Sitting inside her mother’s green and white tiled kitchen, Corrie contemplated her stupidity. She still couldn’t figure out what possessed her to invite Jared to her house. “Maybe I need to get a cat-scan…” she thought. Jared sat across from her. All smiles and “ thank you’s ” the most polite she had ever seen him. It was disgusting, but it worked. Her mother had fallen for Jared like a mouse for cheese. She gave him her famous cookies and even invited him for dinner. Fortunately, Emily had a stage performance that night so the whole thing couldn’t happen. For once Corrie didn’t mind having to go to her sister performances. “So,” Mrs. Fleece began. “Corrie tells me you’re new in school?” Jared nodded. “That’s right ma’am.” “And what do you think of school so far?” “It’s fine. I enjoy science class most of all.” “Really? Maybe you should help Corrie. She absolutely HATES science. Says it’s boring.” “MOM!” Corrie protested. The last thing she wanted was to have to study with Jared. “Thanks for asking, but…” Seeing Corrie’s face, he laughed, “I don’t think Corrie really wants me to help her.” “Why ever not? You seem like such a nice young man…” Corrie glared at her mother. She knew exactly where this was going. Her mother could never understand why Corrie didn’t goggle over every cute guy. She had tried to explain to her, but had only ended up getting frustrated. “Mom…” she said, a warning in her voice. If she let her mother keep going, this whole conversation could turn into disaster. Her mother rolled her eyes, exasperated. “ Oh, Corrie! I know, I know. I have to keep my nose out of all your boy relationships…” Corrie’s face turned bright red. “I do NOT have a RELATIONSHIP with Jared, Mother!!” “Sure you don’t.” Her mother said with a wink. Corrie sank deeper into her seat. Glancing over, she saw Jared looking quite surprised. Feeling a need to explain her mother’s behavior, Corrie leaned over to him and said, “Sorry about this. Normally she’s not so.. um…” “Persistent?” Giving a sigh, she replied, “Something like that.”