The diner is a tiny hole in the wall about twenty minutes outside of Romeo. If you weren't looking for it, you'd never know it was here. Walking inside felt like a step back in time. All the decor is bubble gum pink and teal. The waitress is wearing a poodle skirt and there's an authentic jukebox in the corner. It's pretty empty here, probably since it's getting late. Tyler and I are seated in a corner booth enjoying massive amounts of breakfast food. We may have gone overboard in ordering, I have three plates in front of me and Tyler has four.

"You weren't lying, this is seriously the best French toast I've ever had!"

"I told you." Tyler grins and takes a giant mouthful.

Being here with him, stuffing our faces with copious amounts of sugary-sweet carbs, feels like a fairytale. We're in our own perfect bubble. The outside world hasn't had the chance to seep into this dream yet, and I wish I never had to wake up.

Tyler looks up at me with a smirk. "What? Do I have something on my face?" He laughs his nervous laugh.

I didn't mean to stare but I guess I was.

"No." I giggle. "You look....handsome." It still feels a bit weird admitting it out loud to him. "I was just thinking about how happy I am."

Tyler's face lights up. "Good....me too." Tyler steals a sausage link from one of my plates.

"Hey! Hands on your own plates!" I try to swat his fork with mine like a sword but miss. Tyler pops the whole sausage into his mouth with an arrogant smirk.

"What? Mine are all gone and we both know you're never going to finish all the food in front of you."

"Whatever." I eye roll at his irristitable face.

Tyler looks incredibly handsome tonight. Now that we aren't in the dimly lit dance I can get a good look at him. He's wearing a navy slim fit suit, a crisp white button down shirt and a skinny tie that's hanging loosely around his neck. His normally messy hair is styled with product and combed back for a more polished look. It's not perfect anymore since his fight with Tanner, but the slight imperfection of loose strands falling over his forehead only make him more ruggedly handsome. Tyler finishes off his food and slides around the booth to my side.

"What did I just tell you mister? Hands off, I'm not done yet." Tyler put his hands up in surrender.

"What if I just wanted to sit closer to the prettiest girl I know?" He gives me his big charming grin.

He's so dang cute. I'm melting inside.

"I'm serious. That wasn't just some line either. You're stunning, Lila." Tyler looks to me genuinly. "You always look pretty, it doesn't matter what you wear. But seeing you in this dress......it's hard to take my eyes off of you."

My homecoming dress is a short A Line tan and white lace dress. The skirt is tulle with a sparkly studded diamond belt. It's feminine and fun; the lace cut-out back is my favorite part. To finish off my outfit I'm wearing nude heels that have a hint of sparkle that match my antique brooch hair pin. The pin was my grandmother's. My mom wore it on her wedding day and she let me borrow it tonight. She always said it gave her good luck when she wore it so I guess some of the luck must have rubbed off on me after all.

"Thank you." I say with a little blush warming my cheeks at his compliment.

Tyler swings his arm around my shoulders. "Why do you think I deserted my house all day today?"

I shrug unsure.

"I know I told you it was because Payton and her friends take over and it's better to stay away. But the real reason is because I knew that if I stuck around and saw you getting ready, I wouldn't be able to think straight the rest of the night. I'm already annoyed with myself for not manning up and asking you to the dance. I tried to, more than once, but I chickened out each time. I thought seeing how beautiful you look all dressed up and then watching you leave with all them felt like way too much torture." Tyler's voice gets softer. "Ever since the day you crash landed into my arms, I've literally fallen head over heels for you Lila."

All words have left my brain. I'm completely speechless. Is this real life?

I look into Tyler's blue eyes, they're a shade of deep turquoise right now. I cup Tyler's face in my hands and press a slow, tender kiss to his lips.

"I like this side of you." I say when I pull away.

"What side?"

"The sweet, little bit timid and shy side of you that comes out whenever we're alone. It feels different then when we're around everybody else. I like it. I like seeing the real you."

"You make it easy." Tyler strums his fingers over the palm of my hand. "You're easier to talk to then when I'm talking to my parents, Payton, even Mason. It's like ever since the time I drove you home from our first game.....you know, the time you completely called me out? Yeah well, you totally ripped the band-aid off. You're the first person who has ever understood me so completely within a matter of minutes. It's like you can see right through me to my core."

"I think the feeling is mutual. I've never been able to open up to anyone else like I can with you. Especially not any guys. My brothers made sure to keep all members of the opposite sex far far away from me at all times that I'm normally incredibly awkward. But with you, something feels right, it's hard to explain." I squeeze his hand.

