A/N: Have I mentioned that I love all you reviewers? Because I really do! You people rock so much! Seriously like a couple completely brightened up my day. So yeah keep reviewing, and enjoy this next chapter. –Lauren

:Chapter 6:

The car ride was pretty much silent, I mean what was there to say. The only time we even spoke was when Susannah would mumble which street to turn on, and I would acknowledge it. 'Nombre de Dios. Should I try and comfort her? Should I tell her everything is going to be okay? Can I hug her?'

Once she pointed out her house and I parked the car, Susannah visibly relaxed and turned in her seat to look at me. "Jesse…I can't thank you enough for what you did back there, I mean we barely even know each other, but you stood up for me anyway. I just…thank you" she said leaning over and pulling me into a hug.

"It was nothing, really. I couldn't just stand by and let him talk to you like that. Susannah you deserve so much better" I replied, taking in her wondrous scent. It's something like the smell of roses after a light summer rain, mixed with…I'm assuming, her natural scent.

We sat like that, in a comfortable embrace, just holding onto one another, being with one another, until someone knocked on Susannah's window. We quickly pulled apart and Susannah mumbled something under breath, before climbing out of the car.

"Suze, can you let me in really fast I can't find my key and I'm already late for work" the boy said really fast and in a somewhat demanding tone.

"Uh, fine. But why do you need to get in?" Susannah asked, sounding annoyed.

"I forgot to grab my work shirt when I left this morning."

"Ah yes, the lovely 'Peninsula Pizza authorized deliverer' shirt" she retorted, sounding…well like an annoying little sister. Trust me I know that tone well, having five younger sisters is not exactly a total joy.

"Yeah, whatever. Can you just let me in?" he shot back.

"Well…I could, but what do I get out of this act of kindness?"

"Urgh, I don't know, what do you want?"

"Humm…how about you, take over my dish duty for the next two weeks."

"You little- fine" he huffed.

"Thank you" she said, sauntering up the path to her porch, and quickly opening the door.

As I got out my car, and went to meet Susannah, the boy raced through the open door and came out again within a minute, holding a goofy, bowling style shirt. He jumped into a car and shouted "Suze, if you're gonna entertain male company could you promise to keep your clothes on."

Both Susannah and I stared at him in total disbelief, as he winked at us and then sped away.

"I'm gonna kill him" Susannah murmured, followed by "Oh, come on in. Sorry about Jake, he's just being stupid."

"Oh…okay" I said, walking with her into the house. As I stepped inside I noticed the walls and shelves were lined with pictures. I glanced around scanning the photos until I found one of Susannah. She looked to be about 13, and she was wearing a sparkly costume. A boy stood beside her, and in front of them sat a large trophy.

"Oh God" she sighed when she noticed I was staring at the picture. "I…uhh, I used to dance. A lot actually. I mean, you name a type and I did it. But after I started high school, it became too much, so I stopped competing. I still dance a little, but just to keep in shape and maintain my flexibility; not to compete" she finished.

"Wow, so like any kind of dance?" I asked, sounding a bit skeptical.

"Yep, pretty much. I did ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, ballroom, salsa, flamenco, and a little ballet folklórico."

"Really? My sisters love that. They really just like all the different costumes, and the way the skirt moves, but still they always drag me to the Father Serra Carnival just to watch the dance group" I said, grinning.

"Oh, yeah. They're really good; I saw them a couple years ago in a competition in L.A. Now…enough pictures, we've got homework. Come on" she said, nodding for me to follow her. And I did obediently, follow her I mean. She led me into the kitchen and threw her backpack down by a table. I gently placed my own besides hers and saw that Susannah was looking at me with a slight gleam in her eyes.

"Jesse, do you like hot tubs?"

:Gulp:

"Umm, I guess so…why do y-you ask?"

"Well my stupid stepbrother is throwing a back-to-school hot tub party this Saturday, and I was gonna see if I could stay at Cee's. But if you want, you could…you know, come" she said shyly.

"Uhh, that sounds fun…besides we're exploring Carmel during the day, so why not top it off with a party?" I replied, knowing that my voice sounded a little squeaky.

