I just edited this chapter and was laughing to myself like a fool - so I hope that everyone enjoys it just as much as I do!

"I want to call her. When do you think I can call? How long am I supposed to wait before calling?"

Yang was practically bouncing out of her seat at the small café table she and her best friend were currently occupying. The treasured book placed in front of her, she kept flipping open the cover only to feel more butterflies explode in her stomach when she saw the neat handwriting scrawled inside.

A giggle brought her back down to earth, drawing her eyes to the red haired beauty sitting across from her. For what must have already been the tenth time that day, a flush blossomed on her cheeks.

Pyrrha Nikos was one of the world's most sought after models, with her long red hair and vivid green eyes gracing billboards and magazines across the globe. Yang would willingly admit that Pyrrha greatly beat even her in terms of pure beauty.

However, the model was exceedingly humble despite her worldly renown. Unpretentious, supportive, and exceptionally kind, the two girls had instantly hit it off when they had met at an after-party hosted by some huge clothing line Pyrrha represented. They had been best friends ever since.

But right now, Yang narrowed her eyes and frowned at the giggling girl.

"What's so funny?"

Pyrrha waved her hand while she continued laughing. Yang briefly wondered how it was possible for such a simple gesture to appear so composed, until she reminded herself that everything Pyrrha did appeared composed.

"You're smitten!" Pyrrha finally remarked, grinning at Yang's scoff of indignation.

"I am not smitten! I just…really want to see her again!" she sputtered, feeling her face burn even hotter.

"Then why don't you just call her now?"

"Because!" she exclaimed, shocked that Pyrrha wasn't fully understanding the gravity of the situation. "I can't call her too early and look overzealous…but I can't call her too late and seem uninterested!"

"I see…" Pyrrha forced a straight face as she nodded her head in fake understanding. "But why don't you just call when you want to call?"

Putting her head down in her hands, Yang let out a loud groan before explaining something that everyone should already know.

"There are rules to follow, Pyrrha. Standard dating protocol that needs to be adhered to!"

"Yes…I am aware of 'the rules'…I'm just suggesting that you forget about them."

Her mouth dropped open at Pyrrha's advice. Not follow the rules? What kind of advice was that?

"Pyrrha, do you drive at all?"

Pyrrha raised an eyebrow at her silly question.

"What am I asking; of course you do," Yang said hurriedly, brushing past her momentary brain lapse in an effort to still prove her point.

"Imagine if there were no traffic laws in Vale. It would be crazy, right? We'd be swerving all over the place, nearly killing each other or pedestrians…there would be no order at all!"

"And your point is…?" Pyrrha asked.

"The rules keep things organized. They make people feel more comfortable. You don't have to worry about the crazy driver in the lane next to you suddenly pulling a U-turn on a one way street - because that's against the rules."

"I think I understand what you're trying to say…" Pyrrha replied with a nod, clearly trying to suppress a smile at Yang's analogy. "It's just that…you really seem to like her. And if she's as you've described her, I'm pretty sure that she would appreciate the sincerity."

Yang paused to think about Pyrrha's point. Blake did seem much more reserved than most of the people Yang regularly spent time with. Maybe she would appreciate the honesty if Yang just called and said that she couldn't stop thinking about her and that she wanted…no, needed…to see her again, right away (or maybe something a little less needy). She did like the idea of treating Blake differently than anyone else…a lot.

"Ok, I'll do it."

She was determined now. And when she set her mind on something, she was going to follow through to the best of her ability.

Pyrrha raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Right now?"

"Yeah, right now," Yang snapped as she fished her cell phone out of her bag. Flipping open the cover of the book one more time, she began punching in the phone number written there, trying to ignore Pyrrha's shocked expression at the recent change of events.

Turning away from her friend, she faced the front window of the café as she crossed her legs in front of her. She was attempting to appear calm, but as soon as she hit the 'call' button she could feel her nerves beginning to unravel. She was suddenly acutely aware that she hadn't thought of anything she wanted to say other than "I want to see you again."

"Oh, wow, you really mean right now."

Yang shot Pyrrha a glare as the phone began ringing.

Ring…

Maybe Blake wouldn't even pick up.

Ring…

After all, she had obviously been busy this afternoon. How long did book signings normally last, anyway?

Ring…

Oh god, should she leave a message? What should she even…

"Hello?"

Yang nearly dropped the phone when she heard the voice coming over the other end of the line.

"Oh. Uh…hi! Is this Blake? This is Yang…Yang Xiao Long? We met earlier today…"

A gentle laugh sounded, setting Yang's ears on fire in embarrassment.

"Yes, I do seem to remember meeting you today, although I wasn't expecting you to call so soon..."

"Ah! Yeah…I was going to wait a little longer, but was convinced otherwise."

She tossed another glare towards Pyrrha, who threw both hands up in the air in an attempt to feign innocence.

"So…anyway…I was kind of hoping, if you're free tonight, maybe you'd like to…grab dinner or something? I know that you're probably really tired from the signing today, but I know a great little place in the area…I don't know if you like Italian food or not though. A-and only if you're available - of course! I mean, available as in no prior commitments, not relationship-wise. Although that would be ideal, as well…"

"Yang?"

She immediately stopped talking when she heard her name, realizing in horror that she had been rambling, big time.

"I'd love to go get dinner with you tonight."

Her heart soared at the words. Yes! She had said yes!

"Really?" she exclaimed, not able to conceal a fraction of the excitement in her voice. "That's great! I mean, I'm glad that you want to go. The restaurant is called Octavio's, have you heard of it? Would you like to go at 7:30?"

"I am familiar with Octavio's," Blake replied with another small chuckle. "I love Italian and will meet you there at 7:30."

"Awesome possum! 7:30. I'll see you then!"

She ended the call and carefully placed her phone down on the table. Her heart was still pounding as she thought about every word of the conversation that had just occurred. Glancing over to Pyrrha, she found her friend staring at her as if she had just grown a second head.

"Wow."

"Shut up," Yang replied as she playfully threw her napkin across the table before burying her face in her hands in utter humiliation.

"What the hell did I just say?"

"Well…you said a lot of things…and very very quickly," Pyrrha offered helpfully. "I'm honestly surprised she managed to get a word in at all."

"I just got so nervous! I couldn't stop the words spewing out of my mouth. It wasn't that bad though, right?"

She looked back to Pyrrha, hoping to have her fears assuaged.

Pyrrha coughed instead, picking up her drink and carefully avoiding Yang's gaze.

"No, no…it was quite awesome...possum."

Yang groaned. She wasn't usually such a failure at speaking to girls. In fact, she would like to think that she was actually somewhat of a charmer. But this girl had her tripping all over herself…she had never used the phrase 'awesome possum' in her entire life! So of course today was the perfect time to pick up a new catchphrase.

"She still said yes!" she finally pointed out triumphantly.

As long as she had a date for tonight, she had another chance to prove that she wasn't such an awkward person all the time. But she could already feel the nerves building at the thought of seeing Blake again. And the two of them would have to hold a conversation…for at least an hour or so.

Yang had yet to prove that she could even string two solid sentences together when in the author's presence.

Suddenly, she gasped when a realization occurred to her.

"What should I wear?" she asked in panic as she mentally scrolled through her closet at home. Should she go casual? Dressy? Dressy casual? Chic? Casual chic? God…the possibilities were nearly endless.

Pyrrha smirked as she flagged down their waitress for the check.

"Isn't there a rule for that?"