Are you busy?

Lexi texted, she had taken a bathroom break between classes, Fez had been very distant for the last few days, his texts consisted of a "yes" or "no" answer, he kept saying he was busy when she tried to call or even when she suggested visiting him.

Yeah

She tried to tell herself that she was probably overthinking, he was still responding…it just fell so off.

You're gonna be home? She tried anyways.

store all night

Well, that had been disappointing, she waited for a further explanation, he didn't add anything. This was the third time she tried talking with him and had been completely blown off.

Lexi wasn't hurt, she was starting to feel angry. He had told her he was in love with her and was now…ghosting her? Worst part? She didn't think he was actually doing it, he wouldn't. She might not know him long, but he simply wouldn't do that to her.

"You okay?" Kat asked joining her at the mirror to fix her own hair

"Amm... it's nothing"

"Doesn't look like nothing" Maddy suddenly joined, she took out a lipstick and reapplied it.

She was just surprised Maddy was talking to her, she wasn't a part of the problem, but would obviously side with her sister even if Cassie was wrong.
"A guy thing"

Why tell the truth? No idea, but it was getting tiring to analyze something she knew nothing about.

"Huh" Maddy's jaw tensed "didn't know you had a guy thing"

She shrugged "No one asked"

"We're friends" Kat stepped in

"Are we?" Lexi pressed her lips together, there were sometimes when she felt a part of the group, but if she was being honest, she was never actually herself when she was with them.

Maddy walked to her, ever so slowly and not at all threatening, but totally so.

"You're not your backstabbing bitch sister, we're okay" her hands way too close to her face, she took a deep breath "Kat said you knew nothing about it, so I choose to believe you. Anyway, I don't want to acknowledge her existence, let me hear about your guy"

Lexi relaxed; everyone knew Maddy was a potential murderer, she looked over at Kat for reassurance, she nodded. "I... he said that he was...that he felt like he had feelings for me, like strong ones, but barely answers my texts and doesn't want to make plans or anything"

Maddy frowned "He said he loved you on the first date or something?"

Lexi blushed against her will.

"Oh my God" Kat laughed

"It wasn't like that!" Lexi assured them.

"Chill" Maddy chuckled "boy must be embarrassed to death. You know if he's had experience with girls?"

"I guess" Great, now something else to add to the equation.

"Looks like you made quite the impression" Kat laughed

"Go little Howard" Maddy cheered, but stopped mid-sentence "you know what? You're now the only Howard"

xxxxx

Lexi lay on her back in bed, a part of her agreed that Maddy might be right about Fez's behavior, after all he did in fact ask her to forget about his choice of words, maybe he was only nervous… but she was too and still making an effort.

Cassie came out the bathroom wearing a beautiful rose gold dress and make up, she gave a little spin
"How do I look?"

"Amazing" Lexi chuckled half nervous "where are you going?"

"Where are we going" Her sister corrected her.

"Cassie..."

"It's not from school" her sister stopped her "you remember Samantha from the swimming lessons? Well, she is having a party at her house, she goes to a private school and knows absolutely no one in common"

"I'm not in the mood..."

"Please" her sister's puppy dog eyes pleaded "I really need this, you'll have fun, I promise"

Cassie was a people person, she was charismatic and sweet, even if Lexi couldn't understand her actions, she could understand how horrible it must be to have complete strangers and far acquaintances judging you, but the hardest part must be to have everyone you love, hate you.

Lexi was about to reject the invitation again when she remembered Maddy's words about her sister.
"Okay"

Xxxxx

At least Cassie was right, there was not a single soul she knew in this place, not that it was comforting, quite the opposite, but at least she would be able to distract herself, and most importantly Cassie would too.

It was a wealthy old fashioned big house, now filled with lots of people, loud music, and better-quality alcohol than what the sisters were used to. Lexi had taken a tour around the house and some wine, people watching was always fun.

Two girls breaking up in the middle of the "dance area".

A failed try of a keg stand, the guy with the yellow shirt should probably get his head checked.

Extreme make out in one of the couches.

Cassie dancing with a handsome stranger.

