A/N: Sorry this chapter took longer to write. I was busy with school!

"So… do you like fish?"

Gripping a pebble in my hand, I chucked it at him quietly, "Ow!"

"Does he ever stop talking about fish?" Chase whispered sharply to me as we were crouched below the Sundae Inn side window, sweating profusely from the late Summer heat. Maya laughed melodically.

"Yes, I love fish, actually. I have never been too good at catching them, though!"

"Well, I could help you. You know, if you want…"

"That would be great!" Maya exclaimed.

"Basically, it's all in the swing. Casting is the basis of fishing, and it can be quite tricky if you don't do it correctly. And then there's baiting, and – Ow!"

Chase snickered to himself quietly, clutching his mouth so he didn't make too much noise.

"Is the cheese risotto hot?" Maya asked him, twirling her finger around the rim of her iced tea thoughtfully. Toby laughed and scratched the back of his head uneasily.

"Yes… quite."

It had been more than a full season since I stood inside of the Sundae Inn, watching as Toby's face grew from angry to melancholy in a matter of seconds when I told him the truth about my feelings. But I had an idea up my sleeve.

"Would you like to hear a joke?" Toby asked Maya, smiling goofily as he did so. Maya nodded in excitement.

"Okay, okay. Why are fish salesmen greedy?"

"I don't know… why?"

"Because their business makes them sel-fish!"

Maya cackled aloud, banging her fist on the table as if it was the funniest joke she has ever heard. Chase turned to me, his face red from suppressing his laughter.

"They are way too alike." He muttered under his breath. I nodded in agreement.

"I have to use the restroom," Maya said as she wiped her eyes and stood from the table. As soon as she was out of earshot, Toby turned to us with a panicked look on his face.

"Is it going well? Do you think she likes me?" He asked worriedly.

"It's going pretty good," I said reassuringly.

"You could spare to talk about something other than fish." Chase said rather rudely. The two still weren't on completely good terms after their little scuffle in Spring. I elbowed Chase in the side, causing him to stick his tongue out at me.

"Got it." He said curtly, "Anything else?"

"Yeah, uh… you have some cheese on your chin," I pointed out as a pulled on the string. He chuckled heartily as Chase audibly growled. You would think that his jealousy would piss me off… but it was actually kind of cute.

"Maya's coming," Chase said, forcefully pushing Toby's head back through the window.

"Why was your head out the window?" Maya asked confusedly as she sat down, cocking her head to the side.

"I saw a pretty bird." He lied.

I smiled at the two, praying that my plan would work out. They were so compatible with each other that I was sure they would be a perfect match, but it took a little convincing on my part. At first, Maya was apprehensive. She reminded me that the last time I 'set her up', it was a disaster (yeah, like I could forget that). But I assured her that this time would be different. It started with a few gifts here and there (fish, of course), and now they were on their first date.

Of course, I convinced Toby that Chase and I should eavesdrop, just to make sure that he didn't make a fool of himself. So far, it was going pretty well.

As for Chase and I, we had been 'seeing each other' for a season and a half, and things were just starting to get serious. Sure, we still bickered like an old, married couple, but that's what kept things exciting. Minor disagreements were better than complete bliss 24/7, right? No harm in arguments.

"It's about three," Chase muttered to me, "We should get inside. I need to start on work for today anyways."

I nodded to him and we silently scuffled towards the door, brushing off our pants on the way. Toby acted surprised to see us as we came in. Thank the Goddess that Maya didn't figure out our little eavesdropping plan. Although I have no idea how. I was pretty loud alone, but Chase and I trying to be 'stealthy' together? Now that was a disaster.

"Oh hey guys!" Maya called as we entered the Inn. I smiled as Chase snorted in her general direction. He still hadn't forgiven her, but it didn't seem to faze her at all. Wordlessly, Chase wandered towards the kitchen as Toby claimed he had something to do. He kissed Maya's cheek carefully before trotting out the door with a silly grin on his face. Maya blushed profusely.

"Wow, he's… wow." She babbled, looking completely lovesick. I frowned a bit. "Well, hey, I have an idea."

I nodded at her, willing her to go on.

"I was thinking we should have, like, a 'Couple's Night' or something. It'd be fun!"

"Huh?" I asked, taken aback by her suggestion. Couple's Night? Who comes up with these sorts of things?

"My mom told me about how her and her girlfriends would get together with their significant others and play games and stuff. It sounds fun! We can invite Candace and Julius, Calvin and Phoebe…! What do you say?" She asked, her eyes filled with hope as she clasped her hands together.

