Disclaimer! I do not own Lemonade Mouth
Dylan spent the next few days trying to think of ways to reel in the members of Lemonade Mouth. Saving Olivia would soften them up but it wouldn't turn them back to him. Dylan knew that in their eyes since he had lied about something, it was easy for him to lie about how he felt.
Olivia had said Charlie would be one of the hardest to get back. He was almost on par with Stella for being hurt so Dylan had to be careful with Charlie. Dylan usually frowned when he thought of how to pull back Charlie. It wasn't until lunch one day when Olivia made Dylan focus.
"Dylan seriously. You need to start with the easier members. Once you have them back it should be easy to get Charlie back then finally Stella." Dylan grimaced at the mention of her name and Olivia patted him on the shoulder.
"I know that Olivia. I already have plans for most of the band." Dylan reassured her thinking privately to himself or at least half-baked plans. Wen got up from the table, his face looking sour. Dylan realized that Wen was looking in their direction. "Um Olivia could you scoot over a bit?" Dylan asked as he moved over putting space between them. Olivia slide over glancing in the direction of the table.
Dylan silently praised Olivia for not blushing. That would have just made things worse with Wen. "This is about Wen isn't it?" Olivia inquired looking at Dylan. He smiled nodding while he pointed at Wen who was headed in their direction.
"Hey Olivia" Wen said pleasantly enough. "Why are you sitting…over here?" Dylan caught onto the undertone in Wen's voice. Olivia opened her mouth to respond but Dylan beat her to it, praying she'd forgive him for what he was about to do.
"She wanted to discuss dresses for the dance next week." Dylan said smiling. "She was just headed over to your table actually." Turning to Olivia, Dylan touched her arm. "Thanks for coming to talk to me but next time ask Mo or…Stella." Olivia nodded looking at him questioningly as she gathered her stuff. Wen and Dylan watched her walk over to the table.
"Wen" Dylan called as his friend turned to leave. "Wait. There's a reason why she didn't want to talk at your table." Wen looked back at him his eyes hard. Dylan almost flinched back from his expression it was so hostile.
"Yeah and what was that reason?" His voice was as hard as his expression. Dylan swallowed before continuing. He knew he was lying but he hoped in the end Olivia and Wen would forgive him.
"She wants you to ask her to the dance." Wen's expression changed to surprise. "And I think you should ask her. I mean you like her right?" Wen nodded uncertain now as he sat down on the bench. "Then ask her to the dance! You two are right for each other and don't deny it. I watched you guys stare across the table at each other for months."
"But what if it doesn't work?" Wen said softly. "That's what scares me the most. That it won't work and we won't be friends anymore. I'd rather be her friend if that's what is going to happen." Dylan sat down next to Wen, smiling inwardly. He was breaking down Wen's barriers.
"Make it work. If you want I can try and help but either way I think you should at least give it a shot." Wen nodded looking toward Olivia in time to catch her watching them. She blushed looking away. Dylan smiled looking at Wen. That was all the proof his friend would need.
Wen stood up. "I think I should plan it at least." Dylan gave an impatient noise, pushing his friend toward the table. Wen stumbled forward looking back at Dylan.
"Just go ask her." Wen started to nod but something changed his mind.
"I can't. What if she rejects me?" Dylan wanted to smack Wen as he turned his friend around. Propelling Wen toward the table, Dylan almost deposited Wen in Olivia's lap. Then he turned, walking away from the table.
"Potens!" Dylan turned to see Ray walking toward him. His stomach twisted violently at the sight of a little lipstick on Ray's lip. That couldn't be Stella's could it? Ray stopped in front of Dylan and Dylan got a whiff of Stella's perfume. Why does it hurt so much? He thought as his heart thudded in remembrance.
"What do you want Ray?" Dylan asked keeping his expression flat. Ray sneered at him, looking around. It took Dylan only a moment to realize he was looking for Stella. Stella scares him? Dylan guessed a smile creeping across his features. Good. Jocks deserve a healthy dose of fear.
"I know what you're doing" Ray hissed. Dylan shrugged trying to figure out what Ray meant. "Don't play dumb. I'm going to tell you right now that Stella is mine and if you keep up this little charade to make friends again in order to get her back, I'll put you back in the hospital…permanently" Dylan began laughing.
Ray watched him laugh with a shocked expression. When Dylan finally stopped laughing, he straightened wiping tears from his eyes. "You obviously have no idea what's going on Ray. I'm trying to get my friends back. It has nothing to do with Stella but let me clear you of one idea." Dylan snarled as he got in Ray's face, forcing the jock backwards. "Don't ever call Stella yours again. She isn't a possession you can claim."
