A/n – A purely Wanda chapter, I'll accompany it with a Mel chapter later on.

Chapter 6: Sunday Afternoon

(Wanda's POV)

I told Mel that I was too busy with school stuff to go out, when really I just wanted to be alone. I don't know how I felt about what she said on Friday about Ian, she's been pestering me about it all weekend. We're just friends! I've only met him once!

…so why do I feel like I know him so well already?

Resting my head on my desk I groaned, all of this thinking about guys was giving me a headache, not to mention Mel's current state of giddiness and talking my ear off about Jared. I'd much rather be doing some school work to take my mind off it, but seeing as classes have only just started back up again, and I do my homework straight away, there's nothing left for me to do.

My phone started to buzz from across the room, I groaned again into my desk but didn't make a move to answer it – it was probably just Mel trying to convince me to go meet her somewhere, I knew if I answered I wouldn't say no to her, but she knew I was 'studying' so I had a good excuse not to answer.

I sleepily got up, stretching out my legs and arms and waddled over to my bed where I had thrown my phone earlier.

By now it had stopped buzzing but there was an icon in the top corner that showed I had a voicemail message… great.

Quickly hitting the dial button I put my phone to my ear and fell backwards onto my bed – making my stuffed bear fall onto my face.

'Hey, Wanda? It's Ian… I was just calling to see if you were doing anything today… maybe if you wanted to hang out again? Um, so give me a call if you're free I guess? …Okay, bye'

I think I've forgotten how to breathe.

Ian. Called. Me.

What?

Why? …to see you again obviously, stupid!

My head started throbbing as I pictured a million different scenarios.

Melanie... I definitely needed Mel's opinion on this.

I nervously got up and hit #1 on my speed-dial. Pacing the room and listening to the ringing tone I could hear something down the hall, music or something. I walked towards the sound; coming from Mel's bedroom and peered my head round the door. I could see the small square of light flashing on her bed… who goes out and doesn't take their phone‼ Ugh‼

Okay, okay, okay. Think.

Did I want to get out of the house? Yes

Did I want to see Ian again? Yes

Did I want to be alone with him? …Yes? Maybe? Oh, I don't know!

I heard the dial tone at my ear again and took a deep breath. He answered on the third ring;

'Wanda?' He sounded out of breath; like he'd ran to grab the phone, I smiled at the thought 'Hey, I just got your message, sorry about missing your call' why did I sound so formal, we're friends!

He just chuckled, 'that's alright, so what are you up to this afternoon? I was thinking of going to see if Jared is at the diner if you wanted to join me?'

Well, I could hang out with a friend like Mel or Jared fine, why should this be any different? 'Sure, sounds good, shall I meet you there or…?' I paced my floor, not really knowing what to do; I was never very good at talking on the phone.

'Nah, I'll come pick you up, I think I remember where you live. I'll be round in like half an hour, that good with you?' Just hearing his warm, friendly voice made me forget all my worries, I sighed, happy that I could spend more time with him as a friend 'Yeah perfect, see you then.'

We both hung up, I looked at myself in the mirror and realised I was a complete mess, my hair frizzy and out of control, still in my pyjamas, toothpaste in the corner of my mouth. Great. I grabbed my towel and jumped in the shower. I had 30 minutes to look presentable.

I was just grabbing my jacket when the doorbell rang. I wiped my palms on my jeans, I noticed they started to get clammy as I was blow drying my hair…I wish I wasn't so nervous.

Opening the door I gestured for Ian to come in while I find my shoes. Dressed in a t-shirt and jeans similar to the last time I saw him, his hair ruffled up and a grin on his face; he seemed even more good looking in the sunlight…what I wouldn't do just to run my fingers through his hair… Stop! Focus Wanda!

I dash down the hall to grab my shoes from the front room, slipped them on and returned to Ian.

'I'm ready' I smiled shyly, red spreading over my cheeks as I walked towards the door; he kept smiling as he followed me outside.

Deciding to walk as the sun was shining; he offered me his arm and guided me through the park where I could see children playing, soon we were talking and joking and laughing – I started to relax and enjoy my time with him.

Soon enough we were sat at a booth in the diner, Jared nowhere to be seen – he must not have had to come in today. We shared a sundae as I know from experience with Mel that I couldn't eat one by myself.

Ian had been great all afternoon, just as friendly and caring as I remembered; he even pushed me on one of the swings in the park, which of course made me blush from the contact of his hands on my back…

He had just made a joke and I was giggling as Jared came over to the booth, with Mel in tow behind him, both with shocked expressions on their faces, 'Wanda! I thought you were at home!' Mel was obviously not happy at seeing me here with Ian, why? Hadn't she been pushing me to hang out with him again?

'…yeah, I mean, I was, but then Ian called and asked if I wanted to hang' I shrugged my shoulders as my cheeks turned warm and pink again.

Jared was just staring at us both, clearly shocked, 'hey man, didn't know you were going to be around today' he addressed Ian but still looked between us both. I heard someone shout his name from behind the counter and Jared quickly retreated, 'I guess I'll see you guys later…' he stared pointedly at Mel as if to say 'tell me later what's going on here'

I rolled my eyes, is it that weird for me to be hanging out alone with Ian?

'Mel, why don't you join us?' I pulled on her arm and moved towards the window so she could sit, I noticed Ian move down the booth too so he was still opposite me.

'How come you're here Mel? Couldn't wait to see Jared?' It was my turn to waggle my eyebrows at her. I laughed when she smiled sheepishly.

'I guess, I was actually just seeing when Jared was free so the four of us could maybe go out sometime, get dinner or something' she looked between me and Ian suggestively. Great, not this date idea again…

Before I could say anything Ian spoke, 'That's sounds like a good plan, I'd be happy to go' my head whipped round to see his face, he was grinning from ear to ear, staring into my eyes. My brain decided to remind me of what Mel said Friday; like he'd just won the lottery.

Did he realise this was a dinner date? Obviously not, he probably just thought it was four friends hanging out again, but he was looking into my eyes like he was asking me something more…

'Perfect‼' Mel's voice had risen an octave at the look on Ian's face…I'm sure mine was pure shock and horror but she took no notice.

I had never dated a boy before. What do I do? How do I act? What do I wear? Oh god, this is going to be a disaster.

'…erm I don't know Mel…' 'Nonsense Wanda, it's just four friends going to dinner' she exaggerated the word friends and kicked my foot under the table. I wasn't getting out of this one…