"Did you just say date?" Ben asked 

"Indeed," she said 

"Alex, what is she talking about?" he asked 

"Look man, I can explain," I said still trying to find a way to fix this 

"What does she mean by date?" he asked

"It's quite simple. I have instructed Alexander to find a location of our date" she said

"Is that true?" he asked looking at me

"Ben-"

"Absolutely. Lies never come from my precious lips" she said interrupting me

"Can you shut up for a second?" I said gritting my teeth angrily

"Didn't you say that if I went out with you, you wouldn't tell Ben" I said glaring at her

"No, I told you I wouldn't inform him of our kiss," she said

"You guys kissed!" Ben said shocked

"Oh f**k me" I cursed

"Twice actually," she said.

"SHUT UP!" I yelled at her

"I'm getting out of here," Ben said storming out 

"Ben wait," I said chasing after him but before I could even leave the porch Elizabeth stepped in front of me

"What the hell are you doing?!" I asked angrily

"You have a date with me. How dare you up and leave" she scoffed

"ELIZABETH! I don't have time to deal with your shit anymore okay!" I shouted angrily

"I gotta go talk to my best friend before he becomes my ex-best friend. Thank you for that by the way" I said before running after Ben

"Ben wait for a second will you," I said running after him

"She's the one that asked me out! She's the one that kissed me" I said

"You think that's what I'm mad about" he scoffed walking faster

"Well...yeah. Isn't it?" I asked

"Then you obviously don't know me well," he said 

"I've been getting that a lot lately" I joked

"You think this is funny" he glared

"No, I'm sorry. If it's not Elizabeth why are you upset?" I asked

"I don't care about Elizabeth. I care about the fact that you lied to me" he said

"That's bull. You told me you like her so I tried my best to stay away from her" I said

"Well, you suck at it. It's hard to stay away from someone when you're on a date with them" he said

"I tried to turn her down but I told you she won't take no for an answer. Plus she keeps blackmailing me" I said pleading my case

"Blackmailing? How is she blackmailing you?" he asked finally stopping

"She told me she'd tell you about the kiss," I said

"Kisses"

"No kiss. There was only one. I blocked her the second time she tried. There was only the time she kissed me at the party" I said putting my foot in my mouth

"So you did kiss someone at the party," he said picking up on my inadvertent confession

"That's not the...Yes I did" I said

"Ever since then she's been dragging me to different places like the Theme park," I said digging myself a deeper hole

"Wait so it wasn't Wendy that invited you?"

"No it was Elizabeth but you have to believe me I tried turning her down. She wouldn't listen" I said

"Thanks, man," he said

"What?"

"Thanks for showing me how much of a liar you are" he glared turning to walk away

"Ben. I'm telling the truth" I called out before he turned back to me

"How would I know you lied to my face for weeks" he yelled

"For what?" he let out a hurt laugh

"I didn't want to hurt your feelings," I said 

"That's the Alex you telling me about Elizabeth wouldn't have hurt me at all," he said 

"You told me you liked her," I said

"Not as much as I cared about our friendship" He yelled angrily

"And you lying to me is what hurt our friendship" he added

"So you're telling me you would have been okay with it if she had told you?" I asked

"No I'm saying I would have been okay with it if you had told me" he yelled

"I can't believe you'd think I'd get angry over someone I didn't even know" 

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking" I said, "I should have told you when it happened but I didn't know how you'd react"

"Yeah you should have told me," he said walking away

"Ben"

"Stop following me! Just stop. I don't want to talk to you today" he said walking away

"First Wendy. Now Ben. This is just great" I sighed sarcastically before kicking rocks all the way back to my house

"Finally you came back," Elizabeth said waiting on my porch

"The hell are you still doing here?" I asked furiously

"I came here expecting a date and I'm not leaving until it happened," she said

"Well you can stay out here all night because I'm not going on date on you,"  I said as I walked to my door

"He must be kidding," she told herself as I slammed the door

"Alexander. Open this door immediately. How dare you lock yours truly like some household pet!" she ranted as I ignore her and I locked myself in her room

