Chapter 6 Special

Eric found Morgan in the hall near the restrooms.

Morgan sighed and turned to Eric. "Eric, about that dating advise…", Eric held up his hand and interjected. "Morgan, it's okay. I know the joke didn't go that well, but I did listen to your advice and I think it's working okay."

Morgan looked at the ground. He knew Eric would be furious when he found out what his sister told him. He took a deep breathe.

"Eric, my sister told me that my dating advice was incredibly stupid. I tried to call you to warn you, but you'd already left. I'm sorry."

Eric looked at him shocked. "But. But maybe your sister was wrong. I mean, have some confidence. Maybe Annie was the first girl who liked the dating advise you gave."

"Think again Eric." Eric turned around to see Annie heading toward him.

Annie stood in front of him with her arms folded across he chest. "How much of that did you here?", Eric asked cautiously.

"Enough", replied Annie. She glared at both boys. "What's going on here."

Eric just stood there paralyzed. He had no idea what to say. He didn't want to tell the truth, that he had asked his boneheaded friend for dating advise, and that he was stupid enough to listen to it, but somehow, he knew that Annie wouldn't stand for lies. So he just stood there silently, hoping that he would sink through the floor.

Annie rolled her eyes. "Obviously neither of you has the guts to tell me the truth, so I'll take a shot in the dark." She rounded on Morgan. "You gave him dating advise and you," she turned to Eric, "were stupid enough to listen to it. Am I right?"

Eric and Morgan nodded sheepishly. Annie let out an exasperated sigh and gave them both a look of pure frustration.

She turned to Morgan. "First of all, I would like to inform you that your dating advise is extremely stupid."

Then she turned to Eric. "And you! Why did you even ask him for dating advise! Are you not capable of thinking on your own! And if you didn't have any idea what to do on a date, WHY DID YOU ASK ME OUT!"

"I…well I-"

"FORGET IT!", screamed. She turned on her heel and stormed out of the coffee shop.

"Annie wait!", Eric yelled after her. He turned to Morgan and glared at him. Morgan wasn't sure who was more angry with him, Annie or Eric.

Eric sighed. "I'll deal with you later. Right now I have to go find Annie." and with that, Eric ran after her, leaving Morgan standing there guiltily.

As soon as she was out of the coffee shop, Annie started to run as fast as she could. She couldn't help but be a bit hurt by all this. She thought Eric was different. She thought Eric asked her out because he thought she was a nice girl, not because she was pretty or talented. But asking his friend for dating advise proved that he only thought of her as one of the pretty, stereotypical girls.

She could hear Eric running after her, yelling her name. She knew she could out run him, but decided she might as well give him a chance to talk. After all, she did rush out of there in a hurry.

Annie turned around to face him and he almost bumped into her like he did the day they met. Eric knew he had to say something to her, so he decided to go with the truth.

"Annie, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have asked Morgan for dating advise, but I was desperate. I wanted my date with you to be perfect. I wish I wouldn't have found out how stupid his advise was at your expense. I just never asked for dating advise for any other girl, because your special. I've never met anyone like you."

Annie's glare melted into a smile. "Really?", she replied softly.

Eric smiled as he took her hand in his. "Really. You're the most amazing girl I've ever met."

Annie smile grew. "Thank you." she replied. She knew it must sound cheesy, but it was all she could think of to say.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you.", Annie said shyly.

Eric nodded. "It's okay. I deserved it."

"You're pretty special too, Eric.", replied Annie. Eric beamed at her.

"I wish we could start this date over.", said Eric.

"Who says we can't?", replied Annie with a shrug. She then ran off in the distance. Eric looked in her direction confused.

She ran back a minute later and said, "Sorry I'm late. My parents held me up with the usual 'pre-date lecture'."

Eric beamed at her. "I understand. Why don't we go inside and get a table.", Eric said with a new found confidence.

Annie smiled. "That sounds great.", she let him lead her inside, thinking that maybe this wasn't such a bad date after all.