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Reid's POV

I left Sadie's as quickly as possible. I got home and my dad was asleep, so I was just free to do whatever.

I sighed, very stressed out, feeling horrible about what I've done to both Sadie and Dakota. I felt mostly bad about Dakota.

I went outside and sat at the edge of the water. I pulled my shoes and socks off, putting my feet in. I swished them around before taking my phone and wallet from my pocket and getting in. I felt so much more relaxed, my mind began to clear.

But, I saw Dakota's face in my mind. His face when I told him not to talk to me anymore. I rose up to the surface and wiped my face. I wish I had someone else to talk to. I feel alone now, more than usual.

I'd always been alone, honestly. Since Dakota's liked me, I've felt less alone. I could always talk to him.

He doesn't deserve to be treated the way I treated him.

I grew pissed at myself and began swimming laps. The thoughts wouldn't go away so I got out of the pool, mostly feeling hopeless. At this point, if the pool won't calm me, what will?

Oh well, I should be able to handle this. I should stop acting like a baby.

I got my phone and wallet and proceeded upstairs. I looked down at my phone and opened Dakota's number.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It just isn't best for us to be around each other. I shook my head and erased it.

I wish I wouldn't have ever told you what I did. I'm sorry for hurting you, I know you trusted me and I hate that I betrayed your trust. My finger hovered over the send button and I sighed.

I'm really sorry. I typed and pressed send.

I knew it wasn't enough, I knew he wouldn't answer. I just had to try. I wanted to talk to him so badly.

I went into the bathroom to shower, sighing deeply.

I should really start thinking before I say things. It would've been easier to just break up with Sadie and be with Dakota. Wouldn't it?

~

A couple of days later, I got a call from Sadie.

"Hey, do you want to go to the mall?" My heart jumped. A chance to see Dakota. He always came to the mall with us.

"Yeah, I'll invite the boys."

"Great, because my friends are already at my house. See you in thirty?"

"Yeah." I hung up and texted the boys. I got dressed, somewhat excited. I planned to pull him away from everyone when no one was paying attention. I wanted to apologize to him.

I left the house quickly, speeding towards the mall.

I got there before everyone else, but Oliver drove up right after me. I waved to him and got out of my car, going to his. He was on the phone, but he let me in.

"I'm sure it's beautiful there. You'll be having fun in no time." I raised my eyebrow and he shrugged. "Yeah, it's just Reid and I who are here. No one else came yet... It would've been nice, but you're having fun there with your parents." I was now more interested in who it was. If he's talking to someone else in the stages of trying to get back with Dakota, I was going to be pissed. "Don't go talking to any cute boys on the beach." He rolled his eyes. "Seriously Dakota?" I froze, he's talking to Dakota?

I immediately grew angry. I shook my head and got out of his car, fuming. And Dakota's gone?

"Fuck!" I yelled, wanting to hit something. I stomped away, to my car and slammed the door. I was going to leave, there was no reason for me to be here anymore. Besides, Oliver would be talking about how much he and Dakota are getting along now. I didn't want to hear about that.

Someone knocked at my window and I looked up to see Oliver. He looked at me confused and I saw he was off the phone. I sighed and got out.

"What's your problem dude?" I took a deep breath and shook my head.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Are you and Sadie–"

"I said I didn't want to talk about it!" I yelled at him. He shrunk back and nodded.

"Okay dude, sure."

"So where's Dakota?" I asked him, trying to sound uninterested.

"He's in Florida with his parents. He said some crazy shit was going on in his life and he just wanted to get away for a bit. It's understandable." I sighed inwardly. "You'd be proud of me dude, I'm taking it slowly with him. And oh yeah! I came out to my parents." My eyes widened. Shit. Oliver just may be better for him than I am. I gave him a small smile.

"I am proud of you dude. Treat him right. He deserves it."

"Yeah, he does. Thank you for supporting me." I nodded, wanting to end the conversation. But it didn't.

