This is the first story out of what will eventually be a trilogy. This story will continue from the end of the series and will focus on Ned, Moze, and Cookie as they enter high school. The second story will focus on college and post-college life and the final book will be focused on their adult lives. The first book will be rated T while the final two will more than likely be rated M.

This story starts where the final episode left off. To refresh everyones memory, Ned and Moze have just started going out, and Cookie has a date with Lisa to go out for pizza with Ned and Moze planning to join them. This story begins after the school day has ended but before the date. Enjoy!

I can't believe I'm going out with Moze.

That was the thought that ran through Ned Bigby's mind as he stared at his reflection. Ned was in his room, getting ready to go out for pizza with his new girlfriend Moze, his best friend Cookie, and Lisa Zemo, the girl Cookie had spent most of the year pining over.

Ned was in his room trying to figure out what to wear. Every once in a while he'd glance out his window. From his room he could look out to the house next door, and in particular, to a certain window directly across from his own. That window was Moze's.

Jennifer "Moze" Mosely, Ned's best friend since preschool, and the girl he'd finally admitted he had feelings for, was also his next door neighbor. The two of them spent most of their free time together and even had frequent sleepovers even now that they were coming to the end of 8th grade. Their parents were close too and it was not unusual to see both families get together for meals and outings.

As Ned glanced at Moze's window, he frowned. The shades had been closed since he got home. Normally Moze would leave her window shades open unless she were changing, which usually only took a few minutes. But Ned had been home for almost an hour and the shades had been closed the whole time. The houses were close enough that they could easily see into each other's rooms and they could even talk to each other from their rooms if the windows were open. The two had spent many nights staying up late talking.

Ned looked back at his mirror again. He had opted for his usual look to go for pizza: a white t-shirt under a blue flannel button down shirt which he left unbuttoned, and blue jeans. For a few minutes he had considered dressing up, as it was technically his first date with Moze, but Ned figured this would be a pretty casual evening. Ned again turned his gaze back towards Moze's window but there had been no change. The blinds were still down.

What is taking her so long? He wondered. When they had gotten home from James Polk middle school, Ned and Moze had agreed to get ready and then they'd go meet Cookie and Lisa. In the past, getting ready took them hardly any time at all. When they were ready, Ned and Moze would usually look out their bedroom windows at each other and signal that they were all set. Then they'd either meet outside or they'd prearrange to meet at one of their houses. Today was a beautiful day, so Ned figured they'd just meet outside, but for some reason Moze was still not ready.

Ned finally decided to give Moze a call. He reached over and picked up his cell phone off of his bed and dialed her cell number. It rang longer than he expected before she finally picked up.

"Ned?" her voice sounded like she was surprised he was calling.

"Hey Moze. Are you ready to go get some pizza?"

"Ned, I'm still getting ready. Can't you see my blinds are closed?" Ned was surprised at the slight annoyance in her tone.

"I figured maybe you'd forgotten to open them" he responded, trying to sound as pleasant as possible. "I've been waiting for a while and wanted to check and see how you were doing."

"Well I didn't forget" came her firm reply. "I'm not ready so you'll just have to wait a little bit longer."

"Are you ok?" Ned asked, becoming concerned at how agitated she sounded.

"I'm fine" Moze muttered before abruptly hanging up the phone.

Ned stared at his phone for a minute. Moze never acts like that he thought. What is going on? Ned figured the best thing to do was just wait outside for her. So he grabbed his wallet and house keys and headed outside to wait for Moze. Since the pizza place was nearby, the two of them had planned to walk there together, which saved Ned from having to ask his mom for a ride.

To pass the time, Ned sat under the only tree in front of his house. It really was a beautiful day out: sunshine and a bright blue sky, and warm but not too warm. Ned chuckled to himself as he sat thinking about everything that had already happened that day.

The day had started with him trying to get some quality time with Suzy Crabgrass on the big year end field trip. He had gotten kicked out of the trip by Vice Principal Crubbs, snuck on board the wrong bus, and ended up separated from Suzy for most of the day. The funny thing was that as crazy as it all had been, it had all worked out perfectly. Sure he'd ended up looking just like the wild boy from the painting everyone was so obsessed with seeing, but he'd ended up with Moze.

Ned couldn't believe that just that morning he had been torn between Suzy and Moze. Now as he sat waiting for the girl who'd stolen his heart, he couldn't imagine liking anyone else. He thought back to all the time he'd spent with Moze and couldn't believe how long it'd taken for him to realize there was more between them than just friendship.

Thinking of Moze brought Ned's thoughts back to the weird phone conversation a few minutes ago. What was Moze so upset about? He wondered. Today's been an amazing day. She should be in like the best mood ever, right? The sound of Moze's front door opening jarred Ned from his thoughts.