*****PART 5*****

Barry's POV:

"Sounds like a plan," Dawn said, as she hung up the phone. Barry stood dead still, the ring of the dial tone humming in his ear. Why was he still so hesitant about going through with telling Dawn his true feelings? He knew he needed to do it, or it would drive him insane. It felt like his mind was at a constant tug of war with itself, one side wanting to stay comfortable, and the other wanting more… wanting Dawn.

"I need to get out of my head," Barry whispered, as he set his phone back on its stand. "All this overthinking is starting to give me a headache," he groaned, softly massaging his temples. Despite knowing that he needed to calm down, Barry couldn't help but focus on all the outcomes that could possibly happen with Dawn, especially the ones that ended in disaster. He sighed and flicked his hair in a haphazard motion, as his feet set pace around his room. "Ok, ok calm down. There's no need in worrying about something that hasn't happened yet." Barry tried to convince himself.

Barry belly flopped on his bed in utter panic for his meeting with Dawn. Just as he buried his head in the crater of his pillow, a light rapping came from his bedroom door.

With a loud groan, Barry forced his body to move as he plopped off of his bed.

"Who is it," Barry squeaked as he dragged himself to the door.

"The one who birthed you," Barry's mother answered.

"Coming," Barry muttered, finally making his way to the door.

"Yes?" Barry grumbled, poking his head out of the small gap that the door formed.

"Well, look who woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." Barry's mother shook her head, taking notice of her son's lethargic demeanor. "I just wanted to talk to you about the details of your birthday party. We have the location and catering and all figured out, we just need to go over who has RSVPed."

"Oh yeah, that's right." Barry shuffled to his bedside table and picked up a hap-hazardly folded piece of paper, and handed it to his mom. "Here's the checklist so far,"

His mom scanned over the slip of paper, before folding it back up, and placing it in her pocket. "Ok, looks like there's going to be anywhere from around 50-75 people, friends and family and all… Oh! I see you've finally invited Dawn" her smile growing wider.

Barry gulped down his uprising nerves. If there was one thing he was most nervous about, it was whether or not Dawn would actually still show up to his party.

What if after my meeting with her, she never talks to me again! She might feel awkward about our relationship and fall silent to me. Of course, that means she's gonna miss my party too…" his thoughts were now racing in and out of all the case scenarios once again.

"I see I struck a nerve there, honey. Sorry about that!" Barry's mom chuckled, taking notice of her son's silence. "Ok, I'll leave you be," she finally huffed, walking to the door, before turning to her son one last time. "Oh, and be sure to wear something nice dear. It doesn't have to be fancy, maybe just a nice vest or something?" his mom said before marching off to her room.

"Ok," Barry replied and proceeded to belly flop onto his bed. He let out a big groan at the moment of impact. How the hell am I gonna tell Dawn how I really feel? What if she leaves town for good because she just can't stand the embarrassment? What if she tells everyone that and laughs in my face! I don't know how I could possibly live with it! Once again, Barry was subject to indecision about whether he should even go through with it. No! I have to! I've been wanting to tell her for the past 8 years! I can't do it at the party, because that'll draw attention. Yes, it has to be Wednesday… and just like ripping off a band aid, it'll be quick and done!

*****THE END*****