It's 7pm, and I'm ready for my blind date with this mystery chick.

Please somebody save me!!!

"Ryan, I don't want to do this!" I whine pitifully from my seat in the back of his car. He raises his brows at me through the rearview mirror, but I don't have time to drool at the sight of his perfect eyes as Emily shuts me up by stuffing a small bouquet of roses into my hands. I gape.

"We're not getting married, Em!"

She merely shrugs and resumes 'Things Go By At Alarming Speeds' watching. In the front passenger seat, Tommy chortles and turns all the way around to give me a wicked smirk.

"Aw, I'll be your best man, right Jess?"

"No way, I'm going to be the best man, right Jesse?" Ryan asks, winking at me with a quick glance over his shoulder. I almost blurt out that he'll be the one standing next to me at the alter, but best not to blow my cover.

"Of course, Ryan; you are my best friend after all."

"Hah!"

Tommy rolls his eyes and turns back around. I'm still trying to figure out why these three are accompanying me to my inevitable doom. There's nothing in it for them. Except maybe a good laugh if my date is atrocious. What really annoys me is that Ryan is the one driving me to the freaking restaurant. This' the last thing I ever wanted to happen tonight. I'll never want to leave the car.

"Why are you guys doing this?"

"So you won't run off," Emily answers simply.

I snort. "What, are you guys gonna chase me if I do?"

"Yes," they chorus together.

Well, Ryan can chase me all day, I don't know about the rest of y'all.

-o-

"Straighten your tie."

I blink at Emily as we pull up to our destination, her eyes still glued to the window. I look down at my tie, a silky thing that's black and nestled against the gentle white of my dress shirt. It is, indeed, screwed to the side. I wonder how she knew…?

"Why are you wearing that anyway?" Tommy inquires.

I resist growling as I fiddle with the article of clothing. "When my mother found out I was going on a date, she went bat shit crazy and started gushing about how handsome I'll look in a suit and yadda yadda. Thankfully, my father talked her out of a tuxedo, but she insisted I wear this, at least. Then she started going on about how much I look like my dad on their first date. God, that was scary."

The others laugh, and even Emily finds it within her thoughtful self to join in. I love you guys too.

Ryan is the first to somber up. "Are you ready, Jess? This girl could change your life forever."

Nooooooo

"Yes, I'm ready."

We all scramble out of the car and I straighten my clothes as the others look around for Jared, who's supposed to be bringing me my date. I'm a little afraid, to be honest. If she's a friend of Jared's, I wonder what she's like…?

"Oh my…"

I freeze at the awe in Tommy's voice. If he's speechless, she must be—

"Gorgeous."

Great.

I slowly turn on my heel to meet my date for the first time. Huh. If I were straight, I'd think she's a knockout as well, but as it is…

Walking with Jared is this very tall and very skinny looking chick; she's too thin, ick. Aside from that, she has straight dark brown hair cut into a cute bob, a quaint heart-shaped face, heavily outlined hazel eyes, and a smile to put the sun to shame. Huh.

When she sees us, specifically me, she lets go of Jared's arm and rushes over, making me wonder how she can run that fast in pumps that high. And it should be a crime to run in a skirt where you can barely move your legs apart. Really, she's cute, but comical looking in this light.

"Hi!" she exclaims, reaching out a hand and flopping it about my face like an idiot. "My name's Clara. You must be Jessica!"

I resist doing a face palm. Of course Jared tells my date my real name. Shoulda seen that coming from miles away.

I take the girl's hand, which was still waving away, and place a small kiss on the back of it, causing her to blush and squeal like a piglet. Awesome.

"Are these for me?!" she exclaims, snatching the roses out of my free hand and smelling them deeply. Please don't suffocate.

"Glad you could make it, Jess. Clara's been dying to meet you all evening," Jared says as he catches up to his friend. I have an urge to put him out of his misery. "What are you guys doing here?" He gestures to Tommy (who's drooling over my shoulder), Emily (who's looking like she's feeling sorry for me), and Ryan (who's staring at Clara with a bit of suspicion for some reason).

"Oh, they're my escort," I provide, smiling slightly. "They were just about to leave, right?"

