Chapter 18

The house was quiet except for the occasional soft hum of the refrigerator. It was late but Will and I were still awake, sprawled across opposite ends of the couch, the glow of the TV flickering across the room. Some rerun of a hockey game played in the background, but neither of us were really watching. My phone rested on my stomach, the weight of Macklin's last text still lingering in my chest.

Tomorrow. I had a date with him tomorrow.

I still couldn't wrap my head around it. I've been so focused with school the past year and a dying relationship for a year before that— I forgot how it's like to have feelings romantically for a person.

Will stretched his arms behind his head, looking way too pleased with himself. "So, you and Macklin, huh?"

I groaned. "Don't start."

"Oh, I'm absolutely starting. This is my victory lap."

I shot him a glare. "You act like you planned this entire thing."

He smirked. "I kinda did."

I grabbed a throw pillow and chucked it at his face, probably for the 10th time today but he dodged easily, laughing.

"Be honest, Lex," he said, voice softer now. "You're excited, right?"

I exhaled, staring up at the ceiling. "Yeah," I admitted. "It's just... weird. I mean, I didn't think—" I stopped myself, shaking my head. "It doesn't matter. It's happening, and I'm happy. Nervous, but happy."

Will studied me for a second, then nodded like he approved of my answer. "Good. You deserve this, you know."

I scoffed. "What, a date?"

He rolled his eyes. "No, dumbass. Someone who actually sees you for who you are."

Something in my chest tightened.

Will wasn't always like this, sentimental. Usually, his love language was giving me shit at every opportunity. But moments like this? They reminded me why he was my best friend.

I nudged his foot with mine. "Thanks, Will."

"Don't get sappy on me now," he muttered, but there was no real bite to it.

We lapsed into a comfortable silence. The game on TV blurred into background noise, and my eyelids started to feel heavy. I knew I should probably go to bed soon but there was something nice about staying up, talking about nothing and everything with Will.

Still, no matter how much I tried to just be excited, a small part of me refused to settle.

I shifted, fidgeting with the hem of my sleeve. "What if it's too good to be true?" I asked quietly.

Will looked over at me, eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

I swallowed. "I mean... what if this is just some phase for him? What if things start to take off, and then he does a 180? Changes his mind?"

Will was quiet for a second, then let out a long sigh. "Lex," he said, sitting up. "Look, I get it. It's scary. But you can't go into this assuming it's gonna fall apart."

I frowned. "But what if it does?"

"Then it does," he said simply. "And yeah, that'll suck. But you'll deal with it. You always do."

I didn't respond, just chewed on my lip. I know I already had a pep talk with Gabi but this time I feel like it's different, coming from Will, who always makes fun of me, it feels real and like I really should start letting go of my worries.

Will nudged my knee with his. "Hey. Just take it slow, alright? See where it goes. If he's serious about you, he'll show you. And if he's not? Well, then you'll know."

I let out a breath, my shoulders relaxing just a little. "Yeah. Okay."

"Good," he said, smirking. "Because if you keep spiraling, I'm gonna have to start charging you for therapy sessions."

I rolled my eyes. "I hate you."

"You love me."

I groaned, but my lips twitched into a small smile.

Tomorrow.

I had a date with Macklin Celebrini tomorrow.

- next day -

A loud, relentless pounding on the door jolted me awake. My heart sprouted out of my chest, and for a second, I forgot where I was.

"WILL! OPEN THE DOOR! WE'RE GONNA BE LATE FOR PRACTICE!" Macklin's voice boomed through the apartment.

I blinked blearily, still half-buried in the couch cushions. Will, sprawled out in the recliner, groaned and cracked one eye open. His phone was blaring from the floor, alarm after alarm stacking on top of each other.

"Shit," he muttered, scrambling upright. "One second!" he shouted toward the door, voice still rough from sleep.

Panic shot through me. I sat up fast, my heart hammering. "Will," I whisper-yelled. "Macklin cannot know the text was a dare. And he definitely can't know I'm here."

Will, still blinking himself awake, looked at me like I had just told him the sky was green. "Yeah, yeah, I got it," he mumbled, already reaching for a hoodie. "I'll get rid of him. Just lock up when you leave."

Macklin banged on the door again. "Will, I swear to God, if you don't open this door in five seconds, I'm leaving your ass."

Will groaned and ran a hand down his face before moving toward the door. I scrambled off the couch, already making my way toward the kitchen.

I figured Will could keep Macklin distracted long enough for me to sneak out, but before I left, I had one mission: snacks.