"I really like him and I think we'll be good together. He's given me this many chances, I should hold on to him. I've just been stupid." Hasn't everyone?

"Yeah..." I told him. He nodded, sighing.

"As soon as he allows me to, I'll ask him to be my boyfriend. I can't wait." You know, everything's my fault. It's my fault the two are talking again. It's my fault Dakota left. It's my fault I got here early and had to listen to it. I'm just a dumb ass, aren't I?

Finally, the girls came along with the rest of the boys.

"About damn time." I muttered. Oliver looked at me amused.

"You didn't enjoy talking with me?" He asked, joking.

"I didn't, at all." I told him, walking away. I heard him laugh, but I was serious. Sadie smiled and held her hand out for me to hold. I smiled a little and took her hand.

As we walked through the mall, Oliver announced to the whole group that he was gay and finally talking with Dakota.

Everyone congratulated him, happy for him.

"So it was you that he liked that night after all." Felix said, wiggling his eyebrows at Oliver. Andy laughed loudly and pushed him.

"You okay?" Sadie asked me.

"Yeah... yeah, I'm good." I quickly pecked her lips.

~

I got home, throwing myself onto my bed. I really wished things could've went differently. I wish I wouldn't have pushed him away.

I wanted to text him, but he's happy with Oliver. I should stop trying to talk to him. At least now, I see how he felt when he was trying to get over me.

I heard a knock at my door and my dad stood there.

"Hey son."

"Hey dad. You look good." I told him, smiling. He nodded.

"I have good news coming up, but I don't wanna jinx it." He came and sat on my bed. "What's wrong?" I shrugged. "Dakota?"

"Yeah." I said, laughing a little. "I pushed him way, actually, I shoved him away. I regret it so much. He's kinda dating Oliver now and Oliver's come out to his family and they're taking it slowly together."

"Ohh, so now you're realizing how much you fucked up?" I nodded. "Listen, if it's meant to be, it'll happen. But that doesn't mean just sit around and mope and let it go away. Do you really think Dakota isn't at least thinking about you a little bit?"

"I mean, yeah. But I hurt him Dad. I told him to stay away."

"Well, take it back." We both laughed, but he looked at me seriously afterwards. "Really. Take it back, get him back. And don't mess it up again." I nodded and hugged him tightly.

"Thank you Dad. This actually helped a lot." He sighed and nodded, staring off into space.

"Yeah... I have a lot of experience. Especially with all the times I pissed your mother off." He laughed a little, then looked at me. "Do you want to go for a swim?" My eyes widened and I nodded quickly.

"Yeah! I'll be ready in 5." He smiled widely and we stood up. I hugged him tightly again. "I love you so much Dad."

"I love you too Reid. You're all I've got. But that doesn't mean I should be all you have." I pulled back and stared at him before nodding. He patted my back and left the room.

I got dressed, still thinking about what he said. I didn't want to be alone, but I did have him. And well, if things didn't work out with Dakota, I would have him, which was a great thing. Especially since he seemed to be getting better.

I ran downstairs and saw my father waiting for me by the pool. I grinned and ran outside. Just as I stood beside him, he picked me up and threw me into the water, then jumped in right beside me. We both laughed and I pushed him under.

"Oh you think that's funny?" He asked, picking me up and threw me.

"Alright, alright you won." I said, laughing and swimming over to him. We raced a few times, him beating me as always. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face. This had to be the best day ever.

"You've been practicing, haven't you?" He asked me as we caught our breaths from racing.

"I have. How are you still so good at this?" I asked him, amazed.

"I never lose it son." He said, flexing. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm finally bigger than you." I flexed my arms, and he nodded, impressed.

I found myself turning into a child again as I hung out with my father. I felt like a little boy having the time of his life with his father. We went out to eat hamburgers like we used to, laughing and horse playing as we did.

I realized that my father is my best friend and that no one could ever replace him.

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