Chapter 459: The Commons
Tuesday, February 14th, Afternoon
Brett sat at a table with Baylee, Avril, and Alexis in the middle of The Commons. As usual, Brett picked at her food brought from home because of the special diet she was on. Alexis picked at something with her plastic fork. Baylee was texting, and Avril had her usual double meal in progress.
Brett looked over to Baylee, "How's Parker doing?" she asked.
"On lunch, sending me texts, B, the usual," Baylee said.
"Are you getting each other excited for tonight?" Brett asked.
"I don't know; Parker is being kind of mute about it," Baylee said.
"I miss Parker, too bad about the private school," Brett said.
"Family tradition, everyone in Parker's family went to that school," Baylee said.
"The uniforms help too," Avril said.
Baylee looked at the center, "You should know, and not funny, Av," she said.
"I'm sure you'll have a fun night, Bay; Parker has always been able to make you smile," Brett said.
"Yeah, I know," Baylee said, in a near sigh, looking at her smartphone.
"Hey, Alexis," Avril said.
Alexis looked over to the center, "What, Av?" she asked.
"How about Noah?" Avril asked.
"Noah Adams?" Alexis asked.
Avril nodded, "Yeah, Noah," she said.
"Why him?" Alexis asked.
"I figure since he lives on the same street as you, you could do something local," Avril said.
"No way, he's a bit odd," Alexis said.
"Yeah, well, that's all I can think about," Alexis said.
"What the hell did you say, Av?" Alexis said.
"Getting her a date, that's what I'm talking about," Avril said.
"Oh," Alexis said.
"How about Eli Strong?" Avril asked.
"Av, really?" Brett asked, "Are you just naming off whoever you see?"
"He's a church boy," Alexis said.
"Av, Alexis is going to want to get laid eventually," Baylee said.
"Bay, really?" Alexis asked.
"Hey, I'm looking out for you," Baylee said.
"Josh Richter?" Brett asked, trying to suppress a smile.
"Do I look like Mia Thermopolis?" Alexis asked.
"No," Brett said, laughing, "You don't look like the Princess of Genovia."
"I wouldn't mind looking like Anne Hathaway," Alexis said.
"Shakespeare's wife?" Baylee asked.
"The princess tiara would look nice on you," Avril said, pointing a plastic fork at Alexis.
"I was in the homecoming court this year," Alexis said.
"Hmm, but what about next year?" Baylee asked.
"I won't have Av and Baylee intimidating people to vote for me," Alexis said.
"Hey, I didn't do that," Avril said.
"We just talked to them," Baylee said.
"Right, well, it certainly helped," Alexis said.
Brett rapped on the table. She looked off into the distance and looked at Baylee. "Is Garvan and Parker doing the usual valentine's thing?" Brett asked.
Baylee sighed, "God, I hope not; you never date cousins," she said.
"I have a thought," Brett said.
"That's what I smell," Avril said.
"Enough, Avril," Baylee said.
"What are you thinking, B?" Alexis asked.
"What about Parker's brother?" Brett asked.
"Shepherd? I never thought of him," Baylee said.
"Shepherd?" Alexis asked.
"Parker's twin brother," Baylee said.
"Can I see a picture?" Alexis asked.
"Choosing beggar?" Avril asked.
"Avril," Brett said.
"Hold on," Brett said, "Here is his picture that's Parker next to him." Baylee handed Alexis her smartphone.
"Okay, I'm in," Alexis said.
Baylee took her phone back. "I'll text Parker," she said and texted.
"What do you know about Shepherd?" Alexis asked.
"He's a good guy, not my type," Brett said.
"Shepherd is a good guy," Avril said.
"Okay, Alexis, look at me cutely," Baylee said.
Alexis looked at Baylee. "What? Why?" Alexis asked.
"Shepherd is interested but wants a new picture of you," Baylee said.
"Another Choosing Beggar?" Avril asked.
"Okay," Alexis said and posed.
"How are Shepherd and Parker? Don't they go to a religious school?" Alexis said.
"They just go there; they aren't religious, though," Baylee said.
"I see," Alexis said.
"Don't worry, we all grew up together," Brett said.
Baylee looked at her phone, then started to type on her phone. Once she finished, she looked up at Alexis. "Okay, you're in," Baylee said.
"Oh yeah?" Alexis asked, paused, and shook her head, "Oh my god, I have a date."
"You're welcome," Baylee said.
"Thank you," Alexis said.
Brett sighed, "Okay, Alexis, you're coming over to my place," she said.
"Why?" Alexis asked.
"It's where we'll get ready," Baylee said.
"I'll text Garvan about the update slash change to the plans," Brett said.
Alexis looked to Avril. "Is this always like this?" Alexis asked.
"Yeah, when Brett and Baylee get their minds linked, get out of the way," Avril said.
"Okay, have you ever been to Brett's?" Alexis asked.
Avril nodded, "Yeah, both her parent's houses," she said.
"Both?" Alexis asked.
"Her parents aren't together," Avril said.
"So, which are we going to?" Alexis asked.
"I'm not going; you are," Avril said.
"Which one?" Alexis asked.
"Her dads," Avril said, "It's his week."
"Okay," Alexis said.
"Ask Brett for directions; it's a bit complex to get there," Avril said.
Alexis just nodded.
