Alright, next chapter. I'm so glad to see my story go on for so long, and be so strong! Thanks you guys for reviewing, I really appreciate it. You guys are awesome. :)

And yeah, you guys waited for this. It's Dinner time! No interruptions. Just Ishiyama vs. Stern. Kinda short, but heyyy, why not?

Ulrich's talking now. :D

Ulrich: Yay! Finally! My turn!

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I can't do this. Holy crap, I'm nervous. I can't do this! I just can't! My ex-girlfriend is coming for dinner tonight…uh, I think you knew that, but whatever!

Listen, most of you people should know this but…Yeah, I still like her. And…her parents and my parents haven't really gotten along so well last time…And well…I'd be darn-right pissed if Yumi's brother, Hiroki, or Anika ruins this for me.

My family was dressed nicely- even though we all had to hold Anika down so she wouldn't wear her cowgirl costume, and made her wear this pink dress. Uggh, I hate pink.

When the door bell rang, all mayhem let loose. I felt myself getting nervous, and I noticed- everything that happens tonight is almost completely out of my hands. It's mostly because my parents and her parents are freaking rivals of the century.

And I'm not exaggerating at all.

"Oh, the Ishiyamas! Wow, you all look so wonderful." Wow, mom. Don't you have a way with words?

I don't know what my mom was describing so "wonderful". Mrs. Ishiyama was wearing this creamish turtle neck-dress that had long sleeves, and went down to about her mid-thigh. Her (I'd hate to say it but…) nice legs were tucked behind black pantyhose, and completed with black small-heels. Mr. Ishiyama wore a long-sleeve, button-down dress shirt with a tie and black dress pants, and…god, I don't know what shoes. Probably Japanese. Hiroki looked angry (Sorta like Anika) but wore a blue dress shirt, no tie, and black dress pants.

And then, there was Yumi. The princess of this entire story. She was priceless. Damn, just looking at her made me feel so much more depressed for losing her.

My parents know just how to make a bad day so totally worse.

"Why, hello there, Yumi. Long time no see!"

"Evening, Mrs. Stern. Nice to see you again." Yumi greeted my mom carefully as they hugged. She had this look on her face like she hoped she would never see the Sterns again.

"That's a very nice dress, Yumi." I wanted to say something, anything! Just to let her know I wasn't going to be a bastard the whole night. The dress was purple (and later that night, my mom and I argued that it was not "purple" it was "maroon") Oh, and by the way, for those guys reading this. Maroon means purple in girl-language. I sware to god.

"…Thank you, Ulrich." I could feel her dad staring at me for complimenting her. I never really liked Mr. Ishiyama, for various reasons. I really just wanted to punch him and tell him to fucking piss off and leave Yumi and I alone.

But, you know…that would be bad.

Mrs. Ishiyama looked at me and smiled, nodding her head, "You look great, Ulrich."

"Thank you." I answered. Yeah, just about the same thing as your husband there. My dad wore his work suit. My mom wore a purple/maroon (whatever) dress. And Anika…yeah…well…pink. We established that, I believe.

The Ishiyamas looked around the house for awhile.

"Your house is big." Hiroki stated while he looked at the ceilings, "You guys must make a lot of money."

"Hiroki!" Mrs. Ishiyama scolded, "Don't you say that!"

"What? It's true! If we weren't so poor, we could afford a house like this, right Yumi?" Hiroki glared at his sister for encouragement.

"Now, Hiroki. I'll agree- the house is big, and it's beautiful. But I like our house too." She always knew what to say. Like a compromise.

After while, when we got everything settled. Hiroki and Anika seemed to have gotten along right away. The moms moved their way to the kitchen. The dads found something in common (a goddamn miracle, I tell you.) so guess who that left me with.

Yumi. We were standing in the doorway. I had nothing to say, and trust me, I tried.

"I like your tie." She finally said. She knew she was torturing me. She knew. She knew she had me in the palm of her hands.

"Thanks." I attempted a smile. I tried to think of something I could say back. You know? When someone compliments you, you compliment back. I wanted to say dress, but, it's not like I'd buy one. So I went out and grabbed the next thing that came to mind, "I like your socks."

