At 6:00 the next morning, Harold awoke before Marian. He wasn't quite sure where he was until he looked down and saw Marian sleeping peacefully, her hand on her math book. Harold smiled. Hadn't Mrs. Paroo told him that Marian never fell asleep anywhere except her bed? He didn't want to blow this. Marian was his first serious girlfriend. Sure he had a girlfriend in sixth grade, but he was younger then. Sure, he had taken a girl or two out once or went to a dance, but never had a real girlfriend. He was brought back to reality when Marian began stirring. She opened her eyes and blinked away the sleep in them before she realized she was on the sofa. She saw Harold looking at her.

"Good morning, gorgeous," Harold smiled at her.

"Good morning," Marian replied. She giggled quietly when his arms wrapped around her. She didn't know why, but she felt safer than she ever had before. "How did we get here?"

"We were studying math last night, if I'm correct," Harold said. "It's only five after six."

"Really?" Marian said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. She didn't get to say anymore as Harold kissed her.

Mrs. Paroo had walked down the steps just as the two kissed. Seeing them kissing on the couch, she smiled gleefully and hurried back upstairs to wake Winthrop.

"Harold, I need to get ready," Marian said when they broke the kiss. She stood up and took about three steps before she was swept off her feet into Harold's arms. She started laughing quietly, which caused Harold to start laughing as he carried her up the steps. They had just reached the top when Mrs. Paroo and Winthrop came out of Winthrop's room.

"Uh, good mornin' Mama," Marian said, using her Irish accent to get on her mother's good side. She smiled.

"Good morning, uh, Mrs. Paroo," Harold said as he quickly set Marian back on the ground.

"Oh, loosen up, dearies. I don't mind what you do as long as it's appropriate, if you know what I mean," Mrs. Paroo said with a smile. "Carry on."

"Well, uh, I have to get ready," Marian said. She opened her door and turned back to face Harold, her nose touching his. "Promise you'll be here when I come out?"

"Promise," Harold said as she closed the door. Harold went downstairs to get ready. He was ready a while before Marian and stood in the hallway chatting with Mrs. Paroo.

"So, Harold, did you sleep well?" Mrs. Paroo asked.

"Yes, thank you for letting me stay," Harold answered gratefully.

"Don't mention it," Mrs. Paroo said. "You are always welcome here." Before she could continue, Marian's bedroom door opened.

"Mama, what's for breakfast?" Marian asked.

"Strawberry pancakes, your favorite," Mrs. Paroo answered as she started down the stairs. Harold and Marian followed her, with Winthrop bringing up the rear, as he had just exited his room.

"Mmm, they're delicious," Marian said after taking a bite of her pancakes.

"Yes, they are," Harold agreed.

By 7:00, the four of them were outside. Mrs. Paroo and Winthrop were getting in Mrs. Paroo's car.

"Good-bye!" Mrs. Paroo called as she pulled out of the driveway. "See you at Districts!"

"Ready?" Harold asked when the car was out of sight. Marian shook her head. "What's wrong?" Harold asked, obviously concerned as he walked to her side.

"I'm nervous," Marian said, looking down. Harold brushed her hair out of her face before answering.

"Marian, I told you yesterday. It doesn't matter if you do well or not, we're all going to be proud of you," Harold said.

"Thank you. I'm going to win that gold medal!" Marian said as she got into Harold's car.

"That's the spirit," Harold said as he drove off.

"Oh, Harold, you have to meet some of my friends at lunch," Marian said.

"Sure thing," Harold agreed. He turned into the school's parking lot ten minutes later and parked.

"Harold, I think we're 'late' today," Marian pointed out.

"Well then, we can go right to the lounge," Harold grinned at her as he took her bag out of the car. "I think your friends might be waiting in there."

"Really? Okay," Marian replied. Harold looked amused as he led Marian through the halls. "It's really empty in here when you're 'late.'" Marian pointed out. Suddenly, Harold stopped her, and she looked at him confusedly.

"Doors, again." Harold said pointedly. "Do you ever watch where you're going? Or do you just look at me?" he half-teased and half-asked. Marian looked in front of her and blushed. The double doors were inches from her face, again!

"Thanks," Marian said quietly as she opened one of the doors and followed Harold. "I do so watch where I'm going…" Marian began before Harold once again stopped her. She looked over and saw the lounge door inches from her face. "I just get distracted," Marian finished, turning to hide the bright red blush that was covering her cheeks. Harold turned her back toward him and softly pushed her against the closed door.

"Marian, it's fine. I'm kidding," Harold said.

"I know, I know," Marian said. She made a move to open the door, but Harold held her against the door. "What are you doing?" Marian asked him quietly, her eyes following his roving ones.

"Studying," Harold answered simply.

"Studying what?" Marian asked curiously.

"You," Harold said nonchalantly. He let her go and opened the door as she continued to curiously watch him. "What?" Harold asked when he noticed her staring at him.

"Maybe I'm studying, too," Marian said coolly as she winked and brushed by him into the lounge. Harold looked after her, dumbfounded. There were some things he would never understand about girls. This was one of those things. Another was how they could make an ugly outfit look adorable by tweaking it just a little bit. His list went on. He followed Marian into the room a minute later. She was talking to Maud and Ethel. He decided to join Ewart and Marcellus for the time being.

