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"Hey Dad," I jogged to my father, feeling my recently done braids bounce off with me. "There's a lacrosse game tonight at our school, that Jackson invited me to, could you maybe join me?"

I was more than excited for tonight's game, but also severely nervous about meeting Jackson after what happened yesterday...

All I could think of was what I'm supposed to tell him once we meet, how I'm going to act, what am I going to do... anxiety just never leaves my soul free.

The only way tension could ease is by dragging someone with me, and all I have is my father.

"Tonight?" He nervously chuckled making my smile slightly fade.

"I thought you were off of work today."

"I am, princess," his hands rested on my shoulder as I sat properly beside him. "I have really big plans tonight."

"Plans?" Hearing that from him was odd...very odd. My father is a pretty laid back person once it comes to off days and weekends. He doesn't do 'plans'. "Where are you going?"

"I, uh," he scratched the back of his head, smiling nervously.

I could tell he wasn't very relaxed about spilling what today's plan was.. and so, per usual, it transferred to me.

"Is everything alright, dad?"

"Yeah, yes, everything's totally fine. Don't worry," he reassured me with another nervous grin before I turned my full attention on him. "Listen, Lia..I wasn't planning on having to tell you this way....but look, princess. You understand how this house runs. It's been the same routine for a little too long and I think it might be time for a change."

"Are we moving away?"

"No, no" he chuckled at my wide eyes before resting his hands on mine, taking a deep breath before proceeding "I'm dating and I have a date tonight."

Right at this moment, my insides flipped.

Dad is going on a date.

My father is dating a woman.

"God! Finally!" I excitedly jumped on the couch, watching him look at me confused. "A girl is going to finally join us! I've been waiting for this moment for way too long.."

"For real? You're not ...mad? or anything?" He smiled, making me stand up in front of him.

"Not at all," I squealed, jumping again making him sigh in relief, "I'm very happy! Am I going to meet her soon?"

"We could plan that today..I think you two are going to go just well together."

"When did it happen?" I sat again, ready to bombard him with my curios questions.

This is a new topic.

This hasn't happened in 17 years...

"Is this your first date?"

"It's the fourth," he smiled, gazing at me before proceeding, "she's amazing. Just a little younger than me. She's a happy, energetic soul whom is as well excited to meet you but a little nervous."

"Why don't you ask her to be your girlfriend?"

His breath hitched, before he smiled lightly, looking ahead at the wooden plaque, "I don't know..I really want to but I don't think today's suitable. It's just a casual movie date.....do you think I should?"

"I think that'd make it even better. You don't have to be on an elegant date to ask her to be your girlfriend."

He looked up, smiling lightly as I chuckled at his nervous yet excited state. "Make sure you tell her a speech before asking her to be yours. Girls love that."

"Noted," he winked at me before taking the jersey I held in my hands. "Does that say 'Byers' as in his last name!"

I nodded, standing up in front of him. "He asked me to wear it to the game."

"Well played...I like that guy," he smiled making me blush at his comment. "I want you home by ten and make sure you text me once you get there and once you arrive home. Oh, and if you two go way too far, know I'm sending him way too far, too."

"Dad!"

"I'm just kidding...just no monkey business. It's only the second date."

"So...would you please, please, please join me?"

I heard Lia literally beg me as I stirred the Early Grey tea, smiling.

"Don't worry. I'm coming to pick you up in an hour, I'll be your wingman."

"Sounds new I love it. Should I go a little natural with make up? Who am I kidding I can barely put anything on my face properly, urgh," she talked quickly, literally freaking out over very little things.

This girl is perfect and she doesn't even know it. She denies it.

Goddamn, Lia.

"Calm down, princess. I'm very sure that jersey will look super cute on you."

"Ok, ok," she sighed, chuckling lightly before I put the phone on speaker, taking off my sweatpants to search for something casual to wear. "I'm just very worried. It's a long story."

"Whatever it is, you shouldn't be worried, you're perfectly fine."

I really do mean it when I say she's perfect. The guilt inside eating me with love is way too strong. I can't help it.

She's a whole different world and I love it.

