Chapter 4: First Date

As for Cornelia and Angelo, they were at the beach looking out at the ocean from the back of Angelo's navy blue Chevrolet Avalanche. Granted it was night but the moonlight shined off the water giving a nice faint light.

"The ocean looks so calm and peaceful tonight.", Cornelia said as she was sitting next to Angelo. "And the moonlight makes it looks so beautiful."

"It does.", Angelo said as he looked at Cornelia's smiling face. "Doesn't it?"

He then noticed a small thing of powdered sugar on the corner of her mouth. He then took his finger and wiped it off. Cornelia looked at Angelo to see him with the powered sugar on his finger.

"You had some powered sugar from the funnel cake we had from the boardwalk.", he said as he licked it off of his finger.

"I haven't had funnel cake in a long time.", Cornelia said with a smile. "And then there were the corn dogs and shakes we had before that."

"Well, I figured that if we were going to have our first date at the boardwalk, we might as well eat at the best places there.", Angelo said.

"Well, I'm having a great time.", Cornelia said. "And now I know what I want to do next."

"What's that?", Angelo asked.

"Take a dip in the ocean.", Cornelia said as she got up from the back of Angelo's truck.

"In your dress?", Angelo questioned.

"Of course not.", Cornelia said as she took off her white sandels. "I'm taking my dress off."

"So, you're going into the water in you bra and underwear?", Angelo questioned with a rasied eyebrow.

"I'm not wearing a bra and underwear.", Cornelia said with a sly smile making Angelo eyes go wide.

'She going to go skinny dipping!', he thought to himself as Cornelia began to take her light blue sundress off. 'Oh crap!', he thought as he closed his eyes.

Once she had her dress off, Cornelia looked to see Angelo with his eyes closed. She couldn't help but giggle as she tossed her dress at him, letting it land in his head.

"Angelo. Oh Angelo", she said in a sing-song voice. "Why are your eyes closed?"

"Why do you think?", Angelo asked.

"So you don't want to look at my bikini?", Cornelia questioned in a hurtful tone pretending her feelings were hurt.

"Wait. What?", questioned Angelo as he opened his eyes to see Cornelia in the same purple bikini she wore at his first pool party.

"Gotcha!", Cornelia said with a beaming smile.

"Oh you are so gonna get it!", he said with a grin as he took off his sneakers, socks, and shirt.

"Ahh!", Cornelia playfully screamed as she ran towards the water with Angelo right behind her.

Once at the water, Angelo wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up while going into the water. Cornelia screamed in delight as she kicked some water with her legs as Angelo went further into the water. Once far enough Angelo let Cornelia go letting her fall into the water. Seconds later she popped out of the water behind Angelo and playfully wrap her arms around his neck.

"Gotcha again!", Cornelia said laughing.

"Wanna bet?", Angelo said as he began swimming in the water with Cornelia still holding on to him.

"Ahhh!", she squealed happily as Angelo swam around in the water.

Both were enjoying there time in the water letting any and all troubles leave them for the moment. A while later, they were back in the back of Angelo's truck, where he laid out a blanket for them to lay on and another one to cover them with seeing as Cornelia was just in her bikini and Angelo was just in his boxer briefs seeing as he had his shorts hanging off the side of the truck drying.

"That was fun!", Cornelia said as she was laying on her back. "For a while, I forgot about any and all problems I had."

"Same here.", Angelo said as he was laying on his side facing Cornelia. "So, how are your parents?"

"They're... still seperated.", Cornelia said sadly. "Dad came to take Lillian to the movies earlier this evening. She was glad to see him but I know that she wishes he and mom would make up and get back together. We both do."

"I hear you.", Angelo said. "But sometimes things like this take time. All you can do is pray and hope things work out for the best."

"I know.", Cornelia said. "Thanks for being there for me when I needed someone to talk to."

"No problem.", Angelo said. "You were a friend that needed someone to listen to your problems. I'm just glad I was there for you."

"Me too.", Cornelia said with a small smile before they shared a kiss.

"Not to ruin the mood, but what do you plan on doing about Peter?", Angelo asked.

"The honest thing and tell him the truth.", Cornelia said. "He'll be mad but it has to be done."

"So I should be ready for him to come after me.", Angelo said.

"Pretty much.", she said with a small smile.

"Figures.", Angelo said while rolling his eyes. "But until then..."

