"You're persistent, I'll give you that much," Her voice is light but filled with uneasiness.

"I need something working in my favor," I look down to hide my smile.

She pokes me in the shoulder as a gentle "move please", I push myself off the lockers so she can open hers.

Marissa Lorey, I don't know how it's possible for so much spunk and stubbornness to be in such a dainty little body. It makes me weak. And I've only known her a month.

"How will this go today Tommy?" She gives me a curious glance as she pulls books from her locker.

"I thought we could try a different approach," I crouch down beside her and hold my hands up in the air, trying to seem funny, "Picture this, I ask you out again and this time you say yes. One night and I show you dating can be fun, maybe a nice picnic or something. I'd have a plan but I'd like to have something to plan for first."

"Ok," Marissa's response is sharp, unexpected. For the first time since I met her, I'm speechless.

"What?"

"Ok, I'll go with you, but I want three good reasons. If you can't, then you stop trying, if you can't have a reason to try, then you shouldn't."

She slings her bag over her narrow shoulders, starring up at me. I take a minute to think.

"Alright, first, at the very least we can hang out maybe become friends. Second, it gets you a night of fun and food at no cost. Third," I smile, "Maybe I can show you dating doesn't have to end in pain."

She stands there, thinking, she sucks in her bottom lip and nods, "Pick me up at eight."

She hands me a piece of paper with her address. I watch her walk out of the school, brown curls bouncing, waiting until she's out of sight before I start jumping and laughing. Finally.

____________________________________________________

"Don't be scared," my best friend Carlie smiles.

"I'm not scared, I just don't want to be like you, Sarah, and Julie. Heartbroken."

She frumps as I pull on my high heel boots. I hear the door bell ring downstairs and quickly glance in the mirror, adjusting my over-sized maroon sweater and black jeans.

"I'm proud of you," Carlie says smiling.

"If this ends like you and Micheal I'm never dating again."

I run off before she responds, only catching a little of her offended gasp. I dart to the door before my father can get up, "Daddy, I'm leaving, be back by ten!"

I slam the door behind me. Face to Face with Tommy.

"Hey," He brushes back his dirty blond hair and flashes his sideways smirk.

"Hi." I mutter. I can't deny he's good looking or that I'm attracted to him. But I'm still scared to be heartbroken too.

"Shall we?"

He holds out his hand. I take it hesitantly. This is it.

This is the start of something new.