Sorry it took so long to update. My professors are insane with the workload so I can't promise I'll be quick with the next update. I'm not sure I like how this turned out so I hope you like it.

Paige walked into school on Monday morning and searched the halls for JT. She shook her head. "God, you've really got it bad, Michalchuk," she whispered to herself as she opened her locker.

"What did you say, Paige?" Hazel asked as she opened her own locker.

"Nothing. So, did you have fun with Jimmy on Friday?"

"Oh, yeah. It was a lot of fun. I'm sorry I bailed on you, though."

"Hey, I understand."

"So, what'd you end up doing this weekend, anyway?"

"I worked Saturday and Sunday. I watched movies Friday night," Paige said, remembering how much fun she had with JT.

"Why are you smiling?"

"I don't know." Paige shook her head and giggled.

"You are acting seriously strange. Now, let's go. Neither one of us needs to be late for homeroom again."

Paige was just about to follow Hazel to class when she spotted JT talking to Toby. "Uh, you go ahead. I'll catch up. I just remembered, I need to, uh, do something."

"Come on, we were late twice last week. We don't need to get in trouble."

"Look, Mom, I'll be fine. Go on. I'll see you in a minute."

"Okay, fine." As soon as Hazel walked away, Paige turned toward JT and tried to catch his eye. When he saw her, she gestured and he walked over to her with a big smile on her face. She tried, unsuccessfully, to keep the smile off of her own face. "Hey, JT."

"Hi, Paige."

"So, uh, what'd you do the rest of the weekend? Anything fun?"

"Nope, just homework. What about you?"

"Please. It was all work, work, work."

"Oh, that's too bad. You know, you shouldn't work so hard. You need to mix in some fun, too," JT said, leaning against the wall.

"Yeah, I guess I do."

"So, why don't you do something with me sometime?"

"Like a date?" Paige asked, her mouth curving into a smile.

"You could call it that. Why don't we go out tonight?" JT asked, holding his breath.

"Tonight? I can't." JT's face fell and he turned away.

"Right. Okay. I get it. I'll see you around."

"JT-"

"No, it's fine, Paige. I'll see you around." He started to walk away from Paige and she grabbed his arm.

"JT, stop. Look at me." She waited until he turned and faced her. "I want to go out with you. I just can't tonight. I have to work again."

"What? Oh. Okay. God, I feel stupid."

Paige slapped him on the arm. "Hey, it's okay. I'd be heartbroken if I thought I didn't want to go out with me, too."

JT laughed in relief. "Oh, that's funny. So, you want to go out sometime?"

"Yeah, I-" She was cut off by the bell. "I better go. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

"Yeah, okay." They walked away from each other and Paige slid into her seat in homeroom right before roll was taken.

"You got lucky," Hazel whispered.

"Yeah, yeah."

"What was so important, anyway?"

Paige smirked, thinking of how unsure of himself JT was earlier. "Hazel, you'd never believe what I was doing."

"Okay, you're getting strange."

After Spirit Squad practice that afternoon, JT jogged out of the gym before Paige talked to him in his panther costume. He knew he looked like an idiot and he didn't want her thinking he was immature. He really wanted things to work out with her. His feelings were a little overwhelming. They'd only spent one night together, watching movies, but he was feeling things he'd never felt. He did not want to screw things up. He felt a tug on his arm and turned around, pulling off his panther head. He stopped short when he saw Paige standing in front off him. "Uh, hi."

"Hey. You're rushing off pretty quickly. Got plans tonight?"

"No, I just wanted to change out of the panther costume. It's a little sweaty."

"Please, hon. Like I haven't seen you in the panther suit before. Besides, I think you look cute."

JT looked down at feet. "Yeah, well. You don't look too bad yourself."

"I know." JT scoffed, but couldn't keep a smile off his face. "So, listen, JT. We didn't make any official plans to go out this morning."

"No, we didn't. So you have to work tonight?"

"Yeah, and I've got a couple of tests this week. How about Friday night?"

"Okay, sounds good to me. Do you- do you- have something you really want to do?"

"No, I think I'll let you surprise me."

"Great, nothing like a little pressure."

Paige laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "Hey, I bet you'll think of something great. And if you don't, I'll never talk to you again."

"Thanks, thanks a lot."

"I'll see you later, hon."

"Bye, Paige." JT watched as she walked away from him, and then ran to take off his panther suit.

Later that day, JT walked up to the concession stand at the movie theater. He felt a little stalker-like, but he couldn't help himself. He was dying to see Paige. The smile fell off his face when he saw Alex behind the counter. "Oh, uh hi."

Alex rolled her eyes. "Yeah, whatever. You going to order something or what?"

JT nodded his head, wondering where Paige was. Had she lied to him about having to work? She seemed so into it earlier, but she wasn't here. He was brought out of his thoughts by Alex.

"Hey, spit it out already. I don't have all night."

"Uh, well-" He was interrupted by Paige walking up next to Alex.

"Sorry, I'm late. Traffic sucked. Oh. Hi, JT," she said, smiling when she saw him.

"Hi."

"Great, you know him, you deal with him. He's acting like a freak." Alex walked away and Paige turned to JT.

"So, what are you doing here?"

"I- uh- hope you don't mind. I just thought I'd take swing by and see a movie."

"Great idea. I don't mind at all." She glanced behind her and saw her boss. "Here comes my boss. You better order something quick."

JT nodded. "Just a small popcorn."

Paige handed him his popcorn. "Well, I'll see you around."

"Yeah, see you." JT started to walk away, but was stopped by Paige's voice.

"You better get to planning that date. I'm not easy to impress."

"I know that. I've gone out with you before." They both smiled at the memory.

"I won't be getting paid this time."

"Better not be." JT walked away and Paige smiled after him.