Heres another chapter of this story. It took WS and I a minute to get this up, we both have been distracted. Then adele came out and the last half was her fault, it will also be the soundtrack for the upcoming devastation i have planned elsewhere. Anyways, read this and leave reviews, then when you're done go buy book Redemptio Animae on amazon, then save your money for WS's book that should be out next year. BOOKS ARE FUN!

I got home a little after eight and I was on cloud nine, actually it was cloud ten. I had shown Lauren the place where I liked to go hide out at and we spent forever talking to each other before we went back to Tamsin's. She introduced us to her dad who was thankful that Lauren was helping his daughter pass high school on top of being a good influence for his daughter. He insisted on us staying for dinner as a way to thank Lauren for helping turn Tamsin into a respectable student.

I had just closed the front door when my mom came walking out of the living room. I had been stuck on my high from my awesome day with Lauren that I had forgotten to check to see if my parents were home. I took a deep breath then said, "Hey mom."

My mom didn't have a happy look on her face. "What part of being grounded did you not understand when we spoke on the phone last night?'

I kept the smartass remark to myself and said, "I know but I had to take care of something and I completely lost track of time."

"Your keys Bo." She said as she held out her hand. I was reluctant to give them to her but then she said, "Now."

I let out a frustrated breath then asked, "How am I supposed to get to school?"

My mom gave me a pointed look and said, "I'm certain you have friends who are willing to give you a ride to school. Or you can take the bus."

I scoffed. I had no idea when the bus ran and her suggesting that was just stupid. And friends? Psh. I had two friends. Well one friend and a possible girlfriend. That last one was a bit unclear, Lauren and I hadn't talked about that. We had spent the day talking about everything else like school, her interests, and everything else but we hadn't placed a label on anything. Although if we did do something of that nature then Lauren would probably laugh at the sheer absurdity of it, even though I had spent a majority of the day opening up to her and letting her know how serious I was about us.

"Bo."

I shook my head and said, "What mom?"

"I asked you where you were. Also you have another week of being grounded." My mom told me as she walked into the living room.

I ran my hand through my hair as I followed her into the living room then sat next to her on the couch. "I was um-I-" Blew out an frustrated breath. My mom and I have had a pretty decent relationship compared to my dad and I but telling her about Lauren it just seemed like I would be telling her too much. But despite me not staying home today I usually told her the truth. I took a deep breath then took the plunge. "I was hanging out with Lauren and Tamsin today. Well mostly Lauren today because Tamsin's dad got home early and he was not happy about her grades." My nerves took over and I started to ramble, "And I mean if you had seen her grades you could understand why he was upset. I'm surprised Lauren was able to turn her grades around like she had but that girl is a miracle worker." I got a small smile on my face. "Lauren is pretty amazing all around. I mean she has all the colleges coming for her and she has all these aspirations to do the same work as her mom does but at the same time she wants to do something different because she thinks the work her mom does is really-" I stopped talking when my mom placed her hand on my forearm.

She studied me for a moment which made me super uncomfortable then she asked as delicately as possible, "Are you and um…" She trailed off then there was an awkward moment of silence that was between. I realized what she was going to ask and I felt like deer caught in headlights. I knew I had only a few seconds left to decide if I wanted to be completely honest with her or lie and tell her that Lauren I were becoming close friends. I hadn't even thought through what I was going to say when she asked, "Are you and Lauren involved?" She had asked it all in one breath which meant she didn't want to venture to this discussion either. Then my mom had her own case of verbal diarrhea. "And it is perfectly fine if you are involved with her. I am a progressive woman who is very open-minded. I mean your cousin Mike is gay and I love him like he was my own son. So if you are you know, gay, or would you be a lesbian? Either way it doesn't matter I would still love you no matter who you love. Though your father may have a hard time with it. He was so upset to hear about you and Dyson. I let him know that I wasn't going to let my daughter be involved with someone who took pleasure in destroying the property of others-"

"Mom!" I shouted to get her to stop talking. It was nice to see where I got my verbal diarrhea from. I bit my bottom lip and thought about everything she said. I took a deep breath then said, "I don't think I'm a lesbian or whatever. I think I'm more bisexual than anything."

"So you're confused?"

I rolled my eyes in irritation and then let out an exasperated sigh. "No I'm not confused. I've just noticed that I look at both boys and girls the same way. No confusion." I decided to move the conversation back to the reason why we were having this discussion in the first place. "And Lauren and I are not involved but I think we might be. I don't know it's weird."

My mom gave me a small smile. "Do you want to become involved with this girl Bo?"

I rested my head back against the couch and as I looked up at the ceiling I smiled. "More than anything. She is perfect. She's got all these little unique things about her that make me smile. I used to think she was weird but when she started tutoring me I realized what made her weird actually made her unique and a far better person than anyone else at that school." I let out a breath then said, "Then Dyson was a jerk towards her and like that changed everything. I wanted to protect her and make sure that she was happy. Then it sorta went downhill from there."

I rolled my head to where I looked at my mom and she had a smile on her face. Great. Of course my mom was all for this budding romance stuff. It annoying the hell out of me. She asked, "And does Lauren like you?"

I laughed. I hadn't meant to but I'm pretty certain Lauren more than liked me and I'm pretty certain I was right there in the boat with her. I got that weird indigestion feeling. I ignored it and said, "Yeah she does. We talked today and like I haven't felt this way before mom. It's so weird and scary all at once. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to vomit other times I sorta want to make out with her for a long time. And she is really great-" I stopped when I realized where I was headed. My face started to heat up with embarrassment.

My mom started to laugh and I'm pretty certain my face was turning that same shade of red Lauren's face turned to when she had to talk to me. She took hold of my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze and said, "Thank you for stopping dear because we may have a close relationship but that's one thing you can keep to yourself." She smiled at me. "So are you two official or no?"

I turned to face my mom fully. She had let me go this far so I might as well keep talking to her especially since she was okay with everything. "No we aren't. She is painfully shy and reserved. Tamsin is trying to get her to open up more and we talked today and hung out but we never talked about it. But if we do I'm afraid she'll be too scared to say yes then what will I do? Besides pine over the one girl who has turned me into an idiot with verbal diarrhea."

