Drake really enjoyed listening to DNAB. They were an alternative rock group that had some interesting lyrics about high school.

"I really appreciate you guys taking Lola for the weekend," Drake sighed at Josh's house later that Friday night.

"No problem, brother," Josh laughed. "You're going to pick her up on Sunday at noon, right?"

"Yeah, I'll see you later guys. Thanks again!" Then Drake drove away in his El Camino to have some fun.

First stop he decided to try was the mall. He looked around all the stores that women liked that guys were still allowed to go to without getting weird glances from across the room. He had met several women, but none of them met his standards. He headed to the food court to chunk down some greasy food. In the burger line was a young woman of about 26, although Drake didn't want to guess older than she was. She had blonde hair andtan skin, looking like she lived on the beach. He decided she was the closest thing she was going to get of his standards. As they were both waiting for their food, Drake decided to make his move.

"Hey, I'm Drake," he said with a slightly shy voice.

"Dawn," she responded carelessly.

"Listen, are you seeing anyone?"

"Uh... no."

"Would you mind going to the beach with me?"

"As a date? I'd love to."

"How does burgers on the beach sound?"

"Yum. Are you from here?"

"Yeah, lived here my whole life. I'm surprised I haven't met you before, I've dated like every girl in California!" Drake laughed.

"Yeah, that's weird. I moved here ten years ago from Laguna Beach area."

So they took their food and got a nice sunny place on the beach to eat their fatty burgers. Drake was really starting to like Dawn, and he was pretty sure she was liking him too.

"Hey Dawn, have you ever dated a guy older than you?"

"Biggest age difference I've ever had was 3 years. Why?"

Drake sighed, hating to ask how old she was. "Well, I don't how to ask you this without sounding like a typical rude guy, but I don't want you to think I'm 26. I'm 30 and I have a 3 year old daughter named Lola. My wife left me recently and I've had a difficult time trying to find a woman, well, like you."

"Why'd she leave you? You sound like a lot of fun to be with to me."

"She said I was 'immature.' What does she know? She left me for Enrique, the Mexican who does the landscaping at our apartments."

"I'm 27," Dawn laughed. "Wow, Enrique musta been pretty spicy for her to pass you up!"

"Whatever." Drake laughed. "Dawn, do you, well, like me? You know, as someone you'd want to see regularly?"

"Drake, I've been dating for several years, and I've never met a guy that could spill out his emotions like you have. I'm really impressed and I can't wait to meet your daughter. I'd be happy to be your girlfriend."

"So do you wanna head in for the night, cuz I'm thinking the party's just begun!" He reached over to her to take her to his El Camino.

"Drake, wait. I didn't tell you before, but I am seeing someone. I lied to you because I wanted to see if you were worth it. I need to break up with him, now, before we can go any further."

"Here, use my cell..."

"No. Can you drive me to his house real quick, so I can break up with him?"

"Of course, Dawn." So he drove her to the house, then quickly drove around the corner so the boyfriend wouldn't see him. After half an hour, Dawn didn't come back, so he figured she had trouble finding him. He drove casually by the house, eagerly searching for her. He found her a block away, guzzling down a bottle of beer and black streaks of cheap mascara ran down her cheeks.

"Dawn? What happened?"

"He wuz wit anuder womun. He kickded me outta da hows cuz he sed I aint gud anuf!" she drunkly sobbed. Drake picked her slim body up and dropped the beer bottle. He laid her on the front seat tenderly and drove to Josh's house. He burst open the front door and dropped Dawn on the couch. He went to find Josh, and found Josh and Mindy scattering for their clothes.

"Dude!" Drake cried. "I'm scarred for life!"

"Which won't be long if you don't tell us why you didn't knock!" Mindy screeched.

He waited a few minutes, allowing time for Mindy and Josh to get dressed, and then showed them Dawn, lying unconscious on the couch.

Mindy laughed sarcastically. "Great, so you bang down our door at 10 o'clock to show us your drunk girlfriend drooling on our couch! Why didn't you bring her to your apartment?"

"Mindy, c'mon, Drake needs help," Josh argued. "What happened, did she just have a little too much to drink?"

"I think so. She was gone for half an hour, trying to break up with her boyfriend and then when I found her, she couldn't even talk!" Drake replied.

Mindy sighed, "Just pick her up so we can pull out the pull-out couch."

So Drake held the light body while Josh and Mindy clumsily pulled out the bed from the inside of the couch. Drake laid Dawn on the bed and climbed on himself. They all went to sleep for the night.

Bright and early the next day, Drake and Dawn were awakened by Josh's 4 year old daughter, Rachael, and his 1 year old son, Logan, along with Lola.

"Yay, Daddy's here!" Lola shouted. Lola jumped onto the weak mattress and on top of Drake.

Drake sat up and hugged his daughter. "Hey Lola, did you have fun with Rachael and Logan last night?"

Lola nodded. "Who dat Daddy?"

Drake laughed, "This is Dawn. She's my girlfriend."

"Is she mommy?"

"I can be Mommy," Dawn sleepily said, sitting up slowly. "Come here Lola." Lola hopped over to Dawn and gave her a great hug.

"Yay I gots a new mommy!"

"Aw crap. I didn't even think that Marie would possibly want custody of you. She's probably out filing a lawsuit right now. Josh, you gotta help me."

Josh was listening from the kitchen, "Oh yeah. Mindy can help you there. She's the lawyer."

"I kinda still need to figure out what happened last night?" Dawn stated in a question form. "Did I just get knocked over the head, cuz I got a nasty headache?"

"Well, you got drunk, but I think I mighta accidentally bumped your head against my car when I was trying to put you in," Drake answered.

"How many did I have!" Dawn asked.

"Dunno, you were probably drinking for half an hour."

"Gosh, STUPID!" Dawn smacked her forehead in anger. "I've been sober since January!" It was May. "Now I gotta start over!"

"I'll watch you. You're not getting outta my sight!" He got up to grab her a pain killer.

Dressed half an hour later, Dawn was feeling better and they were going shopping with $500 dollars from Mindy and Josh to buy Dawn some clothes. She was walking around in an old t-shirt of Drake's and a tight pair of jeans Drake had left over from Marie. They scored on some great deals and hit the food court once again. This time, they had Chinese food.

Sitting at the table with their food, Dawn insisted they prayed over the meal. Drake was thinking she was crazy, but he went along with it. After the prayer, Drake spoke up, "You know Dawn. I haven't even kissed you yet."

Dawn's eyes lit up. "Then let's get started!" They kissed happily in the food court while others stared. When they pulled away, Drake laughed.

"Dawn, I have to tell you something. I love you."

"Drake, I'm pretty sure I love you too."

End of Chapter 2. I had trouble thinking of quality traits for Dawn, but I kind of like the way she turned out, don't you? I think Drake would need someone like this. Anyways, review, and I know drunkly is not in the dictionary. I just couldn't think of anything!