Chapter 9 -Who knew?
Peter had lacrosse practice after school, so Lara Jean made her way home anyhow.
This was perfect because this would give Lara Jean an opportunity to get ready for the party so that by the time he'd come pick her up, they could probably hang back for a while and strategize their game plan at the party.
Before practice, Peter texted her that he would swing by before five.
After practice however when Peter checked his phone he was very disappointed to find that there was no response.
"Dude," Greg said coming from the shower wearing his towel around his waist, "I need your advice."
Trevor has already showered and was putting his clothes on now.
"Go for it." Peter said putting his phone away, "Wait is this about Emily?"
"Wait what?" Trevor said with wide eyes.
Oh shit, Peter thought, of course how could he be an idiot. Trevor didn't know.
Greg flares at me before looking at Trevor, "Honestly it's nothing dude."
"It doesn't sound like nothing." Trevor laughs and comes to sit beside me to put his shoes on.
"You know Trevor is probably better at giving advice G." Peter says shrugging hoping this would help in easing the tension that Greg felt.
"How do you know the advice I need is about her?" Greg demands.
Both Trevor and Peter looked at Greg with a look that sort of said "come on!"
"Ok fine it is." Greg sighs, "Fine," He looks at Trevor, "To cut a long story short- I smashed Emily. During summer. Things have been off and on cause I kinda found out that I swiped her v card after the deed was done."
Trevor seemed to know what this meant, "Oh damn. So do you like her or…"
"I don't know." Greg sighs, "She texted me last night asking if after the party we could hang."
"That doesn't mean she wants to-" Peter began.
"No it does." Trevor and Greg day together.
"Kavinsky," Greg said, "How did you and Covey become a vibe?"
Peter frowned at his friends by accident.
Peter thought for a moment, She wrote me a live letter when she was 13 describing our first kiss and some how I got the letter. The girl I loved dumped me for a freshman named Brad with a Chev. Then I came up with a plan to make the girl I loved jealous which involved the girl who wrote the letter. And now we are here.
Peter then blinked and looked at his friends, "It sort of just happened." Greg looks disappointed by the answer, "Look G, Emily is beautiful. Smart. Funny. There isn't anything there you don't want to vibe with."
"Besides her interfering best friend." Greg rolls his eyes.
"Yeah but that's a small price to pay." Trevor said, "Listen I don' know the situation between you and Emily-"
"It's not that complicated," Peter interrupted, "He summed it up pretty well."
"But I know you G," Trevor said, "Heck, I don't pretend to be the best with people-"
"This guy is about to have a moment." Greg rolls his eyes which causes Peter to chuckle.
"Listen ok," Trevor sighs, "I know you. We know you," Trevor looks at Peter, "And we can see when you like someone."
"He actually has a point," Peter says, "You don't have to admit to us. But maybe you should admit it to her." Peter shrugs as he stands up to take his stuff out of hs locker to go shower, "G, I know you think you hate relationship-"
"Because he's never been in one." Trevor chuckles.
"And you have been in a lot player." Greg says defensively. Peter could hear the undertone of frustration because now they had just called out some of his vulnerabilities.
"Hey," Trevor said, "I have had a girlfriend before."
And we all remembered that time.
Sarah, the cheerleader.
If anyone thought Gen was high maintenance they had never met Sarah before. She made a lot of unrealistic demands that could not even be met. Trevor was so stressed last year that coach benched him a lot in games because he wasn't focused. After the last game where his dad questioned why he was being benched, he broke up with her. Trevor loves his dad and will do anything for him.
However, Sarah didn't take it well. She spread a rumour that Trevor had cheated with none other than Chris. What made it worse is that Sarah and Gen were friends. So Gen endorsed the rumour is true but more to humiliate Chris. Chris was used to be the rebel and lost cause, but you could see she was not used to being the homewrecker too.
Her reputation suffered more than Trevor, even though Trevor tried on multiple occasions to dismiss the rumour to everyone especially the gossiping cheerleaders.
We went with Trevor one day to apologise to Chris and she was standing with Lara Jean.
"Hey Chris can we talk?" Trevor had asked.
"Why?" Chris had snapped at him, "So that we can give people more of a reason to think I am a slut."
"No-" Trevor tried but she had interrupted him, "You know in Freshman people had already said I screwed some senior jock while I was super drunk. That didn't even happen."
"I know but if you just-" Trevor had tried again.
"What's despicable that you freakin people," She had pointed at Greg, Peter and Trevor, "Always freakin do this to people."
"Do what?" Greg frowned at her.