My mom chuckled then said, "Well that is an option or you can continue to prove to her that you won't go anywhere and that you are just crazy about her as she is you." My mom snapped her fingers together then grinned. "I have an idea." As soon as she said that I knew this was going to be the beginning of a terrible one. "Why don't you invite her over for dinner say Friday night so your father and I can meet her then we can go out and leave the two of you alone so you can get things sorted out with her."

That wasn't as completely terrible as I thought it would be. The dinner part of the night would be. Lauren would no doubt be terrified to be at my house let alone the same room with my parents. But after we talked and figured everything out then we could spend the rest of the night making out. I got a smile on my face as I began to think about Lauren's lips on mine. My lips started to tingle as I remembered our kiss earlier.

"So I'm guessing by that smile on your face that's a good idea?"

I focused on the conversation and said, "Yes that is an awesome idea." I leaned over and gave my mom a quick hug. "Thanks mom and thanks for being so cool about this."

She gave me a quick squeeze then she let me go as she said, "Well you're growing up Bo and you're going to make some decisions that I won't like but this one is probably on the lowest level of things that could upset me."

I smiled and said, "Thanks mom."

She smiled back at me and said, "But you're still grounded because you left the house today."

I let out a groan but it was a half hearted one because she had agreed to let Lauren come over for dinner on Friday. I was excited, nervous, and that weird indigestion feeling was happening again. I hoped that I would be able to invite Lauren over for dinner.

XXXXXX

The next Day –

Not only was my entire life now weird, so was school.

When I walked into the building and headed right to Mr. Aberdeen's room, I noticed that the entire student body was looking at me with genuine smiles and finally finding all of their manners as they stepped out of the way for me to walk freely down the hall. I was left alone for the entire day, never once did I have to run, apologize for bumping into people and lastly, there was not a sight of Dyson and his douche crew. It made me smile and feel better about the day, helping to untangle the ball of things hovering in my stomach about what had happened yesterday.

Bo and I kissing, Bo showing me her spot and actually talking to me, sharing so much about herself that I began to see past the cheerleader and actually saw Bo. The beautiful, young, innocent girl who wanted nothing but to find her place in the world. That same girl really liked me and I finally accepted it was true when she kissed me goodnight in her Camaro outside of my house. It was a quick one, but it invigorated much of my body in ways that scared me and excited me. Also giving me a thousand other things to worry about in regards to things I had no idea how to do.

For a half second I was scared the peaceful school around me was another prank and so desperately wished Tamsin had woken up early enough to come to school with me as a shadow. Instead she hung up on me with a yawn growl, mumbling that if I needed help, to go find Wayne. The end of the day had come and I was unharmed and super eager to get to the tutoring session so I could see Bo. Before I could do any of that, Mr. Aberdeen requested I see him as soon as the day ended.

I dipped my head down and tightened the grip on my bag and rounded the last corner to pop into Mr. Aberdeen's room. He stood up, grinning at my arrival, "Ah! Lauren there you are. I have some great news for you!" He removed a thick envelope from his desk drawer and handed it to me.

Pushing my glasses up, I stared at him blankly, "What is it? A detention slip for missing school yesterday?"

The older man laughed, "Oh no, we all know you're only coming to school to help others and to be very frank, it's good to see you living it up." Mr. Aberdeen pointed at the envelope, "That is from Stanford University. Came to Mr. Carp's office yesterday morning, he gave it to me to pass on to you."

I felt my eyes widen as I saw the university logo up in the far corner, "I just sent applications off last week?" I glanced at the teacher, "How?"

Mr. Aberdeen shrugged, "Open it and find out."

I nodded, wiping sweaty palms on my new jeans and tore open the corner to remove the thin stack of papers stuck inside. When I unfolded it, I began to unconsciously read aloud, "Dear Ms. Lewis, it is this administrative offices pleasure to offer you a full collegiate scholarship to Stanford University in whatever degree program you desire." I felt my brain light up as I grinned, quickly reading the rest before looking up at Mr. Aberdeen, "They accepted me! I start next May on early entrance to the summer semester." I started hopping in place, so excited that I had gotten into my number one college pick.

Mr. Aberdeen patted me on the back, grinning with me, "We all knew you would, we are very proud of you." He motioned to the letter still in my hand, "Have you decided what degree or degrees you might seek out?"

I shrugged, "I was thinking biochemistry, or forensic science, or computer technology, or nuclear biology, and then my dad suggested I should get a law degree since I am so in love with the FBI right now, but that's only because of my favorite TV show." I paused realizing I was rambling, "Sorry, I'm just really excited."

Mr. Aberdeen shook his head still laughing, "It's no bother, my dear girl. You will figure it out or just graduate with ten different degrees." He glanced at the clock, "You should go, your tutoring starts in fifteen minutes and I know how much you like to prepare before the students arrive."

I nodded, tucking the letter back into it's envelope as I turned to walk out the room, "I do, thank you Mr. Aberdeen, I will see you tomorrow and maybe you and Ms. Watson can help me look over the degree programs." I half waved at him and as I hit the corner, I jogged to the tutoring classroom.

I was so excited that I shoved the door open and threw my bag on the desk before doing a tiny victory dance.

"Not only are you a good kisser, but it looks like you have some moves, Lauren." Bo's soft voice startled me into supreme embarrassment.

She was sitting on top of the first desk in the room and in my excitement I didn't see her. I looked down, my face turning a deep beet red color, and picked at the glow in the dark ink on the shooting star on the front of my shirt. "Bo, I didn't see you there." I pushed my glasses up, smiling at her and feeling that weird gurgling, bubbling, swishing thing my stomach did whenever I looked at Bo. My eyes went straight to her lips curled up in a smirk. "I didn't get a chance to say Hi today."

Bo nodded, sliding off the desktop, "That's because I actually went to all of my classes on time and spent extra time in the library trying to get ready for the ACT's." She moved closer to me, holding out her hand for me to take, "Seems that all of my classes are on the other side of the school and nowhere near you."

I sighed, taking her hand as the super dopey grin covered my face, "I can fix that. I mean since I really don't have any classes I have to go to." I met her eyes, she was moving closer to me and my heart began to race.

