"Do you like teddy grahams Ms. Allen?" Joey questioned.

I nodded, proceeding to bite the head off of my honey-flavored teddy graham. "Love them."

"Me too."

"Ms. Allen, I need more apple juice!"

I glanced over my shoulder at Steven, who was leaning back in his seat, tossing a teddy graham in the air and aiming to catch it in his mouth. He had two legs of the chair on the floor, two legs dangling in the air.

"Steven!" I called.

His gaze snapped over to me, startled. He toppled backwards, his legs flailing and his teddy grahams falling to the floor.

My hand slapped over my mouth, and I couldn't keep from laughing.

"Ms. Allen, Steven fell!" Joey hissed, his eyes wide.

"I know, I know," I said, through my laughter.

I stood up, sobering up a bit before going over to lend a hand.

Steven was picking himself back up off the floor, the kids around him giggling.

"Why did you do that to me?" Steven demanded, his cheeks red as he brushed himself off.

"Are you okay?" I asked, biting back my laughter.

He nodded, resetting his chair.

"I was going to tell you to get more juice out of the fridge."

"Get it yourself."

"Is that any way to talk to your superior?"

His gaze darkened, and he glanced at the kids around him before muttering under his breath and heading off towards the kitchen.

I will hold my superiority over him for the entire summer.

Ms. Wilcott had made me head counselor, giving Kylie and Steven the assistant positions.

Kylie hadn't been thrilled, but I'd put in more work over the years than she had. And she understood that, even if it put her on the same level as Anderson.

But I didn't order Kylie around like I did Steven. Kylie knew her own way around, she'd been working here almost as long as me.

Steven, on the other hand, was like a lost puppy. Especially without Clayton, who hadn't been able to make it these past few days due to his increased workout schedule.

"Do we want to pop in a movie for a little while?" Kylie asked me, flipping through the schedule. "Or we could do another game, like Night At The Museum?"

"Movie sounds good," I agreed, glancing at the master schedule. "And then we can do a craft. If we watch Despicable Me, we can do a minion craft?"

"The one you should me on Pinterest?" Kylie squealed. "That was so cute."

"Done deal then."

"I'll locate the movie," she said, disappearing from the snack room.

Steven reappeared with another jug of apple juice, receiving a round of cheers from the kids.

A smile spread across his face as he was ambushed by about half the kids, all shoving their cups at him.

"Can I at least get a line?" he asked, through his laughter.

That didn't get him anywhere.

"Nobody gets any juice unless they're in their seat!" I called.

Everyone scrambled back to their seat, trying to climb over each other so they could be first to have a refill on apple juice.

Who knew it was such a big hit amongst the kids these days?

"Why do you have more authority than me?" Steven pouted.

"Because I don't laugh my orders," I said, reaching over and cracking open the jug of apple juice. "And because they respect me."

"I'm respected."

"They think of you more as a friend."

I heard yelling behind me, and I turned to see Darcy and Minnie arguing, their hands flying.

"Watch," Steven said, handing me the apple juice.

I leaned against the table, smirking as I watched him strut over to the table as though he was actually somebody important.

I started at the other end of the room, filling up apple juice cups while I watched Steven try to diffuse the situation between the two girls.

Darcy began shouting at Steven, gesturing towards Minnie. And then Minnie began shouting over Darcy, her arms flailing towards Steven.

Steven looked at a loss for words as he looked between the two girls.

And then Minnie burst into tears, and Steven looked over at me, sending me a distress signal.

I laughed to myself, shaking my head as I finished the table I was working on, passing off the apple juice to Steven.

"How'd that go for you?"

"Fuck off," he muttered, too low for the kids to hear.

"Language," I chastised.

"Minnie is upset because Darcy doesn't want to be her friend anymore," Steven recited. "What am I supposed to do about that?"

"Watch and learn," I said, patting him on the back before heading over to the two girls.

Darcy was sitting there with her arms folded across her chest and Minnie was crying in her seat.

"Hey girls, what seems to be the problem?" I asked, kneeling down to eye level with them.

"Minnie is being a baby," Darcy said, at the same time Minnie said, "Darcy doesn't wanna be my friend anymore."