"Use people who don't engage in popularity to ensure that yours remain consistent," Chris snaps at Greg, "You haven't exactly denied all the time people have said you slept with someone you haven't even said to Greg." She looked at Peter, "And your girlfriend makes sure that rumours always talked about and you condone that behaviour."
"Chris look Gen-"Peter had begun.
"Shut up," Chris said, "You didn't even try hard enough to deny it...any of you. And from where I stand. It is despicable." Chris slams her locker and walks away.
Lara Jean had just stood there looking at the three men but then looked at Trevor, "I think it's pretty obvious what you need to do Trevor."
Trevor frowned at her, "And what's that."
"Every time someone brings it up," Lara Jean asked, "Did you say it's not true or did you just keep quiet and shrug it off?"
"You don't get-" Peter began trying to defend his best friend.
"I wasn't talking to you." Lara Jean said calmly but still dismissive. She continues looking at Trevor who had just looked at the floor knowing full well that he had just shrugged it off and thought that was dismissing the rumour for both him and Chris.
"That's what I thought," Lara Jean nodded, "Remember this the next time someone says either of you have slept with someone you didn't," She looked at all three of them, "It's always worse for the girl."
She had then walked away.
"The point is," Peter said dragging himself away from that memory, "Don't be so freaked out about relationships. I can tell you right now, between the three of us; you're lucky."
"And why is that?" Greg asks.
"Both Trevor and I fell for psychos," Peter said and couldn't believe he had just called Gen crazy, "Emily is the most chilled person in the world."
"But you're with Lara Jean now?" Trevor said, "I wouldn't say she has crazy tendencies."
"I was talking about Gen." Peter said.
"Peter's right G," Trevor said, "I mean thank god Sarah is a senior, so we hardly see each other and when we do, she acts like she doesn't see me and I do the same. Peter still has to see Satan's daughter."
Peter frowns at the new nickname that has now been formed.
"Anyway," Peter says, "Just go with the flow G," Peter started walking the shower, "And tell her that you feel like going with the flow."
"Is that you said before you started officially dating?" Greg asked.
"I mean Lara Jean is super chilled so it doesn't really matter because she understands." Peter said.
"I thought you and Lara Jean weren't that official yet?" Greg asked, "I was asking about Gen."
"Oh um," Peter said not realising what just happened, "I mean Gen and I were together forever so… yeah I am going to go shower."
Peter pulled in front of Lara Jean's house after five showered, clean and dressed for the party. He was hoping he could say the same about Lara Jean because she still had not responded to his text.
He knocked on the door. Almost immediately Lara Jean answered wearing an apron and had flower on her face. Wait was this a new thing for girls, Peter thought, because he was used to Gen watching makeup tutorials on Youtube and there was always some new trend.
"Hey." She said in the most unenthusiastic way.
"Who are you supposed to be," Peter asked in hopes that he could understand girl trends because he could admit that he was clueless, "the Pillsbury Doughboy?"
He sniggered in his head but because she didn't seem to find that funny he thought it would be best not to laugh out loud.
"No, I'm making cupcakes for Kitty's bake sale." She said simply.
"Oh," Peter said trying not to sound disappointed that she is not ready for the party yet, "Can I come in?"
"Sure." She says moving away from the door so that Peter can walk in. Peter closes the door behind him and marvels at how interesting their house looks. There was a different kind of art on the walls mixed with pictures of family members. A korean woman who looked exactly like Lara Jean held the frame next to the door. He could only assume that the beautiful woman was Lara Jean's mother.
As he followed Lara Jean to the kitchen he couldn't help but say, "You know it's easier if you make something you can cut into squares like brownies?" He was looking at the mess in the kitchen, "My mom used to do it for my brother."
"Peter Kavinsky," She sighs as she takes an egg out, "What are you doing here?"
"Did you not read my note?" Peter asked a little offended because now he knows for a fact that she probably didn't read his text either. Which means that she might not be able to go, "I'm taking you to Greg's party."
"Oh, I'm not going to that." She scoffs a little.
"Yeah, you are." Peter said simply. He may not be able to kiss her but he was definitely not going to allow her to back out of the contract. One thing about Lara Jean that he knew after spending such little time with her is that she keeps to her word and appreciates contractual agreements, "One, Gen is gonna be there and two, parties are in the contract."
"Sorry, Peter, I can't." She says almost defensively.
"A deal's a deal." Peter whispers to her as he is not sure who is in the house.
"You can't what?" Peter looks up to see the ever so happy and patient Dr Covey walk into the kitchen. Peter was very good with parents, in fact they loved him so much that he was sure if he couldn't convince Lara Jean, he could convince her father, " Is that Peter Kavinsky?"