Shut up, I can see you smiling, and I can hear you laughing. And I didn't stutter- I said socks. JUST SHUT UP OKAY?! I SAID IT ON IMPULSE! So, that was Mr. Smooth's move there. And yeah, it wasn't too great.

She giggled, "Thanks." PHEW. I made her laugh, "You have a really pretty house."

"Stop complimenting me, I can't think of anything to compliment you back on." I whined. Another fit of giggles.

"If I remember right…" She started walking around. I was quick to pursue. She started walking up the stairs, "…your room is right…" She stopped in front of a closed door, "Here."

"And it is." She put her hand on the door-knob, but I took her hand and pulled it away, "Trust me. It's really messy, you don't want to go in there."

"Please, Ulrich. You know how messy my room is." GOD, I hate that I can't hate this woman!

"I know, but, uh. My room is really messy. We don't need to go in there. We can just…you know…hang out…downstairs." I felt myself get nervous again.

Yumi smiled a simple smile. And it made me feel a little better. I looked down at the floor. From then, I realized.

We were still holding hands.

XxX

"Ulrich! You stupid little cheater!" Oh, it's on now.

"I didn't cheat! Not my fault I play Uno better than you." I teased her back kindly. Finally- everything was back to normal. We were finally friends again. I have four months of fun to bring to her. And lord-almighty, I am not going to screw that up.

"Uh, well, it kinda is." She pulled four cards from the top of the deck. We were in the living room- playing our fifth game of Uno. Each game I won, thank you.

"By the way, I'm not that good. You just suck." I answered playfully. She smiled. I missed these days. We could tease each other and reply with a smile. Before…before, way before Rick and Nick and Kev and Sami; back with Xana, the parties at the school, her house; the embarrassing moments; the happy times; the sad times. I missed it all.

"You and Nick; I sware, you guys freaking know how to rig the damn cards!" Yumi shouted at me and poked my shoulder playfully, "Stern…." Oh shit. The last name. "…Ulrich, I mean." Oh thank you. "You know, I really missed this kinda stuff." Me too. "We…we were like best friends. You'd come over to my house almost every weekend, and my father finally didn't mind you. Then…you know…you started to stay later, to where…you'd sleep over and stuff. I'd do the same here every once in awhile. Never in your dorm, with Odd. Hell no." Lucky you. You had a choice. "Ulrich, I couldn't everhate someone that's helped me so far in my life." What are you saying, Yumi? "I can't just let you go." Oh my god. She wants to get back together!

"Yumi, I was thinking the exact same thing." I answered before she could finish her speech, "Let's make it like old times. Before any of this crap happened."

Yumi smiled and hugged me gently, "I agree. Back before we went out." Uh, I'm sorry. WHAT? "When we were best friends." I repeat: WHAT?! "Let's be friends, Ulrich. And nothing more. We were better before that."

I stared at her, gawking and wide-eyed. I can't believe that, "Okay. Remember when we said we'd tell each other everything in the third grade?"

She hesitated, like she was trying to remember, and then she started nodding, "Yeah, I remember."

I took a deep breath. I had to tell her how much torture I'm in! "I found out my mom was a stripper." Damn it, Ulrich! YOU IDIOT.

Yumi went wide-eye in shock, and then started laughing her head off, "Are…are you…serious?" She finally asked me. I answered with a nod, "Whoa, Ulrich. You sure now to get me to laugh. When you asked me that "tell me anything" line, I was afraid you were gonna tell me you were like…in love with me or something…"

"Err, no. That would be bad…wouldn't it?"

Yumi's giggles died down, "Yeah. It would've. Now, I feel really bad us breaking up, Ulrich. And I now know the whole story, but, it's just too late. If anything, I'm happy you're still talking to me. If it were the other way around, I would've hated you for not believing me."

I merely smiled and shook my head in my defense, "I just wanted to see if we could try again, or just be friends."

"I think being friends is better." She answered as she started cleaning up the cards, "Because there's no awkward moments, I'm gonna hate you for making out with anybody, we're not as protective, and it's easier around our other friends."

I finally helped her with the cards, "Yeah… I guess you're right."

"EVERYONE! DINNER'S READY!"

XxX

Hmm. If you were to be here, you would've thought our families hated each other, and you were right. Well, half right, because Anika and Hiroki was getting along, Yumi and I were…ehhh, but the parents were just sending these mental messages across the table.