Bo nodded, leaning forward whispering, "You should start walking me to my classes, reinforce to the entire school that you're my gir….um, friend." She tilted her head down, dropping a hand to my waist before looking back up in my eyes, "I've been dying to see you all day and to do this." She leaned forward and kissed me gently. Making me melt like an ice cream in a pit of lava at the way it felt when we kissed. I moved my hands to settle on her sides, feeling how warm she was through her purple cheerleading sweater. I barely noticed that she was wearing her uniform and probably came from practice, I was too focused on her and how her eyes were the color of expensive chocolate. I broke the kiss, again, when I felt Bo's tongue sneak it's way across my bottom lip. Still so not at all ready for what that would entail.

I cleared my throat, shoving my stupid glasses up my face, "Shouldn't you be at practice?"

Bo shook her head, reaching up to brush back a few loose pieces of hair that fell free from my ponytail, "I ditched. Practice is boring since we've been doing the same lame routine for all the fall games. I left Katie in charge and came here, using my suspension and my mom grounding me for a week as a reason to get here early." She grinned, "And I really really wanted to see you, I missed you." I felt my heart skip and then stop, forget two days, I was minutes away from falling beyond hopeless for Bo. The way her eyes lit up when she said the sweetest things, made me want to skip and ride that rainbow unicorn Tamsin keeps talking about shitting rainbows all over me.

I rolled my eyes playfully, leaning into her touch like she had magnets in her hand, "Well I'm glad I could provide you with an excuse." I stepped back, a strange look on my face, "Wait, you're grounded?"

Bo nodded, taking a step back to give me more room to grab my bag, "Yea, mom was pretty ticked that I skipped out on my punishment to spend time with you. So, grounded for a week with no car. I had to have my dad drop me off and then I bribed Tamsin with two bags of cheeto poofs to pick us both up after tutoring."

I frowned, digging in my bag for tonight's notes, "Bo, I feel terrible. You getting suspended and now grounded because of me." I shook my head, "Maybe I can talk to your mom like I did Tamsin's dad." I gripped the Stanford envelope, my face splitting into a huge grin, "Oh, I have something I want to tell you."

Bo smiled, "Really, cause I have something to ask you."

I raised my eyebrows, "You go first?" I clutched the envelope, suddenly nervous about telling Bo. We were barely friends for a week, now we were friends who kissed, neither left room for us to discuss college plans. I didn't even know what Bo wanted to be when she finally grew up, I just knew she didn't want to follow her in her parents footsteps and be interior designers.

Bo leaned against a desk, folding her arms her face dropping, "So, I um…" She shrugged as she looked at me with nervous eyes, "So, my mom asked if you and I were, uh….friends who really liked each other. I told her yes, that you and I were doing something about the way we felt but we still hadn't figured it out because I am so totally always getting you in trouble and then I get in trouble and none of us are ever going to graduate with all the suspensions." Bo huffed out a heavy sigh, "Anyways, mom wants me to invite you to dinner this Friday night. My dad and her want to meet you and see what all the hub bub in my life is all about."

I blinked maybe once during Bo's explosive verbal vomit, only catching a few key words that had my stomach seizing up and then wanting to explode it's little contents into the metal trash can next to me. The biggest sentence that rang in my ears like a bullhorn was meet Bo's parents.

Fudge.

I stumbled a step back as my nerves went into overdrive along with my nervous shrugging, "Your mom and dad want to meet me? Why? I mean I'm just a tutor, your tutor and your friend who you kiss." I cringed at the last part, squeezing my eyes shut, "That's not what I meant." I sighed, looking at the scared look on Bo's face and how it made me sad whenever I saw that look. "Friday night?"

Bo nodded, biting her bottom lip like she always did when she was super nervous, "Friday night at like six. It'll be okay, they're really cool and my mom is super open minded about the world and my dad, when I told him, he didn't care. Just cared I was happy and that he wouldn't have to worry about me getting pregnant…." Bo paused her eyes growing to the size of dinner plates as I half choked on my spit, "Oh my god, Lauren, I mean it's….and…." she blew out a slow breath, "Fuck, this is all going to shit."

I set down the Stanford envelope, calling upon Tamsin's spirit and what she would say in this moment. After frowning deeper at the strange curse word filled things she probably would have said, I gathered my courage and swallowed down the need to endless throw up until my brain and my body could stop focusing on key points of this conversation. Sexual contact being the one running rampant and embarrassing the fudge out myself when I started thinking about Bo's boobs. "Okay, I can do Friday night."

Bo opened her mouth to say something, probably expecting a rejection. When it wasn't a rejection, she grinned and rushed me, scooping me up in a crushing hug, "This is awesome. It'll be awesome, and afterwards we can watch movies and hang out."

I nodded, placing my very sweat and shaky hands on her back, "Yup, awesome." I swallowed a few times, praying to all that was listening that I wouldn't throw up.

Bo giggled then suddenly pulled back, reaching for the Stanford envelope, "Is this what I think it is?"

I nodded, jamming my still sweaty hands in my back pocket, "Mr. Aberdeen gave it to me. It's my acceptance letter." I watched Bo open it up and read the same letter I just had, her face glowing and then slowly falling when she reached the line where it stated my start date along with when I needed to be situated in the dorms.

She slowly folded the letter up, "You'll be leaving two days after graduation?"

I shrugged nodded, "I don't know, I have to talk to my parents and work out details." I moved closer to Bo, "I know I have a ton of options, I can start in the fall or the late summer semester." I saw the look on her face and it broke my heart. Yes we had only started whatever this storm of emotions we were living in a few days ago, but I knew a part of me wanted Bo forever and I had to make her see it.

Bo smiled, setting the envelope down, "It's cool. I mean it's totally months away." She grabbed my upper arms, running her hands down them, "But it does give me motivation to start working on those college applications instead of using them as bookmarks." She met my eyes, "I'm happy for you Lauren, this is amazing." Her tone was semi-serious in an attempt to hide sadness that I was going to moving across the country in a handful of months for college.

I shrugged, pushing my glasses up for the millionth time, "Thank you." I stared in her eyes, my heart doing that weird wiggly thing, telling me that screw the time frame I had forgotten it all and fallen in love with Bo.

The door opened and people started filing in, forcing Bo and I both to take huge steps away from each other as they greeted us and patted my shoulder.

