"Charlie!" shouted Lizzy, running to catch up with the boy with red hair.
Charlie stopped in his tracks and looked back.
"Oh hey, Lizzy!" he smiled.
The two teens met on the outside courtyard surrounding the school. The final bell had rung and everyone was on their way out.
"Hey, how are you doing? I haven't seen you around the cafeteria at all this week," said Lizzy.
"Oh yeah," he shrugged, "I just got a piano recital coming up and I've been squeezing in practice sessions at lunchtime."
"That's right!" exclaimed Lizzy. "It's come around fast, hasn't it?"
"Yeah, I'm probably going to spend my weekend practicing, and the one after. How about you? Any plans for the weekend?" asked Charlie.
"Not yet, but I'm sure my parents will want to do a million things," said Lizzy.
"So… I guess things are still going well, then?" Charlie cocked his head in a way that Lizzy thought was adorable.
A smile crept up on her face.
"Yeah, things are great," she blushed, "and, uhm, actually that's the reason I've been looking for you…I don't know if you know but, uhm, my adoption court date is next week and I, uhm, was wondering if maybe you kind of wanted to come?" asked Lizzy, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Charlie raised his eyebrows in surprise. "It's happening?"
Lizzy smiled. "Yeah, it's happening."
"Oh wow, that's great, I'm so happy for you!"
Lizzy bowed her head and blushed. "Thanks."
"You're staying here then," said Charlie.
"Yup, you're stuck with me until senior year," said Lizzy.
"Well, I think I'm pretty lucky then," said Charlie.
Lizzy couldn't help but blush and return his smile.
"Which day is it?" asked Charlie.
"Oh, uhm, Sunday," said Lizzy, snapping out her daze. "Not this one, but the one after. I know it's the weekend and you might have to practice but it shouldn't take too long and you can always leave early and-"
Charlie cut her off mid-sentence. "Next Sunday sounds good."
"Are you sure?" asked Lizzy.
"Yes, don't worry. I wouldn't miss this for the world," said Charlie.
Lizzy's smile widened. "I'll… text you the details?" she asked.
"Sounds good," said Charlie.
A car horn interrupted the two teens.
"Oh, I think that's my mom, I better get going," said Charlie, "see you next week?"
"See you next week," said Lizzy.
As the butterflies in Lizzy's stomach settled, she knew one thing for sure. She could hardly wait.