The next morning around noon, Jessica got up, got dressed, and walked over to the planetarium. When she entered, no other people were there. She saw Lance and was surprised he would be there. Jessica tried to ignore him, 
but kept glancing in his direction. A few minutes later Lance looked up and noticed that he had a visitor to the planetarium. He walked over to the short, dark haired patron. Lance said, "Welcome to the planetarium. My 
name is Lance Bass. I’m the curator."	

Jessica turned to see the same handsome man she met yesterday. "You’re the curator? Are you old enough to be a curator?"

Lance blushed, "It’s a long story. So, what are you doing back here?"

Jessica explained that she wanted to experience this place without all the other people around. Lance showed her around and even took her to the roof to see the beautiful view of the campus. Lance looked at his watch and 
exclaimed, "I should’ve gone to lunch an hour ago."

Jessica apologized for taking up his time and Lance said, "No, no. This was fun. In fact, would you like to have lunch with me? That is if it won’t upset Faris."

Jessica looked confused. "Faris?"

"Yeah, your boyfriend."

Still confused Jessica said, "My boyfriend? I didn’t know I had one."

Lance now looking confused replied, "The guy you were with last night, you know. Isn’t he your boyfriend?"

Jessica laughed, "No! He’s a boy and he’s my friend, but with Faris, you don’t put those two words together. We just go out on ‘friend’ dates."

Lance smiled and said, "So, I guess you are free for lunch then?"

"Well, I have no money, so that’s a bit of a problem."

Lance, getting a confident look on his face, said, "I invited, so I pay. It’s kind of like a date."

Jessica, getting a cocky sound to her voice, replied, "I don’t go out with guys that don’t even know my last name."

Lance winked and asked, "So, what is your last name?"

"I bet you’d like to know, wouldn’t you?" Jessica grinned as she turned to walk away.

Lance grabbed her arm and said, "I asked, didn’t I?"

Jessica was caught off guard by his strong grip and mumbled, "Davis."

Lance put Jessica arm in his and said, "Well, Jessica Davis, let’s go have lunch."

Lance escorted Jessica to the passengers seat of his Jeep and helped her in. Then he drove her to a nearby deli and they ordered their lunch. They sat down and began to eat. 

Then Jessica asked, "So how old are you?"

"22, you?"

"20...Why are you a curator of a planetarium at 22? Why didn’t you pick something a little cooler as a career?" Jessica asked honestly.

"I have a love for astronomy," Lance replied, "but the job here is all my parents doing. They didn't’ want me to get too far away from home so they gave money to the college to build the planetarium and wanted me to be 
the curator. I wasn’t thrilled about it at first, but I love what I do. I just don’t love how I got there."

Jessica nodded and said, "Do you always do what they want you to?"

Lance shook his head. "No, not normally, but I didn’t know what to do with my degree. The planetarium lets me use my education. So, enough about me. What’s your major?"

Jessica proudly said, "Secondary math education. Meredith is too."

"Why’d you choose that?"

Jessica blushed, "Honestly, I have a deep love for children and math. I just put those two together and found the perfect fit for me."

Jessica and Lance talked and continued to get to know each other as they finished their lunch. Then the two returned to the planetarium and Lance let Jessica watch the program from last night again. A few hours later 

Jessica left to go back to the dorm with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step.

As soon as Jessica walked into the dorm room, Meredith said, "Where’ve you been?"

Jessica blushed and said, "I met a guy!"

Meredith finished the last of the pizza she had ordered and yelled, "Oh my gosh! Who is it?"

Jessica smiled and said, "Lance, from last night. He took me out to lunch and we talked. It was so much fun."

Meredith said, "Did he get you phone number?" She remembered how Chris had failed to do that earlier in the week.	

"Of course. And I have his. He’s supposed to call tonight and we are going to go out to lunch after church tomorrow. You are invited too. Did you know that he goes to church with us?"

"Wow! That’s cool."

Next Tuesday afternoon, Meredith went into the office of Nettleton High to find out where the classroom was that she was supposed to observe in. When she saw that her name was next to Chris Kirkpatrick's again, she was 
confused and asked the secretary, "I thought I was supposed to be with a coach today?"

"You were, but he called in sick. You are going to observe Mr. Kirkpatrick’s class again today. Is that all right?"

"Yeah. Okay." Meredith couldn’t believe this was actually happening, but she also couldn’t help feeling a little embarrassed. As Meredith was walking to the band room she thought, "What if I was the only one who felt 
something and he thought I was a silly schoolgirl? What if he thought I was throwing myself at him? What if he asks me out?"

