p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Melissa doodled on her note, not paying attention to the drone of Mr. Goodwin. History was so stupid: especially since he got it all wrong. She knew how to read, for crying out loud. When the bell rang she crammed her books and notes into her backpack and escaped the classroom./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Passing by the central fountain just outside the school she heard her name./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Melissa!" Stilinski said./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"She stifled a groan. "Sheriff" as he was called waved at her. How had he managed to make hall monitor cool? Probably because he was the best pitcher Beacon Hills High had seen, and probably because it meant he could get away with yelling at other students. At least he wasn't a bully./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"She stopped, and turned around. She'd learned he just run up to her anyway./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Yes?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He strutted up to her, full of himself, as always. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You gonna come to the game tomorrow?" he asked. "It'd be nice if you could."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Sheriff and Melissa yeah!" some guy hooted./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Shut it, Gruber," Stilinski said. "Sorry, he's a little ethusiastic. Anyway …."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Didn't plan on it. Got to study."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He seemed a little crestfallen. She shouldn't feel so bad at that look on his face./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"She took a deep breath, and, without knowing why, reversed her decision. He was cute, after all. "I supposed I could go, this once."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He lit up. "Awesome! We all go to O'Neil's Pizza after, you should come to."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Feeling a little wild, she said, "Okay, but only if you win."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I'll plan on winning then," he winked at her. "I'll see you at the game. Wouldn't hurt to bring a poster."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"She laughed, and watched him walk away. A poster! Like she'd have time for that. It was like she had a crush on him or anything. He'd been the one to ask her, again and again. Well, maybe just one other time./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"After working on homework she got a ride with her friend Nancy to the game./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I think he's handsome," her friend said when they sat on the bleachers. "I mean, he's a little shit sometimes, but he's got a nice face, and … ass." Nancy giggled./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Melissa rolled her eyes. "Why do they call him 'Sheriff'?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Hall monitor," Nancy said, watching the players. "But he plays teachers like mad. I hear he has some of the best parties seeing in Beacon Hills for 20 years. Course, they are near impossible to find. He's a sneak!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Melissa thought this new information over. Well, that certainly explained the swagger and strutting. And the meek demeanor in front of teachers./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The game began, and Melissa watched. He played well enough, she supposed, but didn't really know too much other than hit the ball and run. She cheered when they scored and booed with the other team hit well. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"By the last part of the game, the Beacon Hills Tornados were tied with the opposing team: the Green Hill Sirens. She wasn't sure if she wanted her team to win./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Stilinski was pitching furiously, and finally managed to strike out every batter until Beacon Hills got another inning where they hit one run—barely. It took two outs, two strikes and finally someone hit. They'd won. It meant she'd be going to O'Neil's./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Nancy," she said. "I promised I'd go to O'Neil's after. Come with me. I don't want to be alone with that many guys."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Nancy nodded solemnly, then grinned. "Yeah!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Sheriff spotted her in the crowd, winked and waved, the hurried off the field to change. Melissa stuck around with Nancy and some others students. Thankfully, it wasn't cold out./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You are so the apple of his eye, Melissa," Nancy said. "I mean come on, he won the game so he could see you later. How romantic is that?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I guess."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Like the raven said—" Nancy cleared her throat. "—'Nevermore' with that bullshit Melissa. The most popular guy at school is asking you out. Practically, okay fine, but still!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Okay, okay," she said. "I get it, fine. I'll be happy or something."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The baseball team arrived in the parking lot, cheering still. Stilinski came up to her. "Hey, glad you could make it. Want a ride to O'Neils?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""This is my friend, Nancy." Melissa gestured. "She's gonna come with."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Okay," he said. "You can both ride with me if you want."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I can drive," Nancy said, cooly. "We'll can drive."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He shook Nancy's hand. "Nice to meet you. See you both in a little bit then!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He trotted off to his car, and drove off./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Nancy watched him, her face a little icy. When he was gone she grinned and dragged Melissa to their station wagon./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""What was that all about, miss be-nice-to-him."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""It's my duty as best friend to make sure he knows not to fuck up."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Melissa nodded. "And you did your part well, thanks."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"O'Neil's was packed when they arrived: the noise was almost unbearable. Stilinski waved them over, and gave her a drink: Coke. She took it, and said thanks. He really was handsome: flush after winning and grinning with his friends. She felt a little burning. Okay fine, she liked the handsome jerk. There. She thought it. Fine./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Glad you could make it." He tucked a tiny daisy into her ear./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Aw," Gruber said. "Sheriff, I think you're in love."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Stilinski said nothing to deny or confirm. "Don't be jealous, Gruber. We ordered like ten pizzas, so just dig in when they get here."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Thanks." Melissa touched the flower. She smiled./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Nancy," Stilinski said, "this is Ivan, he thinks your hot."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Ivan turned bright red and stammered something. Nancy gave him cool appraisal. "Well, perhaps if he thinks so he should tell me himself. Only proper for a man to do, don't you think?