Already off to a good start. Peter smiles with Dr Covey as the doctor clearly is more excited than confused to see him. Lara Jean takes a tin of icing sugar and starts dipping her finger in it and eating the icing sugar nervously.
"Little Peter Kavinsky," Dr Covey continues smiling, you're as tall as me now."
"Good to see you again, Dr. Covey." Peter says politely shaking his hand.
"You can call me Dan." Dr Covey shooks his hand firmly but continued to smile.
"I'm here to pick up Lara Jean," Peter began explaining in hope that the process to her getting ready could begin, "take her to a friend's party." He also started saying everything that parents generally wanted to hear, "The parents will be home, and I will have her home early. Is it alright if we go?"
"Yes." Dr Covey said ethentisasically.
But before Peter could get excited Lara Jean said firmly, "No!" When both Peter and Dr Covey looked at her like she had lost her mind she said, "I can't go. I have to finish these cupcakes."
"I think Kitty and I can handle some cupcakes." Dr Covey begins to pull his daughters arms away from the cupcakes. Lara Jean is shaking her head profusely, "Why don't you go have fun with your friend Peter Kavinsky?"
As he is dragging her around the counter Lara Jean begs her father, "Dad, don't, please.."
"Get dressed, get changed, you look like a crazy lady." Dr Covey says simply and Lara Jean notes that the battle is lost and marches up stairs to get ready.
The moment she is out of view Dr Covey says, "No drinking. No drugs.No hands."
"You got it." Peter promises.
In the car on their way to Greg's place, Lara Jean is quiet but Peter could swear he could hear her brain spinning.
"Can you relax," Peter sighs, "I'm sure you have been to a party before."
She says nothing and just looks out the window.
"Lara Jean?"
She looks at him and says, "I know you know that I haven't been to many," She then sighs, "Hell I haven't even been to one in like two years."
"Oh," Peter said, "Why?"
"Peter," Lara Jean says, "Did you not see how excited my father was to see that I am going to a party, what parent does that?"
She did have a point.
"I don't have many friends," Lara Jean says but not in a sad way like she is seeking sympathy. It's more like she is seeking understanding, "Before my sister went to school in Scotland I used to hang out with her and Josh. Josh and I were friends before they dated.
Ah, now things were starting to make sense for Peter. She didn't fall for her sisters boyfriend, she fell for her friend.
"Chris can be a little unpredictable," Lara Jean shrugs, "And she doesn't do things where she knows Gen will be there. So I like to spend my weekends with my family. I'm not good with new people so it's better that way."
Peter thought for a moment that this whole fake relationship would become more. He would vow to make sure that at the end of the fake relationship, Lara Jean would feel more comfortable around people and he would remain her friend.
"Well," Peter said, "You have nothing to worry about. We won't stay long." He promises
Lara Jean smiles slightly and they finally pull up to the house.
"Wow this house is..."Lara Jean is lost for words do Peter says, "I know." Because he did.
They walk up the front steps and Lara Jean begins fighting the notion of going inside.
"I don't know, Peter. I…"
"No, we're going. It's in the contract." Peter just says and walks up the stairs. He opens the door and sees no one is in the foyer. Lara Jean takes her hair out of it's pony tail and tries to redo it.
"What are you doing?" Peter asks.
"What?" She says.
"Give me this." He takes her thick colourful hair band out her hair, and weird sensation hit him as both their hands meet in her hair and the softness of her hair makes him warm inside.
Get it together, Peter thinks, you've held hands before, hell you have even kissed.
"No." She panics, "What? No. Give that back."
"I'm keeping it." He says putting his hands behind his back as she tries to grab it, "I like your hair down." And he meant it, all the times he had seen Lara Jean she had her hair up. But there was a time he had seen her hair down but he couldn't quite pinpoint when. But now even looking at her, he saw how beautiful she looked and said without thinking, "You look pretty." He took his phone out of his pocket and as he was about to unlock it he saw that his wallpaper was still Gen, "Here, I'll prove it to you."
He went to his camera and as he took a picture, Lara Jean put her hands on her cheeks making her not only look pretty but cute too. He smiles a little looking at the picture and shows it to her, "See?" He says.
"Fine." She says in defeat as Peter quickly sets her as his new wallpaper, "But you can't lose it. That's my favorite scrunchie."
Peter rolled his eyes and put the scrunchie around his arms and snapping it against his skin so she could see how secure it is, "Deal." It wasn't going anywhere tonight, "Give me your phone."