"Oh, right. Well, I don't want to take up your whole Saturday. I mean, I'm sure you've got better things to do than hang around with m-"

"Susannah" I interrupted her, "I would like nothing more than to spend all of Saturday with you."

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother" she replied.

"I'm positive, now let's start our homework, before the temptation of procrastination becomes too much."

She laughed lightly, and then we sat down to do our homework.

After all our homework was done, we'd eaten some leftover pizza, and drank two cans of soda, I realized I had to call my mom to let her know where I was. So while I explained to my mother that we absolutely had to work on our homework together, Susannah went to go get something from her room. When I told my mom about Susannah and what we had to do, she perked up and told me I could stay as long as I needed. "Mijo, just remember what I told you about abstinence" she reminded me, laughing a little as if it were a funny joke she'd just told me.

"Mamá! Susannah…I would, never…" I mumbled, suddenly at a loss for words.

"I know, I know, I was only teasing you. I'll have Marta watch your sisters until you get home. But Jesse" she said, sounding very…parental.

"Yes?"

"I want you home by 7 o'clock. And I if this is going to become a regular thing, I want to meet this Susannah, and her parents."

"Mamá, don't worry. I'll be home in a little while. See you later."

"Okay, adios Mijo."

When I finally hung up and stopped blushing, I called upstairs to Susannah.

"Come on up" she yelled back.

'Nombre de Dios. What am I thinking? No one is home. What if one her stepbrothers were to come home and find us? We'd be all alone, and…in her room. Really this is wrong…Yes, it's wrong.' But then another voice popped into my mind and added 'Yeah it's wrong because you're down here, when there's a beautiful woman waiting for you in her bedroom.'

Being the hormonal teenage boy that I am, I quickly agreed with the latter voice, but swore to not do anything inappropriate with Susannah.

As I reached the second floor Susannah's head poked out from I'm assuming her doorway. "In here…I just can't find…the stupid tape" she mumbled, more to herself than to me really.

Slowly, I inched my way towards her door and when I looked in I couldn't believe my eyes. 'It's exactly the same way I remember it. The frilly canopy bed, the lacey pillows all over, and…the window seat.'

"I know it's so girly, but my mom decorated it and it would probably break her heart if I changed it…so, welcome" she said smiling.

I smiled back and looked around. More photos were pinned onto a cork board, creating a photo collage. Susannah was in most of the pictures but there were always other people in them too. In a couple I recognized the same boy from the photo downstairs. He was tall, muscular, and seemed to be a close friend of Susannah's. One picture I found particularly amusing; it was of Susannah and that same boy. Susannah was kissing his cheek and he was smiling, while blushing. They were wearing matching clothes, and looked like somewhat of an item. I stopped myself from jumping to conclusions about their relationship, as Susannah happily sang "Found it!", from across the room.

"Found what?" I asked, making my way over to her.

"The tape. Here" she said, handing me a VHS cassette, "it's from the last ballet folklórico competition I went to. It's not just me, so it's pretty good. You said your sisters like the dancing, so I figured it's the least I can do since I'm taking up your Saturday."

"Really? Wow, they'll love this, thanks" I replied.

"Don't mention it, and you can give it back to me whenever."

"Okay, well thank you, again" I lamely responded.

We stood in a comfortable silence, just staring into each others' eyes, until I interrupted; "Well, I should go. You've probably got things to do, and I have to baby sit anyway."

"Oh, okay" Susannah murmured, sounding a little sad and disappointed. "At least let me walk you out to your car."

"Alright" I sighed, trying to hide my happiness.

"Well, this was fun, we should do it again some time" I said, instantly regretting it.

"Yeah, definitely" she sweetly replied.

"Okay, well…bye" I murmured.

"Bye" she echoed before quickly kissing my cheek and sauntering back towards her house.

I stood there for a moment, replaying what had just happened in my mind. My skin tingled where she had kissed me, and I could tell I was blushing. 'Now I know what that boy went through. Ah Querida…Great, she barely kisses my cheek and I turn to mush. I shudder to think what might happen if we ever actually kiss.'