"Hey guys," Harold said.

"What's up?" Ewart asked.

"Do you guys understand girls?" Harold asked as he gazed at Marian.

"What happened?" Marcellus asked.

"One minute she's shy and embarrassed, the next minute, she's the one flirting with me!" Harold said. "I don't get it."

"Who knows?" Ewart said.

"Although, I do have a theory," Marcellus began.

Harold was about to ask him what it was when Marian called him.

"Tell me later, Marce," Harold said as he walked away.

"What's up, baby?" Harold said as he approached Marian and her friends, oblivious to the quiet squeals of Maud and Ethel when he called Marian 'baby.'

"I missed you," Marian said barely above a whisper as she led him over to the couch they were on yesterday. Maud and Ethel took her lead and went with Marcellus and Ewart.

"Really," Harold said as more of a statement than a question. "I missed you too. You're not mad?"

"Mad about what?" Marian asked.

"You seemed upset before, outside the door," Harold explained.

"Of course not, Harold. I could never get mad at you. I was kidding," Marian said as she nestled closer to him. "Are you mad at me?" she asked, looking up at him.

"Definitely not, darling," Harold assured her. Marian stomach was fluttering. She loved when he called these names. "So there only two and a half months of school left. The musical and finals."

"Oh, yes. All my teachers told me we can leave as soon as we're done testing if we have a ride. We won't be marked absent. Mama's working. Will you be around?" Marian asked in a slight seductive tone.

"What do you think?" Harold said as he nodded his head.

"What do you think I think?" Marian responded. Harold was a bit surprised. She was flirting with him again. He liked it.

"You know, I never saw this side of you before," Harold commented.

"Maybe because no one ever brought it out before you," Marian said as she glanced at his watch and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Harold asked.

"The bell is going to ring in 3…2…1..." Marian finished just before the bell rang. She led Harold out of the room. As she walked into the eleventh grade hallway, she was run into and pushed backwards. Lucky for her, Harold was there to catch her. "Thanks," she smiled at him gratefully. "You're saving me a lot today."

"Don't mention it. I want to protect you," Harold said. "See you." He gave her a quick hug before heading off to his writing class.

The day went by rather fast for Marian. She breezed through her math test, thanks to Harold and last period came before she knew it. It turned out that both she and Harold's teachers had gone to meeting, so they were in the same study hall. Marian took the opportunity to introduce Breann, Sarah, Natalie, Siena, and Katrina to Harold since they hadn't had time at lunch. She was aware of the stares her classmates were giving her as she entwined her hand with Harold's but chose to attempt to ignore them as the seven talked.

"Harold this is Breann," Marian began, gesturing to her blond haired, blue-eyed friend.

"Nice to meet you," Breann said before she leaned forward to whisper something in Harold's ear. "Thank you being there for Marian." Harold smiled at her before Marian introduced Sarah.

"This is Sarah," Marian said. Sarah had dirty blond-light brown hair and green eyes.

"You're as nice as people say you are," Sarah told Harold.

"This is Natalie," Marian continued. Natalie's hair was naturally brown with blond highlights. She had blue eyes as well.

"I hear you're coming to Districts. Thanks," Natalie said, a little unsure. She had never talked this much to an upperclassman before.

"This is Siena," Marian said.

"You know, Harold, when Marian had a crush on you, we called you 'Professor.'" Siena said. Harold turned to Marian and gave her an amused look, his right eyebrow raised.

"Crush?" he asked.

"Well, uh, maybe," Marian responded nervously. Her nerves were immediately squashed when Harold gave a quick, gentle kiss on the cheek. "Ah, anyway, finally, this is Katrina," Marian stammered as she finished the introductions.

"Nice to meet you Harold," Katrina said before she leaned in to whisper to him as Breann had. "Thank you so much. I've never seen Marian this happy."

"I like them," Harold said. The six girls burst out laughing and he watched them with a puzzled expression.

"Oh, ignore us Harold. It's an inside joke. Ethel and Maud know too," Marian said. She blushed as Harold squeezed her hand.

"Marian, it's almost time for Districts. Five minutes until the bell," Katrina said after glancing at Harold's watch.

"I know. I'm excited and nervous," Marian said with a smile.

"You'll do great," Harold softly encouraged her. He knew some boys would yell at girls to 'encourage' them. He made a vow to himself to never purposely put pressure on Marian.

"Thanks," Marian grinned at him. "Harold, um, the girls don't really like taking the bus either. Could you give them a ride too?" Marian asked him shyly.

"Sure thing," Harold said, flashing his trademark smile at her.

"Thanks," the other five said in unison.

"Come to my locker," Marian told them. "hey Cody. Will tell you coach they're coming with me too?" Marian asked one of her friends. He nodded at the same moment the bell rang. Harold reluctantly released Marian's hand as they stood up.

"See you in a few minutes sweetheart," Harold said as he left her at her locker.

