PETER

I licked my lips and watched Lorraine. She didn't know I was watching her from the other side of the street. She had blond hair and blue eyes. The perfect Aryan…

I looked down at my black HJ uniform. I looked better in the black than tan. I never thought that being an HJ would be good for anything, but finally it was. I had a much better chance with her if I was wearing a Swastika.

I sighed and stared at her hair. I couldn't get over it. She wouldn't go for me. I…

I had brown hair.

Get a grip, I told myself. Don't let her looks intimidate you. Just walk up to her and ask her to go to the Café Bismark.

I promised myself that if I made 3 mistakes, I would back out of asking her.

"Here I go," I muttered as I crossed the street. I reached her and walked behind her for a minute, working up my nerve. Then, finally, I jerked forward and crashed into her. Harder than I'd originally intended.

"Ow!" she said, dropping her books and falling to hit the sidewalk. I hadn't meant to knock her completely off of her feet. Mistake #1.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, frauline!" I said. I got down on my knees and picked up a few of her books, then stood and handed them to her.

"That's all right," she replied. She stepped forward and I quickly said something before she got away.

"Are you General Van Esling's daughter?"

She turned to face me. "Yes."

"I… I know him," I said. "Or, I know of him."

"You look familiar. What's your name?"

"Peter. Mueller."

"Yes, I know you. I've seen you at The Academy." (A/N: I have no idea what the HJ school is called, so it's The Academy now! =)

The Academy was an all-boys school. All of the HJ schools were. Hitler didn't believe in female education. He thought they were good for only one thing: having children.

"How-"

"My father speaks in classrooms sometimes. I've seen you…"

"You should have talked to me."

"I would have if I knew you."

"Would you like to go with me to the Café Bismark tonight?"

"Excuse me?" she demanded, surprised.

No! I scolded myself. Too sudden! Mistake #2.

"Do you have plans for tonight?" I retried.

"Well, I-" She paused, looking uncomfortable. "Not exactly, no."

"Would you like to come to the Café Bismark with me?" I asked again. She was going to say no. I felt it coming.

"All right. Sure."

I smiled of relief. Why did she say yes? She had no reason to. Unless she liked me. Maybe she liked me! "Do you know where it is?"

"Yes."

"All right. We can meet around 7?" Mistake #3! I was supposed to pick her up and drive her there!

It's too late to back out now, I told myself. I'd hit my limit, but I couldn't take back the invitation now that she said yes.

"I'll be there. Goodbye, Peter."

"Goodbye."

A/N: a little short, I know. Sorry about that. But the next chapter is good, and the one after it is when this story really starts to get good. I promise some good stuff!

Preview for Chapter 3:

PETER

… Lorraine took a quick look around and turned to leave, but I caught her arm.

"You can't leave so soon," I said. "Sit down. Relax."…

… "What is this? A stupid game? I have mind to report you, Peter Mueller!"

Suddenly, it wasn't about a dumb bet that I'd made. If she reported me I'd be sent away. No questions asked…

… "It's music… Just music."

"JEWISH music!" she replied.

"Better than Nazi music," I shot back…

… "What are you afraid of?" I challenged. "That you'll like it?"

"Of course not."

"Then prove it."…

… "I don't have to," she said finally.

"You're right," I replied. "You don't." She turned on her heel and left before I could stop her.