[ chapter thirteen: i think he's right ]

Chapter 13: I Think He's Right

Saturday, October 24th, 2015

Dear diary,

A lot has happened since my last entry, which wasn't very long ago. But to make a long story short, Phoenix and I are friends now. It's not much of a story but it's just weird to say. Phoenix, my friend, and I are hanging out after school. Of course I wouldn't hang out with him. To be honest, I hadn't thought of him as a friend. I wouldn't have called him my friend if he hadn't seemed upset when I said we weren't friends. Now that I think about it though, we do hang out a lot. And as much as I hate to admit it, we spend a lot more time together than I do with Cam and Alice. And I hate to admit this more than anything, it's actually quite fun.

Homecoming is approaching and I haven't even bought a dress yet. Everyone's harassing me about it. I was supposed to go today with Cam and Alice, but, like usual, Cam got stuck babysitting and Alice had to go to her little cousin's birthday party. I'd go by myself, but...I'm not going by myself. I guess I'll have to wait until next weekend when they're both free.

Phoenix still thinks that I'm trying to get with Elliot. I'm surprised he hasn't figured out that Elliot has a girlfriend. I'm not telling Phoenix anytime soon or else he'll rush to try and find me a new homecoming date. He's stubborn that way. And to be honest, I'd rather go alone than with a guy I barely know.

I have to get going. Avery's banging on the door, demanding that I let her in. I'll write later, or tomorrow.

- Grace

"You still haven't bought a dress?" my sister asked as I lay on my bed with my hands behind my back. I barely made it to my closet in time to hide my diary.

"No," I told her. "I was supposed to get one today but Alice and Cam cancelled."

"You know, you have me," my sister responded. "I can always go shopping with you."

"You're mean," I told her as I closed my eyes.

"Mean?" my sister gasped. "How am I mean?"

"You're too blunt," I responded.

My sister scoffed as if she was insulted. "Well, I'm sorry that I'm honest. I'd think you'd appreciate that."

"There is such a thing as nice honesty, you know?" I responded.

"Get up," my sister insisted. I slowly sat up, giving her a glare.

"What?" I asked.

"We're going to get you a dress," my sister announced. I sighed and lay back down. Avery reached over and grabbed my arms, yanking me into a sitting position. "When I get back here, you better be changed into something decent."

I sighed as she left my room. I got up, changing into my jeans and a random shirt. I pulled on my shoes and grabbed my phone, leaving my room. My sister was waiting with the keys. "I dropped Leo off at work so I could have the car," she wiggled her eyebrows.

"Great," I sighed as I followed her down the steps. As we were leaving the house, I saw Phoenix outside, getting the mail. He noticed me and waved and I returned the gesture, earning an odd look from my sister. "What?" I asked as we got in the car.

"You waved at Phoenix," my sister informed me as if I wasn't the one doing the waving.

"I'm aware," I told her. "We're friends."

My sister snorted. "Don't tell Leo that," she scoffed.

"Why shouldn't I?" I inquired. I mean, I know he's protective of me but wouldn't he be glad that I made friends with his best friend?

"Because he's already suspicious about you two," my sister informed me.

"What's there to be suspicious about?" I asked.

"You two have been spending a lot of time together. Whenever he steps out of the room for a second, Phoenix is in your room—," my sister started.

"You don't think we're together, do you?" I asked my sister shocked.

"No, but I mean, how would you feel if every time Cam came over, she was in Leo's room whenever you look the other way?" my sister asked.

"When he's in my room, we're talking," I told her. "Nothing else."

"You're telling that to the wrong person," my sister informed me.

"What? You just expect me to walk up to Leo and let him know that his best friend and I are strictly friends?" I asked. "Because that's not suspicious at all."

My sister rolled her eyes at me. "Look, I'm just trying to help you out."

I shrugged and stared out the window, knowing that she just made things more confusing.

+ + +

"You're not wearing a black dress to homecoming," my sister informed me, earning a sigh.

