Josh just sat there with mouth hanging open. Stewart pushed his jaw back up. He gave her a look.

Stewart: Sorry. That's a pet peeve of mine.

For once, Josh thought he had found a girl that he thought he could hook up with, and now his best friend likes her. Why couldn't I just have girl friends, like my dad used to? (Or so he tells me.)

Teddy: No, wait, sorry. That girl's name was Cyrah.

Josh had never felt that much relief washed over his body. But there was still the slight chance that Teddy was having a memory lapse.

Josh: Do you know her last name?

Josh looked hopeful.

Teddy: Uhh. Yeah. It was uh.Young.

Josh's disappointed face returned.

Teddy continued.

Teddy: Yeah, she was telling the class all about herself. She's got this twin named Cyrus. They just came here from Canada. They lived in Regina. Regina.

Teddy paused to laugh at the word "Regina".

Teddy: Yeah, they lived on a potato farm.

Josh: Damn, you like her twin?

Teddy: No, I like her.

Josh: No, I meantI mean

Teddy: Yeah?

Josh: The hot girl in History class.

Teddy waited for a point to his blabber.

Josh: That was Cyrus.

Teddy: Ohh, wicked! We could go on a double date, or something!

Josh stared at his friend.

Josh: Teddy, I think double dating ended in 8th grade.

Stewart decided to butt into the conversation, with half a jelly sandwich (yes, just jelly) in her mouth.

Stewart: I thinfk tat Tehhy still ithn't a-owed to go ohn tingle dayteh.

Josh: Translation?

Stewart finished her sandwich off.

Stewart: I think that Teddy still isn't allowed to go on single dates.

She smirked. Teddy turned red.

Teddy: I can, too. I just, you know, choose not to. So.screw off.

Stewart: Sometimes I wonder why I still hang out with you two.

Josh started talking to himself.

Josh: She called mesexy.

He obviously didn't realize he had said that out loud.

Stewart: She called you "sexy"?!

Teddy: She's a keeper, buddy.

Stewart: Are you kidding me? She sounds like a whore.

Teddy: You're just jealous.

Stewart: Of what? Her whore-ish abilities?

Teddy: He can't help it if the babes want him!

She shook her head.

Stewart: I hate guys.

Teddy turned his attention back to Josh.

Teddy: All I know is that we gotta get you with her.

Josh woke up.

Josh: What?

Teddy: Dude, girls don't just call you "sexy" for the hell of it.

Stewart: How would you know?

Teddy: I know ignorance is bliss for you, but I, myself, enjoy studying the opposite sex.

Stewart: Oh, really? Then tell me, Teddy, what are girls like?

Teddy: Well, you know, they're uh.they're hot.

Stewart: You're so insightful.

At that exact second, Josh's "babe" Cyrus happened to walk by.

Cyrus: Hiya, Joshy, baby.

She turned to Teddy.

Cyrus: I think my sister is over by the steps.

Without even thinking about how she knew, Teddy walked quickly over to Cyrah at another table.

Cyrus sat down and started rubbing Josh's thigh. He looked scared stiff.

Josh: S-so, youyou're from Ca--Canada?

Cyrus whispered into his ear with her soft, breathy, Marilyn Monroe voice.

Cyrus: I want you, Joshy.

Josh froze. But something told him to wake up. Stewart cleared her throat. She had been sitting there through all of it.

Josh: Uh, Stewart, do youmind?

She pretended to be oblivious.

Stewart: Oh, no, go ahead, have fun.

Josh: So, Cywhere were we?

Cyrus then giggled at the statement. Stewart rolled her eyes. When Josh looked back at Cyrus, she was staring at Stewart, scowling.

Cyrus: Joshy, can I talk to youalone?

Stewart pretended not to be listening, but he knew she was.

Josh: Y-yeah. Sure.

They walked to a spot under the steps, where no one could see them.

Cyrus: I don't like that girl.

Josh: What?

Cyrus: That girl at the table.

Josh: Oh, Stewart? I know she can be sort of---

Cyrus: I want her out.

Josh: Out of what?

Cyrus: Ouryou knowcircle.

Josh: Cyrus, we don't have a circle.

Cyrus: Whatever. Just pick. Me or her?

---------------------

Josh hopped off the bus and onto the sidewalk. He walked up his pathway to the big, chestnut doors in front of him. He reached into his pockets, but he had no key. He rang the doorbell a few dozen times.

Finally, his dad opened the door.

Gordo: You're so lucky I'm home right now.

And Josh was grateful that he was. If his mom had answered the door, she would've freaked out. But he shouldn't be complaining, he had fairly cool parents. Teddy's parents were also pretty decent. Stewart just lived with her dad, and from what he knew, he could be pretty mean sometimes. He cancelled her 13th birthday party last minute because she got a B- on a spelling quiz. She was having a bowling party, and she was inviting half the grade. She even said she was going to invite this guy she liked, but she never told him who it was. And the teacher ended up not even counting that quiz into their grade.

Gordo: Josh? You awake?

Josh: Sorry, dad. Where's mom?

Gordo: She's picking up Alex and Matt.

Josh wasn't sure why he asked. He didn't care that much.

He hoped he had made the right decision. I mean, things will be okay, right? I hope she doesn't hate me. Please, God, don't let her hate me. I mean, I just met this girl, andI don't want things toI don't know what I'm saying. I'm a moron, I'm a moron, I'm a moron. I hate myself. I should go die.

When Josh returned from La La Land, his dad was staring at him.

Josh: Uh, dad. What are you doing?\

Gordo: Something's troubling you.

Josh: You sound like a shrink.

Gordo laughed to himself.

Gordo: Did something go bad today? Did you get a mean teacher, or did a teacher embarrass you? Anything?

Josh: No, dad, I'm fine.

Gordo: You sound like me.

Josh: Huh?

Gordo: I'd always say that when I was younger. About your age. But I wasn't fine. Honestly, Josh, what happened?

Josh was getting frustrated.

Josh: I just, you know, met this new girl, and things got screwed up, but I'm over it now, so don't worry. I gotta go do my homework. Let me know when dinner's ready.

Josh ran upstairs with his schoolbag on his back. He flopped onto his bed, and went under the covers.

God, I hope I made the right decision.

[A/N: Oh no! Did Josh make the right decision? What exactly was his decision? And why in the name of Aloysius did Gordo laugh when Josh said he sounded like a shrink? *LoL* Find out next chapter, on Joshua Gordon.]