They were walking to school a couple of days later and Levi still hadn’t gotten up the nerve to bring up the date again. Each time he thought about it, he got a sick feeling in his stomach. Liz was excited by everything they passed, like she was seeing it all for the first time. She was gorgeous on top of all that, and really nice, and got along with everyone. It was like she'd stepped out of some fairytale. And here she was walking beside him to school, just like she did most days, even when their classes didn’t coincide. He hoped that she liked him, but how could she? He was worried she might just see him as a friend or, even worse, someone she felt sorry for. What did she think of him really?

He was afraid to ask that question.

What’s wrong with me? He thought. I've just gotta man up; ask her out like I said I would. what's the worst that could happen? As soon as he started on this line of thought his stomach started churning again, getting worse and worse the more he thought. The school was within sight now and his palms were sweating. His stomach was really queasy too.

Now they were at the school, walking up the steps. Then they were at the classroom and it was too late. Oh well, maybe I can come up with a good way to ask during class.

###

He bombed the quiz of course but, even worse, he still couldn't think of a good way to ask her out, not without the whole class hearing.

After class, they only had a minute or two to walk together before they had to go their separate ways. This is it, I've got to do this. He tried saying something, but nothing came. Now they were at the split, she laughing as she told him about something he hadn’t heard. What had she said?

"Well, see you later okay?" She gave him another one of her smiles, the kind that made the room light up.

"Wait, Liz." He half reached out to stop her from going, before he realized how awkward that would be. Instead he let his hand drop back down after letting it hang for a moment. Ugh, that was even worse.

"Yes?" She turned expectantly.

"So, uh, I was wondering if you'd like to go out, you know, like we’d talked about."

"Really, yeah, that sounds like fun."

"Okay, um, how about Saturday, maybe around lunchtime? Will that work?"

"Yeah, of course." The smile she gave was even bigger than before, her eyes sparkling, even in the dimly lit hall.

"So, oh good," he was at a loss for what to say next. He'd just worked himself up so much to ask her that, now he had, he didn't have a clue what they were going to do, or what to say, or well, anything.

"So, what are we doing?" She asked, playing with a strand of her hair.

His mind went blank. Then he did what every guy has done since dating began. Probably ever since Adam first asked out Eve. He lied.

"Oh, it'll be a surprise. You know, make it more fun."

"Ok, I love surprises." She paused, a frown creasing her brow. "You do know what we're doing right?"

"Yep, just have to work out a couple details, but don't worry, it'll be lots of fun."

She gave him a quick hug before running off, calling over her shoulder. "Ok, I'll see you then. I can't wait to tell everyone." And then she was gone, swallowed in the sea of milling students.

Levi groaned. He'd got what he wanted, now what was he going to do?

###

"So like, what are you going to do?"

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

He'd called Paul cause there really was no one else to talk to. He used to talk to his brother sometimes when he needed advice, but he’d felt odd calling home, ever since Kansas, always feeling like he was keeping secrets. So it had to be Paul. The conversation hadn’t started well.

"So hey Paul, what's a good idea for a first date?"

"Really? Seriously you're just now asking Liz out?"

"Who says it's Liz?"

"Who else would it be? You don’t talk to any girls but her and Alice, and she’s not what I’d call dateable. But seriously, a first date? Aw man, you just cost me a $20."

"Huh?"

"Alice bet me twenty bucks you still hadn't asked her out. I thought, no way could you be that slow. I just figured you guys were being quiet about it."

"Seriously? That's what you guys talk about when we're not around?"

"Well, sure, that and whatever freaky monsters are waiting to rip our guts out. You know it's hard to talk about anything normal since all this happened. I can’t even do my Youtube posts cause I don’t even know what to say. All of the stuff I used to post just doesn’t seem to matter anymore, and I sure can’t talk about the rest of it.”

“So, uh, back to my question.”

“Right, right, let me think about it a moment. By the way, how’d that sanctus thing go? You never told me.”

“Sorry, I needed some time to process it all.”

“It worked then?” Pauls voice sounded excited.

So Levi told him the whole thing. .

"Wow, that's crazy. So like what does it mean though?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, I hate to get all philosophical and all, but you saw firsthand that there's something more out there. That's like the oldest debate out there. So what does it mean for you, for us? You know, the purpose of life and all that. Man, I really wish I could post all this. My followers would go nuts."

"Uh, I dunno, I didn't get to thinking that deep." He had thought about it, a little, he just wasn't ready to face it... yet. "I guess it makes things feel more real though, like there's more to this stuff than just a few nasty monsters and some magic tricks.”

“Right, yeah, anyway, talking about the purpose of life, and finding out my buddy really is clueless with girls is making my head hurt, so I'm gonna go. Good talk though."

"Paul."

"Yeah."

"When did you get to bed last night?"

"What time is it right now?"

"About two o'clock, why?"

"Well that's when I got to bed, two o'clock. Last night's party was epic. Now sorry, I'm gonna go pass out, I've had it. I can't believe I even went to class today. See you later K?"

"Hey, you never answered my question."

"Oh, right, when’re you going out?"

"Saturday, I was thinking maybe lunch and a walk down the pier."

"That is really boring you know that? Look, If you can talk her into something later in the day, I've got a friend, he can get you into this bar and grill where lots of local bands play, it'll be cultural."

"Are you sure? I'm not that into loud music and crowds."

"Seriously?

"Well, I don't know, I just don't feel like you can talk to someone that way."

"You're a hopelessly boring person sometimes.”

"Hey, I'm not that boring, I just don't think it's a good way to get to know someone better." Maybe calling Paul wasn’t the right choice after all.

"Seriously? Don't you already know her? Look man, dating's not about getting to know someone. It's about making an impression. It's like where you sweep her off her feet, you know. Look, I'm telling you this to help you. What you've gotta know is most girls, no matter what they tell you, no matter what they tell themselves for that matter, they don't want to find a nice boring guy. They want the show. They want a guy who's gonna give them the romance they're looking for."

"So uh, what are they looking for?"

"Huh, you got me, I don't think most of them even know. It makes it way easier for us though."

"Why's that?"

"Cause if they don't know, and you give them a fun time, they figure that's what they wanted all along and so they want to go out again."

"That's really messed up."

"Yeah, yeah it is, but hey that's dating. Don't question the way life works, just go with it."

"Um, there's one other problem."

Paul sighed. "What is it now?"

"You said it's a bar right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Neither of us are old enough. Actually, are you even old enough?"

"What? No, but I told you, I've got a friend who'll get us in.”aura

“So it’s not like a restaurant with a bar area?”

“No, they don’t let kids in, but that’s what makes it cool. Seriously, just trust me on this okay?"

"Alright, like I said I'll think about it, but I don't know if I'm up for it."

"Yeah, whatever, see you then."

He looked at the phone, not sure what to think. Yeah it sounded... sort of fun, but really? Oh well, he'd figure it out after he took a nap; he was beat from a late night just doing homework. How did Paul pull those all nighters like that and still pass his classes?