I think it's a little ridiculous to be in high school and be going on my FIRST date. Roddy thought as he said good-bye to Dawn as he walked off the bus.

Rita walked up next to him and nudged him.

"I see you've made a new best friend," Rita smiled.

"Yeah," Roddy agreed, "But you're my best friend. No one can replace you.."

"I'm sorry I didn't get to talk to you that much today," Rita apologized.

"It's fine.." Roddy scoffed, grinning, "At least we'll get to have dinner tonight..just the two of us!"

"Yeah!" Rita smiled, "And I'm bringing out something I haven't worn in sooo long it's not even funny. I told Mum I was going to dinner with you tonight and she's like 'I'll go fix up the dress!' She's like..all happy we're going to dinner. Maybe she wants me out of the house again."

Rita laughed softly at her own joke.

"Well..if I were her," Roddy said, posing as if he were thinking "I'd cherish you and think I had the best daughter in the entire history of The Universe."

Rita blushed and pushed him playfully.

"You're such a kiss up," Rita laughed.

"No," Roddy explained, "I mean it! I mean..you're smart, athletic, talented and by far one of the most beautiful girl I've ever seen!"

Rita rolled her eyes. They began talking about the test that Friday in history class. When they got into the house, Mrs. Malone immediately grabbed Rita and rushed her up to her room. Rita let her mother drag her, laughing. Roddy watched her, laughing as well.

Soon enough, Roddy and Rita were getting ready for their dinner-date. Rita seemed so clueless to him. He liked feeling smarter than her...only he was much stupider. He made sure to look his best. He put on a tuxedo that was exactly like the one he had first come down to the sewers in. He combed his hair and slicked his eyebrows. He made sure he looked perfect. When he was done, he went across the hall to check on Rita.

"Rita?" Roddy called into the door, "You ready?"

"No!" Rita called back, "Meet me downstairs!"

"Ok!" Roddy agreed.

He rushed down the stairs a little too fast. He tripped over his own feet and crashed down the stairs. While he was getting up, he heard steps at the top of the stairs.

"Ready, Roddy!" Rita called down the stairs.

Roddy looked up. His jaw dropped. His heart stopped. His palms started to sweat. He couldn't speak. He couldn't breathe. Rita looked amazing. She was dressed in a beautiful dress. It was short, it stopped an inch or two above her knees. the top part of the dress was silky and shining and it looked like a corset, flaunting Rita's figure. The skirt came out like a wedding dress and was made of the same material as ballet tutu's. The entire dress was emerald green to match her eyes. Her hair was down and curly with her bangs straightened. She had on silver hoop earrings and a matching silver choker. Her eyes were complimented by matching green eyeshadow and black mascara. She had a little bit of blush.

Roddy realized he was on the floor, still. He scrambled up quickly and smoothed out his jacket.

"Ready?" Rita asked.

"I am if you are!" Roddy smiled nervously.

"Let's go!" Rita exclaimed, "We're leaving!"

Suddenly, all of Rita's 37 siblings popped out of nowhere. Roddy screamed and fell back in shock.

"Good bye!" they all shouted in unison.

"Good-bye everyone!" Rita smiled back.

"Yes," Roddy breathed, "Good night everyone."

"I'm surprised you haven't gotten used to that," Rita giggled.

"Well.." Roddy sighed, "It's a bit new to me to have 37 smiling faces pop out of absolutely NOWHERE and scream 'Good-bye Roddy!'"

They headed out to the Jammy Dodger II when Roddy realized something.

"We should walk," Roddy said.

"Why?" Rita asked.

"Because if we take the Dodger the wind might ruin your hair," Roddy explained.

"Oh," Rita said, "Well then..let's walk."

Roddy nodded and extended his elbow. To his pleasure, Rita locked hers with his. They walked silently to the Chez Froumage. When they arrived, Roddy opened the door for her like a gentlemen. Rita nodded her head in thanks and walked inside. Roddy went up to the little podium where a teenager stood dressed in a tuxedo much like Roddy's. He had dark brown hair and blue-green eyes and he was a little taller than Roddy. He looked about their age...in fact..Roddy knew who he was. So did Rita

"Damon?" Rita asked.

The teenager looked up. It was indeed Damon.

"Rita!?" Damon replied.

"Yeah!" Rita smiled, "I didn't know you still worked here!"

"Yeah," Damon said, "My dad owns the restaurant and I help out when I can, remember? Tonight I was free, so I stepped in."

"That's nice," Roddy added.

"Well then.." Damon said, getting business-like, "Table for two?"

"Yes, please," Roddy said, grinning.

Table for two with Rita. He liked that.

Damon grabbed two menus and led them to a small table with a candle in the middle. The candle was already lit. Roddy pulled out the chair for Rita. Rita smiled as she sat down. Roddy tucked in the chair with Rita sitting in it and then rushed over to his own. He sat down. Damon handed each of them a menu and took out a pad and a pencil.

"What can I get you to drink?" Damon asked politely.

"Water, please," Rita answered.

"Make that two waters," Roddy added.

Damon nodded as he wrote it down on his pad.

"Coming right up!" Damon smiled and left the pair alone to talk.

"So.." Roddy said, rubbing the back of his neck, "Like it here?"

"I love it here," Rita smiled, "I used to make friends with the chefs in the back alley. They'd give me food to go sometimes."

"Oh really?" Roddy said.

"Yeah," Rita smiled at the memories, "That's how I know Damon. He would always give me a bit of ice cream for desert behind the chefs' backs."

Roddy nodded, ensuring he was listening.

"I actually dated him for a little whie," Rita added, "But then we realized that it wouldn't work out..so we stayed good friends. Surprisingly it's never been awkward between us, though."

"Well..I don't suppose, since you know him so well," Roddy started, seeing a way to help Dawn, "You wouldn't want to help me help out my new friend Dawn?"

"Why?" Rita questioned, "What's in it for me?"

Roddy pretended to think hard and then said, "Me and you will stay up all night laughing and play games tonight?"

Rita mocked Roddy and pretended to think. She nodded in agreement.

"Ok," Roddy started, "Dawn likes Damon..and I promised her that I'd talk to him and make friends with him.."

"In that order?" Rita asked, smiling.

"No actually the other way around," Roddy answered, chuckling, "But really. Since you're already friends with him, then you can just talk to him."

Rita nodded, accepting her position in the plan.

"So.." Roddy said, looking around as if some topic would appear in thin air, "How's school?"

"You know.." Rita answered noticing Roddy was a bit nervous, "Is there something wrong?"

Roddy snapped his eyes back to Rita.

"No!" Roddy answered quickly, "Not at all!"

"Then why are you so nervous?" Rita asked.

Rita was never one to keep a question to herself. She put it out there.

"I'm not nervous," Roddy smiled nervously, tugging at his collar, "Why would I be nervous? It's not like I love you or anything if that's what you're getting at!"

Roddy didn't know why he got nervous so suddenly. He knew he loved Rita...but he was chill a few seconds ago! It didn't make sense.

Love is so annoying...Go to the bathroom Roddy! Before you say something you shouldn't!

"I have to..use the bathroom..excuse me!" Roddy said, jumping out of his seat and zooming to the bathroom.