Effy wanted everything to be perfect. This was her first date with Jake and Effy wanted nothing to go wrong as it was kind of a big deal and god knows what could happened if this date went very badly. Effy wasn't going to let anything get in the way of having a great night, but there was one thing that she hadn't taken into account and that was Dan, who had just so happened to answer the door to Jake. That was literally the worst thing that could have possibly happened as the best and worst parts of Effy's life were literally making small talk with each other. Effy wanted to fall down a hole and die but she knew better than that, it was better for her to deal with it head on, not mention it was probably a good idea that she rescue Jake from the evil clutches of her father. Rushing down the stairs as quickly as she could Effy rushed to the front door, plotting the quickest way to get out of the house before too much damage was done. No doubt the best way was to get out as soon as possible and as soon as Effy reached the front door she tried to move Dan out of the way so she could grab Jake and flee. But Dan on the other hand? He had other ideas.

"Elizabeth so nice that you could finally join us, Jake was just telling me that he's here to take you out on a date. I wasn't aware of this new development." Dan began and Effy forced a smile upon a face.

"That's because you've never taken a interest in my life before Dan, after all I am the daughter that you never wanted, remember? You don't care about me and I don't care about you either which is why I keep you out of the loop when it comes to the things going on in my life. Now if you'll excuse me, Jake and I will be leaving now and don't wait up for me Dan as I'll be coming back in through the windows." Effy quipped as pushed Dan literally to the side and she took Jake's hand and led him out of the house and down the front lawn. "So what's up with you making small talk with my dad? I thought I warned you about that Jagelski…"

"Yeah I remember you mentioning something about not engaging your father in conversation as Dan would apparently devour my soul. But he is your father Elizabeth and I thought it was important for me talk to him since I am taking you out on a date tonight." Jake replied and Effy couldn't help but smile as Jake was the perfect gentleman and wanted to do things the proper way even if that meant engaging in conversation with the man known as Effy's father.

"Well clearly you survived talking to Dragon Dan." Effy quipped in amusement as they reached Jake's car and being the gentleman that his parents had raised him to be, Jake opened the car door and held it open as Effy stepped into the car before finally shutting it. The car journey wasn't awkward like Effy had expected it to be, the conversation was light and Effy didn't feel like she had to talk. There was a natural awkwardness due to the fact that they were best friends who were now going beyond that and having their first date. Eventually the two of them pulled up outside a very familiar house and Effy glanced at Jake who just grinned at her as he hopped out the car and came over to open her door. "What are we doing at your house Jake?"

"You'll see." Jake replied in a rather cryptic manner as he held out his hand and helped Effy out of the car.

"Are we having dinner with your parents?" Effy questioned as judging by the cars in the driveway and the lights coming from Jake's house, it was obvious that Jake's parents were home. Effy didn't have a problem with that as she liked Jake's parents, they were the nice normal parents that every kid wanted and they liked Effy much more than her own parents did. Effy always felt welcome when she came over to the Jagelski house.

"I told you already that you'll see Effy." Jake quipped as he took Effy by the hand and led her towards his house, Effy had been a here a million times over the years but this time it was different and as such the nerves started up again in the pit of Effy's stomach. But Effy told herself that she needed to pull herself together as she didn't want Jake to see that she was a bag of nerves, she had to relax and try and be he herself which, right now was currently easier said then done. As the two of them entered the Jagelksi house, Effy was greeted was familiar surroundings which made her smile. Whilst the Jagelski house wasn't as big as her house it felt more like a home, it was a place where you could live in and be happy with a family. Walking into the Jagelski house, Jake led Effy through the foyer and into the living took where she was greeted by the sight of Jake's parents who were sitting with each other, idly talking until they noticed Effy and Jake. When they did, the smiles on Jake's parents were as clear as day and Effy could feel her cheeks starting to go red.

"Hi Mr and Mrs. Jagelsjki." Effy began with a small smile trying to not sound like too much of a bumbling idiot whose face was as red as a tomato.

"Hello Elizabeth." Mr. Jagelksi greeted warmly.

"I always imagined that this day would come and look at the two of you now, standing right in front of me and together at last." Mrs. Jagelski stated and Effy allowed herself to bashfully glance over to Jake. Effy couldn't help but realize that Nathan had been right when he had said that it was pretty obvious to everyone about her and Jake.