She was hoping only the latter would be true. When she reached the band room Chris immediately saw her and said, "Stuck with me again, huh?"

"It could be worse."

"Yeah, you could be observing in the lunchroom. There’s nothing worse than that!"

Meredith laughed and was stopped from saying anything by the bell ringing.	"Well," Chris said, "I’ll talk to you after class." He winked at her then walked to the front of the room.

During class Meredith could only think of him winking at her and how her stomach had suddenly become full of butterflies. This time, if he didn’t ask for her phone number, she was going to give it to him.	After class, Chris walked up to her and said, "How do you think 
today’s classes went?"

"Well, pretty good for a band director." Meredith smiled.

"Wow! That’s harsh," he said with a smile. "So, what do you normally do after you observe?"

"I normally go back to the dorm and hang out with my roommate, Jessica. But she just met this guy Friday and they’re spending all their free time together. I probably will end up eating dinner alone like the last 
couple of nights."

"I know how that goes. The joys of singledom."

"I hear ya. I’ve been relying on Taco Bell a lot the past few days."

"Wow, that’s my favorite place to eat! I love their tacos. In fact, I was thinking of eating there tonight."

"Really!" Meredith exclaimed. "That’s cool. Maybe I’ll see you there?"

Chris jokingly said, "Maybe you will and maybe you will."

Meredith blushed and realized they were both Saturday Night Live fans. Chris then added, "Well, if you’re going to catch me at Taco Bell, it would have to be before the sun goes down. I can’t stay up all hours of the 
night like I could in college."

Meredith blushed realizing that they had a date, sort of. "I guess I’ll see you there."

When Meredith arrived at Taco Bell at 5:30pm, she saw Chris walking to get a refill on his drink. Meredith walked up to him and said, "Hey! How are things?"

Chris turned, smiled, and said, "Getting better by the second."

Meredith only smiled and said she would be back. When Meredith came back with her tray of food she realized that Chris had no tray on the table and was half way through a newspaper. She asked him, "So, you decided not 
to get any food tonight?"

"No," he replied. "I already ate it."

Meredith realized that he had waited on her and could only smile broader. She sat down and began munching on her food. Chris realized he had the floor since Meredith's mouth was full said, "I’d rather meet people outside 
of the school setting because I feel I can be true to myself. I don’t have to be somebody's teacher." Meredith quit chewing and looked up at him wondering what to say. He then continued, "Take us for example. Since you came 
into my class to observe I felt as if I had to be ‘Mr. Teacher’ and I couldn’t do what I really wanted to do?"

Meredith smiled and asked, "What did you want to do?"

Chris replied, "Truthfully, I wanted to ask for your number, but I couldn’t."

Meredith exclaimed, "You should have! I was hoping you would!"

Chris laughed and said, "Well, since we’re now two average people in an average Taco Bell, I think I will."

Meredith replied, "Hey! I’m not average." She began to list her best qualities. "I love Taco Bell. I watch Saturday Night Live. I..."

Chris cut her off before she could go on and said, "I’m sorry I even mentioned it."

Laughing, Meredith said, "That’s right, buster!"

He couldn’t believe she had just said buster and began making fun of her. 

"Who says buster? My grandma...my grandpa..." counting them off on his fingers, "but that’s about it."

"Shut up! I can say buster if I want." They both laughed.

Three and half-hours later, Meredith walked up to the front door of the dorm. She saw Jessica and Lance kissing. Meredith walked passed them and said, "You two need to get a room."

Jessica blushed and said goodbye to Lance. The two girls walked into the dorm together. Meredith asked Jessica how serious she and Lance were getting. Jessica said, "Well, we passed the dating stage tonight. He wants me to be his girlfriend."

"Isn’t that a little quick?"

"You’d think that, but it’s just too perfect to let it slip by. Hey, where have you been all night? Are you just getting in?"

Meredith giggled and said, "I need to tell you what happened today with Chris."

Chapter 7

Thursday night, as the girls came into the room after TNT at the BCM, they saw the light flashing on their answering machine. This had become a normal sight since Jessica and Lance had hooked up. Meredith hit the button to 
play the message and was surprised to hear Chris’s voice.

"Hey Meredith. This is Chris. Um...I was trying to get a hold of you and...um...call back when you get in. My number is 555-4279. Um...bye...yeah."

