A few hours later, I wake up with a smile on my face. The lingering feeling of Felix's lips against mine still there as I bring my fingertips up to my bottom lip, running them over it as I squeeze my eyes shut. I did it. I went on a date with Felix and I'm glad I did. He's making an impact on me. A big one and I'm not scared of it anymore. I'm excited to see what comes next for me. For us. He's coated every inch of my mind, something I'm constantly thinking about. About his lips. His eyes. His voice.

Everything.

Sitting up on my elbows, I lean over to the nightstand and grab my phone off the charger. Not a single text message or phone call from my mom. Just a few from Riker asking where I am and if I need him to cover for me. And of course, the additions to my group chat with Robyn and Isla demanding to know every detail.

best night ever

TELL US EVERYTHING

Before I even have a chance to type out a response, my phone is buzzing from Robyn calling me. As I hit the green button on the screen, I bring the device up to my ear and I'm immediately pestered with questions from both her and Isla, who's on the three way call with us.

"Where did he take you?" Robyn asks at the same time Isla demands the same thing her text asks, to tell her absolutely everything.

"Okay, okay! Slow down," I laugh. "I'll tell you."

Static fills the earpiece as they silence themselves, settling down so I can talk without needing to talk over them. A small chuckle leaves my lips as I realize just how ridiculous my life has gotten since the start of school. The summer me would have never believed that this is how the year was going to turn out.

"The anticipation is killing us, Vee!" Isla whines into the receiver and I know her face is scrunched up as she says it.

"Agreed," Robyn says, but her voice is calmer than Isla's.

The usual reaction I get from them. The excitably Isla and the calmer, relaxed Robyn. They balance each other and I'm never more grateful than I am in these moments. When we're too excited to contain ourselves and their constant support through my soap opera of a life.

"It was seriously perfect," I exhale truthfully. "He got his teammates to set up this picnic for us on this secluded part of the beach. It was literally just us and we ate pizza and talked. It wasn't so much pressure, it was simple and sweet and amazing."

"Does that mean he's getting a second?"

"Yes, absolutely," I nod as I sit up, leaning back into my head board. "We fell asleep watching the stars."

"Wait, fell asleep?" Isla asks. "What time did you get home?"

I swallow as I rub my hand over my collar, moving my fingers towards the pendants on my necklace. I squeeze the sharp edges of the birds between my fingers and exhales softly. "Close to six."

"Oh my god, how are you not dead? My mom would have killed me," Robyn gasps.

"She doesn't know," I tell them. "Riker covered for me."

"Seriously?" Isla asks.

I hum, "I had no idea. I fully expected to come home to my mom furious with me but when I got up to my room, Riker was there covering for me."

Even without seeing her, I know Robyn is shaking her head. She's never gotten along with her siblings, not the way I do with my brothers and I think a small part of her is desperate to have the bond we do.

"Unbelievably! My brother would throw me to the wolves if I ever did that."

"My brothers actually like me, Robby," I laugh lightly, teasing her. "I didn't ask him to do it. He just did."

"Lucky," she sighs before her voice brightens. "So, second date? When is it?"

"Not sure yet," I shrug. "He asked me to homecoming though."

"What?" Isla screams into the phone forcing me to pull it away from my ear.

"Isla! Volume," Robyn shouts back. "But seriously?"

"Yes!" I laugh. "I mean, I still have to work the dance for the paper and yearbook but technically speaking, he will be my date."

"Technically speaking," Robyn mocks. "You're such a dork, Vee."

"And you love me," I tell her. "So...when do we want to go dress shopping?"

"Is today too soon?" Isla asks before answering the question herself. "Actually, I don't care. We're doing it."

A laugh pours from my lips, "Today sounds good. One, okay?"

"One's perfect," Robyn answers.

"Cool! I'll come pick you both up," I hum out. "Now, I have to go shower. I have sand in my hair."

"Gross," Isla laughs. "See you soon, Vee."