Wait, what am I saying? Don't leave me here with this hussy!

"Actually," Ryan starts, stepping up to my side and getting really close. "Jesse's mother wanted me to stick around and make sure these two don't jump in the sack together."

Say what?

We all turn to him in question (except Tommy boy, who's still in awe), but he ignores us and transfixes Clara with a slight glare. For some reason, she smirks, and the upturning of her painted lips scares me.

-o-

"So, Jessica, what's your favorite color?"

"For the last time, Clara, it's Jesse or Jess. Please don't call me that. And I like reddish-orange."

Clara giggles and scrapes her plate in an effort to get some spaghetti around her fork. "That's interesting. I like that color myself as a matter of fact. Why do you like it?"

My face heats up with a blush and I quickly glance over at the boy on my right hand side, who still hasn't let up on his evil eye. The reason why I like it is because it was the first color Ryan had ever dyed his hair, and I thought it looked absolutely stunning on him. I told him so, and he flicked me on the nose.

And yes, there's no need to do a double take: Ryan is on my date. I never thought I'd use 'Ryan' and 'date' together in the same sentence, but there it is. He insisted on tagging along, and was pretty adamant about how my mother had asked him to be chaperone. Which is weird, cause I was with Ryan most of the day yesterday and today and not once had I seen him and my mother talk.

I clear my throat. "Oh, no particular reason. Why do you like it?"

She bats her lashes and leans over the table, almost getting meat sauce on her healthy bosom. I'm glad Tommy's not here; he'd have died.

"I like it because you like it," she purrs.

My eyebrows go up at that and I lean back slowly, "Oh, er…"

"My favorite color is any shade of green," Ryan blurts out suddenly. "Because I think green eyes are the sexiest things on the planet."

Clara narrows her eyes dangerously as I look over to my best friend, who has just stuffed a forkful of shrimp into his mouth and is chewing it with a tight clench in his jaw, his gaze fixed on my date.

Um, in case you good people forgot, I have green eyes.

Yeah.

I tentatively pick up my glass of Coke and take a long drink. Maybe he's just playing around…

"So, Ryan," Clara grounds out and her head tilts to the side like a broken doll's. "Have a girlfriend?"

He shrugs and swallows his food. "No, not right now. I'm not looking, though. I have my eyes set on a certain redhead."

In surprise, I spit out my soda, right into Clara's food and onto the front of her blouse. She shrieks and shoots out of her chair, much to the amusement of Ryan and the other customers.

Okay, and to my amusement as well. I'm sorry. It is kinda funny.

"I-I'm sorry, Clara!" I exclaim and stand up. I try to hand over a napkin, but she pushes it away and forces a smile.

"It's alright, Jesse. It's not your fault. I'll be right back."

Once she's out of sight, I slump back down in my seat and fix Ryan with a disbelieving stare. He continues eating as if nothing had happened.

"Rye, what are you doing?"

"Eating…" he says slowly, as if I'm stupid.

"No, I meant, why do you keep saying all that stuff? 'I think green eyes are sexy?' 'I have my eyes set on a certain redhead?' What the hell are you insinuating?"

He shrugs. "Nothin. I just mean that I like green and there's a girl with red hair that's caught my attention. Why, what do you think I'm insinuating?" He turns his penetrating gaze to me, as if daring me to say what's on my mind.

"Nothing," I mumble and turn back to my soup.

He sighs and starts to pick at his seafood platter. "Look, Jess, I don't like this girl. There's something about her that isn't right."

"Like what? She's a ditz. A dead man could see that."

"That's obviously a front. Like I said, I don't trust her."

"Ryan, you're not—?"

"You boys aren't talking about little ol' me, are you?" Hm, speak of the Devil.

As Clara resumes her seat, I notice something very different about her… hm, what is it… hm…

"Did you change your shirt?" Ryan asks in disbelief. Yeah, that's it.

"Perhaps," she beams. "You like, Jesse?"

"It's, um…" my eyes trail from her face down to her tanned throat, then to her plunging neckline, then to her… ew.

I choke. "Are you wearing a bra?"

She giggles. Of course not, the little minx.

