It's mid September now. The weather has begun it's official descent from Summer to Fall, my favorite time of year. It's the short window of time when all the trees are colored warm oranges and reds before everything turns bleak and gray. I'm totally living for this weather! This is the only time of year when pulling out chunky sweaters and beanies still feels fun. Don't get me wrong, Winter in Michigan can be pretty sometimes too but the constant bitter cold that it brings, requiring you to dress in jackets that look like sleeping bags gets old fast. So for now I'm going to soak up every minute of this perfect Autumn season. All the deliciously sweet hot apple ciders, crunching leaves when I walk, visits to local orchards, even the way the air feels on my skin is perfection. Ahh I love it.

I park in my usual spot in the school's parking lot. As I get out of my car there's a pep in my step when I'm heading towards the school. It can only be explained by how perfect the trees look today and has absolutely nothing to do with all the texting I was doing with Tyler Johnson over the weekend. Let's not forget, we're just friends, obvi.

I see Tyler's Jeep come blazing into the parking lot, narrowly missing a couple girls walking into school. I decide it's better I don't stop to see him. My feelings for Tyler keep growing and I want to protect myself from getting hurt. He's a big flirt and I know it.

"Hey Bruiser! Wait up!" Tyler calls out across the parking lot to me as he jumps out of his car.

I keep going without turning back, pretending I don't hear him.

"Hey, didn't you hear me? Where you headed in such a hurry? You look very pretty this morning." Tyler gives me a charming grin.

"Oh I'm sorry, didn't know you were speaking to me. Thought you were talking to someone named Bruiser." I give Tyler a dramatic eye roll. A skill I mastered from using it so much on Charlie, Lucas and Tuck over the years.

"Don't give me that look, you love that I have a nickname for you. Not everyone is so special." Tyler swings his arm over my shoulders, pulling me into his side.

I must admit, even if Tyler's only being playful right now the sudden unexpected closeness to him catches me off guard. The familiar scent of sandalwood and citrus fills my senses. Being held by him is comfortable and terrifying all at the same time. I have to use all of my will power to fight off his effortless charms and snap back to reality from my impending daydreams.

"Oh quit it." I shove his arm off playfully. "You know exactly why you call me Bruiser and it has a lot more to do with me hating the name then you thinking I'm someone special."

"Think what you want." Tyler counters back, opening the school's front door for me. "After you princess. Oh wait, I'm not allowed to call you any nicknames, I forgot." He gives me a mischievous grin.

This time I can't resist Tyler's charming wit. A small laugh sneaks past my lips. My plan to try and ignore him isn't going to be easy on me. I walk inside with Tyler trailing right behind. The school lobby is packed with people which quickly snaps me back to reality. Instantly I feel like one in the crowd, a feeling I'm all too familiar with. Tyler has the exact opposite demeanor around all our fellow classmates I mean he's practically a celebrity at our school. Everyone makes room for him to walk by. Being beside him as everyone greets him makes me feel invisible and for the first time I'm not relieved to feel that way. I used to wish to blend in, but now it feels different and I'm not exactly sure why. A moment later some of Tyler's teammates swoop in. They grab him before I have the chance to say another word to him. I watch as he gets further down the hallway, engulfed in whatever the guys are talking about. All the girls along the way stop and stare as he goes by. My heart sinks a little in my chest.

Pull yourself together Lila. He's the most popular guy in school and you're just you. It'd be smart for you to remember that!

****

I'm walking to fourth hour now. Everyday I look forward to this class for a couple reasons. One, English is my favorite subject and two, it's right before lunch which means I'm halfway through the school day. All my tough classes are the first part of my day so after lunch it's all a breeze. Oh yeah, and Tyler sits next to me in this class too, which doesn't hurt.

When I walk into class I find Mason and Tyler in the center of several girls from class giggling and throwing themselves at each of them. All of Tyler's adoring fans are trying to drop hints that they are still available to be his date to the upcoming homecoming dance. Out of all of them, Quinn Davis is coming on the strongest. I can't stand to watch her fawning all over Tyler so I walk across the room and take the back way to my desk.