Bo went and found her seat, looking up at me as she pulled out her notebook and textbooks, grinning at me so much that her big brown eyes could up light up the room and I had realized over the last they only did that when she was looking at me.

Fudge.

I had gone and fudging fell in some sort of convoluted teenage love with Bo Dennis.

And it fudging made me feel alive.

Now if I could find that strength not to puke all over her parents when I met them.

xXxXxX

Nothing about this night was okay. My hair sucked. My clothes sucked. Pretty certain dinner was going to suck. But what sucked the most was that Lauren was going to Stanford in a few months. I could barely get Stanford grades. Hell, I could barely get into RISD but my dad knew the dean of admissions so that's how I was getting into that school if I wanted to go. I took deep breath then let it out. I wasn't going to think about that. I was going to think about dinner tonight and the fact that it was with both Lauren and my parents. I looked at the clock. Crap. She was going to be here in a half an hour and I was still figuring out what to wear. Letting out an exaggerated and frustrated breath I began to rifle through my closet.

Ten minutes later and wearing a tight pair of jeans with a blue long-sleeved shirt that was tighter than the jeans and had a tendency to ride up, I walked downstairs to the kitchen. Dinner smelled delicious. Mom was making her rarely made pot roast and homemade rolls. Best thing about having Lauren over was that mom had left work early to come home to cook. She was excited to meet the girl who had done so much for me.

My mom was working on the mashed potatoes when she glanced at me over her shoulder real quick. She turned around and said, "No Bo. You're having a meal with your parents and future girlfriend. I don't think cleavage and exposed midriff is acceptable dinner dress."

I rolled my eyes and I walked over to the stove and plucked a carrot out off the roasting pan then popped it into my mouth. I chewed it up then said, "I have nothing to wear mom. Everything is terrible. This is the most appropriate thing I have to wear."

My mom shook her head then turned back around to finish the mashed potatoes. "You're only saying that because you're nervous." She smiled at me over her shoulder. "I remember when I met your father's parents for the first time." She chuckled then said, "I had completely destroyed my room by going through all my clothes then I thought I was going to throw up because I thought they were sure to hate me since I was definitely was a bit of a wild child." My mom paused for a second then continued, "But they loved me. Granted your grandmother was certain he was going to dump me for the woman that she had set him up with the week prior but I won that one." She turned to look at me. "So Bo this is just one thing and it doesn't really matter especially if you're really into her."

I thought about it. My mom was right because if everything went well with me and Lauren then this would be insignificant. I got another carrot out of the pan and ate it. As I chewed it up I said, "You're right." Then I had a thought. "Dad better not embarrass me."

My mom got a hesitant look on her face then she smiled. "I don't think he will do that to you Bo. I have told him to be on his best behavior." She looked at the clock on the stove. "Though he is late. Can you call his office to find out if he left yet?"

I nodded and I was walking over to the phone that was hanging on the wall and called my dad's office. It rang a few times then it went to his answering service. I hung up and said, "He didn't pick up so maybe he's on his way home. Did you need me to do anything?"

My mom shook her head no. "Nope. I set the table while the roast was cooking. I just have a few things to do then we'll be all set."

I told her okay then went into the living room and turned on the TV. I clicked through the channels a few time before I landed on a rerun of the Wonder Years. I didn't watch any of it, I was too nervous. The reassurance my mom had given me had faded and as time dragged on I was ready to cancel this whole thing. Pretend that I had a stomach bug or something. I think we had some ipecac in the bathroom somewhere but then doorbell rang. Now I was going to throw up. I stayed on the couch and hoped that my mom would answer it but when it rang again she shouted, "Bo answer the door please. I'm making the gravy."

I let out a groan then I took a deep breath then got off the couch. I took my time walking to the door and I could see Lauren's shadow through the window next to the front door. It was inevitable that I was going to throw up on myself between my nerves and excitement. I reached out and grabbed hold of the doorknob and took a deep breath. Jesus I was mess. I rolled my eyes then opened the door. Even though I was nervous Lauren looked like a timid deer ready to bolt into the woods. That alone made me smile and I said, "Hey."

Lauren got a shy smile on her face. "Hey."

I chuckled as I looked at her outfit she was wearing a black button up that was a size too big on her and the sleeves were rolled up at the end. Other than that Lauren pretty much looked like herself without the sci-fi shirt. I walked out of the house and closed the door behind me then I reached out for her hand and said, "You don't have to be nervous. My mom's going to like and my dad will probably pick your brain for a million facts that he's not going to retain. They're going to like you Lauren."

She started to pick at one of the buttons on her shirt as she mumbled, "I don't know Bo, I mean this is a huge deal. I mean it's your parents."

"Why is it a huge deal Lauren?" I asked hoping maybe if she put the label on what we were instead of me then it would have been on her terms and I wouldn't feel like I'm rushing things with her.

Lauren shrugged and said, "It's your parents Bo and they're like people I'm suppose to impress or something."

I couldn't help but to laugh. Lauren was worried about impressing my parents which was ridiculous because they would be impressed with her even if I didn't have really strong feelings for her. I took hold of the hand that was fiddling with the button on her shirt then brought it up to my lips for a quick kiss. Lauren looked up at me through her lashes and I noticed her cheeks started to get red. I smirked at her before I let go of her hand. I moved closer to her and placed my hands on her waist as I said, "You don't have anything to worry about. My parents are going to fall in love with you will probably want to disown me." I smiled then let out a soft hum. "I don't think I like that competition. I'll have to tell them you're corrupting me."

Lauren's head snapped up and she began to ramble. "I didn't mean for you to get suspended Bo. I didn't mean for Tamsin to get in trouble either. I-"

I pressed my lips against hers. That was the only thing I could think of to get her to stop, and for a second it worked. I felt Lauren start to kiss me back but then she pulled back. "What about your parents?"

I grinned and held Lauren tightly against me as I said, "My mom's too busy cooking and my dad's not home yet. So we have a few minutes where I can show you that I'm the one probably doing all the corrupting." Lauren bit her bottom lip and she had a thoughtful look on her face then her eyes dropped down to my lips. She stared at them for a moment then the next thing I knew she was kissing me. It took a second for me to get over the shock that Lauren had initiated the kiss but then I melted into it. Lauren's ever soft lips moving against mine caused me to let out a soft moan that I couldn't stop. This girl had a major effect on me and I couldn't stop it.

