Okay here goes....

 

PLAYDATE

 

  Noodle was in an unusually good mood this morning. Murdoc had taken note of that. 2D or Russel didn't seem phased or anything by Noodle. Finally, Murdoc couldn't take it. "Hey, kid, what's your problem? You've been happy, and that's not... too normal," he said, flicking a cigarette butt. "I'm having a playdate!! She's coming over in a couple of hours!" Murdoc lit another cigarette. "A playdate? Isn't that when you got a friend come over or something? In a couple of hours, huh..." he asked, checking his watch. Noodle nodded. "And we're all gonna be here, right? I ain't gonna be stuck with this kid and her friends again!" he said, glaring at 2D. "Yeah, we're all gonna be here." he replied, sucking down another can of Coke. He tossed it in the garbage.

  A couple hours later, Noodle's playdate didn't show up. "When's this stupid kid coming?" Murdoc said. "She'll be here," Noodle said. 2D gazed at the clock. All of a sudden there were knocks at the door. "Yeah, yeah, keep yer pants on!" Murdoc said, getting up. "Oooh, she's here!" Noodle yelled, running to the door with Murdoc. He opened it to find a girl a little older than Noodle. She wore a black shirt and baggy camouflage pants. Her hair was dyed black, with brown roots starting to show. "Hey, are you Noodle's friend or something? You look older than her..." Murdoc said. "Yup, I am her friend." she replied, looking in. "And you must be Murdoc," she said. Murdoc looked surprised for a moment. "Yeah, yeah. Noodle musta told you about her favorite person, huh?" he said, looking down at Noodle and grinning. "She did tell me about you, but never mentioned favorites." she said. "Hey, hold up, what's your name?" he demanded. The girl smiled. "Courtney, nice to meet ya," she replied.

  For almost two hours Courtney and Noodle chatted about everything. Once in a while Murdoc, 2D or Russel would interrupt. All were listening closely. Then they got on the subject of boys. Noodle named a few famous people, and Courtney named a few. Courtney started talking. "And there's this other guy, 2-- nevermind," she said quickly. 2D and Courtney locked eyes, but 2D looked down and blushed. Courtney turned a bit red herself. Noodle started to giggle. "I know who Courtney likes!" she sang. Murdoc looked suspiciously at 2D, who was still beet-red and staring at the floor. He smiled evilly. "Hey, let's play a game of hide-and-seek... Courtney, be the seeker. We'll hide, all of us," he added, looking at 2D and Russel. "Alright, count to...fifty," he said. "And you can hide outside," he said. Courtney started counting, and eventually counted to fifty. She only heard the door open once, so she assumed Murdoc was outside. "How easy," she muttered. She stepped outside and was surprised to see Murdoc waiting for her. "Wow, fifty seconds seems like forever sometimes!" he exclaimed.

  "What's going on between you and 2D?" he asked. "Nothing! Nothing's going on. I just...almost, uh..." she said. How could she tell Murdoc? And why would she want to. "Just nevermind! It's none of your business anyway," she said, starting for the door. Murdoc stopped her. "Come on, you can tell me. Do you like 2D or something?" he asked. Courtney saw she had no choice. "Yeah, whatever, he's cute, now move!" she demanded. He looked satisfied.

  After the game was over, everyone went outside to hang out. 2D and Courtney sat with a space in the grass between them. Murdoc walked up to them. "Move over, 2D!" he said, shoving him closer to Courtney. Murdoc shoved him again and he fell against Courtney's arm. They were sitting shoulder-touching-shoulder, because of Murdoc. 2D tried to sit back up, and in the process, he accidentally touched Courtney's hand. He looked at Courtney, and they both looked away and blushed. "Come on, you idiots! 2D, you're such a wimp! Hook up already!" Murdoc shouted. Russel and Noodle smiled. 2D was going to say something, but decided against it. Courtney checked her watch. "Oh, guys I gotta go!" she said, trying to get up. 2D shot up and helped Courtney up. He was still holding onto her hand. "It was, uh, nice meeting you, 2D. She leaned closer to his ear. "You're a cutie!" she whispered. He turned redder than ever, and Murdoc looked suspicious. "See you, Noodle!" she said, hugging her. She merely waved at Murdoc and Russel. "Hey! Aren't ya gonna hug 2D goodbye?" Murdoc asked. 2D and Courtney looked at each other. 2D shrugged. They hugged each other, and 2D leaned to her ear. "You're a cutie too," he whispered. Courtney turned red. She left, and 2D watched after her.