The next morning Hogarth woke up late to the sound of the telephone ringing. He groaned, feeling too tired to answer, but he got up anyway and went to the kitchen where the phone was reading. He picked up the receiver and answered groggily,

"Hello this is Hogarth Hughes speaking, who's calling please?"

"Hogarth! Sorry if I woke you. You sound a bit sleepy. Should I call back later?", Deidre spoke though the phone.

Hearing her voice, Hogarth perked up, wide awake now, like he drank a cup of expresso. He straighten up, shook the remaining sleep form his head, and ran a hand through this bed ruffled hair.

"No, No! I'm cool. I'm wide awake now. So, what's up?"

"Well, I just want to call to see what you're up to, and I was wondering if you could ask your mom if I can come over some time today?"

"Sure! My mom's working a early shift at the dinner right now, so I'll ask Dean when he wakes up."

"That's great! I'll see you later then, Mr. Hughes."

Hogarth laughed.

"See you later then, Ms. Franklin."

"Bye."

"Bye".

Hogarth hung up and smiled. He couldn't wait to meet up with her later, he just had to ask Dean first. Later, Dean woke up and put in a pot of coffee.

"Hey, Morning, Hogarth. I see you're still happy from last night talking to that girl."

"Yeah, she's pretty great. Speaking of Deidre, may I go over to her house and see her?"

"Sure, of course. She is your friend, after all. I'll take you over there myself since I gave myself a day off."

"Cool! I'm sure Deidre would want to show you her drawings. She's very good."

"Ahh, she's a artist herself. I'll defiantly take a look at that then. She seems like a sweet little girl, quiet and to herself."

"Trust me, Dean she is very strong minded! She can be a bit sassy too, if you bug her the wrong way."

"I don't want to bug her then if that's the case. Well, get dressed then. Deidre wouldn't want you to come over wearing your pjs and with messy."

Hogarth leaned against the kitchen table and smoothed his messy hair.

"Come, now Dean. 'Course I know this! Besides, she thinks that I'm cool anyway, and THAT'S what matters".

Alright then, Mr. Mc cool, go on and get dressed then, I'll make breakfast for us."

Later, after breakfast, Dean and Hogarth headed over to the Franklin's home on Dean's motor bike. Soon enough, they made it there, and went to the front door. Dean ringed the doorbell and a second later, Mr. Franklin answer the door and laughed.

"Dean, Hogarth! It's nice to see you both. Deidre's been expecting you, Hogarth. So Dean, you want to have a cup of coffee and chat."

"No thanks, man. I already had coffee, but we can talk and chill."

"Dad, is Hogarth here? I coming down!"

Down the stairs rushed Deidre excitedly, her hair flying behind her, eyes glowing. Her puppy Huck followed behind, happy to see there is company. Her good mood seemed to shine around her in bright and warm atmosphere around her. Hogarth could feel that atmosphere and it felt comforting."

"Hey Dean! What brings you here?"

"Hello, Deidre. Just came by to bring Hogarth here and visit. Say, I heard you're a artist. Don't you mind that me and Hogarth go up to your room and show us?"

"Sure! Why not? Follow me up to my room."

Deidre went up the stairs. Hogarth walked beside her while Dean followed behind. Huck was at Hogarth's heels.They made it to Deidre room, which was all neat and tidy, except for the drawing table, with her drawings scattered and sketchbook strewn across the table.

"Sorry if my drawing desk's so cluttered. I'm not so neat when I'm brainstorming."

"That's cool, Deidre. I make art out of scrape, so I consider myself not neat. What kind of art you do?"

"Oh, I make my own comics, my own characters, origin stories, villains, everything."

Dean picked up a sketchbook and flipped through it.

"Wow, those are very good comics. You know how to draw and have a great imagination. Perfect for being a artist. Well, I'm going to leave you two along and talk to your dad. Keep up the good work."

"Thanks, Dean". Dean went out the room and Hogarth and Deidre were alone.

"Yeah, Dean's a pretty cool man. You'd be lucky to have him as a stepfather."

"I can see that. Hey, I was wondering, do you want to help me think of new ideas for my comic? I think you do know a lot about comics, and I thought that you'd might like making one with me."

"Deidre, you serious? I would love to. It'd be so cool for my ideas to be in a comic. You read my mind for sure."

"Oh, really? So, you'r calling me a mind reader now", Deidre said playfully.

"If the shoe fits."

Deidre and Hogarth laughed. Being in her presence, Hogarth felt like he was in a atmosphere that was warm, lively, and satisfying, something he never felt around any other girl, or even any other kid, before. That is one of many things Hogarth admired about about Deidre.