"But it's a nice black dress," I told my sister as I stared at the dress on the rack.

"Yeah, but you're going to wear some sort of color," my sister explained. "What about purple? Or blue? Red? Green? Anything but black."

I stared at her. "Fine, I'll wear something with color but I don't get the point in getting it if I'm only going to wear it once. Besides, I'm the one spending my money on it. I just think I should have a say in what I—."

"Shut up," my sister interrupted me. I glared at her and took the dress she was handing me.

Entering the dressing room, I slipped on the dress. I examined myself in the mirror, spinning around a few times. It was dark purple and pretty plain. There were no straps, which was something I wasn't a fan of. No straps mean having to yank it up every five minutes. It was considered semi-formal, or at least that's what the tag said. I decided that it was pretty as it swept along the floor. I twirled, realizing that it had a slit going up the side, reaching my mid-thigh. I stared at it, determining that it was appropriate. With a shrug I began taking it off. I glanced at the price tag. This will have to do.

"Now all we have to do is find Phoenix a purple tie to match," my sister grinned, earning a scowl in response.

"I'm not going with him," I told her. "I'm going alone. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Who are you going to hang out with?" my sister asked. "Alice and Cam aren't going. You're not so sure about Elliot, either."

"I'm going to be helping out; making sure everything is going well. I doubt I'll have time to hang out with anyone anyway," I told her, rolling my eyes. "Now I think I'll need heels to match this dress."

My sister claimed she had shoes to match the dress and I wasn't arguing. I'm all about saving money. My funds are running low and they won't be replenished until my birthday in November. Avery and I drove home, arriving just in time to find Phoenix and my brother sitting on the front porch.

Phoenix approached the car, reaching for my bag while asking: "What'd ya get?"

I pushed it behind my back, narrowed my eyes at him. "None of your business."

"She got a homecoming dress," Avery answered, giving me away.

"Can I see it?" Phoenix asked me and I shook my head, doing a 180 degree spin so I was walking towards my house backwards.

"No, you can't," I told him as I shook my head.

"Why not?" Phoenix asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Because..." I trailed. "You just can't."

He stared at me as I rushed inside the house, slamming the door shut.

+ + +

On Monday in art class, we were assigned a project where we had to draw a partner. However, I was never assigned a partner to begin with. I was switched into this period from my original one and, because this class already had an even amount of student, I was left without a partner. I don't mind really because I usually get different assignments than everyone else, or they're adjusted for me.

I had my hand raised, ready to ask the teacher what I could do and if I could draw a celebrity, or something. I noticed a figure standing at the end of my table and I looked over to see a guy sitting there. My eyes trailed from his waist, which was covered in black jeans, to an opened flannel shirt, which was blue and had rolled up sleeves, and a white t-shirt underneath it. He had blonde hair with pale skin. Freckles dotted across his cheeks, disappearing under his glasses, which covered a set of large, brown eyes. When he smiled at me, I couldn't help but notice that braces lined his teeth. I quirked an eyebrow at him. "Yes?" I asked.

"Would you mind if I partnered up with you? My usual partner is absent," he explained.

I immediately felt disappointed but I tried my best not to show it. "Yeah, sure. What's your name?" I asked him as he dropped his stuff on the table. He pulled the chair from beneath it, taking a seat.

"Caleb," he replied, holding out his hand for me to shake. "And you are?"

"Gracelyn, but you can call me Grace," I informed him as I shook it.

"It's nice to meet you Grace," he spoke.

"It's nice to meet you, too, Caleb," I responded.

We started the project today in class but it was just a rough draft. He was sketching me and it wasn't even close to finished. He barely had the top of my head outlined. "When are you free to finish it?" he asked me. I thought about it. Today, I'm free. I mean, my brother and my sisters aren't, so that would mean the house is empty. Not that I want to be alone with this kid, but my siblings would be distractions, and don't get me started on Phoenix.

