The thing about teenagers is that they are complicated.

They are.

They are not like any other age group in the entire world.

They are not.

They are not even like the teenagers from the previous and next generation.

They are different.

They are complicated.

Darren and Vanessa's relationship was even more complicated than a normal teenager's.

You know when someone asks you about your relationship status.

And there are only three real answers.

'I am single'

'I am taken'

'It is complicated'

Depending on how you saw things, you could say either one of them for their relationship.

That is how they defined it.

"I mean, if people ask if we are single, what do we say?"

"Uh... aren't we single?"

"We might be"

"Okay. Okay. If people ask if we are taken, are we?"

"I mean, we are together."

"We are complicated."

"But we are also kind of single."

"Also kind of single."

"Also kind of complicated. Also kind of taken."

"I think I like complicated"

"I think I like it too"

"I am glad we met each other."

"I am glad that we did. Thank God for Stella."

"Thank God for Stella."

Now, it is time for what I want to call the aftermath of the DTR. ADTR talk. DTR for friends.

That is what both Stella, Darren and Vanessa had.

"So what are we?" Vanessa asked Darren. "Like, what do we call ourselves?"

Vanessa looked up from her phone, at Chelsea. Chelsea placed her pointer finger up and grabbed her phone. After a while, she showed it to Vanessa.

We are just looking for proof of something. Just to make sure, so that no one's heart is broken.

"We need like the best ship name that outranks all other ship names." Darren replied. "There is Vanen."

"Sounds like something you name your car."

"Or your child."

Silence.

Chelsea showed Vanessa her phone again. 

It has been three months. It is chill.

Vanessa grabbed her phone. 

Chill. We like chill.

We do.

"How about the other way around?" Vanessa asked. "How about-"

"You are right, Vanessa. That does sound like a child's name. Like, a rock and roll child. We should name a puppy that some time."

Vanessa almost screamed.

And it means nothingggggggggggg. She typed to Chelsea.

Omgggggggg. Why are guys so complicated? Chelsea typed back.

"So Darrennssa?" Vanessa joked.

"That almost sounds like Darez."

"Omg. Darez. That is it."

"Darez?"

"Darez"

"I like it" Darren replied.

"Bet. Darez." Vanessa concluded.

Now onto the good part. Chelsea dropped the phone and put her fingers in a cross.

"So we are boyfriend and girlfriend, right?" Darren asked. "I mean, we have a ship name and all."

Feels rushed.

Feels way too rushed.

Not the relationship timeline.

The conversation.

Normally, things are smoother.

"Yeah, we are." Vanessa nodded. 

Vanessa heard a key jingle.

A text sent.

Hm.

Vanessa asked. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes, I have to go pick up my sister. Call you after?" 

"Bet"

And with that, Vanessa hung up the phone.

"I love how you guys have been going out for three months, and you still have not met his friends or his family." Chelsea took a bite out of her fruit bowl.

"Stan" Vanessa stole a bite.

"I mean, you are hanging out at his house later today. Maybe, you will see some of his family members then."

"Maybe" Vanessa stole another bite.

"Hey. Get your own!" Chelsea pushed the bowl out of Vanessa's way.

"I am at his house. Well, at the door. I will text you later, Chelsea." Vanessa slid her phone into her back left pocket.

She knocked on the door.

The door was gray and wooden. One of those slide in doors. Very elegant. He must have a lot of money.

In a few seconds, he opened the door. "Hi."

"Hi."

He stepped outside and closed the door behind him.

Huh?

"Hey. What are you doing here?" He asked, placing his two hands in each of his front pockets respectively.

"What do you mean?"

"What do you mean? I mean, what are you doing here?" He scratched his right eye brow, but it still stayed looking fresh out of a trim.

"You scheduled this two days ago. Hold up." Vanessa grabbed his phone out of his pocket. 4949. 

She went over to their text conversation and showed him. "Here. Do you want me to read it?"

"I forgot I gave you my password. It is cool. Come in."

He opened the door and they walked in.

"Who is it, hun?" A feminine voice echoed in the house.

"It is Vanessa." Darren answered back as he took her towards his mom.

"Vanessa? Who is Vanessa?" His mom dropped her knife on the chopping board and looked up. "Oh." She made eye contact with her. "You are the girl Darren is always talking about. Nice to meet you." She came over to give her a bug hug. "Welcome to the family."

"I do not always talk about you, I swear." He chuckled.

His mom sniffed. "He does."

"Well, I am about to go to--out with Vanessa. I will see you later, mom." Darren kissed his mom on the cheek and walked out with Vanessa.

Vanessa. Vanessa. Vanessa.

Would you come over if I sent the text?

Wouldn't you?