osh slung his backpack over his shoulder and grabbed a piece of toast.

Gotta go, Mom! he yelled across the house.

Joshua! Wait! Lizzie said, chasing after him. When she reached him at the front door, she asked, Do you have any plans tonight?

He knew he did, and smiled to himself. But when it came to telling his mother, it depended on what she was going to say.

Um, I don't know yet, he lied.

she started, I was thinking we could have a mother/son dinner. We could go wherever you want. Just the two of us.

Josh weighed his choices. But there wasn't much a battle. He'd rather do anything than hang with his dorky mom.

I don't know, Mom. I'm going to miss my bus. See you later.

Goodbye, Joshua! she yelled out the door, to embarrass him. Of course, it worked. She saw him turn beet red.

After she saw he was on his bus, she went back inside and laughed to herself, remembering her father/daughter night, back when she was in 7th grade.

~~~~~~~

Josh looked down the crowded school hallway to see her, standing there, fumbling with books in her locker.

He snuck up behind her and grabbed her waist. She squealed.

Joshy, you scared me! I thought you were some pervert, Cyrus giggled.

Oh, what, like I'm not a pervert? he said, making her laugh even more.

She put her hands around his neck. He was only a few inches taller than her, which worked to both their advantages. Leaning down a little, he kissed her lightly on the lips. She returned the kiss, blissfully.

After their lips parted, Josh grinned.

So we're still on for the date tonight, right? he questioned.

Of course, she said, smiling. After another brief kiss, Cyrus looked up into his eyes. I love you, Joshy.

He hesitated. But he knew it was true. Cyrus was the love of his life. She was perfect in every way.

I love you, too, Cy.

More sporadic kissing followed.

What the two didn't know, though, was that Stewart was standing down the hall, watching their every move. She slammed her locker, disgusted with both of them...but mostly Josh.

~~~~~~~

Josh slammed his tray down onto the table, next to Teddy.

Why does crap like this keep happening to me? Josh complained.

Crap like.... Teddy inquired.

Cyrus is in the nurse's office. She's sick. We were supposed to go on our first date tonight. But no, she's just got to be sick. Damnit, damnit, damnit.

Wait, you were going to go on a date with her? Teddy said, almost sounding shocked.

Yeah, what of it? Josh said, taking a bite of his sandwich.

N-nothing, man.

Alright. What's up with you and Cyrah? Teddy looked down for a second, then looked up with a goofy grin on his face. Oh man, what's that supposed to mean?

You're smart, Josh. You figure it out.

Okay, if it was something obvious, I probably could figure it out. But I really have no idea what you're talking about.

Teddy said, knocking Josh on the head. We're going out.

Oh great, just make me feel like more of a loser. Teddy gave him a look. I mean...yeah. Cool. Sounds great.

Jealous, are we? Teddy laughed.

You wish, man.

A brief pause, before Teddy shattered the silence.

So what's up with you and Stewart? She told me you were being a jerk.

Josh started, but then his friend's words sunk in. Wait, she SPOKE to you?!

Uh, yeah.

Just yesterday, you wanted to strangle each other, and now, you're TALKING to her?

Dude, me and Stewart...we is TIGHT! Teddy said, making Josh laugh at his wiggerocity. No, seriously, though, we're like brother and sister. We have our stupid little quarrels but we always make up.

Yeah, well, I wish I had that luxury. What am I saying? I don't care if that annoying little brat likes me or not. But still...she's my friend. She hates me, Josh sighed.

Awww, like the Puddle of Mudd song!

Yeah, minus the falling in love part.

And the cursing. Can't forget the cursing. Josh almost smiled.

Where is Stewart, anyway?

I think she went to the library. Josh contemplated trying to resolve things. Would it be worth it, in the long run? Why, you gonna go annoy her?

Josh was about to say something, but he bit his tongue.

~~~~~~~

A voice said through the crack of the door.

He paused his video games.

Yeah, Mom?

Since Josh couldn't go out on his date with Cyrus, he'd decided to do the next best thing: play video games. Nothing's more enjoyable than beating up a prostitute, he thought, grateful for his dad, who had bought him Grand Theft Auto III for his 15th birthday.

Are we still on for our mother/son dinner tonight? she said, smiling. Gah, there's just no avoiding this woman!

I uh...uh...um...er...y-- Just then, the phone cut him off. I'll get it! he screamed, a little too enthustiastically, before picking up the phone in his room.



Ugh, you again, the voice said. Josh could tell from the exasperated tone and annoyed attitude that this was Stewart.

Okay, you know what? I'm just--- It was then that he noticed his mom was still standing in the doorway, glaring at him with a slight smirk on her face that said Yes, I AM still here, and yes, I AM listening to your conversation.

Stewart sighed into the receiver.

I'm sorry, Josh. I don't hate you, I was just...really pissed at Teddy.

Yeah, fine, I get you.

I'm serious, Joshua. Joshua? Since when did she call me Joshua? Your forgiveness...means a lot to me.

Fine, I do f--- He motioned for his mom to leave. She reluctantly agreed and walked away. I do forgive you. And as long as you're calling me Joshua, can I call you Aimee?



What?! Who are you?!

But you know, I'll have to kill you afterwards. Josh laughed.

Anyway, I've got this mother/son dinner thing tonight, he said quietly, just in case his mother was listening outside his door, do you think you could come with me? Like, with your dad?

My dad? Um... She paused. I guess. He's not doing anything else, anyway.

Alright, meet us at Vincent's.

The pizza place? Stewart said.

What's wrong with that? he said, taking offense.

Such fine dining, I see, she said sarcastically.

Pft, shaddup.

See you then, kiddo.

Right on, bucko.

Josh hung up the phone, got dressed, and flew down the steps. He quickly grabbed his mom's arm and pulled her out the door.

Let's go!

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

[A/N: Aww. What's gonna happen at Vincent's? Why was Lizzie so intent on embarrassing her son? And when will Teddy realize that he is white? Find out next chapter on Joshua Gordon.]