[Alex Dunphy POV]
I used to think I was above all this, above needing anyone, above the drama of high school relationships. I told myself I was too evolved for any high school boy, that I didn't need the complications. I was the smart and driven one in my whole family. The girl who had her eyes set on the Ivy League and nothing else. But Lucas… Lucas changed everything. He didn't just sneak into my life—he crashed in with his blue eyes and tall frame that I could not even imagine my life without him anymore, and suddenly I wanted things I never let myself want before.
After the song he sang for me—God, that song—I realized my feelings for him had gotten way deeper than I'd ever admit out loud. It scared me, honestly. I'm used to being the one in control, the one who keeps her emotions in check, but with him, I'm off-balance in the best possible way. I'm scared of how much I care, scared and proud of his brilliance and how he makes everything look so easy, but I love it too. I love and hate it at the the same time that I have someone I can chase and how I am not better than him in things.
Last weekend, he decided to sing and record a song for YouTube and somehow he roped me in. That was never my plan—I mean, music is great, but for me, it was always just another extracurricular, something to pad my resume for college applications. I never dreamed about being a professional musician or anything. At first, I just went along with whatever Lucas suggested. Practicing together was relaxing, almost therapeutic, and it meant more time with him. But lately, something's shifted. I've started to actually care about singing—not just for the sake of looking good on paper, but because I genuinely enjoy it. Because I enjoy it with him.
I guess Lucas has rubbed off on me, both physically and mentally. And, okay, physically… I can't help but blush thinking about the first time, and the second, and the third. Every time with him is different, and I honestly can't imagine my life without his arms around me, his hands on me, his… well, you get the idea. It's not just the physical stuff, though. It's the way he throws himself into everything he does—chess, basketball, now this YouTube project. He's all in, every time. It's inspiring and a little intimidating, but it makes me want to match him, to keep up. There were not many people in my life who were this dedicated and inspiring. Maybe you can count my grandpa on that list.
Lucas's a great teacher, too. He explains things in a way that just sticks. And I also got to know one curious thing about myself, I had a kink for teacher student roleplay which we did play and things got quite extreme that time.
Anyways coming back to the youtube thing to which he somewho convinced me to sing with him, which I never would have done on my own. I was reluctant at first—I know I'm not as good as him but he insisted. He always insists. And somehow, I can never say no to him. He has this strange effect on me, like he's rewired my brain to want what he wants. Till now I haven't regretted anything he made me do and I couldnt wait for the songs to be released because I knew how good they were. I want the world to see what I see in him.
Suddenly, I got a text from him: 'I will be there in five'. My heart did that annoying fluttery thing it always does when I know I'm about to see him. I was babysitting Lily, my uncle's daughter, since my whole family was going out for some fancy dinner. I glanced at myself in the mirror, suddenly hyper-aware of every detail—my hair, my clothes and then at eyes. I told myself I had to be better than the other girls, or I might lose him.
Ever since he got that Mustang and made the basketball team, girls have been circling him like sharks. I see it in the hallways, the way they glance at him, the way they try to catch his eye. He ignores them, mostly—always with his headphones in, or playing chess, or hanging out with his friends. But I notice, and it makes me nervous. He always puts on that beautiful, crooked smile when he sees me in the cafeteria, and sometimes girls even come up to me and ask for his number. Like, seriously? Bitches, please.
If I can't compete in looks, then at least I have my brains. He always tells me I'm beautiful, but I don't really believe it. My sister's the pretty one; I'm the nerd. The overachiever. But with Lucas, I don't have to pretend. I can just be me, and I don't know why he likes me and sees in me but I will do my best like I have done for everything in my life. I suddenly got that fire in my eyes that I get when I go for my exams and at that moment I heard his car pull outside.
My nerves had settled into something like excitement. I grabbed my phone, and quickly headed downstairs, ready to let him in before anyone else but I was late. I see My dad already opening the door for him.
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[Lucas POV]
Phil opens the door for me, and I have to stifle a laugh. He's squeezed into a suit so tight it looks like it's been painted on, and for a split second, I'm hit with déjà vu—like I've stepped right into a sitcom episode (season 5, episode 5, to be exact). It's funny how, after all this time, I don't even see the Dunphys as fictional characters anymore. They're just… people. Real, weird, lovable people.