Sarah, Breann, Siena, Katrina, and Natalie arrived at Marian's locker before Harold. Maud and Ethel had gone with Marcellus and Ewart, who were bringing tem to the meet later to watch Marian. Marian gasped as Harold came up behind her and turned her toward him. He pressed his lips to hers for a moment before turning to the others.

"Ready girls?" he asked as he held up his keys. They started off down the hallway. Marian was chatting animatedly with her friends and Harold though t it would be best to give her some time with her friends. According to some plans he had, he would get to spend a lot of time with her.

They arrived at the track at the same time the bus did.

"Good luck, girls," Harold said as they piled out of the car. He held Marian back as she moved to get out. "Extra good luck to you, Miss Marian. How about something to give you luck?" Harold continued.

"Like what?" Marian asked although she knew perfectly well what he was hinting at. Harold smirked as he pulled her as close to him as the armrest would allow him.

"I think you know perfectly well what, Marian." Harold purred smoothly in her ear, his breath sending shivers down her spine. Marian was a little gratefully that no one was watching them, considering the fact that over twenty schools were here. Although, she figured her friends were probably spying from somewhere. Marian was breathless as Harold rested his forehead against hers. Who was she kidding? He always took her breath away. As Harold moved his hand, he was surprised to feel it brush against something metal. He cast his gaze downward and saw the bracelet he had given her. "You're… wearing it." he almost asked.

"Why wouldn't I be? It was given to me by the most amazing guy in the world," Marian replied, a bit anxious. She had felt Harold move his hand and wanted to know what he intended to do with it. She soon found as he smiled at her answer before moving up to cup her face in it.

"If you do well, I might have surprise for you later," Harold said softly just before he pressed his lips to her in an affectionate kiss.

"I hope I do well, then," Marian said, sighing as he released her from his grip. She opened the door and flashed him a smile before looking around for the hiding place she knew her friends would be in. She saw a tall bush and walked over to it.

"Hi guys," she whispered from behind them. "What are you doing?"

"Spying on Marian. Be quiet," Katrina answered before they all turned to her, flabbergasted. "Hi Marian. What are you doing?" Katrina added.

"I guess I don't have to tell you guys what happened now," Marian grinned.

"You know, I bet I know what that surprise is," Breann said. "The footbridge. Oliver Hix, Alma's brother, is taking me later."

"Jimmy Squires, Katie's brother, is taking me," Siena put in.

"Chris Djilas, Tommy's brother, is taking me," Katrina added.

"Well then, me and Natalie will spy on all of you. Right Natalie?" Sarah said.

"You bet. Ethel and Marcellus and Maud and Ewart are going too, I think. We'll have a lot to talk about tomorrow," Natalie said as they headed into the locker room to get changed.

It was 7:50, almost five hours later, and the winners were being announced. Katrina and Siena had won gold, as well as Breann, and Natalie won in triple jump. Finally, the last event, long jump was announced.

"In third place with a jump 14'3" is… Susie Jones from Creek Village High School. In second place with a jump of 15'6" is…" the announcer said over the loudspeaker.

Marian and Sarah held their breath and hugged each for good luck.

"Sarah Morgan, from River City High School!"

Marian congratulated Sarah and they grabbed hands, waiting for the first place winner to be announced. They weren't told their distances, so they had no idea where they stood in the rankings.

"And finally, in first place by far with a jump of 17' exactly and taking home the gold today… Marian Paroo of River City High School! Winners, please report to the podium."

Marian and Sarah were jumping up and down, extremely happy for each other. They raced to the podiums followed by Natalie, Katrina, Siena, and Breann.

In the audience, Harold was very proud of Marian as were Mrs. Paroo and the others.

As soon as Marian and Sarah received their medals, the six girls held a group hug on the track as they made their way to the locker room to get changed.

Ten minutes later, they had wished each other luck on their dates and Sarah and Natalie good luck in their spying. They opened the doors and stepped out, receiving thunderous applause from every school alike for being the gold medal winners.

"River City High!" they yelled together before they took off in their separate directions.

When Marian approached the group waiting for her, Harold was the first one she went to. Mrs. Paroo, of course, didn't mind. After Marian had hugged her mother, Winthrop, Ethel and Maud, she glanced at Harold. He nodded subtly, so she hugged Marcellus and Ewart as well. She was pretty sure Harold wouldn't have minded anyway, but she didn't want him to get mad at her. She stood between Harold and her mother as the group chatted. Harold resisted the urge to take Marian into his arms and settled for brushing his hand against hers every so often, so as not to get on Mrs. Paroo's bad side. As Marcellus, Ethel, Maud, and Ewart walked off, Mrs. Paroo turned her daughter and Harold.

"Didn't I tell you guys I don't mind what you do as long as it's appropriate?" she demanded with a teasing smile.

"Yes," Marian and Harold admitted.

"Now go on and have some fun," Mrs. Paroo said as she walked off with Winthrop. As soon as she was out of sight, Harold embraced his girlfriend affectionately.

"You did great. I'm so proud of you baby," Harold spoke in a soft voice. He let her go and led her to the car.

"Harold, where are we going?" Marian asked as he went past her street ten minutes later.

"You don't want to ruin your surprise, do you?" Harold asked mischievously.