I slid my tongue across her top lip hoping Lauren would let the kiss go further but we were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. I broke away from her and I turned around to see my dad standing in the doorway with a huge grin on his face. I felt my face heat up with embarrassment and I hoped when the ground swallowed me and Lauren up that we both ended up in the same place. My dad walked out and stuck out his hand, "Hi there I'm Phil Dennis. Bo's dad."

Lauren stuck out her hand and she cleared her throat then said, "Lauren Lewis. I um-I-"

"She's my friend dad." I said so I could save Lauren and she wouldn't have to fumble over what we were to each other.

He looked at me then glanced at Lauren before he looked at me with a skeptical look on his face. "You kiss all your friends Bo?"

I covered my face with my hands and groaned. "Oh my god dad."

He let out a deep laugh and I wanted to run but I couldn't leave Lauren to defend herself. However, Lauren didn't need defending. "If it's okay with you Mr. Dennis would like it Bo was my girlfriend."

I turned my head to look at Lauren with a shocked look on my face. She had just asked my dad for permission to date me. I was a mixture of emotions. Happy because she wanted to go to that level with me, of all people. Confused because why did she have to ask my dad for permission to date me? But I was also smitten because it was such a Lauren thing to do. It was old school and so cute.

Surprised, my dad scratched back of his head and said, "Uhh…let's see how dinner goes then we can discuss it."

The whole thing got even more bizarre when Lauren smiled and said, "Fair enough sir."

My dad moved out of the way and said, "Let's go in and have dinner." I let Lauren go first and before I walked into the house my dad took hold of my arm and I looked at him with a confused look on my face. "What dad?"

He chuckled and asked, "So that's her huh?"

"Yes that's her." I answered.

His face scrunched a little then he said, "Bit of a pipsqueak isn't she?"

I rolled my eyes and countered, "Well that pipsqueak is smarter than the both of us."

We started to go in the house and he chuckled. "I'm certain she is. She seems like a nice girl though."

I shook my head and the two of us walked into the foyer where Lauren was waiting for us. I took hold of her hand then the three of us walked into the dining room. My mom was already in there waiting for us and she smiled, "Finally I was wondering if I was going to have to come get you three."

My dad walked over to his usual seat and remarked, "Well if you hadn't told me to gone out there I'm certain Bo would have had the poor girl pinned against the side of the house."

"Dad." I exclaimed. This night was going end with me dying from embarrassment.

He laughed and then said, "I'm just telling your mother the truth."

I shook my head then introduced Lauren to my mom. "Lauren this is my mom Colleen."

Lauren shook my mom's hand and my mom said, "It is finally nice to meet you Lauren. Bo has told us so much about you and I would personally like to thank you for helping her get her act together. We were so worried that she wasn't going to be able to get into college."

Lauren sat down at the table and said, "Oh you have nothing to worry about Mrs. Dennis. Bo is a superb student who just needs things explained to her differently."

"See Bo I told you, you were smart." I rolled my eyes and my mom continued talking to Lauren. "Lauren I hear you are somewhat of a genius. Have you had any thoughts of what you do when you finish school in a year or two?"

Lauren cleared her throat and said, "I'm actually graduating with Bo's class and I'm going to Stanford."

My dad let out a low whistle and said, "That's a top-notch school. Congratulations."

I scowled because this wasn't a topic that I wanted to have so I said, "Lauren's a big fan of science fiction movies."

That caught my mom's attention because she was a big fan of them even though she never has the time to watch them. The conversation shifted as we all ate dinner. College was never brought up again and it wasn't until the end of dessert did my dad broached the subject of Lauren's question.

"Hey Col do you know what Lauren asked me when I interrupted their suck face session?" My dad said as he leaned back in his chair.

I closed my eyes and groaned to myself. Then I glanced at Lauren and even though she looked a little nervous, her back was straight and she was ready to approach the subject head on. My mom took a sip of the coffee that was sitting in front of her and said, "Phil, can you show a little civility please and not use phrases like 'suck face'? Thank you?" She rolled her eyes in irritation then looked at Lauren, "What did you ask him?"

Lauren took a drink of her water and I took hold of her hand under the table. She looked at me with a small smile on her face then she looked back at my mom. "I asked if it was okay if Bo was my girlfriend. If it's okay with her parents."

My mom chuckled then set down her cup of coffee. She rested her elbows on the table then she folded her hands together before resting her chin on them. She smiled at Lauren then said, "Thank you." She chuckled again. "Though it's a little dated to ask a girl's parents to go out with her."

This was awkward but apparently Lauren had a mission or something. I just found it adorable. "I know it is but it's respectful. I would like to think that Bo would do the same just to make sure my parents approved of the person that I was dating. I mean it isn't a set in stone thing but it shows respect. "

I was impressed with how well Lauren handled that. I looked at my parents and they were even more parents. My dad let out a small laugh then said, "I don't mind if you date my daughter." But then he pointed at her, "Don't break her heart. Break her heart I'll break your nose."

"Dad!" I shouted again. I looked at Lauren and chuckled. "He's kidding."

My dad shook his head no and stated, "Nope. Not at all. If I could get my hands on the little shit-"

"Phil."

I rolled my eyes and explained, "Also I broke up with him. Lauren's nothing like Dyson."

"Well that's obvious." My mom commented.

Lauren got a small smile on her face then said, "Well if it's any help I don't for see me breaking Bo's heart anytime soon."

I looked at her for a second and I decided I was going to hold my tongue on that. Dinner had been fine so I wasn't going to ruin that. I got up from the table and said, "On that note I guess I'll clean up the kitchen."

My mom smiled at me and said, "Thank you Bo. Your father and I actually need to get going. We're going to go over to Mark and Katrina's for some get together that they're having."

This was her leaving me and Lauren alone. Crap. I forced a smile on my face. "Okay mom I think I can handle it."

"Come on Phil let's go." My mom said getting up from the table.

