Dan is beginning to wonder exactly what he was thinking. He and Leslie have been hanging out for several weeks now - chatting in class has turned into hellos in the halls, then walking to classes together, then studying after school at his house, and it's great, really. Fun, and somewhat thrilling - he's never had a girl other than Laurie in his bedroom, never really had another girl pay much attention to him, as a friend or otherwise - even fairly satisfying when he notices Leslie actually improving in algebra with his help.
It's also a sort of torment. Just what he needed - another pretty girl in his life who thinks of him only as a friend.
It's nearly Christmas vacation and the excitement of the last day of school for two weeks is rivaled only by that of the upcoming holiday dance. Posters adorn the halls every few feet, and it seems like everyone is talking about who they're going with, or who they'd like to. Dan does his best to ignore all of this, finding it surprisingly difficult. He can hardly take two steps at school without passing clusters of giggling girls or hearing whispered names, and much as he tries not to pay attention, he can't help but notice that no one is mentioning his name. It's strange - there have, of course, been other dances, many of them, and he's never really given any of them a second though. This time, however, he finds himself actually wanting to attend.
He consoles himself with the thought that none of his friends are going, either - or so he thinks. When he suggests they all meet up on their first afternoon of freedom, though, Laurie beams even as her eyes apologize, and he knows what she's going to say before she so much as opens her mouth.
"I can't - Jon and I are going to the dance."
Dan forces a smile, mutters something about maybe getting together on Saturday instead, and remains largely silent for the remainder of lunch, thankful when the bell rings to go back to class. He tries to put it out of his mind, knowing he should have expected as much, but he's distracted all through his afternoon classes, mind revisiting the moment over and over, much as he tries to focus his attention on his teachers.
Which means by the time he gets to sixth period, he's had plenty of time to think…and to work up his courage. He slides into his usual seat, takes a deep breath, and blurts out the words quickly, before he can think better of it. "Leslie, would you like to go to the dance with me?"
Leslie's eyes light up as she grins at him. "Finally. I was beginning to think I'd have to ask you myself." When he only gapes at her, she giggles and elaborates, "That's a yes, Dan."
"Oh. Well, uh... Great, then!" His mood lifts instantly, and if something in him is still replaying Laurie's words from lunch, well... She's not the only girl in school, is she? And more importantly…she's not the one who said yes.
"What?"
Dan can't help but chuckle at Walter's slightly bug-eyed expression. "You don't have to look so surprised, you know," he teases. When Walter only continues to stare at him, though, he feels his good mood deflate just a little. Still, he says, "You should go too."
Walter makes a choked sound, something that might have started as a laugh, but dies in his throat. "With who?"
It's true, he can't exactly imagine Walter asking a girl out. In fact, he can't remember the last time he saw the other boy so much as talk to someone outside their group. Still... "Anyone. No one. You don't have to have a date, you know."
This time it's definitely a laugh, though there's no humor in it. "Yes. That's what you asked her."
Dan feels the first, creeping tendrils of anger, his voice a little cold when he says, "No, I asked Leslie because I like her. She's pretty, and she's nice. What you care, anyway?"
"Nice to many boys, I hear."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Dan demands.
"Means just what I said." Then, muttered: "Can't believe you're going with that whore."
It's the first time he's ever heard Walter swear, and he'd be shocked if he weren't so furious. "You're just mad I'm going at all," he accuses. "Because I'm not hanging out with you. Because unlike some people, I actually have a life outside playing pretend." He's a little surprised to hear the harsh words coming from his own mouth, regretting them a little even as he continues. "Grow up, Walter." And, gathering up his things, he storms off.
He instantly feels horrible. That was a low blow, and he knows it, but Walter definitely had it coming with that remark. And, the best he can figure out, it's true. Walter has no other reason to dislike Leslie, or to be mad at him for going to the dance with her. Still. He's Dan's best friend… The whole thing leaves him confused and upset.
Walter watch as Dan goes, his words echoing in his head. He's not quite sure what possessed him to say that. It's partly true - being a loner gives him the opportunity to listen, to watch - and what he sees is that the new object of Dan's affection has either flirted with or dated at least half of the boys in the eighth grade, and not always one at a time. He knows Daniel, knows how much he cares about people, how easily he gets attached, and he doesn't want to see his friend used or hurt. He screwed up though, said it all wrong - that much was clear as soon as he saw the expression on Dan's face. He's not sure he's ever seen the other boy so angry - or so hurt.
He has to wonder, though, if there isn't some truth to Daniel's words as well. Is he jealous? He has no real interest in attending some ridiculous pre-teen mating ceremony. Still, he has no reasonable explanation for why he's so bothered by Daniel going. Yet again, he finds himself wondering if he's not overly attached to the boy.
These are the thoughts that follow him as he trudges home, and, try as he might to banish them with thoughts of cases, of villains, even of school, they steadfastly refused to depart.