Chapter Three

"Hi, so you are Krystal and Hazel?" I looked up into the crystal blue eyes of Brian. I felt weak. But not as weak when I saw the rest of them all in suits. "Yeah," I whispered, looking down. Instead of whispering, Hazel just bound in with, "Yeah, I’m Hazel and she’s Krystal. This is such a nice restaurant!" "It’s better inside," Nick smiled. He offered an arm to me and I took it. "No fair! There’s only two ladies for the five of us!" AJ cried. "Oh well, guess two to each lady and the odd guy out will have both of them when we’re done!" He immediately ran to me and smiled sweetly. "And I’m not being the odd man out." My heart raced. I saw Hazel’s fingers cross and she mouthed Howie very slightly at me. Howie must have seen her because he immediately said, "Hi, may I have the honor?" Hazel flushed and smiled at him. Kevin then took her other arm and that left poor Brian alone. I looked at him, apologetically. He shrugged. "Whatever, but I get to have both of these girls! Hahahaha!" He laughed wickedly. Inside the restaurant, we sat in a separate room. "So, how old are you girls?" AJ asked. I was sitting next to Hazel and we both smiled and said, "Guess." "Umm… let’s see, I’d say that you’re both 18!" Kevin guessed. "Bingo!" I yelled and then blushed. Brian smiled at me sweetly which made it all better. "So, ladies, who’re your favorites?" AJ continued. "Hazel first." "Why me?" She made a pouty face. "’Cause you’re the prettiest," I replied. "I wouldn’t be too sure," Nick said, putting his arm around my shoulders. "I’d say you’re both even." My heart was jumping like a Mexican jumping bean. "Hazel, if you don’t say it, I’ll say it for you!" I threatened, trying to make myself less nervous. "No, Krys, please!" she begged. "Then say it, Hazel Dolores!" "All right, all right." She quickly glanced at Howie and whispered, "Howie." "Huh?" I asked jokingly. "Howie," That was a little louder. "Who?" "Howie!" Her face was pure red as I cracked up. Howie just grinned. He said, "Thanks, Hazel." "Now, your turn, Harper!" "Umm… I have a few!" "Say them in order!" "Well, I like y’all so much! I can’t choose which one’s first!" "It’s all right. We won’t get upset or anything." Brian rolled his eyes. "Fine! Umm, well, I like AJ the best, then Brian, Nick, Kevin, and then Howie," I whispered. I looked at Howie and he was making a sad puppy face. "I’m sorry, Howie! It’s only this much less!" I squished my forefinger and thumb together tightly. "I’m kidding! I don’t mind, really! Especially since I have an equally charming young lady who’s interested." Hazel’s eyes glowed with happiness. "She likes me, she really likes me!" yelled AJ. He came and pushed Nick out of his chair, next to me. "She’s mine, bogus!" "Hey! At least I’m third!" he cried as he tried to get his seat back. "Lo-ser," Brian laughed, imitating Jim Carrey. Hazel and I started cracking up uncontrollably. "You know, AJ," I giggled, "You’re ruining your nice suit." I got up and brushed some crumbs off him. "Eh, what the hell!" he muttered as he started taking his clothes off. "Whoohoo! AJ’s famous strip dance! Come on, AJ, take it off!" yelled Hazel. "AJ, what are you doing?" I asked, startled and confused. "Oh, don’t worry, Krystal, I wore my regular clothes inside. Heh heh…" "Thank god," Brian fell back into his chair, relieved. Soon, the waiter came and AJ had to let Nick sit back into his chair. The rest of the evening was full of fun and I really enjoyed it. At one point, Hazel leaned over to me and whispered, "I’m never going to forget this day, not until I’m dead. I’m going to write a million thank-you cards to K-O-O-L for picking us. And Howie’s so sweet!" I smiled, "That’s why he’s called Sweet D, ‘member? And AJ’s so much better than I thought he was. They’re all so cute!" "Hey, whatcha girls talkin’ about?" AJ asked us. We turned red and giggled. "Girl talk," we said at the same time. "Damn! That famous line drives me crazy!" Howie cried, pretending to rip out his hair. Suddenly, they huddled together. "Whatcha guys talkin’ about?" I asked them. "Guy talk," they said at the same time. We grinned at them and continued whispering about how cute and sweet they were acting.