She met with Bobbi at the school's entrance before classes started, both acted like they were in the middle of planning a complot to take the school down when they just fucking hated Oklahoma and wanted a fresh start...okay maybe they were kind of going to get some people angry and possibly detention or a suspension if they succeeded premiering the play, but totally worth it.

Bobbi mentioned they needed a trustworthy student to convince the vice principal to approve the new play, someone they wouldn't suspect planning an R rated play about other students in East Highland, so basically, it was time Lexi made use of her sweet and inoffensive persona that all teachers and school authorities knew her for.

She had planned a whole speech in which she explained all the reasons why Oklahoma was a brain rotting virus for today's youth, and how students needed some contemporary play to connect to, plus she had even written an alternative censured script if the vice-principal or any other teacher asked to read before approving it.

It had honestly been so surprising and kind of alarming that the vice principal had been so accepting of her play, he didn't even ask for a quick story summary, or her reasons behind the decision to direct a play without prior experience, instead, he assured her that he trusted her completely and would even benefit from her being the director, the drama teacher was on pregnancy leave so Lexi was "in charge".

Deep down she couldn't believe that it was finally happening, that script was her life...literally. It was something so personal and vulnerable that she had been working on for so long, her deepest thoughts and reflections that she had never shared with anyone were now going to be exposed. Lexi had expected to get cold feet or feel an enormous amount of pressure...she didn't. She was legitimately happy and excited, focused, and sure of doing this.

Lexi didn't feel like her usual self, but at the same time, she'd never felt more alive in her own skin. She had always dreamt of having a leitmotif in her life and couldn't help but to smile remembering the word Fez had used to describe her at New Year's…Fearless, yes that was the right word to describe how she felt now.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Fez smiled down at his phone; Lexi had just texted in all caps IT'S OFFICIAL! :) I'M DIRECTING MY PLAY!

They were at the store, Ash was in the freezer preparing an order for a usual customer they'd be dealing later that day, and Faye was just chilling behind the counter with some headphones on.

we gonna have to celebrate he typed but didn't send it. Was that too forward? Would she even be interested in going out with him? Course he noticed she was interested up to a certain point, but maybe she just liked that he listened, and in fact, he fucking loved listening to her.

Fuck it, he sent it.

Fez put down his phone and walked around the store pretending to check the merchandise, they really needed to replace the expired gum.

His phone buzzed, he looked back at Faye and was thankful she was in her own world.

I'd love to she answered.

Fez couldn't help but smile.

u free tomorrow?

"You still talking with that girl?" Ash called behind him.

Fez flinched, fuck his stupid sneaky ass.

"Yo, what the fuck?" He snapped at his brother "Mind your own business"

His brother gave him a mischievous smirk "You all blushing and smiling at your phone like a fucking virgin"

"What the fuck you know about that, bro?" Fez rolled his eyes

Ash smirked mischievously "You don't have to be getting all defensive and shit, man. You better not let it affect work, or I'll beat your fucking ass back to sense"

Fez rolled his eyes and put the phone back inside his pocket, he fought back the urge to check it when it buzzed again. "I don't know what you be talking about, get off my ass"

"What's her name?" Ash was not going to let it go.

"Lexi" Faye cheerfully announced, she had taken off her earphones to properly join their private conversation.

"Bro" Fez looked at her disappointed, it's not like he had been hiding his phone calls with Lexi, but why did Faye have to narc him with Ash?

Faye mouthed a "sorry" put her earphones back on and turned to the opposite direction like that was going to make a difference.

His brother stared at him, this was his way of studying and intimidating people, but Fez knew his game like the back of his hand, he held back his brother's gaze until Ash finally sighed and turned away.

"You better know what you're doing," his brother said before going back inside the freezer.

Fez did not know what he was doing, he wasn't the kind of guy to be catching feelings, but something about Lexi made him feel safe and comfortable enough to experiment with this new and unnamable feeling that had now taken over his whole mind and body. He was aware that their lifestyle would always be an obstacle for him and Ash to experience normal stuff, it was something they had accepted and pretended not to mind, but deep down he had always dreamt of that possibility.

I'm free :) is 7 pm okay for you? Lexi had answered.

Fez had been through a lot of dangerous shit throughout his life, there were not a lot of things left in this world that could make him uneasy or nervous, but Lexi could sure make his heartbeat fast as hell even with a fucking text. A part of him wanted to put a stop to this situation and avoid being vulnerable, good thing he was stubborn as hell and listened to the little voice inside his head saying Lexi Howard was fucking worth it. Truth is he was kinda scared about this new sensation and the decisions he was making, but she made all of that disappear.