"Why?" She questioned.
"Would you trust me?" Peter said. Lara Jean once again sighs in defeat and takes her pink Iphone out and hands it to him. Peter scrolls to her camera and takes a quick picture of himself making a sultry duck face. He shows her the picture and says, "Alright, you need to make this your new background." He then hands her the phone.
"So what's your new background?" Lara Jean says almost in a way that makes Peter think she's flirting.
"Girl, come on." Peter whips his phone to show her that his background is now the cute photo of her and Lara Jean, "You know I already got it."
Lara Jean smiles slightly, "Leggo." As Lara Jean holds her hand out for him to take which he does.
"Wait, maybe I should just…" Lara Jean tries to fight again but Peter just pulls her with him as he walks and says, "Come on!"
Lara Jean and Peter walked into the party which is already in full swing but super chilled. People are not at a point of disgusting just yet. He greets people who greet both him and his fake girlfriend who is squeezing his hand. Peter squeeze her hand back to assure her that she has nothing to worry about. He wonders if she felt the squeeze and got the message too.
"Pete!" Greg shouts from the beer pong table. Greg only called him Pete, when he was drunk.
Peter walks with Lara Jean over to the table just as Greg is about to throw the ball. He shoots and he scores, which causes everyone around the table to whoop, including Peter and to Peter's surprise, Lara Jean smiles in excitement. Peter wonders if she can play.
"I never miss." Greg says high fiving Peter, "I told you I never miss, man. Welcome to my party."
"It's gorgeous." Peter says looking around the room, "This your new pad?"
"It's my parents' pad, but I'll take the credit." Greg says but Peter looks and spots Gen sitting with Emily. She looks hot, Peter thought, she hot. Peter was having a difficult time adjusting to the no sex thing considering that was used to getting it often because he was in a committed relationship. But seeing Gen dressed in a short silk red dress did make it harder, considering that the last person he got it from was her. However, somehow he was comforted by the fact that before they broke up, it had already been a while.
"I'm gonna get you a drink." Peter asks Lara Jean who says nothing. He looks at Greg and says, "You want some?"
"Cool, yeah. I got you." Greg replies while throwing the ball.
As Peter walks away he hears Emily say, "Hey, Lara Jean. Come sit with us."
Peter felt nervous as he walked towards the kitchen but he watched as Lara Jean confidently walked over and sat down which nothing but a slight smile on her face.
Great, Peter thought, she does not look nervous. Peter tries to calm himself and walks over to the kitchen where he finds Trevor drinking and talking to some girl in sophmore.
"Hey PK," Trevor smiles and high fives his friend, "Your boy G is already lit."
"I can see," Peter chuckles slightly, "You think they got Kombucha around here."
"Dude if you want to drink I am sure G won't mind if you crash here so you don't have to drive." Trevor said.
Peter looks around the room and finds the Kombucha tea bags. He takes a water out the fridge and poured it in the cup with the teabag and allow it to sit while he pours Lara Jean some beer.
"It's ok," Peter said as he poured the drink not too much though, "I came with Covey, so I got to take her home anyway."
"Aww," The girl next to Trevor smiles, "That is so cute."
"Uh thanks," He smiles and holds his hand out looking at Trevor, "Pamela, right?"
"Um Pammy yeah," She says taking his hand.
"Peter." Peter smiles at her. Pammy is pretty. Blonde and has a face that resembled a doll and freckles all around her cheeks. She's about the same height as Lara Jean.
"I know," Peter smiles, "I mean I know you because well everyone does. Also I am in study group with Lara Jean."
"You are, aren't you a sophomore?" Peter frowns.
"Well yeah," Pammy explains, "Lara Jean does extra lessons for chem as a favour to Mr Kaine."
"Ah that makes sense." Peter says. Lara Jean was really smart, in actual fact on a number of occasions she did come in during his lesson to retrieve extra papers on math homework from their Maths teacher, Miss Cleary.
"She's your girlfriend," Trevor chuckles sipping his drink, "Shouldn't you know that."
Before Peter can answer, Pammy says, "Lara Jean is a tutor for multiple classes. But not many people know because she says she likes being invisible."
"There," Peter says looking at Trevor and taking the two cups, "My girlfriend is low key. Speaking of which…"
Peter leaves Pammy and Trevor alone and walks back to see Gen standing in front of Lara Jean.
He hears Gen say to her, "...like a juice box or chocolate milk."
"Peter's going to get me a drink," Lara Jean says in a way that sounds both sweet and sexy but also super into Peter, "but thank you so much for offering."