"I'm free today if you are," I told him. "And we could finish it at my house, but only if you can drive us- my brother and sister have practice today so they need the car."

"I can drive us," he said as soon as the bell rang. "I'll meet you at your locker to work out the details."

After telling him my locker number and watching him write it on his hand, I made my way to chemistry.

+ + +

Caleb was already at my locker when I turned the corner. My eyes widened when I saw that Phoenix was there too. I approached them quickly, swearing under my breath. I thought I could shoo Phoenix away before Caleb arrived. "Hey guys!" I greeted them as I came to a stop beside them. Phoenix was leaning on my locker and Caleb was standing awkwardly a few feet away. His arm was tucked tightly behind his back, underneath his other arm, which was straightened out. Phoenix, on the other hand, had his arms crossed tightly in front of his chest.

"Phoenix," I said through a fake smile. "What are you doing here? Don't you have football practice?"

"It got cancelled," Phoenix responded as he stared down Caleb. I cleared my throat, gaining his attention. He slowly turned to look at me.

"Why?" I asked him. "Why was it cancelled?"

"The weather," he told me. I turned to see rain pouring from the sky and I chuckled awkwardly.

"You guys are going to let a little rain stop you?" I asked. "You're supposed to be football players.

The sound of thunder crashing in the distance caused me to internally cringe. Phoenix stared at me for a few seconds, as if the thunder was the second half to his answer. He turned his attention back to Caleb, who was red with embarrassment and discomfort. "So now we know why I'm here. Why are you here?"

"Caleb is here because we're going to work on our art project today," I told Phoenix as he stared challengingly at Caleb, who was looking to me for help. I would be too if a six foot something jock was glaring daggers at me. He's a good six inches taller than Caleb, who was about two inches taller than me, give or take.

"Well, it's too bad that the library is closed for the day," Phoenix sighed as he stood up. "Let's go, Grace."

"Actually," I told Phoenix as he stared at me. "I invited Caleb to my house to work on our art project." Phoenix's eyes widened as he looked at me. "Would you please go tell Avery and Leo not to wait for me? Caleb and I will be going together."

Phoenix stared at me before walking off down the hallway. "I'm sorry about that Caleb," I apologized as I unlocked my locker, shoving my things into it and removing some as well.

"It's no biggie," he shrugged. "Is that your boyfriend?"

I repressed the urge to snort because I was sure Phoenix was still listening. He wasn't very far down the hall. "No, he's my friend...my very protective friend," I grunted as I closed my locker. "Now let's get going."

When we arrived at Caleb's vehicle, which was a simple pickup truck, I couldn't help but notice Phoenix's car in a spot across the lot. I sighed loudly when I realized that he was going to be tailing us. He's worse than Leo, I swear. And Leo is my actual brother. "What's wrong? You don't like pickups?" Caleb asked with a smile as we got into his car.

"Phoenix is following us," I told Caleb.

Caleb looked at the car I nodded my head towards and he shoved the keys into the ignition. "Does he do that often?" he asked.

"Yeah, but not in a creepy way," I told Caleb.

"I don't really see how it couldn't be creepy," Caleb admitted as he backed out of his parking spot.

"He lives two houses away from me," I told Caleb. "And he's my brother's best friend."

Caleb frowned. "That would've been nice to know beforehand," he confessed and I nodded.

"Yeah, tell me about it," I responded. When we arrived at my house, which didn't take long at all, I watched as Phoenix parked behind us and I sighed. "He's going to be here, by the way."

"I figured as much," Caleb spoke as he unbuckled his seatbelt, glancing in the mirror.

We got out of the car, jogging up to the house in the rain. I unlocked the door to the house, letting Caleb in first as I waited for Phoenix, who was taking his time. "Just put your stuff down in the living room," I told my project partner. Phoenix reached me and ran a hand through his wet hair.

"That was a dumb decision," Phoenix informed me quietly. "Getting in the car with a guy you just met."

