I am actually updating this chapter an hour or two earlier than I usually do! Go me! I'm actually surprised as I'm rushing to get everything done this week.

On Saturday I have a surprise party for my aunt, so I'm going home and I need everything to be done before then. I also found out that when a plane hit a bank today my cousin was almost one of the injured. She was driving past and if she had been a minute later, she would be hurt or worse.

So basically...I've been stressed.

Disclaimer: I still don't own any of this and it makes me sad.


Hannah took a deep breath as she stood at her locker, her eyes scanning the hallway for any familiar signs of the person she was looking for. She pretended to pull her books out of her locker as she waited to see if she could find her target. Just as she was about to give up and walk to class alone, she heard a loud voice and smirked. Shutting her locker, she turned and walked right into another person.

"Oh I'm sorry." She gasped and then smiled.

Tanner nodded and smiled in return. "It's okay! This hallway is crowded anyway." He sighed and shrugged. "Hey we should probably get to class…you want to walk with me?"

She smiled and he turned to his friends. "Hey guys, I'll catch up with you later."

His friends walked away and Tanner grabbed her books. "I insist." He said when she went to protest his actions and she sighed, nodding a thanks. "You look nice today Hannah."

She blushed a little and the voice inside her head was screaming thank you songs to Rina for the help picking out the outfit. She had taken extra time to look good, as she had finally decided to put her fear aside and let her heart lead the way.

Thanks to Rina, she had dressed a little more than she would normally, but the black shirt, white skirt with a black bow, and black heels made Tanner compliment her and it made her heart soar. "Thanks."

They walked for a few moments in silence and Hannah noticed that he had a smirk on his face as he stared at her. She didn't mention it but as it continued during their class, she felt she had to mention it.

"What's your problem?" She whispered as their teacher wrote definitions on the board.

He looked confused and raised an eyebrow. "What problem?"

"That stupid look you have on your face." She told him.

He shrugged and the smirk grew. "You seem…different today. Better…happier. It's nice."

She smiled now and had to bite her lip in order to stay quiet while Mrs. Alore turned toward the class again. A few minutes later, after she had turned her back again, Tanner nudged her with his foot.

"Hey." He whispered. "I have a question for you."

She glanced at him. "Oh yeah?"

He nodded. "Yeah." He paused. "Go out with me tonight. Dinner at the pier at 8."

Her mouth fell open in shock and she had to remind herself not to act like an idiot. She hadn't expected him to come right out and ask her out and she wasn't sure if she wanted to try a relationship again so quickly after fleeing her last one. She knew that she couldn't let her fears rule her life but it didn't stop the hurt that she remembered from everything Jason inflicted on her.

Taking a deep breath, she took out a piece of paper and started to write out her thoughts on the matter. She was just passing it to him when the teacher walked over.

"Sharing notes?" She asked and took the folded paper from them. "I'll just take this."

Hannah shrugged with a smile and both she and Tanner had to keep themselves from laughing at what had just happened. They stayed quiet and uncommunicative for the rest of the class period, and just before he followed her out the door he glanced at the teacher's desk and saw that she had opened the note and laid it out. He paused as he saw the short word written quickly.

Yes.

He smiled for a moment before realizing he was alone, and turned to leave the room. "Hey Hannah, wait up!"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Rina asked her as they ate their lunch in the quad later in the day.

Hannah shrugged. "Nothing." Then she cleared her throat. "Oh by the way, what are you doing after your class today?"

She was confused, but she shook her head. "Going home and doing homework? I don't know…nothing. Why?"

"I just thought you might want to help me get ready for my date. It's no big deal." Hannah said and looked around at the other people outside.

The next second the quiet air was filled with squealing. "Holy shit!"

Hannah laughed and hid her face in her hands. "Shut up, will you? Everyone is staring."

Rina did as told and turned on her friend. "Tell me everything."

"There isn't much to tell! He walked me to class, and carried my books by the way, and we just talked. Then he got a stupid grin on his face so we were talking and the teacher caught us." Hannah shrugged again. "Like I said…it's not a big deal."

"Yes it is!" She laughed. "He asked you out…Hannah that's amazing."

Hannah nodded. "I know. I'm just…I'm nervous I guess." She looked down at her food and pushed the pieces of chicken around her plate.

Rina placed her hands over her friends' and waited until they were looking at each other eye to eye. "Tanner isn't even close to being anything like your ex. Trust me…he won't you."