"Alright everyone, grab your seats and let's begin. We have a lot to cover today." Mrs. Sanders calls the class to attention when the bell rings. "Today we begin our semester-long book project. Let me remind you this project is critical and will count for thirty percent of your final grade." Mrs. Sanders starts handing out packets to each row of students.

Quinn, who apparently still despises me for no good reason, tosses mine and Mason's packets over her shoulder without looking at us. I hand Mason his packet trying to ignore her.

"Hey, I need your help at lunch. I'll explain more after class." Mason whispers in my ear when he takes his packet from my hand.

"You each will need to pick a partner to work on the project with." Mrs. Sanders continues lecturing. "The list of books you can write about are on the first page of your packets. Let me remind you, who you pick to partner up with is final and will last for the whole semester so choose wisely." Mrs. Sanders not-so-discreetly cocks a brow at Tyler and Mason before she keeps explaining the project. "Because this is such a large assignment I will give you regular class time for you and your partner to work on it together. We will also have weekly peer review groups as the semester continues. I highly suggest you use the class time to work on the project and not just socialize with one another. As always, I am available for assistance as well."

"Pssst...Bruiser. Will you be my partner?" Tyler leans over to me whispering as Mrs. Sanders continues her directions to the class.

Quinn definitely just heard what Tyler asked me. She shoots an evil look in our direction. Tyler seems unphased by Quinn's disdain, still waiting for my response.

"Don't you want to be with Mason?" I whisper back when Mrs. Sanders isn't looking.

"No way. Not for thirty percent of my grade at least.... No offense buddy." Tyler whispers back knowing Mason can also hear what we're talking about.

"None taken." Mason fist bumps his friend.

"If I say yes, you better do your share of the work. I'm not writing this whole paper solo. I mean it Tyler, I'm not letting you slack off. Don't expect me to carry you on this or think you can treat me like your free ride to an A." I whisper sternly.

Tyler sneakily makes a 'cross my heart' gesture and smiles at me. Of course I'm going to cave when he does cute stuff like that. It's not fair how easily he gets under my skin.

"Fine." I whisper, turning my attention back to Mrs. Sanders who is still explaining our project.

By the end of the period Tyler and I had settled on Romeo and Juliet for our book report. I had wanted to go with something a little less well-known so it wasn't so overdone, but Tyler was really excited about it and said he's already read the book several times. I figure if that's the case maybe it will make it easier for him to help me with the paper.

When the bell rings, Mason, Tyler and I all walk out together.

"Ok so, I need your help Lila." Mason turns to me. "Can you get Rachel to leave your lunch table at exactly 12:36pm? I need her to walk over to the library at that time. I have something special planned." Mason smiles confidently.

"Huh? That's super random Mason. What's going on? You're acting weirder than normal." I ask skeptically.

"Please Lila! She won't expect anything coming from you. I promise, it's a good surprise, you'll see! Pretty pleeeease." He begs. Tyler laughs at Mason's antics but doesn't give me any clue as to what is going on either.

"I'm a little scared to say yes. This better not blow up in my face if I do this for you." I warn the two giant boys.

"Ahh you're the best Lila!" Mason's giant arms pick me up like a rag doll and twirl me around. "Don't worry, everything's going to be great. She's gonna love what I have planned! Alright, gotta run and get ready. See you at 12:36pm!" Mason yells while him and Tyler run down the hall away from me.

"I sure hope you're right." I say to myself.

All the girls are already seated at our normal lunch table when I make it into the cafeteria. The clock on the wall reads 12:24pm. Not a lot of time for me to come up with a random reason to take Rachel to the library.

"Hey girl, what took you so long?" Payton asks me as I sit down with our friends.

"Oh nothing. We got assigned our big project in Mrs. Sanders class today. Tyler and I couldn't decide on which book we wanted to write about." I lie.

I don't miss the way all of my friends give each other side glances at my comment.

"So TJ wants you to write a book report....together....with him.....alone...." Rachel questions.

"Yes, but I don't think it's like that." I reply. "The project is worth thirty percent of our grade so I think Tyler realized it was in his best interest to go with someone a little more serious than Mason." I joke.

