"who?" Jeremiah asked. I shake my head "I can't risk jinxing this" I said. "ok fair" Jeremiah said.

That was the end of that conversation. The silence took over again. He had nothing else to say to me.

I couldn't believe it. How did we end up like this we used to be best friends. I hated how everything had changed.

We got our muffins and went home. We did not speak another word to each other.

When I got home I went up to my room. Ben was laying in my bed playing on his phone. I ranted to him about how Jeremiah only took me on a muffin run to ask about him and to tell me him and Belly where going to the deb ball together and try and convince me to take Conrad.

"I have a crazy idea" Ben said smirking. Ben got this evil smirk when he was up to something. "Lets hear it" I say. "I could take you to the deb ball" Ben says. "Jeremiah clearly dose not like me and I could try to act like I am into you to make it even worse" Ben smiled. I start to laugh. "I do not think that is what is making him mad" I say.

He looks at me and laughs but he dose not say anything. "ok I will let you take me to the ball cuz I hate everyone else" I say. "I know you do" He chuckles.

"This is a total win win for me I get a date that I do not hate and you get to stay longer" I say. I was really dreading Ben leaving. He was going to stay two days after the game unlike Taylor who was leaving today but now he got to stay longer. "Any exuse to stay in cousins" Ben joked.

I hit him playfully. I was exited that Ben was going to be my date. That I wouldn't have to ask some guy to be my date and have him reject me. I wouldn't have to worry about him trying to get in my pants when the night is over. I could just have a fun night with my friend.

I was so ready to announce I have a date to the family. Steven would be stunned and make a comment about how Ben better run. My mom would be shocked that I finally got a date. Conrad would be proud of me even tho he prolly wouldn't tell me. I knew Jeremiah wouldn't be to thrilled but half of me was done caring. Belly on the other hand would be thrilled she would be so happy that we both had dates.

The person I really could not wait to tell was Susannah I couldn't wait to see the look on her face. She would astatic that I had a date to the deb ball I know that she was starting to worry thinking she was gonna have to bribe one of the boys to take me. I knew she would be proud and I craved her validation more then anyone else even more then my mothers sometimes. If I was making Susannah proud I knew I was doing something right.

That night at dinner I had to ask if Ben could stay till the deb ball and be my date. "Mom Susannah?" I look at the two of them. "Is it ok if Ben stays till the deb ball?" I asked. "Of course Ben can stay as long as he would like" Susannah smiled.

Ben also smiled. I knew he was happy that Susannah liked him. Who wouldn't be. Having Susannah like you was a privilege.

"Yes as long as his parents are ok with it I see no issue" my mother said. She gave a small smile not as bright and sweet as Susannah's but it was there. My mother also liked Ben. She wouldn't have even bothered with the little smile if she didn't.

"Why is he staying till the ball?" Jeremiah asked. It was clear that he knew he just wanted me to say it.

"Ben is going to be my date" I smiled looking at Ben he smiled back.

"Oh that is amazing!" Susannah smiled brightly. Her smile could keep me warm in a snow storm.

"Man I'm so sorry" Steven joked and I glared at him. Belly was trying to hold her excitement in. "Omg we both finally have dates!" Belly squeals reaching for my hand.

Jeremiah finally spoke. "Do you know the dance yet?" He asked. I knew he was trying to act cool but it came off passive aggressive.

"Ugh em has started to teach me" he said. Witch is true we had started the dance lessons already.

"He will get it down quick Ben is a amazing dancer" I say bragging on my friend a little. It was true at a school dance once him and Bailey swing danced together. They totally stole the middle school dance floor.

"Oh that is lovely" Susannah says. "Ben you can sleep in my office instead of the couch" My mother said. She didn't say anything about him being my date but I knew she was happy for me.

"Yes I'll get you sheets and some pillows for the day bed" Susannah said. "I can do it" I said. "Yes belly can you help her after dinner?" My mother asked my sister. "Sure!" Belly smiled.

Thanks mom I've been trying to avoid her and now she had to help me make a bed. I faked a smile acting like it was no big deal.

We finished dinner. "Thanks for dinner Susannah it was delicious" Ben said smiling at Susannah. "Yes it was super yummy" I added. "You welcome kids" Susannah smiled.

Soon belly and I where making the day bed in my mothers office. Neither of us where talking it wasn't wired it was just silent. It had been awhile since we had been in a room alone. We had not been hanging out much this summer. I was starting to relax when Belly broke the silence. "Have you been avoiding me?"