In the days leading up to homecoming Lacey buckled down and focused on all of her classes. Having a double major was no joke and after she completed her first few days of class, the assignments came piling in.
She was aware of Phoebe's existence, but they were simply two ships passing in the night. They hadn't been out to any parties yet and had different classes, different friends.
Lacey hadn't seen Danny at all really, texting him that she was unable to attend his practices due to her work load. He made his presence known however, refusing to let their connection slip away.
He had coffee from Martha's delivered to her first class every day this week. He sent her pics of homecoming suit options for her approval and scheduled for her to get her hair and nails done the night of the homecoming dance, all things Lacey hadn't had time to organize.
Two days before the dance, Danny was hounding her for what she was going to wear. She finally gave in and took a break to find a dress. Danny drove her to the mall and Lacey got to work. She wondered how many girls had to match their dress to their partner's suit and not the other way around.
Danny urged her to get whatever dress she fucking wanted and not worry about matching or whatever she was trying to do. Lacey was used to everyone around her telling her how this was supposed to go. Even with Danny telling her what not to do, she had a lot to unlearn.
Danny was thrilled to finally spend some time together for the first time in over a week. He soaked in all of it, not realizing he was being a bit overbearing. They got into a squabble over shoes and who would be paying. Lacey finally winning and charging them on her credit card.
"I invited you though, I'm happy to pay." Danny tried explaining again.
"Can we drop it? I'm exhausted, Danny. Damn."
"How about a nice massage? It'll help you relax."
"I think I'm all set, your massages lead to other things." Lacey smiled.
"What's wrong with that? You suddenly getting plenty now or what?"
Lacey scoffed, "I don't even have time to shower every day."
"Please don't get mad at me, but why the double major? I know you're ambitious, but this is crazy."
"It'll get easier, or so I'm told. I just need to keep my focus on school."
"But you're more than school. You need to take care of yourself too."
"I can't have everything. I only want to study fine art, but my parents refused to pay if I didn't also choose something that they deemed would result in a paycheck, so here I am. Art and business."
"I'm sorry Lace. Well, then I'm at your service. We'll push through this first year together, I'll help with homework, presentations, studying, whatever you need. But you're also going to make time for self care. You have to."
"Thanks, but I need to do this on my own."
"Why? I've got a lighter course load this year, I want to help. I took all of your undergrad classes last year, I still have all my notes. It'll be a refresher for me too."
"Danny, you told me to talk to you, tell you what I need from you. It's not this. To be honest, I really shouldn't be going to some dance this weekend either."
Danny's face fell, "It's homecoming, I'm a varsity football player, it's like the fucking Emmys for us. I have to go, I asked you, I want you there."
"I told you I suck at this friendship thing."
"I never ask you for anything. I don't expect anything, but please go with me?"
"There's literally no shortage of people you could bring."
"You really don't want to go?"
"I really shouldn't. I have so much to do."
"But I'm asking if you even want to go? What are you not saying?"
"I'm nervous."
"Okay, nervous I can work with. Why are you nervous?"
"You know why. I don't want to run into all of your hookups, Danny. It makes me uncomfortable."
"You're not going to know which ones they are. It's not a big deal anyway. Everyone knows who I am, what I'm about. It's not like they're going to look at you any different, we're friends."
"I'm not excited about it."
Danny nodded, "Okay, don't go. I'm not about to force you into this. I wish you would have figured this out last week, but it is what it is. I'll go by myself, it's fine."
Danny pulled into the parking lot of Lacey's dorm and she scooted out of his car. She didn't say goodbye, instead whipping her bag out from behind the front seat and marching off into her building. Danny zoomed away, reeling from getting dumped. That hadn't happened to him before.
"Hey, did you find a dress?" Phoebe asked as Lacey stormed in.
"Yeah, need one? You can have mine, I'm not going."
"What? Why not? Did Danny do something?" Phoebe was shocked.
"Danny didn't do anything. I just can't go, I have too much to do—"
"Are you kidding me? Don't even tell me you just dumped that boy in the parking lot." Phoebe was pissed.
"Why do you care so much about my life anyway?"
"Danny's called me every day asking about you. He never wants to bother you because he knows how hard you're working. He's an amazing friend and you're blowing it."
"If he's really my friend, he'll understand why I can't go."
"Just hear me out?"
Lacey huffed, frustrated with everyone. "I'm listening."
"He likes you. Danny totally gets why you shouldn't go and he'd never make you go….but this is a big night for him and what he's about, and he wants you to be there by his side."
Lacey thought about it, Danny had been trying really hard to make her life easier this week. He was turning out to be the best friend she'd ever had.
"Damn it, now I feel awful."
"It's like, a three hour thing, what's really making you bug out?"
Lacey looked at Phoebe, wanting to tell her everything. She opted to keep it simple.
"He's been with a lot of girls." Lacey shrugged.
"I get that. He asked you though, not them. You're friends, it doesn't have to be any major thing. Maybe you'll all be friends…."
"You sound just like him." Lacey smiled.
"Text him."
"Yeah, okay." Lacey hung the dress bag up and plopped on her bed.
Lacey: Hey, I'm sorry about unloading on you. I still want to go, is it too late?
Danny hadn't replied despite the read notification from an hour ago. Maybe it really was too late, she thought as her phone lit up.
Danny: Open your door.
Lacey jumped to her feet and pulled the door open to find Danny standing there with a bouquet of flowers.
"Sorry I couldn't respond, I had an appointment." Danny winked at her, "It is not too late, I'd be honored if you'd still go with me."
Phoebe was beaming, moving toward the pair and slipping out the door, "I'll be back in an hour." She offered quietly.
"Come in. Please." Lacey accepted the bouquet and ushered Danny in before he drew too much attention.
Danny looked around at all of the artwork adorning Lacey's space. He was amazed at her talent.
"Wow, Lacey, this all you?" He pointed to a few paintings.
"Yes. What do you think?"
"I—I think you're absolutely brilliant! You're remarkable, truly." Danny did a slow spin as he admired all the pieces.
"Thank you." Lacey blushed as she set the flowers down on her desk.
"Can I buy one? This one." Danny pointed to Lacey's favorite painting, all shades of yellow.
"You can have it. I've signed it. That's my favorite one."
"Really? You'd just give it to me?"
Lacey nodded, "Yes."
"Wow, thank you." Danny said genuinely as he pulled it off the wall.
"How was your appointment?" Lacey couldn't help it. She bit her lip, eyes falling to the floor.
"Hey." Danny waited.
Lacey looked up at him.
"Literally got the oil changed in my car. Left my phone plugged into the car charger. They took the car in right after I read your text."
Lacey let out the breath she held and smiled, unable to hide her relief.
"Lacey, are feelings happening here?"
She hesitated. Danny knew she was rolling a thousand scenarios through her mind.
"Open, honest. Just tell me." Danny pushed as he sat on the edge of her bed.
"Even if I did, have feelings happening, I can't—"
"You don't have time. I know, I get it." Danny nodded in understanding.
"What about you? Do you—"
"You can't, remember? So don't do this to yourself. I'm here, we're friends."
"No declarations of undying love then? I'm a little disappointed."
Danny laughed, "Let me make it up to you."