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He nodded in agreement./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Someone in the back cheered, and it caught. Everyone roared their cheer through the small parlor and jumped up in elation. "FINALS!" Caught up in it, Melissa was thrown against Stilinski and, in the moment of passion, he kissed her./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The kiss was soft, yet firm, and dry unlike that one boy she kissed in middle school who was all wet and slobbery. She kissed him back, her hand seeking his neck, and his twining in her curls. Like an arrow, the action pierced her, and she knew that after tonight, she would never be able to look at him the same way again. Perhaps she should have said yes sooner. Better late than never. When the broke apart, more cheering went around. Even Nancy managed to looked warm and happy./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Passing by the central fountain just outside the school she heard her name./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Melissa!" Stilinski said./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"She stifled a groan. "Sheriff" as he was called waved at her. How had he managed to make hall monitor cool? Probably because he was the best pitcher Beacon Hills High had seen, and probably because it meant he could get away with yelling at other students. At least he wasn't a bully./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"She stopped, and turned around. She'd learned he just run up to her anyway./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Yes?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He strutted up to her, full of himself, as always. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You gonna come to the game tomorrow?" he asked. "It'd be nice if you could."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Sheriff and Melissa yeah!" some guy hooted./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Shut it, Gruber," Stilinski said. "Sorry, he's a little ethusiastic. Anyway …."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Didn't plan on it. Got to study."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He seemed a little crestfallen. She shouldn't feel so bad at that look on his face./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"She took a deep breath, and, without knowing why, reversed her decision. He was cute, after all. "I supposed I could go, this once."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He lit up. "Awesome! We all go to O'Neil's Pizza after, you should come to."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Feeling a little wild, she said, "Okay, but only if you win."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I'll plan on winning then," he winked at her. "I'll see you at the game. Wouldn't hurt to bring a poster."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"She laughed, and watched him walk away. A poster! Like she'd have time for that. It was like she had a crush on him or anything. He'd been the one to ask her, again and again. Well, maybe just one other time./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"After working on homework she got a ride with her friend Nancy to the game./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I think he's handsome," her friend said when they sat on the bleachers. "I mean, he's a little shit sometimes, but he's got a nice face, and … ass." Nancy giggled./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Melissa rolled her eyes. "Why do they call him 'Sheriff'?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Hall monitor," Nancy said, watching the players. "But he plays teachers like mad. I hear he has some of the best parties seeing in Beacon Hills for 20 years. Course, they are near impossible to find. He's a sneak!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Melissa thought this new information over. Well, that certainly explained the swagger and strutting. And the meek demeanor in front of teachers./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The game began, and Melissa watched. He played well enough, she supposed, but didn't really know too much other than hit the ball and run. She cheered when they scored and booed with the other team hit well. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"By the last part of the game, the Beacon Hills Tornados were tied with the opposing team: the Green Hill Sirens. She wasn't sure if she wanted her team to win./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Stilinski was pitching furiously, and finally managed to strike out every batter until Beacon Hills got another inning where they hit one run—barely. It took two outs, two strikes and finally someone hit. They'd won. It meant she'd be going to O'Neil's./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Nancy," she said. "I promised I'd go to O'Neil's after. Come with me. I don't want to be alone with that many guys."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Nancy nodded solemnly, then grinned. "Yeah!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Sheriff spotted her in the crowd, winked and waved, the hurried off the field to change. Melissa stuck around with Nancy and some others students. Thankfully, it wasn't cold out./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You are so the apple of his eye, Melissa," Nancy said. "I mean come on, he won the game so he could see you later. How romantic is that?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I guess."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Like the raven said—" Nancy cleared her throat. "—'Nevermore' with that bullshit Melissa. The most popular guy at school is asking you out. Practically, okay fine, but still!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Okay, okay," she said. "I get it, fine. I'll be happy or something."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The baseball team arrived in the parking lot, cheering still. Stilinski came up to her. "Hey, glad you could make it. Want a ride to O'Neils?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""This is my friend, Nancy." Melissa gestured. "She's gonna come with."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Okay," he said. "You can both ride with me if you want."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I can drive," Nancy said, cooly. "We'll can drive."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He shook Nancy's hand. "Nice to meet you. See you both in a little bit then!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He trotted off to his car, and drove off./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Nancy watched him, her face a little icy. When he was gone she grinned and dragged Melissa to their station wagon./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""What was that all about, miss be-nice-to-him."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""It's my duty as best friend to make sure he knows not to fuck up."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Melissa nodded. "And you did your part well, thanks."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"O'Neil's was packed when they arrived: the noise was almost unbearable. Stilinski waved them over, and gave her a drink: Coke. She took it, and said thanks. He really was handsome: flush after winning and grinning with his friends. She felt a little burning. Okay fine, she liked the handsome jerk. There. She thought it. Fine./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Glad you could make it." He tucked a tiny daisy into her ear./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Aw," Gruber said. "Sheriff, I think you're in love."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Stilinski said nothing to deny or confirm. "Don't be jealous, Gruber. We ordered like ten pizzas, so just dig in when they get here."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Thanks." Melissa touched the flower. She smiled./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Nancy," Stilinski said, "this is Ivan, he thinks your hot."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Ivan turned bright red and stammered something. Nancy gave him cool appraisal. "Well, perhaps if he thinks so he should tell me himself. Only proper for a man to do, don't you think?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He nodded in agreement./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Someone in the back cheered, and it caught. Everyone roared their cheer through the small parlor and jumped up in elation. "FINALS!" Caught up in it, Melissa was thrown against Stilinski and, in the moment of passion, he kissed her./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 2pt; margin-bottom: 2pt; text-indent: 14pt;"span style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The kiss was soft, yet firm, and dry unlike that one boy she kissed in middle school who was all wet and slobbery. She kissed him back, her hand seeking his neck, and his twining in her curls. Like an arrow, the action pierced her, and she knew that after tonight, she would never be able to look at him the same way again. Perhaps she should have said yes sooner. Better late than never. When the broke apart, more cheering went around. Even Nancy managed to looked warm and happy./span/p