A/n: Hey, everyone! Thanks for all the fantastic reviews, I really appreciate them! New chapter, enjoy!

"Good Thing"

March 24

When I came downstairs for breakfast this morning, Mom was looking a bit more cheerful than usual. As I sat down a started to pour myself some cereal, she smiled at me and said, "So, how was your date with Keely last night?"

I swallowed a mouthful of orange juice and said, "I don't use the word 'fiasco' very often but I think that's the only way to describe last night."

Mom's smile faded. "So there was no chemistry, no spark?"

"Oh there was plenty of chemistry," I smiled to myself, thinking of the scene on the porch, "but think both of us were having an off night."

"What happened?"

I recounted the night to Mom and when I finished with, "...so we're going out again tonight," her smile had reappeared.

"I think that girl must really be crazy about you, Phil."

Before I could reply, Pim walked into the kitchen and said, "I think I need to get my hearing checked. I could've swore I just heard you say a girl is crazy about Phil."

"You're hearing's fine, Pim. Phil and I were just talking about his date with Keely."

"Keely? You've got nothing to worry about, bro. Blondie acts like you're Humphrey Bogart to her Ingrid Bergman."

I stared at her, shocked at both her sudden insight into Keely's feelings towards me and her choice of movie reference.

"What? I can't help it, I'm a sucker for Bogart, he's just so...tough."

"Anyway," Mom said, "I don't think Keely would have been so nervous if she didn't really like you, Phil. Speaking for experience, girls usually only get bus-boy-tripping nervous around the really special boys, isn't that right, Pim?"

Pim looked up from her Captain Crunch. "Please, Mom. I'm much to busy trying to rid the world of Fashion Zombies to bother with boys and their infinite lameness."

I spent the rest of the day thinking about what Mom had said and by the time I rung Keely's doorbell, I was feeling quite a bit more confident that last night. There was, after-all, a very good chance, I figured, that Keely felt the same way I did.

When she answered the door, I said, "Ready for round two?"

She grinned at me and replied, "If it's anything like round one, the movie theater better have a good sprinkler system."

I just laughed as I held the car door open for her.

The rest of the night was just as relaxed as I'd hoped it'd be. We had fun talking and joking around over our pizza and when we were in line for movie tickets, I FINALLY got to hold her hand. No bus boys, no candles, just her hand in mine. It felt fantastic.

About fifteen minutes into the movie, I finally got up the courage to put my arm around Keely's shoulders. When I did, she moved closer to me and put her head on my shoulder. I couldn't stop smiling. As far as I was concerned, the rest of the evening could be a complete disaster because that moment, the way it felt to have her that close, was worth it.

Little did I know what was going to happen at the end of the night.

I walked her up to her front door and said, "I had a really great time tonight, Keely."

She smiled and said, "Me too, Phil. I'm so glad you decided to go out with me again. I was so sure I'd screwed everything up after last night, I was shocked that you wanted to try again. I mean, I just could believe that you'd--"

I really wanted to kiss her, only its really hard to kiss someone who quite possibly practicing for a Congressional filibuster. "Keely..."

"--still go out with me after I lit you on fire and all. I know if I were, I might not go out with me again, what with me being the complete spaz that I am most of the time. But then I--"

I could take it any more. I had to kiss her before I lost my nerve again. "Keely!"

"What?"

"Would you shut up so I can kiss you?"

"Oh, right."

Before she could say anything else, I pulled her close and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around me and kissed back and the only thought in my head was that kissing Keely was the single most wonderful experience in my life.

When we finally pulled apart, she smiled at me and said, in perfect Keely fashion, "Ta-dow!"

I just grinned at her and said, "My thoughts exactly." I didn't want to leave and end the perfect night, but a glance at my watch told me it was getting late.

"Well, I'd better get going," I said, "Good night, Keely."

"Good night, Phil. See you tomorrow."

I've been home for about an hour or so now and the smile hasn't left my face for a second. A perfect ending to a perfect night with the perfect girl. Am I the luckiest guy in the world or what?

A/n: Hey, a review would be nice. Stay tune for the next chapter...no title yet, but with any luck it'll be up soon.