Lily Randall looked into her mirror. Sometimes she couldn't believe that that was HER staring back at her, that that was her reflection. Whatever, I'm going to be late. I'm worse than Ray, she thought. It was her first date (ever) with him and she was SO happy! She sat down and put on some makeup. Pretty good for a first-timer, she thought. She slipped some lip gloss into her purse and picked it up. She hopped down the stairs, smiling all the way.

She walked to town, where the Chinese Restaurant was. That was where she was going to meet Ray. There he was, standing just outside the door. Lily met up with him. "Hey," she said, "Sorry I'm late." She looks great, thought Ray. "No problem. It's packed in there anyway!" They stepped inside. Ray was right-there was a huge line-up. But although the line was super-long, it moved pretty fast, and within ten minutes they were sitting at a table by the window.

"Thanks," said Lily as Ray pulled a chair out for her. As they sat down, Lily knew she would be SO nervous, the ENTIRE time. "You look great,"

commented Ray. Lily blushed. It wasn't like her to wear a lime tanktop under a pink blouse with faded jeans AND JEWELLERY. "This is kinda fancy for me," Lily admited. "But it's a special occasion." She leaned forward to hold his hand. "So," she changed the subject, "What's new?"

Ugh! That was so lame, she regretted. "Uh...not too much. What about you?" Ray asked.

"Well, same with me. My life to this point, is, well, pretty much boring."

Ray laughed. "I think everybody thinks the same."

Lily smiled at him. Their love felt somewhat deep, and so far the date was going well. But Lily had a feeling that something was going to go wrong. Just then, a waitress appeared. "Hi," she said. "Are you two ready to order?"

"Sure," Lily replied quickly. She needed something. She was sweating she was so nervous talking to Ray. "I'll have whatever that is," she said, pointing to the menu. She couldn't pronounce half the things there. "I'll have the same." Ray hadn't had the chance to look at the menu. He figured that whatever Lily was getting would probably be pretty good. The waitress took their menus and went off to get their food. Lily scanned her brain for something to talk about. "I hope our food comes fast," she said. "I'm starving!"

"Me, too." agreed Ray. "Hopefully it'll be good, too."

"Yeah," Lily said, smiling. Ray always knew what to say-unlike HER.

10 minutes later, the waitress returned with their food. "Thank you," Ray said to the waitress before stuffing his face. "Enjoy your meal," the waitress replied. Lily took a bite. For some reason, it tasted really weird. But she was starving, she didn't care how it tasted.

"Hey Ray," Lily said, as their meal began and the waitress was gone,

"Does this taste weird?"

"No," replied Ray, "Mine's fine."

"Oh. I don't really like it. It has a funny aftertaste. Anyway, just checking." Lily kept on eating. That was kind of awkward.

After a while Lily had a weird feeling in her stomach. "I have to go to the bathroom," she told Ray. "Be right back." As she stood up to go, the world spun around her like a tilt-a-whirl. She lost her balance and fainted.

"Lily?" Everything was black, but she heard Ray. She moaned. Her stomach and head hurt like Hell. She opened her eyes. Ray was above her with a concerned expression. "Are you okay?" Wherever she was, it didn't look familiar.

"Where am I?" Lily was confused, and a little bit shocked.

"We're still at the restaurant. Are you sure you're okay?"

"What happened?"

"You...you just...just..you just, like, fainted." Great, thought Lily. Just a perfect first date.

"Oh," she moaned, "My stomach and head hurt like crazy!"

"Lil, answer me, are you sure that you're okay?"

"I guess.." She tried pulling herself up but it was no use.

"You know what, Lil, I'm gonna call my mom. She'll come pick us up."

Ray lifted Lily to her feet. She was dizzy and exhausted. He put his arm around her and walked her out to his mom's car. "Are you okay?"

Asked Ray's mom, who Ray had told the whole story to on the phone.

"Yeah...I guess," Lily replied awkwardly. Ray helped her into the minivan. She had to keep pinching herself in order to not fall asleep in the car. A silent tear rolled down her cheek. She quickly brushed it away and tried desperately not to burst into tears on the silent ride home.

"Here we are," Ray told his mother as they reached Lily's house. Ray had called Lily's mother as well. Ray helped Lily out and walked her into her house all the way up to her bedroom. She layed in her bed.

"Thanks, Ray," she said softly.

"Are you sure you'll be fine until your mom gets home?"

"Yeah," Lily lied.

"Ok,...see ya" Ray bent down and gave Lily a small kiss. It was short and sweet but still didn't make Lily very happy.

"Bye," she whispered, drifting into a long, deep sleep.