When I finally got home my mother was leaving for work and told me dinner was in the oven. My sisters bombarded me with questions about where I had been, who I had been with, and why I was grinning like an idiot. My two youngest sisters; Mapi and Carmen got distracted once I gave them Susannah's video, but Marta, Josefina, and Mercedes pressed on until I finally told them as little as possible. Josefina and Mercedes readily accepted my explanation of having to work on homework with Susannah, but Marta stayed. I've always been close with Marta, probably because we're only a year apart. Plus Marta always wanted to be in the know when it came to me and girls. She didn't like any of my previous girlfriends; she always said I could do better.

"You like her huh?" she asked with a smile.

"I…yeah. It's just so strange, I only met her today, but I feel as if I've known her our whole lives."

"Jesse is she the girl from that dream you told me about?"

I'd confided in Marta about my first dream, but after I had more I knew it was a matter to discuss with Father Dominic.

"Yes, I think so. When I saw her today I completely froze. My breath caught in my throat, and I literally think my heart skipped a beat. Marta, how do I not mess this up? I want things to work out with Susannah. She's different from all the other girls. I don't why, but around her I feel like a total goof-ball. I'm at a loss for words, and when I actually manage to say something intelligent, it surprises me."

She squealed in delight and gave me a quick hug before replying, "Okay, you said you're showing her around Carmel on Saturday right?"

"Yes, and then we're going to a party her stepbrother is throwing."

"Okay, so when you're out with her just be yourself. You know, be a gentleman with a sense of humor. Make her laugh, but make sure she knows you want her. Compliment her, but don't over do it. Hold her hand, if she lets you. But at the same time act casual. Treat her like there's no one on earth you'd rather be with. BUT, at the end of the night don't pressure her into a kiss. If-"

"Marta! I'm showing her around Carmel, not taking her on an actual date" I shot at her, but then realized I was wrong. 'It really is a date! A REAL DATE! Ah, a date con mi Querida.'

"Jesse, are you retarded? Of course it's a date. I swear sometimes you boys are so dense. How you people don't fell down more, I'll never know" she huffed.

"So…she knows it's a date?"

"Duh, Jesse you're spending all day with her, this is your chance to show her what a great novio you'd make. Besides she already kissed you, so you know she likes you too. Just relax, you'll do fine. Wake me up on Saturday and I'll pick out your clothes" she said while walking into the kitchen.

"I can get my own clothes" I yelled after her.

"Sure Jesse, sure. Whatever you say" she retorted.

Just then the phone rang. Marta grabbed the line in the kitchen, and after a few seconds yelled for me to get the phone, because Adam was calling. I grabbed the phone in the living room, and answered, "Hello."

"I cannot believe you went over to Suze's house! Dude I heard about what happened with that Slater guy today. I also heard you looked quite cozy with said female. Everyone's saying how cute you guys are together. So what happened? Did someone finally get laid?" he rambled.

"Adam! Nothing happened. We just did our homework, ate some leftover pizza, and talked. That's it."

"Except for the part where she kissed you" Marta chimed from the line in the kitchen.

"Dude she kissed you!"

"Marta can you let me speak to Adam, alone."

"Fine, fine I'm going. Bye Adam" Marta said before hanging up the phone.

"Bye Marta" Adam mumbled, "SO! Spill, what happened with Suze?"

"It's a long, kind of boring story. And I really don't want to talk about it, because you'll just go and tell CeeCee and then she'll tell Susannah that I told you."

"Dude, Suze told Cee, and Cee told me. How'd you think I found out you were with the lovely Ms. Simon?"

"I…I don't know. So, she really told CeeCee? What'd she say?" I anxiously questioned.

"Something about how amazingly smart and sexy you are. She must have been with another Jesse though cause you are neither" Adam teased.

"Think you're so funny huh? Now, really…what'd she tell CeeCee?"

"Argh, we're gonna be here awhile so you might as well sit down and make yourself comfortable."

"Adam! I'm serious. I really like Susannah, and I think she could be my one…"