"Damn Elizabeth" I cursed before laying face-first on my bed 

"I gotta call Ben," I said before taking out my phone and calling him. No matter how many times I call he never answers 

I grew upset and decided to try again after a quick rest but the minute I closed my eyes I heard someone shout out my name angrily

"Alexander Freeman get your ass down here"

"Mom?" I said before getting off the bed and going down to meet her

"Alexander Lewis Freeman," she said

"Present," I said having no idea why she was so upset

"You have some explaining to do Mister," she said

"What?" I asked

"Amanda go to your room," she said

"Okay Mommy" she laughed skipping away

"You're in trouble" she teased skipping up the stairs

"What's up Mom?" I asked

"Do you know that girl outside?" she asked

"Girl? You can't mean Elizabeth. She's still out there?" I asked surprised

"Is she crazy?" I asked

"So you do know her?" Mom said

"She's this crazy chick in my class. She's smart, comes from a really rich family but she's self-centered, arrogant, and delusional" I said

"I see. So that's why you're avoiding the date you promised her" Mom said 

"The what?"

"Did you or did you not promise that young girl a date?" she asked

"I did no such thing," I said 

"Well she seems to think you did"

"I told you she's crazy," I said

"Why don't I invite her in and see for myself," Mom said moving towards the door

"Mom no," I said but Mom had already opened the door

"Good evening you're name's Elizabeth right?" 

"Indeed and for future reference, I don't like waiting," Elizabeth said making me roll my eyes

"I'm sorry but I need to ask you something. Did my son actually ask you on a date?" 

"No" she answered

"I told you"

"I was the one who asked him and he made the obvious choice of agreeing," she said

"I did no such thing," I said

"Yes you did" 

"Did not"

"Alexander you said and I quote 'Sure, whatever' when I asked you," she said

"Shit" I cursed

"Did you say that?" Mom asked

"Yeah but I just wanted her to leave me alone," I said

"I see" she nodded but I knew what that meant

"Mom I didn't mean it like that," I said

"I've got to say I'm very disappointed in you. Now Alexander Lewis Freeman you are going to take Elizabeth on a date directly after school on Monday"

"What? Mom" I complained

"It doesn't matter if you like her. If you agree to bring a girl on a date you better fulfill that promise. You don't play with someone's emotions" Mom ordered but the minute I looked at Elizabeth I remembered how pissed Ben was at me

"Now go wash up I'll order pizza," Mom said 

"Fine" I groaned

"Elizabeth since it's already late why don't you stay and have dinner with us" 

"I don't eat fast food," Mom said

"That's okay we can order you a salad"

"Passable but next time I'd prefer home-cooked meals," Elizabeth said snobbishly

"You know what Mom, I'm not hungry," I said 

"What?" Mom asked surprised

"I'm going to my room," I said rushing upstairs

"I can't believe she's having dinner here," I said flopping face-first on the bed

"And she's not even the least appreciative. I mean would it kill her to cut down on her rich girl preference just once" I complained

"Whatever I'm tired," I said wanting to go to school

"Alex!" I heard someone call.

"Alex! Alex!"

"What! What do you want?" I yelled annoyed at their constant hollering

"Geez can't a guy get some sleep," I said

"Whatever loser. Mom told me to call you for dinner" 

"Is Elizabeth still here?" I asked

"Yes"

"Then I'm not hungry," I said 

"You can't be serious about this" 

"I am. Now get lost you brat" I said

"Okay what's wrong with her," she asked walking into my room

"What?" I asked

"That Elizabeth chick what's wrong with her?" Amanda asked

"She's self-centered, arrogant, delusional, bossy and expects everything to go her way," I said

"Yeah...that's not what I meant"

"So what did you mean?" I asked annoyed

"I mean is she half blind? Slow in the head, does she laugh funny or did she get surgery?"