Angelo leaned down and kissed Cornelia. She of course returned the kiss that soon turned into making out as Angelo laid on his back with Cornelia on top of him. After a few minutes the need for air came as they parted lips smiling at each other.

"So, do you want to go home now?", Angelo asked still smiling.

"No. Not tonight.", Cornelia said. "Can we just stay here tonight? Just you and me?"

"Sure.", Angelo said as he looked intio her pleading eyes as he pulled the blanket over them both more.

As they laid there, Cornelia rested her head on Angelo's shoulder as he had a protective arm around her making her feel safe. Before they both knew it, they feel asleep to the sound of the ocean, with smiles on their faces. They knew that there were going to be some tough times ahead, but this moment of peace was theirs. Hours later, the young couple woke up as the Sun's rays shined on them. They slowly opened their eyes to see each other and smiled.

"Good morning.", Angelo said.

"Morning.", Cornelia said smiling.

"So, you up for some breakfast?", Angelo said as he sat up.

"I could go for some waffles.", Cornelia said as she sat up as well.

"Then I know just the place.", Angelo said as he got up from the back of the truck and checked to see if his shorts were dry. "Good. They're dry.", he said as he put his shorts on followed by his shirt and sneakers. "You ready to go?", he asked as he was tying his sneakers.

"Give me a sec.", Cornelia said as she grabbed her sundress and slipped it on.

Angelo watched as the dress slid down and over her bikini smoothly, covering it.

"Okay. I'm ready.", Cornelia said as she slipped her sandels on.

"Then let's motor.", Angelo said as they got in his truck and drove off.

Soon they were at a diner and had ordered some waffles with eggs and bacon along with some milk and juice. Once they got their order, they said their grace and began to eat their food.

"So, you and Lillian still coming to our cookout at the beach Sunday?", Angelo asked before eating some bacon.

"Yes, we are.", Cornelia said after drinking some juice. "And I managed to talk my folks into coming as well.", she said with a smile.

"That's good to hear.", Angelo said. "I know you and Lillian will be happy to see your parents together. Even if it's for a while.", he said being happy for Cornelia.

"I just hope nothing bad happens.", she said wth worry.

"If you mean Peter and Taranee, I have an idea that may stop them from doing anything.", Angelo said. "At least for the cookout."

"I'll take what I can get.", Cornelia said. "By the way, how is my dad doing living in your apartment building?"

"He's doing fine.", Angelo said. "When he first came to us, Uncle John insisted that he stay with us. Uncle John gave him an apartment with a view of the street and everything. And can your dad cook or what?"

"I know, right?", Cornelia said with a smile. "I miss his burgers."

"Well, I think he'll be cooking some at the cookout.", he said making Cornelia smile. "Does anybody else know about your folks being seperated?"

"I don't think so.", Cornelia said. "Then again, my mom is good friends with the girls' moms. So, they may know."

"Well, I think the girls' dads may know.", Angelo said. "They all have a poker night at our place, thanks to Uncle John."

"So basiclly, the girls' parents might know about my parents being seperated.", Cornelia figured. "Which means that the girls might know."

"Keyword being 'might'.", Angelo said. "Guess we'll have to wait and see."

"I guess so.", Cornelia said. "But until then, I'm just going to enjoy my time with my parents at your cookout."

"That's the spirit.", Angelo said with a smile getting a smile out of Cornelia before they went back to eatting their breakfast.

Once they were finished eatting their breakfast, Angelo paid the bill and drove Cornelia home. As they stood at the door of her apartment, they both smiled at each other thinking about al that happened in the last few hours.

"Well, last night was... fun.", Angelo said as they held hands.

"That's one way of putting it.", Cornelia said with a grin getting a grin out of Angelo. "But I did have a good time. And I'm glad that we're together. Now I just have to deal with Peter."

"Correction. We have to deal with Peter.", Angelo said. "I'm not letting you go through this alone, Cornelia Hale."

"Thanks.", she said with a smile as they were about o kiss.

Suddenly, the door to her apartment opened making them jump back a bit. They looked to see one Elizabeth Hale standing their with her arms folded over her chest while tapping her right foot on the floor.

"Mom!", Cornelia said in surprise.

"And where have you been, young lady?", she asked with a stern look. "And the answer better be a good one."

"Well... It's kind of a long story.", Cornelia said. "Sort of."

"Well I'm all ears.", Elizabeth said.