Peter is beaming with pride as he walks over to the girls, "Ooh. What's up, babe?" Gen storms away while Emily is still sitting in shock at Lara Jean's confidence.
"Hi." Lara Jean says sweetly. Emily stands up and walks with Gen to the kitchen. As Peter sits down next to Lara Jean he hands her-her drink without looking which one he is giving her. He sits close to her as Lara Jean takes a sip and almost gags.
"Why is beer so vinegary?" She asks.
"Oh…" Peter chuckles a little taking the cup out of her hands and handing her the one meant for her, "It's not. Kombucha is, though. I'm driving, remember?"
"You drink kombucha?" She says surprised but almost impressed.
"Yeah, it's good for your digestion." Peter says simply. He spots that Gen is looking at them and whispering to Emily. Peter takes his phone out of his pocket and says to Lara Jean, "Here. Take a selfie."
Lara Jean doesn't object. To Peter's delight she plays the role well by reaching into kiss his cheek but is hesitant.
"Alright. You do it." Peter consents with a smile. As she does he feels the warm feeling inside him again. He takes the picture and decides that they should take another one.
Peter then puts his phone off and then looks at Lara Jean.
"Can you send me those?" She asks.
"Yeah sure," Peter smiles, "I could post them."
Lara Jean says nothing but sips her beer. You can see she is not enjoying it.
"I am going to assume that you don't drink much either." Peter laughs at her expression.
"What was your first clue." Lara Jean laughs at him.
"Hey," Peter then says, "Are you a tutor?"
Lara Jean blushes a little, "It depends."
"On?"
"The subject."
"Chem, maths, english, biology..." Lara Jean's eyes go wide as Peter lists all his subjects. He laughs at her expression which causes her to giggle.
"I'm thinking," Peter says suddenly, "If we are gonna do this," he looks around before whispering, "fake relationship thing, why not be productive about it."
"You want me to tutor you?" Lara Jean asks.
"I mean I could pay you." Peter said. He did need to get his grades up especially in maths, chem, biology and even spanish.
Lara Jean shakes her head and says, "I don't want you to pay me."
"No but don't the other pay you?"
Lara Jean shakes her head and says, "Chris is my best friend. And the teachers give me extra credit for it." She shrugs, "We're helping each other right. Also I want you to get good grades."
Peter then realised something, that he did know but this confirmed it even more.
Lara Jean was selfless.
This was different that what he was used to.
"You do?" Peter asked in a small voice.
"Yeah," Lara Jean smiles, "Just text me what you need help with and then we could figure out times. Since my dad loves you, you could come over and we could study."
"Your dad is not the only one," Peter laughs, "Kitty is obsessed with me."
Lara Jean giggles.
Peter smiles because the sound is beautiful.
The rest of the night goes off without a hitch. Gen continues to glare at them. At some stage Lara Jean loosens up a little and takes her jacket off. Greg and Emily are talking outside, or rather cuddling on the hammock now making it obvious that they are a thing. Trevor never leaves Pammy's side.
Peter walks to the bathroom leaving Lara Jean outside with Pammy and Trevor.
Peter is smiling because Trevor is enjoying Lara Jean's company something he could never say previously when it came to Gen.
He used the bathroom quickly and then before washing his hands he looks at his phone. He promised Dr Covey that he would have Lara Jean home before 2am. It was now 1 am. Peter thought they could stay for an hour since it seemed like Lara Jean had warmed up to his friends and the party. Peter also found that her presence actually made the party more of a vibe.
Somebody walks into the bathroom without knocking. Peter quickly says before the person walks in, "Whoa. Hey, occupied."
Gen walks in and a little put off. She closes the door behind her as Peter leans against the sink drying his hands after washing them.
"Lara Jean Covey, really?" Gen says her name almost like it leaves a bad taste in her mouth.
"What do you care?" Peter raises an eyebrow at her. Gen looks slightly taken aback by Peter's response.
She looks down at his wrist and sees the scrunchie, "Aw, this is so cute! Is this hers?" She yanks it off his wrist.
"Come on."Peter whispers because he realises that he has broken a promise to Lara Jean and can't seem to help the situation.
Gen puts her hair in a ponytail with the scrunchie, "How do I look?"
"You look good, Gen." Peter sighs because he is only telling her the truth, "You always look good." But Peter does not want to hurt Lara Jean's feelings because she does not deserve that, "Come on, give it back."
"No, I'm going to keep it for a while, 'k?" Gen says so simply yet so venomously and he can't help but wonder has the venom has always been there, "Don't worry, I won't tell."