My dad got up and said, "Okay though I don't remember this get together nor do I think two teenagers who are full of teenager hormones should be left tog-" My mom scowled at him and he tapped the table and said, "So we're actually doing this. Well you girls clean up and uh...stay safe I guess."

I only stared at him before I asked Lauren, "Do you mind helping me?"

Lauren appeared to still be baffled by the situation but she shook her head and said, "No-No. Not all."

We gathered the dirty dishes and headed into the kitchen. We were cleaning up the kitchen when my mom shouted, "We'll be back in an hour Bo."

"Okay mom." I shouted back. I heard the front door close then I looked at Lauren and said, "I am so, so, so, so sorry about my parents. They don't have social filters sometimes. Okay a lot of the time and they can-" Lauren started to laugh which caused me to get a confused look on my face. "What?"

She rinsed off the dish that was in her hand then put it in the dishwasher as she said, "You're cute when you ramble."

I scoffed then threw the dishtowel at her then I remarked, "Well you're cute when you're being all respectful and asking my parents if it's okay for you to date me." I chuckled a little. "Who does that anymore?"

Lauren shrugged and went back to working on the dishes in the sink then said, "It seemed like the respectful thing to do. I'm certain even if your parents didn't approve of me you'd still date me but I like being forthright with them and letting them know that I respect them and you."

I stood there completely baffled by what Lauren saying. We're in high school so people get together and breakup in the next week or so. But this was different. Lauren was making this huge gesture and I was being swept away by it like that one scene in Gone With The Wind. All that was missing was the southern plantation and the swelling music. I walked over to stand next to Lauren and said, "So um…about us…." Lauren looked at me and I bit my bottom lip before I got a bashful smile on my face. "So we're like official, official now?"

Lauren eyebrow's scrunched up a little then she turned off the running water before wiping her hands on the dishtowel. "I mean-I-If you want to Bo. I guess I should have asked you first before I asked your parents." She frowned. "Fudge. I've never done this before so I don't know the proper protocol and-"

I kissed her. And this time it wasn't to stop her from going into a nervous babble but because I wanted to let her know that I was more than okay with us being official as well as her asking my parents before asking me. To let her know that I was totally okay with the entire situation that was going on between us. I felt her hands her hands tentatively rest on my hips as we continued to kiss. I wanted it to go further so bad but at the same time Lauren's lips were an experience all on there own. But the kiss was short-lived when she broke it. I pouted and asked, "Why did you stop?"

Lauren got a sheepish grin on her face and said, "Well I wanted to formally ask you to be my girlfriend."

I chuckled and I rested my arms on her shoulders as I told her, "I think we both know what this is now Lauren. I don't think we need to talk about it anymore."

She glanced down at the floor then back into my eyes. "I know but I want to Bo."

The girl was too adorable and a pro a melting my heart so I said, "Okay."

Lauren smiled a little then she bit her bottom lip before asking in a timid voice, "Will you be my girlfriend Bo?"

I still got the nervous anxious feeling and the tingly exciting feeling as she asked me. I was such a sucker for Lauren Lewis. A smile broke out on my face and I said, "Yes I will be your girlfriend Lauren."

The smile that came across the other girl's face made that weird indigestion thing happen and my heart started beating faster. I wasn't certain what any of that meant but I had to dwell on it later because Lauren asked in an uncertain tone, "So….can we go back to kissing now?"

I smiled at then leaned in to kiss her. That was one thing I definitely wasn't going to say no to.

XXXXX

"In one day you get accepted to Stanford, kiss Bo with tongue and ask her to be your girlfriend." Tamsin sat next to me in a bean bag as I sat at her desk, going over her homework and the stack of college applications her dad wanted to be filled out this weekend. "Call me Dr. Frankenstein, for I have created a full ball carrying monster." She chuckled, chugging on a bottle of Surge.

I nodded, my cheeks turning red at the thought of kissing Bo like we did on her parents couch, "I'm not a monster, I just really like Bo and it was a spur of the moment thing to ask her parents and her to be my girlfriend." I set the pencil down, shoving away the chemical equations I was drawing out for Tamsin to work on. Pushing up my glasses I looked at Tamsin, "I knocked on her door and the second she opened it, I knew what I wanted." I felt the dopey smile grow, "To be her girlfriend."

Tamsin rolled her eyes and wiggled deeper into the bean bag, "School is going to be interesting on Monday. Maybe I'll go undercover again and sneak in. Watch Dyson's beard catch on fire when he sees his ex on the arm of the school nerd." She winked at me, resting the bottle of soda on her sweatpants. "You know I love you." Her green eyes turned mischievous, "Speaking of love…."

I shook my head furiously and stood up from the desk, "Tams, no. I am fifteen, love is not something I should be indulging in." I folded my arms across the Captain America logo on the chest, "We've only been talking for a couple of weeks and it already feels like I'm in hyper drive getting into this girlfriends situation with Bo, but I couldn't resist. The look on her face when I told her about college." I paused, the look on Bo's face did something to me that still had me wondering so much about life and that no matter how much I was denying it, I was in very much in love.

"Speaking of college, has Bo mentioned anything about where she is going?" Tamsin burped softly after draining the rest of the bottle. She looked up at me, "My dad wants me to shoot for Stanford or Harvard, basically anywhere you go, he wants me to follow you. Thinks you're going to keep me on the straight and narrow."

I shrugged, "You can get into any school you want. You have the money, your dad's name helps and in time you will have the grades." I swallowed hard, moving to sit on the edge of her messy bed, "No, Bo and I haven't talked about school. We're usually doing other things with our mouths."

Tamsin gagged, "Stop putting images in my head." She groaned, rolling out of the bean bag to stand up. "I wouldn't worry about it, it's months away and knowing Bo. This could be a Monday to Friday relationship." Tamsin walked over to the desk, leaning over to look at the chemistry homework. "Ugh, can we do this tomorrow? It's Saturday, even hydrocarbon dioxide takes a rest on Saturdays."

I stared hard at the giant X-files logo on Tamsin's back, digesting what she had just said about Bo being a flake when it came to dating. I knew it, I had seen her go through boyfriends until Dyson. She would go through a school year and have fifty different guys on her arms. I bit the inside of my cheek, "You…uh…you think Bo and I…." I looked down at my hands, shrugging nervously.

