Finn, Maybeck, and Philby were waiting for the girls at the Frozen Marble. Today, Maybeck was being specially annoying to Finn.

"I'm Larry the fish, look at my fins! Get it? Fins? Finn?" He tried, but Finn was just rolling his eyes and Philby was engrossed with his laptop.

"What's wrong with you, Whitman? Got your head stuck inside a Tuba?" This time Maybeck got a reaction.

"How the heck do you even know I played the Tuba?" Finn shouted. He was sick of it. For the fifteen minutes they had waited, all he had heard was Maybeck insulting him, making stupid jokes about him, or just plain old annoying him. Sure, he was used to Maybeck doing all of that stuff, but today he'd taken it to a whole new level.

"I know everything. I'm that awesome."

Finn practically growled.

"Can you two please shut up?" Philby said, not taking his eyes off the laptop. "Finn, he's just mad because you got a girlfriend before he did."

"Untrue, dude!" Maybeck exclaimed, even though the statement was true. "I'm not mad about that, and I once went on a date with Jez, remember? That counts as dating, which some people count as "girlfriend", and I'm one of those people."

Finn laughed. "She only went on that date with you to trap you, Donnie."

"Maybe, but she probably got to choose who to capture."

"Whom." Professor Philby corrected.

Maybeck glared at him.

"Yeah, and Jez chose you because she figured you'd be the easiest to fool. Which you are." Finn snapped.

"I can get practically any girl I want." Maybeck said, with his usual overconfident tone.

"Just like you kissed Charlene, huh?" Philby said, finally taking his eyes away from his laptop.

Maybeck was fuming. One thing was to make fun of him, another was to challenge him. And these two morons were doing both things.

"I bet you I can get Jess to go on a date with me by Friday. I win, Philby has to make my homework every day, and Finn has to pay for my food." Said Maybeck.

"And if you lose?" Philby asked.

"He has to wear one of Charlene's dresses to school for a week." Finn answered, trying not to laugh at Maybeck's nervous expression.

"What, Ladies Man can't get a date?" Philby asked, obviously noticing Maybeck's face, too.

"N-no.. I'm.." Maybeck stammered, probably for the first time in his life. "I'm just wondering about Jess's boyfriend, Rob." He mentally high-fived himself for the good excuse.

"She broke up with him last year, so she's free." Finn said.

Maybeck mentally slapped himself for the bad excuse.

"Fine. I'll do this. Start saving your money, Whitman. I eat 10 meals a day. Not counting ice cream." Maybeck said, hiding his anxiousness.

"Start planning on how to ask Charlene for a dress, Macbeth."

Jess was having a day full of surprises.

First, she'd aced a test she had been very nervous about.

Second, Mrs. Nash was not home all day. Why she was gone, she didn't care or wanted to know. Jess was planning on enjoying liberty, knowing it wouldn't last long.

Third, she'd had a vision. It wasn't completed, so she didn't tell anyone about it. Not even Amanda. All she had were a few chairs, two unrecognizable men, and a piñata.

Fourth, Maybeck had been nice to her all afternoon. He'd even carried her ice cream!

And last, but certainly not least, Maybeck had asked to walk her home.

Maybeck.

Jess had been suspicious at first. Was he going to prank her? Was he making fun of her? Was he just being Maybeckish?

But, walking beside him in the humid Florida night, her suspiciousness was slowly disappearing. Maybe Maybeck was feeling chivalrous today.

Enjoy it while it lasts, use him against him later, she said to herself.

An awkward silence was between them. Why, oh, why had Amanda stayed with Finn to talk? She'd talked to him all afternoon! Okay, maybe they hadn't been alone, and nobody can really talk peacefully in one of the Keepers reunions, but still! Amanda would see Finn tomorrow at school, anyway.

"So..." Jess said.

"This is awkward." Maybeck muttered, staring at some trees.

"Why did you ask to walk me home?" Jess blurted out, and instantly blushed. If he noticed, though, he didn't show it.

"I dunno. To spend a little bit more time with you." He winked.

Jess rolled her eyes, smiling.

"What has gotten into you today? You normally fight with me, not flirt." She gave him a teasing smile. Two could play his game.

"Maybe I opened my eyes for the first time." He said, stopping in front of the Foster Home's door.

Can he be any more cheesier? Gag.

Jess opened the door, got inside the house, and turned to look at him.

"Oh, really?"

"Really."

"Mine aren't totally opened yet.. maybe a kiss would help?" Jess battled her eyelashes. Maybeck looked.. relieved. Oh, please. Had he really bought that?

"Maybe it would." Maybeck was starting to lean closer.. and closer.. until-

SLAM!

Jess closed the door right on his face.

"Very funny!" Maybeck shouted from outside.

"I thought so! Night, Maybeck." She shouted back.

Jess saw some of the Foster Girls staring curiously at her, dying to know what had happened. Such gossips.

She pretended not to see them and went straight to her lower bunk, and soon realized she was having big trouble falling asleep.

Her mind was filled with questions.

Was Maybeck being honest?

Was he just trying to make fun of her?

Should she have kissed him?

Was she being stupid?

Why couldn't she stop thinking about it?

She heard Amanda quietly climb to the upper bunk, obviously thinking Jess was asleep.

One thing's for sure, Jess thought. Maybeck's one weird dude.