-Sang-

Friday morning I woke up feeling energized. After Mr. Blackbourne…Owen…left last night Kota, Nathan, and I went back to Nathan's house for dinner. They didn't ask what I talked about with Owen, I am sure they knew though. Nathan tried to keep us busy for the rest of the night. We had dinner, played a few rounds of racing on the Xbox, and then I fell asleep watching a movie. Kota had left at some point during the movie. I vaguely remember him saying goodbye, but I don't remember responding. I woke up this morning in bed, snuggled up to Nathan. It was surreal to think this is where I was. Not just being here next to Nathan, even though that was an 'oh my' moment on its own, but also thinking about who else was in my life now. I have nine people now that want to be a part of my life. Looking back at my life before I met the guys, it is hard to admit, but I thought my family wanted me in their life, and that they just didn't know how to show it. I almost convinced myself that no family truly wanted to be around each other every day all day. But then I met the guys and I saw how wrong I was about that.

I am going through all of these emotions when it hits me. Today is Friday. Tonight is my date with Victor. Tonight! Victor! How am I going to make it through the whole day waiting for tonight? I rolled towards the side of the bed eliciting a grunt from Nathan.

"The alarm hasn't gone off yet Peanut. Come back." I giggled but continued to roll off the bed.

"I can't now. I am awake. I am going to make us some breakfast." I saw Nathan lift his head. His hair was rumpled from sleep and I almost wanted to crawl back into bed and snuggle more.

"You didn't say anything about breakfast at first. I'll get ready and meet you in the kitchen." Of course food would get him up and ready for the day.

I sat with Kota and Nathan in the courtyard waiting for the rest of the guys to come. Finally I saw Gabe's head bouncing up and down in the crowd. "Trouble!" He shouted it before he was close enough for me to even see his face.

"Trouble!" He repeated it when he was much closer. He was out of breath, probably from the bouncing up and down, which he was still doing on the balls of his feet. "We need to pick out what you are wearing tonight! I can't believe this has come up so quickly. I wanted to get you out shopping earlier this week, but I ran out of time."

"Probably because you were messing around with your puzzle and clues." North, Luke, Silas, and Victor came up behind Gabe. I was afraid Gabe would get mad at North's comment, but when I looked between the two of them, North was smirking and Gabe was grinning ear to ear.

"You are just fucking jealous because I out romanced you, as promised." Gabe glanced at Victor, then pulled me a little away from the group. His voice was just above a whisper now. "How about we go to the mall after school? I think I know what I want to get you so it should be quick. Vic isn't picking you up until 7, so we have lots of time. We can also pick out some stuff for this weekend. I need to get you a fucking cute ass golf outfit for tomorrow."

"Do I really need new clothes for all of this Meanie? I am sure I have something I can wear tonight." What do you even wear to a Jazz Club? Maybe I did need Meanie.

"I am just going to pretend like you didn't say that, okay?" He nodded his head for me and turned us back towards the group.

Victor came to stand next to me. "I am really excited for tonight Princess. I will pick you up at 7 okay?"

"Okay!" I practically shouted it, it even scared me. Where did that come from? Victor's eyes sparked for a moment then settled back down to their regular simmer. He leaned closer to me so only I could hear what he said "I am a little nervous too, but in a I can't believe how lucky I am and I want tonight to be perfect kind of way. Don't worry though, we are in it together, always." I smiled at him and whispered back "Thank you Victor. I am nervous, but I can't wait." Before we could continue our conversation the bell for first period rang and North was practically dragging me into the building.

I didn't have a chance to think about tonight again. Mr. Hendrix called me into his office during second period, just to "check in". When I told him I didn't have any news, he sent me back. Mr. Blackbourne is teaching me to play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star on my violin. I feel a little silly learning this song, but Mr. Blackbourne (which he reminded me I needed to call him at school), said it was a good beginner song and we could work up from there.

Dr. Sean didn't give me a chance to talk to Victor in class at all, which I think annoyed Victor.

Gabe practically rushed me out of the school after Gym. When we got to the parking lot, I saw Victor leaning against his car. I looked at Gabe "is Victor going with us?" I am not sure, but it seems weird to have Victor with us when we pick out my date outfit.

"No. We have to drop him off somewhere and then we will go to the mall."

Victor drove us into the city and pulled over to the curb in front of a short, dull looking building. There wasn't a sign anywhere on the outside of the building, and all the windows were tinted too dark for me to see in. He hopped out of the driver's seat and Gabe got out of the back seat. While Gabe was settling into the driver's seat Victor came over to my side of the car. I rolled down the window for him.

"Have fun with Gabe Princess. I'll see you tonight." With that he jogged over to the building. He looked to either side before opening the door and walking in.

"Where are we Meanie?"

"Charleston Trouble."

"Very funny, Meanie. I meant what is that building?"

