I review my list, checking over all that has to be done for my date tomorrow. Butler was right when he said I loved lists; they are so convenient! It's now Thursday just after lunch, and I have a bit over 24 hours to plan out the best date I can.

"So, Artemis, can you run through the list once more, just so I can make sure I don't miss anything?" Butler asks, as he pulls out a pad of paper. He finally stopped calling me "Master", for which I am very grateful.

"Sure. So we need to rent the hot air balloon first."

"Um… You already sort of own one. It's a lovely turquoise colour and is fully functional," Butler points out.

"That's news to me! Well, there's one thing done. Next I have to pack us a supper, something sophisticated, but not too fancy, while still being date-appropriate and having the ability to be eaten while high up in the air."

"That will be difficult to find," comments Butler.

"Helpful, Butler. Next I must choose what I will wear to the date."

"Ok, next?"

"I have to go over the rules and controls of hot air balloon flight."

"I'll help you with that later, don't worry."

"Thanks. Lastly, I need to go through conventional endings to dates. Do I ask her out again right away? Do I say I'll call her? Do I ask her to call me? I need to learn some basics so I am somewhat prepared," I say, starting to get stressed at the impossibility of this task. There is no way to learn an entire teenage culture and tradition in one day!

"Artemis, I know you're inexperienced, and your mind may be a bit scrambled, but you're going about this all wrong. Minerva likes you for yourself. I agree you should know some manners and etiquette, but you are allowed to be original when it comes to romance. It's wrong to try and be like the 'normal' guy planning a date. However you see a date, that's how you should plan it. If she doesn't like it, maybe you shouldn't be together anyway. Be yourself, and enjoy your time. Do what you feel is right, and it will end up being a good choice."

My mouth is probably open wide as I stand gaping at Butler. I had no idea he was capable of this sort of advice and emotion. I ponder his words for a moment before speaking.

"Thank you so much, Butler. I think that was exactly what I needed to hear. When did you become so wise?" I joke, but his guidance sincerely moved me.

"We've been to many places together. I've picked stuff up along the way, including how to tell you what will help you most."

"Thank you," I repeat. I get up and walk away from Butler, and meander into the kitchen. I was initially going to eat something, but I remember that I need to plan food for tomorrow. I look in cupboards, the fridge, the freezer, and even the cellar, checking out all my options. I will need some appetizers or snacks. Then there will be the main course, perhaps something light so we won't be sick in our balloon. Lastly we need some dessert.

I wish we would have talked about food when I last saw her, because I have no idea what she likes. I remember Butler's advice, and do what I think is right: I go find Butler to ask him.

"Butler, I need help. I don't know what food Minerva likes."

"I see. Do you want me to talk to Foaly? He got the shuttle picked up yesterday by the way, so we no longer have that at our disposal. I'm sure he could find out what she likes. Or maybe I could sneak near her house and—"

"No! None of that! I'm going to do this in a somewhat normal way!"

"Well then how do you expect me to know what she likes?"

"I don't know! You have more experience with girls than I do! What do girls like to eat?"

"They're not all the same, you know."

"Obviously, but there must be something!"

"Well, as a general comment, don't pick spicy food. Too risky for a first date. Also, pick foods native to her culture. Even if it's not as original as you'd like, it will most likely be safe. Simple is often better if you're unsure."

"Okay, so I'll stick to foods she knows. Thank you once more! I'll probably be back to bother you soon!" I say as I head back to the kitchen.

After about an hour of searching, I decide to stick with basic elements from all four food groups. I'll skip the appetizer, and just make the main meal some finger-foods. I thought of taking Pillsbury croissants and filling them with different things before cooking them. I decided on cream cheese, ham, and chocolate chips as my three types of fillings. It looks easy enough to make, but she'll also know I made them myself. I just hope she likes them. For dessert I plan to make chocolate covered strawberries. Delicious and sort of nutritious is my plan for them. In this meal I have all 4 food groups, and it seems basic and easy to like.

I'm quite proud of my meal. In theory it seems like the perfect solution. In practice, it will be much harder. My cooking skills are sub-par, and there's always the question of if she'll like them. This is the best I can do, though. I go tell Butler my plan and he gives me a nod of approval. I plan on making all the food tomorrow during the day, before I meet her.

