I probably should have warned you guys that the last chapter didn't involve any Dacey interaction. But this one makes up for it. Enjoy!

Lacey is really starting to go through the motions. She has feelings for Danny and she hates it. She has only known this guy two days. A week ago she didn't even know he existed. Now he's all she thinks about. All day, and all night. And that frightens her.

Danny is the first guy in a long time that actually makes her happy. She was falling in love with him. When he gave her a ride home earlier, she felt it. She wanted to stay in his car with him and run away at the same time. She wanted to invite him in, but decided it might not be a good idea. Just like that, Danny has her wrapped around his finger. She'd probably do anything he wanted. Well, maybe not anything, but pretty close. She is really feeling him. And if by some crazy chance he feels the same way, she knew she'd have to reveal her secret. And she has no idea how he's going to take it. It could scare him away. But if she were to ever get into a relationship with him, he had a right to know. But not this soon.

She's debating whether to call him. Maybe just a text. Truthfully, she wants to hear his voice. And if she's really being honest with herself, she wants to see him. Sure, she had just seen him a few hours ago, but she wanted to see him again. She really wants to invite him over. She would, but she doesn't think he'll come. She has sat and stared at her Biology homework for the longest. And it's just not making sense to her.

Maybe I should just call Danny. He is my lab partner, right? Maybe we can put our heads together, and get it done, right?

Danny tried to get Lacey off his mind. He had only known her for two days, but it seemed longer. And he knew that he wanted her to be a constant in his life. He didn't want to scare her off by moving too fast, but he felt like he wanted to take the next step with her. He himself felt like he was moving too fast because they hadn't even been on their first date yet. He couldn't believe he was this excited about it, and hoped she was too. He sensed that Lacey had apprehension about dating him, and he partly understood why. They didn't really know each other well enough to know what the other was thinking or to know each other's actions. He really hoped she didn't believe that crap Joe was spewing. He did not want her to think he was pulling a prank on her by asking her out. But he had a feeling that's what she thought. He's all for playing around with the guys on the team, but he wouldn't do something like that. And especially not to Lacey.

He noticed a tough exterior but sensed a truly sensitive girl underneath. He hopes that he can break down those walls. He really wants her to know that's he's serious about his feelings for her. He decides to make a gesture, just to see how far he could get with her. He really enjoyed spending time alone with her when he gave her a ride home earlier. He wanted so badly for her to invite him in, but she didn't. And he didn't want to invite himself. He didn't know how she'd respond to him inviting himself into her house. But he would give it a try after their date Saturday. He in no way expected anything to happen between them physically, but he would take anything he could get. A hug, hand holding, and if he was truly lucky, a kiss. He has imagined how soft her full lips are when he first saw them. And he wanted to feel her soft body. After playing football fo so long, and having hard, sweaty guys pound on him, he relished in the thought of the difference Lacey's body would give. He got aroused just thinking of her soft body beneath his.

Yup, I've got it bad.

Danny sat staring at his Biology homework for what felt like hours. It looked like it is written in Chinese, because his mind clearly couldn't process it. He kept thinking of Lacey's smile and that adorable dimple she had. She was truly beautiful.

He decided to put his mind at ease and call Lacey. He really just wants to hear her voice. Seeing her would be even better, but he doesn't want to push it. He should be able to just wait and see her tomorrow, but he honestly can't wait. So he decides to throw caution to the wind, and just put it out there. For the first time in his life, Danny was nervous about calling a girl. He usually possessed so much confidence and charm. His nerves had really gotten the best of him. Lacey Porter was doing something to him. She had him wrapped around her finger, and she didn't even know it. Anything she asked of him, he would do it gladly. Dare he say it? Danny had fallen in love with her. And he wanted her to know how he felt. He wants her to know that she's the only girl he has eyes for. And he's hers. He hoped, prayed actually, that she felt the same.

Lacey takes a shower and changes into more comfortable clothes hoping it will relax her. It doesn't work and she just feels more wound up than before. So she decides to invite Danny over to do homework, but she needs reinforcements.

"Clara!"

Clara comes into her room still in her gymnastics gear.

"Yeah?"

"I need a favor."

"Ok. What?"

"I'm about to invite my lab partner over to do homework. If he comes, you know what to do, right?"

"Yeah. So who is this guy?"

Lacey smiles. "Just a guy."

"You like him, don't you?"