"No. She's none of those things" I said

"She's naturally pretty and one of the smartest people I know" I added

"So why don't you like her," Amanda asked

"You would understand even if I told you" I let out a grief-filled sigh

"Why not? If you can understand why can't I? Compare to you I'm Einstein remember" she said

"Can you just get lost? I'm not in the mood for food" I said

"Fine, suit yourself loser," she said leaving. Shortly after I heard knocking again

"Mom I already told you I'm not hungry," I said 

"It's not your mother Alexander"

"Oh. Then go away" I said before she walked in

"What the hell are you doing in here?" I asked sitting up

"Next time you want to be dramatic make sure your door is locked," Elizabeth said 

"Thanks for the tip. can you get lost now" I said

"Hmph" she scoffed before sitting on my bed forcing to sigh

"What do you want Elizabeth?" I asked irritated

"I have decided to return home and I wish to bid you goodbye," She said

"Well you did; you can leave now," I said

"You seem rather upset with me. More than usual" she said 

"Really? I wonder why?" I said sarcastically

"Does this perhaps have anything to do with what happened with Benjamin"

"Of course it does! Because of you, I might have lost my best friend" I said

"From my understanding, he was more upset that you lied to him rather than what T had told him," she said

"Who's the reason I lied!" I yelled angrily

"Now Alexander I never told you to lie now did I," she said

"Fine but that's not the only reason I'm pissed," I said

"Really? I don't seem to remember me inconveniencing you in any other way" she said

"My mom can't cook," I said

"What?" she said shocked

"She can't cook. That's why she's always ordering food. So next time when she offers you something just take it or say you're not hungry. Don't just complain and bitch that you only eat home-cooked meals" I said

"First of all Alexander I neither bitch nor complained. I simply stated a fact that I don't eat fast food. And second of all why should I?" 

"Why what?" I asked

"Why should I break my principles just to spare your mother's feelings," she said

"She's a grown woman. What kind of functioning adult doesn't know how to cook" she ranted

"That's way out of line!" I yelled jumping to my feet

"My mom might not be the best cook but she's a great adult. She might not know a lot of adult things but she learns them" I said defensively

"And I love her for it even if she can't cook. When I got sick she spent hours reading about cures for the illness I could possibly have all because she could afford to take me to the doctors. She risked her health and damn job, even though it was only one she could get at the time, to be with me the whole time I was sick" I continued my enraged rant

"So you have no right to come and tell me what a 'fully functioning' adult should do"

"I see. Is that why she's so complaisant about not being able to cook" Elizabeth said

"What?"

"Your mother sounds like she wants the best for her children" 

"She does," I said

"Yet she keeps feeding you on unhealthy oil filled food," Elizabeth said

"Why does she simply not learn to cook?" 

"You don't think she tried. After her third time almost burning down the kitchen she stopped" I said

"Really but Bethany doesn't seem to be the type to just quit" 

"I told her to stop," I said

"Why?"

"Why? Did you not hear the part of her almost burning the kitchen down. Three times" I said

"And eventually she would have succeeded," Elizabeth said

"She would have succeeded in burning down the kitchen long before she succeeded in making dinner," I said

"So you have so little fate in your mother. I must say I'm disappointed in you Alexander" she said

"Well, I believe in facts more than fate. And the fact is my mother can't cook and she can't learn" I said

"Really? How many times have you told her that? Because of your constant reiteration, I'm sure she herself believes it as well. Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe she liked cooking?" Elizabeth asked

"Um...Whatever" I said 

"Shouldn't you be going home?" I said unable to think of a comeback

"Indeed that idiotic brother of mine might let that filthy girlfriend of his over my house," she said

"You mean Samantha?"

"Of course. The wench that is quite full of herself" Elizabeth sneered

"Okay pot I'll let kettle know you called" I scoffed

"Oh please Alexander. While I indeed like to praise myself occasionally. It's nothing but the truth" Elizabeth said 

"She, on the other hand, believes herself to be the most beautiful girl in existence even though she is already aware of the existence of yours truly" she scoffed

"Yep because that doesn't sound conceited at all," I said sarcastically

"Whatever. It's time for me to take my leave" she said, "Have a good night, Alexander" 

"Are you going home by yourself?" I asked as she walked towards the door

"Indeed. Is that a problem?" she asked smugly

"No, I don't care. Do whatever you want?" I said returning to my bed

"I guess I will see you on Monday, Alexander but you must remember you are in charge of the venue and now you know I don't eat fast food," Elizabeth said