I decide to tackle my next issue now, while I'm not doing anything and am focused. How to dress for the date? I have no clue what guys my age are wearing, and even if I did, I doubt I would wear the same thing.

I walk upstairs into my room and go straight into my walk-in closet. It's filled with dress pants, jeans, sweat pants, shoes, collared shirts, graphic t-shirts, sweaters, and almost any other kind of garment you can imagine. All are new, and some still have tags on them. It's such a waste, but I have a larger task at hand now. I rule out sweat pants for sure, but I am unsure if I should wear dress pants or jeans. I'm tempted to call Butler again, but determination floods through me, and I suddenly want to accomplish this by myself. I pull out two pairs of pants: a pair of black jeans, and a pair of navy dress pants.

Next I must conquer the shirt. I scan the racks of shirts quickly. I pull out a graphic t-shirt of a band I've never heard of, but that looks modern and conventional. Next I pull out a light blue button-up shirt that has black stripes going vertically. Lastly, I pull out a black vest. I stare at my options, hoping one will jump out at me and make me pick it. No such luck.

I rule out the graphic t-shirt, thinking of how awkward it would be if she asks me about the band. I'm left with the button-up shirt, possibly paired with my vest. Deciding the pants will be most difficult, because it will determine how nice I'm trying to look. I have no idea what that should be.

An idea comes to mind that would probably make Butler laugh at me, but I'm desperate at this point. I decide to use TV or Internet to show me what guys do on dates. I turn on the TV in my room, and change the channel to Much or MTV, or whatever the channel is that's supposed to have music, but really doesn't. Some luck is with me, because the screen shows a guy taking a girl out to a concert. I watch for a bit, but deem this unhelpful, because the whole time they are just singing. I'm about to change channels, when they get up and go to a park and lie in a field, gazing at stars. This is sort of similar to my situation, so I turn the volume up and listen.

The girl shivers a bit, and the guy says, "Are you cold, Adrienne?"

"Oh, don't worry about me. I'm fine," she replies.

The guy ignores her, and slowly pulls off his sweater, exposing his abs for a second. He drapes it over her shoulders, and hugs her.

"Thanks," she says softly.

"Anytime."

The girl seems to be staring at his chest, as he left a couple buttons undone on his shirt. This, I realize, was done on purpose, for this exact reason. I may not be muscular, but I think I might be able to pull off what he just did.

I was expecting them to talk for a little while, and maybe kiss a bit, but the show goes much farther than that. The girl unbuttons his shirt all the way, and places her hands on his chest, his stomach, his back. He shrugs out of his shirt, and moves to hers. He rips hers off, leaving her in a very revealing lacy bra. I stare, transfixed, at the show. I know I should stop it, but I can't.

By now, if this was real life, the guy would definitely be showing more, er, signs of his lust. Finally when he reaches for the girl's pants I snap out of it and jab the power button on my remote, shutting off the TV. Aside from the last scene, I may have answered my wardrobe question. I may even have gained a tip on how to act alluring to girls.

I feel ridiculous for taking tips from a stupid TV show, but I have no other option. I put away the dress pants, and exchange my vest for a longer sweater. I leave my jeans and shirt out. I decide to try on the clothes, just to make sure it works.

After a minute, I stare at myself in the mirror. My black jeans fit well, and seem nice enough for a date, but not too fancy. My black sweater is pulled over my long-sleeved shirt. The sweater's sleeves are pushed up, and have the shirt's sleeves rolled up, covering it slightly. These sleeves give me a slightly messy look, but a planned messy. I look myself over once more, and being satisfied with what I see, change back into what I was wearing before.

Aside from actually making food, and getting dressed tomorrow, I'm almost done my list for my date. I only need to go over the basics of balloon flight with Butler, and then I'll be done. I smile to myself, satisfied with the day's work. Before I forget, I place Minerva's gift in the pocket of the jeans, so that I actually give it to her tomorrow. I heave a content sigh, and go find my phone so I can text the girl who will undoubtedly star in my dreams tonight.

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