The next morning, I wake up to a text message from Felix and my heart flutters in excitement, unable to contain just how different I feel about him compared to a few days ago. He's changing everything and I can't be more prepared for it than I am right now. I need the change. I want the change. And it took opening myself to him to realize it.

"Vee! Vee! Vee!" Isla shouts as her and Robyn run towards the table we usually find ourselves at during lunch hours, turning a few heads as she does. "We need details. All the details!"

"Relax," I laugh at their excitement. "There isn't much to tell."

"Is that why there's a big ass grin on your face?" Robyn hums out and my lips only hold their form in a big smile. The thought of Felix painting it there. "Miles, would you not say that is a smile of a love struck teenage girl? Or one who got told to keep walking?"

"I'd have to say she looks a little love struck," he smirks and sits next to Isla. "You should smile more often, Stevie. It's a good look on you."

I smile gently in his direction before adverting my eyes back to Robyn. "It went well. Really well. Better than well actually. It was seriously amazing."

"You're so cute when you're happy, Vee," Isla giggles, holding her hands out across the table. "So, what happened? Are we team Felix now? Are you going for him?"

"We're team Felix," I bob my head. "We have plans for Saturday...hopefully."

"Hopefully?" Miles asks. "What does that mean?"

"My mom wanted to make plans for Saturday but I had to explain why I couldn't and then she went all mama bear and said she has to meet him before I can go on a date with him," I explain.

"Hasn't she already met him?" Robyn asks, raising an eyebrow in my direction. "He had that project with Riker and weren't him and Greyson on the same team?"

"Don't ask me, okay? She said something about how she met them as a friend and not as a potential boyfriend for me? As if that somehow makes a single difference," I laugh lightly. "It doesn't really matter. My mom and dad want to be in the same room for once and I'll use that as an advantage and ignore how stupid it is."

"Did they do this with Riker?" Isla asks.

"No," I shook my head. "I'm the baby of the family. They may be treating my situation differently but they mean well and I don't feel like getting into it right now. That's beside the point."

"What is the point then?" Miles questions.

"The point is my parents want to be in one room together and even if it's not fair that they're treating me differently than my brothers. At least they're trying and if I'm the common cause for them doing so, then that's fine," I tell them.

Usually I would argue that they're being unfair, but maybe they're finding an excuse to try and since I'm the one that talked them both into it. The least I can do is give them that without arguing.

"Anyways, we're doing game night tonight and you're all invited to come," I change the subject.

"No way," Robyn shakes her head. "Game night is so lame!"

"It's sweet," Isla argues. "You can count me in."

"Me too," Miles nods, knowing when one agrees the other is usually to follow.

"Robby?" I turn my attention back to her in question.

"I love you, Vee but no," she shakes her head.

"Awe, come on," Isla nudges her arm. "Come! It'll be fun."

"No, nope, no way," she argues. "I can't do it."

"Are you sure?" I smile smugly. "Because, I mean, with Felix coming that means Greyson's going to be partnerless. You don't want that, do you?"

"It's very cruel of you to use your extremely hot brother against me," Robyn dances her finger at me as she rolls her eyes. "So, if I come I get to be partners with the super-hot Alexander sibling?"

"Yes," I laugh.

"You're the worst," she shakes her head. "Alright, fine. I'll come, but only because your brother is the hottest thing to walk this earth."

"You have a serious problem," Isla laughs as the sound of rocks cracking under the sole of a shoe grabs my attention and when I turn my head, my lips curl up to find Felix heading my way. "You really need to get over your crush on Greyson, Robby. It's not going to happen."

"You don't know that!" Robyn argues. "He hasn't seen me in like a year. He could magically fall in love with me now."

"I wouldn't count on that," I tell her honestly as Felix tosses on leg over the bench and sits down sideways next to me. "Hi there."

"Hey," he grins, resting his hand on my thigh sending a thrill through the rest of my body. "I can't stay for long. I've got a meeting with Coach Davidson in a few minutes but I got your text so what's up?"

"Right," I hum, almost forgetting I had texted him that morning. I turn slightly in my spot, resting my knee against his leg. "My parents want to meet you before they'll let me go out with you. I know it's short notice but we're having a games night and you're invited."

"I've met your mom before."

"I know it's weird but she wants you to meet my dad and they won't let me go Saturday without meeting you," I admit and my stomach turns, afraid he might back out.

"Should I be nervous?" He asks.

"They don't bite," I laugh lightly with a smile on my face. "Is that a yes?"

"Depends, are you coming to the game?" He questions and the smile on his face like a bright white light, impossible to say no to. Impossible to feel anything but adoration.

"Yes," I bob my head with a grin. "I'm coming."

"Then I'll be there," he grins and gets up to his feet. "I've got to go."

"Okay, I'll see you tonight," I smile up at him and he bobs his head.

"You sure will," he smiles and leans down, kissing me gently. "Bye Nicks."

"Bye," I wave, nearly awe struck by the way I still get to do that.

That he's mine to kiss whenever I want to. That I'm his to kiss whenever he wants. Leaving a twist in my stomach, curling my toes in my shoes and grinning like a fool as I turn back to my friends. Reaching up to touch my lips, biting down on my bottom lip to try and hide my excitement.

"Okay, that's adorable," Robyn grins. "You're dating the homecoming king!"

"He's not the homecoming king and we aren't dating," I argue. "Not yet, at least."

"He's totally the homecoming king," Miles laughs. "If you think otherwise you're fooling yourself."

I roll my eyes, though I know their telling me the truth. Felix is popular. Insanely popular. The kind of popular you see in teen dramas and there is no doubt in my mind that he won't win the award. That doesn't mean I care in the slightest about the popularity contest that is the homecoming court.

"It doesn't matter," I argue.

"You're right," Isla nods, agreeing with me. "It doesn't matter. What matters is how freaking cute the two of you are. I've never seen you so happy, Vee. It's basically beaming off you."

"I am happy now, more so than I ever have been," I admit. "I didn't realize I wasn't until Felix, but things are better now. Better than they ever have been and I'm just excited."

"That's what it feels like to be alive, my friend," Robyn grins as she gets up and sits down on my side of the table. "I'm glad you're happy, Stevie. You deserve every ounce of it."

"Tonight's going to be fun," Miles chuckles. "I mean, if I know anything about your family it's that you're competitive as hell. The last game night I was at, all of you were at each other's throats."

"We were not," I roll my eyes, though he isn't wrong.

Growing up in a house full of men, I got my competitive nature from them. Knowing I either had to play their games and fight to win, or never hear the end of it. It's a survival technique and it's followed all of us into our teenage years. It doesn't help that our parents are competitive with each other.

Always having to have the last word.

Laugh.

Kiss.

They were always trying to beat the other and it either makes them who they are, or breaks them as a couple. I haven't quite figured out which of the two it is, but seeing as mom was the one suggesting game night and the one extending an invitation, I'll take it as a good sign.

"You so are," Robyn laughs. "It's one of your charms."

"Yeah, yeah," I roll my eyes. "Miles, Isla. You'll come to the game with me tonight?"

"Sure," Miles nods for both of them. "We'll come pick you up at five and we can ride together."

"Sounds good to me," I nod.

And just like that, my life is on a track I never expected. One where I'm actually excited about going to a football game, that before I wouldn't be caught dead at if it wasn't for my requirement with the paper and now I'm happily agreeing to it.

a/n;

It's been way too long since I last updated, so there will be a double update tonight. And to update you on the state of my hair, it is still very purple.