Hannah smiled. "Thanks, Rina."

Hannah waited in the library while Rina was in class and took the time to find out what everyone else in the house was planning for the night. Luckily, Johnny didn't suspect a thing as he responded saying that the men all had to work and only Charlie and Paige would be home for a few hours. Silently thanking whatever God was listening, she let herself calm down.

When the girls arrived at the house an hour later, Rina's jaw dropped the minute she stepped into the foyer. "You live here?"

Hannah chuckled. "Yes…now calm down."

"But…holy crap. You live here!" She exclaimed and Hannah rolled her eyes.

"Again, yes I do. Not come on, I think I hear voices in the kitchen." She dragged her best friend through the house and when they made it around the corner, they stared at the people standing around the counter. "What is going on here?"

Paige, Charlie, Jakes, and Johnny all stood turned and looked at them, popcorn ready to throw at each other, as they stepped on the many pieces already littering the floor. "We're just having an argument."

Hannah stared at them and then sighed, turning to Rina. "I told you…big children."

Rina chuckled and nodded in agreement as Jakes and Johnny looked at her. "You must be Jakes and Johnny." They nodded. "Hannah talks about all of you. I've met Paige and Charlie, and Hannah's uncle and Mike. You two are the only ones I haven't met yet." "She turned to Johnny. "I've heard many stories about you."

He nodded and smirked. "Damn right you have."

Hannah looked at the women and gestured to the guys as Rina kept them occupied. Sensing that she wanted them gone, Paige nodded. "Hey, uh Dale." He turned to her and she nodded. "Isn't Paul waiting for you guys at the bar?"

He stared at her for a second while nodding. "He is…" He stopped. "There's something going on here that I don't understand…but we're late so yeah, we'll leave. Come on, Johnny."

A few minutes later the men were pulling away from the house to meet up with Briggs and Mike and Paige and Charlie turned on them. "What's going on?"

"I need your help." Rina told them.

"With what?" Charlie asked seriously, glancing at Paige.

Rina sighed, then smiled. "We need to find Hannah a kick ass outfit for her date tonight."

"Oh my God!" Charlie laughed. "He asked you out?"

Hannah nodded with a smirk. "Yes he did. We're having dinner on the pier tonight at eight."

Paige hugged her. "How are you feeling about it?"

She shrugged. "I was nervous before…but Rina calmed me down. I think I'm ready to do this. But I really need something to wear."

Charlie and Paige looked at each other and nodded. "Give us ten minutes and we'll bring you options."

"I like it." She said as she looked at herself in the mirror. "The jean capris keep me cool but nicer looking and the pink tank top with the gray sweater are cute but also comfortable."

"Not to mention, the white wedges make you just a bit taller." Rina winked at her. "Now hurry up, or we'll be late."

Hannah nodded and Paige went to help Rina find her keys. Charlie sighed. "What are we telling your uncle?"

Hannah grimaced and sighed. "Don't lie…just hold off on the truth for a little while?"

Charlie nodded and smiled. "You'll be fine. You have our numbers if you need us." She paused. "You won't need us. But if you need a ride home, call one of us. We'll come get you."

Paige and Rina walked back into the room and Paige waved as they left. "Have fun!"

Rina and Hannah talked all the way to the pier and it was only when they were around the corner did Hannah grow pale. "Shit."

"What's wrong?" Rina asked, sensing something was wrong.

Hannah sighed and ducked down to crouch in the small space in front of her seat. "Look up and to the right."

Rina did as she was told, and immediately understood. "Shit…I thought they were at the bar? Why's walking across the street?"

Hannah made a noise. "I don't know! But if he sees me I'm screwed."

They drove past him and Hannah held her breath as Rina was spotted and gave him a small wave. Jakes stared at the car as she drove past and was definitely suspicious, but didn't stop her. When they finally turned the corner Hannah let out her breath and crawled back into her seat.

When they stopped, her heart stated beating frantically. "How do I look?"

Rina smiled and sighed. "You look just as amazing as you did fifteen minutes ago. Now hurry up! You're about to be late. Text me later!"

Hannah smiled and promised her, before climbing out of the car and walking down the sidewalk and up onto the pier. She arrived at the restaurant a few minutes later and looked around for her date.

"Hannah."

She turned and the wild beating of her heart stopped completely as she spotted him and smiled.