I ended up staying with Connor last night. Honestly, I just wanted to get the hell out of the house because the dads are home, and well, I am my parents child, I got my drive from somewhere.

Connor and I walked down to the kitchen, and Jason, Oaken and Olivia were already in there because the moms went to work.

Jason and Oaken were eating massive bowls of oat meal, and Olivia was curled in a ball in a chair, half asleep still eating on of those little omelet cups that you just crack an egg in too.

Honestly, they all looked miserable.

"Who died?" Connor gave them a look.

Olivia closed her eyes and sighed.

Well, I guess that's how today is starting. With her thinking about the baby.

Shit.

I sat down and pulled my phone out.

Remember please, he doesn't know what happened.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket.

Doesn't really help it Mason.

"So, this one is going dress shopping today." Jason pointed at Olivia. "What are the boys plans?"

Jake came walking in to the kitchen. "Oaken and I are going shopping in Hershey today." He sat down with him.

"Hi." Oaken smiled.

"Hi little brother." He nodded. "Little brother Hollow, Little brother Connor."

We both waved.

"How you feeling this week?" He looked at Olivia.

"I'm fine." She nodded.

He subtly glanced at me.

I shook my head.

"We, are going to Hardy's with Ben, Ryan and Carter." Connor nodded.

Jake and Oaken just looked at him.

"Ryan and Carter are fine." I nodded. "Havannah is going shopping with the girls today. We're all growing."

"Good boy." Jake pointed at me.

"It it bad that it's weird for me to see Abby and Ryan with anyone but each other?" Jason looked at all of us.

"Trust me, I love Carter. But it's still weird for me." Olivia nodded.

"Good morning Pates and my child." My dad came walking through the back door.

We all waved.

"This." My dad handed me a big envelope. Another one this week from a certain school I had been made to apply to last year from our soccer coach. "Came for you."

"Dad." I jumped and slid it under my legs.

"Mason, it's the fourth one this week." He nodded and sat down.

"Where's this one from?" Connor smiled.

"No where." I shook my head.

"Mase, you've gotten LSU, Ohio State, and Auburn this week. Where is it?" He laughed.

"It's not important." I shook my head again.

"I'll rip the envelope right out from under you." He nodded.

I sighed and glanced over at Olivia who was still eating. "Stanford." I pursed my lips.

And I don't know if she swallowed without chewing, or it took her by surprise, but she started choking.

"Whoah whoah. Liv." Oaken started smacking her back.

Like, gasping for breath choking. She took a drink of water, stood up still coughing and started walking out. "Liv you good?" Jake yelled.

"Yeah." She coughed. "Fucking perfect." She yelled as she walked through the living room.

"You got in to Stanford?" Connor looked at me.

I nodded. "Britton made me apply last year because they were looking at me for soccer."

"You have a GPA that can get you in to Stanford?" Jason raised his eyebrows.

I nodded.

"How." He shook his head.

"The same way Connor did." I pursed my lips.

"Olivia?" My dad raised his eyebrows.

"Yes dad, Olivia." I shook my head. "She helped me fill out most of my apps last year, the same way she did Connor. Aside from the one from Stanford."

Both dads scrunched their faces. "Hey Connor, can you run to the store for your mom super quick. She asked if you can bring her breakfast, and after the ass beating you gave that boy you're in no position to say no." Jason looked at him.

He sighed. "Fine." He rolled his eyes and got up.

He took Jason's truck and left.

"I didn't know you didn't tell her." My dad shook his head.

"Aside from filling out a few apps, last year, before we started dating or even thought about it, we haven't talked about college yet." I shook my head.

Jason sighed. "Go talk to her."

I sighed and walked up-stairs.

I knocked on her door and walked in.

She was wrapped in her towel and turned around.

"Are you alright?" I pursed my lips.

"I'm fine." She turned back to her mirror and untwisted her bun.

"Liv." I shook my head. "Talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about." She shook her head.

I closed the door and sat on her bed. "You just choked on an omelet cup and said fucking in front of your father." I nodded.

"Still nothing to talk about." She re-did her bun.

"Babe, it was before you I even thought about getting together." I sighed.

