Chapter 10

On the way home, Alex took longer to get Steph home, a bit of a detour; they laughed about the stunt pulled that night, among other things. It was now nearing 11:30pm when Alex pulled up the driveway of Steph's place.

It wasn't until then that Steph looked down, noticing the ring on her finger, she smiled and eased it off and handed it to Alex, "Oh here, just in case you need it again"

Alex cleared his throat and took the ring, "Cheers. Hey thanks for tonight"

Steph smiled, "No worries, hey if it wasn't for you we'd probably only just be seated"

Alex smiled, "Well tonight was fun"

Steph laughed, "It was certainly something outta the ordinary, that's for sure"

She looked out to her house, "Well I better get in, Daddy's probably looking out the window now and counting the seconds till he'll come get me" she laughed, as Alex leaned forward and looked out at her place too, "He's not a tough guy is he, like I'm not gonna get pummelled for keeping you out late?"

Steph smirked, "Oh yeah, he'll knock you six feet under if you're not careful"

Alex smiled nervously, "Right. Well guess I better let you go then"

Steph stared at her hands, "Yeah, hey thanks for the ride"

Alex smiled and gripped the steering wheel, "Maybe I can come over and help with the truck sometime?"

Steph smiled as she opened the door, "It's a date"

Alex looked down, "Maybe it could be then?"

Steph paused and looked back at him, "Are you asking me out Alex?"

Alex cleared his throat, "Maybe, it depends on the answer, I guess"

Steph leaned over and kissed him, somewhat unexpectedly, on the lips, "Well maybe the answer might be yes then"

Alex smiled slightly, "Ok, cool...um, sorry I don't know what you're supposed to say after that"

Steph blushed and looked up at the house, "OK, I really better go now, I think I can actually see daddy in the window"

Alex started up the engine and waved as Steph walked up to the door.

Inside she was immediately greeted with Ron, "So who was that?"

Steph was alarmed at first at the swiftness of his interrogation; usually he at least lets her get past the door. She smiled and tugged his cheek playfully, "Oh daddy, just a guy" she started up the stairs.

Ron's eyebrows rose as he followed her, "Just a guy? Steph you're always dating "just a guy" type guys, should I be worried? I mean I don't want you to get hurt, you're my baby girl and"

She interrupted, "Daddy, you don't need to worry about this guy, ok? Trust me" She kissed him on the cheek and pumped upstairs.

He called out, "Will I get to meet this one?"

Steph looked back and laughed, "If you play your cards right. Night daddy"

He smiled a little, "Night Stephi Bear" Ron watched her go into her bedroom and close the door, he then peeked out and checked the road again, curious if he'd ever get to meet this mystery boy.

Steph flopped on her bed and picked up her handset, she dialled the Millers; the girls own number, knowing if she called the house phone, she'd have to face Miss Miller's wrath. It was 12:10am; surely one of the girls would be up still, if not they soon would be.

She waited excitedly as the phone rang, she whispered to herself, "Come on, come on, pick up, don't be asleep"...

...The girls had only been in bed for just over an hour. Brittany fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. Eleanor, once comfortable, had fallen asleep not long after. Jeanette had only just fallen asleep when she heard the phone ring. At first she thought she was dreaming, but the ringing continued; that and Brittany threw a pillow at her, "Pick it up Jeanette!"

Jeanette scrambled to reach for the handset, as Eleanor and Brittany held their pillows over their heads and groaned.

Finally Jeanette answered the phone groggily, "Mm, hello?"

Steph squealed on the other end, "He asked me out!"

Jeanette sat up a little, "Steph? Wait what?"

Steph took a breath and said again, "Alex asked me out"

Now Jeanette was sitting more upright, she reached for her glasses and flicked on her bedside lamp, much to the annoyance of her sisters, "Wow, when?"

Brittany and Eleanor had now woken up and were staring hazily at Jeanette; Eleanor mouthing, "Who is it?"

Brittany asking aloud, with obvious frustration, "Who in the hell would call now?"

Jeanette covered the mouthpiece and addressed her sisters, "Its Steph, Alex asked her out!"

Brittany and Eleanor squealed in delight, each racing and sitting on the end of Jeanette's bed as Jeanette continued, "So when? Just then? Oh my gosh! Wait is this one gonna last?"

Steph rolled her eyes, "Yes Jeanette" she paused and smiled a little, "Yeah actually I think it will...I dunno, Alex seems...um..."

Jeanette finished her sentence, "Genuine?"

Steph smiled and looked at her hand where the ring was.

"Steph? Steph you still there?" Jeanette asked.

Steph shook her head, "Huh? Oh yeah I'm still here, um so anyway" she looked at the clock, "Ha ha I better let you guys get some sleep huh?"

Jeanette nodded, "Ok, well we'll catch you tomorrow maybe?"
Brittany grabbed the phone, "Are you kidding, I want to hear all the details now" Brittany took the phone and jumped on her bed. Eleanor shook her head, "Oh no Britt, if you start we'll never get any sleep"

Brittany smiled, "Who needs sleep now? I need to hear everything" Eleanor threw a pillow at Brittany, "Ow! Ellie!" she threw the pillow back, which Eleanor deflected with yet another pillow. It made a soft thud on the floor. Eleanor picked it up and settled it back on her bed, before laying back down, "Brittany, can it please wait until tomorrow?" she yawned, "Surely? It's one in the morning"

"Britt I'll be sure to fill you in soon, ok?" Steph yawned on the other end

"Oh ok, but just so you know, I'm not tired anymore" Brittany sighed, "OK, see you later" Brittany tossed the phone back to Jeanette, who fumbled with it and dropped it on the floor. The hard thud make the girls freeze. Quickly Jeanette picked up the phone, placed it on the base and turned the light off. All three girls snuggled back into their beds and tried hard to get back to sleep.