We say our goodbyes and I set my phone back on the charger to get a full charge before climbing out of bed. By the time I shower, get dressed, strip the sheets from my bed and eat it's nearly twelve thirty and I have to leave to pick the girls up.

"Mom?" I shout as I get to the bottom of the stairs, heading around the corner of the stairs to head for her office. Tucking a piece of fallen hair behind my ear before grabbing at the collar of the black hoodie I'm wearing tucked into the top of my shorts and adjusting it.

When I reach the door, it's slightly ajar and I can see her sitting at her desk. I reach for the knob, ready to step inside when I see her reach for the picture frame on her desk. Her wedding picture and my heart tightens for her as she traces her index finger over the image.

I see the cracks in her heart. They're displayed on her face, clear as day. As if they've been there all along - except they haven't. She wasn't always so lost.

"Mom? You okay?" I ask, deciding to give her a distract.

"I'm okay," she nods as she sets the picture down, lifting her head to meet my eyes and her smile curls up. "How was your date with Felix last night?"

"Really good," I smile. "He took me for a picnic on the beach. We ate pizza and talked."

"That's great, Stevie," she nods. "He seems like a nice guy. Despite what Greyson said happened."

"He told you about that?"

"Of course, he did," she smiles. "He's your big brother. He wants to protect you from everything."

"He doesn't need to protect me from Felix."

"I know," she tells me. "And I know people can say things they don't mean. Stupid things that are completely out of character and if I abandoned your dad after the first stupid thing he said, we definitely wouldn't be married right now."

I nod, "Felix asked me to homecoming."

Her face lights up at the mention of the dance since this is the first time I'm going because I want to, and not because of my requirement with school. A smile I haven't seen on her face in ages. The same smile she used to give my dad.

"Stevie, that's so wonderful!"

"Yeah," I nod in agreement. "Robyn, Isla and me are going dress shopping right now."

"Let me get you my credit card," she exclaims and reaches for her bag.

"Oh, mom, that's not why I came in here," I shake my head in protest. "I just wanted to let you know I'm heading out. Not come ask you for money."

"Nonsense," she waves me off. "I never went to my homecoming. The least I can do is buy you a dress for yours."

I press my lips together as she picks the card out of her wallet and holds it out to me. "Mom?"

"What is it, sweetie?"

"Would you maybe want to come with us?" I ask, making the decide right then and there to invite her along for the afternoon. "Help me find the perfect dress?"

"I don't want to impose on you and your friends," she declines, shaking her head at me.

"You wouldn't be! Robyn and Isla love you," I argue with her. "Plus you have great style. I'm sure they'd love your input."

"I don't know, Stevie."

"Please?" I smile big, hoping she'll know I'm not asking out of pity. "It'll be so much fun. It's been way to long since the last time we had girl time and they won't mind. I promise."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," I nod my head, making more pieces of my hair fall out from my loose ponytail. "I one hundred and ten percent want you to come with and I'm not taking no for an answer."

"Okay," she nods and shuts her laptop. "I'd love to come."

A few minutes later she's ready and in the passenger seat of my car as I drive to pick up the girls. It's been so long since we spend time together without all the boys around. Growing up in a house that's mainly boys, it was always nice to have those times just me and mom. It made me feel special but as I got older, growing into some of my less girly qualities – the space between us changed.

We stopped having our times together because I rather spend the night playing video games with the boys than watching romantic comedy. Or go to a hockey game instead of the theatre. I know a lot of it has to do with the environment I grew up with, it shaped me into the person I am now but that doesn't mean I haven't missed the times I spent with my mom.

Having this time now, seems more important than ever because I know not everyone gets to have these close bonds with their parents. Some get relationship built on fear, or disappointment rather than support and approval. And for that reason alone, I know I need to appreciate how lucky I am and savour every moment I get.

"Okay, I'm so over these dresses," Robyn groans as she steps out of the dressing room for the eighth time in another dress that doesn't suit her. "Isla, did you find something yet?" She asks as I sit in the cushioned chairs, having had no luck in my own search.