"Whatever I'm going back to sleep," I said closing my eyes as she closed the door behind her

"What does she know. I mean she's my mom. If she liked cooking she'd tell me. What use would there be in asking? Maybe I could ask. It wouldn't be hard just to go to her and say "Do you like cooking?". Not that hard" I said

"But what if she actually liked cooking. That would mean I forced her to stop. Looking back I might have been a bit harsh when I told her to stop. But was it really that bad? I mean she almost burnt the kitchen down.THRICE!" I yelled convincing myself

"Whatever. Stupid Elizabeth messing with my thoughts" I sighed before looking out my window seeing the dark night's sky

"I wonder if she left. It's really dark outside. It could be really dangerous." I said slightly worried

"What am I talking about. I don't care I mean if anything does happen she'd be totally fine. Unless they have a gun. What would she do if she faced a robber with a gun? With her attitude, they'd shoot her just because" I sighed

"God damn it. What am I doing?" I said annoyed as I got off my bed and out of my room

"If you're here for dinner, it's too late. I already gave it to the dog" Mom lied

"We don't have a dog" I called out her lie

"I meant the neighbor's" she altered her lie

"Whatever. Has Elizabeth already left?" I asked

"Yes and the way you treated that poor girl was absolutely horrible" Mom frowned

"Yeah, I know. I'm going out for a bit" I sighed

"Why?" Mom asked

"No reason. Nothing important" I lied

"You're gonna follow Elizabeth to the bus stop aren't you," Amanda said

"Shut it brat," I said

"Is that true?" Mom asked

"Yeah I'll be back soon," I said

"Okay be quick though," she said 

Alright" I said leaving

"Oh wait, Mom"

"What is it?" she asked

"Nevermind," I said

"Don't do that Alex. Tell me what's on your mind" Mom said

"It's just...um...Do you..."

"Do I?"

"Know a guy named Marcus Thomson," I said deciding not to ask

"Marcus? I don't think I know anyone like that" Mom shrugged

"Well he seems to know you," I said

"Really? Did he say anything?" 

"Not really. He just asked about Amanda" I said

"A-A-Amanda what does he want with Amanda?" she asked shaking a bit

"Mom, you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just need a minute to call someone" Mom said

"You sure? You seem frantic" I said

"Mommy are you really okay?" Amanda asked

"Yes dear I'm fine" Mom smiled as she stroked Wendy's hair

"You sure?" I asked

"Yes. Shouldn't you hurry to Elizabeth something might happen" Mom reminded me

"Oh yeah. See you when I get back" I said walking out

"I wonder how far she's gone," I said walking down the steps

"It took you quite a while before you got out here," Elizabeth said walking out of the shadows of my porch

"AH!" I jumped shocked

"Elizabeth didn't you leave?" I said calming from my initial shock

"I was waiting on you obviously," she said

"What?"

"I knew you'd come to follow me. What kind of jerk allows a maiden as fair as I to walk home by her lonesome" Elizabeth said\

"What if I were robbed?"

"This is basically a suburb. I doubt you would have been robbed" I said

"Yet you still came to follow me" she smiled

"Even in the safest neighborhoods person like you would be in trouble," I said

"Because of my otherworldly beauty," she said

"No because you're unbearably annoying" I joked walking away

"Well Alexander if I'm annoying you're a chicken," she said chasing after me

"What makes you say that?" I asked

"The fact that you couldn't bring yourself to ask. What? Were you too afraid you were wrong?" she chuckled

"I wasn't wrong" I immediately denied

"Yet you still couldn't bring yourself to ask the question" 

"Ask what?" I said deciding to play ignorant

"You were going to ask your mother if she enjoyed cooking" she chuckled

"No, I wasn't. I was gonna ask about" I said

"That Marcus fellow," she said as we came to the bus stop

"Yeah," I said

"So what is the situation with him?" Elizabeth asked

"I don't know but Ben seems to think he could be my sister's dad," I said

"Oh. So you are half-siblings?" she asked

"Technically yeah," I said

"Technically?" she said

"Yeah we're both adopted," I said

"I see. So by father, you mean-"

"Biological father," I said

"So how did Benjamin come to the conclusion that he is her biological father?" 

