Sydney POV
I'm really not good at shopping in person.
Ever since I can remember I've always done it online, except for rare occasions.
This is one of those.
And I'm sucking.
Ellie's a few aisles over, with three bags already from our other stops today.
I've bought some shoes, and two pairs of leggings.
That's it.
…
Why don't I see anything that I like?
I pull out my phone and text mom.
"I suck at shopping. Heels and leggings in 2 hours. Help."
Ooh. New message.
"You're gonna be torn about what just happened…" –Chelsea
"WHAT?"
She's at Austin's game.
"Grand Slam centerfield. The place we're at has a videoboard and a camera in center. They now need a new one bc he broke it. I got the ball for you. I'll give it to your boy."
…
Aww…
But yay!
I missed it. This is what I was afraid of.
But at least he got it!
That's good.
"Light colors. Grab like tanktops, shorts or something like that. Cute, summery things. You just need to get the ball rolling. I'm watching TV, so send pics if you want. Love you baby." –Mom
Cute.
Summer stuff.
…
Let's start over there.
I drop the two hangers I have right now and walk over to the swimsuits.
…
…
Teal.
Mine now.
…
Ooh!
I reach out to grab a red two piece and—
"Hey! I was here first!" I say to Ellie, who is tugging on the hanger like me.
"So?"
"So?! It's mine!" I give a massive tug.
"Aah!" She cried out, and let go of the hanger.
"Yes! Aah!" I cry out.
I fall onto my butt due to my momentum.
…
"Hahahahha!" We both laugh, and she helps me up.
"When'd you get so strong?" She asked me.
I shrug. "I don't know."
"Wrestling sessions with Austin?" She gave me a sly smile.
"Not those wrestling sessions…and I'm not answering any questions until you tell me about this mystery guy!" I frown at her.
Austin suggested that last night as a way to get her to talk.
It's been driving me crazy.
She bit her lip, then scooped her bags.
Oh?
"If you don't follow me, you won't hear…"
Beep beep.
I scoop up my stuff and chase after her.
YAY!
…
My phone lights up again, and I peek at it as I follow Ellie.
I think we're going to the food court.
"Now you're gonna be furious. Austin just hit a moonshot. Video upcoming." –Chelsea
I groan quietly and keep walking.
Ellie however turned and asked me "What?"
"Austin has two home runs. A grand slam and another just now. She's gonna send a video for me."
She suddenly looked sad. "Aww. Your bet didn't work out. Sorry."
"It's ok. We haven't hung out, just us in a long time."
She shrugged, and then kept walking.
We end up at Freezie Queen.
"I'm getting fries and a shake. Do you want anything?" She asked me.
"Same. What kind of shake?" I reply.
"Chocolate."
"Just double your order. I'll find a place to sit." I say, then turn and start scanning the crowd.
If there is ever going to be a time to be spotted, it'd be now.
…
Table 11 o' clock.
I walk over there and sit down.
The video is here.
I glance up to check for Ellie and see her glancing for me.
I stick my arm up and wave.
She lit up and made a beeline for me.
Yum.
She's got her little contented smile on her face, and started dishing out our unhealthy snack.
"Ok…do you have the video?" She asked.
I nod, and pull it up.
Ellie sidled up to me, and I press play.
"Let's go Austin!
…
…
PWING!"
"Whoa!" Ellie said.
WOW.
Austin emphatically threw his bat towards the on base circle and started his home run trot.
The camera panned over to see the ball go over some parked trucks.
"Somebody go get that! She's going to want that one too!" Chelsea's voice said.
"Too? Did they get the first one?" Ellie asked.
I shrug, and the video cut off.
"Now that's a homerun." She said.
"Yup."
"Sorry you missed it because of me."
I stop and look over to her.
She's chewing on some fries.
That's not something she'd really say normally.
"Nah, it's ok. We needed to hang out. Have girl time." I say, sipping my shake.
Ahh.
…
"So. You said you were going to talk?" I smile.
She let out a heavy sigh.
"Yeah, I did didn't I?"
I nod and open one of the ketchup containers.
I'm not like her; I can't eat copious amounts of fries without ketchup.
"Ok then." She sighed again.
She's making it sound so difficult.
"You sound like you really don't want to talk about it." I say.
