AN: Thank you so much to everybody who has reviewed! It's such a surprise to log in to my inbox and see reviews there! You all have no idea how awesome it makes me feel to hear such kind words.

IHateBlacks (I do see where you're coming from, don't doubt that I do. But I think you're overlooking all the white people that are in jail for rape, murder, assault, stealing, etc. I personally think that people emphasize it when a black person does something wrong, just because their skin is darker. When some people are prejudice, they don't even realize it. What we all need to realize is that they are probably thinking the same thing as us. We are all dirty, sinning, perverted, adn disgusting people, whether white or black or any other color. Instead of concentrating on what people of other races are doing wrong, why don't we think about what we're doing wrong? I don't know teh specific Bible verse, but I read it a few days ago, and it made a very good point, as the Bible always does. It says that instead of thinking about what other people are doing (I think teh verse said 'the enemy', but that could apply to anyone you're having troubles getting along with at the moment), you should be worrying about what your sins are, so that when you come up in their conversation or have to go headlong into debate with them, nothing bad can be said about you or your behavior. That, lol and no offense, means not insulting them (them as in blacks, in your case), whether to their faces or behidn their backs. Know waht I mean? I'll try to find that verse for you. In the meantime, I'd like to hear back from you about what you think. I know I can be unclear when I make my points, so if you see any holes in it let me know...) TheGreatSporkWielder (Lol had to laugh when I saw your penname. That's awesome. I wish I could have been more creative with my own! Hey, thanks! I try) Ginger (Yes, my message with my Butterfly stories were all about God's will in the situations we have today. One of the hardest things we have to wait for God's will on is love... and I wish I could be more like Allie when it comes to that! Give us patience, Lord, Amen! Lol thanks. I love getting reviews from you. And don't think that by any means I am as patient as Allie, by the way. I suppose I wrote that story more to encourage myself to be more like that, you know? But I still believe that whatever stress we have to go through in life will be rewarding... whether on earth or in heaven. And we always know we have an AWESOME reward waiting in heaven!) Gi Xian (Hey, nice to hear from you again. Man you have a lot of time. I hardly have any time for reviews, and I hope I do in teh future because I'm getting behind on all of my favorite stories... You wouldn't believe how many people I have heard say teh same things as you have: it has helped me with my love life! Ha, it has helped me, too! Thanks!) rappapop (And the number one shortest review goes to: rappapop! Sorry, don't have a prize. I award you with my admiration, though! I can't ever seem to cut my reviews and replies down to such short ones like you can. It takes talent! By the way, I'm glad you think that about my poem, thank you!) Trine (Hey nice to hear from you again. I appreciate getting reviews from you. Anyway, thank you, and I can't think of anything else to say! Wow, that's a first. Sarah without something to say... some people would tell you to review more often)

And without further ado:

Chapter Three

Aaron took a deep breath and walked up to knock on the front door of 124 E. Meadow Street. He blinked as someone walked up to the door. The woman that opened it was a smiling, friendly version of Rebecca.

She stuck out her hand. "I'm Ruth."

"I figured. Again, nice to meet you," Aaron said, taking her hand and shaking it with what he hoped was a firm grip. He wanted to make a good impression for Rebecca and her sister.

"Hey, come in. Becky should be down in a little bit," Ruth said, motioning him through the entry into a nice house with tan carpet and painted walls. An office was to the right, a small sitting room to the left, and a living room straight in front staring back at him.

Soft footfalls came down the stairs, and he felt her presence before he saw her. "Hi, Rebecca."

Rebecca smiled for a split second, one of those smiles that made you wonder whether you saw it or not, and then looked down at her feet. She looked nice. A pair of jeans and a blue-and-white T-shirt made a perfect bowling outfit, and he told her so.

"Awesome choice of wardrobe, madam," Aaron said, loosening up a bit. He grinned over at Ruth and bowed low to Rebecca.

And for the first time since Aaron had known her, the girl let out a soft laugh, which was more like a breathy giggle. Her sister obviously was surprised, too, for she gave him an approving look before ushering the two of them back out the door.

Aaron really didn't know what to do. He didn't want to seem forward to Rebecca's sister, but he didn't want to seem as if he were leaving her out. So he simply decided to intentionally miss out on all the fun his friends were having to sit by Rebecca and try to coax a few words out of her.

"Are you having fun?" he asked her as she came back from her turn to bowl. She was doing well, had gotten two strikes. Apparently she'd been bowling several times before, and he was glad she didn't have to deal with the awkwardness of being bad at it.

She smiled slightly and nodded enthusiastically, as if she were mute and couldn't express her happiness.

"I remember when I was little; my parents would let me bowl occasionally. I couldn't support the ball with just one hand, even while I had the lightest ball there—probably ever made. I would just go up and drop it, and it would just barely roll down the lane with hardly any momentum. My parents finally decided they needed to teach me, and my dad showed me how to stand with my back to the lane and push the ball between my legs. I hardly ever hit a pin, though," Aaron smiled with the memory. "Sometimes I would push the ball so hard that I would fall over onto my stomach when the ball moved faster than I thought it would."

There was that flicker of a smile. The corners of her mouth came up every so slightly, as if her lips wanted to smile but something was stopping them. But Aaron could see the grin in her eyes when he looked over at her. Ha, he thought triumphantly. I made her smile. Well, sorta.

Aaron's resolve was quickly fading. Rebecca had a harder shell to crack than he thought, and he'd spent the whole night telling jokes and making a fool of himself trying to break it.

Algebra was easier than trying to befriend her.

Could Ruth see through his comical and friendly veneer to what purpose was inside? He hoped not. She was a wonderful person, but far too insightful, and it wouldn't be great if her family didn't approve of him. It would be helpful if her sister was on his side.

And no matter what he told himself, he kept feeling that what he was doing was wrong. But it was harmless, really. At least that's what he told himself over and over and over again.