"I would hardly call Toby your 'significant other'…" I commented rather rudely. She pouted.

"Whatever! It doesn't matter. I think it would be really fun… Please?" Her face contorted from hopeless to a full-blown 'abandoned puppy dog' look. I couldn't resist that face! Besides, I didn't completely oppose to the idea. Although I wasn't too thrilled to spend an evening with Pretty Boy, Debby Downer, Indiana Jones, and his lovely assistant, I felt like I still owed Toby something. Every time I glanced at him, all I could see was the look on his face that day in Spring when I broke his heart.

"Fine, whatever. I'm not sure Chase will be too thrilled, though. Last time I checked, you two still aren't on good terms." I pointed out, glancing beyond Maya to see Chase staring daggers into the back of her head while vigorously peeling a potato. I shuddered.

"Come on, Angela. You've been 'seeing each other' for like, a season now, right? Use your girlish charm on him! I'm sure he won't be able to resist." She said slyly with a wink. Something in the back of my mind told me that he wouldn't be that easy to crack. But it was worth a try. A small, teensy, insignificant try. That way, when he says no, I'll have an excuse not to go.

"And if he says no, you can just come by yourself! It'll still be fun!"

Damn.

"Fine, fine." I surrendered, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose. She squealed happily.

"Thank you thank you thank you! I'm so excited!" She exclaimed, "I have to go tell Candace, and Phoebe! Bye!"

And with that, she bolted out the door so fast that all I saw of her was a flurry of pink and bows. Boy, when she was determined, she was really determined. I sighed and headed over to Chase. It was now or never.

"Chase?" I asked in an innocent voice, touching his shoulder lightly. He jumped.

"Hm?" He asked as he stirred a pot of goopy stew. Think girlish charm… think girlish charm…

"So," I drawled, trailing a finger lazily across his upper arm. I felt him tense up a little; our relationship wasn't all that physical yet, because I figured he was probably still uncomfortable with it. There were a few kisses here and there, but that was it. "I have to ask you a favor."

"What is it?" He asked, turning to face me. I tried my best to impersonate Maya's puppy dog pout, but I probably looked like I just dumped a glass of lemon juice down my throat. I was never too good at the whole 'convincing face' thing.

"Well, Maya wants to have this Couple's Night thing, where we get together with some other couples and play games and stuff. And, well, since we are… you know… I was wondering if you wouldn't mind going?"

For a moment, he stared at me blankly. His violet eyes grew deep with thought.

"Hmm. I don't think so." He said bluntly as he continued to stir. My face fell.

"But if you don't go, she'll make me go alone!" I said in a nasally, high-pitched, annoying tone. Probably not what Maya would consider 'girlish charm', but whatever. He remained unconvinced. His mouth narrowed to a tight line as he continued to stare at me. I sighed. Was I going to resort to his 'weakness'?

"You wouldn't want me going alone with Toby there, would you?" I asked. Instantly, his face contorted into anger. I was such a bad person. Ever since I told Toby to take a hike, Chase still has a 'hunch' that Toby hasn't gotten over me yet. He was probably right, but I refused to believe it. La la la. This is me trying to be ignorant.

"Fine. I'll go. But don't make me dress up or anything…! I don't do that sort of thing."

Squealing, I wrapped my arms around his neck as he set the stirring bowl down with a clang on the counter. Timidly, he wrapped his lanky arms around my lower back and laughed a little.

"You so owe me." He whispered into my ear. I pulled away and smirked slyly at him before kissing his cheek.

"I'm going to head home. I'll give you more information when Maya gives them to me." I said as I waved goodbye. And with that, I headed home.

I didn't see Maya until a week later, when Fall leaves decorated the ground and the air was crisp. She knocked on the door late in the afternoon.

"Hi!" She greeted me, her face wide with a grin. "So, details. It's going to be Candace, Julius, Phoebe, Calvin, Chase, Toby, you, and me. And we're all going to Julius' house. We agreed that we should do it on Saturday at about seven. Is that okay?"

I sighed, but nodded. I couldn't help but feel weird about it all. First of all, two of the couples joining us were already married. Second of all, Chase despised two of the people that were attending, and probably didn't exactly like the others. Suddenly I felt nervous.

"Well, I'll see you then." I said quietly before shutting the door without waiting for a response. Deep down, I was pretty sure this wouldn't end very well.

The next few days were a blur. Finally, at around 6:45 that Saturday, I headed over to Chase's house to see if he was ready. When I got inside, Chase was standing in front of a long mirror, holding up two shirts to his bare chest.