"No argument there." Rachel laughs. "But I'm just saying, Tyler could have picked anyone to partner with and he chose you. You can keep trying to deny the fact that he's into you all you want but it's pretty clear to all of us."

My girlfriends all nod in agreement with Rachel.

"Well I think it's great. When you and TJ have to work on it outside of school you can come to our house and we can all do homework together." Payton gives me an encouraging smile.

"Yeah that would be nice Pay, thanks." I say back shyly.

Kelly grabs her phone to change the subject. She starts showing us pictures of a bunch of homecoming dresses she's tried on.

"Who wants to go shopping after practice sometime this week to help me pick a dress? I need your guys' opinions before I can get one. It has to be perfect. Chase keeps dropping hints that he wants to ask me so I want to make sure my dress is better than any other ones I've worn the past two years." Kelly says.

"I thought we would all go together just girlfriends like we do every year." Claire asks, a little concern in her voice.

"Well that was before Payton went and got herself a boyfriend." Kelly teases.

"Hold on a second, Jake is not my boyfriend. We've only been on two dates! We are just seeing each other right now. He has a few more tests to pass and he still has to ask me first before he gets the official boyfriend status." Payton confidently states to all of us. "Besides, if we want to keep the tradition of going as each others dates without any guys, I can tell Jake. I'm sure he would understand."

"Woah woah woah. You're not turning down Jake, Payton. We're honored you would do that for us but you and Jake are new and adorable. It would be wrong of us to ask that of you." Rachel tells Payton. "Besides Chase is probably going to ask Kelly and Claire, you know Brady would love to take you. Put that poor boy out of his misery already and let him know you like him too." Rachel laughs.

My phone dings, it's Tyler. I hide my screen away from the girls to read it.

Stud Muffin: Mason is ready, you going to be able to get Rachel away?

Crap. It's already 12:32pm and I still haven't come up with any great ideas. I don't have time to waste so I act on the first thought that pops into my head.

"Oh shoot! I just remembered I left my favorite sweater in the library earlier. I better go get it. You guys want to come grab it with me and we can finish eating in there?" I ask the group.

Mason said I had to get Rachel to the library. He never said anything about Rachel being the only one to tag along. At this point it doesn't matter whether he cares or not because I'm out of other ideas and time.

"Sure, let's go." Payton answers for everyone without a second thought.

Well that was easier than expected. Phew!

Lila: Leaving the cafeteria now. Be there in a few.

Our group walks out of the lunchroom and around the corner. A giant hand painted sign is hung on the wall in front of us that wasn't there earlier.

Another one is hung a little further down the hall while we keep walking.

"Uh what is going on? What is this?" Rachel looks at each of us and lands on me. I shrug honestly and continue leading everyone towards the library. More signs line the hallway the closer we get.

Suddenly, thirty members of the school's Marching Band come parading out of the library in full uniform playing "Bittersweet Symphony." We're all a bit stunned but continue walking as the music consumes everything around us.

"Seriously guys, what is going on!" Rachel shouts to us over the music in disbelief.

Kelly has her cell phone out videoing the whole thing. A bunch of other students in the halls are doing the same. I have to hand it to Mason, I had no idea he was capable of all this. We reach the doors to the library. Mason walks out with the last poster in his right hand and a dozen pink daisey's in his left. A nervous grin on his face.

The band stops playing. Everyone goes silent waiting for Rachel's reply. I see Tyler tucked inside the doorway of the library watching everything unfold. He must have helped Mason put all the signs up before we got here. He looks a little nervous for his friend and something about that is really endearing to me.

"Well what do you say?" Mason asks Rachel sheepishly when she doesn't respond right away.

"I can't believe you did all of this for me." Rachel says in disbelief.

"I'd do anything if it meant you'd give me a chance." Mason says sincerely.

"Yes!" Rachel jumps into Mason's arms.

