"Look, if you're gonna tell me how I shouldn't be crying at seventeen or how it's unhealthy or how I'll never be a nurse or a Mom... I don't wanna hear it," Linda grabbed her dirty laundry and continued, "my father tells me that, and I hate it. My mother's no better. They just don't understand," she walked into the closet, throwing her dirty clothes in the hamper. "They don't understand once the tears start, they don't just stop. They don't understand that the tears have to run their course. They don't understand how I try not to cry, how I do everything to not cry... they don't understand the choice group of friends, or the boys I hang out with..." she turned to face her friend, "they don't understand that I love you, Danny."

Danny smiled a little and walked towards Linda. He caressed her wet hair and cheek before kissing her gently. He kissed her forehead, "screw them. It doesn't matter what they say. I love you, and you love me. That's all we need. And I don't care if you cry and you have to let it out, cause I'll be there. I'll be by your side whenever you feel that way. Cause I'm your friend, and I love you. And if this new relationship turns out to be a high school fling, then too bad. But I'll always be your friend. I'll always be there for you. Cause I like you. You're like nobody I've ever met." Danny smiled when Linda ducked her head, "you've got a good brain and a good heart. You're kind and funny and... just amazing. I've never felt like this with anyone before... I feel like..." he sighed, in frustration. He had no idea how to put his feelings into words, "all I know is that everyday I find myself hoping to see you. To see your smile and those beautiful blue eyes of yours. And I just... I don't know... I've never been good with the whole voicing the emotions thing."

"You feel like your on cloud nine, the seventh heaven, like you can do no wrong. Like whatever you do, no matter how imperfect or wrong or... degrading... that someone will- will, I don't know. Back you up? Be there for you," Linda shrugged, not knowing exactly how to put the feelings into words. "Like there's this big whole in your heart, and it only gets filled when you see your love. You feel like your invincible and nothing's in your way."

"Exactly."

She kissed him again, her arms around his neck, "I feel the exact same way."

Danny smiled, "now what happens?"

"I don't know. I've never had feelings like this before. All the guys I've dated were buttheads." Linda smirked when Danny chuckled, "all they wanted to do was the horizontal tango... and if that's all you want, then Imma stop you right here."

"I don't want that... well, eventually... but I wanna get to know you first."

"Well... I'm Italian."

"Really?" He followed her to her bed.

"Yeah. My... however many 'greats' Uncle or grandpa came over around the late 1800s, early nineteen hundreds. Our name was, like, Scannapieco."

"What?"

"Scannapieco," Linda repeated one the same Italian accent. "He changed it to fight in with all the Irish. Since then, we've been the O'Sheas. My mother's maiden name is Giarruso. How about you?"

"Irish. All the way. My mother's name was Riley, and she's convinced her side of the family is emotionally constipated." Danny laughed along with Linda, "she claims they're bad at showing emotions."

"What about the Reagan side?"

"Temperamental. We're really good at showing anger, stubbornness. And, as you just witnessed, we suck at the romantic expression."

She smiled, "this is good. Wanna stay for lunch? I can make some mac 'n' cheese."

"Your Italian side showing?" Danny smirked.

"I always wondered why I love pasta so much. Maybe it's my roots?"

The Reagan followed her downstairs, hoping their new-found relationship would evolve into something much more, something life-long.