Sammie walked into her house fuming. She slammed the door, stomped upstairs, threw her bag and books on her bed, heard the answer machine beep and stomped back downstairs. She was furious with Kaz. Firstly Kaz had been avoiding her all day, and secondly it had gone around school that Sammie was going on the show. Even year sevens were pointing and laughing, which wasn't good to happen, seeings as Sammie was one of the eldest in the school.
      She pressed the play button and started sorting through the post as she listened.
      "Hiya, this is Gavin, I'm calling for a Sammie? It's the company behind Blind Date, Granada television, we're calling about your application for the show, which your friend sent in. It all seems in order, so could you come down to the studio next Saturday? Thanks, bye"
      Sammie gawped at the machine and dropped the wad of letters and magazines. She played the machine again, then coming to her senses, picked everything up, muttering. She took out her bank letter and magazine, and sprinted back to her room. She found her phone and called Kaz.
      "Um, Sammie, I'm kind of busy right now" Kaz greeted her when she finally picked up.
      "No Kaz, listen, this whole' Blind Date' thing is getting WAY out of hand. Who was it?"
      "Who was what?"
      "You know full well!"
      "No I DON'T!"
      "So who phoned me about getting to the studio?"
      "Um, some guy at the studio? Sammie, please just give it a chance, you could have a really nice time"
      "There's such a thing as a joke going too far you know"
      "What? Sammie, it's really happening! Do you want me to come with you?"
      Sammie sighed "Okay, come along, but I'm not falling for it for a second"
      "Okay, but I reeeeeeally have to go now"
      "Okay. And tomorrow, don't avoid me"
      "Okay, bye"
      "Yeah, bye"
      Sammie hung up and flopped onto her bed. The thought of actually being on the show finally entered her head. Did she really need a dating show? Did Kaz really see her as that desperate? Did everyone? Was there something so wrong with her that a TV show was the only way she could date? The front door opened, and Max ran up the stairs to tell his elder sister all about his day as he always did.

*****

      Ben was on his mobile, laughing hysterically, while waiting for his turn in make up as both Christian and Mark had gotten in first. Del walked in and spoke to Christian quickly, then signalled to Ben to get off the phone.
      "Sorry, Paul, man. Del wants something. I'll call you later" he hung up and they all looked to Del.
      "I just got off the phone with the people at Granada, they told me about the girl who'll be picking you for blind date. Her name's Sammie, she's 18, from Sheffield. Sounds quite sweet. I want you guys to scrub up a bit for the show" he glanced at Ben, who was wearing his Zeppo top for the fourth day in a row. Ben looked guilty, then flashed a look that was clearly meant to win Del over. "Okay, for the show you're about to do, you'll be doing an interview in-between two performances" Del carried on listing the schedule, and the boys blanked out, wondering what Sammie would look like.