what she puts in my head

Ollie was beginning to think maybe Valentina didn't like him, anymore.

"Is it because I'm getting adopted?" He asked since she never had time for a real date anymore.

"How could you say that?" She rolled her eyes, but he knew for a fact her own parents were getting a divorce. She told him she was busy with her doll making. Yes, she'd branched out from her plushies and was now making real fabric dolls.

"But..but you're doing this because you don't want to- you know, think about what's going on with your parents." He knew. Didn't she realize she was spending too much time alone and not enough time with him?

"I'm making money," she explained while they were in her room which was so unorganized. What had happened to the very tidy Valentina?

"You're in over your head." He thought she should stop this nonsense, but people loved her work. She'd even started her own online shop. Most of the sales she got from the bakery, and some of that she'd given to charity. But the business was growing.

"You have to slow down." Ollie took her shoulders wishing to shake some sense into her. "I want you to be happy for me."

"I am happy for you." She looked at him puzzled.

"Does this mean you'll make me a doll?" He asked as if she did need to include him.

She nodded her so sleepy. She pointed to the bed. She'd already made it.

Reality check

Ivy's mother was avoiding Brian like the plague. Really, he hadn't expected it. Not to say that he thought he would be best friends with her. As it was, Brain hardly knew his mother since he'd stayed with his dad on the Rez, since he was a kid. He was acquainted with his father's girlfriends coming in and out of his life over the years, but he never got attached because his father usually had a falling out of some sort.

"But I'm not like that," he promised Ivy. He didn't smoke. He didn't drink. He had a clear head. Of course, most of it was dreams of Ivy and how life would be better. Yet, in the end, he knew he'd have to get a job. Maybe more than one.

He didn't have any intentions of going to the University. But he didn't want to keep Ivy from going and he certainly didn't want to be home alone with Ivy's mom. Actually, there were a houseful people here with Winnie and Doyle and their baby Bella.

"I'll get a job." Except, it was easier said than done.

"I see places everywhere looking to hire." Her mother finally spoke to him. "What can you do?"

He'd have to think on that one. Did she want to know he'd been a dishwasher last summer at a diner and he'd clean the bowling balls at the bowling alley? Brian winced, wishing he'd been a better student, but he didn't see the need back then, especially when he didn't have much to go home too.

Now, there was Ivy who made him want to be a better person. Of course, he loved being with her too. It was like a fairy tale coming true. Only, there was real life to deal with. There was nothing magic about that.

don't you forget about me

Sawyer didn't like it one bit when he found out Will was over at Evan's.

"What was he doing here?" Sawyer winced hard, trying not to be jealous. He never thought of himself as the jealous sort. Not until now.

"We work together," Evan started. "Why can't he come over. It's my place."

"I know." Sawyer was thinking about that. A part of him wanted to move in, but he would totally want to overhaul the whole place. Get new furniture, especially a new bed. Of course, he didn't have the money to do that kind of thing. Luckily, his dad gave him money for the fall semester. He was ready to spend it on a new phone. After all, the phone company kept pestering him for an upgrade, even if his present phone was only half paid for.

He'd mention this to his dad who got him the phone anyway. Naturally, this meant a conversation about his phone. Wasn't it working? Why did he need a new phone? Just like now, Sawyer didn't have a good answer for that.

"You, you need to loosen up," Sawyer shrugged.

"What do you mean? We went on the Adventureland trip." Evan shrugged as if that was enough summer for him, anyway. Of course, they'd slept in a motel room with those other guys. It like going on a middle school trip. It wasn't grownup at all. Besides, Evan never let him stay over. Sawyer couldn't really say they were really in a relationship. Evan was such a loner.

"I think you and Will are too much alike." Sawyer decided.

"We work together. He's starting at the University in the fall." Evan told him. "And his girlfriend cheated on him."

Sawyer sighed. Honestly, he wished Evan would stop meddling in everyone's business. Couldn't Evan find the time to just worry about him, and no one else?

we should have known

Winnie didn't know where to begin. She felt as if she and Doyle were a burden to Leila, yet at the same time, she knew they needed to be here. At least, Baby Bella was a distraction for Leila.

"Maybe, if..if I go back to work, you can keep Bella for me, and we can stay here since she loved it so much, and of course, you, too." Winnie had applied places, but no interviews yet since most were on vacation. But she hoped she heard good news soon. Otherwise, she might be twiddling her thumbs. She knew she was no cook. Still, she hoped they weren't making life harder for Leila.

Leila didn't say much, other than a nod. She was so quiet lately. 

"It will get better." Winnie let her know. "You're family and we want to be here for you."

Of course, there was the other matter, Ivy and Brian. She could tell Leila was shook up about it. As if she were the worst mother.

"We'll get used to that too," Winnie told her they needed Brian to do more around the house. After all, if he was going to live here for Ivy, it shouldn't be a free ride.

"Who knows, he might even leave if he can't go by the rules." Winnie knew the boy, already got what he came for. 

She really needed to talk to that cousin of hers, but she doubted it would do any good. They would just have to go on and be a family. At least, she would be there for Leila. Winnie promised she would pay for all that Leila had done for them, but just as she thought, Leila wouldn't take the money.