"Hello, Mr. Dunphy," I greet him, grinning. "That suit looks tight on you." I can't help but tease, knowing exactly why he's wearing it—Phil's always trying to impress Claire, even if it means risking circulation.
"Hey Lucas," Phil nods, trying to play it cool, but I can see the effort it takes for him to breathe.
Luke appears out of nowhere, eyeing his dad's awkward stance. "What are you doing?"
"I'm striking a seductive pose for your mother," Phil announces, puffing out his chest.
"Gross. But I like the suit," Luke says, completely deadpan. "Is that new?"
"Oh, yeah," Phil replies, but the suit's clearly seen better days.
"Now that his honey gots her own money, daddy went and snagged hisself some new threads, girl." Phil tries to do some kind of accent, but it's so off the mark I nearly choke on a laugh.
"Hands down, your funniest voice. Bordering on the offensive," Luke says, already backing away.
"Stick around if you want to see your mom's tongue fall out of her mouth," Phil calls after him, not realizing how that sounds like. I can't help but chuckle at the whole exchange.
Just then, Alex appears, grabbing my arm and dragging me inside before Phil can get any weirder. "Not unless you want to see my lunch fall out of mine," she mutters, shooting her dad a look that's half embarrassment half exasperation.
"Oh, I'm sorry I'm late. Traffic was horrible," Claire says, breezing in through the door, her voice echoing from the foyer as she starts admonishing Phil and Luke for reasons I can't quite make out but can definitely imagine.
Alex tugs me into the kitchen, becuse I ask her for some water. Hailey's already there, scrolling through her phone. I give her a casual, "Hey, Hailey," expecting the usual chilly reception, but she surprises me with a quick, "Hey, Lucas," before going back to her phone.
Claire comes in, spots Hailey, and raises an eyebrow. "Honey, what are you still doing here? You're supposed to be babysitting Joe."
"Yeah, but I have to drop off Alex to watch Lily first, and she's still not ready by the way she looks?" Hailey says, glancing at Alex.
"I can hear you!" Alex calls out, rolling her eyes but she looks at her own clothes in doubt actually considering how she dressed.
"Don't worry, I'm driving her," I chime in, trying to defuse the tension.
"I'm kidding, but I'm just saying, it's sad to think this is what she wears in front of her boyfriend," Hailey teases, giving me a sly look. She was definitely trying some game here to judge me by my reaction towards that response.
"Heard that, too! Do you think I'm deaf?" Alex groans, but there's a hint of doubt in her.
"It was a joke!" Hailey insists, holding up her hands.
"Don't listen to her. I find you attractive," I say to Alex, giving her a wink and then hugging her lightly.
Hailey snorts. "You are both weirdos, aren't you? I guess I'm happy for you guys," she adds, her tone somewhere between sarcastic and genuine.
"Oh my God, just stop talking. You're just jealous because Dylan broke up with you," Alex fires back, shaking her head dramatically. Alex just opened some bad wounds by the look on Hailey's face.
"Hey, I broke up with him. There's a difference," Hailey retorts, but before it can escalate, Claire steps in with her classic mom authority.
"Okay, girls. Stop," Claire says, cutting through the bickering like a pro.
She turns to me. "Hey Lucas, when did you get here?"
Alex answers for me and explains "It was my idea to invite him to babysit with me."
Claire nods, checks her watch, and sighs. "Alright, drive safe and text me when you get there. It's time for you guys to hit the road."
"Aye aye, captain," I say, giving her a mock salute. Only Alex laughs—Claire just gives me that look and I take the hint to get moving before she changes her mind.
We head out to the car, and I help Alex load her cello into the backseat. "Just in case we want to practice," she explains. I nod, careful not to bang it against anything. That thing is her baby.
We get in and start driving slowly toward her uncle's house, Alex giving me directions as we go. She looks out the window for a moment, then glances over at me, a little embarrassed. "Sorry about my family. They're… a lot."
I grin. "Are you kidding? They're hilarious. I wish my family was half as entertaining."
She laughs, relaxing a bit. "Yeah, well, you didn't have to grow up with them
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