"I got you flowers,"

Farah pushed the bouquet of red roses in front of Chance's amused eyes, her cheeks scarlet. "It was the...only thing available, okay? Don't judge me, Bobby."

She took a look at the flowers again. "...This is bad, isn't it? I'm making a completely fool of myself because you manage to make everything so hard." the flowers dropped to her side. "In a good way though...I'm talking too much, aren't I? This is a horrible welcome."

She flushed, her cheeks even redder than before. She cursed herself for being a hormonal teenager. But that was normal...so what could you possibly do about it? She lifted up the flowers again, now to cover up her blush. "What aren't you talking? Say something, Bobby!"

When he didn't, her head dropped in embarrassment, her eyes fixing on her shoes. Way to go Farah. Just pass over the worst girlfriend of the year award. Yeah, feel that glory.

Chance told her as he trapped her in a bear hug. Her eyes widened, her heart pumped faster, and her mind screamed with joy. We won't tell Chance that he has that type of affect on her though. Her knees buckled at the feel of his lips all over her cheeks and she was glad that he was holding her up or else she'll fall.

Just imagine that.

"Is it me, or did you really miss your girlfriend?" Farah tried to play off cool, but her voice betrayed her. She sounded so much worse than a love sick teen. Chance held back his laugh and decided not to say anything about it. Boyfriend goals.

he purposely stuffed the flowers in her face, hugging her even tighter at the same time.

She laughed in response and people took precious time to look at the odd pair. Donald let him drag her back to their families, Charlie grinning like a big fool and Gabby about to faint at the sight of Chance.

Gabby shoved Charlie, glaring down at him. "I thought he was ugly?"

Charlie returned the shove. "He is. Don't you see that ugliness?! Like seriously. Look at my face, and then look at that. What the heck is that?" he points at his brother. "An ugly piece of -"

Farah gave him a look that could scare away Lucifer himself and he threw his hands up in defense. "I was going to say broccoli."

"Ha. Loser." Gabby shoved him again.

He shared a look with Farah. "She needs to go jump in a ditch."

Chance covered his mouth with a fist, fighting his laugh. Farah did the same, but she lost against her laughter. When the parents gave her stern looks, she choked on a laugh before hiding behind Bobby with little shame.

It wasn't her fault. It was funny.

Chance moved foward and raised his hand to Farah's father. Risky.

Farah didn't move with him and instead watched the two men talk in horror. She was hoping that Chace will make it out alive. She didn't even see her step mother walk over. Melane, her new mother, smiled. "He's cute. How old did you say he was? Nineteen?"

Farah nodded her head, keeping her eyes on her father. He currently wore a smile. Good. Melane continued. "Harvard. Excellent school. Have you opened your letter yet?"

She shook her head, turning to finally meet Melane's stare.

Her step mother was gorgeous. Just by looking at her innocent smile, you would never think she'll have venom on her tongue.

Her hair, as dark as a mind night sky, skin so pale and lips permanently crimson, you could mistake her as an older sister instead of a woman who was nearly forty.

Farah balanced her body on one foot, answering Melane whenever she talked to her. It's been easier for both of them to tolerate the other and it's been going well for a couple of months now. Soon, Farah believed that she'll finally be comfortable with calling her step mother and not wanting to punch a wall when the name Melane was brought up.

It's been nearly five years since that woman walked into Farah's life and almost four years since Melane and her father, Christopher, got married. Farah called him stupid for marrying a witch in only a year and actually hated him for loving another woman other than her real mother.

To Farah, it felt like it took centuries to put Melane in the likable category.

When her father gave Chance the Nod Of Worthiness, meaning that he liked Chance, Farah did a small happy dance but nearly screamed when Melane made her way over, announcing that it was her turn.

Bobby was a goner.

She let her body drop when Charlie ran over to her, hugging onto her bottom half. Now, she was on her knees, at Charlie's height level. He poked her face. "Hey stinkface. I can literally smell how nervous you are."

"Nervous? Do you know who I am, Charlie?"

"Ugly?"

"Strike nine hundred and ninety seven."

"Like you're going to do something."

"Just wait until I get to the thousandth strike. You'll see me do something alright."

"Don't believe you."

"That's nice. By the way, love those dinosaur pajamas you wear at night."

His eyes widened and the color drained from his cheeks. "Stop it!"

Farah pretended to count in her head. "And is it...three teddy bears in your room? You even named one Donald. How sweet."

"FARAH!" Charlie shrieked, slapping her forehead. "At first I thought you were weird...this is just plain creepy! You stalker!"

She chuckled. Totally guessed all of that. But he didn't know that. "Wouldn't say such harsh words, Charlie. Remember, I'm watching you."

"I'm never sleeping or speaking to you again, you monster." he punched her arm before rushing back to his mother and Gabby.

By the time, Chance was done with her parents, Charlie was glued to her side again, the lies about her stalking him at night forgotten. That's just how Charlie's mind works. Forget anything that wasn't meant to stay in his head.

It didn't take long for Donald and Bobby to embrace again, holding onto each other so tight as if they'll lose one another. Like that could possibly happen. Even if it did, they'll find each other again because they're soul mates people. Soul mates.

Nearly seven months without seeing each other in person and only talking through a phone. Who could possibly survive through that? It's a fact that most relationships break because of long distance and yet, Bobby and Doanld worked out just fine. They even planned the future, stating that they'll have a daughter named Ana. Odd couple indeed.

Hard not to love them.

During the hug that lasted for days in Charlie's mind, Farah pressed her lips against Chance's cheek and whispered that she loved him in his ear. Even though Charlie couldn't hear, he still stuck his tounge out in disgust, saying something along the lines of, You two will be the literal death of me.

Marching away, officially done being an almost-seven-year-old third wheel, Chance and Farah laughed before actually kissing one another. When they pulled away, Chance showed a boyish smile before saying that he loved her most.