"Well, remember when I told you about my problems with Peter?", Cornelia questioned.

"Yes."

"And that there was someone I was having feelings for?", Cornelia asked as she tilted her head towards Angelo hoping her mother would take the hint.

"Yes.", Elizabeth said as she saw her daughter tilting her head at Angelo. "Ooooooh! I see.", she said with a sly smile. "And what did you two do last night?"

"Mother!", Cornelia whined which got Elizabeth giggling a bit.

"Nothing major happened last night, Mrs. Hale.", Angelo said. "After Prom, we went to the boardwalk for some fun and ended up at the beach for some more fun in the water and we ended up falling asleep in the back of my truck. And when we woke up, this morning, we had breakfast at a diner.", finished explaining. "And here we are."

"Well that sounds like an intersting night.", Elizabeth said. "Wait! What did you where when you went in the water, young lady?", she questioned Cornelia.

"My bikini.", Cornelia said as she showed her part of her bikini top getting a sigh of relief from her mother. "Remember when I said I was going to Hornby's pool party?"

"So, why didn't you two go there?", Elizabeth asked.

"I'll tell you later.", Cornelia said. "After I shower and get dressed."

"Fair enough.", her mother said. "But right now, I'll leave you two alone to do what you were going to do earlier. Before I interrupted you, that is.", Elizabeth said with a grin before closing the door to give them their privacy.

"I can't believe she said that.", Cornelia said as she rolled her eyes with a grin.

"Well, at least we get to finish our evening right.", Angelo said with a smile as he took her hands in his.

"True.", Cornelia said as a smile grew from her lips.

Slowly their face came closer together until their lips connected in a kiss. A smile grew on their faces as they enjoyed their kiss. As they kissed, Cornelia felt Angelo's arms go around her waist and Angelo felt Cornelia's arms go around his neck as they both got closer together. A few moments later, they ended their kiss still holdong onto each other while smiling at each other.

"So... I'll call you later.", Angelo said with a smile.

"Okay.", Cornelia said in a lazy, yet happy voice as she smiled.

They shared one more kiss before pulling away from each other. As Angelo walked off, he turned back to see Cornelia looking at him one more time before she opened the door to her apartment. They both smiled and waved at each other before she headed inside. Once she closed the door behind her, she leaned back on it with a happy sigh.

"Someone looks happy.", Elizabeth said getting her daughter's attention.

"I am actually.", Cornelia said as she headed towards the stairs that lead to the upper level of their apartment.

"So what do you plan on telling Peter?", her mother asked with concern.

"The truth.", Cornelia said. "Granted I know that Taranee will tell him what happened at Prom before I talk to him."

"What did happen?"

"Can I tell you after I shower?", Cornelia asked. "Cause I really need the shower."

"I should say so.", Elizabeth said with a grin. "Cause you do smell like the ocean. Then again, some people like the smell of the ocean.", she said with a laugh that got Cornelia giggling a bit as she headed up to her bedroom.

As for Angelo, once he took the elevator to the first floor of the building, he headed out of the apartment building and got in his truck and headed home.

'Well, last night wasn't what I expected.', Angelo thought to himself as s small smile grew on his face. 'But I'm not complaining. I mean, me and Cornelia are together now. Of course that means that Peter is going to be ticked. But then again, he hasn't been the best boyfriend to her lately. I mean sure, he's thinking of his future with all of the B-ball tournaments he's been playing in to get the attenton of a scout. But come on!', he thought as he turned a corner. 'Don't the scouts attend the college games, too? Either way, he's been forgetting about Cornelia. And now it's cost him. I wish Taranee couod see that. But she's Peter's brother. So of course she's on his side. I just hope that everything works out in the end.', he said as he stopped at a stop light.

Once the light turned green, he continued his way home. But then he noticed a familiar face walking down the sidewalk. He then pulled over and honked his horn getting the person's attention as he brought his window down.

"Need a lift?", he asked with a smile.

As for Cornelia, she had just gotten into the shower letting the warm water run over her body as she takes her shower and thinks about what happened in the last few hours.

Cornelia's POV

Well this is a fine mess! Taranee is angry at me for getting with Angelo at the Prom and who can blame her. I mean I haven't even broken up with Peter yet and I go and kiss Angelo in front of of our friends. What was I thinking? That I was tired of waiting for Peter to come around. That's what. I mean it was Prom for crying out loud! Bad enough he wasn't there for the other dances and parties through the year. But last night was the last straw! Not to mention him hardly spending time with me when I needed him the most. I mean it would of been nice to have him around when my parents first got seperated. That was one of the worst times of my life seeing dad walk out like that, not knowing if he was going to return. I still don't know what's going to happen between him and mom!