Dylan released Ray's shirt not realizing he'd even grabbed it in the first place. Ray's claim on Stella had made Dylan's vision turn red. Stella wasn't just another conquest someone could add to a list. She was a person who had feelings. Someone who deserved those feelings to be returned.
Ray snorted walking away as Olivia dashed up and hugged Dylan. "You'll never believe what happened!" Dylan took a deep breath to calm himself, thinking of anything but Ray and Stella. Olivia was practically bouncing as Dylan tried to calm himself, waiting patiently.
"Actually I bet I know what happened." Dylan said smiling cockily. "After all I set it up." He felt confident because Lemonade Mouth had always complained about Wen and Olivia yet he who had known them for less then a year was able to finally get them to try dating.
"Oh yeah…In that case" She smacked him in the chest. Dylan barely even moved, his grin widening even though it had hurt. He felt to good to even worry about the handprint on his chest. "You shouldn't have lied even to get him back on your side." Dylan raised his hands in self-defense.
"I told him the truth. I just used next week's dance as the motivator." Olivia tried to frown at him but her elation was overpowering. Dylan could almost feel it radiating off of her skin it was so potent.
"One thing though. That means you have to come dress shopping with me and Mo." Dylan's horrified expression made her laugh. "That's right. I need your opinion on my dresses Mr. Matchmaker." Dylan groaned as Olivia hugged him again, giggling.
"The things I do for you guys" Dylan complained. Olivia released him still giggling. With a dainty wave, she skipped back over to the table. Dylan watched as she laced her fingers with Wen's. Wen looked over at Dylan and smiled. He smiled back before turning away, heading back to his bench. That's one down
Dylan's smile vanished later when he was wedged between Mo and the wall of the shop. Olivia had been serious about dragging him dress shopping. He thought it might have been to help make things up to Stella. The only problem was Stella had opted out as soon as she had learned that Dylan would be coming along.
"I don't get why I'm here." He complained as Olivia held a few dresses up to herself. Mo laughed, getting up to help Olivia choose. The sound was harsh, almost spiteful. Dylan could tell she wasn't all that happy about him being there.
"Stop complaining Dylan" She said glaring at him. "You got her into this now you'll help her out." Olivia looked over; frowning at Mo's hostile tone but Dylan shook his head slightly. He deserved it especially since he had lied.
"Yeah but don't tell me you aren't at least a little glad. I was able to get the two of them to admit their feelings…for the most part." Mo's expression softened slightly. Dylan smiled slightly. Mo looked like she was going to be his next target.
Mo glanced at her cell phone after ushering Olivia into the dressing room. "Oh no! Sorry Olivia! I was supposed to meet Scott!" She dashed out the doors of the store. Dylan groaned wishing he wasn't the only one left. It would be more helpful for Olivia to have a girl's opinion.
Olivia stepped from the dressing room in a stunning orange dress. Dylan struggled to see it from a girl's perspective, trying to take every little detail into account. After a while he shook his head. "No. I think that's a little too gaudy for you. Try something a little simpler." Olivia smiled at him, heading back to the dressing room.
"Thanks for at least trying to help" Olivia said softly. Dylan smiled at her tone. She was imagining Wen seeing her in whatever dress she was trying on. "You kinda deserve to be here though." Dylan slid down in his seat shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I know. I shouldn't have told that half truth to Wen. Still this is more torture then I deserve don't you think?" He tried not to fidget, looking around the store. He was attracting several stares and it made Dylan sink even lower in his chair.
They went on for a few hours, either Olivia or Dylan rejecting the dresses until they came down to a select few. Dylan was just wishing for it to be over, forgetting his attempt to see it from a girl's point of view and giving her his honest opinion. He felt like he was drowning by the time Olivia was changing into on of the last two dresses in the pile.
Olivia stepped out of the dressing room. Dylan blinked, straightening in his seat. "That…looks….almost perfect Olivia." She beamed at him twirling around. "I can't wait to see the look on Wen's face when he sees you in that." Olivia's smile widened as she headed back to the dressing room. On a last minute thought she turned around opening her mouth.
"Do you think you could…?" A quaint smile spread across her lips, almost mischievous. Dylan had seen the smile several different times on Sophia when she was about to ask him something embarrassing.
Dylan shook his head violently almost falling out of his chair. He could sense what she was thinking. "No way! I am not helping with the hair or the makeup! Get Mo or Stella to help you!" Olivia's laughter rang through the air as she disappeared behind the curtain. Dylan allowed himself a small smile. At least he had Olivia back. She had always treated him like a younger brother and for now, while he was working on the rest of Lemonade Mouth, it was enough.