REBECCA'S POV

"You'd think you were never going to see him again by the way he acted," Bentley said with a light giggle from the aisle seat next to me.

"I know but it's just him caring."

I peer out the window and contemplate the idea of telling Bentley my back story since we've been getting closer every day. I'll probably keep out the details of my real parents but it's a good idea for her to know about Kirk especially if anything were to happen today...

"So, Bentley," I start with a shaky breath and look to see I already have her undivided attention, "The reason everyone – especially Ryan – act so protective over me is because of my step-father. To make a very long story short: my dad died when I was younger, my mom remarried and later passed away as well – taking my unborn half-sibling with her and leaving me alone with Kirk." Bentley's hand gingerly reached out and grasped mine.

"You don't have to tell me Becca. Believe me, I know about troubled pasts."

"No, it's okay. I'd rather get this out in the open... Anyways, he wasn't always so horrible towards me. When my mom was alive he more or less ignored me but after she died he sees her in me and it frustrated him. Eventually it turned into hatred and this need to make me feel horrible, or him powerful, I'm honestly not sure." I pause to look at her and show my emotion for my new friends on my face. "Ryan and Landon were always suspicious I think. I came to school with sweatshirts on when it was way too warm and was jumpy with certain sounds and movements. Ryan saved me one really bad night and brought me to the hospital. Since then, I've been living at the Bradley's and never leave the house without either a Landon, Alex, or Ryan chaperone."

Bentley was silent for a few seconds, just taking in all the information and putting together the pieces I'd left out.

"So, this is kind of a huge deal that he trusts us two alone in the big city huh?" she asks and I nod. "Well that explains the long goodbye then."

"I don't think he tries to make it seem overbearing, especially to those who don't know the back story..." Bentley cuts me off.

"No Becca. Don't apologize. You two were always a little more affectionate than I thought you'd be with not knowing each other for very long, but I understand. I already knew he was a good person but I have a newfound respect for him now... What about Landon? How does he fit in to all of this?"

Smiling wide, I respond: "I love Landon like a brother, Bentley, he's all yours." She blushes profusely but keeps a sly grin on her red face. I also notice that she doesn't try to fight the apparent attraction she feels towards him.

---

Right when we arrive at the mall, I shoot Ryan a text saying we've arrived early and to wish him luck. I'm surprised to get a response so quickly.

___

|Becca Hanson > Ryan – 6:16pm|

Sent: Hey babe. We made it to the mall and will check in every so often. I miss you and wish I was at the game... Kick some butt Bradley!!!

Received: I sure will try beautiful ;)

Received: Stay safe.

___

I feel my face heating up a little from his little term of endearment and Bentley notices but thankfully doesn't say anything. Tucking my phone into my back pocket, I enter the huge mall and have to contemplate where we should shop.

"What do you have to get?" I ask Bentley.

"Well; the dress up day things, a dress, and I need a new backpack I think... mine's getting a little raggedy. What about you?"

"I just need things for next week. I'd like to get a few new clothes too so if you see anything cute let me know."

We head off chatting about teachers, classes, homework, random people at school, and pretty much everything else there is to talk about while shopping endlessly and trying on dress after dress.

"That one looks really good on you!" I ensure Bentley. She's on her eighth dress and finally found one she seems to like. It's short and shows off her muscular legs and has a more modest top to it so her cleavage would be left mostly to the imagination. There's one long sleeve while the other is open and the tight, black fabric fits her perfectly. "Landon will be drooling when he sees you in that."

"He hasn't asked me," she said through the changing room curtain, "and I don't think he will."

"Then you should ask him! You know feminism and all that."

"Psh, good joke!"

"He might look scary but he's a big softie. You know that..."

"Becca, I'm not scared of Landon," she said with her hand son her hips after striding out of the fitting room. "I just don't want to be humiliated because I know he'll say no. Now, new topic: you need a dress!" Rolling my eyes, I pull myself off the uncomfortable chair in the dressing room area.

"Yeah yeah," I mumble and trudge behind her to the endless rows of dress racks. It's not that I don't like dresses; I'm just comfortable in leggings or jeans... However, I do remember how Ryan looked at me the last time I wore a dress and that gives me enough motivation to fervently search for another stunner. After choosing about twelve from the racks, we head back to the fitting rooms so I can try them on and get the yes or no from Bentley.

The first one looked good on the hanger but was definitely not for my body shape – such a bummer too because it was cheaper than the others. The second one was so hideous that I didn't even show it to Bentley. There were a few more that flew towards the no pile until I came to the twelfth one. It was navy blue, strapless, had a small slit up the side (although it wasn't long to begin with) and clung to me like a second skin, showing off my new curves like a fine artesian masterpiece. Already knowing I was in love, I stepped outside of the dressing room to get my new friends approval.

