom.”

“Same here.” Bradley says. “Well, my dad, my mom is evil.”

Rolling my eyes, I say, “No she isn’t. Your mom is cool.”

“Oh yeah, cool as ice.” Bradley says sarcastically. “Now go put your clothes back on so we can pay.”

“Oh right, we still have to get my swimsuit. I have to start getting ready at latest, 7:00.”    

“You do know homecoming doesn’t start until like 8, right?” Tanner says.

“I know, but I need at least an hour to get ready.” I explain, pulling my t-shirt over my head and then my jeans. I slide my shoes on and grab the yellow, peach and white dresses before walking out of the dressing room and heading towards the register with the guys. “We have to get shoes too.” I remember, mentally cursing myself.

“You have thousands of shoes.” Bradley reminds me, pulling his own wallet from his pocket, taking the peach colored dress from me and handing it to the blonde behind the counter.

“More like fifteen pairs.” I correct him. “And I can’t just get a new dress without getting new shoes.”

“Of course not.” Tanner replies, chuckling and walking to the other register to pay for the yellow dress.

In all honestly, I think that the peach dress that Bradley’s buying for me is the most expensive. I didn’t really get a glimpse of the tag, but just the material it’s made from makes it look expensive. And the white dress that Tanner is buying costs a good 200, I know. I have such amazing friends; I definitely don’t deserve them. I pay for the white dress and wait at the exit door of Envy for Bradley and Tanner. When they come, the three of us walk out, and I take the receipt from Bradley’s hand, my eyes widening when I see how much the dress cost.

“$330?!” I exclaim. “Why would you spend that much just to buy me a stupid dress?”

"It’s just money; I’d spent triple that just to make you happy.” He says nonchalantly.

How much was that one, Tanner?” I ask, looking at him.

“$300.” He reports, swinging the plastic bag in which the dress rests.

“You two are so implausible.”

“I have no idea what that means, but I’m gonna take a wild guess and say it means ‘awesome’, because we are.” Bradley says, smiling.

“That’s not what it means at all.” I correct him. “Thanks though, for buying them. But if you ever spend that much money on me again, I won’t accept it.”

“Sydney, shut up and be happy that we love you so much to spend so much money on you.” Tanner says teasingly. 

I roll my eyes, “Let’s just get the shoes and then we need to get my new bathing suit. If we hurry we can make it.”

-------

“Sydney, it's just homecoming, not your wedding. Hurry up.” Drew says loudly, banging on my bedroom door.

“Give me two more minutes and I’ll be out.” I call back to him, taking my new heels out of the box and slipping them on.

Drew, Bradley and I are all riding together to the dance. Mostly because neither of us have actual dates, so we figured we’d all just go as friends. Alison was being really possessive of Walker earlier, and she won’t let him come to the dance with us. He’s going,  just he can’t ride with us. This is bullshit if you ask me. Alison obviously doesn’t trust Walker if she’s forbidding him to come with three of his best friends to the dance.

Bradley dropped Tanner off at Mikey’s house after we left the mall once we’d successfully picked out shoes and my new bikini. Well, once I’d successfully picked them out, I should say. All I did was pick what I liked and asked the boys what they thought of them and they liked them. At least, they said they did. They could have just been ready to go. And as for the bathing suit shopping, I just told them to wait for me at the front of the store, because I was not going to let two of my best friends of the opposite sex help me pick out bikinis. Bradley because he’s pervy sometimes, and would have gotten the most cleavage barring thing he could find and Tanner isn’t great with that kinda stuff; he’d had given me like a  black and white polka dotted top and stripy orange and yellow bottoms.

“It’s 7:45.” Drew informs me and then seconds later I hear his footsteps fade down the hall.

Putting my cell phone into my clutch bag and once again inspecting myself in the mirror, I decide I look good enough and walk towards the door, turning my light off. It’s not that I’m actually trying to look like, drop dead gorgeous or anything, it’s just that I’m pretty sure Reese will be there and I want him to see that I don’t care if he doesn’t wanna talk to me anymore or whatever.

“Okay,” I say chirpily, “I’m ready, let’s go.”

"Took you long enough.” Drew says, looking down at his watch. “You look really nice, tonight.”

“Thanks Drewy.” I say with a smile. “Why do you keep checking the time? Got a hot date or something?”

“Haha, you’re funny. No, but actually, I’m mean Darcy Banks there.”

“And you said you weren’t a player.” I reply, rolling my eyes and then looking around. “Where’s Bradley?”

“I’m here.” Bradley’s voice supplies, walking from behind me, I’m guessing he just came from the bathroom or something, but he stops short and says, “You look beautiful, Sydney. I mean, you know, you always look nice but I mea-“              

I chuckle, “Yeah, Bradford, I know what you mean. Thank you. And you look really great too. So do you Drew.” And it’s true, they both have on tuxedo’s, except Drew is wearing his jacket thing with his and Bradley’s just holding his is his hand as he does something to his cuffs on the white button down shirt.

"Help me with my tie?” He asks sheepishly, pulling on both ends of it.

“Should have gotten a bow tie like me, smart one.” Drew jokes, looking up from his phone.

“My real tie looks better than your bow tie.” Bradley retorts.

“You two act like you’re five years old.” I tell them, crossing the room to Bradley and doing his tie for him.

“Thanks,” He says, loosening it a bit.

“Sure, now come on, let’s go. It’s 7:50. We’ve got ten minutes to get there.”

