Chapter 4
At The White House
Manda took a deep breath, and walked into the Oval Office. Her father, President Wilkins, and her mother, the First Lady, were in there, waiting for her. Eyes focused right on her, like she was in deep, deep trouble. "Sit down Manda" her dad said. Manda took a seat on the couch. "So. We hear that you ditched the Secret Service today at your little mall outing?" he started. "Did you not?" "Um. Yes sir. I did. But, I had good reason" Manda said. "Well then let's hear it" he said. "Well, for starters, hello, how am I supposed to shop with 5 secret service agents, have everyone following me and staring at me like a stray puppy, and the cash-register lady be freaked that there's 5 huge guys following me, and staring at her, asking questions about her background." Manda said. "It's still no excuse. Something could've happened" her father continued "But-It didn't'" she said. "True, but it could've" "But it didn't" "Manda, you're missing the point. You need to follow the rules. They're made to be followed, not broken. Do you understand?" her dad said, totally serious. "Yes. But-'' "Enough" he said. "Now, what's this about a boy?" her mom asked. "Ohmigosh. Mom, he's so amazing. He's cute, funny, sweet, seems smart maybe, and" Manda sighed. "So he asked you out?" she asked "Yes!! His name is Nick." Manda said. "Nick what?" her dad asked. "Does it matter?" Manda asked him. "Well, yes, because I want background checks on him and-" he was cut off by Manda "DADDY!" she shrieked. "My God Steve, he's a 15-year-old boy. He couldn't be a threat even if he wanted too. And he seems very nice from what Manda says" her mom defended her. "Yeah" she agreed. "Still, I want it done. Do you know it or not?" he asked. "No, but I have his phone number" Manda said, pulling it out of her purse. "I can ask him. Or you can just wait to meet him yourself" She said. Her parents exchanged glances. "Well I say yes" her mom said. "Oh thank-you thank-you thank-you!!" Manda said, running over to her mom and giving her a hug. They both looked at the President, not being a President, leader of the country, or anything business, but a father to his one and only little girl. He sighed "Okay. But I want to meet him. And when I do I want his last name" he said. Manda shrieked "Oh daddy. Thank-you. I love you!!" she said, gave her dad a big hug, and ran out of the Oval Office. The last thing her parents heard was Manda yelling "He said yes!!" to Sara and Sara yelling "Ohmigod! I can't believe it. Let's go find something for you to wear!!" and screaming. "Did I do the right thing?" Steve (President and Manda's dad) asked his wife, Jane. "Yes, you did" she replied. "I'm very proud of you for saying yes" "Thanks honey. It's just, she's my little girl and only one, and I don't know what I'd do if something happened to her" he sighed. "I know. I know" Jane said. "She's just growing up so fast" he said. "Yes, but she won't be little forever. We have to let her off the leash, she's a teenage girl for crying out loud" Jane said. "I guess you're right. But what if-" he started. "No. Now you just focus on your speech until tonight. You need to finish it up" Jane said. "Okay. Okay" Steve said, and got back to writing then end of his speech for a charity convention. Still, the thoughts of his little girl going on a date ran through his mind, and wouldn't leave.