"Don't you want any pizza, Railyn?" Natalie asked, chomping away on the italian delight. All 4 girls sat in the dining room; the blue walls simulating the day's sky as a cheap glass chandelier beamed down on them from above. The antique wood table supported them when they broke bread and played poker.

"I'm going out on the town to eat," Railyn replied delightfully as she rose from her seat, clutching her coat in her hands.

"With Greg," Danielle added as she snickered like a little sister, scrunching up her freckled-flecked nose and smiling. The girl's eyes widened as a sly smile diffused on their faces.

"Ohhhhhhhhhh," Natalie and Hannah joined in, followed by a fit of laughter.

"Where are you guys going?" Jane asked, exiting from the table to get more ice from the kitchen. Jane is the girls' legal guardian for the time being and the founder of the Gaffney house. She's Todd Gaffney's younger sister. Her dirty blonde hair wavered slightly from her shoulders as she bent into the fridge. Cold air smacked against her gold-rimmed glasses.

"We're going to Aunt Mary's," Railyn yelled to Jane, ignoring the girls' outbursts.

"That's where you met him, right?" Hannah implored smiling as she took a bite of her pizza.

"OK, I'm bouncing," Railyn sighed, rolling her eyes and her mouth slipping into a secret smile. The girls said goodbye to Railyn as she hustled from the dining room to the front door.

Greg had only been waiting a few minuetes when he vaguely saw Railyn strolling down the street in the dusty dark. She crossed the perilous street as her coat and hair danced behind her, being honked at in the process. Her face light up at the sight of Greg. "Hey Handsome," she greeted him, wrapping her arms around him tenderly.

Greg's mind took a leap back for a second. Nervously, he layed his hand on her back as she released him. "Hey," he replied, smiling shyly.

"Well I'm freezing my ass off, so let's go in," Railyn suggested, laughter causing steamy breath to mix with the fridig air.

"After you," Greg offered, opening the door. Railyn nodded sweetly and proceeded inside.

It was early so only a few families were enjoying the cuisine. Pale light filled their faces as they filled their stomachs. Val was vigeriously cleaning the counter with a red and white checkered rag when her eyes spotted the two. "What will it be, kids?" she bellowed to them, leaving the Windex next to the rag.

"The usual, Val, and a bottle of Pepsi," Greg replied, navagating to the usual table. Railyn plopped down on the left bench, glancing over her shoulder into the deep dark.

"You got it," Val responded with a smirk, retreating to the back.

"Excuse me, Greg," a blonde girl whispered shyly and polietly. Greg turned from the table and peered down at the petite girl, about 8 or 9 years old. "Can I have you autograph?" she continued nervously, her free hand wringing around her white shirt.

"Sure, sweetie," Greg replied gratefully, taking the pen and the napkin gently in his hands. He leaned the napkin on the table and turned to the girl. "What's your name?"

"Emily," the girl squeaked, absolute joy displayed in her posture. Greg scribbled his John Hancock on the napkin. "Thank you a lot, Greg," she slurred, peering up at Greg. Greg laid a sweet kiss on her forehead. Her smile grew a mile wide and she floated her way back to her family's table.

Greg's smile rapidly ran away as Railyn looked at him, utter confusion circiling about her head. She tapped her fingers against the table, her eyebrows narrowed at his. "Well this is an interesting way to start off..." Railyn started, unsure of what to say.

"I'm in a singing group called Dream Street," Greg interrupted bluntly. Railyn's blue eyes widened, but her mouth was comfortably closed. Val carried the peppers and olive pizza pie and bottle of Pepsi out to the silent two. Greg thanked her as she turned back to the counter.

"You mean the 'It Happens Every Time' kids?" Railyn asked, taking a slice from the pie and laying it hungrily on her paper plate. Greg nodded, reaching for the Pepsi when Railyn bursted out laughing. "No way," she protested, shaking her head and biting into the pizza. Heat pricked the roof of her mouth. "Oww," she whined, washing down the pizza with a swig of Pepsi. "Sing me a little tune, then."

"Alright," Greg replied, clearing his throat. He sang the 1st verse of 'It Happens Everytime' as Railyn watched him intensely, a slight smile creeped her face and hands clasped together about her chin. This boy is something, she concluded as beautiful notes swam from his mouth. Good thing he can't read my thoughts.

"That's cool," Railyn told him when he finished, clenching her cup in her hand and stealing a sip. Greg was glad she didn't make a big deal of it. "So what's your family like?" Railyn pressed, picking at her long-sleeved yellow shirt.

"You already know so much about me," Greg diverted the topic, resting his arms on the table. Railyn ears listened closely as her mouth ate away her slice. "Yet, I don't even know what your last name is."

"Well," Railyn responded, her eyes watching her hands sweep over some misplaced sauce on her cheek. She giggled and fixed her eyes back at Greg's. "It's Coy. Go ahead, then, pick my brain." She leaned foward, her hands folded in front of her, awaiting the first question.

"What's up with you and the girls at that house," Greg implored, pointing his thumb in the direction of the Gaffney house.

"It's a house for orphans who haven't been adopted," Railyn informed him, sipping at her drink. Greg continued to devour his pizza as she continued. "I've been there for about 4 years. Jane takes care of us. She established the house 15 years ago. I don't know why she never got married...she's so selfless and kind. She tutors us and everything and encourages us to get jobs so we can learn to be responsible and all that..."

"Why are you there?" Greg continued, sensing there was more to her story.

Railyn diverted her eyes to the floor, circling her fingers around the cup like they're chasing something. "My parents are dead," she whispered, her eyes cold and immoble as stone. She brushed at them with her hands, looking back up at Greg.

"How did they die?" Greg pressed, his ears very curious.

"Does it matter?" Railyn implored neturally, anger nor forbearance glazing her tone. "They're dead..."

The rest of the evening went better than that conversation. Greg really enjoyed Railyn's company. Her smile was irresistable; it brightened up the poor lighting in the parlor. They talked about Elvis, football, TV; unexpected things you usually don't talk to girls about. Railyn insisted on paying the bill. It was a nice surprise to Greg because he was usually the gentlemen; picking up the tab. It was about 8:30 when the evening came to a close.

"It's been real, Greg," Railyn told him, spinning to face him as freezing air surrounded them.

"Yeah," Greg agreed smiling. He slipped a piece of paper in her hand. "It's my number."

Railyn grabbed Greg's hand and stole the black pen out of his other hand. Squinting through the dark, she left her 7 digits on his hand. "I hope to you stumble back into Gaffney's soon," Railyn joked, giving his arm a light push. They began to walk to the corner, the streets illuminated to life by traffic lights and screaming headlights.

"I'll see ya," Greg whispered, beginning to walk down the street to his empty life. Railyn looked back at him, her hand attaching to his leather jacket. Railyn jumped in his arm, snuggling his body against hers. He felt indescribable warmth against his chest. The sweet scent of Strawberry Shampoo lured into his nose, forcing his brain to succumb to forbidden thoughts. Her faint heart beat was a lightning bolt, thrashing through his whole body. The entire world was seen in slow motion for Greg. The sleepy traffic light took hours to turn colors, laughing teenagers looked like they were drunken fools, cars crept by like they were driven by children. His mind wanted to drop her, but her heart could not. Greg was shocked at her agressiveness; but moreso that he enjoyed it.