She then kisses Peter on the cheek and whispers in his ear, "I'll call you later."
She turns and walks out the bathroom.
Peter feels weird after she leaves. Almost like he had done something that he feels like he shouldn't do. He didn't understand why he felt like this. He wanted to get Gen's attention, make her want him. And her walking into the bathroom confirmed that there wasa chance they would get back together.
Mission accomplished.
But when you start spending time away from someone you thought was your whole life, surely it is natural to start noticing flaws. Surely you are meant to love someone despite them.
He needed to get out of this space, he felt overwhelmed and a little hungry.
Peter walked out the bathroom as Greg and Emily were walking past them holding hands.
"Oh hey Pete." Greg said smiling, "You good man."
"Yeah, I'm gonna leave man," Peter said, "I've got to take Lara Jean home."
"Oh she had a curfew." Emily said sniggering slightly.
"Yeah," Peter said, "But the good ones always do." He smirks at Emily and then looks at Greg, "Have fun man."
He walks away from them and walks back the living room. He sees Lara Jeans jacket and grabs it. He walks outside to look for Lara Jean. Pammy is smiling at Trevor but there is no Lara Jean.
"Hey," Peter says a little annoyed, "Where's Covey?"
"Oh she's inside," Pammy said, "Did you see her?" Peter shakes his head.
"You good PK?" Trevor frowns at Peter.
"Yeah," Peter sighs, "I just gotta get out of here, See ya later man."
"Have a good one." Trevor says.
Peter walks in and spots Lara Jean talking to Lucas James.
"Hey." Peter says. Lara Jean looks at Peter as does Lucas James, "Do you want to get out of here, go grab some food?
Lara Jean looks at Lucas James for confirmation, "Oh no, go ahead. Go, go." He says beaming
"Okay. See you later." Lara Jean smiles
Peter and Lara Jean drove silently to the cafe. Peter wondered what was on her mind because he knew what was on his.
Gen had ruined a perfectly good night by being malicious and Peter didn't even know how to feel. This whole plan was built on him wanting to get back together with Lara Jean. He felt conflicted because he didn't want Lara Jean to be implicated like this.
What did you expect Kavinsky, Peter thought, This the one your friends literally call succubus.
"Are you ok?" Lara Jean asks as Peter pulls into the Diner parking lot.
Peter shakes his head and parks his car, "Yeah I'm just...yeah."
Lara Jean smiles and says, "Are you a grumpy hungry person?"
"What?" Peter chuckles cutting off the engine.
"I mean," Lara Jean says, "You seem a little off and we came here so I'm assuming you are hungry."
Peter looks at Lara Jean and then sighs, he didn't want to think about Gen right now.
"I'm starving."
"This place has the best fries," Lara Jean beams, "Come on."
When Joan brings the fries for them to share, she doesn't stop smiling at Lara Jean. Peter ordered Lara Jean a cherry coke and a shake for himself. Lara Jean was shocked that he remembered her drink beverage. However Peter was just as shocked.
"Do you come here often?" Peter asks as Lara Jean puts some chilli salt on half the fries.
"Yes," Lara Jean smiles, "My sister, Margot, and I used to come here a lot. The cherry coke here is the best."
"Yeah its machine," Peter nods, "You prefer it over the can."
"Yes," Lara Jean frowns a little, "How did you-"
Before she can finish Peter says, "That day we were here, before that when I went to your house. Kitty told me."
"What random thing for her to tell you." Lara Jean chuckles and picks up the ketchup, "Side or on top."
"On top." Peter says.
"That was the only answer." Lara Jean smiles and pours ketchup on the fries, "Ok Kavinsky, go at it."
Peter digs in and of course the fries are amazing. The best her has ever had.
As they eat, they talk a little about Greg and how they became friends. Lara Jean engages a little on her interaction with Pammy. And then speaks briefly of what happened while Peter was getting their drinks.
"You did so good tonight," Peter compliments her as he placed his last fry in his mouth, "Gen was pissed."
"Yeah," Lara Jean sniggers while whipping up the remnants of the salt and sauce with her last fry, "I just hope she doesn't put glass in my smoothie on Monday."
Peter chuckles at this and then says, "I love how you're not afraid of her."
"No, no." Lara Jean holds a finger up and says, "I'm terrified of her."
"But you don't let her steamroll over you." Peter says, "Like that day she was being a bitch
about your shoes."
"You remember that?" Lara Jean looks slightly embarrassed.
