Given The Same Reputation (Labels)

Chapter 10 - Faye Lenards

"True that," I added.

It was silent for a few seconds.

"You know, I can change some of your never's," he spoke. "I can't change the slumber party one because I'm not a girl, but I can change some of the others."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah. We can eat some cheesecake today, go to a party later, and go on a date this Friday." He grinned.

"What?" I asked, not sure if I had heard him correctly.

"Yeah, a date. Would you want to go on a date with me this Friday?" he asked again.

"You really don't have to do that," I assured him.

"I'm doing it because I honestly want to go on a date with you, and I hope you would want to go on a date with me, too. So yeah? This Friday night?"

"I-," I didn't know what to say, but truth is, a date wouldn't be the worst thing. I was actually becoming very fond of him. "Actually, yeah I will," I responded to his offer.

"Alright, good. I'll pick you up at seven on Friday," he informed me. "And as for that cheesecake, we'll get some right now. Come on." He stood and extended his hand for me to grab.

I extended my hand, and he took hold of it then helped me stand up as well. Paxton and I walked to his car where he opened the door for me. I got in and so did he. I placed Hannah on my lap.

Paxton pulled out of the schools parking lot and drove. He drove to a nearby Albertson's store.

We got down of the car. We made our way inside the store and walked over to the bakery section. I carried Hannah in my arms.

"Alright, what kind of cheesecake do you want to try?" he asked.

"I'm not sure. I don't know how they taste."

"We'll just get a classic cheesecake." He picked up a round plastic container with a cheesecake. "Let's go find the plastic forks." We walked through different aisles. Paxton put his arm around my shoulders.

"Lenox," I spoke. "Your arm."

"What about it?"

"You know how I feel about that."

"Fine." He removed it. "Can I hold your hand then?"

Seriously. Sometimes he wouldn't stop.

"Whatever."

He immediately held my left hand with his right one. He intertwined our fingers. His hand was warm and rough. I never noticed how rough it was.

I lifted our hands so I could see his. There were a few small scars on his hand I hadn't noticed before.

"What?" he asked.

"You have some scars."

"Yeah, I've been in a few fights."

A few? He had the reputation of 'bad boy' because of the many fights he had gotten in.

We walked into an aisle that had some plastic forks. Paxton let go of my hand and grabbed a small plastic bag that contained plastic forks, spoons, and knives.

"Anything else you want before we go?"

"I'm fine," I answered him.

"Alright, let's go to the self-checkout." He put the bag on top of the cheesecake platter and carried it with one hand. With his right hand, he intertwined our fingers again.

We stood in line for the self-checkout. Paxton scanned the items and paid, when it was our turn. He bagged them.

"Let's go, Hon." I knew he was smiling.

He knew I didn't like that. It was still annoying.

He tried grasping my hand again, but I didn't let him.

"Aww...come on." He chuckled.

"Come on, Lenox." I patted his shoulder.

We walked over to his Jeep. He unlocked the doors, and we both got in. Paxton turned on the engine and drove.

We arrived at a nearby park. Paxton parked, and we made our way towards a picnic table.

I looked around. There weren't that many people here. There were a few kids playing on the playground. There were two women sitting on a bench, watching the kids. Around the park, on the gravel trail, there was an elderly couple in sweats walking with their black lab.

Paxton and I sat down at the bench of the table. We sat across from each other.

He placed the plastic bag on the table.

He ripped open the bag with the plastic eating utensils. He handed me a fork and a knife. He took out the cheesecake platter from the bag and took off the plastic lid from the top.

"Alright. Dig in." He waited for me.

I cut a small piece with the knife. With the fork, I grabbed the piece of cheesecake and put it into my mouth.

It was actually pretty good. I could taste cream cheese, mixed in with other flavors I couldn't put my finger on. All I knew was that these ingredients went well together. I liked the taste a lot.

"So?" Paxton looked at me. Eager, wanting to know.

"It's good, I like it." I grabbed another piece with the fork.

"I was hoping you would." He smiled and grabbed a piece with the fork in his hand. "This is good but wait 'til you try some homemade cheesecake."

I nodded my head, wanting to enjoy the cheesecake some more.

"And don't think I forgot," he spoke.

I looked up. My eyes met his green ones. They were that vibrant green shade I'd grown accustomed to. I had to admit they were really nice and welcoming.

"Our date this Friday, and a party later on." He smiled.

How could I forget? Oh, wait. I didn't forget. He literally asked me like thirty minutes ago.

Well, if I was going to go on a date with Paxton Lenox, then I knew it wouldn't be anything boring. I was sure of that.

I smiled to myself.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Oh, no reason," I replied.