Chapter Thirteen -- Ariana

Ariana knocked on the door of Kirk's house and waited. When he opened the door, she threw her arms around him and lavished kisses all over his face.

"Kirky!" she exclaimed.

Kirk pushed her off of him and stepped back, giving her a curious look.

"All right," he said and raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"

Much to Kirk's surprise, Ariana got down on her knees in the doorway. She clasped her hands together and looked up at the boy with her sad puppy dog eyes.

"Kirk," she started, "please, please—"

"Hello Ariana," a woman said as she walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch. "Whose number are ya beggin' for this week?"

Kirk looked from his mother back to Ariana. "So that's what this is about!"

"Well, duh!" his mom teased. "Haven't you learned that yet?" She paused. "Ya know, I don't think she's ever gotten on her knees to beg before."

"Mom, could you shut up?"

Kirk started to walk out the door, pushing Ariana with him.

"Nice to see you again, Katie!" Ariana stood and called just before the door slammed shut.

"Okay," Kirk said. "If this is about Kellen, forget it! I told you, he..." He lowered his voice. "...he's got a crush on my mom!"

"Oh, come on, Kirk. She's like, what? Forty?"

"Forty-two, actually..."

"Ewww!" Ariana thought a minute. "Well...do you even know if he thinks I'm cute?"

"Well, we've never actually talked about it, but I'm sure he thinks you're cute, Ariana. You are cute—"

"Really? Aw, Kirky, that's so sweet of you!" She tried to hug him, but he backed away.

"Don't touch me!" he yelled. "You're like my...my cousin or something!"

"Can I just please have his number?"

Kirk sighed and rolled his eyes. "You didn't get it from me."

Ariana squealed. "Thank you so much!" She handed Kirk a pen and he scribbled the phone number on her arm.

"I love you, Kirky! Wanna come to Nichole's with me?"

"Uh...no thanks. Tell the family I said hi."