"Yeah, of course." How could he forget, "I mean, I couldn't say anything because we were together and everything," Peter then thinks about that day and the issue that Gen had with Lara Jeans boots, "but those shoes weren't just cool, I thought they were kinda hot." He had no idea where all of this was coming from but he was allowing his mouth to just run, "Gen's gorgeous,
but you have way better style."
"Thank you." Lara Jean beams in an awkward yet cute manner.
Joan comes up to their table to take the empty plate, "You need anything else?"
"Um, no." Lara Jean looks at Peter, "I think we're good." Joan leave them as Peter's phone buzzes yet again. Lara jean stands up to put her jacket on.
Peter could not believe his eyes, Gen had tried to call him 8 times and left him multiple texts that read:
Where are you?
Did you really leave with Lara Jean?
You know she's a virgin right??
Oh my god Peter answer your phone!
What if I am stranded! I mean I am not but what if??
You asshole you better answer your phone!
She is not even that pretty, what do you see in her?
"She just makes me so angry sometimes." Peter says putting his phone away.
"We're still talking about her?" Lara Jean says fixing her collar.
"Like tonight," Peter says huffing, "she barely talks to me, we leave, and I have a thousand texts from her."
Perhaps Peter had been downplaying his anger towards Gen a little bit too much.
"Okay," Lara Jean says trying to be understanding, "have you been responding?"
"No no, no," Peter says simply, "I'm...I'll just call her when I get home."
"So you guys still talk on the phone then?" Her voice edging on judgement but trying to sound understanding.
"I mean, not as much as we used to, but yeah, sometimes." Peter explains and looks at Lara jean's face which now does not mask her judgment, "What?" Peter demands.
"Hmm?" Lara Jean tries to not be amused that her understanding act has been dropped.
"You do this thing. You have this whole judgy face scenario going on." Peter says.
"I guess I just think it's really weird you still talk to your ex-girlfriend on the phone." Lara Jean says simply not masking any of the truth any longer, "It's not healthy."
"Sorry, you're the expert?" Peter is shocked at her candor but more shocked at how she thinks she knows what she is talking about, "You've never even had a boyfriend."
"You've only had one girlfriend," Lara Jean indicates with her finger, "and you're completely obsessed with her." Peter hated the word obsessed because previously his friends used to use the word as a way to call him a little bitch, "That doesn't necessarily make you The Bachelor."
"One," Peter said defensively, "I am not obsessed with her."
Lara Jean is noding as he speaks as if she does not believe him, "Okay." She says and then sits down, "So then, prove it." She flips her hair, "Don't call her tonight."
"You know for some who's quiet all the time," Peter says a little amused at the challenge but also slightly taken aback, "you have a lot of opinions."
"Yeah well I think that's just because no one's been honest with you before." Lara Jean argues calmly.
"Okay, fine." Peter says trying to change the subject but is also intrigued by her, "Be honest with me, then. Why haven't you ever had a boyfriend?"
Lara Jean was now the one to be taken aback.
"I don't know." She said trying to sound casual, "I guess no one's ever liked me like that."
"Lies." Peter says a little bit too loudly, "I know that those are lies, because I know for a fact Carlos Meyers asked you to Spring Formal last year and you said no."
Carlos had made up for it thought and went with someone else but it was not a secret that Meyer could sometimes be an asshole, though that was within lacrosse
.
"Are you keeping tabs on me?" Lara Jean asks sounding a little defensive.
"Come on, Covey, talk to me." Peter sighs, "What happened to no secrets?Fight Club.
Remember?"
"Okay." Lara Jean begins, "Um... So love and dating? I love to read about it,
and it's fun to write about and to think about in my head, but...when it's real…" Se does not continue she just looks at Peter.
"What, it's scary?" Peter is shocked because she did display so many attributes of confidence.
"Yeah." Lara Jean looks down.
"Why? Why is that scary?" Peter was genuinely interested because most girls wanted nothing more than to have the romance they read about and see on movies and hear in songs. It shocked him that here was one sitting her not interested in the real thing but was comfortable just to read and write about it.
"'Cause the more people that you let into your life, the more that can just walk right out.
Just like…" Lara Jean trails off.
He got it now.
"Like your mom, right?" Lara Jean nods and for the first time since his dad left, Peter wants to talk about him willingly. And this is only to make Lara Jean feel better. He had this urge to make any and all the pain go away just for her. And he had no idea where all these feelings were coming from, "Uh, did you know that...my dad left us?"
"Yeah. That was a while ago, right?" Lara Jean nods.
"Two summers ago." Peter says but he says it he feels the pain he let out years ago when he bailed, "He's got a new wife and kid now."
"I'm so sorry." Lara Jean leans in and whispers and you can hear the sincerity in her voice.