-------

We arrived at the dance about an hour ago, and I have no idea where Bradley or Drew went after that. Drew probably met up with that girl, and from what I could see, Bradley was either talking to guy friends or drinking ‘punch’. Air quotes because I’m pretty sure someone spiked it. And I think that because when I tried to get some, Bradley told me not to drink any, and that if I was really that thirsty, he’d go get me a water from the vending machine. Yet he’s throwing whatever it is back like there’s no tomorrow. I guess that isn’t necessary true, he’s only had like half a cup, and I know that he’s not gonna get drunk. He’s stupid, but he’s not that stupid. Plus, there are school personnel here, like the principal and other members of the staff making sure no one like, has sex on the dance floor or anything, so I’m sure no one is intending on getting drunk tonight. Not at this dance anyway.

As the music changes, I feel a hand lightly grab my wrist, pulling me away from the guy I’m dancing with. Joshua, I think that’s his name. Turning around, I see Bradley standing there in front of me, his hand still holding my wrist lightly.

“Bradley, hey, what’s up?”

"Don’t I get at least one dance?” He asks, almost shyly.

The next song starts and I look up at him and say, “Sure you do. It’s a slow song though.”

He shrugs, “I don’t mind if you don’t.”

I turn around to tell Joshua, but see that he’s heading over to the punch table. Unfortunately, I’ve seen Reese here at the dance about seven times, and it’s really, really annoying. Because every time I see him, he’s kissing or dry-humping another girl. God, why am I so stupid? What the hell did I ever even see in Reese Logan? Sure, he’s hot, but other than that, he’s really just a terrible person.

Looking back at Bradley I nod, “Okay then.” I say, with a smile.

He drops my wrist, grabbing my hand instead and leads me to a different part of the dance floor, one not quite so crowded. It’s not as crowded anyway, the entire floor, because instead of dancing like they’re crazy, people have grabbed their significant others - or in my case, best friend of the opposite gender - and are beginning to slowly dance as the song hits the twenty second mark. And I know that because this is one of my very, very favorite songs, Why Don’t You Love Me by Hot Chelle Rae, featuring Demi Lovato.

Locked in a room

So hung up on you

And you’re cool with just being friends

Left on the sidelines

Stuck at a red light

Waiting for my time

And I can’t see;

Why don’t you love me, touch me?

Tell me I’m your everything, the air you breathe

Why don’t you love me, baby?

Open up your heart tonight, cause I could be all that you need

Ooh, why don’t you love me?

For the most part, Bradley and I dance around the floor in silence, my head resting on his chest. His shoulder would have been more ideal, but he’s too tall for that - well I’m too short for that - so it’s really not an option.

“Have I ever said thank you?” I ask him suddenly.

“For what?”

"Everything. Being my best friend. Always sticking up for me. Having my best interest at heart. Everything.”

He shrugs, “Maybe once or twice. But I’m your best friend, all of that stuff is kinda my job, you know.”

“Well, you’re really good at your job.” I note.

“So, um, you know Mikey told me about Reese, right?”

“I don’t doubt it. Big mouth.” I say, rolling my eyes.

"Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I really am. I don’t like Reese anymore, promise.”

"Good; you deserve so much better than him.”

“Oh? What is it I deserve then?”

"I dunno,” He says, repositioning his hands on my waist. “Someone who treats you like the princess you are.”

I chuckle lightly before saying, “Well, thanks, but don’t forget about the whole ‘commitment issue’ I’ve got.”

“It’s not an issue, Sydney, it’s a fear. You just think that by being in a relationship you open yourself up to be hurt. Which is true, I guess, but still, you know.”

“When did you become so deep?” I wonder, still moving around slowly with him on the dance floor.

“I dunno; I guess I always have been.” He answers.

“Hey, I wanna tell you something.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, after we graduate in a couple of months, I’m really, really gonna miss you. I mean, I’m gonna miss all of you guys, but I’m really, really, really gonna miss you.”

Bradley sighs and takes one hand away from my waist and pushes a lock of my hair - which I curled slightly and left down for the dance - behind my ear. “Hey, wherever you go, I go.”

“You mean that?”

“Of course. I mean, none of us are actually dedicated to school, so, no Ivy Leagues in our futures, I don't think." 

“What if I wanna go to the University of Barcelona or somewhere really far out there?”

“Well, I don’t know a lick of Spanish, aside from hi, bye, numbers one through ten and the primary colors, and I’d probably flunk out before the first semester ended, but I’d do it for you. I’d do anything for you, you know.”

“Ditto.” I tell him, nuzzling my head deeper into his chest.

You know that I’ll keep believing

Till I’m with you

Why don’t you love me, kiss me?

I can feel your heart tonight, it’s killing me

So why don’t you love me, touch me?

“Hey Syd?”

"Hmm?”

“There’s kinda something I been wanting to try for a while.”

“What might that be?” I wonder, closing my eyes and inevitably inhaling his scent. He smells like soap, that’s it, no special scent. Just soap. And maybe a hint of cologne. 

“Well,” He says sheepishly, “You gotta look at me first.”

“You’re peculiar.” I tell him, but raise my head from his chest anyway, looking up at him. “What’s up?”

“Well, I, um, I kinda was, erm, you know, thi-“

“Bradford,” I say, chuckling. “Just say it.”

“It’s um, not really something you say. It’s more something you do.”

“Then do it.” I reply.

So, he does it. I don't stop him either, even though I could see it coming just by the look in his eyes and the look on his face. Leaning forward slightly, Bradley Edwards- my best friend of twelve years- kisses me.