Brandon and Maria walked side by side up a road with lights lining both sides. Maria looked sideways at him once and a while until he noticed and smiled at her. They didn't talk until they reached her apartment.

"Well this is it." She said turning to face Brandon.

"Alright." He said in that soft voice.

"Maybe I'll see you around." Maria said with a smile. "Good-bye." She went inside.

"Good-bye." Brandon said after her. Brandon left and went to an old building about five blocks away. He walked in and Harry looked up from his book.

"Hey Brandon. Did ya get her home ok?" Harry said as Brandon took a seat across from him. Brandon just nodded his head. "Did ya get her name?" Harry asked. Brandon looked at him curiously. "I can't believe you didn't get her name." Harry said hitting his forehead. At that moment two men walked in.

"Hey Harry, Brandon." One said. "Where's Jolius?"

"Hey Kenny, Nathan." Harry said looking at them. "He's asleep already."

"Damn." Nathan said. "I'm hungry."

"Gonna have to wait for breakfast." Harry said shaking his head. "Sorry."



"Alright. I'm goin to bed not then." Kenny said and went through a side door.

"We all should." Harry said standing.

The next day Maria was walking home from school when she saw Brandon off to the side. She stopped and looked at him. He was talking to a bigger guy with blonde hair and a shorter dark colored with black hair. She walked forward and stopped right behind Brandon. The taller guy nodded and Brandon turned around and looked down at her.

"Hey we'll catch you later Brandon." The shorter one said. "Don't e late for dinner."

"Bye." Brandon said to them. He turned back to her when they were gone.

"Hi." Maria said.

"Hi." He replied softly.

"I remember you from last night." She said.

"Ya." He said with a smile. He looked across the street at a corffee shop. "Want a drink?" he asked.

"Sure." Maria said following him across the street. They got some cold drinks and took a seat. "So you never asked my name." Maria said looking into her cup. He just looked at her. "It's Maria." She said glancing up.



"Beautiful." He said with a slight smile. She blushed and took a drink. They were out for the rest of the afternoon and when it started getting dark. Brandon walked Maria home. They reached her apartment and she turned to him.

"Well I'll see you later." Maria said and turned to go in then she stopped. "Would you like to come in?" Brandon looked at her a bit surprised and then nodded. He followed her in. "You can have a seat if you like." Maria said motioning to the coach and chairs. "I'll get us some drinks." Brandon took a seat on the coach and looked around. Maria came back with two cups of coffee. She put them down on the table and sat down in the chair across from Brandon. "So were those guys I saw you with your group?" she asked.

"Ya." Brandon said looking into his drink. "Kenny, Jolius, Nathan, and Harry."

"I see. Are you guys a gang?" Maria said a little interested.

"We fight but that is really it." Brandon said shifting.

"Don't worry." Marria said. "I don't mind. I was just curious, I mean because of how well you fought last night." He smiled and looked up at her. A clock chimed and Brandon looked at it. 10pm. "Oh my god you should head home." Marria said stting down her cup and standing. Brandon set down his cup and stood. He followed her to the door. He turned and looked down at her. Then he lowered and kissed her on the cheek. She blushed and he smiled, opened the door, and left.