"No, it's fine. It's…" Peter says, "I don't usually talk about it. I just felt like maybe you'd understand 'cause of your mom…." He then feels stupid because he feels like he sounds insensitive so he quickly adds, "Not that it is anywhere near the same thing."
"No, it's totally fine." Lara Jean says and it sounds like she really means it, "I completely understand." She looks down for a moment and then back at Peter, "Yeah, it's... It's hard, huh?"
Peter wished he could tell her how hard it is. How much it hurt. He wish he could cry in front of her because he had not done so in front of anyone including his mother, brother and Gen. He wishes he could tell her how his mother's reaction had made things much worse (or rather lack thereof) and how his brother became withdrawn from the world.
He wishes he could, but his ego wouldn't allow him.
So Peter settles for an nonchalnt, "It's whatever."
Lara Jean smiles a little before saying, "We don't have to talk about it, but it's not whatever."
And then she got it.
"I think it's funny," Peter says, "you say you're scared of commitment
and relationships, but you don't seem to be afraid to be with me."
"Oh Well, there's there's no reason to be." Lara Jean said. She seemed flushed when she said this.
Was she flirting with him.
And did Peter like the idea that she was flirting with him.
"Yeah?" Peter whispered and leaned in as he said, "Why is that?"
Her answer is simple but Peter had no idea why it hurts.
"'Cause we're just pretending." Lara Jean shrugs.
"Right, of course, Lara Jean Covey," Peter stood up taking his jacket off the chair, "ladies and gentlemen, you can count on her to be honest, always." As he said that his phone buzzed again. It was like reality had hit him again. He had not even noticed that Lara Jean and him had formed a bubble but both Lara Jean and the buzz of his phone (no doubt being Gen) had popped the bubble.
"Wait, Peter?" Lara Jean said looking at him, "Are we cool?"
No Peter thought but said, "Yeah, we're fine, Covey." He said and then said not wanting their to be tension, "Thank you for coming to the party tonight."
She just nods and smiles.
He then went to pay for their meal and Joan smiles at him.
"It's on the house dear." Joan smiles.
"What no," Peter says confused, "I have to pay."
"No you don't," Joan whispers and looks at Lara Jean who is busying herself on her phone. She then looks at Peter again, "If you knew how much it's nice to Lara Jean so happy-"
"And out of her shell," said another waitress walking past Joan.
Joan smiles and looks at Peter, "That's payment enough. Her mom would agree."
"You knew her mom?"
"We loved Eve." Joan says simply.
Something flutters inside of Peter.
When he pulls up in front of her house, Peter cuts off the engine.
"Why don't we start the tutoring thing from tomorrow?" Lara Jean says smiling at him.
"Sure." Peter smiles back at her, "Really thank you for coming tonight Covey."
Lara Jean smiles and say, "I actually had fun."
Peter smiles thinking about what Joan said.
"You better get going," Peters say looting pointingly at the house, "I don't want Dr Covey not to dig me anymore."
"As if." Lara Jean rolls her eyes and climbs out the car, "Hey remember to send me those selfies."
"I'll do it now." Peter smiles, "Goodnight Lara Jean."
"Goodnight Peter."
When Peter gets home he takes his phone and looks through the pictures that Lara Jean and him took tonight.
He smiles at the one where she's kissing his cheek and remembers how warm he felt when she did that.
Before sends them he decides that what he is about to do is for the plan.
He posts the picture and captions it "ME AND BAE".
As fake it was Peter couldn't help but like the look everything about the post. The picture, the captions and then almost immediately after posting it the comment from @LJCovey
"Bae you such a dork."
Peter smiles at the comment and also watches as his likes grow. He then comments with a kissing emoji.
He puts his phone down and is about to go to the bathroom before heading to bed when his phone buzzes.
He picks up his phone to see it's Gen.
Peter does something that he has never done or if he did it would leave a pit in his stomach.
He presses the end call button and put his phone on bedtime mode.
It was the first time it felt good to technically cut Gen off.
Authors noteI am sorry this one took a little longer than the usual but I do watch the movie while writing like a committed (borderline obsessed) person.
Honestly wanted to do more with Chris and Joan because as great as the movie was, there were some missing things I wanted to add. In the book Chris is expanded on a lot more so I thought it would be dope to bring that in. Pammy is a real character in the book for those who haven't read the book. However in the book she is Actaully in a relationship with Darrel. But here I put with Trevor because in my mind it's something that could happen.
If you have any questions comments anything please please please go for it.
Next chapter: who's ready to meet Peter's mom.