"So Dave, how is everything?" Mrs. Sauve' asked cautiously.

"Everything is…getting better. I'm taking baby steps." Dave answered. Even though he was talking to a professional about his problems, he was still afraid. Afraid of the snickers;afraid of the belittlement. She was trained to hide her emotions. Did he see her as some kind of sick, twisted person? Mrs. Suave' was intuitive to his body language. She could tell he was a little on edge.

"Dave, I am here for you. I will not push you to talk. You can talk when you are ready. Being here doesn't make you broken. You are lost and you need guidance." She smiled.

"Thanks for saying that."

"Dave, you are not alone. Many Degrassi students have dealt and,or dealing with these problems. More goes on through these halls instead of drama." Dave smiled. He didn't realize that. He thought he was the only person in the world who could understand why he did what he did. Even though he had Alli and his family, it was hard at times to explain himself.

"There is a group who gets together to talk about their struggles with cutting. Maybe it would be easier to talk to them than me. They are all students; they hold nothing back. Just think about it. No pressure."

"I'll consider it. I really will. Thank you." Dave took the pamphlet and headed to class.

When he got to class, he sat next to Connor.

"How did the session go?" Connor whispered.

"It went good."

"I know Mrs. Sauve is the best. She has help me so much with my Asperger's. I know you feel different… but…..i….."

"Connor, you don't have to say another word." Both students turned their attention to Mr. Armstrong. The lesson of the day was polynomials. Of course he picked yours truly to answer the question.

"Mr. Turner, care to evaluate the equation."

"Sure" He took the chalk from Armstrong's hand.

"Loser" an echo heard from the back.

"Ms. DeSousa another outburst and you're heading to the principal's office." Dave just stared at the equation as if it would magically solve itself. Then Dave remembered how Alli helped him with math. Everything became clear to him, and he solved the equation to everyone's surprise.

Bianca threw a paperball at him. "Bianca….Mr. Simpson's office now."

"Whatever, this class blows anyways."

Dave was so happy it didn't even bother him. He was going to make it up to Alli. Tonight was definitely the night.

During class period he made his way to Alli. She was gossiping with Clare and Jenna, the three musketeers.

"Hello lovely ladies; hey beautiful." He pecked her on the cheek.

"I just wanted to thank you for the tutoring. You are a life saver." He smiled. She blushed and bit her lip.

"I'll see you tonight babe."

"Ok bye David." She chirped cheerfully.

"Well, well, well, I see things are going good in the land of Bandunner."

"Yeah, things are but no relationship is perfect. We have hit some rocky roads, but it's worth it Jenna."

"I'm just glad you're happy." Clare said

"Me too. We better get to class before we are late."

When school let out, she headed home. She knew her parents wouldn't like the idea of her walking home alone. At the time, she didn't care; she was to excited. She was going to meet Dave's family tonight. She knew she had to tell her parents about Dave but she had to do it when she thought the time was right.

"Alli. You know mom and dad would kill me if something bad happened to you."

"I know. I'm just too excited about Dave."

"Yeah. He is a good kid. You know you are going to have to tell mom, right."

"O my god, not this again. You are so hypocritical. You didn't tell them about Anya and when you did they literally tore off her head. I know I have to tell them but if they don't approve, unlike you, I plan to stay with him. I have to get ready. Please cover for me?"

"Don't worry. By the way, I only said that because I care about." Sav walked out of her room. He knew she was right. He regretted his decision everyday. Losing Anya was a choice he knew he was going to have to deal with for the rest of his life.

Alli was looking in her closet. She wanted to look sophisticated yet presentable. She found the perfect outfit, a crème ruffled dress. She decided to wear her pearls because pearls are always classy.

Meanwhile

" Chantay put the cornbread in the oven." The women of the house were cooking up a storm. The house had never smelled so good. This was a momentous occasion. Dave was beginning to heal and his guest was the cause of that.

"Aunt Claudette, I'll help set the table." Dave said.

"Dave, you must really like her because you have never volunteered to do anything in the kitchen." Chantay laughed.

"Hey! I do help out." Chantay dramatically stopped.

"Ok, so I don't. Yeah I like her. I want to repay her everything she has done for me."

"Don't worry son, just relax….breathe." Ridge laughed.

"Help me clean up the kitchen baby."

"Sure, Claude. After you get cleaned up, call Alli to let her know she can come"

"Ok." Dave ran into his room and bolted in the shower. He was so eager; he didn't know what to wear. He chose a blue polo and blue jeans.