Meredith excitedly wrote down the number then grabbed the phone. Jessica grabbed Meredith’s arm and said, "I need to call Lance first. He’s coming over tonight and he needs to know I’m in."

"He comes over every night!" Meredith whined, reluctant to hand over the phone.

"Yes, but I’ve got to call him so he knows it’s okay to come over. Knowing you, if I wait until after you’re done, it will be 10:30 before he can even come over. It will just take a sec. Hand me the phone."

Jessica quickly called Lance. Meredith glared at her the whole time since she was taking up time she could be talking to Chris. After about two minutes, Jessica was off the phone. Meredith ripped it out of Jessica’s 
hand. Meredith was so excited to finally talk to Chris, that she dialed the wrong number at first. Jessica pointed and laughed at her. The second try Meredith dialed the right number and the phone was answered before the end 
of the first ring. "Hey! Is Chris there?" Meredith asked. "Oh, hey! This is Meredith."

Jessica couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation because Meredith turned her back to her and walked into the closet, shutting the door behind her. About five minutes later, Meredith stuck her head out of the closet and 
told Jessica than Lance was there then went back into the closet. Jessica walked out to the lobby to see Lance was still waiting for someone to pick up the phone. He had a confused look on his face. He looked up to see Jessica 
open the door to let him in.

"How did you know I was here?"

"Meredith was on the phone with Chris and must have heard the call waiting, I guess, cause she told me you were out here waiting on me."

"Who’s Chris?"

Jessica grabbed Lance’s hand pulling him inside the lobby and said, "Well, I’ll tell you after I find out more. Right now, he’s just a guy that Meredith met and seems to like."
Jessica checked Lance in at the front desk and headed to her dorm room. When they opened the door, they were greeted with the sound of Meredith laughing hysterically.

Lance asked, "Is she okay?"

Shaking her head Jessica answered, "Yeah. That’s just Meredith being Meredith. Either you love her or you hate her. There is really no in between. So, anyway, let’s put in a movie."	They selected a romantic comedy and curled up on the couch. When 
Meredith finally come out of the closet she yelled, "I’ve got a date!"

Jessica had fallen asleep in Lance’s lap. He covered her ears and whispered, "Shhh. She’s asleep."

"I don’t care," Meredith snapped as she shook Jessica. Jessica awoke to Meredith yelling "I’ve got a date" for the third time. 

Jessica grunted, "A what?" 

Lance looked down at Jessica and said, "A date. She’s already yelled it three times. Don’t make her say it again."

Jessica sat up, turned to Meredith and asked, "A date with Chris? Give me the details."

Meredith grinned. "I don’t know how it happened. I guess I just worked my feminine charms. We’re going out tomorrow night."

"And...I want more." Jessica inquired. Meredith grinned bigger. Jessica realizing that Meredith wasn’t going to talk until Lance left said, "I guess I’ll find out later."

Meredith nodded. "Yes you will."

An hour later Jessica checked Lance out and as soon as she was back in the room Meredith told her the entire conversation. "So, what do you think?" Meredith asked her friend.

Jessica sighed, forced a smile and said, "I can’t believe I’m saying this, but ya’ll almost seem like the perfect match." Jessica then shrugged her shoulders and added, "Do you want me to help you get ready for your big date?"

Meredith hugged Jessica and squealed, "You know I do!"

Chapter 8

Meredith came out from the closet with yet another top on. "I don’t know...it doesn’t say ‘Hey! I like you and I want you to like me too.’"

Jessica rolled her eyes. "I didn’t know that clothes were supposed to talk. Anyway, you look cute in that outfit. Wear it...PLEASE!"

The phone rang and Meredith ran into the closet and changed into the first top she tried on. Jessica announced, "It’s Chris and he’s waiting out front."

Meredith grabbed her chap stick, check card, and gum and asked Jessica if she’s staying in tonight. Jessica replied, "Yeah. Lance is coming over."

"Okay, then I’ll see you when I get in."

Meredith reached to open the door and Jessica yelled, "No wait!"

Meredith turned around and Jessica continued. "Take a deep breath...and go get him."

Meredith laughed and walked out to the lobby and her face brightened when she saw Chris standing outside. As she opened the door, he turned to her and smiled. "Let’s go have some fun." They got into his Tahoe and he then 
said, "You look great."

Meredith blushed and said, "Thanks!"