"Let's let Darcy talk first," I said, looking over at her.

"I don't want to be her friend anymore."

"Why not? What happened?"

"Because I saw her..." Darcy looked around, and then pressed her lips against my ear, "I saw her peeking through the bathroom stall," Darcy whispered.

"That's not true!" Minnie wailed.

"It is too I saw it!" Darcy argued.

"What happened?" I asked.

"I just wanted to know if there was someone in there."

That sounds feasible.

"Well you peeked at me," Darcy argued.

"Darcy," I said, placing my hand on her arm, "sometimes people look underneath the stall to see people's feet so they can see if someone is in the stall. Or they look between the cracks. It doesn't mean that they're peeking at it, they're just looking to see if someone is inside."

Darcy looked over at Minnie, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"And Minnie, you can always knock on the stall door," I said, turning to face her. "Or ask out loud if someone is in there."

Minnie nodded, tears still in her eyes.

"So are we okay now?" I asked, looking between the two.

Darcy looked down at the table, before looking up at Minnie.

Minnie reached up, wiping a tear off of her cheek.

"Do you want one of my teddy grahams?" Darcy offered, sliding her cup towards Minnie. "I know they're your favorite."

I stood up, smiling over at Steven.

And just like that, my work here was done.

~*~

"Where are you going to?" I asked Bryce, resting my head on his shoulder.

He planted a soft kiss on my cheek before weaseling out from underneath me, continuing his packing. "North Carolina," he reminded me. "We're road tripping this one."

I let out a long sigh, jutting out my bottom lip as he zipped up his duffel bag, glancing up at me.

"It's only for a couple of days," he reminded me, bracing his palms on the side of his bed and planting a kiss on my lips.

I placed my hands on either sides of his cheeks, pulling him closer to me.

He climbed up onto the bed, and I laid him out flat, straddling him.

He let out a low groan. "Soph, I have to get going," he reminded me.

"Don't go."

He chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me in for another kiss.

He nibbled on my bottom lip before deepening the kiss, and I ran my fingers through his hair, pressing my pelvis into his.

He let out another groan, shaking his head. "Sophie."

"Okay, okay."

I kissed him one last time, before plopping down next to him on the bed.

"Do I get to come back to that?" Bryce asked, glancing over at me with a smirk.

"If you're lucky."

The door creaked open, and then a big, black ball of fur jumped up on the bed, furrowing between Bryce and me.

"Every damn time," Bryce muttered.

I reached up and scratched Dawson behind the ears, chuckling.

Dawson couldn't stand it when we went up to Bryce's room and didn't include him. And it was only a matter of time before he'd just include himself.

"Your mom is going to stay and watch him?" I asked, as Bryce stood up.

He nodded, reaching down and giving Dawson a good rub down. "She'll be home the next week and a half I think. So she's going to take care of him." He bent down and kissed Dawson's head. "Do me a favor?"

I nodded.

"Just check up on him."

"Of course my love."

Bryce leaned over Dawson, kissing me again. "Okay, I've really got to go. I'm going to be late."

"Bye, have fun up North. Keep me informed about the tournament."

"You know I will."

He kissed me one last time before leaving.

I plopped back down on his bed, sighing and glancing over at Dawson.

"Well what am I supposed to do now?"

~*~

"The last time I went to a party I got into a fight with my boyfriend," I reminded Kylie. "And then I got slapped. So sorry if I'm not jumping at the opportunity to go out with you."

"You can't just hide in your bedroom for the rest of your life," Kylie complained. "I'm sorry that Eric is a douchebag who can't keep his hands to himself, but you can't let him ruin your summer. Or your life."

"You're so incredibly dramatic."

"And you're coming with me tonight."

I tore my eyes away from the Disney movie currently playing on my TV to face Kylie on my FaceTime. "You're making me miss Sebastian try and convince Prince Eric to kiss the girl."

"Spoiler alert, he doesn't kiss her. Now get dressed, I'm picking you up in 30."

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

She stared at my leggings and oversized baseball hoodie that used to be Bryce's, until it ended up in my closet. And once one of Bryce's clothing items end up in my closet, they're henceforth mine.

"Nothing boo, you do you. I'll be there in 30." And then she hung up.

