"Nothing, Evan. It's not even worth it because it won't change." Lexi says, annoyed.
"Did they say something about you?" I ask her. I know what I heard her say, but I don't want to repeat it.
She finally brings her eyes to mine and bites her cheek, "no, it wasn't about me. I wouldn't have cared if it wasn't about me."
"Who was it about then? What did he say?" I press, desperately trying to get to the bottom of the drama.
"You, Evan. He was talking about what he wanted to do to you." Lexi says.
My face goes blank and I get quiet for several seconds.
"First of all, I appreciate your concern and you saying something." I pause and lean my weight against the wall, "second of all, you don't have to defend me, Lex. I know students make comments about me, they always have and probably always will. Boys are stubborn and disrespectful... most of the time. Pick your battles." I say and she sighs.
"Are you saying that I should just give up and let him tell the whole class how nice your ass is and how he wants to 'bend you over the desk'?" Lexi asks, obviously feeling passionately about the subject.
"I'm saying that not everyone has the mind you do, Lex. Not everyone is capable of realizing that women aren't objects. It takes time and maturity, and those boys... they have a ways to go." I explain.
After working in a high school for a several years, I've learned a thing or two about teenage boys.
Lexi's expression softens, but she shakes her head. "It's sick."
"It is, and I hate it. But I don't let the comments of seventeen year old boys get to me. I hold myself to much higher standards than that." I wink, trying hard to calm her down again.
"I'm glad." She sighs.
"You know I'm going to have to write you a detention slip, right?" I frown.
She sighs and nods her head, "go for it."
"You gonna be mad at me for it?" I tease.
She grins and starts to walk back into the classroom, "I can't be mad that you're stupidly attractive, Evan. That is why I'm in this boat..."
* * *
I arrive home with the kids around five, which is much later than usual for me.
I start unloading the kids and the girls take off into the house while Mason waits patiently for my assistance in unbuckling from his seat.
I glance across the yard and see a girl in the Brewer's driveway who isn't Lexi.
I squint my eyes behind my glasses, trying to see who it is. About this time, Lexi pulls into the driveway with her mom and I realize what's going on.
"Happy birthday!!!" The girl yells.
Lexi climbs out of the car and shakes her head at who I have now identified as Katie. She's written all over the windows of Lexi's car with paint markers and tied balloons to the mirrors.
I unbuckle my son and watch Lexi's reaction, which doesn't look very enthused. Lexi's mom grins and hugs her tight.
Lexi looks over and sees me standing and watching, so she waves. "Hey, Evan."
I smile softly and start across the yard, feeling rude for not saying something earlier. "I didn't know it was your birthday. Happy birthday." I say and remove my shades from my face.
"Hi Mrs.Copeland." Katie says, "she doesn't advertise her birthday. Don't feel bad for not knowing."
I nod and look at Lexi's mom, "time flies, Evan. Cherish the little ones while you can." Amy smiles.
"I bet.You're what... eighteen now?" I ask, looking at Lexi.
She nods and Amy shakes her head, "don't go thinking you're grown now just because you're eighteen!"
I smirk and Lexi shakes her head. "Shouldn't you be getting dressed for dinner?" She asks, shooing her mother away.
"We'll see you around, Evan." Amy says to me before she walks inside.
Katie's phone rings and she answers quickly, "hi baby!"
She wanders off to talk to who I'm assuming is her boyfriend and Lexi pushes her hair around.
"So unnecessary." She gripes, looking at her car.
"You should have told me." I say, folding my arms over my chest. "You let me give you detention on your birthday. That's the biggest bitch move ever."
She shrugs and bites her lip, "no biggie. Just another day as far as I'm concerned, and for the record, I don't think you're a bitch."
"You okay?" I ask her, noticing that she's much more drained than usual.
She shakes her head, being honest with me. "No, but I'll be fine tomorrow. I'm gonna go get dressed for this dinner. See ya."
She spins on her heels and walks towards the house.
"Happy birthday, Lex." I say.
She smiles softly and nods, "thanks."
Lexi's POV:
"Whatever, I don't care!" I groan as Katie sorts through my closet.
She rolls her eyes and tosses a shirt at me, "just put it on, Lexi. It's your birthday. You have to dress nice."
I roll my eyes hard and realize that she isn't going to give in. I strip out of my tee and slide into the pair of tight jeans and crop-tank that she settled on.
"You're ridiculous." I complain as I adjust the shirt on my body.
She grins victoriously, "see! You look cute now. If you'd dress like this at school maybe you'd get a boyfriend." She sighs.
I drop my arms by my side and stare at her hard. So many pieces of me want to scream and tell her to stop saying that.
"Not interested." I tell her.
Soon after my mom knocks on the door and smiles, "come on! Mike is going to meet us there."
I grab my phone and follow my mother and best friend down the stairs and out the door.
I hear a commotion in the next yard, so of course I look over. I instantly regret my decision.
Scott wraps his arms around the dirty-blonde's waist and one of his hands cups her ass. Her eyes meet mine and I don't look away like I usually would.
I watch him kiss her lips, but she is being distant and hesitant.
"Lexi!" The shriek of the twins pulls my eyes off of their mother.
"Hey, girls." I say and Katie looks at me funny. "I'm gonna go eat, but I'll be back later." I tell them, hoping they'll stay in their yard and not wander over.
"It's her birthday." Evan mumbles while her husband's arm is still snaked around her small waist.
"Happy birthday, Lexi!" The two young girl's faces light up and I grin tightly.
"Thanks."
I get into the car on that note and listen to my mom and Katie chit-chat as we drive to a restaurant.
I swear Katie could be my mom's daughter.
"I keep asking Lexi when she's gonna get a boyfriend, but she isn't budging!" Katie says, nudging my arm.
"She is so antisocial." My mother rolls her eyes and it makes me want to deck her in the face. Even on my birthday they have to act like this.
"I get it. You're both disappointed in me for many reasons, now can we drop it?" I hiss.
Katie gets a defensive look in her eyes, "I'm just trying to help."
"I don't want your help, Katie!! I'm perfectly fine just the way I am. I'm content with my relationship status and the last thing I need is you two ganging up on me about it. Geez."I snap. They had it coming.
Ever since I've know Katie, she's always been sensitive. There isn't a doubt in my mind that I've hurt her feeling just by raising my voice.
The remainder of the ride is silent, needless to say.
Dinner goes better than the car ride did. No relationship talk, judging, or reminding me of how much of a screw up I am.
Towards the end of dinner, my mom holds up a bag, "here!" She says, passing it over the table.
I take it, hesitantly. She's never been a good gift-buyer.
I dig into the bag and find several small accessories for my usual pastimes... art and music.
I smile and thank Mike and my mom, then Katie slides me a black box with a teal ribbon on it.
I raise my brows, totally unsure of what to expect from her. "I'm scared." I joke.
She smiles softer and bites her cheek as I pull at the ribbon.
I open the box and find a gift far more meaningful than some accessories for music and art related things.
Months ago, I lost something that I knew I'd never be able to replace at one of Katie's bonfires on the beach.
I used to carry my dad's, my grandpa's, and my uncle's rings around with me everywhere I went. That night on the beach was a blur, and I ended up losing all three rings.
"Katie..." I mutter, tears welling in my blue eyes. She has all three rings on a necklace.
"I know it's not a gift I bought, but..."
"You found them?!" I ask, staring hard at the three bands.
"Well, Ryan helped. We got some metal detectors and spent days down there." She explains. I still can't stand that asshole. "I wanted to find them for you because I know how much they mean to you."
I leave my chair and hug her neck tightly. This is why she's my best friend.