Lacey is about to answer Clara when her phone rings. It's Danny. She can't wipe the smile off her face. Clara is smiling too.

"Hello?"

"Hi Lacey. Are you busy?"

"I'm desperately trying to figure out our Biology homework, if you call that busy. It's not making sense to me."

'Good. Our homework isn't making sense to me either. How about I come over and we can help each other out?"

"Ok. See you soon."

"Bye."

"What happened?"

"He's on his way over."

"Ooooh, I get to meet him."

"Yes. And I want you to answer the door."

"Yeah, yeah. I know the drill."

Now Lacey just has to calm her nerves before he shows.

Clara hears the doorbell and rushes to get it. She almost can't believe her eyes. This guy is gorgeous.

"Hi, I'm Danny. You must be Clara."

She starts blushing and nodding her head.

"You're just as pretty as your sister."

Clara is really blushing now. Danny thinks it is so cute. Clara looks exactly like Lacey.

"She's too young for you, Danny." Lacey jokes as she's walking down the stairs. Danny can't help but notice her home attire and it kind of riles him up. She's only wearing a tank and a pink sweat suit. She has on pink bunny slippers and an oversized pair of specs on. Her hair is in a high ponytail. But she looks radiant to Danny.

They all laugh at Lacey's joke, and Clara excuses herself.

"So where do you wanna do this, Desai? Kitchen, dining room, or living room?"

Your bedroom.

"Uh, wherever you want to go is fine."

"Kitchen it is. The lighting is better in there. Follow me."

Danny can't help but stare at her butt as she's walking in front of him.

"Stop staring at my butt, Desai."

How did she know i was checking out her ass?

"I wasn't." He lies.

"I was just kidding. Can't you take a joke?" She says as she suddenly stops and turns around to him.

"You got me."

They get settled in the kitchen at the table.

"Do you want anything to drink or eat?"

"No, I'm good."

"Well lets get started."

"Your sister looks just like you."

"I know. We looked like twins before I got fat."

"And you're still beautiful."

Lacey starts to blush and reveals her dimple. They share a quick glance at each other.

"Thanks."

Danny and Lacey get to working on their Biology homework while stealing subtle glances at each other. They manage to sneak in a few light touches here and there. Danny decides to try his hand and see how it lands.

"You should come and watch us practice tomorrow after school. All of the other girlfriends usually come, so Phoebe will be there."

Lacey is startled by his request. That's not at all what she expected to hear from him. She doesn't really know what to say.

"All of the OTHER girlfriends?" She puts emphasis on the word other.

"Yeah. I was hoping you'd want to be my girlfriend."

Lacey thinks she stops breathing.

What did he just say? Did he just ask me to be his girlfriend? He couldn't have. Isn't it too soon?

"Could you repeat that?"

"I was hoping you'd be my girlfriend."

"Really? We just met yesterday."

"So?"

"Don't you think it's too soon?"

"No. When something feels right, you just go for it."

"We haven't even gone on our first date yet. We haven't even hugged or held hands or kissed."

"Well we can take care of 3 of those now if you want." Danny says while staring into her eyes.

"You are something else, Desai."

"I think you're special too, Lace."

"Lace?"

"Sorry. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, but only Clara calls me that. Well, she calls me Lace Face."

"What do you call her?"

"Clar Bear."

"Awww, that's cute. But back to the matter at hand. You didn't answer my question."

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, I'll be your girlfriend."

"Good. Now what about the other 3 things?"

Lacey gets courage from an unknown place as she grabs Danny's hand and holds it then pulls him into a hug. She then shocks him by grabbing his face and kissing him. She pulls away and smiles at him. Danny is happy, but not satisfied. He wants a deeper kiss than that. He stands up and grabs her hand to pull her to her feet. He grabs her around her waist and pulls her in for another kiss. She grabs his hair and he caresses her back as they both embrace in a kiss that they both felt fireworks from. They hadn't even realized they had kissed for awhile until they hear Clara's voice.

"Ahem!"

"Yes, Clar?"

"Oh my god! I thought you guys were never gonna stop!"

"How long were you standing there Clara?"

"Long enough to know if I hadn't interrupted, you guys would be naked by now."

"Clara!"

Clara laughs and runs away. Danny and Lacey both start laughing at Clara's sudden departure.

"We should get back to our homework." Lacey says.

"I'd rather keep kissing." Danny says as he pulls his new girlfriend in for another kiss.