"Are you all ready for your date tonight?" my mom asks me from the doorway of my room as I finish getting ready to go hang out with Johnny.

"Mom, it's not a date. Johnny and I are just friends."

"Well, a mother can hope."

"Yeah, well keep on hoping," I tell her with a smile as I finish putting on my earrings.

"He was always such a nice boy," my mom adds, trying to make a case for Johnny.

"I know that mom, but my heart is already taken."

"By who?" my mom inquires and I know there is no easy way to get around this, especially not with her of all people, but I'm going to try my hardest to skirt around it.

"Someone."

"Obviously," she responds with a roll of her eyes. "But who?"

"Can we please not talk about this right now? It's complicated and I just really don't want to get into it right now."

"Fine but eventually I'm going to get it out of you."

"I know you will, but not right now."

"When you're done getting ready come hang out with your dad and I," she tells me before leaving me alone. I grab my Converse and put them on before checking my purse and making sure it has everything I need. Once I see that everything is there, I head downstairs and make my way to the porch where my parents are sitting.

"You look beautiful, pumpkin," my dad compliments me as soon as he sees me, taking me by surprise. My outfit is far from deserving of a compliment, but my dad always goes out of his way to make me feel special no matter what I wear. Today was no exception even though I dressed down.

I decided to go super casual and put on a pair of jeans and my Hogwarts T-shirt and called it a day, but to my dad, I always look beautiful. Even on those occasions when I ugly cried in his arms, he still thought I was the prettiest thing alive. I honestly didn't see it, but my dad always saw in me what no one else did, and he has always loved me in spite of my flaws. To him, I am perfect, and will always be his little girl no matter how old I get.

"Thanks, dad. You always know how to make a girl feel special," I tell him with a big smile and sit between him and my mom on the porch swing.

"I try," he tells me with a wink and pats my leg. "Are you excited to hang out with Johnny again?"

"I am. It was really nice catching up with him last night."

"Well, I'm glad you two had a nice time."

"Do you know what you're going to do tonight?" my mom asks me and I shake my head.

"I don't have the slightest idea," I admit with a shrug of my shoulders.

"Well I'm sure wherever he takes you, you two will have a great time," my mom tells me, squeezing my hand.

"What are you two going to do?" I ask them and they just laugh.

"Who knows? We never really plan. We just do things on a whim," my mom admits.

"Well you two have fun, and don't do anything I wouldn't do," I tell them with a smile.

"We won't. We'll even try and go to bed early," my mom responds, making me laugh.

"Mom, we both know you're a night owl. That's not going to happen."

"No, I guess not. Well, whatever we do, we'll be out of your hair before you and Johnny get back in case you want to hang out on the porch and just talk."

"I don't think we will, but thanks for the thought," I tell her just as the man of the hour walks up the steps of the porch.

"Hey, Johnny!" I greet him and run up to him and give him a big hug. I'm relieved to see him after the crummy night I had the night before. Thankfully, he was there to hold me through most of it. If it wasn't for him, I would have been a complete mess today, but thankfully he was there for me when I needed someone to lean on. Knowing he will be there for me no matter what made it easier to face my parents this morning. They didn't even have the slightest clue that I had cried all night or if they did, they didn't bring it up. Either way, I'm just grateful there was no mention of last night and that we were able to hang out all day just like old times.

"Hey yourself," he tells me and pulls me to his side, so he can greet my parents. "Good evening, Mr. And Mrs. Williams."

"It's nice to see you again, Johnny," my mom tells him.

"Likewise. It feels just like old times," he responds to my parents and they nod.

"So where are you headed off to?" my dad asks Johnny and he looks at me with a smile before turning back towards my dad. "I was thinking dinner and just hanging out somewhere to talk. I promise not to bring her back too late," he tells my parents and even though they don't say anything, I can tell they really like Johnny and his good manners.

"Alexa is an adult now. She can stay out as late as she wants," my dad tells Johnny and then turns towards me and winks. "Now go off and have fun you two."