"Mason, I'm not talking about this right now. I have to tan and get ready." She put her tanning glove on and grabbed her foam.

"Olivia you're mad at me." I shook my head.

"If I was mad at you, you'd know. I'm not mad, I'm getting ready."

"Well, give me your glove and I'll do your back." I held my hand out.

"I've got it Mason. I'll be doing it by myself next year when you're at Stanford." She shook her head.

"See." I stood up. "You are mad!"

"Mason, if you want me to get mad about it, I will get fucking mad about it! Right now, I'm trying to get ready, so go get ready for your day with the boys and let me process what the hell just happened." She yelled.

"Oh my god!" I yelled. "I can not wait for your hormones to go back to fucking normal." I ran my fingers through my hair.

But the minute this girl crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.

I sighed and closed my eyes. "That was dumb." I shook my head. "I didn't mean to say that."

I looked at her, and the look on her face is actually telling me it's no longer safe in her room.

"Baby I'm sorry." I reached for her hand but she pulled it away.

And with a shaky hand, she pointed toward the door.

"Ol." I shook my head.

"If you like your life, and you know what's good for you. You'll get the hell out of my room." She nodded.

"Alright." I nodded. "I will go. But promise me we can talk about it later."

"Connor will be home." She shook her head.

"So leave your window open."

She sighed. "I will leave my window open. But if you ever mention my hormones again I will punch you in the face. You're the reason they're out of whack."

"I know." I nodded. "Baby I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. Can I please just-" I stepped toward her and just wrapped my arms around her. "I'm sorry."

She just stood there.

"I'm not letting go until you hug me back." I shook my head.

She sighed and hugged me back.

"Take the day, figure out what you need to say, and enjoy your shopping day." I kissed the top of her head.

"Have fun with the boys." She nodded.

"I'm not going to have fun knowing you're mad at me."

"We're fine. We'll talk later." She sighed.

"OK." I leaned down and kissed her.

"I love you." I nodded and pulled away.

"I know." She gave me a small smile.

I sighed. "Have fun." I walked out and went down stairs.

4 hours later, we've been at Hardy's for 2 hours, and I've really been trying to have fun.

But once we started bowling and I sat down, everything from this morning came flooding back. She was literally caught so off guard that she choked on an egg. She says we're fine, but I know she's not happy right now. And it's killing me.

Out of no where, Carter of all people came and sat with me.

"Are you alright?" He looked at me.

"Yeah." I nodded. "I'm good."

He sighed. "You know I can keep my mouth shut, right?" He raised his eyebrows.

I let out a small laugh. "Clearly Carter, you had a double life for years."

He laughed. "Yeah, yeah I did. But I'm not talking about that." He shook his head.

"Then what're you talking about."

He pursed his lips. "You and Olivia."

My face completely changed. "What're you talking about?" I shook my head.

"Mason, I'm a smart guy." He nodded. "I sit directly in front of you two in English. I see the way you look at each other and take care of each other."

"Carter, I-"

"I'm not gonna say anything to anyone, especially knowing Connor. I haven't even brought it up to Abby because it's obvious she doesn't know." He shook his head.

I sighed. "How long have you known."

"About a month now." He nodded.

I cleared my throat. "Hey guys, Carter and I are gonna go get more drinks. You want anything?"

Connor, Ben, and Ryan all told me what they wanted and Carter and I headed toward the restaurant portion of Hardy's.

We sat down and waited.

"What's up?" He leaned back and crossed his arms.

"You're a smart kid, right?"

He nodded.

"How would you go about talking to a girl about college?"

Wow, I never thought I would be sitting here asking Carter Pruitt for girl advice, so apparently, my life is a lot more screwy that I thought.

"OOf. Uhm. I guess, the best way to actually go about it is sit down, and do as much listening as you do talking." He nodded. "And, talk about your choices. Take each others in consideration. And, if you guys have some that match up, start from there. Is that what's wrong? Olivia and college?"

"I stayed with Connor last night, and my dad brought over my acceptance letter from Stanford this morning." I nodded.

He just stared at me.

"Yes, I got in to Stanford."

"Sorry." He shook his head. "I didn't expect that."

"I just, I don't even know if I want to go. I mean, NYU has always been my plan, but I haven't heard anything from them."