Tamsin spun around, her face pale as she realized what she had said, "Fuck. That's not what I was getting at, I'm used to Bo being Bo." She bent down to look at me with a soft smile, "Honestly, I do believe you and Bo are going to be that gross, disgusting high school sweetheart story we all gag over at the twenty year reunion." She patted my knee, winking at me, "She clearly likes you and if she breaks your heart…."

I smiled slowly, shoving Tamsin in the shoulder, "You'll pound her until she is Bo pate."

Tamsin chuckled, "I'm glad you pay attention." She stood up, "Now, let's order something to eat and figure out what stupid shit on TV we're going to watch." She glanced at the clock, "Your girlfriend should be here in an hour."

My head shot up, "What? She's grounded." I began nervously running my hands down the tops of my thighs. "She'll be in trouble."

Tamsin laughed, shaking her head, digging in the desk drawer for take-out menus, "She was. Bo called me earlier today to tell me that after you charmed the fucking pants of her parents last night, they forgave her suspension. Realizing that Dyson deserved the malicious destruction of balls." She turned around holding up a pizza menu and a menu for the burger place outside her subdivision. "Cheese pizza or bacon cheeseburgers?"

I waved at the burgers, "So why is Bo coming here?"

Tamsin threw burger menu at me, "Because you're here, doofus. I told her you were spending the day with me doing homework and shit. She asked if she could come over, using the guise that she was spending the night with me since I was home alone again." She pointed at my pale white face, "I already called your mom when you were in the bathroom. Told her you and I were going to slumber party it up, under the guise that since dad limited my driving to the week to take you to school, I'm bored as fucking fuck in this house."

"She is going to know you're lying. My mom is the best intelligence analyst in her office." I felt my stomach flip, I hated lying to my parents even if it wasn't actually me doing the lying.

"I know, she called me out on Bo coming over." Tamsin picked up the phone, "Wanted me to pass on to you that she knows what it's like and that she trusts you. Said something about you being the prudish fifteen year old she has ever met."

I frowned, laying back on the bed and covering my face, "I hate everyone."

Tamsin threw a koosh ball at me, "No you don't. You love me, your parents and I'm pretty sure you love boobsy mcboobs Bo."

I rolled over on my stomach, taking the fleece blanket with some weird football team logo on it and burrowed deep into it, mumbling how I didn't love Bo.

One hour later-

Tamsin and I were sitting in the TV room, flipping through the cable channels when the doorbell rang. Tamsin hopped up and ran to the door, her bunny slippers making a weird scrapping sound across the wood floor as she shouted for whoever it was to settle the fuck down, she was coming.

I rolled my eyes and reached for the remote. After ordering the food, Tamsin and I worked on her college application to Stanford. She decided that it would be in my best interest if she came to California with me, for protection. I knew it was for reasons she would never admit too. Tamsin had become my best friend in a short period of time and I could see I had become hers. My mom was right, I would never get rid of the cursing blonde.

We had gotten her packet filled out, selecting the law program as her major. Tamsin admitted that deep down she wanted to get a degree in something criminal justice related and maybe become a cop or a federal agent, do some good in the world instead of falling into her father's path of technology design.

I flipped through the channels, stopping on HBO and National Lampoons Vacation. I was too caught up laughing at my favorite part that I didn't notice anyone enter the TV room until I felt a pair of soft lips press against my cheek, Bo's voice against my ear as she whispered, "Hey you."

I grinned, my face turning a bright red as I looked at her, "Hi." I licked my lips, resisting the urge to kiss her right on the spot, especially since I could hear Tamsin swearing at the food delivery guy for demanding a tip. "I'll shove the tip of these bunny ears up your ass. Leave before I take my fiver back."

Bo laughed, shaking her head as she sat down next to me, leaning against my shoulder, "Your best friend reminds me of a fifty year old woman who was in the marines. Foul mouthed and cranky."

I sighed contently at the warmth that was Bo, "Yep." I looked down at her, feeling those weird things in my stomach and around my heart that made me think of a future, like a real future with Bo. "What college are you going to, Bo?" I blurted it out and regretted it instantly when I saw her smile fall as she moved away from me.

"I don't know yet, probably RISD. It's the only school I can get into. My grades are a pile of shit and have been for years. I don't know who would look past it." Bo smiled weakly, turning to the TV. "I will miss you when you go to California and I hope that we can stay in touch."

I frowned, shaking my head, "Bo, you can go to any school you want. I just got Tamsin's stuff ready for Stanford, she's retaking her SAT's next week." I shifted to face Bo, "I can help you get into Stanford…um, I mean, if that's a place you'd think about going." I shoved my glasses up, "I'm jumping the gun, you just agreed to be my girlfriend last night and we don't know anything about life. We're just teenagers and….fudge, I'm going to stop talking and go help Tamsin."

I went to stand up when Bo grabbed my wrist, stilling me, "Lauren, I might be a teenager, but I know what I feel about you. It's pretty intense and scary as shit, but the only thing I know is that I would hate to be three thousand miles away from you." She took a deep steady breath, "If you think you can help get into Stanford or at least the California institute of hair coloring, I'm willing to try." She grinned, "Plus I would worry that some other girl would try to sneak in on what's mine."

I stared down at Bo, smiling at her, "What's yours?"

She nodded, smirking as she stood up, "Yup." She reached for my glasses, lifting them up to look at my eyes even as I squinted from being semi blind suddenly, "You're mine, Lauren Lewis and I think it's time you kissed me hello."

I blushed, trying not to squint as I leaned forward and kissed Bo softly. The way she said I was hers was amazing and didn't hint at all of being crazy possessive, it was a soft declaration of feelings. A declaration that chased away the stupid fears Tamsin had inadvertently put there earlier.

I kissed Bo hard, wrapping my arms around her to pull her closer against my gangly body before I whispered, "And you're mine, Bo Dennis."

Bo's big brown eyes turned glassy, she smirked and kissed me again, her tongue running over my lips and like last night I caved and opened my mouth wider to enjoy the newfound sensations that came with tongue kissing.

"Fuuccckinggg ggrrrooossss, stop it you two before I throw your double bacon and Bo's turkey burger on the floor and barf all over it." Tamsin bellowed as she entered the room, carrying three large greasy bags of burgers and fries. She also held a tray of milkshakes, "Hey twerp and the cheerleader, take the milkshakes into the fridge while I disinfect this entire room from your cooties."

