"Looking good, Red," Casey smiled appreciatively at April.

"Thanks. Not looking too bad yourself, Mr. Jones. Change your shirt?" April gestured to the few speckles of green splattered across the black tee. "Usually there's some orange in here, too."

"I may have dressed up for our date," Casey replied, extending his arm for April.

Instead of hooking arms, she playfully punched him on the shoulder. "Who said this was a date?"

"Well…um…when you said you'd come to the movies with me…"

"Relax, Jones," she laughed. "Don't overthink it."

. . .

"That movie was amazing!" April exclaimed as she exited the theatre into the warm spring air.

"Yeah," Casey chuckled. "It was pretty rad when that car exploded and then turned into a dinosaur!"

They walked the busy streets.

"So, what's next, Red? A romantic candlelight dinner?" Casey's fingertips grazed April's as he reached for her hand.

April quickly jerked away and jammed both hands into her jeans. "Um, why don't we just get some street meat and go to the park?" She quickened her pace.

. . .

The two teens rocked gently on the swings as they ate their gyros in silence.

April broke the quiet tension between them. "So, ready for our trig test tomorrow?"

Casey groaned. "Ugh, don't remind me. I'd rather take a puck to the head."

April stifled a giggle. "Okay, we can cram in a study session second period. Speaking of which, it is getting late. I'd better get home."

Casey hopped off the swing. "I'll walk you."

"Not necessary. It's a short enough walk."

"Hey, I will not have people saying Casey Jones is not shriveless. It's no sweat."

April rolled her eyes with a smile. "I believe the word you want is 'chivalrous,' Jones."

"Eh, whatever, Babe. Let's go."

April gave him a sharp look at the name, but said nothing as she hopped off her swing.

About a block from her apartment, Casey began to get noticeably fidgety.

"Spit it out, Jones. What's on your mind?"

"Nothing, really," Casey glanced nervously at the ground. "It's just … I'm surprised you agreed to this date … er, whatever."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, um, I'm not sure how you feel about me … Or Donnie. I mean, he's always bragging how you kissed him in the lair, at the farmhouse, lots of times … and as for me … well, us … after that thing that happened between us at the farmhouse, you've been really distant."

April's eyes widened with alarm.

"It's like you're pretending that it never happened. Like we're not allowed to talk about it."

April linked her arm through Casey's as they continued walking. "I'm sorry, Casey. There was a lot going on while we were upstate. I didn't mean to make you feel that way. I was … confused … There was a lot going on that was complicated."

Casey stopped in front of her apartment, his heartbeat drumming loudly against his chest. She was touching him! "Are you still confused?"

April smiled. "Let me un-complicate things." She gently grasped the sides of his smooth face with her delicate hands. Casey drew in a breath as April brought her face closer. He saw stars as their lips met.

April drew away slowly and gently patted the side of his face. "Night, Jones." She turned and walked up the steps.

Casey touched the side of his face and let his wide-gapped smile show.