"Um...yes," Isla gasps as she steps out of the dressing room in a dark aqua dress. "This is the best thing I've ever put on my body."

"Isla, you look amazing!" I grin in delight.

"Don't I?" She excitedly grins at me, running her hands down the front of the strapless gown. "It's so perfect."

The color complimenting her fair skin tone as it hugs her body, flaring out at the waist into a high and low dress. The front meeting the top of her knees while the back rests at the back of her calf. The fabric decorated with little jewels and gems.

"It's definitely the dress," I nod in agreement.

"You do look lovely, Isla," my mom smiles in her direction.

"It's kind of your dress," Robyn grins. "You have to get it."

"I have to, don't I?" Isla hums out and let out a breath of air. "Okay, I'm doing it. One dress down. Two to go!"

"Yeah, good luck with that," Robyn pouts. "Not one of these looks good on me and Stevie isn't even trying to find a dress."

"Excuse me! I wanted to see yours," I argue with them. "I don't know what I want."

"Come on, girls," my mom gets up from her seat, offering me her hand to help me up. "Let's go find you something. Robyn, you sit tight. I'll find you something."

"Styled by Emery Alexander?" Robyn hums before her lips curl up into a grin. "Yes, please."

"We'll be back," I tell them as we head into the store again, my arm hooked through hers. "I'm really glad you came, mom. I don't think this would be nearly as fun if you hadn't."

"I'm glad I came to," she smiles at me. "I've missed doing this stuff with you, Stevie."

"Me too," I admit. "Let's never go this long ever again."

"Deal," she nods in agreement, stopping short in front of a rack of dresses. "What about this one?"

"Mom, it's pink," I pout.

"Right," she nods. "So...no pink."

"No pink," I shake my head. "Or blue. Or purple."

"You'd look nice in purple," she tells me before holding her hands up. "Okay, no purple."

"Thank you," I laugh and turn towards a rack against the back wall with an arrangement of darker fabrics.

I move through them before stop on a black dress, the sheer black fabric showing the nude slip underneath with tiny black polka dots. The sweetheart neckline tight to the outline of the human body, the corset style top detailed with strips of black satin fabric the lines stopping in the satin waistline. It's not the color that excites me though. It's the sparks of colors in the insect patches.

Unique and perfect.

"Mom?" I ask as I pull it out of the rack and turn it around to show her.

"It's perfect," she grins. "Go try it on. I think I found something for Robyn."

I bob my head and head into the dressing room area again. Isla and Robyn look at me suspiciously as I step into the room, and as soon as I have the dress on my body I know it's the one. It hugs my body perfectly. The end of the dress hitting just below the middle of my thigh. The perfect length for my short body.

"Vee! Your mom is a genius," Robyn yells and a laugh falls from my lips as I open the curtain and step out into the opening. "Damn, you look hot."

"Thank you," I laugh as I turn, adjusting the black straps on my shoulders. The strings tied in a bow at the top, adding to the dress design. "I love this," I point to the red pant suit Robyn has on.

"Right?" She grins, grabbing the openings of the red blazer and moves her hips.

"That was surprisingly easy," I admit before looking over at Isla who's back in her clothes, hugging the dress to her chest with a sad look on her face. "Isla, what's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing," she shakes her head and exhales. "It's too expensive. I can't get it."

"Yes, you can," my mom smiles. "Because I'm buying it for you."

"What?" Isla asks, her eyes wide. "You don't have to that!"

"I know, but I want to," she waves it off. "You too, Robyn. Consider it a thank you for everything you've done for Stevie."

My lips curl up as Isla squeals and rushes my mom, wrapping her arms around her. Robyn lets out a laugh before joining the hug and I step forward to join them. The afternoon taking a surprising turn and now that I have the perfect dress. It suddenly doesn't seem impossible to enjoy the dance for reasons other than the camera in my hands.