Dinner was extremely quiet, other than the whispered of Anika and Hiroki. The dinner was like a normal dinner- chicken, potatoes, and steamed carrots. I didn't think my mom really wanted to test her luck in the kitchen.

Everything seemed to come back into reality as Hiroki fell off his chair. That got us a chuckle, "Hiroki, sit up straight." Mrs. Ishiyama answered.

"Oh, Ishiyama, Hiroki didn't do anything." My mom answered, "I think that's the chair that has the wobbly leg. I'm so sorry. I thought I took that chair out."

"In Japan, it's an insult if we don't sit up straight, especially at someone else's house." Mr. Ishiyama explained.

"We're not in Japan, are we?" My father interrupted, "I really appreciate your kindness and everything, but we don't mind if you're a little more mellow."

Mr. Ishiyama cleared his throat, "We're not really used to your French culture, so excuse us."

My mom stated out, "We're German."

"German, really?" Mrs. Ishiyama answered with glee, "I've always wanted to learn German in high school, but it seems like I can't get the accents right."

"Not many people can." My dad answered back, "I mean, being taught as a child is really easy. And, especially Japanese, it would seem impossible."

"Excuse me?"

Oh, god no. Not now! Everything was going so good!

"Oh, no. I'm just saying. You have to have an accent." My father added, "I mean, we have an accent on our French still. Ulrich doesn't, obviously, because he doesn't know a lot of French."

Mrs. Ishiyama sat up straighter, "Is there anything about our accent you'd like to discuss about, sir?"

"Satomi, he didn't mean anything to sound rude to you. It's just, you're Japanese, big whoop-de-doo!" My mom tried to clear things up.

"Damn it, Satomi! I told you we shouldn't have come over. They just don't understand!" Mr. Ishiyama screamed to his wife as he got up.

"Takeo...!" Mrs. Ishiyama replied as they stomped out of the kitchen.

My parents looked at Yumi, "We didn't mean anything about it. We actually find your culture very interesting."

"I know." She answered, "It's just…my parents…they're…"

"Crazy." Hiroki finished for his sister.

Yumi eyed her brother, "No, Hiroki. They're just going through some troubles, if you will, and everything's just going downhill." She saw my parents' faces and added, "But, like, we're okay and everything."

My parents sat back.

The Ishiyama's came back, "We think it would be better if we left."

"Oh, no. Just sit down and talk with us." My parents answered.

"No, we think we should leave. Come on, Yumi, Hiroki."

My mom (again) wished to protest, "Oh, no. Satomi, Takeo, stay awhile."

The Japanese parents bowed and said, "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Satomi…" My mom whispered, "Why don't you stay?"

Mr. Ishiyama sighed and stated aloud, "Honestly, we just don't like you."

The whole house went quiet. I couldn't believe this was happening. I finally get a laugh and a smile from Yumi, and then our families are going to be at it again.

"We don't like your son, we don't like you. We don't like your house. You all are just a spoiled German family. We work our asses off for our family." Mr. Ishiyama continued, "So thank you for the dinner."

Yumi and I shared a look.

"Ulrich, I don't think you should hang around Yumi, anymore."

"Same goes for you, Yumi. He's a whole year younger than you, anyway."

Her family went to the door (followed by my family) Nobody said anything. But Hirkoi and Anika were chatting a little.

Yumi and I hugged each other for the last time.

"You…we…we made our house perfect for your family." My mom started, "And…and you tell us…you don't like us?"

"We hate you."

I stood in shock. I knew Mr. Ishiyama had a strong distaste for me, but he really hated my whole family? They've only seen each other once or twice.

"Um, alright." I could tell my mom was holding back tears.

Yumi put her hands on my shoulders, "I want to still hang out with you, Ulrich."

"I want to hang out with you too, Yumi."

Her eyes were watery and foggy, like she was remembering something, "I think I know what might make them put their differences aside."

"What's that?"

I heard the door open and the Ishiyama's walk out.

"Bye Ishiyama's!" My parents cried.

But I guess they turned around, "Come on, Yumi!" Everyone turned to me and Yumi and gasped at the scene.

We were kissing.