I'm just glad Angelo was there for me. He could of just said some kind words and went on his way. But he didn't. He listened to my problems. Took me to places to have some fun. He was even there to lend a shoulder to cry on. I wonder if I should tell him abiout me being a Guardian. I mean, we've been pretty good friends before we got together. So, why not tell him? Then again, if I do that, he'll end up finding out about the other girls as well. So I better talk to the girls about this. Granted Taranee will say no to it. And then there's Irma, who just may say no seeing as she blames me and Angelo for what getting busted flirting with three guys at Prom. What's up with that? That was all her! Well, I know that Will and Hay Lin may say yes, seeing as Hay Lin is about to be apart of his family and Will is his best friend. So that's a plus. I'll just have to wait and see.

Normal POV

With those thoughts in mind, Cornelia finished her shower, dried off and wrapped a towel around herself and headed back to her bedroom where she had her clothes laid out to wear. Once dressed and freshed up, she got a good look at her outfit in her mirror. She was dressed in a white skirt with a blue shirt and white slip on shoes.

"Perfect.", she said as she left the room and headed downstairs where her mother was watching TV and her sister was coloring in one of her coloring books.

"So, are you ready to talk?", Elizabeth asked with a smile.

"Sure.", Cornelia said as she sat next to her mother on the sofa. "So here's the thing mom."

And so, Cornelia told her mother about how Angelo was there for her during the times she's been down and out and how they got close in the last few months. Not to mention what happened at his pool party and what happened at the Prom. Elsewhere, Angelo was giving Will a ride to the Silver Dragon where she and the other girls planned to meet to talk about Prom. But that was planned before the events of last night. So, Will wasn't expecting to see all of the girls there. But right now, Angelo has just told her about what happened with him and Cornelia last night after Prom.

"So you two feel asleep at the beach, huh?", Will questioned with a smirk. "That's so romantic!", she said while playfully batting her eyes getting a laugh out of Angelo.

"It was fun.", Angelo said with a smile.

"I would hope so.", Will said. "Not to mention having breakfast together. Not bad for a first date."

"Yeah. Well now me and Cornelia have to worry about Peter.", Angelo said.

"Very true.", Will said. "All I have to say is good luck."

"Thanks.", Angelo said. "I think I'm going to need it.", he said as he came up to the Silver Dragon. "And here we are.", he said as he parked his truck.

"Thanks, Angelo.", Will said before getting out of the truck. "See ya later."

"See ya.", Angelo said as Will closed the door.

Angelo looked in the window of the resturant to see Hay Lin, Irma, and Taranee sitting at a table near the window. Hay Lin waved to him with a smile, which he returned. He then looked at Irma and Taranee to see them glaring at him. He simply gave them a kind wave and drove his truck across the street, where he lived with his Uncle John who as you all know bought a five story apartment building and had it redone. Anyway, once he parked his ride, Angelo headed inside to face his uncle and Mr. Hale, who was staying in one of the spare apartments.

'This'll be fun.', Angelo said as he headed inside and headed to the second floor where the main part of the building was redone to have larger versions of a regular home besides the bedrooms.

Once there, he saw his Uncle John sitting in a chair and Harold Hale sitting in another chair.

"Hey, fellas.", Angelo saisd with a wave.

"Couch.", John said. "Now."

"Yes, Sir.", Angelo said as he sat on one of the couches.

"Care to explain what you and my daughter did after Prom?", Harold asked.

"How did you...?"

"I called home last night to see if she made it home and found that she didn't come home.", Harold said. "Liz called me this morning letting me know that you brought Cornelia home just a while ago."

"So, care to explain?", John asked.

"Okay.", Angelo said. "Here's what happened."

And so , Angelo told them what happened. As that was going on, Will, Irma, Taranee, and Hay Lin were talking about what happened last night.

And Taranee was still angry!

A/N: Well, Cornelia and Angelo had a fun night that ended pretty well. But there's still the matter of Taranee and Peter. So you know there's going to be trouble at the cookout. How bad, I'm not saying. You'll have to wait and read for yourself.

Please review.