"Thank you, Ross. I really don't know what I would've done without you," her sweet voice made me uncontrollably stare into vast, smiling.

"There's absolutely no need to thank me. I promise."

"I just feel bad for having you spend your only off day with me because I'm too shy to face Jackson alone. How can I ever repay you?"

"Kiss him!" I told her, squinting my eyes before picking out my ripped jeans. "Now go get ready or else we'll end up late."

"Alright, bye bye," she hung up making me draw a sharp breath through my teeth.

"Please, lord don't let them kiss."

I stared at the ceiling slowly taking in what I had just prayed for out loudly.

I'm such a miserable man.

Quickly changing into my outfit, topping it off with a random hoodie and clear glasses, in hope that my identity wouldn't be too revealed among everyone at their school.

It almost time for the game, and I had to hurry, spraying on some perfume and walking out the penthouse with my car keys.

I got inside the car after leaving the building, turned on the car's ignition and drove away to her house.

My insides flipped just thinking of what is going to happen tonight. It's hard knowing I should be the one to grant her help and yet I can't do anything about needing help to get over my desires.

I should help her find confidence, find comfort, and slowly heal from what happens to her at night...the only way her soul could slowly heal is by drawing her attention away from anything that could hurt her. The only way her soul could slowly heal is by love...but the only way my desire could heal is by her.

"Sweet cotton candy," I mumbled, parking near her house to turn off the ignition and walk out to her door.

I rang the doorbell, prepared myself for having my breath taken away just in case she shows up like a goddamn goddess.

Fuck it, Ross.

The door opened revealing her worried, anxious self standing with her knees touching. "Hi," she sighed making me smile.

I caught my breath, before speaking up. "You look amazing."

"Thank you," she stood up a little more straight, making the big jersey that looks cute with her jean shorts, Chuck Taylors, and knee high white socks with two red stripes on the very top of it stand out more.

Her hair was in two french braids made from the top and rested on her shoulders with several chains on it.

"You look very different," she pointed at the glasses, slowly having her eyes travel down the jean jacket and my black ripped jeans. "I wish I could have almost everything suit me the way literally anything suits you."

"I'll take that as a compliment," I found myself blushing a little, before looking at the car. "We probably should leave now. We don't want to be late."

**********

"You made it," I watched, whom I assumed was Jackson, hugging Lia tightly, as I stood behind with my hands stuffed in my pockets.

"Of course," she, with every ounce of shyness she owned, confessed to him before looking at me.

"This is Ross, he's my-"

"Her uncle. It's very nice to meet you," I shook hands with him, drawing the best smile I could.

He was pretty good looking. Typical school good jock, confident, smart, sweet, easy..very easy.

"Wow, for real? You look pretty young," he chuckled lightly making me do the same, before Lia joined in.

"Him and dad have a huge age gap," she smiled a little, getting even more nervous.

I couldn't blame her...an angel never lies.

"Jackson! You got a game here," a hoarse voice called for him, as he apologetically smiled at us.

"I gotta go, I'll catch up with you after the game?"

"Totally, good luck," she left his hand, watching him jog away. I knew exactly what was coming next.

"My uncle?"

"Better than having trust issues with me being your "friend"," I shrugged making her shake her head laughing.

"Thank you, Uncle Ross," she wrapped her arm around my waist as I rested mine on her shoulder, walking to a seat.

"My pleasure, Kiddo."

The game was pretty intense, having Jackson score most of the goals for the team and the opponents play their best...but thankfully, an extra goal was scored during the last minute and the home team won after a very long gaucherie with sticks that held nets and flying balls everywhere. Almost as if both teams were in war for that cup, won by Jackson's team.

But I lost.

I lost the trust in my own heart once I saw Jackson taking Lia by the hand as they receive the cup. I lost the peace I had within my emotions once I stared at them locking their lips together in a kiss, way too long to be a first.

I lost when everything around me went silent and I heard my heart shatter at the sight of the girl whom managed to steal my heart, having hers stolen by another boy.

I lost when my mind, heart and consciousness fought my own body throughout the entire sleepless night that was conquered and defeated by insomnia.

I lost.