"Uncle Ridge. I'm calling Alli." He yelled. Dave was listening to the dial tone. It played the song "Your love is my Drug."

"Hey baby."

"Hey Alliah. You can come over. Do you have a ride?"

"Yeah Sav is taking me. I am walking out the door now. Bye Dave." As Sav was driving Alli, he felt guilty about earlier.

"I'm sorry sis."

"It's ok. I love you Sav." They pulled into the driveway. Alli kissed Sav on the cheek. Chantay was peeking through the window.

"She's here. Ok cuz. Relax, be natural." All of a sudden, Dave felt like a million of butterflies were in his stomach. The whole family acted normally. Chantay went to her room. Claudette was tidying up the kitchen. Ridge was in his office attending to his bills. They didn't want to try too hard.

On the other side of the door, Alli heart was beating so fast. She couldn't contain herself. She had been standing at the door for five minutes and she still didn't ring the doorbell. She was just hoping that his family liked her.

"Ding,Dong"

"I'll get it." When he opened the door, his jaw dropped. She looked amazing.

"Hey beautiful." He picked her up and spun her around.

"Hey handsome." She looked up at him lacing her fingers with his. Their butterflies soon disappeared. When they were together, everything felt right.

"Come in. This is my Aunt Claudette." Alli gave her a hug.

"You didn't tell me she was so pretty. I have heard so many things about you. It is good to meet you."

"Dave has told me things about you too." She smiled.

"I hope they were good." Claudette laughed.

"Baby, show her around the house while me and Ridge get the food together."

"Hello, Alli, welcome home."

As Dave was showing Alli his current home, she was tracing patterns in his hands. This just couldn't be happening. Everything was going great.

"So how is your mother doing?"

"She's great. I talk to her every other day. She is pulling through."

"Good."

"When she gets better, maybe you would like to meet her."

"You don't even have to ask." Dave cupped her face, kissing her.

"Come on. Let's get some food." The aroma was all over the house. Alli was in awe. Everything looked so good. They all sat down and began to eat.

"Alli have you ever had a southern cooked meal before."

"No ma'am but this looks good." Alli took a big bite out her collard greens. Claudette smiled at her.

"Any friend to David is a friend of ours. My side of the family is from Louisiana. I moved here after college."

"Als, try this pepper sauce on it." He poured some on for it. She looked at him lovingly.

"Honey you know this meal is good." Ridge said. After eating their whole meal, everyone was stuffed.

"So Alli, tell us about yourself." Claduette said. Here we go again. Dave knew his aunt was territorial when it came to her family.

"Well, I am in the gifted program. Right now I'm just staying low key."

"That's good…real good. You are Muslim correct?"

"Ummm….Aunt Claudette can we talk about something else?"

"No, Dave. It's fine." She could tell Dave was unsettled by his aunt but it didn't bother her. She had nothing to hide.

"Yes ma'am I am."

"I mean it is a strict religion. How are your parents handling the fact that you are dating someone out of their religion."

"Dad not you too." Chantay said nearly choking on her Sprite.

"Quiet minds want to know."

"Uncle Ridge , Aunt Claudette. Enough is enough." Alli sat there. She knew this factor would always exist. Instead of running away, she faced to problem head on.

"You are right. My parents are very strict, but in the end, I have to be happy. Dave makes me happy."

"Awwww that's so cute." Chantay smiled. "Alli could you help us clean the dishes."

"Sure ." Dave and Ridge went into the living to talk.

"She's a fighter for sure, Dave."

"I know that; that's why I like her."

"Be careful son. Always remember relationships aren't black and white."

"I will." Dave gave his uncle a hug.

Thank you for helping us with the dishes Alli."

"No problem. Mrs. Claudette. Don't worry about the inquisition. We always do that. You should have seen how we grilled Danny. It was pretty entertaining. It's getting late. Chantay can drive you home."

"Good night Dave." She kissed his cheek. She gave Ridge and Claudette a hug.

"Can I come?"

"Sorry Dave girl talk." Chantay said with a smirk, driving off.

Chantay really surprised Alli. She wasn't some stuc-up cheerleader she was actually really nice.

"Thanks Chantay for tonight. Your mom is sweet but I didn't know she was so intense."

"Yeah she has the heart of gold with the claws of an eagle." Both girls laughed.

TXT

Alli: On my way.

Sav: ok

"Tell Sav I said hey" Chantay drove off. Sav opened the door and snuck her upstairs.

"So how was it?"

"It was nice. I had a good time. His family is so amazing. They are nice."

"That's good. You owe me. Love you sis. Good night."

"Good night loser."