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Ok. Kyle.

I met him and his son after school. He seemed very nice, and his son was an absolute sweetheart.

Dylan was seven and loved to read and play with toy cars.

I was finishing up some homework in my room when I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in."

My mom entered and sat down on the edge of my bed. "Hey, honey. I haven't seen you since dinner. Everything alright? How was school?"

"I'm fine, mum. I made a few friends at school today."

"So what happened to those friends from the mall?"

Damn. Forgot about those.

"We had a fight and no longer talk anymore."

My mom's eyes widen. "Oh. I'm so sorry, sweetheart."

"It's alright, they weren't the greatest friends, anyway." I shrug. "So, how soon is the wedding going to be again?"

"In two months. Why? You don't want to share a room with Dylan?"

I glance over at the blow-up mattress on the floor in front of my closet. Dylan shouldn't be that much of a problem as long as he's not noisy.

"No, that's fine, mom."

My mom sighs. "Alright. I'm gonna let you get back to work." she kissed my forehead.

When she left, I finished up the last problem and pulled out my phone. A missed call popped up on my screen.

I check my voicemail, and what I heard made my heart jump out of my chest and splatter to the floor.

"Hey, it's Trevor. I met you briefly at lunch, and I was wondering if you'd like to hang out later tomorrow after school. Talk to you later."

I had to listen to the message five times to let it sink in. I could not believe Trevor had called me.

Me. The nerd and wallflower.

After I had eaten and showered, I called Ava and told her about it.

"Are you sure that was Trevor?"

"Yes!" I could barely contain my excitement. "It was! How did he get my number?"

Ava was silent for a moment. "Maybe Lillian gave it to him. Evelyn, I want to warn you that Trevor is known for breaking hearts."

"I know."

After another pause, Ava said jokingly, "But if he ever tries to hurt you, let me know so that I can beat him up."

"M'kay." I laughed.

"Alright, see you at school tomorrow."

After I got off the phone with Ava, I helped Dylan get ready for bed and gave him some of my stuffed animals to cuddle with.

"My mom never did this with me."

As I tuck myself under the covers, I look at him. "What do you mean?"

"She never tucked me in bed or kissed me goodnight." Dylan wrapped his arms around a stuffed bunny.

"What happened to her?"

Dylan shook his head and turned over on his side. "Good night, Evelyn."

When I went into the kitchen the next morning, my mom was packing up my lunch, and Kyle was helping Dylan put on his shoes.

Today I'm wearing skinny black jeans, a flannel shirt, a tank top, and Nikes. I did my hair up in a braided ponytail.

My mom looked up when I entered and scanned my outfit with a look on her face. "Here, sweety. Have a great day at school."

I take my bag and stand there, wondering how to ask her if I could go to Trevor's party. My mom has never been a big party fan because of all the stories she heard on the news about girls going missing while at parties.

She's such a worrywart!

Before I lost my courage, I just ask. "Hey, mom, a friend of mine invited me to his birthday party this weekend. Can I go?"

My mom looked up from making Dyan's lunch and gaped at me. "You were invited to a party?"

She looks completely petrified.

"Yes. Mom, he's my friend."

She doesn't answer but goes back to cutting his grapes into halves. After a moment, she starts slowly shaking her head. "I don't know, Evelyn...." She looks at me again. "I don't know."

"Mom, please. I'll be careful, I promise."

Dylan and Kyle were standing at the door looking between me and mom like we were a tennis match.

"Please?"

At this point, I'm begging. I'm so close to getting on my hands and knees.

After my mom finished packing Dylan's lunch, Kyle took it and ushered Dylan outside.

"Eve. You know how I feel about parties. I don't even know this kid, much less his parents."

I grit my teeth. "His name is Trevor. Trevor Hall."

"That doesn't tell me anything, Evelyn."

I turn away from her and snatch up my backpack. "This is my last year of high school, mom. I think I deserve a little fun."

Before she could answer, I storm out, slamming the door behind me.