"No, it's not that. I know you want to know, but I'm just not very good at…whatever this is."
"Talking?" I tease her.
I don't get to do it often.
She frowned and threw a fry at me.
I catch it on the fly with my mouth and eat it.
She giggled and shook her head.
"Okay. His name is Aaron. Bailey."
"Aaron Bailey. He works at the label. I've talked to him a few times." I say.
"Well, that's how I met him. Yu were recording and I was just looking around and he just started talking to me. Before I knew it I was all nervous and giggly, like you got with Austin and he asked for my number."
I smile.
"Austin and Aaron. Have you guys gone out?"
"A couple of times. One night when my brother was at your place and my parents had a date night. We snuck out for dinner. The other time I said you were picking me up, but he took me out that time too." She smiled.
"You're happy."
"I…yeah. I'm just not used to this you know? Boys usually don't…like me because I'm scary."
She's always had that opinion.
Sikowitz once said that her mom was just like her, which was surprising to both of us.
Maybe she's mellowed out. With kids and all.
"Well, some guys like that. It sounds like he does."
She smiled shyly and blushed.
"Have you guys kissed or anything?"
She quickly went bright red and nodded. "A couple of times, but that was the last date."
I chuckle and eat a little more.
"I'm done talking about me. Talk about you now please." She said, still blushing.
"Ok. I…"
…
I need her girl advice.
I need her best friend advice.
"I…" She smile at me.
I glance around on either side.
"What? What is it?" She leaned forward.
"I…I need your advice on something."
She didn't hide her surprise well.
"Uhh…ok. Everything ok?
…
Coast is clear.
"Well, you know all those jokes you've been making?" I start, extremely embarrassed.
She immediately tightened up.
"I can stop if you want, I'm sorry. Are you mad at me?" She asked.
"No, it's not that. That's par for the course. Desn't bug me. It's just that…"
…
She's looking right at me, with her complete attention.
"Those…thoughts…I've been thinking them recently."
"Really…" She said quietly.
"Yeah. It's not the first time. That night I had the accident, I wasn't exactly thinking straight. We were going to go to the beach and anything was on the table."
"Then buzzkill. Damn. Is that why you just pulled out at that light? My mom thought that was weird."
"Yeah. I wanted to get going. And then it just went poof."
"But now it's back." She said.
"Am I weird…is it too early?"
She leaned back and shrugged. "Hell if I know. What do you think?"
"What do I think? I think I've got a roman god for a boyfriend."
She giggled. "I didn't know how sculpted that boy is."
"I do. But that's not the problem. I don't doubt he could do the thing…I don't know if he would."
"You think he would back out. Not literally."
I laugh, and the tension broke a little bit. "I hope he wouldn't."
"I'd be mad if I were you and that happened."
I laugh and eat more fries nervously.
"I…I really don't know. It's your decision. What do you think? That's what matters." She said.
"I…I want to. But I'm just scared he won't want to." I say.
"Why?"
"Too soon, just doesn't want to, doesn't think of me that way yet…there are tons of things."
"Well, all those make sense. Plus from what you've told me, he's really conservative. Have you guys really done anything other than make out?"
"Just in our swimsuits."
"So basically your underwear." She said.
"Yeah…but it's not the same."
"I know. Mindset thing. But none of it matters if you don't get a chance, and I doubt that's going to happen soon."
"Ehhh…" I say.
Ellie's jaw just dropped.
"What…?"
"Next week. We think Wednesday. Austin and I won't be allowed to go. But his grandma will be. We…talked about it last night when I drove him home and got a plan."
"Does that plan include steamy time?"
"No. You're literally the only person who knows. So you can't tell anyone. Especially not him."
"I won't tell anyone. I can tell you're nervous."
"Of course I am…I mean…"
"Does he still have those condoms you told me about?"
"He collected them. I'm sure he does. She's still dropped them into his bag occasionally."
"Seriously? God I hate her!" Ellie frowned, then ate the last of her fries.
I eat the rest of mine, then sip my shake.
Uh oh.
Almost done with that too.
"Last question, then we can go home and start with your brother's birthday. Let's just say Wednesday happens, and you go over there…how long should I expect to not hear from you?"
"I…Let's talk this out. Starts at 9." I say.
"9. To when?"
"I got home Monday at 6:30."
