Chris

Biology class was slowly coming to an and, and Devyn wouldn't stop complaining about how her prom date dumped her. Like I care.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do Chris!"

I sighed. If me and Bria couldn't go together I shouldn't go alone.

"I..I guess we could go together, if you want-"

"Really?! Oh Chris thanks so much!! But..what about Bria?"

It was hard to say.

"We..aren't together anymore." I muttered.

"You aren't? Why'd you two break up?"

I tried my hardest to think of a lie that wouldn't make me or Bria look like shitty people. I tried and tried to think of a lie, but nothing came to my mind. So, I just told the truth.

"She deserved better."

//

Bria

After class let out I headed to the gym to help with the final touches of our prom set up. Prom was now only 2 weeks away, and our deadline was soon.

As I was setting up table centerpieces, I felt a hand tap my back. Lincoln.

"Devyn stopped me and told me that you and Chris 'broke up', does that mean you're available?" He asked with a sly smirk.

"I guess." I mumbled, trying my best not to be rude.

"He's back with Dev I guess. They're going together."

"Seriously?!" I half yelled, dropping the glass centerpiece on the floor.

Calm down Bria. You two were never even together! Sure..you wanted to go to Chris to be your date more than anyone, but you can't have what you want! Pull it together!

I listened to the mini-pep talk in my head and took a deep breath.

"Oh, cool."

"I guess you're dateless now, huh?" Lincoln said with a chuckle.

"I guess so-"

"Nah I'm just fucking with you. Isn't it obvious? We can go together!" He said grabbing my hand before I abruptly snatched it away.

"Yeah..I guess so." I said, feeling more and more dreadful with each word.

"Perfect. And if you play your cards right I'll make you prom queen."

"What do you mean?"

"Bria. I'm Vice President of the prom committee, I count the ballots. I'm saying I could pull a few strings and-"

"No. I'm not going to let you cheat for me, I never asked to be on that ballot in the first place."

"Suit yourself." He said shrugging, and eventually walking off. The more I thought about me at prom with this guy & Chris at prom with Devyn I got pissed.

Now to clean up this glass...

//

When the committee meeting was over I headed home. I tried not to let the negative thoughts consume me but it was unbearable, o was now in the worst mood possible.

I opened the door to my apartment and saw my mother sitting on the couch with open envelopes in her hands.

"Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse.." I mumbled as I entered our home.

"Pardon? Speak up Brianna."

"Nothing."

"Bria can I ask you something?" She said gesturing me to come sit with her. Instead I walked toward the couch and stood in front of her.

"Ok..?"

"Why do you and Forest shut me out?"

I couldn't even believe what I was hearing. I knew my response would be different on any other day, but my mood was so bad on this specific day..my mouth grew reckless.

"How can we shut you out when you're never even here? I bet Forest doesn't even remember what you look like."

Hurtful, I know.

"Don't say that! I want to be better! When you told me I missed his birthday I felt horrible! What can I do to be better??"

"I'm not the mother, you are! It's not my responsibility to tell you what to do! And you know what, me and Forest will be fine. We don't need you!"

Tears fell down her face as she stared at me.

She lifted the opened envelopes. "I have your letters from colleges."

"W-what?! Why?!? I've been so stressed that they weren't coming and you've been hiding them from me!?"

"You can't leave Toronto..what about Forest?!"

"Forest has a mother! I can't stay here forever!" I said trying to grab the envelopes.

"Wait." She said snatching them away.

"Mom stop." I said trying to get them from her.

"Bria you didn't get in! To...any of them. That's why I hid them from you..I'm sorry-"

"Any? Not..even..one?"

She shook her head no. And I thought this afternoon couldn't get any worse. I didn't feel like arguing with my mom anymore, and I went into my room. I cried, and ignored the sound of my mother demanding me to come back.

In the midst of this, I heard my phone ring next to me.

Dumbass 🙄

appeared on the screen. Yes, he re adopted that contact name. It only felt right.

"Fuck off." I said aloud as I declined the call. Not even a minute afterwards my phone rang again. I groaned and answered it.

"What do you want?!" I said sniffling.

"Woah woah..I was calling to ask you for advice, but now I'm concerned for you. You alright?" He asked pretending to be genuine.

"Oh please don't pretend you care."

"Aw Bria don't tell me you're back on that? I don't know if you forgot or something, but we're friends."

"Sure we are. The only reason you ever even thought about hanging out with me is so I'd do you a stupid little favor." I said rolling my eyes as if he could actually see me.