Everyone around us starts cheering. Payton and Claire are tearing up. Kelly has a huge grin and is still videoing on her phone. Mason picks up Rachel and spins her around in a giant hug. The moment was so tender and sweet. I didn't know Mason had it in him. Rachel isn't one for big shows of PDA but even she was caught up in the moment at his sweet declaration. I think Rachel and Mason will be good for each other. He's charismatic and a free spirit, she's bold and a realist. Together they can balance each other out.

Tyler walks over to me while everyone else is distracted.

"We did it. Nice work getting Rachel here." Tyler fist bumps me. "See, we make a good team. Just like we will on our English paper."

"I don't think this is exactly the same thing, but thanks." I laugh. "I've gotta say, I wasn't expecting all this when Mason asked for my help. I'm pleasantly surprised at what you guys were able to pull off. She never saw it coming."

"It was all him. I just helped a little with getting the signs up in time. He's been racking his brain since the carnival on how to ask her out. I'm glad he's finally done it so I won't have to hear about it anymore." Tyler laughs.

"You can try to deny it, but I saw the way you were watching them from the library. You wanted it to go well just like Mason did. I think deep down you're a hopeless romantic." I tease Tyler before turning sincere. "But for real, you're a good friend to Mason. He's lucky to have you."

Tyler acts a little shy taking the compliment from me. Normally he's so confident all the time so it's nice to see the softer side of him.

"Thanks Lila. But you've gotta keep all that mushy stuff to yourself. I have a reputation to uphold." Tyler grins.

I pretend to zip my lips closed and throw away the key.

"So anyways, you planning to go to the dance?" Tyler asks me. I almost think I can detect some nerves in his voice.

"Uh yeah, I think so. I haven't put that much thought into it yet. But I don't think Payton would let me say no, even if I wanted to." I laugh to myself.

Payton overhears her name and jumps into the conversation with her brother and I.

"You're absolutely coming Lila, not a question. Actually TJ, I've been meaning to ask you. Who do you plan to take as your date? It's your senior year, don't you think it's time you finally ask someone to the dance?" Payton looks from Tyler, to me, back to Tyler with a sly grin.

So subtle Pay.

"Stop it Payton, you know I never take a date to the dance. That way I can keep my options open and dance with whoever I want to." Tyler has a cocky grin on his face when he looks at his sister.

Ouch. That hurts to hear. Not that I ever expected Tyler to ask me to be his date, I guess subconsciously I'd hoped he might.

"You're ridiculous." Payton rolls her eyes at her brother. "Even Mason manned up this year and asked Rachel. I think you're just too scared to put your feelings on the line."

"Is that so, sister?! With all your knowledge and experience from dating Jake for two whole weeks you feel confident in giving me relationship advice?" Tyler baits Payton. "Let's not forget I've basically been on dates with the entire junior and senior class. So how are you going to tell me I'm not man enough?!"

The hits just keep on coming.

Payton can tell by my face that this conversation is making me feel really uncomfortable.

"You're such an idiot sometimes! Quality over quantity dear brother. I don't care if you've been on a thousand first dates you've never found someone to be in an actual relationship with. I swear you're a commitment-phobe. If you're not careful you're gonna miss out on the good things right under your nose." With that Payton grabs me by the arm, pulling me away from her brother and leading us down a different hallway. "Never mind my brother Lila, he's ridiculous. You're too good for him anyway." Payton sounds annoyed. Maybe I wasn't the only one with the fantasy that Tyler might ask me to the dance.

"It's ok Pay, I tried telling you guys Tyler only sees me as a friend. But it's fine. I'm used to it by now. Now do you believe me that you all have been reading into things between him and I. He clearly doesn't feel that way about me."

"Agree to disagree. Guys like Tyler and Mason sometimes just take a little longer to figure out their feelings. But look how far Mason has come! Clearly if he can pull his crap together there is still hope for my brother." Payton tries to sound optimistic.

"Really, I'm fine. I'm not stressing over it, promise. Believe me, I feel sorry for any poor guy who decides to date me someday. My brothers may not live in the same state as me anymore but I'm sure they can still find ways to make it a nightmare from a distance." I laugh, trying to lighten the mood. I don't want Payton to see how disappointed I really am inside.