Chapter 32

Liam

March 14th, 2017 | 4:00 pm

Liam and Rachel were at the mall. They were meeting Lexi and his parents for dinner in a couple hours but for now they were shopping. Prom was just around the corner and Rachel was looking for fabric to make her dress out of.

"NYU has such a good fashion design program," Rachel said dreamily. "I'm so excited."

Liam tried to look excited for her sake, he was happy for her. She had gotten into an amazing school and had already accepted the offer. Liam was just bitter he hadn't heard back from NYU yet, granted he had applied later than her, but the anticipation was killing him. His round of applications should hear back any time today.

"You'll hear back soon enough," she said, reading his expression perfectly.

Liam nodded and squeezed her hand. "Yeah I know, but I am happy for you, NYU was your dream school."

She couldn't help but smile as they walked into the next store. Liam patiently held whatever supplies she needed.

"Does Lexi need a dress?" Rachel asked.

Liam wasn't sure, he hadn't asked Lexi if she was going to go to prom yet. He didn't think she would want to, but then again, things had gotten a lot better for her. With encouragement from Liam, Lexi had been putting herself out there again. She had gone out with Liam, Rachel, Josh, and Ryan a few times now and Liam knew Ryan and Josh both really wanted to ask her to prom, but they were both too busy fighting over who would take her to even ask her.

Liam sighed. "I'm not really sure," he admitted.

Rachel looked deep in thought. "I think she would look good in midnight blue."

"Are you going to make her a dress?" Liam asked.

Rachel shrugged. "Why not? I could always use a new model, and even if she doesn't go, I can always put it in my portfolio."

Liam nodded. Rachel was making a real effort to get Lexi to feel comfortable at school and among their friends. She had told off all of her friends for poking fun at Lexi, so, most of them quickly changed their behavior around Lexi. Especially, once they realized the girl who would be making their prom dresses was mad at them. Lexi typically hung around Josh and Ryan more than Rachel's girl friends though. They all watched sports together and Josh was even teaching her how to play basketball. Both boys quite obviously had a crush on her. They hadn't done much to hide it. They were constantly hitting on her, but Lexi always politely brushed them off.

"Should I get Josh or Ryan to ask her?" Liam questioned.

Rachel frowned. "I don't know, Liam, I think it's up to her if she wants to go."

Liam nodded. He hoped she would go, it would be good for her. Liam so desperately wanted her to move on. He wondered what it would take. Austin was barely around anymore, Liam wasn't sure if Lexi was even aware, but Austin rarely came to school anymore. Liam wasn't sure what he was up to, but if it meant that Lexi stopped thinking about him then Liam wasn't going to question it much.

"I think we'll wear this dark green," Rachel decided, showing him the fabric.

Liam looked up at the color she had picked out. He knew his tie would match her dress, it was tradition. He nodded approvingly and Rachel took out the amount of fabric she wanted. When they were done shopping, they drove to the restaurant, where they were meeting his parents and Lexi at. When they arrived, they found them already seated at a table.

"Hey guys," Liam said as he sat down.

His parents sat opposite of him and Lexi was on his right. Rachel took a seat next to him and greeted everyone.

"Rachel, it's so nice to see you," his mom said brightly.

Rachel and Liam's mother got along very well. Considering how awful her own mother was, Liam was more than happy to share. As Liam's mother gushed over Rachel's dress designs for prom, Liam glanced over at Lexi and his father who were discussing college.

"I talked to Dr. Potter over at the local college and he's been helping me figure out what I want to do. I think going there will be good for me and I will have saved a lot of money if I go there," Lexi explained.

"Oh Lexi, don't be silly, money won't be an issue," his father said immediately.

Lexi blushed. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I can't take that much money from you."

"What else are we going to do with it?" Victor responded. "It's not like we can give Liam two college educations."

Lexi slowly nodded, but still looked apprehensive about it.

Liam's father looked over at him. "Did you guys get everything you needed?"

Liam nodded. "Yeah, Rachel got everything," he said.

"What color are you guys wearing?" he asked.

"Dark green," Liam answered.

"You guys have a theme?" Lexi asked with a small smile.

"Yeah, we unintentionally picked the same colored top on our first date and it's been a thing ever since," Liam said smiling.

Lexi chuckled. "That's cute," she said.

"Are you going?" Liam asked.

"To prom?" Lexi made a face. "I don't know, Liam."

"Why not?" Liam asked. "I know Josh or Ryan would be happy to take you."

Lexi opened her mouth to respond but then looked away and sighed. "I just don't want to," she said finally.

Liam nodded reluctantly and turned back to Rachel who was excitedly telling Liam's mom about NYU. Liam was supposed to hear back anytime now. He kept checking his phone the whole day, hoping an email from them would be in his inbox.

After eating, they were walking to their cars when Liam's phone buzzed. Everyone stopped talking at once when they heard the phone. They all knew what it meant: the NYU decision had come out. Rachel squeezed his hand reassuringly as Liam pulled his phone out. He clicked on the email and began reading.

"I got in," he said, his voice filled with relief. He smiled and turned towards Rachel who excitedly kissed him.

"I knew you would," she said beaming.

"Congratulations, Liam," his dad said proudly.

His mom hugged him. "I'm so proud of you."

Lexi grinned. "Good job."

Liam could barely contain his excitement as he drove home. He had gotten in, he had done it. Life had turned around so much for him, he couldn't help but grin.