Alan's pov

Bob having lunch with me and the guys became a routine. Landon warmed up to Bob and honestly, I was glad he did. I wanted us all to get along. It felt like our group of friends was complete with Bob now. Might of sound weird but it did. Bob was still the same, didn't really act any different but with the guys and him getting along was good. Though when Duke is around Bob can't be around or has to be out of his sight. Lucky for him all of us are taller than him so we could just all stand in front of him and kind of around him.

And before I knew it I was talking to Stacie more. Sure it was mostly about the Halloween Dance but that was something. Always rather that over nothing at all. Mom's job seemed to be going well too. Bob doing the announcements was also doing good. Sawyer and I didn't really talk much if we didn't need to talk about the dance but I think we were cool. Everything seemed to be going well, too well.

"The dance is coming up and you still don't have a plan." Kaden shook his head at me in disappoint.

"Well, I was too busy planning things for the dance," I argued as I threw the basketball towards the hoop only to miss making me grunt.

"Looks like you forgot the real problem here." Landon laughed as the ball rolled over to him and he bent down picking it up.

"Which is?" I asked as he shot the ball getting it straight into the hoop, no problem and he turned towards me.

"You got no game." he laughed and smiled like it was the funniest thing he ever said or heard.

"I do too got game." I rolled my eyes as I picked up the basketball now.

"Well, Alan if you don't come up with something quick I think we shouldn't go to either holiday shindigs." Kaden sighed and motioned his hands for me to pass him the ball.

"Why you say that?" I asked throwing it over to him which he caught and started to dribble it as he talked.

"Well, Duke's friends like to be stupid and take pictures and videos when celebrating. And if they end up online Stacie might see. Same if we go to the dance she's hosting." he said and ended it by shooting at the hoop missing slightly.

"Close but not close enough," Landon smirked causing the two of us to roll our eyes at him.

"Let's walk home," Kaden said starting to walk off the court and I nodded following him.

"Hey, guys! Wait up!" I heard Landon yell as we kept walking and eventually we heard him running to catch up with us.

"You really do need to think of something," Kaden ignored Landon who caught up by turning his head in my direction as he spoke.

"I will I will, geez." I rolled my eyes grumbling as we started going our separate ways.

On my way home I texted Bob. Mostly for help about Stacie. Or more so about what to do about the dance situation. The holiday altogether was no fun sometime in middle school. Going shopping, getting dressed in a costume, and going around in the night with my parents or one of them by my side to get free candy just wasn't fun anymore. Free candy was nice and all but I grew out of it. As a high schooler now the holiday usually meant dances or parties and sometimes sexy costumes. But I didn't really think much about it. This year was different.

Bob

Bob: Wasn't your plan was to go back and forth with the events?

Me: Yeah I guess but I've watched many things to see that it usually doesn't work out.

Bob: Hm, smart but I think that would be a part of my entertainment so it would be nice to see that in real life. Maybe you can make it work.

Me: Wooow but what do you mean entertainment?

Bob: You think I like going to dances?

Me: Shit dude I'm so sorry

Bob: Yeah yeah, it's fine. I don't know, maybe it'll be fun.

Me: Hopefully also I owe you one

Bob: Well I'll keep your word on that.

Me: So maybe I could go back and forth since I owe you one?

Bob: Haha, nice try but no.

Me: Damn well I tried

Mom welcomed me home with a kiss on the cheek. She also welcomed me with the smell of food that actually smelt good. She was getting better at her cooking with her new job. I smiled at her as I took my shoes off and closed the door locking it.

"What's for dinner today?" I asked as I checked my phone to see if Bob replied back or not.

"Your favorite, my special tuna casserole," she smirked at me with her hand on her hip and I gagged as I got a notification.

"You know I hate that ma, might smell good but it tastes terrible," I said glancing at the notification to see it was from an unknown number.

"And you know I hate when we are having a conversation but your attention is somewhere else," she said stealing my phone away from my hands making me groan.

"Moooom." I sighed trying to grab it but she moved it out of my reach.

"Come on let's go eat." she rolled her eyes leading the way to the kitchen which I rolled my eyes also as I followed her.

After the disgusting meal, I went to my room. I was reading the message I got from the unknown person. Bob had texted back but this message had all my attention. The only reason it did was because it was about Stacie. But who was it is the question? And how did they get my number?

(415) X9X-X2XX

(415) X9X-X2XX: I heard you've been working with Stacie for the dance. Meet me at the basketball court near the school after school.

Me: Um who is this?