"I hope this helps, Lori."
"Thanks Michelle. Thanks so much. I didn't really get to talk to you since I came here."
"I think Mandy is going to ask you so many questions and annoys you as much as she can."
"Why is she doing that though?"
"Because of Nick, Lori. She likes Nick a lot. Everybody knows about it. To tell you the truth, I think she's really jealous of you."
"But me and Nick are just friends."
"That is not what she sees. And seriously, Nick sure is happier than before since you join us."
"Really..." Lori looks her watch. "Oh shoot! It's lunch time now. Sorry Michelle, I really gotta go. And thanks again."
"You're welcome. Go that way Lori, so Mandy won't see you." She points out the short cut for Lori.
~ At the Central Park -- 11:30 am ~
Nick is sitting next to the fountain, waiting for Lori. He has an uneasy feeling when he finds out David Johnson is going after her. He does not know why, he has never feel this way before. David and Lori just keep on appearing on his mind.
On the other hand, Lori is walking up to Nick. She is still pretty shocked by what David did. It is totally something she never expects. All she can think of is to asks Nick for help. Lori sit herself down next to Nick. "Hey..."
"Lori, hard to sneak out huh?"
"Yea... thanks to Michelle, she helped me out."
"So Lori, what are you going to do? He's a pretty cool guy, further considerations for you?" Nick really wants Lori to say no. He asks this question so that he could cover up the weird, upset feeling he is having.
"Well... he's cute, nice, smart and talented... nah, I'm just kidding. He's totally NOT my type." Lori's cell phone rings.
"Hello? Oh hi... David. Yes I got the roses."
<Lori, where are you right now?>
"I'm in the central park, and David, I wanna tell you that..."
<Okay, I'm coming right now, wait for me.> and he hangs up.
"Wait, David... hey... GOSH!"
"Lori, everything okay?" Nick looks right into her eyes, looking worried.
"He hangs up, he said he's coming now... crap!"
"You want me to leave you guys alone so you can talk to him?"
"No no, Nick, don't go please. I'm scared."
David runs towards Lori once his eyes located her, with a big smile on his face. But the smile doesn't stay up long, it just stay til David sees Nick standing next to Lori.
"Hi Lori, and hi to you Nick."
"David, I need to talk to you."
"Yes sure Lori. But can I ask you something? Can you be my date to the annual dinner?"
"Well... I..." Lori has no idea how to say no. She has never do this before.
"hmm... sorry for the interruption David. But Lori is going with me. I just asked her." Nick just bursts out saying that, just to help Lori.
"Lori, is that true?"
"Yea... David. Yes, of course I'm going with Nick. And David, I don't think I'm ready to give you a 'chance.' We're just friends, and that's it. You know what I mean?"
"I understand Lori. It's just too sudden for you. But I won't give up. I gotta go. See ya!"
"Gosh... you understand??? I don't think so... gosh..." As she saw David running back to his car. "And thanks a lot Nick, you save me! Let's go now."
"Lori... hold on..."
"Sup?"
"What if... u know... what I say just now... I mean... What if I mean it?"
"Huh? oh... you're talking about the annual dinner?"
"Yes. I am wondering if you would like to go with me?" Nick feels himself sweating, his heart beat rising, and his face getting red and hot, well, for the first time in the past two years.
