Chapter Thirty-1

"This is ridiculous." Jesse peeked over the top of his book, one dark eyebrow arched up as he stared at his brother. Footsteps shuffled back and forth the carpet, mumbled words closely following. "I'm going to mess up so bad. I just know it," Everett fretted, stopping in front of Jesse, hands tangled in his hair and a look of distress on his face. With a smirk and a shake of his head, Jesse marked his place in the great book held in his hands and set it aside. He leaned forward, bracing his arms on his knees. "Everett, I'm going to give you my honest opinion. You are seriously overthinking this whole thing and you just need to chill, bro." Everett just sighed once more, stress evident as he fell back on his face. Jesse felt himself soften a little. This was Everetts first date. And just because he knew Lizzie so well and they spoke every day didn't mean the anxiety wouldn't exist. "Ev, come on. It's Lizzie. She's your best friend. I know you're nervous and I get that. But this is Lizzie we're talking about." "Exactly," Everett persisted, hauling himself up to a sitting position. "It's Lizzie. I really don't want to screw this up somehow. Dates are supposed to be, like, I don't know - romantic. I'm supposed to be able to sweep her off her feet but, I don't know how." Standing up, Everett meandered back over to the front of his closet and sighed. "Is it really so bad that I want this to go right?" "Of course it isn't Everett. That's not what I'm saying at all. What I am saying is that maybe you are overthinking this just a little. There isn't any reason for you to be concerned about. Lizzie put up with your idiocy for much longer than you two deciding to date," Jesse retorted. If Lizzie could put up with the Everett acted at first, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about. But Everett was right about one thing: dates were supposed to have a romantic edge to them. The prior week, when Lizzie and Everett decided to go on a date, Jesse nearly lost it. He, of course, eavesdropped the entire conversation and did not regret a single moment of doing so. Because trying to get any information out of Everett would be similar to pulling teeth, it would be better to just get the information by himself. And the giant grin on Jesse's face when he left the kitchen left no room for wondering whether or not he had heard. "Okay, fine. Let's give this some thought." Jesse stood and made his way over to the closet where Everett stood. His brother gnawed on his nail as he waited for input, for anything to be said regarding his wardrobe for the night. Jesse easily nudged his brother aside and began to thumb through his clothing. Most of the clothes Jesse had obviously seen most of these clothes before, so he found himself pursing his lips or shaking his head more than once. Not that the clothing in the closet merited disdain, by any means. But Jesse hoped for something tucked away in between the pieces of fabric that would be new or less known. So far, no luck. "Dude, when was the last time you went shopping?" "Dude, when was the last time I needed to?" "Touche," Jesse mumbled, grabbing Everett's shirt and pulling him along as he left Everett's room. Everett grunted in response to his brothers actions. "If you want me to go buy a new shirt, you don't have to rip this one to get the point across you know!" Laughter came as a response and soon, Jesse slowly led Everett up the stairs towards his room. "Just shut up, man. I'm helping you out, here," Jesse said, opening his door and leading Everett inside. "I think we're about the same size, so this shouldn't be a problem." Slowly, Everett sat on the bed and waited as Jesse started to thumb through his clothing. With eyes constantly glancing back and forth between the clothing and his brother, Jesse looked for the right shirt. While, again, he knew that Lizzie and Everett were friends, he wanted this date to go really well and pretended in his mind the two hadn't met but once or twice. It kept the mystery alive. "Where are you guys going for the date anyways?" Came the question, with Jesse yanking two shirts off his hangers. Everett nibbled on his lip and took a deep breath. "Is it absolutely stupid that I figured dinner and going for a walk is a good time?" he asked, his words unsure. "I don't know what all I can do, but I thought pizza and a walk might be a good start." "I think it sounds great, Ev. Are you two going to walk or . . .?" "Well, to be honest - I sort of hoped you would be willing to play the part of chauffeur tonight?" And well, Jesse couldn't say no when he sounded so hopeful. * * * * * * * * * "This is stupid - why am I nervous? I feel ridiculous," Everett babbled from the back of the car, tugging on the borrowed shirt from his brother. Jesse told him the shirt was purchased months ago, but it sat in the back of his closet doing a whole lot of nothing. One of Jesse's favorite patterns, or so Everett was told, the yellow plaid shirt loaned to him was soft and comfortable. He entertained a few thoughts of nicking the shirt; he really liked how it felt. "I think you should chill, Everett. It's going to be just fine." The younger of the two North brothers stopped the car, telling Everett exactly where they were. In front of the Baldwin home. Everett sucked in a deep breath and threw open the door to the car. Jesse opened his as well, holding out his arm out for Everett to hold on to, which the latter took gratefully. "I'll guide you to the door, ring the doorbell and then I'll head back to the car, okay?" Everett nodded and walked with his brother to the door. The grip on his arm slightly loosened and the doorbell rang. Everett nervously tugged on his shirt and ran a hand through his hair. "It'll all be good," Jesse told him confidently, squeezing his shoulder and walking away. Everett focused on the sound of his footsteps moving away from him, trying to focus on really anything except the night before him. Or the official I'm Dating Your Daughter Conversation that Mr. Baldwin would inflict upon him. You know - the usual. Within a few moments, the door swung open in front of him. "Everett! Good to see ya, kid. Come on in. Lizzie will be out in a second. Hey, Jesse!"