246 28 Date

Rick let out a sigh as he packed up his stuff. The school day had come to an end.

As he was walking down the hall, Ms. Hoffman tapped his shoulder from behind. Startled, he jumped. "Oh...sorry I didn't mean to scare you." She looked at him, then quickly looked down. "N-Nah it's fine! Is everything ok...?" He chuckled nervously. Ms. Hoffman began blus.h.i.+ng. "M-ms. Hoffman...?" Rick hesitantly touches her shoulder. "Ya good...?" She looked up, blus.h.i.+ng greatly. "Will you go on a date with me, Mr. Summers!?" She cried out. Rick nearly fell. Suddenly, he too became a blus.h.i.+ng mess. "M-me!?" He managed to get out. Ms. Hoffman nodded, averting her eyes. "I-I'd love to!" He stammered. Ms. Hoffman quickly looked up. "R-really?" She smiled, tearing up. She then leaned on Ricks chest. "I always...wanted you." She slid a finger up near the right side of his collar bone. "W-we shouldn't do this in a school zone..." Rick said, looking around frantically in case anyone was witnessing this scene. Ms. Hoffman slowly rose up. "I'll meet you at the Italian restaurant, Ciarlatano..." she gave a smile. "By the way, please call me Annette." She said, wiping a tear. Rick stood up. "ah and you can call me Rick if ya want!" He laughed, scratching his head. Annette nodded. "I'll see ya later!" Rick waved, turning toward the door leaving. Ms. Hoffman smiled as she waved.

"A date...?" Chris asked, holding up a suit. "Why, ya jealous?" Rick laughed. Chris frowned. "The h.e.l.l I am!" He looked around the room. "I mean, it's just...sudden, I guess." Rick smiled, as Chris handed him the suit. "Relax, it's just a date, I doubt anythin' serious," He paused. "I've had a huge crush on her, I really didn't think she'd notice me." Chris sighed, rubbing his head. "What's her name?" He asked. "Annette Hoffman." Rick replied, fixing his collar. "Why does that sound...familiar." Chris boy his lip in thought. "It's a popular last name, I guess." Rick smiled, turning around. "How do I look?" He asked. Chris laughed. "Like a try hard idiot." He smiled, looking down. "You're a good person, Rick." Rick chuckled. "I don't wanna hear somethin' like that about a person like me." Chris gave a sad smile, patting his shoulder. "Go get 'em." He said.

"Alright, I'm off!" Rick shouted. Maru quickly ran out of his bedroom. "Wait!" She cried. "Give this to her!" She shouted, holding up a beaded bracelet. Rick knelt down. "Sure." He smiled, ruffling her hair. As he got up, he waved to Chris, and Maru, then left.

Annette studied herself in a mirror, then let out a long sigh. "You can do this..." she rea.s.sured herself. She smiled sadly, as she tucked away a photograph into her purse.