"Augh!" He screeched when he saw me, trying to cover his chest. Although I'm not too sure why, it's not like he had anything to hide. I cracked up upon seeing his horrified façade.

"Calm down!" I exclaimed between giggles. He rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his bony chest.

"Sorry, you… scared me." He muttered quietly as he slipped on a navy blue shirt, "Do I look okay?"

"What are you, suddenly worried about your appearance?" I asked, "You look fine."

He snorted as his brow furrowed, "I just want to make a good impression, I guess. I'm… not good with crowds of people, if you didn't already catch that."

I nodded in understanding; although I had never really witnessed him interact with multiple people. Besides Toby, Maya and I.

"You'll be fine. Relax!" I encouraged him, straightening out a crease in his collar. He pouted a little.

"You sure I look okay?"

"You are such a girl."

He playfully hit my shoulder as I dragged him out the door and towards Julius' house. I could already tell tonight was going to be long.

"Helloooooo!" We were greeted by Julius when we knocked on the hard, wooden door, "Come in, come innnnn!"

Excusing Julius and his obsession for elongating words, I stepped inside his house to see the rest of the 'gang' sitting on the couch. Maya beamed when she saw me, as did Toby. Candace muttered a meek 'hello', and Phoebe was so busy picking dirt off of Calvin's shirt that she didn't seem to notice me. Woo, party.

Timidly, Chase and I sat down and were immediately given grape cocktails by Julius, who giggled and sang about how he made them himself. Chase and I were all fake smiles and forced laughs for the first few minutes. Until the board games were taken out.

The first game was Yahtzee, an old favorite of mine from when I lived in the city. Who knew it was popular in a town like this? Disregarding that fact, I watched as Toby rolled first. The initial few turns were accompanied with excited squeals or panicked expressions, but by the end of the game, the volume cranked up about ten notches. Probably the cocktails.

"Come on, baby, roll me a six!" Calvin bellowed as he shook the cup of dice above his head vigorously. We all stifled our cackles as he threw the dice onto the table, making a clack noise.

"Woo! Yahtzee! Yaaahhttzzeeee!" He shrieked, jumping up and down giddily as Phoebe kissed his cheek. We were all clutching out stomachs at the outrageous scene of Calvin doing a victory dance. Even Candace managed to let out a chuckle. Next to me, Chase had doubled over in his chair, clamping his hand to his mouth so his loud guffaws wouldn't be heard. I smiled, proud that Chase wasn't reacting the way I thought he would react. Sure, he wasn't all that talkative tonight, but he wasn't reserved, either.

The night was still young at ten, when we had long put away the Yahtzee board, and the Monopoly board. All of our voices were hoarse from the last game of Charades, which had eventually ended up as a game we liked to call 'Name That Waffle Town Villager'. Empty cocktail glasses cluttered the table as Chase pulled me aside for a moment.

"I think Toby's got some secret agenda I don't know about." He said in a quiet, secretive voice. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the silver-haired boy.

"Huh?"

"He's been staring at you all night! Well, I think. It's hard to tell with those eyes of his… anyways, it's making me angry." He said, tipping over to one side a bit. I laughed, touching his shoulder as I did so.

"You're seeing things. Trust me." I said. Denial, denial, denial. It might as well be my middle name.

Exasperatedly, I dragged Chase back towards the living room just as Maya brought out a mischievous looking board. She grinned slyly, bearing her teeth like a wolf. I was even waiting for her to say 'I'll huff! And I'll puff! And I'll blow your house down!'

"What's that?" Candace asked, looking nervous.

"It's called 'Paired Up', my mom lent it to me." She said slowly, opening the box and pulling out the instructions. Basically, it was a knock off version of the Newlyweds Game. You team up with your 'significant other' to compete in an outrageous, probably humiliating game of 'How Well Do You Know Each Other?' Both partners read a series of four questions and answer them privately. One partner answers like they would normally answer the question, and the other partner answers based on how they think the their significant other answered. Confusing, yes, but Maya insisted that it was a 'hoot'.

"Okay, here are the first questions," Maya said, dealing out the question cards. Biting the end of my stubby pencil, I quickly read over the questions that I was to answer.

The Basics:

1.) What is your favorite color? --- Green
2.) What is your favorite food? --- Any vegetables
3.) When is your birthday? --- Fall 18th

4.)

A low growling sound from next to me disrupted my train of thought. I didn't know Julius had a dog…? Oh wait, it was Chase. I gripped his arm lightly with my hand to signify that he should stop; he was making a scene. Everyone in the room was staring at him except for Toby, who was staring at me. I shivered.

"Will you stop?" Chase asked in a menacing tone. Toby finally looked over at Chase and grinned sheepishly.

