Another afterschool chapter.

Chapter 4: Dance Hype

Ephraim opened the door to the house and went straight the couch. Eirika, Innes, Tana, and Lyon walked in behind him.

Fado looked out from the kitchen. "Hello there! How was school?"

Innes leaned against the wall. "Two of the people we saw at the bar yesterday are in our class."

Ephraim looked away from the T.V. "That, and there's a dance next Friday."

Fado laughed. "Really? Have you and your sister found anyone?"

Ephraim shook his head. "Although, I think Eirika has someone in mind."

Tana giggled. "I noticed that both Seth and Eirika turned down everyone that asked; so…"

Eirika blushed. "Seth and I aren't going together!"

Innes smirked and raised a brow. "Do you hope to go with him?"

"U-um…"

Lyon patted her shoulder. "Don't mind them."

Ephraim snorted. "Lyon, you pretend to comfort her, but we know you want to ask her."

He threw a pillow at Ephraim. "I don't like her!"

Fado flicked his son's forehead. "Enough teasing your sister."

He turned to her. "Just who is this man?"

"Seth Simmons…"

Fado laughed. "Simmons? It's been years since I've heard that name!"

Eirika tilted her head. "You know him?"

Fado nodded. "His father, anyway. I'd like to meet him next Saturday."

The five of them were all shocked. Lyon sweat dropped. "M-meet him?" Fado nodded.

Ephraim nervously chuckled. "Father, what do you have in mind?"

Fado shook his head. "You've the wrong idea. Your mother is coming to visit that day, and-"

Eirika leapt of the couch. "Mother is coming?!"

Ephraim laughed. "It's been so long since we've seen her."

Tana sat next to him. "How come she hasn't been here?"

"She travels around."

Lyon smiled nervously. "And how will she react to Seth?"

Innes sweat dropped. Gods. She'll probably start talking about wedding plans…"

Ephraim nodded. "He's right, she just might do that."

Eirika hung her head down. "This is making me uncomfortable…"

Lyon cleared his throat. "Okay, then… Tana, who do you plan to ask?" She blushed. "Um, I was going to see if Cormag wanted to go." Innes smirked.

"You have a crush on our history teacher's brother?"

She shook her head. "N-no! I want to go as friends!"

Eirika giggled. "Good luck, then! If he says yes?"

Tana's blush deepened. "Um, well… I'm not sure…"

Eirika grabbed her friend's hands. "I'll help you!"

Innes shook his head. "I've no interest in this; but I'm still going."

Ephraim nodded. "I'm with him."

Lyon chuckled. "Really? If you can bring anyone…?"

Ephraim blushed. "I told you already; I was not checking her out! I'll admit that she was really cute, but…"

Eirika grabbed Ephraim's hand. "I'll help you look for her!"

She dragged him out the door, and Fado waved to them. "My daughter is going drive Ephraim crazy one day…"

"What do you know about her?"

"Her name is Marissa, she was with a man named Gerik, and a woman named Tethys."

"They're Jehannan mercs." The two turned to see Joshua leaning against a building.

Eirika ran over to him. "Really; do you know where we could find them?"

Ephraim grabbed his sister. "He said they were mercenaries; they're probably gone."

Joshua shook his head. "They're in town."

Eirika wretched her hand from Ephraim. "Where?"

"Look for Ewan; Tethys is his older sister."

Eirika smiled. "Thanks." She looked around. "Aren't you usually with a blonde? Natasha, right?"

He nodded. "She was busy today, so I'm alone." Joshua looked at Ephraim. "Wait, lemme guess; you're looking for Marissa because you wanna ask her to the dance, right?"

Eirika giggled, and Ephraim cringed. "That's not it at all!"

Joshua turned to leave. "People that don't go to the school are still allowed to come; so if that was your plan, you still have a chance."

Eirika grabbed Ephraim once again. "C'mon, let's go find them!"

"You're looking for my sister?"Ephraim was off in the distance, tapping his foot.

Eirika shook her head. "We're looking for her friend, Marissa." Ewan nodded, and closed the door.

Eirika stood there for a few minutes before the door opened again, this time by the target. "You were looking for me?"

Eirika bowed. "Yes, we were. My name is Eirika Renais, and my brother Ephraim is over there. He wanted to ask you something." Marissa looked at Ephraim who hadn't noticed her.

She walked towards him, and tapped his shoulder. "Hello."

He jumped and turned. "Ah, h-hello!" He blushed faintly and cleared his throat. "Nice to meet you. You name is Marissa, correct?"

She nodded. "You sister said you wanted to ask me something."

"Yes, there's a dance going on at our school next Friday, and I was wondering if you'd go with me…"

Marissa smirked. "Of course; I'd love to."

Ephraim shyly smiled. "Thank you."

"Let's talk more tomorrow; the café at 4:00, alright?"

He nodded. "I'll see you then."

She went back to the house, and Eirika approached him. "Now was that hard?"

"It was easy; but my heart; it's beating really fast…"

Eirika squealed. "You know what that means?!"

His blushed deepened and he shook his head. "No, I find her as a new friend and that's it."

Eirika frowned. "You love ruining my fun, don't you?"

Ephraim nodded and walked away, his sister pursuing him.

"Lyon, you of all people are going to ask out some chick you met at a bar?"

Lyon looked at Innes. "What else am I going to do?" He pulled out his phone, and a piece of paper, which had Adrianna's phone number on it. He dialed, and took a deep breath.

"Hello?"

"Ah, Adrianna, hello."

"Is that you, Lyon?"

"Y-yeah…"

"Do you need something?"

"Um, there's a dance going on at my school next Friday, and, um…"

"I've been thinking about going myself. I'd be happy to be your date."

Lyon blushed. "Thank you; do you go to the academy?"

"I do."

"We should talk more about it during lunch tomorrow, okay?"

"Of course, I'll be waiting."

Lyon hung up and smiled. "This is going to be nice."