They drove to the next big town and went to an Italian restaurant. After a fifteen wait, Meredith and Chris were taken to a candle lit table in the back. Chris pulled out Meredith's seat for her. Meredith blushed again. 
When Chris saw this, Meredith decided that now was the time to stop being so shy and just act the way she did the other day at Taco Bell. They looked at the menu and ordered their drinks; Sprite of Meredith and iced tea for 
Chris, even though a glass of wine was very tempting to him. He didn’t want to make Meredith uncomfortable since he had found out last night that Meredith was only 20.

After they ordered their food, Meredith asked Chris, "So, how was school today?"

Chris shook his head and said, "Friday’s are always crazy. The kids are ready to get out to get ready for their dates and then there’s the band concert next week, then Spring Break. Sometimes I wonder if the kids 
are ever really worth anything." Chris smiled at this letting Meredith know he was just kidding.	

"Band concert? When? I’d love to go."

"Well, it’s next Tuesday, but maybe we need to talk about you going."

Meredith questioningly looked at Chris. "What do we need to talk about? I need the non-class hours and I’d love to see you direct."

"It’s not that," Chris sighed. "I just want to stay kind of discrete right now. I mean with you observing at the school I teach at and us dating...it can kind of look shady. I hope you understand. It would just be until 
you’re done observing. Then we could be normal."

Meredith was a little unhappy, but wanted to lift the mood. "So, you see us lasting that long? Do you see a house and kids for us too?"

Chris’s eyes got big but he laughed and said, "Only if you’re lucky."

The waiter then came with the food and after they had both taken their first couple of bites, Chris asked Meredith, "So, what are you doing for Spring Break?"

Meredith finished chewing and replied, "Actually me and Jessica are going on a road trip to Texas. We’re planning on hitting Dallas, San Antonio, and a few small towns."

"Really? I did something like that when I was in college . Except we went to Florida and it wasn’t Spring Break."

Meredith laughed at Chris and began to eat her meal again.	After dinner, Chris took Meredith to a nearby park where they sat on a bench and talked. A little while later, Chris looked down at his watch 
and said, "We need to head back."

They walked back to the Tahoe. Chris opened the door for Meredith. The drive back to the dorm was full of laughter and plans to go out again when Meredith got back from her trip. When Chris put the car in park in 
front of the dorm he said he would call her in the next day or two. Then he leaned in to kiss Meredith. She began to back away, but knew that she wanted to seal the deal. After the soft, warm kiss, Chris told Meredith goodnight and 
stayed to watch her get in the dorm safely.

Meredith turned the knob to the room hearing Jessica and Lance laughing. She saw the two playing Monopoly on the floor. It was obvious that Jessica was beating Lance and when Jessica looked up to say hi to her friend, 
Meredith saw Lance steal money for the bank. Jessica asked how the date went and all Meredith could do was sigh and fall on her bed.

Chapter 9

A week later, after Jessica’s last class, the two girls put their bags in the trunk of Jessica’s car, packed the CD player with music and started on their road trip. They sang and laughed the whole time they were driving 
that Friday evening. When they got to their first stop, Jessica’s grandmothers‘ house, where they were only going to spend the night, they unpacked the trunk , ate dinner, and went to the bedroom they were going to sleep 
in. The girls said they wanted to go to bed early, since they had a long drive ahead of them, but ended staying up half the night talking about their plans for their week in Texas. The next morning, they got up, got ready, and had 
breakfast. Then they said their goodbyes and got in the car for their day of driving through Louisiana.

After about three hours of driving, singing, and laughing, Jessica reached to turn down the music so she could have a serious discussion with Meredith. "Mer, you’re my best friend and I love you. I need to know, have you 
thought about this?"

"Thought about what?"

"About Chris...and you."

Questioningly Meredith replied, "What do you mean?"

"Well, he’s just wanting to be so cautious. I just want to know if you’ve thought about being in a ‘relationship’ with him. Is it really going to be worth it? Like, for example, at the concert on Tuesday. He didn’t even 
come talk to you until like thirty minutes after it was over and after you introduced us, he just walked away. It’s almost like he’s ashamed. I just don’t want you to get hurt."

Meredith took a deep breath, thought about what she wanted to say, and then began her unargumentative defense. "Actually, I’ve thought about this a lot. I understand why he’s being so cautious. I mean his career is more 
important than someone he’s just started to date. He’s keeping his priorities in order and I respect him for that. And he’s not ashamed. He just doesn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression. We want to try being ‘us’ before we 
let the world see ‘us’. Plus, this will be my first ‘real’ relationship and I don’t want to move too fast. Do you realize that he understands all the things I do that other people think are retarded? He gets my jokes. We 
really mesh well."

