Saturday was usually her day to relax and work on her man hunting skills, but today Marie was working on something else. She was working on a plan to make herself irresistible to Double D, but in order to put that plan in motion she had to go to the worst place imaginable. The mall. She knew almost nothing about shopping but hopefully by the time she was done her sweet muffin wouldn't be able to resist her.

Marie went to the nearest rack and picked up a pink blouse. The color was horrible and nothing she would wear in a million years, but it was girly. Not at all 'tough girl' like Eddy described. But when she checked the price tag she balked.

"Seventeen dollars for a shirt!? That's ridiculous!" She threw the shirt back on the rack.

She headed over to the clearance rack and found the prices much better but the styles were hideous. Everything was in either pale colors or had gross flower and heart prints. She went through them without much hope until she came across the least horrible one. It was a light blue turtle neck midriff that was actually in her size.

"I guess this is kinda dorky." She mumbled. "I wish it was a darker blue though."

She went over to the bottoms rack and grimaced. Nothing but frilly skirts and extra long wool pants. She impatiently went through them until she came across a brown, tweed mini skirt. The color was horrible of course but she remembered seeing something like it on the cover of a Nancy Drew novel.

Marie sighed. "I guess this will work."

She checked the price tags and winced. Sure she could afford it but there goes the wrench kit she was saving up for.

"Marie?" A voice said behind her. "Is that you?"

A chill went down her spine and she turned around to see Nazz standing behind her. Nazz eyed the clothes in her arms and her lips twitched in a smirk.

"Trying a new look, Marie?" She smiled. "If you want I can give you a make over."

"No thanks." Marie growled and started to walk away. "I don't need one."

Nazz shrugged. "It was just an offer. Make overs are the best way to get over a break up."

Marie froze and turned around slowly. "Break up? Who the heck said anything about a break up?"

"Oh, I thought that's what happened yesterday." Nazz's smile fell a little. "You two were arguing in the cafeteria and Sarah said that you never came back to school because you two broke up."

"Well we haven't. As a matter of fact, Double D and I have a hot date tonight and he wanted me to dress extra special for it." Marie said smugly.

Nazz's lips tightened to a tight smile. "Like, that sounds totally sweet."

"Yeah, totally." Marie mocked. "Oh, and by the way, tell that big mouthed runt to mind her own business and stay out of mine."

Nazz rolled her eyes. "Well like, it's hard not to when you're screaming in the cafeteria where everyone can hear you."

Marie's fist clenched as resisted the strong urge to punch Nazz in her fat obnoxious face. She swallowed her reply that wasn't so lady like and just walked away. By the time she reached the register she felt a little glimmer of pride for herself. For once she didn't lose her temper in a public place and get kicked out. Stupid Nazz and Sarah could try all they wanted to spread rumors and break up their relationship, but her and Double D weren't breaking up anytime soon if she had anything to do with it.

Speaking of which, once she was outside with her purchases Marie pulled out her cell and dialed her honey. The phone rang four times before he answered.

"Double D's cell, Double D speaking. You're on speaker phone." He said.

"Hey cutie," Marie broke into a huge smile at the sound of his voice. "You miss me?"

"M-Marie." Double D's voice quaked with nervousness. "I, um, hope that you are alright. You never returned to school yesterday."

"Yeah, yeah whatever." Marie said dismissively. "Listen, let's you and me go on a date tonight. Our first official one."

There was the clanking of glass and the scratching of a pen on paper. "Um, th-that would be lovely Marie, but I'm actually quite busy-"

"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you!" Marie screamed.

She heard him shriek in fear and his phone clanked on the floor. Marie took a breath to calm herself. There was no way she was going to make Double D really act like her boyfriend by scaring him. She took a deep breath to quell her temper.

"M-Marie? Are you still there?"

"Yeah I'm still here." Marie forced herself to smile. "Listen, I'm sorry I yelled. I just really want to see you Dreamboat. Don't you want our relationship to get off to a good start?"

"Well, I guess I could postpone the final stages of my experiment until tomorrow." Double D mumbled. "Alrighty then! I shall pick you up at your trailer at seven?"

"Uh..." Marie eyed the bags in her hand. If her sisters or mom saw her dressed that way, they'd definitely freak. "How about we just meet in the park? Go for a walk and a moon lit picnic."

"That sounds lovely. See you promptly at seven o'clock sharp."


Marie stared in the mirror with a look of absolute horror on her face. "What in the world have I done?"

Unfortunately the skirt and the turtle neck fit her perfectly. Even with her stomach showing the outfit was completely dowdy and dorky. And she had styled her hair into a pony tail at the nape of her neck. It refused to be too tame though so she still had her signature bang in front of her eyes. She tried tucking it behind her ear, but it flopped back into place.

"Double D, you better fall madly in love with me." She growled at her reflection.

Marie cracked the bathroom door open and looked out. She didn't see anything but she could clearly hear the sound of Lee and May fighting over a bowl of popcorn and her mom screaming at them to shut up so she could hear the tv. She crept out of the bathroom to her room and then climbed down the window. Hidden right below her window under a bush was the basket of ham sandwiches she packed earlier. Marie grabbed it and headed off to her date. She made it to the park a few minutes before seven and sat down on one of the swings. Her fingers drummed on her knees and she forced herself to keep still.

"Why am I nervous?" She mumbled to herself. "It's just a date with my honey muffin. I've been waiting for this moment for forever. It's going to be great."