"What's gotten into you? I can tell there's something wrong Brianna. You might as well just tell me."

"Fine! Since you just have to know, I'm upset because I have no future!" I said finally letting it out.

"...what? You're a straight A student, what do you mean you have no-"

"I didn't get accepted to any universities I applied to!! Any!"

"Bria there's no way that's true."

"It is! My mom read the letters!" I said getting upset about it all over again.

"Yes. Your mom read the letters, but did you?"

I instantly felt like an idiot! Of course my mom would lie!

I dropped my phone and ran into the living room, but she was gone..and so were the envelopes.

Chris

When Bria returned to the phone she was crying heavily.

"Brianna?? Are you alright?"

"She took them! Chris they're gone!" I could hardly understand she was crying so hard, I didn't know what to do.

"Just take a deep breath. You'll just have to wait it out. Until then, I'm coming to pick you up." I said, hoping she'd say yes. Alexander allowed me to use his Mercedes 2 days out of each week, this was the perfect time.

"I can't Chris. Forest is in his room..I can't leave him here."

"You don't have to, he can come with us."

She finally agreed and we said our goodbyes. I slipped some shoes on and went to my dad and Alex's room, this time..knocking.

"Yeah?" Alex said from inside the room.

"Can I borrow the car for a while?" I asked, already knowing what the answer was.

"Alright Chris. Just be safe!" He yelled back.

I ran downstairs and grabbed his keys from the key holder. I didn't know where I'd take Bria and her brother, but I knew I wanted her to have a nice time, ease some of the stress.

As I drove across the city to get to Bria and Forest, I thought about exactly what it was I was doing. Driving across the city for her. I'd always loathed driving to the west end because it just took, way..too..long. But now I found myself excited to get oh the road.

Pretty soon I wanted to ask her out, I won't lie. But now I couldn't, because we already fake dated AND fake broke up...me trying to actually date her would be fine to her and I, but confusing to everyone else. Plus, Devyn already thinks me and her are trying again, and Bria is talking to Lincoln! Shit can't get worse on my end, but I'm not gonna let that stop me from trying.

After about a 30 minute drive I made it to Bria's apartment building, I texted her, letting her know I was outside.

Shortly afterwards she came outside with Forest-- who was barefoot, and his shoes in her hand.

She came over to the car and got in the front seat, and of course Forest in the back.

"Why...do you have his shoes?" I said trying not to laugh at the kid.

"I couldn't get him to put them on! He's turning into a little rebel." She said causing Forest to giggle behind us.

"It's not funny. Put your freakin shoes on." She said throwing him the shoes. He sucked his teeth and put the Crocs on.

"So, where we headed?" Bria asked me, as I pulled off.

"It's up to you." I told her.

"Let's go trampolines Chrissopher!" Forest yelled bouncing up and down.

"Trampolines are expensive, and for kids..me and Chris aren't kids." Bria said shutting down his idea.

"Is there somewhere else you'd like to go?"

"Can we go eat?"

"Yeah...but where?"

"Pizzas!" Forest said.

"Pizza it is." I said, redirecting my path to a pizza place we could eat at.

"Hey, what if I didn't want pizza?" Bria said folding her arms.

"We already decided, Bria shh." Forest said, causing Bria to gasp and look at me.

"They have more stuff at the restaurant Brianna chill out." I said chuckling.

//

When we got to the place we were seated in a booth.

"I've never been here before." Bria said looking at the list of available toppings

"I've been here a couple times with Devy-" I stopped myself, realizing I probably shouldn't bring her up when I'm trying to get closer to Bria.

"Devyn huh? I see you guys are...rekindling."

"No. She's only my prom date because you're going with Lincoln."

Before Bria could answer Forest gasped.

"You know Abraham Lincoln?!" He asked her with wide eyes.

"Yes I do. And as for you, Christopher..I'm only going with Lincoln because you fake dumped me."

"Because I don't want to fake date you, I want to real date you."

She dropped her menu in front of her and just as she was about to say something the waitress came over.

"What can I get for you all?"

"I-I'll have a Caesar salad..my- my brother would like a slice of pepperoni pizza." Bria stumbled over her words as Forest laughed at her.

"Got it. And for you?" The waitress asked.

"Cheese pizza please."

"Alright, gotcha." The waitress said as she left our table.

"Haha! Bria couldn't talk right!" Forest said laughing even harder, making me laugh along with him.

a/n:
Well damn Chris wasn't scared 😅
What y'all think Bria will say?