"Nine and a half hours. Ok. I'll do my best."
I smile and throw away our trash.
She stood up and we start walking to my car.
"It might not even happen. Probably won't." I say.
"Well, I'm hoping you are. You need to make that boy YOUR…roman god."
"I'd like that." I say softly.
She giggled. "I'm only going to say this once. Don't be afraid to use your weapon."
"Weapon?"
She gestured to my body.
"Oh. I get it."
"He wants that, I can tell you that. He'd be crazy not to." She said, as I unlock the doors.
"You're not lesbian right? Because if you suddenly are, you're screwed."
"Don't say the word screwed after the conversation we just had!" She chastised me.
I laugh and start home.
"What'd you end up buying?" I ask.
Before I know it, she's rambling about different kind of tops, and I find myself zoning out and thinking…
Well, I don't think I even have to say it or explain.
Teenage angst.
I'm always getting messages online saying Austin and I won't last, that teenage love never does.
My own parents are an example of that. Dad liked mom at my age, and they didn't get together until their early twenties.
Technically not teenage love.
I know what I feel for Austin. And I know he loves me.
I feel bad that I wake up to some mornings that I have an "I love you" message from Austin that's been waiting for me since 3 AM.
I always quickly reply once I wake up.
His usual reply is a smiley face and something like "You just woke up. Sleep well?"
He always makes me smile.
I see her look over to me and smile, but then start to text Aaron.
"Are you going to talk to your parents about Aaron?" I ask.
"Yeah, probably sometime this week." She said as I pull into the neighborhood.
The rest of the ride home is in silence.
"The gifts are in your room right?" Ellie asked me.
"Yeah, buried in my closet."
"What about Austin's gift?"
…
"I have no idea. It's got to be here. He's smart enough to remember."
If he's not he's in trouble.
I park and follow Ellie in.
"Hey!" Aunt Jade smiled once Ellie and I walk into the kitchen.
Mom smiled from her seat at the bar with her laptop out.
Uncle Andre is with her and looking at it, along with pointing at something.
"How'd shopping go?" Dad said from the pantry.
"Eh. It was ok I guess."
Ellie didn't reply, but dropped her bags and her mom immediately scooped one up.
"I'm going to go change." I announce, then walk upstairs.
…
I walk into my room and hop onto my bed and take off my shoes and socks.
I'll just change into shorts.
Too hot for jeans.
The only reason I wore jeans to the mall is that I didn't want people to gawk at my legs.
Austin said once that my legs go on for days.
I don't know what that means but—
"AHHHH!" I scream, darting away from the large mass near my bathroom.
I grab my bat and yell "FREEZE!"
The dark mass froze.
I creep forward and hit the light.
"Oh. It's you."
Austin's just smiling at me.
Shirtless. With only a towel on.
With his hands up.
"Hi. Didn't mean to scare you." He said softly.
I walk over, lean the bat on the windowsill and hug him, then kiss him.
I can't stop myself from running my hand up and down his abs though.
He laughed and smiled at me.
"How'd shopping go?"
"Awful. I didn't really get anything, and I heard from Chelsea how well you did."
"Yeah, I heard she was your mole. But I have a surprise for you." He said, walking into my room, still only clad in a towel.
"Hey Sydneeee…" Ellie walked in suddenly and turned, then froze and stared.
"Uhm…I should change." Austin said, taking a step back to my bathroom.
"No. You don't have to. Bye!" She yelped, then dashed to the door.
Austin turned and gave me a weird look.
She's gone already.
"I didn't even do anything." He stated.
"Ignore her. What is the surprise?" I smile.
He turned back to my dresser, then—
He pulls two baseballs.
OUT OF MY UNDERWEAR DRAWER.
"For you." He offered them to you.
I can feel myself blushing, but take them.
"I didn't know I put them in that drawer until later when I checked to make sure I knew where they were. I was aiming for like a sock drawer or something." He said shyly.
"It's ok. Can you check to see if the coast is clear?" I ask.
He poked his head out, and then gave me a thumbs up.
Don't think.
Do it.
I unbutton my jeans and slip them off.
I hear a squeak.
I glance up and see him staring at the floor.
"Hey." I say to him.
"Yeah?" he said shyly.
"You're allowed to look. I'm giving you permission." I say, digging around for some running shorts.
