The next day is a Saturday, so I sleep in a little and tell myself that everyone will forget about my mom by Monday. After repeating that in my head over and over I'm a little relaxed. I take a very long shower and get ready for the day. I'm eating breakfast downstairs when the doorbell rings. My mom answers it and she and the mystery person at the door talk for a couple of minutes.

"Oh, I'm sure Lissa will have no objection! You are such a sweet, charming boy. So adorable" My mother gushes.

And I know exactly who was at the door.

"Brooke, Brooke don't leave. Please don't leave," I whisper fiercely, clutching her arm.

"Lissa…" Brooke starts, but my mother interrupts her.

"Lissa! Come and follow Collin. Brooke, you come with me!" She says, still cheerful.

"I'm sure Collin is not going say anything that Brooke can't hear," I say, smiling weakly. "In fact, I was just about to head out…"

"Elisabeth! I want you to listen to Collin." She says menacingly, and I know I can't escape it. I sigh, slowly get up and scrape off my plate and follow Collin.

He leads me into my fathers office and shuts the door. I grab a pen and proceed to click and mess around with it.

"Elisabeth, your modesty adds to your many other perfections," He starts, and I hold back a groan. Seriously, who talks like this?

" You must know what I am about to tell you, but you should know that as soon as I met you, I knew that I loved you," he says, still not taking his eyes off me.

"Collin…" I start, but he stops me. I drop my pen and take a seat in my father's chair. Collin scoots a chair in front of me.

"We would be perfect for each other because, first, we are both highly intelligent, with AP classes. I think I should choose a girl who has a similar interests. Great minds think alike, after all! Second, I know you will make me very happy. Third, and this is the most prominent, is that my Aunt Catherine, who always gives wonderful advice, has told me to find a girlfriend. And now, all I have to do now is tell you how much I love you," He says, taking my hand.

"Collin!" I exclaim, quickly pulling my hand away. "You forget that I haven't answered you. Thanks for your, er, compliments, but I know that I cannot make you happy. We are most decidedly NOT perfect for each other. My answer is no," I say, trying to be forceful but polite.

"Elisabeth, I know how girls work. They tell the person the really do like "no", only to make them fall more in love by suspense. I am not discouraged," He says, leaving me shocked.

"Collin, I am serious! I know that I couldn't make you happy and you are the last person that could ever make me happy," I say, still a little flabbergasted.

"Elisabeth, I know that you are a very pretty and charming girl, but not many other men may fall in love with you. I think that you should realize that we really are meant to be! You are just keeping me in suspense," He says, scooting closer to me.

"I could not put it plainer. NO." I say, frustrated that he isn't listening, let alone taking the hint.

"You are flirtatious…." He says, with a grin and tries to take my hand again.

I stand up and walk out of the study, closing the door to a protesting Collin.

I know that Collin has told my mother when she starts yelling.

"ELISABETH MARIE DUNTON! YOU GET DOWN HERE NOW! YOU COME TELL COLLIN YE…. Oh don't leave Collin! No, wait, don't… wait!" she shrieks, and I hear the door shut. I look out from the window of my room and see Collin get into his car, and my mother following him.

I hear the door open then slam shut.

"ELISABETH!"

"I'm not coming down!" I yell back.

"YOUR FATHER WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS!"

I sigh and slump back on my bed. I know his guardian is the wealthy, fashionable and respected Catherine DeBourge, but is she so desperate to make me his girlfriend she ran after him and is screeching at me? She cant force me to be the guy's girlfriend, right? She must either be desperate for me to be in a relationship, or she thinks I am.

After a few minutes of my mother yelling the whole situation to my dad and Mindy's laughter, there is silence. Someone is walking up the stairs, and there is a knock on my door.

"Who is it?"

"Your dad."

I open the door and let him in.

"Lissa, your mother told me about your, er, talk with Collin," He says. I give a tiny smile.

"…And you told him no. Correct?" He continues. I nod.

"Well, your mother thinks that you should either tell him you changed your mind, or you should be punished for being so rude to him," He says. I sigh, and he continues.

"Now, your mother will punish you if you do not tell him yes, and I will punish you if you do." He says, starting to chuckle.

I beam at him, and give him a giant hug. The same "I love you sooooo much" hug I would give him when I was little. He gives me a kiss on top of my head and walks out.

I sit on my bed and think about all that happened. Who thought that things would be so complicated?