"Oh you're definitely still awkward." Tyler laughs his big hearty gut laugh and I smack him in the stomach.

"Heeeey!"

"But it's incredibly adorable, of course. It's part of what makes you, you."

I guess I'll let that slide since he's being sweet.

My phone starts buzzing with a bunch of texts.

BFFS

Payton: Where are you?! 😳

Kelly: Get your butt over to Payton's house! We're all going midnight swimming!🏊🏼‍♀️🌛

Rachel: Tell lover boy Mason misses him🤣

Payton: I'm all for you and TJ, but hurry up and get over here! Don't forget I was your friend first! 😜

Lila: Alright, alright! Everybody quit it. We're on our way.

******

Everybody is already in the pool when Tyler and I pull up in the Johnson's driveway.

"Here we go." Tyler lets out a sigh then looks at me with an extended hand. "You ready to do this?"

"Nope. But I guess popping the bubble had to happen sometime." I say taking his hand.

"About time you two decided to show up." Mason calls from the water.

"Yeah yeah shut up." Tyler calls back.

"Go get changed and join us. Looks like there is a lot we need to get caught up on." Payton gives me a wink which makes Tyler and I both laugh.

****

The rest of the night was perfect. Of course I had to fill the girls in on Tyler's confession of feelings and our first kiss outside his Jeep after we left the dance. Not only was it my first kiss with Tyler, but it was my first kiss, ever. It was totally worth the wait, no, actually I mean he was worth the wait.

After we swam for a while we all went inside to change and watch a movie. The only request I left with the boys before heading upstairs was please not another awful horror flick like last time. When the girls and I came back down to the basement dressed in our pj's the whole floor in front of the couch is covered in pillows and blankets. Tyler looks at me and pats the spot next to him. He's eating popcorn, I swear it's like his stomach is an endless pit.

"Saved you a seat." He says while tossing popcorn into his mouth.

"Why thank you. What did ya'll pick?"

"Chainsaw Massacre Three." Chase, Mason and Tyler all say in unison with straight faces.

"Stop! You didn't?!" I have a horrified look on my face. All the guys let out a big laugh.

"We didn't. We're just kidding. We figured 'The Blind Side' would be a better fit for everybody." Tyler pulls me in closer and pecks my cheek with a kiss. He loves teasing me.

"Ya'll think you're so funny." I shove my pillow in Tyler's face.

Everybody piles into the mess of blankets and couch cushions. I'm hit with how incredibly happy I am when they start the movie up on the big screen. It wasn't that long ago that I was worried I would never make any friends in Romeo. That I was going to have to finish out my last two years of high school as a total loner. Now I'm sitting here with nine of my closest friends surrounding me plus the guy I've had a crush on since the first day of school has his arms wrapped around me and life feels pretty dang perfect. I can't help the smile on my lips when Tyler hits play.

By mid movie my eyes keep closing. I'm trying to stay awake but it's really late and being curled up in Tyler's arms is so comfortable. My head rests on Tyler's chest and my breathing slows to a rhythmic pace. I'm only vaguely conscious when the movie ends and everyone starts moving around. Tyler scoops me up in his big strong arms and I hear him say he'll deliver me to Payton's room. All the girls are saying goodnight to their boys when Tyler starts carrying me up the stairs.

"I'm awake, you don't have to carry me." I say in a sleepy voice.

"It's alright, I've got you. Go back to sleep, beautiful. I'm already halfway to Payton's room."

"How'd I get so lucky?" I ask in a sleepy-delirious state, snuggling my head back against Tyler's chest.

"I keep asking myself the same thing." Tyler gently places me down on Payton's big bed. I hear the other girls walking up the hallway not far behind.

"Goodnight handsome." I smile with my eyes closed and pull the blankets up tight.

"Good night pretty girl." Tyler kisses my forehead and walks out of the room.

I don't have to try hard to fall back to sleep. My mind is already whisked away into a perfect dreamland replaying the surreal events of my day. Pictures of Tyler wearing a navy blue suit standing outside his Jeep dance in my head.

A/N:

Here is the idea I had of Lila's homecoming dress. How's everybody feeling? Did you think Tyler would rescue Lila from gross Tanner and end up confessing his feelings? How sweet was Tyler when he carried Lila to bed?! 🥰 Until next time! -SZ