Tyler

Friday came too fast. Amari and Jake's date was Tomorrow and, as Chase and I had figured out, there was no way to stop it from happening. At least not with Amari avoiding me every day and Lana not wanting to ruin anything.

"Baby, are you sure you aren't feeling well?" Mom asked as she checked in on me for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Positive." I said tiredly.

"Maybe Amari can come over and look after you." Mom said pulling her phone out.

"Amari and I aren't on the best of terms. You know that." I sighed.

"How long is this going to last?" Mom sighed. "What is this all about?"

"Just another petty argument." I lied. "I'll be fine."

"Fine." Mom sighed. "Well, we're heading out now."

She kissed my forehead and left out of my room closing the door behind her. I waited a while before getting out of bed and walking into my closet to find an outfit. I had a plan about Tomorrow. I showered and got dressed before heading to the dress shop Jake's aunt owned. I had asked Lana to find out what school Jake went to and when she did I found out that Today was a PD day and he didn't have school. He wasn't working Today, I was all out of ideas. I guess luck was with me because when I walked into the shop, there stood Jake putting away dresses.

"Hey." I said walking over to him.

He looked up and flashed me a quick smile.

"What's up?" He asked.

"Nothing. Just looking for a dress for my Mom." I lied glancing around.

"Really? Is Amari with you?" He asked glancing around.

"No." I shook my head. "She couldn't miss school Today. Speaking of Amari, are you as nervous about Tomorrow as she is?"

"Nervous? I'm more excited than anything." He laughed. "It'll be fun. I was going to get a bunch of fresh fruits to eat while watching the Movies because I know she doesn't like ice cream. I was gonna order pizza or Chinese food. Whichever one she wanted. I'm just excited to spend time with her."

"What? You don't expect to get any, do you?" I asked crossing my arms.

"Of course not. I know Amari isn't that type of girl. I'll wait as long as it takes. I mean, I don't expect to go anywhere anytime soon." Jake shrugged putting away another dress.

"Hm. So what's the point of this date if you aren't going to make a move?" I asked genuinely confused.

"To get to know her better. I don't need to take her pants off to learn what profession she wants to go into or what type of car she thinks is best." He said.

No wonder she liked him. I mean, I know all of this about her, but she's never had a guy who was romantically interested in her want to do more than bang her. Now she does and I hated him.

"Why is she nervous?" He finally asked. "She doesn't think I'm trying to do anything, does she?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. "Maybe she's nervous about being alone with you. I'm the only guy she's ever been completely alone with." I sighed as an after thought. "She'll be fine."

"Maybe you should come." He said out of the blue. "You know, you could bring Naomi and we can double date. If it'll help ease Amari's nerves."

Just as I was beginning to give up on the plan, he insisted.

"I mean, yeah we'll come." I shrugged. "Now about that dress for my Mom."

Amari
Saturday

Jake had on his pajama set matching mine. His pants were the color of my top and his v neck matched my shorts. We both had on matching black slippers. We were in his kitchen eating grapes and talking.

"Oh, I have a surprise for you." He smiled at me.

"Please no more gifts!" I laughed. "You give me so many."

"Well, I like you so much." He laughed. "And this one was free and doesn't belong in a bag."

"Really?" I asked. "Is it a stray dog?"

"You wish." He laughed popping a grape into his mouth.

"Then what..." I was cut off by the doorbell ringing.

"That's either the pizza or the gift." He winked at me and walked towards the door.

I laughed and chased after him. When he swung the door open, my heart nearly jumped up my throat, out of my mouth, and into the hands of Tyler who was standing at the door with Naomi.

"Just in time." Jake smiled at them. "Come on."

Naomi and Tyler walked in. Naomi looked around and Tyler stared at me.

"Where is your bathroom? I should probably change into pajamas." She laughed.

"I'll show you to it." Jake smiled. "I'll be back." He whispered into my ear and led Naomi away.

"Why're you here?" I asked as soon as Naomi and Jake were gone.

"I was invited." Tyler smiled at me. "I thought you'd be happy to see your bestie."

"You're not my bestie. We've been over this." I rolled my eyes.

"We have, but I've decided not to accept the conclusion we had come to." He shrugged.  "We're besties again. After 17 years, I'm not giving up that easily."

I glared at him and walked back into the kitchen with him following behind me.

"Nice pajamas." He said.

"Thanks. The guy I like bought them for me." I smiled at him.

"That's nice." He mumbled annoyed. "Your boyfriend has been gone an awful long time, aren't you worried?"

"He's not my boyfriend and it's a big house." I shrugged. "He's with Naomi, shouldn't you be worried?"

"We decided that we're just going to have fun. No labels. On the way here she told me that she has plans on having fun with little Jake." He smirked.

I couldn't lie. What he had said had gotten to me. I cleared my throat and stood up.

"I'm going to step outside." I said quietly and stepped out the back door.

Of course Tyler followed behind me.

"You look lovely." He smiled at me.

I glanced at him then away.

"Thanks." I sighed. "You know, when I said I was getting air I just wanted to get away from you."

"Well, I just wanted to be alone with you." He shrugged stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Amari, when can we fix us?"

"There is no 'us'." I sighed.

"Our friendship." He rolled his eyes. "When can things go back to normal? I know we fucked it up with that benefits thing, but I don't want that anymore if it means I get you back."

"Tyler, I poured my heart out to you and you disregarded it." I laughed. "We don't want the same things anymore."

"Amari..." I held my hand up and stopped him when Jake and Naomi stepped outside.

"The pizza is here." Jake said.

He held his hand out for me and I glanced at Tyler before grabbing it. We all walked back into the house and the movie marathon began.