"Oh. My. God... BECCA! That dress is PERFECT! Ryan's eyes are gonna fall right out of his head from gawking!" She was jumping up and down excitedly and while I just stood in the mirror staring at myself like a dope. "Has he ever seen you in a dress before?!"

"Yes," I admit, "Once at a party but it was Kate's dress..."

"Well if it looked anything like this one I bet he was hooked!" I blushed at the faint memories I had of that night. "Spill," she ordered after one look at my face.

Walking back into the fitting room to get myself out of the beautiful dress, I confessed. "We made out." I heard Bentley squeal from behind the curtain. That girl sure is something else.

---

Hours later, after picking out shoes and various accessories to wear during homecoming week, we were finally headed out to the bus stop near the mall's entrance. It was close to nine which meant Ryan was most likely still playing but I texted him an update anyways. There's like six random texts in a row at various times throughout the evening plus the one I just so he knows I'm okay.

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|Becca Hanson > Ryan – 9:12pm|

Sent: This mail is so much larger than the one in Rochester. I think I'm a bit overwhelmed... for real there are like two of each store it's so big!

Sent: I just ate the BEST muffin I've ever had in my life. I tried to get the recipe but they guy at the counter just looked at me funny when I asked :(

Sent: Why are there so many weird dress up days the week leading up to homecoming? It seems awfully ridiculous and I don't want to buy a hideous Hawaiian shirt!

Sent: Bentley's all moon-eyed about Landon. Don't worry, I know what you're going to say: "Becs the last thing Landon needs is a girlfriend," but guess what!? Bentley knows that... We are secretly creating a plot to bring Lan to his senses though :)

Sent: I hope you're kicking butt Bradley! I expect a detailed play by play of your entire game when I get home!!
Sent: I think Bentley is on a mission to kill me... MURDERER: ugly purple dress, PLACE: fitting room with just a curtain for a door, WEAPON: wire hanger.

Sent: Just got on the bus hot stuff. See you soon!

___

Bentley and I sit in silence (mostly from exhaustion – shopping truly does tire you out) on the way home. The gentle sway of the bus almost puts me to sleep but the vibrations of my phone in my hand quickly jolt me awake.

___
|Becca Hanson > Ryan – 9:36pm|

Received: Just got through reading your slew of texts. So you don't get one text that's embarrassingly long for a man to admit ever typing, I'll respond to them accordingly below:

Received: The mall is much bigger but so is the city... makes sense right?

Received: I bet you could easily recreate the muffin recipe. Your skills in the kitchen are astounding; you've never made anything that I didn't absolutely love.

Received: The dress up days are fun!! Seeing as you're dating the quarterback you must participate – it's mandatory – so take that little plastic card I gave you and get some ugly leis or a grass skirt to go with your Hawaiian shirt. Better yet get a coconut bra :o

Received: You're right... that's exactly what I would say.

Received: I was kicking butt but I'll spare you the boring details and only tell you about my plays ;)

Received: Love the clue references. Question though: was the wire hanger used as a stabbing device or more like a noose? P.S. I cannot wait to see the dress you picked out.

Received: Hotstuff? I like it ;) now hurry your little behind home... I've been sitting at the bust stop for ten minutes already!

___

I roll my eyes while foolishly smiling to myself.

"He's too dang cute," Bentley whispers from next to me. Seems she woke up in the middle of Ryan's text rampage and read over my shoulder.

"You're staying over tonight right?" She nods sleepily but jumps from her seat when the driver announces the next stop and races to the front of the bus with me right behind her. I see Ryan leaning against the door of his truck in a pair of gym shorts and an old sweatshirt yet he never looked better. This is probably the longest we've been separated (besides that night Alex had to take me to the twin's) and I don't even care how pathetic it is that I miss him so much. His head pops up by noticing the loud rumble of the bus and his smile widens, showing his dimples.

"How was shopping ladies?" Opening the passenger door, he helps me in and keeps his arm held out for Bentley as well.

"Wonderful dear Sir now if you would kindly close the door posthaste then I do believe we shall get home at a reasonable hour," Bentley said back in a phony British accent causing Ryan to smirk and shake his head at her silliness. I lean heavily on Ryan's arm the entire drive home and almost drift off. It isn't until I feel the gentle uphill movement of the driveway that I stir from my comfortable position.

"You guys in the mood for some late-night pizza?" Ryan mentions while helping us carry the multitude of shopping bags up to my bedroom. Along with the homemade blanket and pink walls, Ryan surprised me one day by getting a bunch of our selfies developed and posting them on the walls of my room. It was so sweet and brought the whole idea of feeling at home to a new level.

Bentley and I both agreed that pizza would be a great (although unhealthy) snack so we were left alone in my room while Ryan ran downstairs to wait for it to cook. After changing into some ugly, extremely comfortable clothing we both sat on my bed in silence until Bentley released a long sigh.

"I figure it's about time I tell you about my story..."