"Stop what?"

Chase scooted closer to me, so close that he was practically on my lap.

"Looking at her," He said simply, pointing a slender finger in my direction. The warm cocktail in my stomach bubbled uncertainly as I stared from Chase to Toby. They gazed at each other long and hard for a few moments, as if they were in a staring contest.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Toby said finally. Maya's face contorted into a sad frown as she looked at Toby, searching his face for the answers.

"You sure as hell know what I'm talking about!" Chase spit, narrowing his eyes at Toby, "Come on, Angela, let's get out of here."

He pulled on my sleeve like a little boy tugs at his mother's clothing when he wants ice cream. I stayed put for a moment, staring at speck on the floor as he continued to tug.

"You can't make her leave if she doesn't want to." Toby said, rather bravely. I could see the steam shooting out of Chase's ears as he whipped his head around at Toby.

"You're only saying that because you want her to stay! What, are you going to try to put the moves on her again?" Chase asked as the rest of the guests silently gasped. Why was my life becoming more and more like a dramatic sitcom? I could picture it now: I Love Angela. I could have my own studio audience and everything.I smacked my own forehead to rid of my silly thoughts as Toby stood from his chair.

"No, I have a girlfriend, thank you very much. And from the looks of it, you won't have one anymore if you keep up this charade."

I widened my eyes at Toby, shocked by his sudden snide remark, and angry that he was trying to speak for me. Chase looked down at me again, as if waiting for me to retort.

"Don't speak for me," I said rather quietly, crossing and uncrossing my legs. Toby looked taken aback by my comment, but quickly recovered. Chase smiled triumphantly as he grabbed my hand and tugged once more. This time, I stood.

"It's not my fault you're bitter that Angela refused your proposal…" Chase said, looking innocent as we made our way to the door. But Toby wasn't finished with this unpleasant tête-à-tête. He walked after us as Maya grabbed onto his wrist, trying to get him to sit back down. Poor Maya. Her 'Couples Night' has been ruined.

"I'm not bitter. But can you blame me for being upset? I was led on. Cheated. Played. It's not fair that I spilled my heart out to that… harlot, and she brushed it aside like it was no big deal."

If my life had a studio audience, they would be saying 'Oooooh!' right about now. I turned around, clenching my fists as I glared at Toby. I had never known that he could be so cruel with his words! Before I knew what was going on, I reeled my hand backwards and smacked him.

Studio Audience: (various cheers, jeers, and 'ooooh's)

Toby looked astonished as he took a step backwards and touched his enflamed cheek. Turning back around, I grinned triumphantly before dragging Chase out the door, gripping my fingernails into his wrist as we stepped into the cool air. As soon as we were a safe distance away from Julius' house, Chase started to crack up.

"You… are… my… hero!" He sputtered out between gasps. I laughed a little myself, still feeling a stinging sensation in my palm. Grasping my hand, he led me towards the Caramel River District.

"That was ridiculous," He muttered, still laughing a bit. I nodded.

"Who uses the word harlot anymore?" I asked angrily, shoving my free hand into my pocket. Chase shrugged.

"Who cares? He got owned."

I cracked another smile, feeling the cold Fall air brush against my teeth to make them chatter.

"You cold?" Chase asked stiffly as I spotted my house in the distance. I nodded shakily as the hand that held mine slowly detached itself and slinked across my shoulder. My cheeks were dusted rosy, partly from my shyness and partly from the cocktail that resided in my stomach. We walked in silence until we reached my house, staring down at our shoes as we kicked dry leaves out of our path. Chase smiled as I faced him at my doorstep, still shivering.

"Sorry that I made a scene back there," He uttered quietly, looking embarrassed. I shrugged.

"It's not a big deal, really." I commented, looking away, "It was… kind of cute the way you defended me."

My cheeks grew hot as he chuckled nervously.

"Well, I had to say something… I don't trust that guy as far as I can throw him." He said, pushing up his navy blue sleeve to flex, "And believe me, I couldn't throw him more than an inch or two."

I grinned as he pulled his sleeve back down and very suddenly kissed me. My head swirled as I grasped onto his shoulders. He pulled away after a few moments, but his lips still lingered on mine. I felt him smile against my mouth.

"Goodnight," He whispered, before whirling around suddenly and heading in a different direction. I watched him until he turned into a speck into the distance before I scurried inside of my house to bask in the warmth.

Studio Audience: Awwwww.

A/N: So, as you can tell, this is not the end of the story! Woo! I have a few ideas up my sleeve that I will put into use! Let me know what you thought!