The Awkward Dinner Trio

Lizzy, Stacy and their Soleil's left Alex and Gramps at the barn. Alex looked as if steam was going to come out of his ears. He had a strained smile while shooing the girls from the barn. 

"We don't have to go to dinner if it's going to make you that upset." Stacy tells him before he shuts the door. 

"We all should go to the dinner since Grams is going to be looking forward to it. Just don't expect another one." His face isn't just angry. His eyes show a touch of sadness. He shuts the door.

"Let's go get ready." Stacy says dragging Lizzy back to the dorms.

"Did you only pack jeans and t-shirts?" Stacy is rummaging through Lizzy's closet.

"I packed sweat pants. They are in a drawer over there." Lizzy points to her small dresser in the closet.

"You know you can't wear those to a family dinner." Stacy gives her an are you serious look.

"Yea I know." Lizzy replies. Sitting on her couch.

"We're just going to have to take you shopping." Stacy states putting her hands on her hips while looking at Lizzy.

"What?" Lizzy clings to her couch.

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After some selective words, taring claws from the couch and welding a make up brush as a sword Stacy successfully drags Lizzy from the dorms.

Stacy is in her element in the shopping center. She has Lizzy trying on everything. Skimpy neon dresses, some pieces that looked from the 70's and not the 2070's, dress suits, long flowy dresses, pieces of clothing covered in sequins, jump suits that were fake leather and so many more.

"Alright I've had enough." Lizzy announces to Stacy.

"Wait!" Stacy pulls from a rack, a strapless short white dress with tiny orange flowers speckled all over it. "Last one! I'm sure you will like it!"

Lizzy thinks to herself it does look cute. The design is simple and the pattern and colors are not overwhelming.

"Fine but this is the last one!" Lizzy says walking to the changing room.

Lizzy steps out and twirls for Stacy.

"I don't think I can pull this off." Lizzy says looking in the mirror. "My shoulders and arms are... muscular."

"Let's put your hair down." Suggests Stacy.

Lizzy does and it helps cover the shoulders a bit. She actually does like the way it looks. It covers but shows off what little chest she has. The dress might even go with her cowboy boots.

"I didn't see any other shoes in your closet. Where boots the only thing you packed?"

"I have a pair of running shoes. Since the gym teachers never believed me that I can run in boots."

"Those grey and black ones won't work. Get your clothes back on we are going to the shoe area." Commands Stacy.

"You sure my boots won't work?"

"If they were tall ones yes they would work." Stacy comments before looking over the clothes rack more.

Lizzy changes while Karen is outside the door. Karen is silently searching the web since she knows Lizzy will never ask her to do so. Karen finds a nice pair of tall cowboy boots for sale. The foot part is light brown with almost to the knee white leather. The seams and floral stitching design are all the same brown. Lizzy walks out of the stall.

"I knew you would never ask but someone is selling their great grandparents boots. What do you think?" Karen shows Lizzy the boots.

"I really like those. There is no way to get them today is there?" Asks Lizzy.

"Leave that to me. Let's go tell Stacy and to get you out of here." Karen smiles.

"Part of me believes it's you that wants to escape this place." Lizzy smirks.

"I go where you go. If you leave this place early then so be it." Karen's grin is mischievous. Lizzy giggles. 

They show Stacy the boots and she says yes they will work. So Karen parts ways for her mission. Then Lizzy gets dragged back to the dorms where Stacy says she should put on some make up.

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Lizzy, Stacy and their Soleil's find themselves standing infront of Grams and Gramps apartment complex. Stacy has a blue sundress on with a nice pair of black sandles. Her hair is down. Lizzy has on the white dress and new boots. Thanks to Karen making it back just in time. Stacy made Lizzy's make up look more on the natural side. Along with making her hair neater while being down.

They ring the intercom bell. Burta comes and let's them in.

Lizzy and Stacy exchange greetings with Grams and Gramps. They hand the present of a house plant to Grams while thanking her for inviting them. Grams smiles while setting the plant by some other browner plants.

Lizzy, Stacy and Gramps say a small prayer for the plant.

Alex comes out of the kitchen with a tray of side dishes. His step falters a little when he sees Lizzy. He quickly tears his gaze from her back to serving the dishes. 

If she wasn't a minor he would put more into words but he refuses to cross that line. 

"Don't these young girls look lovely today Alex?" Asks Grams.

Alex pauses a few seconds, he barely lifts his eyes. "Yea sure." He says hurrying off to the kitchen.