"Is everything ready?" Jake questioned and Effy looked between him and his parents, she had been right in thinking that whatever her and Jake were doing tonight somehow involved his parents.

"Yes it is, have fun tonight kids." Mrs. Jagelski replied and Effy just looked around in confusion. SO they weren't having dinner with Jake's parents but they were eating here. Effy was getting more excited not to mention nervous by the minute.

"Thanks mom." Jake stated as he took Effy's hand and led them through the house until they came to a set of doors and opening the door Jake, lead Effy out into the garden and what she say completely surprised Effy and took her breath away. In Jake's backyard a picnic had been set up complete with the blanket, basket and everything else that you could imagine. There were about a dozen candles sitting in jars which provided light in the dark of the night. Effy was taken aback by how much effort that Jake had put into all of this, it was so magical and very romantic. Nobody had ever gone to this much effort for Effy.

"Wow, this is amazing… I can't believe you did all of this Jake." Effy slowly said as quite simply her breath had been taken away by all of this. So much effort had clearly gone into all this planning and preparation for tonight.

"I can't take all the credit for it, my parents helped out a tiny bit. Well my mom actually helped out a lot, she couldn't seem to help herself really." Jake explained and as Effy looked at Jake in awe she still couldn't believe that he had gone to all this effort for tonight and for her. It was so thoughtful, sweet and very beautiful and Effy could feel her emotions starting to get to her as she couldn't recall at anytime in her life that she felt so loved until now. Effy's heart was threatening to burst because she was so overwhelmed by it all and eventually it became hard for Effy to see as her eyes were starting to fill up with tears. "Hey what's wrong?"

"Nothing, just ignore me. I'm just being silly." Effy said forcing her to laugh as she went about quickly wiping away her terms, it was pretty pathetic for her to be crying but she couldn't' help herself. This was more than what Effy imagined for this date Jake, it was simply incredible and she hadn't been expecting anyone to go to so much effort for her. It was the sweetest thing that someone had ever done for her and for someone like Effy was used to pretty much being ignored by most of her family, having Jake do something like this was her meant everything to Effy. Hence the crying as she had never really had anything for herself in such a long time, normally the attention was always on Nathan even why Effy was acting out. But what was right in front of her was not a result of her acting out for attention, it was simply because Jake wanted to make their first date special.

"Of course you're being silly Eff." Jake quipped which caused Effy to laugh as he moved in front of her and removed her hands from her face and used his thumbs to wipe away the rest of her tears. "Now tell me what this nonsense is about? I thought you would like all of this, not cry over it."

Effy used her hand to gently slap Jake in the chest for now being the silly one. "I do. I really do Jake, it's more than anything I could have possible imagined for tonight. It's just nobody has ever gone to so much effort for me."

"You deserve it Effy." Jake replied and Effy ruefully shook her head.

I don't deserve anything like this, I don't deserve you…"

"What's that supposed to mean Effy?" Jake questioned and Effy took a sharp intake of breath

"You know why Jake, I'm a mess. My life has been a mess and still is. I'm broken and I am complicated Jake…" Effy wearily stated as she had planned on asking Jake why he wanted her of all people. She didn't mean to do it so soon but either way Effy was going to be getting an answer.

"Elizabeth without a doubt you are the most interesting person I know, there is nobody I have ever encountered who is as difficult, stubborn and as brilliant as you are. Nobody else could be the cheerleader who has purple hair, a fondness for combat boots, old paintings and goes around on a skateboard with a copy of Voltaire in her backpack except you Effy. You have this air of confidence that I admire and then there is the fact that you are so fearless and have no qualms on taking on anyone even if it is your own father. You can be pigheaded at times but I can deal with that as you're not perfect you're just my Effy and you are not broken to me Effy." Jake stated in such a sincere manner that Effy could feel her eyes starting to well up again.

"Jake…" Effy began."

"How many times do I have to tell you that you matter before you'll finally believe me? Jake questioned and Effy wasn't sure what to say as her self worth wasn't too much because of the house she grew up in. Any that she had was just faked in order to keep up appearances. "If you're not strong enough to believe in yourself Effy that believe in me because I have always believed in you."

"You keep saying things like that and I won't be able to stop myself from falling in love with you."