Holding hands with you

makes my feelings for you grow

just by your soft touch

"We are not dressing up as that. No. Absolutely not," Austin says and we sit down in the library, both on our free period. Andrea decided it would be 'cute' to coordinate our costumes. I'm not exactly liking the idea, but Austin seems to be open about it, saying it could be cool.

"Well do you have any ideas?" I sigh. "And no I am not dressing up as a hooker or in a slutty nurse outfit."

Austin pouts and I roll my eyes. "Well lets not dress up at all then," he mutters.

"Fine. You are so stubborn," I say, throwing my hands up in exasperation. Austin's about to argue when there's a loud laugh behind us. I turn to see my brother, Aidan there with his arms crossed and a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

"Lovers quarrel already?" he asks, sitting down in one of the chairs at the table.

"No, of course not. Andrea thought it would be cute if we dressed up," Austin says with a sigh.

Aidan throws his head back, laughing. "And you listened to her?"

My family knows Austin and I are going to the dance together. We aren't boy friend and girl friend, we decided to take things slow. And oddly enough, they are okay with everything.

Well, sort of.

"Are you sure about this?" I ask, eyeing Austin curiously. We stand on the porch steps, just outside the house. Austin wanted to ask me to the dance the 'traditional' way he said, by asking my Dad if he could take me to the dance. I think it's sweet.

First though, we have to get through my brothers, especially Aidan, who's Austin's best friend. He nods, taking a deep breath.

"I don't want to sneak around, that would just make them mad. And, I think neither of us want that," Austin points out.

"You can say that again," I say, agreeing. My brothers are protective, and they didn't like the idea of me dating. My parents know I can handle my self, but I'm their baby girl as they put it, and the only girl.

Austin and I walk into the house and my Mom is cooking supper, while Ben and Dad watch TV in the living room. Aidan is just coming down the stairs and smiles when he sees me with Austin.

"So, did you two make up?" he asks, and I look at him in confusion and Austin nods.

"Austin, its nice to see you, are you staying for supper?" my mom asks, coming around the island. my dad comes out of the living room to greet Austin as well but Ben stays entranced with the show he's watching.

"No. I have to get home actually. I just wanted to ask you guys if it was okay...if I took Emma to the...Halloween dance," Austin says, sighing in relief. My mom smiles, putting her hand to her mouth.

"Oh yes of course," my Dad says, and laughs with a wave of his hand.

Austin and I look at each other. Aidan bursts into laughter.

"As in my date to the Halloween dance," Austin clarifies, rubbing the back of his head.

Then I realize my Dad hasn't quite catch on to what Austin is actually saying. I smile, watching my Dads expression change as he realizes what Austin is actually asking me to the dance as his date.

"Oh," my Dad says, nods his head. He thinks for a moment before looking at Austin, studying him, then nods again. "Alright, but you better be good to her," My Dad warns.

My heart jumps and I grin.

"Thank you sir. I'll look after her," Austin says, squeezing my hand. Aidan walks over to his best friend and slaps him on the back.

"You bet you will," Aidan says in a serious tone.

Ben comes over putting his arm around my shoulder, but doesn't say anything. Something tells me that they already knew about this, because they didn't act surprised or directly deny Austin's request.

Austin stays for dinner that night and my parents announce that Austin is taking me to the dance over my protests and embarrassment. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my older brothers stare at me. That night, after Austin leaves and I'm headed to my room, Owen, Jude, and Logan corner me by the stairs.

"So, Austin huh?" Jude says, narrowing his eyes at me. Straight to the point.

"How long have you liked him?" Logan asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

I shrug. "Just before school started, but who knows, maybe I had feeling before that and didn't even realize," I say, smiling.

"I can't believe you've been hanging around with him, right under our noses, right inside this house!" Owen snaps.

I sigh. "I'm not a little kid anymore. I'm bound to date and have relationships," I say. "Why is that so hard for you guys to understand?"

"Because you're our little sister!" Jude points out. "We just don't think you're ready to have your heart broken," he says and looks at Logan and Owen. They nod.

"Well, you don't have to worry, I can look after myself," I say, and push past my brothers.

"Fine, don't come to us crying when it doesn't work out," Jude mutters, and earns a elbow in the gut from Owen.

"Why wouldn't it work out?" I ask, confused as to why they have not confidence in me.

Logan shrugs. "Do you know how it could ruin Aidan and Austin's friendship if things didn't work out?"

"Don't you dare try and guilt trip me out of this," I say, glaring at Logan. "Please, just let me figure things out for myself."

I make my escape then, not wanting to hear anything else they have to say. Their the only ones that have a problem with Austin. Daniel isn't here to give his two cents, but I'm sure he'll know soon enough. And of course, Quinn doesn't give a rats ass about anything I do.

It's unsettling to think my brothers don't think I'm ready for a relationship. Joey though, he makes up for the three of them with his excitement.

"So, have you guys decided what you're going to where to the dance?" Aidan asks, and exchanges a glance between Austin and I. We eye each other, grinning. After our free, we had Chemistry and had come up with an idea together that we both liked.

"You'll just have to wait and see," I say, laughing.

"What why not?" Aidan asks, crossing his arms over his chest, clearly not expecting to be left out of the loop.

"We want to keep it a secret, a surprise," I answer, shrugging a shoulder.

"Don't worry man, it's not anything horrendous," Austin assures my brother, patting his arm.

Aidan lets it go, and we talk about other things; like Mom having guests over for dinner tomorrow night. It's the Price family who lives a few blocks down from our street.

"So Whitney will be having dinner with you guys? You should ask her what is going through her head when she hangs with Carla and her posse," Austin says, shaking his head.

I'm not excited about having the Price family over for dinner. I find the mother too obnoxious and the father nice. Too nice.

"I have no idea how her parents have stayed together for so long. They drive me insane and I don't even live with them," Aidan mutters. "Whitney is going to end up just like them if she keep hanging out with Carla."

The bell rings, and Austin takes my hand, pulling me from my chair.

"Do you mind if I steal Emma away for a bit?"

I look at Austin, confused, not knowing where he's taking me.

Aidan shrugs, not seeming to care. "Have her back by six sharp," he says, pointing at Austin. I roll my eyes at Aidan's attempt to act tough. Austin leads me out to his truck, opening the door for me.

I smile. "Thanks."

"Where are we going?" I ask once Austin is in the drivers seat.

"It's a surprise."