"I still can't believe it's summertime," Tracy sighed into the phone as she talked to Penny on Friday night. "No more homework, no more stress…"

"No more school," Penny concluded. "I still can't believe me and Seaweed are going on tour!"

"Well, I can," Tracy insisted. "You two looked professional up there."

"Thanks," Penny blushed.

"So, where'd you guys go after you won? You left fast enough… too good for us now?" Tracy laughed.

"Oh, home," Penny said, quickly. "Now, on to more interesting things – who else won?"

Tracy, on the other hand, wanted to hear more about what it had felt like. She was genuinely proud of Penny. "From the council? Uh, Amber and her crew are dancers… those three black girls who sang New Girl in Town are our singers… Joey, Mikey, Fender, Sketch, Jamal and Jamal's friend, John, are all of the guys who are going."

"Who's our guest dancer?" Penny wanted to know.

"Oh... some blonde, and that guy from our English class," Tracy said dismissively.

"I'm so glad we're all going. Your and Link's record company was so nice to let us all go with you."

"Well, it's probably all for more attention, you know. People watch the show. They see the bus, they see the record logo… it works. So, how did it feel to win, Penny?"

Penny, ever-modest, was cautious in her response. "It felt great. Seaweed was really amazing."

"And you were, too!"

"Well, I guess… I am going, after all," Penny agreed, talking to herself.

"Hey, Pen', don't be so self conscious. We're gonna have a great time on this trip and you deserve to go!" She wished she were talking to Penny in person. "And this is a huge opportunity – you've never been outside of Baltimore, let alone outside the state!"

"No, you're right. Hey, come over and help me pack tomorrow, would you?"

"Of course. Oh, gosh, I can't wait!"

"Me either," Penny grinned.

"One week left…"

As if she didn't remember! "Yep."

Faintly, Penny heard a voice in the background. It sounded male.

"Link's here," Tracy gasped. "And I'm up here in my pajamas. I gotta go, Penny. Good job today. Be proud of yourself."

"Okay," Penny said. "Bye."

"Bye."

Changing her clothes swiftly and trotting downstairs to greet her boyfriend, Tracy fluffed her large hairdo and gave him a brilliant smile. "Hey," she said, giving him a light kiss. "How's it going?"

"Just came to see my favorite girl."

"Which one?" Edna asked, teasing, as she entered the room.

"Mrs. Turnblad," he said, playfully taking her hand and kissing it, "you cannot intend to make me choose!"

"You flatter me, Link. Now take my daughter and go, before she starts asking questions." She made a shooing motion out of the house.

"Happy to oblige."

Link led Tracy to his car. They settled in and he patted her leg gently, giving her a smile. Slowly, he eased away from the curb by Tracy's house and started driving towards town, one hand relaxed on the steering wheel.

"Where we goin'?"

"Out," Link said, innocently.

"Obviously," Tracy replied, slightly exasperated. "Out where?"

"Out to dinner. To celebrate," Link smiled, massaging her neck with his free hand as he drove. "I think we deserve it, don't you?" He whipped into a parking space in front of a restaurant and pecked her on the cheek, blocking her view of the place they were by.

"Are we doubling?"

"No, it's just us."

"Where are you taking me, handsome man?" she asked, batting her eyelashes.

He moved to reveal the restaurant.

"Just say, oh… Anthony's?"

Well, in that case," she said, leaning in closer and placing her lips by his, "here's to that tasty first course."