"Okay, I'll see you two tomorrow," I tell them. "Don't wait up for me."

"We won't. Now go enjoy yourself. You need it, sweetie," my mom tells me and I know she is right. After the day I had yesterday, I really need a good distraction and a fun time, and I'm sure Johnny can more than provide that.

"Okay, well it was nice seeing you again Mr. and Mrs. Williams. I'll see you both around," Johnny tells them and takes me to his car that is parked behind my own car.

"Where are we going?" I ask him.

"I'm not telling you."

"Really?" I ask him and he nods. I get in the car and he follows after me.

"Do you want a clue?" he asks me, making me perk up.

"Sure!"

"Where we're going...There will be food."

I roll my eyes and shake my head. "I already knew that."

"Well that's all you get," he tells me with a smug grin before starting up the car.

"I'm not surprised," I mutter and turn on the radio as he drives off, but instead of leaving it on the rock station he has it on, I turn the dial to an oldies station.

Johnny lowers the volume a bit and looks over at me. "You like oldies?"

"Yup, I always have."

"I never knew that. All you ever listened to around me was your favorite boy bands."

"Well I loved those too, but I love oldies more," I admit with a laugh, remembering how I used to torture him by making him listen to all my favorite boy bands. He absolutely hated them, but he listened to them just for me.

"I never would have guessed that about you, but I like learning new things about you. Is there anything else I don't know or should know about you?"

"Plenty but unless you tell me where we're going, I'm not telling you anything else."

"No deal."

"That's what I thought." I turn up the volume on the radio before leaning back in my seat and get comfortable for the ride ahead of us.

Sometime later I feel the car pull to a stop and look over at Johnny to see him smiling. "What are you smiling about?"

"I was just remembering that one time you gave me the silent treatment and refused to talk to me, but when I bought you the boy band CD you had wanted for months you forgot all about it."

"Why did I give you the silent treatment again?"

"I ate the last strawberry shortcake ice cream bar in your freezer and you were pissed," he says with a chuckle.

"Now I remember. I was mad because you just took it and refused to share with me."

"Well, what did you expect. Did you want us to take turns taking bites from it?"

"Yeah. Why not?"

"Because that's a bit intimate."

"Sharing ice cream is not intimate!" I exclaim. "That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I always share food with friends and even drink from the same bottles as my friends. I have never thought anything of it. Friends share and that's perfectly normal."

"We'd both be biting where the other one bit, and we'd more than likely be sharing spit."

"It's not the same as a kiss and you have no place to say anything like that is intimate when you walk around without any underwear on."

"And there you go talking about my lack of underwear again. You seriously need to get used to the idea. I'm not going to start wearing them anytime soon."

"I'm not telling you to wear anything but you have no right to say anything when you're practically naked underneath your clothes. I can't believe you teach your students like that. Aren't you worried they'll realize one day that you don't wear underwear?"

"If you're so worried for my students maybe you should swing by my classroom and see what my students think of me."

"Don't dare me because I may just waltz into your classroom one of these days."

"Do it," he dares me.

"Text me all the info for the school you teach at, and I might just stop by one of these days."

"I'll text it to you first thing tomorrow."

"I'm looking forward to it," I tell him with a wicked grin. I am going to embarrass him to no end in front of his class. "Now can we please get this evening started. I'm dying to know what you have planned."

"Well look outside. I'm not hiding anything from you." I face forward and realize we are parked atop a cliff.

I swiftly climb out of the car and take a few steps forward to take in the view of the city. It's even more beautiful than I remember.

"Why'd you bring me here?"

"You don't like it? We can go somewhere else if that's the case," he offers and I shake my head.

"Of course I like it. Who am I kidding? I love it but this place...When did you learn about it?"

"So you've been here before?"

"Quite a few times. I was going to bring Nate here the day you saw me sitting outside my parent's house. It was going to be my first time taking him on a date, but sadly I never even had the chance to bring him. He would have loved it here," I confess as I fold my arms in front of me, feeling suddenly chilly.

