CHAPTER 2: NERVES

Kirsten's POV:

            I walk into homeroom with one of my good friends, Abby Richards.

            "So he really sat down next to you in your first class?" she asks.

            "Yeah.  I figured that he would go sit with some of the Titans but he didn't."

            "He likes you, Kirsten." Abby says.

            I smile at her as I sit down, "I think that he does too," I say as the bell rings, "I'll see you later at practice." I say to her as she leaves.

            "Hey Kirsten, how'd you get to school today?" Gerry asks as he walks back to his seat.

            "Abby gave me a ride.  You left before I was done eating breakfast, Gerry."

            "Sorry about that; had to pick up Emma."

            Just then Sunshine comes up to where Gerry and I are talking, "I'll give you a ride on Monday.  That okay?"

            "That would be great.  You know where my house is right?"

            "Yeah.  I'll talk to you later, Kirsten.' He says, before going back to join his friends.

            Twenty minutes later, Sunshine and I are sitting in our next class, English.

            "All right ladies and gentlemen, I have good news and bad news." Mr. Anderson says as we all groan, "The good news is that you have a month to do it.  The bad news is that ya'll have a project." There more groaning, "The other bad news is that I'm going to be assigning partners." He says as he picks up his grade book.

            Sunshine leans over and whispers, "I guess that people don't like assigned partners, huh?"

            I smile and say, "No, they don't."

            "Ah, Miss Bertier, since you are talking, you will be the first to find out who your partner is.  Oh, good, he's sitting next to you.  Mr. Bass will be your partner, Kirsten."

            I nod and then look at Sunshine.  He smiles at me and I have a funny feeling that this project is going to be interesting.

            As Mr. Anderson assigns the rest of the partners, Sunshine leans over, "I can't wait to find out what the project is."

            "Me either." I say and smile at him.

            "Alright ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Anderson says, "Now for your projects.  In relation to our study of American authors, each group will be assigned an author to research, read two books, and then write and give an oral report about how his or her books are related to what was going on in their personal lives.  Bertier and Bass, you have Louisa May Alcott."

            "Darn.  How'd we get stuck with a woman author?" Sunshine says.

            "Don't worry about it.  I've already read two of her books so that will help.  When can you get together to work on this?" I ask.

            "How about tomorrow at the library?" he asks.

            "I thought that you guys have a big football game tonight.  Aren't you going to be tired?"

            "I'm talking about tomorrow afternoon, silly.  I need my beauty sleep." Sunshine says.

            I laugh, "Tomorrow afternoon it is." I say as the bell rings, "I'll see you later, Sunshine."

            "See ya." He says as he heads out the door.

            I head out and met Abby just outside the door, "Anderson gave us group projects."

            "Yuck.  Who'd you get stuck with?" Abby asks as we head towards our next class, chemistry.

            "Sunshine."

            "Kirsten, it's fate!  It' really is!" Abby says as she looks at me and smiles.

            "I'm not so sure that if it's fate, Abby, but this project is going to get really interesting."

            "I'd say so." Abby says as we head into chemistry.

            Thirty meets later, as Abby and I are heading to lunch, I hear a "Hey Kirsten!"

            Thinking it's Petey again, I turn around and am about to tell him to go away but am surprised to see Sunshine coming up to me, books in hand and out of breath.  "Hey Sunshine." I say as I smile.

            "Are you planning on going to the game tonight?"

            "Of course.  It's the first home game.  Gerry will kill me if I don't go."

            "Then I was wondering, if we, uh, could get a bite to eat after."

***

Sunshine's POV

            "Then I was wondering, if we, uh, could get a bite to eat after." I say.  God, I'm so nervous.  I've never had a problem asking a girl out but with Kirsten, it's different than it's every been.

            A brilliant smile lights up on her face, "Sure.  I'll meet you by the locker door after the game.  Good luck, Sunshine."

            I smile, "Great.  Look, I've got to get to class.  I'll see you tonight." I smile at her one more time and then turn around and head towards my next class, physics.

            After my last class, I head down towards the locker room.  Boone doesn't hold practice on game days but I wanted a few minutes, alone, to think about the game tonight.  I may not be playing but I like to think about what could happen.

            Unfortunately, Petey's there.  "Sunshine, what are you doing here?" he asks as I go in.

            "I need a few minutes to think.  What are you doin' here?"

            "Boone made me organize stuff.  You look like you've got women problems.  Talk to me here, Sunshine."

            "I asked Kirsten out."

            "Whoo!  That's great, Sunshine!  When?"

            "Tonight after the game."

            "But I think that we were going out after the game.  You're dumping old Petey here for a girl?"

            I smile, "Petey, you'll be always my friend.  But don't you think that it's time for me to get a girlfriend?"

            "No."

            I laugh, "That's blunt, Petey."

            "So where are you taking her?"

            "I figured that we'd go downtown and get a bite at Hal's."

            "Don't even think about, Sunshine.  The man's crazy.  Doesn't like black brothers."

            "But we're not black."

            "I know that, bro.  He might let you eat there because Kirsten's Bertier's little sister.  Just avoid the whole situation, Sunshine.  Take her someplace else."

            "Where?  I have no idea about where to eat in this town."

            "My grandmother owns a restaurant on Fisher Street.  Tell her that Petey sent you.  She'll give you a good table."

            "Thanks, Petey."

            "Oh, here, you'll need this." Petey says, taking a record from his locker, "Just make sure that I get it back."

            I take it from him, "Petey, what do I need this for?"

            "Ya know, Sunshine, you can be so stupid so times!  That's for if you take her to the Hill."

            "What's the Hill?"

            Petey sighs, "I guess that we'll have to take this slowly.  The Hill is where a guy takes his girl to you know, make out."

            "Petey, it's our first date!"

            "So?  There's no reason to get a little action on the first date.  Just take the record, okay?"

            "Fine." I say, as I put the record with my books.

            "Good.  I'll see you later, Sunshine." Petey says, getting up to leave.

            "Bye Sunshine." I say, as I turn back to my locker.  It's a good thing that I'm not playing tonight.  I'm going to be thinking about Kirsten and our date all night long.

END CHAPTER 2.

            Up next, the game and the date.  Please review!