"I'm glad you have such high expectations of our first date."

Marie jumped and turned around to find Double D standing behind her. He also had a picnic basket in his hands.

"You, um, look very nice Marie." He smiled nervously. "Very clean and polished indeed."

"Thanks ovenmitt," Marie took a step closer to him. "You clean up pretty nicely yourself."

Double D blushed and sifted the basket in his hands. "So would you like to commence our picnic here or go for a walk first?"

"Let's go for a walk. We can eat by the creek." Marie grabbed her basket. "And maybe do a bit of cuddling too?"

"P-perhaps." Double D looked away. "B-but let's focus on getting to know each other first."

"I already know what I need to about you." Marie giggled as they started walking. "You're cute, you're smart, you're sweet, what else do I need to know?"

"A lot of things actually." Double D said quietly. "For instance, you've never inquired about my hobbies or my dreams for the future."

Marie blinked in surprise. "Huh. I guess I don't."

They settled for a clearing near the creek to have their picnic. Double D pulled a blanket out of his basket and spread it on the ground for them to sit on. Marie giggled when he bowed for her to sit down. She was also relieved when he pulled out a regular tuna fish sandwich out of his basket instead of some healthy crap. They traded sandwiches and started eating.

"So," Marie said with her mouth full. "What are your hobbies, Double D?"

A look of disgust crossed his features but was gone the next second. "Well, I have quite the knack for inventing and many kinds of research. And I'm particularly fond of my insect collection."

"Hmm, sounds kind of boring if you ask me."

Edd's face fell a little. "Oh, well to each his own I guess."

"Sorry," Marie shrugged sheepishly. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"It's quite alright."

They ate in a awkward silence with Marie mentally kicking herself. Why the heck did Double D have to be so sensitive? She laid her hand on his and he flinched at her touched. Okay, now she was annoyed. They were on a date for goodness sake! But then she was caught completely off guard when he relaxed and threaded his fingers through hers.

"So what are your hobbies, Marie?" He smiled. "Aside from attacking me and my friends of course."

He chuckled at his joke making Marie smile as well.

"Don't tell anyone I told you this, but when I have some spare time I tend to do a little drawing and painting. I'm not great but it passes the time."

"With all do respect Marie I'm afraid I must disagree." Double D said. "That sketch you made of me was quite skillfully rendered. Perhaps you might allow me to view more samples?"

Marie chuckled and moved closer to him. "Maybe. For a few kisses."

"Um, I-I..." Double D paled and leaned away from her, trembling in fear. "M-Marie, I don't.."

"You don't what?" Marie's voice started to crack with anger. "You don't want to kiss your girlfriend?"

"I- it's n-not that-"

"Then what is it?"

Double D winced. "Marie you're hurting my hand."

Marie looked down and noticed that she was now practically crushing his fingers which were starting to turn purple. She let go and took a deep breath.

"Sorry." She mumbled. "I have a tendency to loose my temper."

"I noticed." Double D worked out the kinks in his fingers.

Needless to say the date ended shortly after that. There was yet another awkward silence as they packed up their baskets and he walked her home. She noticed that Edd's eyes would drift time to time to her exposed naval. Instead of feeling happy that he noticed her, she felt strangely self conscious.

"Do you like me, Double D?" She asked suddenly.

"Wh-what?" Double D blinked at her in surprise. "Y-yes, of course I do."

"Do you like me better dressed like this or how I usually dress?"

"Um, well..." He gave a half shrug. "To be perfectly honest, I do think this outfit is much more pleasant than what you usually wear, but to be honest I'm surprised that you chose to wear it."

"Well, duh I wore it because of you. I figured you would like me better this way." Marie sighed. "Guess I was wrong."

Double D chuckled. "Marie you saved my life. I'm more than willing to over look your outfit no matter how grungy it usually is."

They reached her trailer and Marie didn't even care that her family would see her dressed like this. She expected Double D to give her the usual polite good bye and leave but instead he hesitated and shifted from one foot to the other nervously.

"So um..." He said quietly. "Despite a few conversational setbacks, I think this was a rather pleasant evening."

"Yeah, tonight was a real scream." Marie muttered.

Double D fiddled for a moment with his hands for a moment before suddenly grabbing hers and leaned close to her. Marie froze in shock. He hesitated for another second before softly pressing lips against the corner of her mouth. He broke away with a small bashful smile and there was warmth is his eyes.

"Goodnight, Marie." He whispered.

Marie blinked and slowly lifted a hand to her mouth. "Goodnight, Double D."

He walked away back towards his own house. Marie went inside and found Lee and May waiting for her with their arms folded.

"What?" She asked defensively.

"So just where were you tonight?" Lee asked. "Mom was worried sick before she felt for work."

"Out." She growled, trying to push past them.

"Out where?" May asked. "And why are you dressed like that? You look so...dorky."

They followed her upstairs as she headed to the bedroom.

"Geez, can't a girl try a new look for her man?" Marie said impatiently, shaking her ponytail loose.

May and Lee exchanged glances and smirked. "Oh, so you were out with Double D."

"Yeah and it was no big deal." She mumbled changing into her pj's. "We walked, we ate food, and we talked. Short and simple."

"Well did he kiss you goodnight?" May asked eagerly

"Or did you give him a big ole Kanker kiss goodnight?" Lee snickered.

Marie smirked and laid in her bed. "Sorry girls. I've decided not to kiss and tell this time."