The Weekend

"So, what are the plans for tonight, Mr. Conrad?" Kelsi asked as Luke held the car door open for her.

He cleared his throat nervously, "Okay, this may sound very middle schooler-ish, but I was thinking...bowling? We don't have to eat at the bowling alley I just thought it would be something fun to do, and I thought maybe we could go see a movie later. They're showing 'Roberta' and 'Shall We Dance' at the Nickelodeon this weekend."

Kelsi's eyes widened, "You've heard of 'Roberta'?"

He chuckled, "It's my favorite Fred & Ginger musical."

She smiled brightly at him, "I really like a guy who's man enough to admit he likes musicals."

"I'm in one, aren't I? Of course, I like them," He told her as she sat down.

"You would think that's how it should work, but it doesn't. Look at Troy Bolton. He was in a musical and yet he still can't admit that he enjoys watching them," Kelsi told him.

He nodded, "Very true. Well, Ms. Nielson, I'm telling you now that anytime you feel like watching a musical I will gladly and proudly watch it with you."

"You do know your audience," Kelsi said with a smile as he closed the passenger side door. Luke ran around and got in the car.

"So, are you okay with the plan?" Luke asked.

"Sure, it sounds fun, but I have to warn you…I SUCK at bowling. I mean my klutzy habits don't normally mesh well with the activity of throwing heavy bowling balls. The last time I went bowling I accidentally broke my dad's nose," Kelsi told him as she winced at the memory.

Luke's eyes widened and he nodded slowly, "Right, don't be offended if I keep my distance during your turn."

Kelsi laughed as he started the car, "Oh and also we have to get chili cheese fries as soon as we get there. I don't go to the bowling alley without ordering some."

Luke gave Kelsi an impressed once over, "Oh man, no wonder I like you so much."

Kelsi swallowed nervously as she stepped up to bowl. All she had to do was make sure she didn't throw the ball behind her or throw it into another lane. Once at her cousin's birthday party she made a bowling ball skip five lanes, and yet she still didn't hit ONE pin. She took a deep breath and went for it. She squealed as the ball slipped out of her fingers and hit the floor behind her with a very loud thud. She shut her eyes tightly and bit her bottom lip.

"Sorry!" She cried as she sucked in a breath. She calmed down a bit when she heard Luke laugh affectionately. She turned to face him and he smiled at her.

"You weren't kidding about being klutzy were you?"

"I wish," She told him with a shy smile.

"Just relax, Kels," He said warmly. "You're thinking about it too much. Try again."

She picked up the ball and poised herself to bowl again. This time she released the ball into the lane. She still didn't hit a pin, but at least she didn't hit a person. She laughed excitedly and hugged Luke as the ball crept down the lane.

"See, just try to have fun. Heck you can granny bowl if you want to. I don't care," Luke chuckled as he hugged her back. "As long as you keep on hugging me after every turn I'm good."

She rolled her eyes and playfully smacked his shoulder as she pulled away.

They pulled up outside of her house at about eleven. They had gone to the Nickelodeon, the vintage movie theater in town, after they had finished up a second game. Now the date was over, and Kelsi found herself disappointed that the night was coming to an end.

She shook her head, "That is why I don't go bowling all that often."

He laughed, "You weren't that bad! You broke fifty."

"I know enough about bowling to know that barely breaking fifty is very very sad," She grinned. "At least I got free chili cheese fries out of it."

"Is that all I am to you? The wallet that paid for your chili cheese fries?"

"No," She smirked. "You're also the wallet that paid for the movies, the dinner, and all the bowling."

He glared at her playfully, "Gee, thanks."

She giggled at him as he crossed his arms over his chest and pouted, "Tonight was fun, Luke. Thanks for this."

He smiled brightly at her, "Believe me, it was my pleasure."

He got out of the car and walked around to open the door for her, "I'll walk you to your door."

She nodded as they began to walk.

He swallowed nervously, "I was wondering if you maybe wanted to do this again some time?"

"I would love to do this again," Kelsi answered immediately.

"Great!" He yelled excitedly. His eyes widened and he cleared his throat, "I mean…cool."

Kelsi shook her head and laughed at him as they reached her front porch.

"So, same time next week?" He asked.

She nodded and smiled, "It's a date."

"Okay, I'll see you at school on Monday then," He said just before he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "Good night, Kelsi."

She waved to him as he walked back to his car, and called after him.

"Good night, Luke!"

He turned and waved before he got into his car and drove away. Kelsi sighed and hummed happily as she entered her living room. Her mom chuckled at her as she dreamily flopped down on the couch.

"Good date?" She asked.

Kelsi beamed at her mother, "It was a great date."

