I lamely continued mopping the kitchen floor as I listened to the radio. It had been like this for two weeks already. No one was home so I was the one left to do all the chores. My grandpa had gone off on a business trip for work, my brother Tre had gone out to band practice, and other brother Phil was out probably buying more comic books. Tre was the one that was supposed to be in charge and do most of the church but he acted so much like a child sometimes that he didn't do anything unless he really needed to. So that left the job of all the chores for Phil and I. Thank goodness sometimes Phil would help me out by vacuuming all the rooms and stuff but today it seems he decided to take the day off and relax since apparently he didn't have work today either. So now here I was mopping and singing along to Do You Believe in Love by Huey Lewis and The News, but of course changing the lyrics at the beginning a bit. I was a horrible singer in my opinion but hey no one was home so who gave any fucks?! It was right in the middle of the awesome saxophone solo when someone knocked loudly at the front door. I frowned a little, disappointed that someone was interrupting me in the middle of such a great song, but walked over and turned off the radio anyway. I lay the mop against one of the walls and went to answer the door. I hoped it wasn't Phil or anything because if he saw me in what I was wearing, which was a pair of short shorts and a spaghetti strap shirt, he would definitely freak out. Even if it was in my own house. I didn't even know why I was wearing this. It was winter, but here in California some days were just randomly hot. I was surprised when I opened the door to see Dreama standing there with Max. The poor guy. He was dressed up in this baby blue polo shirt that was tucked into some black skinny jeans and had his hair back in a pony tail. He looked like he was going to cry. Yeah, Dreama had dressed him up again didn't she? Dreama looked at what I was wearing and shook her head.

 

"What were you even doing? That music was damn loud." She asked.

 

"I was cleaning up the house since no one is home so I decided to play some music."

 

"Oh no wonder! That's good though at least the music keeps you entertained!" she smiled.

 

"Hey…so what do you guys want to come in?"

 

"No it's fine I came here to take you out."

 

"Take me out?"

 

"Yeah to my house. I wanted to hang out. Plus Jay's been dying to see you!"

 

"Well I've been busy lately that's why. Being as Grandpa is off on his trip and Tre is almost never home and when he is he brings over his band. Billie Joe always acts all suspicious around me. Mostly you know flirting and stuff. He's cute though so it's okay."

 

"Aww well you can take a break! Go on get dressed we will wait for you here."

 

"Ugh okay fine." I replied and left the door open in case they wanted to come in and sit down. I sped up the stairs and quickly opened the door to my room. I wondered why Jay was even dying to see me. It's not like I was with him or anything but apparently from what Dreama had been telling me the other day Jay had always had a thing for me ever since we first met. I had to admit I had a bit of a crush for him too but I just refused to acknowledge it sometimes. I didn't know why. Maybe it was because there was also Billie Joe and some other guys? I quickly put on a pair of skinny jeans and a plain white skin tight shirt on. I went up to the mirror, brushed my hair and then put on a random matching head band. When I finished with everything I rushed downstairs to where Dreama was now hugging Max.

 

"Maxyface you are so adorable I can't wait 'till we get home I'll let you play in the backyard and I'll make you little sandwiches and…."

 

"OKAY!" I said interrupting her before Max had an attack. Gosh how he let any of this go on even after the fact that he's older than her I will never know. "I'm finished let's go then."

 

"Okay!" Dreama held onto Max's hand as the walked to the sidewalk. "Don't worry Maxy I got you so you won't get lost." She said and I shook my head as I closed and locked the front door behind me. I put the keys in my pocket and walked after them.

 

"So what are we going to do at your house Dreama?" I asked her and she laughed a little.

 

"Well we can play with Maxy here for a while and hmm…but then Jay is probably going to want you to watch hockey with him."

 

"Wait what…"

 

"It's hockey season!"

 

I stopped right in my tracks. "Then why don't I just go home now…"

 

"NO! You are coming with us!" Dreama said grabbing my arm with her free hand and pulled me along just like she was pulling Max.

 

"But Jay is going to be so …just I can't even explain it like wait wait… is Toronto playing today?"

 

"You bet."

 

"EVEN WORSE."

 

"What it's not that bad. Just hope the maple leafs win and all shall be good."

 

"But but…fine." I frowned. I decided to change the subject so I wouldn't concentrate on the upcoming strangeness so I asked Max how he was.

 

"I'm okay. Just you know…the usual." He replied and made a face.

 

"I see…well don't worry I'm sure something exciting will happen to you soon."

 

"I hope so too."

 

"Aww well don't worry Maxy! We are going to be playing out in the backyard you love that!" Dreama exclaimed and as a lady passed by pushing a baby on a stroller her eyes widened. "MAXY OMG I HAVE TO BUY YOU ONE OF THOSE FOR YOU! We would have so much fun! You in a stroller and your pacifier AWWWW!" she exclaimed and I looked over at Max who looked miserable. I guess he just does anything to not make her upset right? I wonder how Craig feels about this.

 

"Yes." He replied and Dreama looked over at him.

 

"Yes what?"

He sighed. "Yes… Mom."