Samantha smoking a blunt, a guy walked to her, and she signaled for him to go outside. The guy walked out into the garden and stopped in front of a bench, he leaned down to talk with... ha.

Lexi downed her wine and made her way to the backyard, she didn't want to cause a scene, so she waited until the guy that was buying stuff had finished, she didn't wait for Fez to notice her, and simply sat down next to him on the bench.

"How's the store?" She smiled

Fez's face fell "I can explain"

"Can you? Cause I'm pretty sure you've been avoiding me, and apparently... lying"

He looked around "Not here...give me 10, can you please wait for me in the car"

She couldn't believe she got in the car, so fucking stupid of her, why did she still trust him after being clearly lied to? He's probably just embarrassed, fuck you Maddy.

Fez joined her, he made sure to close the door and look around before talking.

"Who are you hiding from?"

"No one" he answered, and finally looked at her, why did he look so angelic? "I'm sorry"

"You could've told me, you know? That you didn't want to see me anymore" She crossed her arms "I'm not a fucking psycho, or something, for you to ghost me instead"

"I would never do that to you" He leaned closer "just couldn't keep on wasting your time and pretending this was gonna work. I was waiting for you to hate me enough so you'd... you end this"

"End what, Fez?" She scoffed "I actually thought we were a thing and was excited about it, while you were planning on getting rid of me"

"I don't wanna get rid of you"

"Then why are you doing this?!" Her plan to be civil and neutral had gone out the window "why did you fucking tell me you were in love with me? And make me feel like you actually cared?"

His jaw tensed, he seemed to be in pain.

"Is this because I told you about my personal trauma? I didn't tell you to mae you feel bad for me, I-"

"It's not you" he finally interrupted her, his voice cracking a bit, she waited for him to compose himself "My grandma, she… she wasn't always sick, she taught me all I know. Her one rule was to never trust nobody, specially…don't be falling in love with no one, cause this job's cursed. Remember when we talked about God? You asked how I'd believe and shit if I was also selling, I have your answer, Lexi Howard: Gotta believe someone knows I'm trying not to drown in all this shit. Gotta believe someone sent a light, and that I better not mess her up"

"Why are you always doing that?" she asked in a whisper.

"What?" he asked confused.

"Doubt yourself and shit" she smiled and leaned closer to him, cupped his face with her hands "I'm in love with you, too"

"Lexi…" he began trying to protest, except he showed no intention of wanting her to stop, on the contrary, the way he looked at her made Lexi feel like she'd never been seen before.

"It's my time to speak" she stopped him "I've considered all of your arguments, and even if I appreciate you wanting to protect me, I wish to suggest a better solution"

"Like what?" he almost laughed

"I want to be with you, do you want to be with me?"

"It's not that fucking simple, Lexi" he sighed "even if we get together and shit…people can't know about it, it's dangerous, I'm serious Lexi"

"I know, we'll figure that out, but for now it's just a yes or no question" she asked again "your texting skills have proved you're an expert in those"

That made him laugh "Sorry"

"I'll forgive you if you answer. Do you?"

He reached for her face, gently tracing over all her features, he finally stopped at her lips.

"Yeah" he whispered.

She kissed him, how could something so new feel so familiar? Fez, though hesitated at first, kissed her back and pulled her closer, eager but softly. She could feel him smiling between kisses, and she was pretty sure her face would hurt tomorrow from grinning so much.

He suddenly broke the kiss "You wanna be my girlfriend?"

"Umm yeah" she pulled back a laugh.

"What is it?"

Lexi blushed "I just thought that stuff was kind of childish for you"

He pretended to be offended but still smiled "Yo, fuck no, can't believe you're making fun of me, legit just opened my heart out and you stabbed it"

She pushed him playfully and they continued to laugh and mess around with each other.

A loud knock on the window made them return to reality, Ash stared at them with a murderous glance.

Lexi cleared her throat "I should get back to Cassie"

"Yeah, I'll se you tomorrow after your rehearsal" he promised, his eyes didn't leave his brothers.

She got off the car "Hey Ash"

"Fuck off" he answered before taking her seat and slamming the door.