Chapter Nine: Talking to the Jester
"Hey Lorr," Jesse said happily. "What's up?"
"Nothing," Lori replied. "You?"
"Just hanging out. Listen, me and the guys were planning on going to the arcade tomorrow and I was just wondering----do you want to go?"
"You want me to go to the arcade with you?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?"
"I don't know."
"I really would like it if you could come."
"Well, OK. I guess."
"Great. Um....do you want to come over?"
"Now?"
"Sure. Well, whenever you want to."
"I guess I could hang out for a couple hours or whatever. Well, if you're not busy."
"I'm not busy."
"Well, OK."
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A few minutes later Lori arrived at Jesse's house and when she got there she suddenly felt extremely nervous. This was the first time ever that she had been invited to go over a guys' house, not to mention that she liked Jesse----her stomach was full of butterflies. Nervously she knocked on the door and when the door opened she saw Jesse standing there.
"Hey Lorr," he greeted her.
"Hi," she said shyly. He took her hand and said, "You know you don't have to be so shy around me."
"I----I know," she stammered.
"Come on in," Jesse said.
She hesitated for a little bit then he took her hand and led her inside. "You're so different now, Lorr," he told her.
She looked at him confused and asked, "How am I different?"
"You're so shy around me now. Yesterday you were so outgoing and everything," he replied. He went into the living room and Lori followed him. He turned around and looked at her.
"You have a nice house," she said out of nowhere. She looked around and he went over to her so they were standing face to face. He took her hand and said, "You can be yourself around me, Lorr. You don't have to be so shy."
Nervously, she let go of his hand and backed away. "I---I should go."
"Don't go. Please?" He gave her a pleading look and she just looked at him.
"Lorr, I really want you to stay."
Lori stared at him then asked, "Why?"
Chapter 10