I groaned, glancing back at my screen as Sebastian continued to serenade Ariel and Prince Eric.

I'd much rather spend my evening with them.

But after a few more moments, I picked myself up off of my bed and trudged into my closet, flipping on the light switch.

Project Party shall now commence.

I ended up in a pair of high-waisted light jean shorts and a white crochet, mesh long sleeve blouse. It was three-quarter sleeve, and relatively new. It still had the tags.

I slipped my feet into a pair of silver Tory Burch sandals before heading into my bathroom. I pulled my hair out of my messy bun, letting it fall around my shoulders. I dabbed on a little bit of makeup and ran my curling wand through my already wavy hair before heading downstairs.

I reached the bottom of the staircase as my front door opened.

"I thought I was going to have to drag you out of bed," Kylie explained, meeting me in the kitchen.

"Ariel almost had me."

"You've seen The Little Mermaid a thousand times. Would you like to know how it ends?"

"Don't spoil it for me," I said, pressing my hands over my ears.

"She can't convince Prince Eric to fall for her!" Kylie shouted. "And she lives the rest of her life in silent misery."

"Shut up," I said, releasing my hands.

"I know, it's a hard truth to have to accept."

I gave her a good shove, the two of us laughing our way out of my house.

"I'm going out with Kylie!" I called.

"Be safe, call on your way home!" my mom called.

My dad was at the door almost instantly.

"Where are you two going?" he questioned.

I looked to Kylie.

"One of the baseball boys is having a party," she filled in.

"What time will you be home?" my dad asked.

"I don't know, when the party is over?" I suggested, with a shrug. "I promise I'll text you on my way. And I'll text mom if it's-"

"Text me," he interrupted. "And I want the address when you get there."

Since when did he become overprotective dad of the year?

"Um, okay?" I said, raising my eyebrows.

"What time will you be home?" he repeated. "Approximation."

"I don't know," I said, exchanging glances with Kylie. "Whenever the party gets boring I guess."

"Well text me updates then."

"I'll take good care of her Mr. Allen," Kylie promised.

Oh.

"Daddy, I'll be fine," I said, raising up on my toes and kissing his cheek. "You don't need to worry about me."

"You're my princess," he said, kissing the top of my head. "I'll worry about you even when you're gone off and married with a family of your own. But right now? You're 17 and I want to know."

I nodded. "I'll text you the address."

"I'll be waiting for it."

"Love you," I reminded him, before heading off with Kylie.

"You too!"

"So your dad is still shaken up too?" Kylie asked me, after we were in her car.

"I guess," I said, with a sigh. "I've never seen him that overprotective before, have you?"

She shook her head. "That was definitely out of character."

I reached over and turned up the radio, the two of us singing along and jamming out on the way to the party.

When we pulled up, there were already cars lined up down the street.

"And where did you hear about this party?" I asked, as she turned off the ignition, the two of us stepping out of the car.

"Twitter of course."

Of course.

"Just walk in like you own the place," Kylie suggested. "Your boyfriend pitches for the team."

"Used to. Will next season."

"You're Sophie Allen," Kylie reminded me. "You're a boss ass bitch. Walk in like you own the place."

I couldn't help but laughing, stopping on the front porch.

The first thing I did was locate the address and text it to my dad, who I'm sure was staring at his phone, waiting for my incoming text message.

Was it polite to ring the doorbell when coming to someone's party?

Kylie answered my internal question by swinging open the door, letting herself inside.

"Hey Sophie," Mixon greeted, one of the players on the Panthers.

"Hey," I greeted, with a slight wave as Kylie pulled me towards the kitchen.

"What do you want to drink?" she asked me.

"No alcohol for me," I declined.

One of us had to remain sober.

"I brought you here, I'll be the designated driver," she offered. "You have fun."

"No," I said, with a shake of my head. "I'm not really in a drinking mood"

Kylie didn't press anymore, grabbing a Bud Light for herself and a Coke Zero for me.

"For you Evan," she said, reading the name off of the side of the can.

I laughed, popping open the top and taking a sip.

"You dirty girl, what would Bryce say?"

"It's a good thing he isn't here to witness such a heinous act."

