Manny paced the halls of Monster High nervously. He had been dreading this day since freshman year. He always thought if he kept burying his feelings, they would never surface. But a painful conversation with Headmistress Bloodgood had forced him to face reality; he didn't hate Jackson Jekyll, he loved him. Last night, he had come out to his family. His mother had smiled and hugged him. His father told him he couldn't wait to meet his special young man and his sister had squealed and asked when they could start talking about boys together.

He was grateful that his family had had such a positive reaction. He had decided he wanted to shoot his shot with Jackson before coming out at school.

A small squeak brought Manny out of his reverie. He whirled around to see Jackson's terrified face.

"Jackson, wait!"

"Get away from me!"

Jackson took off down the wall. Manny chased him.

"Jackson, please!" Manny cried. "We need to talk!"

Jackson kept running. He was about to steal into a bathroom when he tripped over his shoelaces. Manny caught up to him before he could rise to his feet.

"Jackson-"

"Get away from me!" Jackson shrieked.

"Jackson, you don't need to be afraid of me, I-"

"Why shouldn't I be afraid of you? You've terrorized me for years. You've called me degrading names, pushed me into walls, crammed me into lockers... and that's just the minor stuff."

"I don't bully you because I hate you; I do it because I love you."

"That's biggest load of-"

"I swear it's true" Manny interjected. "I've had feelings for you since freshman year. I didn't know how to handle them, so I turned them into aggression and took them out on you. I'm sorry, Jackson. I truly am. I will do anything to earn your forgiveness. Will you even consider going out with me?"

Jackson sat in stunned silence. He wasn't sure what Manny had to talk about, but it certainly wasn't this.

"Who have you come out to?" he asked.

"I came out to my family last night. They're cool with it. I want to wait before I come out to my friends."

Jackson nodded slowly.

"Manny, you've tortured me almost every day for three years. A few dates aren't going to earn my forgiveness."

Manny dropped to knees and crawled next to Jackson. "I know, and I don't expect forgiveness immediately."

Or at all he thought.

He was surprised when Jackson said "I want you to dedicate this upcoming Saturday to me. Pick me up at eight Saturday morning and take me to breakfast at Coffin Bean. At 9:30 we will go to a silent movie at the local theater. I haven't decided which one yet. We will then go to my house and prepare a picnic lunch. We will enjoy it in Hayworth Park."

Manny's heart soared. "Yes! Yes, that all sounds wonderful!"

"Then it's settled."

Jackson stood up and brushed himself off. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to get to Mad Science. I'll see you Saturday."

He started walking away. Manny smiled and watched him until he was out of sight. When he was, Manny leapt up and started jogging to his locker. He had to pull his diary out and started writing a menu for the lunch.