I cracked open the pantry, scanning my options. A granola bar, some fruit snacks—ooh, a mini bag of chips. I stuffed a handful of them into my bag before tiptoeing toward the back door. Will's voice was muffled through the apartment, some vague excuse being thrown Macklin's way on why Will woke up late.

Once I was outside, I ordered an Uber back to my apartment. The ride was quiet, the city just starting to wake up. I checked the time, still early. Too early.

The second I got home, I kicked off my shoes and collapsed onto my bed, setting an alarm for a short nap before I had to hit the books.

When I woke up, sunlight was pouring through my window, and my stomach was already twisting with nerves. My date with Macklin was getting closer by the second, but before I could even think about getting ready, I needed to talk to Gabi.

She was in the living room, curled up on the couch with her laptop when I walked in. She looked up when I flopped down next to her.

"You look stressed," she noted.

I sighed. "Yeah. There's something I gotta tell you."

Gabi's eyebrows lifted. "Ominous."

I hesitated, then blurted out, "Last night, Will and I played truth or dare."

Her eyes narrowed. "Okay...?"

"And your name came up," I said carefully.

Gabi's expression froze for a moment, then she exhaled. "Lex."

"I didn't say anything bad!" I rushed to explain. "I just think you should go for it. Ask Will out."

She looked away, chewing her lip. "I don't know."

I sat up straighter. "Why not? You like him, don't you?"

"Yeah, but... what if he doesn't feel the same way?"

I gave her a look. "Gabi. Come on. I think he does."

She hesitated, fingers tapping against her laptop. "It's different with Will, though. We joke around so much, and I don't wanna ruin that."

I nodded, understanding. "I get that. But what if it doesn't ruin anything? What if it makes things better?"

She let out a short laugh. "Or what if I misread everything and it gets weird?"

I thought about Will's smirks, the way he teased her, how his eyes lingered on her when she wasn't looking. "You didn't misread anything," I said firmly.

Gabi sighed. "I just don't know if I should ask him out or wait for him to make a move."

I tilted my head. "Do you want me to push him a little?"

She hesitated, her expression conflicted. "I don't know."

I smiled. "That's not a no."

She groaned. "God, why are you like this?"

"Because I love you and I want you to be happy."

Gabi rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine. But don't be obvious."

I crossed my heart. "I got you."

She shook her head, laughing softly. "You're such a menace."

I grinned. "I try."

Then I hesitated, suddenly nervous again. "Okay, so... that's not the only thing I need to tell you."

Gabi raised an eyebrow. "Oh god. What else?"

I bit my lip, then admitted, "Macklin asked me out."

Her mouth dropped open. "Excuse me?"

I winced. "It was kind of... because of a dare."

Gabi blinked. "Explain. Right now."

I sighed, tucking my legs underneath me. "So, when we were playing, Will dared me to text Macklin 'I've been thinking about you.'"

Her eyes widened. "And you actually did it?"

"Yes! Because it was a dare!"

"Oh my god." She covered her mouth, eyes sparkling with excitement. "And then what happened?"

I exhaled. "Macklin texted me back and... asked me out."

Gabi nearly shrieked. "LEX!"

"I know!" I groaned, running a hand through my hair.

Gabi grabbed my shoulders, practically shaking me. "What are you still doing sitting here? You need to start getting ready!"

I laughed, nerves and excitement bubbling up all at once. "I don't even know what to wear!"

Gabi grinned. "Don't worry, I got you."

By the time I started getting ready, the nerves had settled in full force.

What was I supposed to wear? Macklin hadn't told me where we were going, which made outfit planning a nightmare.

I stood in front of my closet, staring at the options like they were written in a foreign language. Casual? Dressy? What if I underdressed? What if I overdressed?

After far too much deliberation, I settled on a brown pleated skirt and a light brown crop top. It was cute, stylish but not over the top. I paired it with crème Mary Jane shoes and my white Diesel purse.

When I stepped into the living room, Gabi looked up from her phone and let out a low whistle. "Damn, you look good."

I exhaled. "You think it's okay? What if this is too much?"

She waved me off. "No, it's perfect. Trust me, Macklin's gonna lose his mind."

Before I could respond, the doorbell rang. My heart jumped.

Gabi smirked. "Showtime."

I took a deep breath and walked to the door.

-=+=-

Filler chap— guys I still haven't done my essay I'm fucked. But I went to gym so writing this chapter is my reward for going to the gym. Currently doing 12 elevation 3 speed for 30 minutes. Bout to drink a fat milkshake after this 🤭 jk