"We can go somewhere else. I really don't mind."

"No, it's fine," I reassure him. I'm honestly sad that I never got the chance to bring Nate here so he could take pictures, but perhaps it's just for the best. Even if it isn't, I have to make myself believe that for my own good.

"Are you sure?" Johnny asks me and I nodded.

"It's fine. I'll be fine," I promise him.

"Okay, I'll be right back."

He goes to the trunk of his car and pulls out a picnic basket. The crazy thing is that I had planned to do the exact same thing for Nate one day ago, and here I am, moments away from enjoying the date I had practically planned out for Nate, but instead of getting to spend it with the person I loved, I'm spending it with an old friend. The very same friend who consoled me when Nate left me heartbroken outside my parent's house. I never would have guessed I would be here with Johnny of all people, but life is crazy like that sometimes, and I just have to go with it.

"Follow me," he tells me, pulling me out of my reverie. He walks towards a tree that is near the edge of the cliff but far enough back that it isn't dangerous and turns towards me. "Is this good or do you want to sit further back?" he asks me and I smile.

"This is perfect," I reassure him and help him lay out the blanket. I take off my shoes and step on the blanket. "Need help?" I ask him as he kneels in front of the basket.

"I got it. You sit down and relax."

"You sure?" I ask him and he nods. I take a seat in the middle of the blanket and I can't help but sigh as I look out at the gorgeous view of the city. "Do you come here often?" I ask him as he walks towards me in just his socks and sits down next to me.

"I used to come here sometimes during our senior year, and when I got back from Nevada I came here a few times, but this is the first time I've ever brought someone here," he admits.

"Why me?"

"I already told you. You're special, Alexa," he tells me before getting up and bringing over different sized Tupperware containers towards where I'm sitting. He goes back and fetches two bottles and hands me one. I read the label and smile.

"Strawberry lemonade?"

"I thought you might want to drink some again, but if you're not feeling it, I also brought extra drinks in a cooler. I can go and get it from my car," he tells me and starts to get up but I grab his arm and stop him.

"This is perfect. Thank you."

"You're welcome." He sits back down and hands me a disposable plate. "Keep in mind I'm not the best cook but I hope you like what I made."

"I'm sure I will," I reassure him and watch as he takes the lid off the big Tupperware containers. "Do I smell something made with peanuts?"

"Maybe," he responds with a grin.

"Did you make what I think you made?"

"I'm not telling. Close your eyes." I nod and do as I am told. "Now open your mouth." I feel something soft touch my lips and open my mouth wider. He pushes it between my lips and I immediately feel a drop of something sweet hit my tongue. I take a bite and feel my teeth easily cut through something soft. I know immediately what it is and smile as I chew and swallow my first bite. I slowly open my eyes and look into Johnny's eyes.

"So, did you guess right?"

"Yup, I had a feeling it was a PB&J sandwich."

"It's the only thing I can really make and not mess up," he admits with an embarrassed smile.

"I'm not much of a cook either and you know I always loved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, so you won't hear a single complaint from me. Now hand me my sandwich, I'm starving," I demand, making him laugh. He hands me the sandwich I had already bit and I gladly eat it.

"There's plenty more where that came from," he tells me and I look over as he shows me the large Tupperware container full of sandwiches. I extend my plate to him and he gives me another one as I finish my first sandwich.

"You need to eat," I tell him before taking a sip of my strawberry lemonade.

"I will." He grabs a sandwich and takes a big bite.

"Good?" I ask him and he nods with a smile. "I'm so glad you made these. I haven't had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in forever. These are amazing," I compliment him as I take a bite of my sandwich.

"I'm glad you like them."

"I love them," I respond enthusiastically and go back to eating my sandwich as I look out at the view.

"Want some fruit?" Johnny asks as he opens Tupperware containers that are all filled with different fruit. One holds chunks of pineapple, another one holds slices of green apples drizzled in caramel, and the last one is filled with chocolate covered strawberries.

