Lex and her parents stayed around the pier for a couple hours until the sun started setting. The street performers had started to pack up then as well, leaving just one dude that always thrived at night performing. He always played guitar melodies and earned big bucks by helping the guys impress their dates acting like the guy paid him to play just for them. It's a pretty sweet deal for guys on their first dates. A 50 or so and the dude will play a romantic song for you while still getting tips from others around. 

Eric had stayed far enough away to where Lex could calm down more. She was still avoiding her parents questions, but what else is new for a teenager? "Go say a final farewell to your friend, Lex. We're heading home for the night," her mother said sweetly, pointing to Eric who had been sitting close to the guitar dude. 

Sighing, she walked over slowly. Eric turned to her with a sweet smile as guitar dude started a softer song. "Hey there," he greeted in a happy tone and leaned back into the bench he was sitting at. 

Lex shoved her hands into her pockets and rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet. Eric chuckled at her awkwardness. "Calm down," he said with a lighthearted laugh. "I just wanted to meet your parents, the people responsible for creating a very smart and well behaved young lady." 

She didn't know how to respond to that. Yes, she was well behaved. Mostly because her parents had taught her young to always respect others, especially out in public. You never know who's watching or what their going through, so be polite and maybe you could make a difference in their life. Lex shrugged in an embarrassed way. "I've learned to just behave where some haven't, even after growing up."

Eric nodded, understanding what she was meaning. "You're talking about Bea's brother?"

She nodded a couple times. If Tyler would just grow up, then Bea could enjoy the last summer with her best friend before they would go their separate ways for college. Lex already knew that she was going to Techmore College here in the city. It was close to her parents, so she'd be able to save some money by staying home. It also had the best program close to home for her to study marine life. 

Bea didn't know what she wanted to do yet, all she knew was that she wanted to get away from her brother, who was studying at Techmore also. The next closest college was Harrison College about two hours away. She wasn't sure if she was going there or wanted something out of state. Lex prayed that she decided to at least think about Harrison College. If she lost her best friend, Lex didn't know what she would do. 

"What is the deal with you two and him?" Eric asked earnestly. 

Lex sighed and shrugged. "It's not us, it's him. He's irresponsible, foolish, doesn't take anything serious unless its a prank. Then a lot of times, those pranks go way too far. The last time he pranked his mom and she needed to cut her hair because it caught fire. She didn't have to cut much, but the principle is the same. He's 19, in college. He should be telling US to leave him alone and not to prank their parents or anyone for a while." Lex loved a good prank when the time was right. However, Tyler always pranked at the wrong time. 

Eric nodded in understanding. "I understand. When I finished my Masters last year, I had a classmate that wanted to prank the graduation ceremony. He hacked into the mic system and set a prerecorded message about how we all made it even though we got drunk every night and slept with underclassmen. He ended up not graduating and getting banded from Techmore. Give him a little bit, he'll hit rock bottom."

"Yeah, well, if he doesn't hit soon, I might loose my best friend earlier than expected," Lex said lowly. "Anyway, we're heading home for the night. Thanks for calming my nerves a little. I just hate my parents asking all sort of questions that get their hopes up."

Narrowing his brows in confusion, Lex shrugged. "I'll tell you some time," she started walking backwards slowly. "Bye," she waved. 

Eric waved back as the guitar dude finished the song and started something a little more upbeat. A soft rock ballad that a couple had requested nearby. Lex's parents were already at the car waiting when she jogged up and got in the back. Her mother smiled at her over her shoulder. "Well?" she asked sweetly. 

Lex rolled her eyes. "Mom, he's just a friend of mine I met at the beach. We liked some of the same books and started a small book club for ourselves. That's it. He's nice and simply a friend."

Her mother nodded with a sly smirk as if she knew something Lex didn't. Simply rolling her eyes, she settled in the seat while her dad started a slight rampage on how much he didn't like Eric. Of course he wouldn't like Eric. Lex was his baby girl. No man would ever be good enough for his baby girl, even as a friend. 

As they parked in the driveway, Lex snickered to herself. "Dad," she interrupted his talk about how his eyes were too close together. Her father looked at her in the rear view mirror. "We're home," she stated simply as she opened her door. Her mother was already out and hiding her laughter behind her hands. 

He stuttered in embarrassment and got out. "Sorry, that kid though. I don't like him," he muttered mostly to himself as they went in to watch a movie before her dad had to get ready for work. Sadly, her mother would have to go back to work at four in the morning too, so she would have to get a little sleep too. 

Lex chose a short movie, so her parents would be able to enjoy some time to themselves as well. She had fun today with them. After the movie had ended, her mother stretched and stood up. "I'm going to head to bed for a little while. I love you two," she said, kissing each on the forehead. 

"Night mom," Lex called. 

"Night hun," her father called out as well. He slapped his knees and sighed. "Well kiddie, I'd better start getting my things together for work." He kissed her forehead and headed into the kitchen to get his lunch together. He'd end up doing a full nine hours at the factory, so there was a chance Lex wouldn't see him for a full day until his schedule re-stabilizes to a more normal one. 

Lex sat on the couch for a little while longer, thinking of the beach tomorrow. She needed to get her bag together for tomorrow. She quickly tossed in her bathing suit from today and her towels from this week in the laundry, then plugged in her battery pack. She would use her backup clothes for tomorrow. She took them out and went to her room where Buttermilk was asleep in the middle of her bed. 

She stopped with the clothes in her hand, momentarily wondering how she'd get into bed and be comfortable without waking the old man.  She shrugged and tossed her clothes on top of her vanity and quickly changed into her pajama shorts and a tank top. She inhaled deeply and got an extra pair of clothing out for tomorrow as well. 

Pulling the covers back, she slipped in around Buttermilk as he grunted in his sleep. "Sorry, buddy, I want to sleep too," she said to the half asleep canine. He got up and shifted a little, letting Lex get into bed a little comfier and setting beside her, wagging his tail as he fell back asleep. 

"Lex," Eric called sweetly. 

She looked up at Eric, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She was still in her room, Buttermilk was a young puppy, and Eric had a bed try in his arms with breakfast on it. He smiled at her as she sat up, confused. He kissed her cheek and sat the try on her lap. "Happy mother's day," he said softly, glancing at the place where her vanity used to be. 

Instead a light oak brown crib was in its place, a toddler was standing up and jumping, giggling loudly and babbling nonsense. The blonde hair was smooth and his eyes were a perfect leafy green like hers. She had a son with Eric? 

Eric went over to get him out of his crib and brought him over to Lex, who opened her arms instinctively to take her son. She smiled at him and buried her face into his thick head of hair. His little arms wrapped around her face and cooed, settling in for morning cuddles. 

Lex jerked away at the sound of Buttermilk's barking. He normally didn't bark this late at night, but he was older and she forgot to leave her door open for him to leave for the bathroom. She rubbed her eyes and got up to open the door for him, his tail hitting  her calf hard. That thing was a dangerous weapon. 

Instead of going back to sleep automatically, she sat on the edge of her bed looking out at the tree outside her window, thinking of the dream. It seemed so real, and sadly, something that she wanted. She shook her head to herself. No. She needed to stay in the friend zone with Eric. Not only could he become her teacher this coming school year, but he was way older than her.