"Would you believe me if I said it was his dentist's office?"

"No." Was he serious?

"Didn't think so. Then my next answer is, stop asking questions Trouble. Let's go shopping!"

Gabe wasn't lying when he said he knew what he wanted to get me. He practically raced to the dress section of Macys and started wandering around the racks like he was looking for something specific. He stopped mid step and pointed. I followed his finger to a sleeveless black cotton dress with high neckline. It looked fitted on top and then moved to a full skirt that looked like it would hit just above my knees. There was a thick blue, black, and silver beaded belt around the waist.

"It's pretty Meanie."

"It's going to look amazing on you. Let's try it on to be sure though, and then we can find accessories."

He was right, of course. The dress made me feel confident and pretty. We found simple, light blue heels to match the blue in the belt and matching earrings and a necklace.

"Alright Trouble, now that tonight it taken care of, let's look for the rest of the weekend. You will need golf attire for tomorrow, and I don't think you have any hiking appropriate clothes for Sunday with Nathan. I saw a cute dress back there for your class with Luke Sunday night. Am I forgetting anything?"

"Weren't we going to do our date this weekend?" Gabe's eyes softened and he smiled when he looked at me.

"Of course we fucking are. Did you think I would forget that? I am counting down the days Trouble. Do you want me to pick out your outfit for our date?"

"Is that weird? I can pick something out on my own. I just have never had to pick out date clothes before, what if I pick out the wrong thing?"

Gabe threw his head back in a laugh. "You are fucking adorable Trouble. I won't lie, sometimes your outfit choices are…questionable…but we won't be going anywhere, so what's the worst that can happen?"

"You send me back to change?" I did have trouble picking out my clothes without Gabe's input.

"Right! But if we are picking out new clothes for your other dates, it's only fair that you get something new for our date. How about you pick something out and I will just stand back and watch?" I didn't move at first. He wanted me to pick something out and he wouldn't give any input? Okay, I would just try to find something similar to what I had in my closet. I started walking around the store, looking for the more casual clothes. I stopped in front of a display of jeans. I didn't know if I have jeans, but it was getting cooler out. I wouldn't mind a pair. I looked back at Gabe, his eyes had narrowed quickly before he put his hands behind his back and started looking around, as if pretending he was not watching me. I took that to mean I really could pick whatever I wanted. I started to grab for a pair of jeans with a cute stitching on the back pockets, when I realized that I am not sure what size I wear. Gabe would always just hand me my clothes, I never paid attention. I looked back to Gabe, he seemed to understand and stepped forward. He started shifting the jeans around until he found a pair he seemed satisfied with and handed them to me. He stepped back and put his hands behind his back again. Okay, now I just need a shirt.

This was hard. It was nerve wracking trying to find something Gabe would approve of, while he was standing right behind me no less. I finally found a white long sleeve cotton shirt that had a pink and orange swirl design on the side that ran over a little on to the front and back. It looked like it was made just for Gabe and me…the pink for me, the orange for Gabe. I started to grab for it, realizing again that I didn't know what size, and looked back to Gabe. His head was tilted, looking at the shirt.

"Is that the shirt you want Trouble?"

I felt uncertain answering. "I thought it looked cute and comfortable, there is orange it in for you, and pink for me, but maybe…" He cut me off with a wave of his hands. "If it's what you want Trouble, I said you could pick out the outfit, and I meant it. It is just more…uh…casual than I thought you would pick."

"I like wearing what you pick out for me, but this just looks comfortable, and I thought that might be good if we will be playing around with your scent stuff." He seemed to consider this and then nodded his head.

"You're right, you will probably be more comfortable in this." He grabbed a shirt off the rack and added it to his arm load of clothes. He apparently had been grabbing things off the racks while I was looking around. He saw me looking at all the clothes.

"I think I have everything we need. Time to go home and get you ready for your date."

"How do you do it Meanie?" He stopped and looked at me, confused about my question. "I mean, how are you so understanding about all of this. I talked to Nathan, and he seems confused on how some of you are so understanding while he is having a hard time with it." I don't know if Nathan will be mad that I mentioned it to Gabe, but maybe Gabe could help him.

Gabe inhaled deeply before answering. "I told you before Trouble, I want this to work, need it to work. At first it seemed crazy, but then I thought about it. I don't have to worry about trying to steal you away from one of the other guys, or fighting over your attention. I just have to worry about you and me, because even if you will go out on a date with Nathan, or Victor, or one of the others, you can text me or call me when you get home and I know I will have a date with you of my own to look forward to. And the way I see it, we all have to work as a team to make this a reality. We have to support each other, even if that means me picking out your clothes for a date with Victor or distracting Nathan so he doesn't follow you to the Jazz Club. I think some of the other guys are starting to realize that, even North. Nathan will too, he just needs some more time." He took my hand and started walking with me towards the check out. I hoped he was right.