She laughed, the two of us heading into the living room. All of the furniture had been pushed back, and people were dancing and milling around.

There was a beer pong table in the corner, and some people were lounging on the furniture in the corner.

"Hey Sophie," Reid called from across the room, waving at me.

This was his house, I was almost 95% sure.

I waved back, and he jogged over to us.

"I didn't know you were coming tonight," he said.

"It was sort of a last minute thing."

"Is Bryce out with his team?"

I nodded.

"I'm glad he's pitching again. Anderson sucked ass this season."

All I could do was laugh, because I agreed whole-heartedly.

Reid exchanged pleasantries with Kylie, before heading off to greet some more people that had just come in.

"See? This isn't so bad," Kylie said, nudging me.

"I never said it was. But you know I'm not really the party scene type of girl."

"Well you can be tonight. Everyone steps out of their comfort zone sometimes."

I let her drag me out to the dance floor.

"Mind if I step in?" a Senior boy asked me, gesturing towards Kylie.

I shook my head, flashing Kylie a smile. "Not at all."

I stepped off to the side, sipping on my soda, exchanging smiles with Kylie as she flashed me an excited grin.

"I heard about Eric," Reid said, suddenly reappearing by my side.

"Jesus," I said, my hand flying over my pounding heart. "You scared the daylights out of me."

"You know, I've been called a lot of things, but never Jesus."

I rolled my eyes.

"Cheesy? I know."

"Eric is in the past," I said, with a flick of my wrist. "He clearly needs mental help, and maybe some anger management."

"So you aren't mad at him then?"

"Mad? No, that's not the emotion I'd use. Hurt maybe. Disappointed. But not mad."

"I'm glad you feel that way. Because he just walked in my front door."

Of all the people.

"I said I wasn't mad," I said, my heart rate picking up in my chest. "Not that I wanted to sit down and have some kind of tea party with the boy."

"I figured you say that. I can ask him to leave if you'd like me to."

I rose up on my toes, glancing over Reid's shoulder, where Eric had just entered the room, greeting some of his friends.

"No," I said, my voice coming out much higher than I intended. "No, I'll just go. It's easier that way."

"Are you sure? It's not that big-"

"I'd rather go."

"Should I get your friend?"

I glanced over at the dance floor, where Kylie was still dancing with the Senior boy.

Within five seconds, we made eye contact. I flashed her a 3, which stood for Code 3, which meant we needed to get out of here now.

Kylie was by my side in less than an instant.

"Or not," Reid said. "There's a back way out, I'll show you."

Dear baseball gods, I'm sorry for ever judging Bryce's friends and teammates.

Kylie didn't ask any questions, the two of us following Reid down the hallway and out of the back of his house.

"Thank you," I said to Reid, with a grateful smile.

"We're lucky Bryce wasn't here, huh?" he asked, with an easygoing smile. "The last thing I need is a fight at the only party my parents ever let me throw."

Kylie and I headed back out to her car.

"Eric was here, wasn't he?" she questioned.

I nodded, my heart still pounding in my chest.

And she was gone before I could stop her.

"Kylie!" I hissed.

She disappeared back inside the house.

What did she think she was going to do?

I waited another minute, and then another ticked by, and then Kylie reappeared again, towing Eric Reidman.

I felt my eyes widening, my body going still.

"He wasn't hard to find," Kylie informed me, shoving Eric towards me. "He's the ugly dickhead who thinks he owns the place."

Eric didn't reply to the comment, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Why is he here?" I hissed, through gritted teeth.

"Because I won't let you cower away and go back home to the redheaded princess movie."

Eric stared at me, confusion rippling through his facial features.

"Face this boy and tell him exactly how you feel. And he's not going to do anything to you, because some baseball boys are standing right over there, ready to kick his ass if he steps one foot out of line."

I glanced over to see Reid, Mixon, and a few other recognizable faces standing within spitting distance, watching the scenario unfold.

I looked back up at Eric, who was still just standing there.

And then I realized that Kylie was right.

I was hiding from this boy, letting him control me. And that wasn't me. I've never let anybody walk over me, whether it be Clayton Johnson or Steven Anderson or any boy that's tried to waltz into my life.

Including my loving and incredible boyfriend.