"He made a not so informed guess" I chuckled

"That figures. He seems like that type to do that" 

"The type?"

"Indeed. He seems quite slow" she shrugged

"Are you calling my friend stupid?"

"No, I'm saying he seems like a slow learner" 

"First of all Ben's not a 'slow learner'. He's actually very smart. He is just a bit unmotivated. Second, you can't just call someone else's friend an idiot to their face" I said getting angry

"Three things," she said calmly

"What?" I growled

"First I didn't refer to him as an idiot. Second, if the only reason he is failing because he is lazy" 

"I didn't say lazy"

"But it's what you meant"

"How do you know what I meant?" I asked sarcastically

"Hm" she smiled, "The point is just because he's lazy makes him worse than an idiot. At least your typical idiot would try his best, much like yourself, and not waste everyone's time"

"And last but not least, are you sure you two are still friends?" she asked

"What?"

"I seem to remember you two having a little disagreement and him storming off this evening," Elizabeth said

"And I seem to remember it was your fault," I said

"How was it my fault. I merely spoke the truth" Elizabeth said

"You know what. Never mind the bus should be here any minute. I'm going home" I said

"I see. That's fine. I've already called my brother to come to pick me up" she said

"What? You called your brother" I said gritting my teeth angrily

"Of course. You didn't expect someone of my stature to take public transportation right?" she chuckled at my apparently ludicrous thought

"So why the hell did you come here, to begin with?" I asked irritated

"Because I wanted to walk and talk with you"

"How are you so sure I would have even followed you" I sighed annoyed

"You aren't the type to allow a lady to walk in the dead of night by herself," Elizabeth said

"You seem sure of that"

"Of course I am. You're a simpleton" she said flashing another of her beautiful smiles

"No I'm just a nice guy," I said before she suddenly kissed me again

"Yes you are," she said before I blushed and she immediately giggled at my blush

"Lizzie," Anthony said walking over to us

"It looks like the buffoon is here. I guess we have to cut over conversation short" she said

"Yeah whatever," I said hiding my blush

"Lizzie. Do you know how late it is? I was just about to go to sleep" her brother complained

"Sleep? Last I checked you only go to bed at midnight. There should be a full hour before. And do not refer to me as Lizzie. Have you not learned your lesson" she chastised him

"Whatever. Let's get going" he groaned

"Well, Alexander this is where we part ways. I'll see you on Monday. I repeat do not forget our date" she said

"I couldn't even if I wanted to. And trust me I want to" I said but she only giggled

"Let's go buffoon," she said turning to her brother

"Yeah, I'll see you in the car. I want to talk to Alex" he said before she walked away

"Is there something you need?" I asked

"Sup Alex" he smiled friendly

"Anthony," I said 

"So you went on a date with my sister"

"No. No, I did not" I said

"So what happened between you two?" he asked

"Nothing she just won't leave me alone. No matter how hard I try" I said

"Haha that sounds like Elizabeth" he laughed

"When she wants something she's got to have it" 

"So she's incredibly spoilt" I reasoned

"I wouldn't go that far"

"I would," I said

"Contrary to how she speaks Lizzie is a sweet and kind girl," he said

"Really?" I said disbelievingly

"Yeah. So just give her a chance okay. You might be surprised" he said

"Hey buffoon what's taking so long," Elizabeth said

"Nothing. Keep what I said in mind Alex. See you around" he said leaving

"Goodbye Alexander," Elizabeth said as we walked into the crimson sports car parked on the road

"Remember our date," she said

"Couldn't even I wanted to-"

"And you want to," she said before I smiled a bit

"Farewell," she said as they drove off

"I should head back home," I said returning to my house

"Hey, Mom. You're still up" I said surprised

"I was waiting for you" she yawned

"Did Elizabeth make it home?" 

"Yeah her brother picked her up," I said

"That's good. Your dinner's in the kitchen. I'm going to sleep" she said going upstairs

"Good night Love," she said

"Night Mom," I said going to the kitchen where a covered tray of Burger King was waiting for me

"Thanks, Mom" I smiled taking a bite from my fries

"Delicious," I said after taking a beat from my burger