"Well if you got in to Stanford, NYU is a good shot. But, if she's upset about it, just, actually listen. Don't push her to talk if she doesn't want to. But eventually, you're both gonna have to talk about it. You just have to be willing to compromise too."

I sighed and nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

"I can safely say I am not looking forward to ever having this conversation." He shook his head.

"How are things with you and Abby?"

"Are you genuinely asking." He asked.

I nodded.

"Things are actually really good." He nodded. "She is, uh, really affectionate." He nodded.

I raised my eyebrows. "Affectionate? Meaning?" I let out a small laugh.

"I have never been with a girl who likes to have sex literally every day." He shook his head.

"Oh my god." I laughed. "I regret asking."

"Like I'm not complaining, but I'm literally in the gym every day of the week, and I am tired as shit." He nodded.

I couldn't stop laughing.

"How do you do it, literally."

"Honestly, uh, focus on foreplay for the most part." I laughed. "And a lot of gatorade and energy bars."

"She is really giving me a run for my money. But she is, everything I've ever dreamed of." He nodded.

"Good." I nodded. "I love Ryan, but Abby deserves someone like you."

"And Olivia, she deserves to be happy too. I can see how happy you make her."

"You know what Carter." I held my hand out. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

"I think so too." He dapped me up.

They finally brought our tray of drinks over and we headed back to the lanes.

Carters growing on me.

But now my mind is back on Olivia.

Ryan brought Havannah over just before they all headed to Hardy's.

Her and I actually did a lot of talking on our way to the mall to meet Sienna and Abby.

When we got there, Tory was also waiting with them.

"Hey Boo." Abby walked over and hugged me.

"How you feeling?" Sienna hugged me.

"Slightly less sore, but still sore." I nodded. "Hi Tory."

She gave me a small smile.

OK so, let me explain the confusion with this Ben and Tory thing.

Ben, as much as it pains me to say this, is hot, despite being short, he's a good looking dude. Constantly talking, cocky as hell, in to tallish blonde girls.

Tory. Short little girl with chestnut, shy as hell, doesn't really show off her body like most girls around here do. Smart as hell compared to Ben's stupidity. Tory is by no means ugly. Just the way she carries herself is well, not so much.

"Hi Havannah." Sienna smiled.

"Hey Havannah." Abby smiled and waved.

"Thank you for letting me come." Havannah nodded.

"Oh no girl, we need you." Abby nodded.

"For what?" She laughed.

"Because we don't know colors to match our skin tones." Sienna shook her head.

"That, I can help with." Havannah pointed at her.

"How about. We start with Tory." I smiled.

"Huh?" She looked at all of us.

"Come here honey." Abby smiled, grabbed her hand, and pulled her off the couch.

"Oh." She flinched. "OK."

"OK, so, you've got this really fair toned skin." Havannah nodded. "Warm undertones. So think browns." She smiled. "Or shades of green. Navy or Gray. But, with you hair, I would lean toward really pretty green color."

"I like green." Tory nodded.

"Then you go in the dressing room, strip, and we'll each find you a dress." Sienna smiled.

"OK." She walked in to the dressing room.

"That girl looks horrified. Does she know who she's going with?" Abby shook her head.

"God bless her soul." I shook my head.

We all went over to the racks and skimmed through dresses.

"I still don't understand." Sienna shook her head.

"Honestly. I think Ben may actually be interested in a girl, not her rack." I nodded.

"That just sounds weird." Abby nodded.

"But, what I hear Ben's a whore." Havannah looked at all of us.

"He is." We all nodded.

"Pretty much the only one whose not a whore, is Ryan." Abby shrugged.

"Really?" Havannah gave her a look.

"OK. Since I know it's gonna come up. Ryan made a mistake. That's all." Abby shook her head. "He's, an amazing guy. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. I have no hate toward him. And I know every one thinks this is weird, but I'm really happy he found someone who make him smile again, and I'm really happy you came with us. I think you're great Havannah, you just intimidate the shit out of me."

"Well, that was blunt." I nodded. "How about we take these dresses to Tory before you two continue."

I gathered their dressed and handed them over the door to Tory.

It was quiet for a few minutes.