I grab a few pieces of each and give him my thanks before going back to my sandwich, which has the perfect amount of peanut butter and jelly.

"You know, this could have ended badly if I was allergic to peanuts."

"We used to hang out a lot until I moved away, remember? I specifically remember you eating PB&J after you'd get home from school whenever we got together and did homework."

"I did, didn't I? What else do you remember?"

"You always smelled like strawberries."

"You actually remember that?" I ask surprised.

"Yeah, I remember a lot of things about you. Your favorite color back in high school was blue because it reminded you of the ocean. You love eating Mexican food. You love boy bands, which I really hope you grew out of because you listened to some pretty terrible music."

"It was not terrible," I respond defensively making him laugh.

"It was and you know it, but I'm glad you like oldies too. They're way better than your awful boy bands."

"Whatever, Johnny. You're just a hater."

He laughs and shakes his head. "No, I just know good music from bad music, and your taste in music during high school was terrible. Actually, middle school too. That's when you were in your pop-punk phase."

"You have no right to say anything. You wore all black in high school and wore band shirts all the time."

"That's because I was into rock music."

"Why is that any different?"

"Rock music is actually good unlike boy bands and pop punk."

"Just shut it and go back to being your sweet self and remembering good old times and not my taste in music," I tell him, making him chuckle.

"Fair enough." He finishes off his sandwich and grabs another one before turning towards me. "Want to continue our trip down memory lane?"

"Sure. Tell me more about what you remember."

"You always wanted a dog."

"I did."

"Do you have a dog now?" he asks me and I shake my head.

"No, but I'll definitely get one someday."

"History was your least favorite subject," he pipes up.

"It still is," I admit.

"Your favorite subject was English."

"It was," I respond surprised and cannot understand how he remembers so much about me when I often forget what I did the day before. Johnny remembers the smallest details about me, and what I don't understand is why. We were just friends back then and it's not like he needed to remember all these things about me.

"You were always playful," he adds with a big smile on his face. "On the days you felt defeated and wanted to cry, you tried so hard not to cry in front of me, but I could always tell when you were on the brink of tears."

"Did you ever see me cry even when I didn't want you to see me?"

"Sometimes...," he starts but hesitates, and I encourage him to continue. "Sometimes when I was hanging outside of my parent's house I would see you come home and run into your dad's arms crying. Every time I saw that I wanted to run over to your house and console you, but I never did because I had no idea what was happening to you. If I had been a better friend, I would have realized what you were going through at school, but I never put two and two together and for that, I'm so sorry. I should have been there for you."

I put my plate aside and turn towards him. "Johnny, I know we talked about this a bit last night and I don't mind talking about it again, but you need to understand that none of what happened was your fault. It's all in the past now."

"Is it really?" he asks, looking me dead in the eyes and I have to look away because I know deep down I'm lying. It isn't just part of my past, it's also part of my present and it will no doubt make its presence known in my future.

"No, I guess not," I whisper as I look down at my hands and play with my fingers.

"I'm not trying to make you feel bad," he tells me, lifting my chin with his finger so I look him in the eyes. "I just want to help you. I may not have been able to help you then, but I want to help you now."

"Why do you care so much, Johnny? Don't you have someone you care about?"

"Yes, she's sitting right in front of me," he tells me upfront, and I shake my head.

"You don't mean that."

"I do. I've always cared about you, Alexa."

"I care about you too. As a friend, Johnny," I tell him and he smiles ruefully.

"That's the thing, Alexa. I don't like you as a friend. I like you as more than a friend," he confesses and puts his plate aside before moving to sit in front of me. He places both his legs on either side of me, leaving me cross-legged between his legs.

"No. That's not true. You're lying," I respond in denial and scoot back, putting distance between us.

"I wouldn't lie about something like this."

"Well, why bring it up now?" His timing could not be any worse.