5.

Louis was devastated, simply devastated. He had really blown it this time. He had blown it in junior high. He had blown it during their junior year of high school with that incident involving himself, some geese, and the girls' locker room. (Don't ask, it's a long and messy story). He knew that Tawny might still like him. Louis knew that he was acting according to his selfish human nature. He was only going after those girls to get attention and feel like he was somebody besides class goofball Louis Stevens. This plan had really backfired on Louis. Now what?

Louis managed to survive the remainder of the day without killing himself. At the end of the last period of the day Louis saw Twitty and Tom at their lockers. "Hello, Louis," Tom greeted.

"Hey, Tom."

"What's this? No clever jest, Mr. Stevens? No new crafty or elaborate gadget to show us? No cream-filled pie to splash in my face?" Tom rambled.

Louis was not in the mood for jokes. "What's up, man?" Twitty asked.

Louis struggled to produce an answer. It was a little hard for him to explain to his friends that he had blown his chance with the girl of his dreams because he was busy trying to make a new name for himself in his last 6 weeks of high school. Louis finally summoned the strength, "Well, you see, guys, I was gonna ask Tawny," Louis began. "And then I thought to myself, I've been chasing her for a few years now and I think it's time to take a little break, you know? There's still plenty of girls here that can't wait to hop on the Louismobile."

Twitty and Tom didn't believe it for a minute. Louis was acting too sad to have recently decided not to ask Tawny for a date. "OK, Mr. Big Shot. What really happened?" Twitty asked.

Louis took a quick breath and said, "She's already got a date, OK? Apparently this pretty boy from the play, Chuck, or whatever his name is just asked her."

Tom was quick to point out, "Oh, Louis, his name is Corey. His mother and Doris often quilt together. Quite a nice boy I must say . . ."

Louis snapped, "Tom! This is not the time to be talking about those nice boys you quilt with! This is serious! The prom is in 3 weeks and I don't have a date because I blew it! I blew it!"

Tom's eyes lit up. "Say, my cousin Henrietta does not have a date."

Louis turned his eyebrow up. "Your cousin Henrietta? The one in band with the huge braces with fig newton crumbs always stuck in them?! That cousin?!! Tom, you can't be serious!"

"She's a very nice girl, Louis. I think it's worth a shot . . ."

"Tom! For the last time, NO!!"

Twitty had heard enough about the subject. "Hey, guys, lets just settle down. Anyway, I gotta take off. The band is having practice in a little bit. I'll see you guys later. Try to cool off, Lou. Later."

Louis waved goodbye to Twitty and waited until he was out of earshot. He grabbed Tom by the shirt and pulled him closer and spoke softly, "OK, Tom, are you serious? Would your cousin really go with me?" So the truth came out. Louis was just putting on another show. He needed a date. Badly. Tom motioned down the hall and said that his cousin could be found in the band room. With that news, Louis was off and running.