 

"YAY! YOU ARE SO ADORABLE!" she exclaimed and I looked the other way, pretending as if I didn't know them. Jesus I didn't think Dreama would baby Max THIS much. About ten minutes later, full of many comments Dreama said about Max we finally made it to Dreama's house. As soon as Dreama opened the front door I noticed that Jay was laying down on the couch, his whole body pretty much taking up the whole thing. When Dreama, Max, and I stepped through the door though he saw us and his eyes grew wide. He didn't have his long hair back in a ponytail which surprised me because he usually always did. He quickly stood up from the couch almost tripping over the carpet as he walked over to us.

 

"Um…hi Vivian." He smiled and then out of nowhere hugged me tightly.

 

"Hey Jay. What's up?"

 

"Nothing much! I'm about to watch hockey…um…here watch it with me." He said pulling me over to the couch to where he was sitting.

 

"HEY NO! SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO COME WITH ME AND PLAY WITH MAX!" Dreama yelled and Jay just stared at her.

 

"Yeah but you always see her! I haven't seen her in a while! If you want you can stay here and watch hockey too."

 

"Ugh…Fine but next time I bring her here Vivian is hanging out with me."

 

"YAY!" he exclaimed and sat me next to me.

 

"So who's playing today?"

 

"Toronto Maple Leafs and the Anaheim Ducks. Who would you go for? If I were you though I'd go for Toronto." He grinned and I shook my head.

 

"I'm going to go for the Ducks." I said and his eyes got wide again.

 

"WHY THOUGH?! TORONTO IS BETTER!"

 

"You just say that because they are from Canada like you."

 

"Exactly. What about you huh?"

 

"Well I don't know I don't even watch hockey."

 

"WHAT? Then I'm going to make you start watching it's awesome."

 

"Okay then. But the Ducks are still going to win."

 

"Not even."

 

"Want to bet?"

 

"Sure."

 

"Okay if the Ducks win…" I paused in which Jay scoffed. "For the rest of this week you will help me out with my chores at home."

 

"BUT I WATCH HOCKEY well I can watch hockey and help you out since you know I can multitask but then again…the ducks aren't going to win." He laughed. "And if the Maple Leafs win…you will let me take you out on a date." I looked at him and tried my best not to blush.

 

"What?"

 

"You heard me. As soon as the game is over we can go somewhere on an actual date."

 

"Well…okay fine. Since I know I'M GUNNA WIN. Let's shake on it." I said and outstretched out my hand he took it and instead of shaking it he kissed it.

 

"That counts as shaking hands alright?" he smirked and I quickly snatched my hand away.

 

"Whatever." I said and that's when Dreama came in with Max. Apparently they had gone to the kitchen. She was carrying a bottle full of milk with her. She pulled Max over to sit on the other couch with her.

 

"Come on Maxy it's time for your food." She said and Max frowned.

 

"But Milk isn't food."

 

"Well you are my baby it will have to do for now." She said and stuffed the bottle in his mouth. Jay looked over at them disapprovingly.

 

"What the hell are you even doing that guy?" he asked and she didn't look up from Max.

 

"I'm giving him his milk."

 

"He's not a child."

 

"Don't question me! He is my child."

 

"He's older than you."

 

"So?"

 

"So you know what nevermind." He said and turned to look at the TV. The game was already starting and he kept on smirking in my direction. "I hope you didn't eat earlier Vivian because I am definitely taking you out."

 

"Not even I hope YOU aren't busy next week because you are helping me out."

 

"Nope."

 

"Yes you are."

 

"No I'm not."

 

"Don't make me slap you."

 

"Go ahead."

 

"…..Ugh just…I can't with you." I said turning to stare at the TV. The game started and Jay and I were intent on it the whole time. Toronto made the first points and Jay had started throwing parties everywhere. Then Anaheim scored and he started getting a little mad and just threw things it was bad. About an hour later the game was almost over and both Toronto and Anaheim were tied. Jay and I were so into this game now, mostly because of our bet, that when our team was close to scoring we would stand up and yell random stuff. Dreama had left to go to her room with Max a while ago though because apparently we were making too much racket and it would wake up Max who had fallen asleep.

 

"NO DAMMIT TORONTO WHY THAT WAS CLOSE!" Jay groaned in frustration as he sat back down next to me.

 

"Not even obviously Anaheim was going to block it." I smirked at him and he sighed. Then suddenly one of the players from Toronto got the puck again.

 

"YES YES OH MY GOD! GO GO SCORE FOR TORONTO!" He shouted standing up again and jumping. I stood up too and pushed him to the side.

 

"NO NO ANAHEIM GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER BLOCK IT BLOCK NOOOOOOOOOOO!" I yelled as they scored and the game ended. Toronto had won and I sunk back down to my seat in defeat. Jay was grinning and laughing when he sat next to me.

 

"Aww Vivian why that face you should be happy you are going on a date with me!" he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and I just sighed.

 

"I didn't want to have to do all my chores alone!"

 

"Well tell you what…what if I help you out with your chores too?"

 

"Really? But no you won it's okay we will go on that date. You don't have to help me out."

 

"But I want to and I will! I'll come over to your house tomorrow and now let me take you on that date." He turned off the television and smiled at me. He helped me up from the couch and led me to the front door.

 

"Where are we going?" I asked, genuinely curious.

 

"Don't worry about it just know you are gunna love it." He smiled and took my hand as he led me to the place where our date was going to be at.