Ugh Haley

The school day passed without much excitement, and soon Marcus and Alex were walking out of the building together, backpacks slung over their shoulders. The air was crisp, hinting at the approach of fall, and the perfect score on their project still lingered in Alex's mind like a satisfying victory.

"So, Alex," Marcus started casually, unwrapping another lollipop. "Since we crushed that project, how about we celebrate?"

Alex glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Celebrate how?"

Marcus popped the candy into his mouth, grinning. "The movies. There's that new sci-fi flick playing—good reviews, cool effects, explosions. You in?"

Alex blinked, caught off guard. "You want to go to the movies? With me?"

"Well, yeah. You helped carry that project, and I figure a genius like you deserves a reward."

Alex hesitated, clutching her bag strap a little tighter. "I don't know… I still have other assignments to work on. And my mom might need me to watch Luke. I should just go home."

Marcus shrugged. "Fair enough. Just thought I'd ask."

They reached the point where they usually split ways, and Alex gave a small wave before heading off toward her house. Marcus watched her leave for a second before walking in the other direction, unfazed.

At the Dunphy House

Alex arrived home, setting her bag down and making her way toward the kitchen, only to be intercepted by Haley, who was lounging on the couch scrolling through her phone.

"Hey, nerd. You're home early," Haley remarked without looking up.

Alex rolled her eyes. "School ends at the same time every day, Haley."

"Yeah, yeah," Haley said, then glanced at her sister, narrowing her eyes slightly. "You look weird. What's up?"

"Nothing," Alex said quickly, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

Haley smirked, sensing something. "That means something happened."

Alex sighed. "Marcus asked if I wanted to go to the movies."

Haley sat up. "Wait, wait—like, just you two? Like a date?"

Alex nearly choked on her water. "No! Just as a celebration thing for our project. It wasn't a date."

Haley gave her a knowing look. "Uh-huh. And you said…?"

"I turned him down."

Haley groaned dramatically. "Ugh, Alex! Why?"

"Because I have stuff to do, and I didn't feel like going!" Alex shot back, crossing her arms.

Haley eyed her for a moment before a sly smirk spread across her face. "You totally hesitated just now. You kinda wanted to go, didn't you?"

"No," Alex said firmly.

"Liar."

"Haley—"

Before Alex could protest further, Haley grabbed her phone and started typing.

"What are you doing?" Alex asked, suddenly wary.

"Nothing," Haley said, voice dripping with mischief.

Alex lunged to grab the phone, but Haley easily dodged, laughing. "Chill, geek, I'm just making sure you don't regret missing out."

Alex's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, eyes widening when she saw the message she definitely didn't send.

Alex: Okay, fine. I'll go.

"HALEY!"

Haley grinned. "You're welcome!"

Alex groaned, glaring at her phone as another message popped up.

Marcus: Cool. Pick you up at 6.

Alex sighed, rubbing her temples. "I hate you."

Haley tossed her hair dramatically. "No, you don't. Now go figure out what you're wearing. And try not to look too nerdy."

Alex muttered something under her breath but didn't deny it.