Danielle heard the door to the back room open.

“Hi Bright.”

“Hey Danielle.”

“So what’s new in the exciting world of you?” she asked.

“My time’s almost over here. End of the week and I’m done.” He replied.

“I bet you’re happy. You’ll have your afternoons back and you won’t have to talk to me anymore.” She joked.

“What makes you think I won’t want to talk to you?”

“Well, outside of the occasional hi in the hallway at school you only talk to me while were working.”

“Maybe that should change.”

“The universe might implode or something.”

“Let’s chance it. What are you doing tonight?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Hmm…let’s see. Nothing, followed by nothing, and then ah yes nothing.”

“Oh well then…since you’re so busy forget it.” He said.

“You are such a pain.” She said. “What were you going to ask me?”

“If you weren’t doing anything tonight I was wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner.” Bright said.

“Seriously?” she asked.

“Well, yeah. I mean my parents keep asking me who I volunteer with and…stuff.” He said lamely.

“I’d like to, but I don’t think your sister would want me there.” She said.

“Don’t worry about her.” He said.

“I don’t know.”

“Please.”

“Fine, let me call my aunt.”

“Excellent.”

***

“Hi Danielle.” Rose said. “Bright has said a lot of nice things about you. I’m glad you could join us tonight.”

Danielle blushed. “Thanks.”

“Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes. Why don’t you show Danielle around?” Rose suggested.

“Sure. Follow me.” Bright said.

“Your mom seems nice.” She said.

Bright nodded. “As long as you’re on her good side. I don’t know why she wanted me to show you around, the house isn’t very exciting.”

“What is she doing here?” Amy asked walking down the stairs.

“Nice to see you too.” Danielle said.

Amy rolled her eyes. “Oh be quiet. Bright can I talk to you?”

“Amy, Danielle is my friend. I asked her over for dinner. Why are you making this a federal case?” Bright asked.

“Because I don’t associate with people like her.” She said.

“What do you mean like her?” he asked.

“Losers. Please Bright she is so far outside our circle it’s not even funny.” Amy said.

“Jeehz Amy, I seriously worry about you. My cousin is dating a guy you used to have a thing for or whatever. How do I fit into the equation?” Danielle asked.

“My issues with your cousin started way before he came into the picture.” Amy said. “And besides she has no bearing on my problem with you.”

“As much as I care what you think of me I think I’m going to be on my way now. Sorry Bright, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Danielle said.

“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” Amy called.

“I can’t believe you.” Bright said following Danielle out the door. “Danielle, wait!”

“I’m not going back in there. I didn’t come here to listen to her trash me and my cousin.” Danielle said.

“I’m not expecting you to come back in. And I’m sorry.” Bright told her.

“Sorry Amy’s a bitch?” she asked thinking of something Ephram once said.

“Well that I can’t apologize for.” He said with a smile.

Danielle smiled back. “I guess I can’t have everything.”

“Hey…I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you and I go out together some time?” He suggested shyly.

***

“Come in.” Ashley said.

“What’s up?” Danielle asked as she walked into Ashley’s room. “Hey Ephram.”

“Hi Dani.” He replied as he flipped through his comic book.

“Nothing much. Where have you been?” Ashley asked Danielle.

“The Abbotts.” Danielle replied.

“Come again?” she asked.

“Bright invited me over for dinner.” She said.

“He what?” Ephram asked nearly dropping comic book.

“Repeat yourself Dani, and slowly.” Ashley said.

“You heard me.” Danielle said.

“How did you survive a meal with the martyr?” Ashley wanted to know.

“Actually I didn’t make it through dinner. Amy started up and I left.” Danielle explained.

“Typical.” She muttered.

“But I don’t understand why you went over there in the first place.” Ephram said.

Danielle shrugged. “Bright’s not such a bad guy.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” Ephram said.

“I concur.” Ashley said.

“Nice word.” He told her.

“Thank you.” Ashley replied.

“You two are so odd.” Danielle remarked.

“Keeps things interesting.” Ashley said.

“So then…” Danielle said.

“There’s more?” Ashley asked lying down on the bed. “I don’t think I can handle it.”

“He asked me out.” She told them.

“ON A DATE?!” Ashley shrieked.

“No, he asked her out to the moon. What do you think?” Ephram asked sarcastically.

“You shut up.” Ashley said pointing to Ephram. “And you, what did you say?”

“Yes.” Danielle mumbled.

“Come again?” Ashley asked.

“I said yes.” Danielle said more loudly.

“I think Dani’s gone crazy.” Ashley said to Ephram.

“I concur.” He replied.