Chapter 9

When Steph got home, she sulked inside, slamming the door behind her. Ron, who was sipping coffee in the kitchen called out, "Hey hon" which she ignored and bowled her bag down the hall. Stomping up the stairs and entering her room, she flopped on her bed dramatically, letting out a huge sigh. Ron had followed a few minutes later, and stood in the doorway, "Tough day?"

Steph sat up and glared, "Where does she get the nerve to do this to me? I mean who cares if I can't speak Spanish, it's not like I'm gonna need it when I graduate anyway"

Ron nodded, "Ahh but in order to graduate you need Spanish" He came and sat on her bed, "So trouble with the new teacher hey?"

Steph pouted, "Yes, she has it out for me, I mean even Alvin got off with just a warning to pick his game up. I have to have a tutor"

Ron wrapped his arm round Steph's shoulders, "Stephi, it's probably not going to be that bad you know"

Steph sighed, "Mm, maybe, but it's made the start of spring break suck arse"

Ron frowned at her, "Stephanie"

She looked lovingly at her dad, "Love you Daddy"

He kissed her on the cheek and stood up, "Well you've got your whole spring break to not worry about it. So what are you up to tonight?"

Steph hopped off her bed and shrugged, "I dunno, might see what everyone else is up to" juts then her phone beeped a message. She flicked it open to read from Eleanor:

Wanna go pizza nite? 6pm Marios? Ellie xx

Steph smiled and texted back, calling out to Ron, "Going out for dinner"

Ron smiled, "Well just remember, its holidays so midnight curfew ok?" Steph nodded.

They were all hanging around in line outside Mario's, a popular Italian restaurant and pizza bar. It was a brisk spring night, not too cool, but light jacket type weather.

Jeanette was snuggled between Simon's arms, and was looking up ahead at the line, "I said we should have booked"

Eleanor and Theodore were looking over the menu, "Well, if we all decide what we want now, then there's no taking forever when we do get seated"

Eleanor then pointed out, "Beside I told Brittany to book while I messaged everyone" Brittany stopped gazing into Alvin's eyes and turned to Eleanor, "And I told Jeanette! Gosh why is this all my fault?"

Alvin turned her face back to his, "Damn you're hot when you're angry"

Brittany was once again entranced in Alvin; Jeanette rolled her eyes as Simon pointed out, "Well it doesn't matter now" the line moved slightly.

Theodore looked at his watch, "Steph and Alex said they were coming yeah?"

Eleanor scrolled through her messages, "Yeah they both said yes, so they should be here" Alvin turned to the group, "Ooh maybe they hooked up and are going to be late" he raised his eyebrows, as the others giggled; just as Steph and Alex walked quickly to them from across the road.

Alvin looked at them and snickered, "So you're both late, and then you both coincidently arrive at the same time?"

Steph punched him in the arm, "Shuddup, daddy's truck wouldn't start. I tried calling Britt" Brittany blushed and looked at her phone; there were seven missed calls. She held her phone up, "Silent, sorry"

Steph smirked, "Yeah, figured that, so I thought, well I'll try Alex"

Alex then piped in, "Yeah 'cept I was halfway here, but turned back"

Alvin said mockingly, "Aren't you a gentleman?" and laughed; Steph ignored him, "Then we had to find a park" she paused, "No one bothered to book again?"

Theodore smiled, "Nope, but hopefully it won't be too long now...we've only been here" he looked at his watch again, "Oh 20 minutes, man now I am hungry"

Eleanor sighed, "We're not going to eat until late"

Alex looked at the group then up ahead to the maître de. He thought for a second then said, "Wait here, we're getting in" with that he started walking toward the front of the line. Everyone else was curious as to what exactly Alex could do. They'd tried before to use star power to get into places, but that had only resulted in angry fans.

Jeanette squinted, "I wish I could read lips"

Simon adjusted his glasses, "Well Alex is looking really concerned"

Alvin noted, "Aw the guy isn't gonna buy it, whatever he's saying"

Brittany jumped, "No wait, look he's turned back around, oh Alex is pointing to us, do we wave?" they all gave a little wave to the maître de, who looked at them then smiled.

Steph tapped her foot, "C'mon dude let us in"

Theodore and Eleanor's stomachs growled in sync.

There was more talking and a smirk on Alex's face. The maître de thought for a second then embraced Alex in a hug and a handshake, before smiling and ushering him off back to the others.

