"Are you all set for your next semester?" my mom asked me while she was fixing dinner.

"Yes, my classes are going to be more difficult this time, but I think I'll be able to handle it," I told her as I pulled off a piece of sourdough bread and took a bite out of the bread.

"What about you, Steven?" my mom asked. "Are you in college also?"

"No, actually," Hyde told her. "I own a record store."

"Wow, did you say own?" my mom asked in pure amazement.

"Yeah," he nodded nonchalantly after taking a sip of his coka-cola.

"Eppie, did you know that you're dating the owner of a record store?" my mom turned to me, her eyes wide.

"Yeah mom," I muttered. Alan had told my mom that Hyde and I were together and Hyde convinced me to keep up the charade. I didn't feel as good about lying to my mom as I did to Alan, but at least she couldn't tell Alan any different if she didn't know any different. Alan hadn't made any advances on me since I had come home due to Hyde telling my step-father that he was dating me. If he found out we had lied, well, I didn't even want to think of what Alan would do to me.

"Well, keep this one," my mom said. "I would love to have a record store owner as a son-in-law."

"I am so sorry about my mom," I said after dinner once Hyde and I had excused ourselves into the basement where we sat down on the couch to watch Green Acers. "She has always wanted me to marry some rich guy so that she could live off of my husband."

"Don't worry about it," Hyde replied. "She isn't the first one to think that just because I run a record store means I'm rich; quite a few people make that mistake actually."

"I meant about the part where she wants me to marry you," I said, playfully slapping his arm.

"Yeah, I knew that," he replied with sarcasm in his voice.

"Uh huh, sure ya did," I laughed.

"Ya know," Hyde started. "I'm really glad I came home with you."

"Really?" I asked

"Yeah, I never would have gotten to see you skate like that or to meet your brother otherwise," Hyde told me.

"I'm happy you enjoyed it," I smiled. "I'm glad you came too. I think I had more fun here at home then I have since Bobby went to jail."

Hyde leaned over and lightly kissed me. I could feel my face quickly becoming flushed and smiled just a little.

"Well, um goodnight," I said quietly as I stood up and headed for the stairs.

"Night Eppie," I heard Hyde say as I began to climb the steps.

Once I was in my room I quickly picked up my phone and dialed Donna's home number.

"Hello?" Bob picked up.

"Hi, Mr. Pinciotti," I greeted. "Is Donna there?"

"Yeah, one moment," Bob said.

"I've got it, Dad," I heard Donna say as she picked up the receiver in her room. I then heard the phone click as Bob put his receiver back in place on the wall. "Hello?"
"Hey, Donna," I said.

"Eppie!" Donna replied. "How's home?"

"Good," I told her. "Um… great?"

"That sounded like a question," Donna pointed out.

"I think it was," I stumbled.

"He kissed you," Donna stated. "Didn't he?"

"Who?" I played dumb.

"Who." she repeated. "As if you don't know."

"Um… maybe?" I said.

"Maybe?" Donna laughed. "It's either yes or no. How can it be maybe?"

"Okay, yeah, so he did."

"What did you do?"

"God, I swear I'm talking to Jackie!" I said.

"Sorry, but this is exciting," Donna exclaimed.

"And why is that?" I asked.

"Because I told you so," Donna explained.

"So what happens now?" I slowly sat down on my bed as I asked her the question.

"You keep going," Donna told me. "I'm sorry if that doesn't make sense, but that's the best way I can put it. You just keep going. Don't let this affect your friendship with him."

"I understand that more then you know," I said. "Thanks Donna."

"You're comin' back tomorrow, right?" Donna asked.

"Yeah," I answered.

"Great, the car ride might seem scary, but just turn the music up and keep it on Zeppelin or Pink Floyd and we'll talk about this more once you get back," Donna said.

"Alright," I nodded. "See ya'."

"Bye."