Beside me, I can feel Ryan seething with anger. I've no idea why, though. He was the one who wanted to stay and ordered Tommy to take Emily home, then he literary pushed Jared into a taxi and promised that Clara would be back before eleven. I don't honestly believe that he thinks that me and my date are gonna do anything sexual together because my mom trusts me and that right there says enough. There's no reason for him to be here… not that I mind. I'm just saying.

"You look like a slut," my beloved announces loudly, catching the attention of the nearby tables.

"I didn't ask your opinion," Clara snarls, and when she catches me staring at her in shock, she laughs and twirls her fork around in the Coked spaghetti. "This sure is good food, huh?"

You sure are a weird one, huh?

-o-

After dinner, Clara suggests that we take a little walk around the block before heading home. I agreed, and my bodyguard was only too eager to be by my side. As soon as we get outside, Clara latches onto my arm and leans her weight against my side, smiling dreamily up at me. I resist the urge to shudder and fling her into the street, as that would seem rude. So, I let her massage my arm through my dress shirt while Ryan walks on my other side and looks frustrated beyond all belief. And it's not a cute frustration, either. It's more like… a jealous frustration. Maybe he doesn't like sharing me because we've been friends for so long and he thinks that she's going to lure me away or something. It's just a thought.

But I like this thought.

"Isn't the moon romantic?" Clara gushes, beaming at the sky.

I nod carelessly, my full attention on sexy emo boy, who's glaring around my shoulder at my date. Again. I'm confused. I thought that he would've wanted me to get some, as seemed to be the case yesterday, but this change… it's weird.

Jesse liiiiiike.

Now I'm really tempted to take Marlene's advice and declare my love. Except it has to be just the two of us. No girls allowed—

"OH JESSE!"

I jump about a mile into the air at the sudden desperation in Clara's voice. She tugs my arm and practically forces my hand down her shirt; I pale and pull back.

"Clara, please stop."

"No, Jesse! There's something I've been wanting to tell you allllll night!"

By now, we've reached a fairly deserted section of the town, and since it's almost pitch dark due to lack of light and probably because it's late, I stumble and fall on my butt when she basically bowls me over. We land in grass (thank God), but my relief is short lived as she crawls over my chest and gets into my face.

Um, Ryan… help?

"You're so handsome, Jesse!" the brunet squeals, shifting closer. I can feel her springy tits on my chest now, and it's making me sick to the stomach. "I've been restraining myself all night, but I just can't take anymore!" With that, she totally tries to make out with me!

Without trying to hurt her, I start shoving at her face, but when that doesn't work, I attempt pushing at her shoulders, but this woman is not budging! I swear she's stronger than I am!

And that's saying a lot.

She groans into our reluctant kiss as if that'll motivate me, and I only start to cry in embarrassment. I can't even fight off an anorexic crazy chick! Somebody save my poor soul!

"Bitch, what the fuck do you think you're doing?!" I hear Ryan shout somewhere above us. The next thing I know, I can breathe again.

Sitting up, I watch fascinated as Ryan wrestles Clara over onto the ground, all the while yelling offensive names at her. But she doesn't go down without a fight. She claws and bites at him, words spewing from her pretty little lips that I'm sure she didn't learn from her momma.

They go at it for a while until Clara loses much of her stamina and just lays there panting in the dirt, ants and other small bugs probably getting a free peep show.

"Dude, Ryan," I say in exasperation. "What the hell man; you coulda killed her."

He turns to look at me, and I freeze at the possessive look on his face.

"Then she should've never come onto what is mine!" he hisses, glaring back at her.

Say what.

"What's yours?" I repeat dumbly.

He nods furiously, his short hair all over the place but making him look 1,000,000x hotter than usual. "Yes. You hear that slut? Jessica belongs to me!"

I think I just died. Did he say what I think he just said?

Breathe… breathe… in and out.

Clara sits up at his words and glares full throttle at Ryan. "What makes you the winner?" she snaps. "Besides, you're a guy! There's no way he's choosing you over me. Look at me! I'm beautiful!"

I hold back a snort as there's leaves and little rocks embedded in her hair and grass stains all over her clothes. Yeah.