"Why do I intimidate you." Havannah looked at Abby.

"Havannah, look at you." She nodded.

"Do you want the honest truth?" Havannah pursed her lips.

"Yeah."

"You intimidate the hell out of me." Havannah nodded.

"Why?" Abby shook her head.

"OK, Sienna, Olivia no offence, you're both gorgeous, but Abby, you're literally the prettiest girl in the Junior Class."

"You're the prettiest girl in the entire school." Abby nodded.

"Pretty only gets you so far." She nodded. "You though, you have it all. You're gorgeous, you have amazing friends, I have none because girls don't like me. I walk across a stage and pose, you, are so talented." She shook her head. "You all intimidate me. That's why I was so nervous to come shopping today. Sienna, you letter in 3 sports, and Olivia, you're the best dancer around here. Abby, you're gorgeous, and funny, and confident. You three together, that's the scariest thing ever to try to fit in with you."

"Havannah, you never have to be scared to hang out with us." Sienna shook her head. "We didn't just ask you to come because of Ryan. We asked you to come because we wanted you too. We want to get to know you, for more than the model. You're not just a model."

"And girl, there ain't no way in hell I'd be able to walk in 8in heels, you got that talent, Jesus." Abby nodded.

"Havannah, we like you. You have friends." I smiled.

And then the door to the dressing room opened.

"Holy crap." Sienna's eyes got wide.

Tory came out in the tight emerald dress that Havannah picked out, and I never in my life expected Tory to look like she does.

"I like this one." Tory nodded.

"Tory." I raised my eyebrows.

"What." She squeaked out.

"Why do you wear track suits." I shook my head.

This girl looked uncomfortable as possible as she slid her hands in front of her stomach.

"No no." Abby shook her head. "Don't do that."

Tory sighed. "I'm bit bigger." She scrunched her face.

"Tory, do you think you're fat." Sienna shook her head.

She just looked down.

"Tory, you are hott." Havannah nodded.

"And you are never allowed to wear a track suit again." I shook my head. "Tory you're not fat. You are, curvy. There's a huge difference."

"I have rolls." Tory shook her head.

"And what the hell is a five star dinner without some rolls." Abby nodded.

"Don't even bother putting on another dress. That's the one." Sienna nodded.

"Really." She looked at all of us.

"Yes." We all nodded.

"OK." She squeaked out and walked back in the dressing room.

"Holy crap." Abby looked at all of us.

"Ben is gonna flip his fucking lid when he seeso that girls body." I shook my head.

"So I'm not a bad person for not expecting that?" Havannah looked at us.

"No." We all shook our heads.

We spent the rest of shopping trying to break Tory out of her shell a little bit.

Havannah got this gorgeous light orange short dress.

Abby ended up getting a deep purple floor length dress.

Sienna, she got a navy blue floor length dress.

And I got a short light blue dress. It kind of looks like Cinderella's dress.

But now, I am headed home to wait for Mason to crawl through my window to talk about Stanford.

I'm not mad, at all. I was thrown through a freaking loop but not mad. I know Stanford is a top school, but what would make him want to literally move all the way to California.

Stanford wasn't even in the mix the last I knew, but that was also last fall.

I got home, went to my room, and cracked my window.

I just wanted to lay down before I had this conversation, so finally after 3 episodes of Bad Girls Club and watching Rocky whoop Alicia's ass for the second time, my window slid open and Mason flopped through.

"Is your door locked?" He sat up and looked at me.

I nodded.

"Does that mean you're ready to talk to me about it?" He raised his eyebrows.

I nodded and sat up.

"I wasn't mad." I shook my head.

"You could've fooled me miss attitude." He nodded.

"How do you expect me to react about my boyfriend possibly moving across the country?"

"Olivia, it's not that far, it's maybe 20 hours." He shook his head.

I swear to god, I gave him the stupidest look. "Mason, do you even know where Stanford is?"

"California." He nodded.

"You realize that Stanford is literally 40 hours away from State College, right? We're exactly an hour on the other side of State College. It's 41 hours." I nodded.

He scoffed. "No it's not." He shook his head.

I grabbed my phone off my end stand and googled the distance.

"It really is." He sighed.

I nodded.