After the main course of fish and rice is on the table Alex finds himself at the head or end of the table. To his right is Lizzy with Gramps beside her. To his left is Stacy and Grams beside her.

This is fine. What could possibly go wrong? Alex tells himself while a little voice inside of him is screaming for him to just walk away.

They begin eating. Alex is drowning out the world while Lizzy and Stacy talk to Grams and Gramps. He sometimes makes out bits and pieces of their conversation. Something about veterinarian, beautician, colleges and maybe some other topics.

"So Alex what do you do for fun?" Alex barely registers what Stacy asks. His attention comes back to the present.

"Oh uh. Not much. I read and stuff."

"Alright. I noticed you don't have a Soleil following you around. Why's that?" Questions Stacy.

"I uh deal with enough of them at work." Alex makes up. He has plenty to complain about with them but he doesn't want to be ranting at the dinner table.

"I hear you graduated last year so how old does that make you?"

"Nineteen. And I'm assuming you're both seventeen." Alex keeps his gaze on his plate.

"Yep! I will be eighteen at the end of summer and Lizzy is a spring chicken as she use to call herself."

Lizzy shushes Stacy.

"Hahaha spring chicken! How many years has it been since I have heard that phrase?" Gramps asks Grams.

"That one has sure been awhile." Grams smiles at her husband.

Stacy goes to ask another question. But Alex asks one to his Gramps first.

"I'm full may I be excused?"

Gramps is picking up that he isn't very comfortable.

"You can be excused." Says Gramps.

Alex gathers his plate and small bowls. He gets up to gather some from Gramps before starting washing dishes in the kitchen. Before long Stacy is standing next to him.

"Let me help." She says running a finger up his forearm. The plate that he was holding clatters in the sink.

He steps back til the counter stops him. Fear in his eyes. "D-don't touch me." His breathing is sped up. He looks to escape the kitchen but Lizzy is standing there.

"Everything alright?" She asks.

"I asked to help with dishes and he ran off." Stacy says throwing an arm up gesturing toward Alex. Alex has his arms wrapped around him as if trying to hold himself together.

Lizzy studies Alex's posture and breathing for a few seconds. Over the years of not having friends Lizzy has done a lot of people watching. From what Lizzy could tell. He is scared.

Lizzy sets the dishes in the sink. She takes a step toward him and he shrinks back into himself. She steps back. She places her hands on her knees so she can look up at his down casted face.

"Alex. Are you safe here?" She whispers. "Are your grandparents hurting you?"

The question shakes him from his panic.

"No! They have shown nothing but love for me!" Alex is a little defensive. His stance straightens up a little. His fight coming back to his eyes.

"Then why was your body language saying you were scared?" She asks gently. She still hasn't moved. Alex processes her words. "You don't have to say but if you do need to talk we are here." Her voice is soothing. It almost puts Alex in a trance wanting to tell her everything and anything. His body relaxes without him knowing. "We will start on dishes. We don't know where things go so maybe you could help dry them and put them away?"

"Y-yea I can help with that."

"Thanks." Lizzy smiles and straightens up. She silently motions to Stacy to stay quiet for a little while.

Lizzy is washing the dishes, Stacy is rinsing and Alex is drying while putting things away.

"I... Um... My parents.." Alex keeps looking at the floor. "My parents were the same age as us when they had me. My dad was 19 and my mother 17. They weren't in the most healthy relationship. Grams says my mother loved my dad and she was very excited to have me. My dad... He went to jail for being with a minor. She died giving birth and he died in jail when I was young."

"So you freak out when a minor touches you?" Asks Stacy.

"Y-yea. I don't want to go to jail over something ridiculous as that." Says Alex.

"That makes sense. Thank you for telling us Alex." Lizzy leans back peeking around Stacy smiling. Alex can't see Stacy give Lizzy a confused look. Alex nods to Lizzy to thank her.

They finish up cleaning the dishes rather quietly. Lizzy and Stacy thank the family for the meal before leaving.

Lizzy and Stacy are walking home.

"How does him freaking out make sense?" Stacy asks Lizzy.

"He has learned that to survive. Probably doesn't want to end up like his father."

"You know the way to talked to him in there reminded me of you talking to animals."

"That's because we are animals Stacy. Only difference is humans can use words. You don't have to souly rely on body language." Lizzy looks up to the sky. No stars are visible thanks to the lights in town. Even though the town is not as bright as their old town. "It's almost like we are in a cage less zoo."

"What was that?" Stacy looks over.

"Nothing. Just thinking outloud." Lizzy says quietly.