"Beauty has nothing to do with it. And neither does one's sex."

Oh shit. I feel an inspiring monologue coming on. Bring it, baby.

"We've been best friends since we were in diapers, and nothing's gonna change that. We've protected each other over the years, building up a trust that only exists among brothers. I've always been there for him, and vice versa. We've been through everything together, and during that time I have come to realize what exactly he means to me. It may seem sudden and you may think I'm trying to grab the spotlight, but what I'm saying is the truth. You may be a woman, and may be what society wants, but I don't really care. And Jess, I know you don't care either." He pauses and looks back around at me. "I know."

"Know what?" I squeak. Dammit, Jesse, now is not the time to turn into a mouse! Be a man! "I don't know what you're talking about!" There, that's manly.

Ryan mutters something under his breath before coming over and extending a hand to me. I look at it for a moment before sighing loudly and taking it. As soon as I'm up, he surprises me by yanking me forward and into his chest, where he lets me in on a little secret in a hushed voice.

"I know that you want me. Even a dead man could see that."

"Wait a minute!"

Clara struggles up off the ground and staggers over to us; Ryan nearly bites her hand when she lays it on my bicep. She stares up at me in a pleading manner, and I feel sorry for her cause she doesn't stand a chance.

"You can't ditch me and run off with some goth loser!"

Almost. I almost feel sorry for her.

"Look, Clara…" I start softly, not wanting her to attack due to any loud noises, "I think you're a nice girl, but—"

"Get lost."

"Ryan!"

"What?"

"…"

"…"

"…as I was saying. I don't think that you and me could ever work out."

She pouts but it doesn't get through to me. Tough luck kid.

"But I know someone who might like you…"

-o-

"They look so happy together, no?"

"I suppose…"

I watch amused as Tommy stares vacantly down Clara's blouse as she throws her arms around and talks his ear off about tonight's events. I bet you anything he's not even listening. Just looking. Just like a man.

"I only hope that she doesn't hurt him."

"Yeah…"

"Hey, Ryan?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you mean everything that you said?"

"…"

I lower my gaze as Ryan doesn't say anything. We're standing outside of the restaurant, with a perfect view of our friend and his date, and just about to get into his car. I'm really tired of all this drama and all I want to do is go home. I'm also wishing I had never met Jared, the evil mastermind behind all of this.

"Which part?" Ryan asks after a long minute, fiddling with the car keys.

"Everything. Did you just not like her and wanted her to go away? Or were you… serious?"

I look back up at him on the other side of the car to find him staring straight at me, his expression neutral. We gaze at one another for what feels like an hour before he puts on a simple smile and walks over to my side. Once he reaches me, he reaches out and grabs both of my hands, then observes them as if it's the first time of his doing so. I don't question this odd behavior, knowing he'll give me an answer sooner or later.

"Jesse…"

"Yes?"

"I was…" he takes a dramatic pause, in which my palms start to sweat and heat builds up in my chest. "I was jealous, I guess."

"Jealous?" I repeat (note to self: need to stop sounding like a parrot).

He nods slowly. "I was happy that you'd finally get out and meet someone that you might hook up with, but when we first saw her, I realized that I really didn't want you to date anyone. It's selfish, I know, but I also remembered all the times I caught you staring at me and, y'know. You like me, don't you?"

Damn. Here it is. The question that will either make or break me. Instead of answering right away, I bite at the inside of my cheek and look away, back towards the brightly lit restaurant, where Clara's still yakking and Tommy's still star gazing. I need to word this carefully.

"Ryan," I begin bravely and turn back, "I—wh-what are you doing?"

Suddenly, Ryan leans all the way forward until he's about two inches away from smushing our faces together. I flatten myself against the car, but it doesn't do anything to put any distance between us.

"Admit it…" he breathes, bringing up a hand and nestling his painted fingernails into my hair. "You like me."

Against my better judgment, I nod slowly and go back into parrot mode. "I admit it; I like you."

A genuine smile tilts his lips, "Good." And before I can think of a response, he pulls my hair and connects our mouths together. Once the shock factor wears off, I sigh blissfully and press back, one thought coming to me loud and clear.

Job well done, Hennigan. Job well done.