"Oh no, a teenage boy who goes to my school," I mocked in response, staring up at him. Droplets from his hair were threateningly close to hitting my face. "You know, not everyone is pervert."

"He's a teenage boy," Phoenix spoke. "All teenage boys are perverts."

"Just go to Leo's room," I told him, ignoring his stereotype.

"No, I think I'm going to stay in the living room," Phoenix responded.

"Okay, then I'll just take Caleb up to my room," I retorted, letting the door slowly close on him. He grabbed my arm, yanking me back.

"No, you won't," Phoenix informed me.

I smirked at him as I took my hand from his grip. "Okay, Caleb, we're going to move up—," I started but Phoenix cut me off.

"I'm going to be upstairs with Leo," Phoenix explained as he followed me into the house. I looked at him triumphantly as he glared in response.

Not even ten minutes later, Avery plopped down the steps and entered the living room. "Caleb?" my sister said as she looked at my project partner, who was sitting on a stool a few feet from me with a sketchbook in his hands.

"Avery?" he replied with the same look of shock on his face.

"Why are you in my house?" she asked, confused. "Not to be, like, rude or anything but...why are you here?"

"Can't you see we're working here?" I asked my sister, who only now noticed the sketchbook in his hand and my stiff stance.

"Oh, well, I'm going to watch TV," she informed me.

"No, you're not," I told her as I remained still.

"You can't stop me. You can't move," she grinned as she snatched the remote from the table, turning on the television.

I glared at her, knowing that it was Phoenix who sent her down here. She has a television in her room. Phoenix just needs a spy. I sent a glare her way and she simply smiled in response.

+ + +

When Caleb finally finished the sketch of my upper body, it was a little after five. My mother would be arriving home at six and I didn't want to face the interrogation so I figured I might as well wait until another time to start sketching him. I definitely shouldn't take as long as he took because I'm a bit faster with a pencil. I noticed my sister on her phone once Caleb announced that he was finished.

I walked him to the door, making sure to loudly state that next time we should do the sketch at his house. "Okay, sure," he responded with a shrug as I watched him run to his car in the rain. I closed the door and glared at my sister, taking my bag up to my room. Before I could even reach my door, I was bombarded by Phoenix.

"Go away," I hissed as I opened my door. He simply followed me. "Go hang out with Leo."

"He's in the shower; I'm not into that sort of thing and neither is he," Phoenix informed me as he shut my door.

"What do you want?" I asked him tiredly as I put my bag on the side of my bed. I still have to shower, eat, and do my homework. I don't exactly have time to sit and talk.

"So...do you have to sketch him, too...or?" he asked.

"If you're trying to find a way to ask if I'm going over his house to sketch him, just ask. No, as a matter of fact, you don't have to. I'll just tell you. I am going over his house to sketch him because I can't get any sort of privacy here, in my own house," I told him angrily as he stood a few feet away from the door.

"I'm just worried about you," Phoenix explained as he shoved his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels.

I sighed, putting my face in my hands. How am I supposed to respond to that without sounding like a jerk? "Thank you, but it's not necessary."

"It's always good to have someone who worries, it shows that someone cares," Phoenix explained and I stared at the floor. Elliot's words echoed in my head. Maybe he likes you.

"Yeah, I know," I told him. "Thanks, Phoenix."

"Anytime, Grace...lyn," he responded.

With a sigh, I stared at him. "Just call me Grace, Phoenix." He says it anyway, so I might as well allow him to.

A grown broke out on his face and he nodded. "Now I know that we're friends."

"Just get out of here," I told him, rolling my eyes but I smiled nonetheless, earning an even larger grin from him.

He closed the door to my room and I buried my face in my hands. I think Elliot was right. Maybe he does like me.

By the way, I don't know what this is (below), but it appears every chapter I post. Last chapter, I deleted it. So maybe that's why everything messed up? I'm just going to leave it. So just ignore it, please.

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