"I…ok."
I glance back up to see him looking ashamed for looking.
"What do you think?" I ask shyly.
"I love your legs. Long and gorgeous."
I grab shorts, but pull him to me and kiss him.
He slipped his hand around the small of my back, but I sneak them to the side of my legs.
He smiled into the kiss, and then squeezed my butt.
I can't stop my moan and say "No no…please no."
"Ok. Sorry."
"Not a bad thing. But…do you have any idea about Wednesday?" I whisper into his ear.
"We're a go."
I smile.
"I better get dressed." I say.
He nodded, and then walked back to my bathroom.
I slip my shorts on, and then ask "Are you decent?"
"Releatively." He joked.
"Pants?"
He laughed. "Yep."
I slip in, roll my eyes then walk into my closet and grab Corey's gifts.
"Now…I'm supposed to be in your brothers bathroom. So this never happened." Austin smiled to me as he threw his shirt on.
"Got it." I say, and then ruffle his hair.
"Ahem." I hear behind me.
Oh no.
I freeze, and Austin looked up and immediately blushed.
"Tell me one good reason why I shouldn't be mad or suspicious?" Mom said simply, tone even.
How much did she hear?
"Nothing happened?" I say, still not looking behind me.
"Why'd you come here?" Mom frowned at Austin.
"I liked her shower. I was going to be out before she got here. She's early."
"Ok. Don't do it again. You know the rules Sydney. Austin, we like you, but no locked doors or closed doors for more than 10 minutes."
"The door isn't closed!?" I protest.
"Don't fight me on this. Better me than your father up here. And don't scream next time. Alright?" She snapped at me.
"Yes ma'am." Austin said quickly.
"Yes mom." I say.
Mom then grabbed me and steered me out of my room.
I gesture frustration, and she frowned and whacked my forehead lightly.
"One word: NO." She hissed, looking mad. "Now go downstairs. Present time."
"What about Austin?"
"His present is downstairs. Where you're going." She said, and then pushed me ahead.
I blush and try to keep my head down as I walk into the living room and place Ellie and I's gifts next to Mom and Dad's.
"Where is he?" I ask dad, who is stirring something in the kitchen.
"Outside."
"Preemptive calorie burn." Uncle Beck said placidly on the couch.
The adults all laugh.
I walk to go get a drink when I hear Austin start to come downstairs.
When I come back, everybody is gathered around the couch, and Corey is picking a present.
I hand Austin a Raderade and he smiled.
"Do we know what she heard?" He hissed into my ear, pretending to hug me.
I shake my head as Corey picked a box I don't recognize.
I look up when Corey cheered, then tackled Aunt Tori and Uncle Andre.
"Thank you!" he beamed.
"What is it buddy?" Dad asked.
"A coupon reddemable for a new bat at some sporting goods store. Worth $200!"
"Wow." Mom looks surprised, as Corey hugged Aunt Tori.
In front of me, Austin took Olivia from beck, who had gotten up and walked over.
"Hey…" Austin smiled, then hugged her.
I hear Olivia make a happy sound and curl to him.
I smile at how happy they look.
"Uh oh…our present now…" Aunt Jade joked.
Matt laughed, and his dad rubbed his hair.
Corey literally jumped up, then tackled Uncle Beck.
He laughed and said "I think he likes it."
"YEAH I DO!"
"What is it?" Kevin asked.
"Fun pass to that new amusement park. One of these days we'll all go, but Corey's free." Aunt Jade said.
"Thank you!" Corey hugged them both.
"You're certainly welcome. Happy birthday." Uncle beck smiled.
"Us next!" Dad cheered, handing Corey two boxes.
One big, one small.
Corey goes straight for the big box.
Austin, Uncle Andre and dad all laugh.
…
"Hey! You tricked me!" Corey said.
It's a box full of packing material.
"Dig silly." Mom smiled.
He comes up with a—
Both Kevin and Matt make noises of outrage.
Both dad and Aunt Jade garb them.
"A pearPad?" Corey looked thrilled.
"For your books." Mom said.
No.
That's Ellie and I's gifts.
Actual, physical books.
DAMN IT!
Corey hugged both Mom and Dad, then went for the other, smaller box.
…
"Oh." He said, causing everyone to laugh.