Alex came back with a smirk and his arms open, "Well we got our table"

The others were gobsmacked, "What? How'd you do it?" Alvin was in awe of this new stunt, Alex smiled and wrapped his arm round Steph's waist, "I'll explain when we get in, but Steph, you gotta work with me on this one"

Steph grinned, "Ahh ok, You got it" They exited the line and strolled toward the front of the line, where the maître de grabbed Alex's hand and shook it before kissing Steph warmly on the cheek, "Ahh such a beautiful lady, such a beautiful couple" Behind them, the others looked at each other, the maître de swept his arm toward their table, "Ah yes, such a lovely table for you all, please, please follow me" He lead them to a large table in the corner, where waiters were hurryingly placing candles, napkins and roses on the table. They each took their seat as the maître de whispered something to Alex who nodded, the maître de winked and left them to cruise over the menu. Once he'd left they all put their menus down and stared willingly at Alex to reveal how he'd got them in.

Alex laughed and leaned in, "Well, I just explained that I was out with friends and my girlfriend" he looked at Steph who blushed slightly as Brittany giggled and Alvin raised his eyebrows, "And I said this was the place that we had our first date, and it was the night I planned to propose" they all gasped as Alex continued, "but I was so worried about getting her here without her becoming suspicious, I forgot to make a booking. So with a little acting and persuasion, he fell for it and here we are"

Simon beamed, "That is genius"

Alvin slapped his hand on the table, "Dude that is THE best stunt, I love it, I am so stealing that"

Alex smiled with satisfaction, "Well I stole it from a mate back home, so feel free"

Steph looked at Alex, "Wait, wait, so you gotta "propose" though still for this to legit and for us not to be caught out, right?"

They other's faces fell, "That's right" said Eleanor, "If there's no ring, we'll all be busted" Alex held up his hands to silence them and reached into his wallet, pulling out a cheap, yet deceivingly expensive looking ring, "I carry it round for times of emergencies such as these" Alvin lifted his glass, "To a sheer genius"

Brittany giggled, "So you carry this round with you all the time?"

Alex nodded, "Yeah, I've only used it twice though"

Steph slapped him, "Oh so I'm getting a second hand ring now?"

Alex smiled, "Only the best for you baby" The waiter came round to take their orders.

It was during the main course where Alex revealed to Steph the process of the plan, "OK so after dinner, the maître de is sending some guy with a violin or accordion to play music, that's when I'll 'propose'" he made little bunny ears with his fingers to emphasise "and lights camera action, it's all you"

Steph exhaled, "Ok, I'm ready for my close up Mr Harper"

Alex smiled, and turned to the others, "Ok, now you all need to go over the top with excitement, usually we can score a free dessert outta this too"

Theodore and Eleanor's eyes lit up, "You got it"

Then as if on cue, Simon saw the maître de pointing to their table and sending a violinist over, he whispered to the group, "It's show time" they all continued to chat casually and pretend they knew nothing of what was going to happen next. He whispered to Alex who nodded. The violinist began to play a sweet serenade, as Steph looked around acting somewhat bewildered. Alex tapped his glass to get everyone's attention. He'd only meant to get their table's attention, however by now, the whole restaurant was looking eagerly and curiously as to what was about to happen.

Alex stood as Alvin leaned over to Brittany whispering, "Geez no pressure"

Brittany shushed him.

Alex looked at Steph, "Steph, you know you mean the world to me; we've been through so much together. This is why, I want to know, my love" he bent down on one knee, as Steph, on cue began tearing up, and acting totally shocked, Alex opened his hand to reveal the ring "will you marry me?"

Everyone in the restaurant held their breath; Jeanette and Brittany had tears in their eyes; Eleanor and Theodore were holding each other's hands in anticipation; the maître de was signalling to the waiters to be ready; Steph smiled and threw her arms around Alex's neck, "Oh yes, yes I will!"

The restaurant went into an uproar of applause as the violinist and now an accordionist played. The maître de sent over waiters quickly to the table bearing an array of desserts, "For the happy couple" they said, placing it on the table.

Steph pretending to admire the ring as the girls all fussed over her. It took the guys a little bit to catch on they were supposed to now congratulate Alex.

Simon led the way, "Oh right, uh, congratulations" he said offering a handshake.

Alvin then too came round and offered a handshake leaning in for a 'man hug' and slapped him on the back, "Good job mate". The maître de then came to offer his congratulations, as did a few patrons from the table next to them.

Alex then, caught up in the moment, whisked Steph around and kissed her. The other's stopped clapping and sat down, looking at each other. When they pulled apart, Steph was shocked, Alex saw this and quickly apologised, "Crap, I'm sorry Steph, guess I got caught up in the moment there"

Steph smiled and shook her head, "No, no, just caught me off guard a little, uh, um, so I guess we should try and eat this dessert here then?"

Theodore pulled a plate of cheesecake and crème brulee toward him; "You don't need to tell me twice" the other's laughed and settled into eating the desserts.

Steph eased up and ate her mud cake.