Eve can't believe it!

Eve's pen falls down the floor. She is about to bend down to pick it up, but Benji reacts faster. The pen has rolled right to his feet. He picks it up and turns to Eve.

"Here, I have it. A beautiful pen, by the way, even your name is engraved. And it looks like nothing is broken."

He hands the pen to Eve, who smiles gratefully at him.

"Thank you. It seems I'm lucky today. I would have been in major trouble if something had happened. The pen was a gift and is very important to me. You're a true lifesaver."

Benji grins mischievously.

"But I didn't do anything, I just picked it up. By the way, I have to tell you, you look great today. Very different than usually in that boring school uniform. I actually think anyway the school uniform should be banished."

"Yes, that's true! I think so, too. But I'm afraid our teachers would never go along with it. Mrs. Spears would probably start a petition immediately to take action against it. In her eyes, the Casual Friday is already an imposition."

"Yeah you're right. I saw her calling you in this morning. Seems she wasn't very impressed about your outfit."

Eve nods, feeling a slight blush rising within her.

"Seems so. But as you can see, she couldn't do anything about it."

"Thank God, it would have been a real shame. The day would definitely have missed one big highlight." Eve giggles nervously.

"Oh come on, now you're exaggerating." Benji smiles broadly at her.

"No, not at all. I think I had a totally wrong impression of you." Eve winks at him.

"And what kind of impression was that?"

"I'd rather keep that to myself. In any case, I see you completely different now. Tell me, are you interested in music by any chance?" Benji changes the subject.

"Of course!" says Eve enthusiastically. "I had piano lessons for many years, and I play the violin. I'm also taking dance practice."

"That's cool. I don't know if you know, but I play in a band."

Of course, Eve knew that Benji was a member in a band. But she casually waves off.

"Interesting. And what part do you play?"

"I play electric guitar, and I sing as well."

While Benji tells Eve more about his band, the two leave the classroom and walk down the hallway. Eve hangs on every word he says, but she's trying hard not to show her admiration for him openly. Suddenly, Benji clears his throat.

"Hey, this might come out of the blue, but do you have some time this afternoon?"

Eve's heart begins to beat violently.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, I might wanna buy a new guitar. My old one is just scrap. I had the idea to go to the mall this afternoon and have a look around. I could use a counsel. Someone who has the right feeling for music. What do you say? Would you like to come with me?"

Eve's heart skips a beat. Then, she remembers that she actually has violin lessons this afternoon. But she decides to skip it. Her date with Benji seems much more important to her. She shakes her head from side to side and says in a very casual tone.

"This afternoon…let me think…you're lucky, I actually already had plans, but I can postpone them." Benji beams at her enthusiastically.

"So it's a deal. We'll meet at the entrance after school. And then we'll set off together."

Eve nods. She has a very hard time hiding her joy and excitement.

"Okay, see you later then. I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too."

Benji winks at her once more and disappears. Eve waits until he has turned the next corner. Only then she starts cheering and jumping around excitedly. She can hardly believe it. She has a date with Benji. Beaming, she makes her way straight to the cafeteria to look for Melody. She tells her in all detail what just happened. Melody stares at her in disbelief.

"Wow, I can't believe it. This is so exciting. You have to tell me how it went later. I want to know everything."

For the rest of the day, Eve finds it extremely difficult to concentrate on school. She is waiting ambitiously for the end of this school day. When the bell finally rings and the last period is over, she packs up her stuff in a rush and runs to the entrance.

At the same time, her mother is driving through the town. Fran had some errands to run. The story with Eve is still occupying her mind. On her way, she passes the mall. She spontaneously decides to stop. Shopping was still the best way to calm her nerves.