"You need them sweetie. I know they suck." Dad said.
Corey shrugged, but hugged Mom and Dad again.
"Who now?" He asked.
"How about your sister and Ellie, then Austin." Mom smiled at Corey, then looked to Austin and smiled.
I slip in between Aunt Jade and Ellie and stand next to them.
"Okay…" Corey said, ripping the wrapping off Ellie's box.
"YAY!" he cheered, then dashing over and hugging Ellie.
Ellie smiled and hugged him back.
It's a big mystery novel.
Mom always says that he reads way above his grade level.
That's a high school book, and when we cleared our books with mom, she said they'd be fine.
I'm just a little mad that they got him a pearPad for eBooks, and let us go thru with our actual books.
By the time I look up, Corey's digging into my gift.
"SISSY!" He yelled ,then ran and tackled me.
I smile and hug him back.
He has a favorite series. And he's been waiting for the next edition for a year.
It comes out in a week.
I got it early.
Mom knew someone who got "her" a copy, and she gave it to me.
"How'd you get it?"
"Mom knew somebody at the publisher, and once I mentioned my idea, she got it for me and there it is." I smile.
He squeezed me, said "You're the best sissy!" then dashed off to hug mom again.
Mom held onto her hug for a beat, then let him go.
"And now…the big gift." Dad foreshadowed.
I look to Austin, who is keeping a blank face.
"What is it?" Corey asked dad.
"I'll get it." Austin said, then walked to the towel closet.
"I'm curious too, we don't know what it is." Uncle Beck said.
Everybody watched as Austin garbbed a long cyclinder and handed it to Corey.
Corey eyed it curiously, then dug in.
There's a pull off top?
Corey yanked it off, put it aside then tipped it over slowly, allowing a piece of wood to come out.
"What is it?" Kevin asked, right before Corey pulled it out of the tube.
It's…
A wooden bat?
…
Why isn't Corey moving?
Matt walked over, took a peek then hoarsely said "…Mike Trout?"
Kevin yelped "What?"
"He got him an autographed Mike Trout bat."
All the adults except for my parents turned to face Austin, clearly surprised.
"How…how'd you get this?" Corey asked quietly, peeking out to look at Austin.
"Well, I'm sure you know who Bryce Harper is."
"Yeah." He said.
"Best player alive." Kevin added.
"Well, what is my last name?" Austin asked.
…
Harper,
"Harper…"Corey said softly.
"You're not related to him…are you?" Uncle Beck asked.
"He's my uncle. That's why I'm so well known to baseball people. I've been on their radar since I was Kevin and Matt's age."
"How'd you get the autograph?" Matt asked.
"Well, I asked my uncle to see if Trout would sign a bat for a friend of mine's birthday." He winked at Corey. "Thankfully, he did it."
Corey has a huge smile, and walked over.
"Thank you…" He said, then hugged him.
"No problem man. Happy birthday."
"You should probably get that framed." Uncle Andre said.
"We can do that. Is that cool Corey?" dad asked him.
Corey nodded, then smiled at Olivia.
Kevin walked over. "Can I see it?"
Corey looked to Austin.
"Yeah, but don't mess with the signature and note. There's special stuff that you can peel off that protects it. Keep away from it until you frame it. Then you can take it off."
"Note?" Matt asked.
"What's it say?" Kevin asked.
Corey peered at it, and then said "Dear Corey, happy birthday. Thank you for supporting me. Your friend, Mike Trout."
I smile, and all the adults all look impressed.
"I have to say, nice gift Austin." Aunt Tori said.
"Thanks. I'm glad he likes it."
"Like it? I love it!" Corey smiled, then turned to dad.
"Now what?"
"Now we eat." He said.
"What are we having?" Ellie asked.
"Mexican food."
"Ooh!" Kevin and Matt both say.
"Ahp! Hands!" Mom hopped to her feet.
Austin laughed, and Mom turned to him too.
"You too. Now go on."
Austin smiled then handed Olivia to Corey and followed my brothers.
"What about me?" Corey asked.
"Sit. You're the birthday boy!" Aunt Jade smiled at him.
"Yay!" He cheered, then slipped into the big chair Dad usually sits in.
Dad peered at him ,then smiled.
"Fine. Just for tonight." He caved.
"Yes!" Corey smiled.