So, Tess wants to talk to Jeremy. But what is her interest in him? Does she think he's cute, or is there more to this than meets the eye? Let's find out...

P.S. This will be the last chapter for a while, as we have reached the end of what I have written so far.

It didn't take me long to find out. On the bus ride back home, I got a tap on the shoulder. Jerking away on reflex, I spun around only to see that it was Mom. "A friend asked me to give this to you," she whispered, handing me a note.

I unfolded the paper and read, "Give me a call when you get home. My number is 555-6676. Tess."

"Whoa, Jer, you really are a swinger," teased Matt.

I would have rolled my eyes, but I was beginning to wonder myself. Did Tess really like me? And how would I handle it if she did? I couldn't get into a relationship when I had a secret like this. Tess would never want me if she knew.

But then, she had touched me and not reacted oddly. Maybe if I went about it really slowly, I could eventually break the news to her. Who knew, with how little some of us kept in touch, she could be one herself and maybe not even know it, like Aunt Ashley.

Maybe…

I called when I got home, mentally racing through things to say. The one thing I didn't want to say, "Hey, I'm a dragon," kept popping up. Get a grip, I told myself. I settled on one thing as the phone rang, rang, rang. Then the machine picked up. I groaned as it ran through the usual message, and then I spat out the best thing I could think of at the beep. "Hey, Tess, it's Jeremy," I said, straining not to stammer. "I got your note, and I wanted to say thanks for the card." I was all set to say I'd see her at school, then whacked myself as I remembered Mom might not let me go back yet. I tried to go find Mom, only to be stopped by the phone cord. "Uh, I was wondering if we could talk sometime. About the card, I mean." I had lost the battle not to stammer. "So, maybe I'll see you in school sometime. I guess that's all for now, so bye."

I hung up with a sigh. I don't even know why I sighed. Maybe it was hope, maybe frustration, maybe just a wish that somehow this might work. I guess it all boiled down to nothing, except that I felt like sighing.

Was I just kidding myself? Was it even believable to think this could work? And was it dumb or perfectly reasonable to even be thinking about dating a girl when I really didn't know if she liked me? I shook my head. Too many questions. Way too many questions.

I admit it, I was nervous all evening. And at breakfast the next morning. I almost knocked my chair over when the phone rang, only to find out it was a call from some telemarketer. It took all my restraint to stay calm as I told them we weren't interested in a carpet cleaning.

I came back to find Mom wiping up some water that had splashed out of a jarred glass. "A bit excitable today, aren't we?" she asked coyly.

I blushed. "Too much Cocoa Crispies?" I suggested. It was a lame excuse, I admit it.

Dad smiled. "Jeremy, calm down. She'll call you when she calls you. No need to get excited every time the phone rings."

I nodded, not noticing as Mom and Dad exchanged a wink. "Yeah, I know." Taking a deep breath I added, "I just gotta loosen up a little. There's nothing to be tense about, nothing to-"

I was cut off by another ring. But this time I walked calmly to the phone.

At about 30 miles per hour. "Hello?" I asked, snatching it out of its cradle. There was no answer. "Hello?"

I heard a snort, followed by laughter. Whoever was on the other end was laughing. Oddly enough, so were Mom and Dad in the next room. In fact…

I stuck my head in questioningly, and saw Dad remove his cell phone from under the table. "Dad!" I cried.

"Sorry, Jeremy," he chuckled, "But you should have seen yourself."

I hung up the phone, only to have it ring again almost as soon as it touched the hook. I glanced at Dad before picking up. "Hello?" I asked.

"Hi, Jeremy. It's Tess."

I gulped. "Hi," I greeted. "What's up?"

"Nothing," she answered in one of those tones even I know means "something." I felt my mouth turn as dry as sawdust. "I'm just calling back. Your folks gonna let you come to school?"

I put my hand over the mouthpiece and stuck my head into the dining room again. "Mom?" I asked, "Can I go to school on Monday?"

Mom considered, then answered, "Maybe. I'll check the damage after breakfast and see how well you're recovering."

I rolled my eyes and went back to the phone conversation. "Mom says maybe. She wants to be sure I'm well enough first."

"OK." She sounded disappointed. "Well, I was kinda wondering, when you're back in school, think you'd like to… hang out sometime?"

"Hang out?" I echoed. I knew what she meant, but I was too nervous to really believe it. So I said, "I guess so, do we have any classes together?"

"I'm not talking about classes, Jeremy," she answered. "I'm asking if you want to go out sometime."

"What?" I squeaked. Wasn't I supposed to ask her out? But then, why look a gift horse in the mouth? "Uh, I guess so," I agreed. "Any place in particular?"

"No," she answered, "But I'll think about it if you will."

I was sweating. Seriously sweating. "Ee-yeah, sure."

"Super," she said in what definitely sounded like a flirtatious tone. "See you then?"

"Yeah, when I get back," I agreed.

"Bye Jeremy," she said in what was almost a sing-song voice.

"Bye," I squeaked, and hung up. I wiped the sweat from my forehead, and then jumped in the air. "Yes!" I cheered, coming down with a crash that shook the plates in the cabinets.

"Jeremy, stop crashing around!" Mom called. "Now come in here and tell us what happened."

"I can tell you what happened…" Dad was saying as I rushed back to the table.

I cut him off. "I got a date!"

"Called it," Dad half-gloated.

Mom just got that worried look. "Are you sure that's such a good idea?" she asked. "You know what could happen if you…"

I rolled my eyes. Secretly I think I was trying to hide the fact that Mom had put a name to my greatest fear. "Mom, I'm not going to get careless, I promise."

Well, unfortunately that's all of this story for now. But not to worry, there will be more.

And rest assured, things will get interesting with Tess. The question is, is that a good thing or a bad thing?