Bo giggled, laying her head on my shoulder, "Cooties? Are we six Tamsin?"

"No, but this is my sanctuary and watching you two give each other dental exams has given me the heebie jeebs. So go while I wipe down our eating surface and fire up Christmas Vacation." She shoved the tray my way, making me stumble out of Bo's arms, "Don't filth up the kitchen either." She smirked at me as I handed the tray over to Bo, whispering, "I'm proud of you Lewis, I heard everything. You got balls, finally."

I shrugged nodded, looking at Bo as she walked into the kitchen, "I couldn't do it without you, Tamsin."

"I know." She shoved me playfully, dropping the food on the giant coffee table in front of us, "Sit down and eat your food."

I laughed, nodding, "Yes ma'am."

A handful of movies and some SNL later, Tamsin stood up from the couch, announcing as she yawned, "It's fucking time for bed. I have been on the food coma struggle bus since that triple chocolate shake. I need to sleep this shit off." She dropped her arms to her side, looking at Bo and I semi cuddled up on the couch, "You two are so cute, gross but cute." She sighed, "You know where the spare room is Lewis."

Tamsin turned and trudged up the stairs, "Breakfast is on me in the morning and then we can hit the books." She looked over her shoulder at us, "Don't do anything that will make me want to burn the sheets and the entire bed."

I groaned, covering my face as Bo giggled, "Goodnight Tamsin."

Her obnoxious laugh was the final word before her bedroom door slammed shut.

I huffed, moving to clean up the rest of the cups and napkins left on the table, "I don't get her sometimes. It's like she's a boy trapped in a girls body."

Bo leaned over, holding open the bag for me to drop garbage in, "I've wondered the same thing since I met her. How a girl who could probably be a runway model in New York be as brash and gross as my cousin Eddie."

I shrugged, standing up and yawning, "It's the magic of Tamsin?" I sighed, realizing how tired I was from the junk food and watching movies all day. "I'm tired." I glanced at Bo, "I…uh…can sleep…on the couch in Tamsin's room. It's soft and I've done it before. You can have the spare room, that bed is the size of a car." I frowned, I was rambling. I was nervous. I hadn't been left this alone with Bo and I had no idea what girlfriends did when they were alone. I mean I had an idea, especially from watching Cinemax, but this was different. I wasn't any of those confident, well bred people on those shows.

Bo grabbed my hands, "We can share the bed, I mean if you want to." She looked up at me with a soft smile, "We are girlfriends, and I think it's in the rules that we can share a bed."

I swallowed hard, kissing Bo had triggered something in my body that had me craving a lot of things from Bo, things I still was struggling to understand. I was only fifteen, granted I did have fifteen year old hormones running rampant, but I was scared and nervous. I liked Bo, scratch that, I loved Bo and remembering awkward conversations with my dad about the birds and bees, when two people were in love…..fudge, I had to stop thinking about everything.

"Lauren, I can see you thinking." Bo moved closer, "I won't try to do anything you don't want me to try. I like you, I love kissing you and I'd be a stupid lying idiot if I didn't say that I kind of want to do more." She sucked in a slow breath, "But I like you, I respect you and to be super honest, I have no idea what to do if we ever got to that point. I mean I have a reasonable idea since I have dated boys and we've rounded a few bases, but like I don't know how or what or stuff with a girl." Bo scrunched her face up, "Verbal diarrhea?"

I nodded with wide eyes, "Yep, like a lot of it." I blew out a slow breath, hating that I wasn't more confident or read a few more romance novels instead of science books in the corner bookstore. I stared at her, her big brown eyes full of worry, I smiled deciding to call on my balls to guide me like they had last night. "Let's go to bed. I think I know how to cuddle, granted I have sharp elbows, but I think we can manage those."

Bo rolled her eyes, shaking her head, "I can do that, cuddling is my strong suit."

We both blew out a sigh of relief and I led Bo to the spare room, moving to turn on the light I pointed at the closet next to the bathroom, "Tamsin has a bunch of her dad's tech company shirts in the closet if you need something to sleep in." I motioned to the dresser, "I left some of my stuff here since we seem to alternate Saturdays at my house or her house lately. I'm going to go change and I'll meet you here." I shrugged, smiling at Bo looking at the massive bed in wonder.

I came out of the bathroom to find Bo in bed already, tucked up like a sardine in a can with the blanket pulled up to her chest. I smiled as she looked at me, her eyes drifting to the fact that I was wearing a pair of my mom's old running shorts that showed off much of my knobby legs. But the look in Bo's eyes and the small smile made me blush and hurry to the other side of the bed.

Hopping under the covers, I took off my glasses and placed them on the side table before turning off the light. Settling back into the pillows I could feel Bo's body heat swarm around me, "Goodnight Bo." It came out super awkward and I felt like one of those married couples on the old black and white television shows my grandparents watched. All prim and proper and nowhere near excited to have someone in the bed with them.

I was excited, practically out of my skin and wanted nothing more than to roll over and cuddle up to my girlfriend and relish the fact I had a girlfriend. A girlfriend that was Bo Dennis and probably the hottest girl in school and she really liked me. Like a lot and she was in the bed next to me and never in my life had I predicted I'd be in this moment.

I grinned in the dark at my internal ramblings when I felt the bed shift and the warmth get closer. Then a hand fell to my stomach, warming up the skin underneath the Captain America shirt I left on, "Lauren?"

I managed to force a squeaky, "Hmm?" out, clutching the blankets tightly.

"Relax." Bo's voice moved closer as she pressed her body against mine, settling her head on my shoulder, I could feel her breath move across my neck. I could feel her smile as I let out a breath and soaked up the way it felt to have her this close. I moved my hand to find hers on my stomach, sliding my fingers in hers, I shifted to bring her closer and heard the cutest, softest little sigh come from her. "Goodnight Lauren." She snuggled deeper into me and in a few breaths I could tell she was asleep.

I didn't fall asleep right away, I laid there in the dark with the biggest, dorkiest, nerdiest grin on my face. Staring at the dark ceiling trying not to laugh in complete joy.