"I'm glad to hear it. He seems very nice," Mrs. Nielson said.

"What did dad think?" Kelsi asked curiously.

"He liked him," Mrs. Nielson said simply.

"Meaning he thought he was 'okay', but nowhere near good enough?"

Mrs. Nielson laughed, "Honey, your father is never going to think anyone is good enough for you. You're his little girl. Just accept that fact now."

"Okay, so we've got chocolate chip cookie dough, Doritos, Rocky Road ice cream, Oreos, and last but not least Reese's Cups. A junk food paradise," Taylor said as she motioned to the food that was spread out on top of the table cloth that covered the family's pool table.

The girls were gathered in Taylor's basement which had been set up with the old entertainment system that used to be upstairs. There were two very large sofas caddy cornered together behind where they stood in front of the pool table. The sofas faced the television, and the girls had set up blankets and pillows all across the floor. There was a knock at the basement door, and Taylor's mom came down the stairs with a massive bowl of popcorn.

"I thought you girls might need this," She said as she set it down next to the Doritos.

"Thanks mom," Taylor said with a smile.

"No problem, sweetie. Your father and I will be upstairs if you need us. Have fun, ladies," Mrs. McKessie said with a smile as she headed back up the stairs.

"First order of business," Taylor said once she heard the door close. "We get the dirt on Kelsi's date, and then we watch 'Win a Date with Tad Hamilton'."

Kelsi opened her mouth to speak but before she could say anything Martha shoved a couple of Oreos into her mouth and placed the bowl of popcorn into hands.

"Over to the blankets before you tell us anything. We have to have the appropriate atmosphere," Martha told her as she turned her around and lightly pushed her toward the blankets and pillows that they had set up. Once they all sat down and got comfortable Gabriella turned to Kelsi.

"Okay, now…spill, girl," Gabriella told her.

Kelsi blushed lightly, "It wasn't really a big deal."

"Oh, look she's turning pink. That's a sign that it went well," Taylor smirked.

"What did you guys do?" Martha asked.

"We went bowling and then went to see a couple of Fred and Ginger musicals at the Nickelodeon. Nothing major," She said with a bright smile.

"Fred and what musicals?" Taylor asked.

"Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. They were famous dance partners who made several musicals together," Kelsi told her.

"Woah, so he took you to see a musical? At a public place?" Taylor asked with a grin. "Sounds like he's perfect for you."

"I don't know about perfect…but he is certainly very wonderful," Kelsi giggled.

"Are you guys going out again?" Gabriella asked curiously.

"Next Friday," Kelsi said happily. "Do you guys realize what's happening here?"

"What?" Gabriella asked with a chuckle.

"A guy I like actually likes ME back. That's never happened to me before…EVER."

"Who have you liked that hasn't liked you back?" Taylor asked.

Kelsi sighed and shrugged, "Lots of people."

"But who's the most recent?" Taylor continued with a quirked eyebrow.

Gabriella glanced knowingly at Kelsi as she bit her lip nervously.

"Ryan Evans," She said shyly.

"You liked Ryan? How did I not notice this?" Martha asked the group rhetorically.

"I knew," Gabriella announced with a raised hand.

"You did?" Kelsi, Taylor, and Martha asked her simultaneously.

"Troy and I figured it out at that choreography rehearsal for Twinkle Town," Gabriella told Kelsi with a grin.

Kelsi grinned dreamily, "That's how Troy knew! It was the waltz, right? Totally gave me away didn't?"

Gabriella nodded, "You were a total goner."

"You've had a crush on Ryan for THAT long?" Martha asked. "And you didn't tell me?"

"I didn't see the point in telling you. Nothing was going to happen anyway," Kelsi sighed.

"So, you're over your crush on Ryan then?" Taylor asked suspiciously.

"Not completely. Honestly I don't think I'll ever be completely over that crush, but I wasn't going to sit around and wait for something that wasn't going to happen," She told them. "And besides, I really like Luke. He's sweet, and fun, and talented, and likes musicals-"

Gabriella cleared her throat, "Does that sound like anyone else we know to you?"

Kelsi growled in frustration, "I am NOT dating Luke for his similarities to Ryan, okay? He and Ryan are very different."

"How?" Gabriella asked in an unconvincing tone.

"Well, um…Luke is…WAY better at comedy than Ryan."

Taylor and Martha chuckled at her.

"Sweet heart, that's a performance difference not a personality difference," Taylor told her with a grin.

"Ugh, they're just DIFFERENT, alright?" Kelsi exclaimed. "Can we change the subject please?"

"Okay," Taylor said as they all exchanged meaningful looks. "I think now is a good time to watch 'Win a Date'."