Jessica nodded her head and said, "Just promise me you’ll keep your eyes open, okay?"

Meredith replied, "I will...Well, since you asked me, I want to ask you. It seems that things with you and Lance are moving really quickly. I didn’t think you liked to move so fast with a guy. Do you realize that you 
only met him two weeks ago? After just a few days you two were a couple and now it seems rare a day goes by that ya’ll don’t see each other."

"If this was just another guy, it wouldn’t be moving this fast. I know it’s quick, but I’ve never felt this way about a guy before. This feels right. He feels right, being with him. Everything I’ve ever looked for in a guy, 
he has. Plus everything I never knew I wanted, he has too. I don’t feel like I have to act better or smarter around him. He likes me just the way I am. I’ve never had that before. So, yeah it is fast, but no faster than I 
want it to be. We are both really comfortable and happy with where we are right now. Plus it’s not like we’ve gone and done anything."

"That’s not what I’m saying. I guess I’m just worried about you like you are about me."

A minute goes by with awkward silence, then a song starts to play that both Meredith and Jessica love. Meredith turned up the volume and started to sing. It took only a few notes before Jessica smiled and sang along 
with Meredith. After the song was over Meredith looked at Jessica and said, "We aren’t mad, right?"

Jessica patted Meredith on the knee. "Nope, not at all. Hey, I need to pee. You want to stop?"

"Sure!"

The rest of the road trip was fun filled, though the girls came back with more stuff and less money than they had planned on. They had many stories to tell their friends and couldn’t wait to talk to Chris and Lance.

Chapter 10

Jessica walked out of the bathroom with her hair in rollers, face made up, a slip on and wet nails. She was shaking her hands as she walked into the closet. "Mer, should I go classic black or should I make a statement?"

"Black...I can’t believe it’s been a month already."

"I know, but technically it’s been that long since yours and Chris’ first date too." Jessica stepped out of the closet with a long, sleeveless black dress on. It had a slit up her left leg and was unzipped in the back. 

"Meredith, please zip me. I don’t want to screw up my nails."

Meredith zipped Jessica’s dress up and asked, "So, what are your plans for tonight?"

"All he said was we were going out of town. My hope is dinner and dancing, but anything is fine with me. Are you and Chris going out tonight?"

"Not going out. I’m grabbing us some tacos and hanging at his house tonight." As Meredith was talking, Jessica took the rollers out of her hair, fluffed it, and put her shoes on.

"Sounds like fun. So...what do you think?" Jessica popped out of the closet looking fantastic.

"He’s going to love you." Meredith said.

"I just want him to like me. That’s all I need right now."

Meredith smiled. "He will. Plus, any guy who wants to celebrate a one-month anniversary is worthy of something."

Jessica smiled and packed her clutch as the phone rang. Meredith answered it and told Jessica that Lance was waiting outside. Jessica thanked Meredith, took one last look at herself in the mirror, then rushed out 
the door. As Jessica approached the front door of the dorm, she saw Lance in a suit nicer than the one he wore the night the planetarium opened, with a dozen red roses in his arms. The two smile when they saw each other.

"These are for you." Lance said as he handed Jessica the flowers.

"Really? I thought they were for the front desk worker." Jessica smiled at Lance and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you! Let me run them back to the room and then we can go."

Lance waited in the lobby and when Jessica returned, he stuck his arm out and said, "Your chariot awaits."

Jessica saw that his Jeep was freshly washed and commented on how nice it looked. Lance helped her into her seat, shut the door, then plopped down in the driver’s seat. He pushed a CD into his player and a few seconds 
later, Barry White began to sing softly.

"So, where are we going?" Jessica asked as she grabbed for Lance’s hand.

"How does dinner at the Blue Room sound?"

"The Blue Room?!? You’re taking me to Memphis?"

Lance squeezed Jessica hand, "It’s only an hour drive."

Jessica fidgeted, "No, it’s not that...it’s just...I didn’t realize you would go all out for just a one month anniversary."

Lance laughed softly. "Anything for you."

Once they pulled to the front of the Blue Room, the valet opened Jessica's door and helped her out. Lance handed his keys to him then escorted Jessica inside. It only took a moment for the host to find the reservation and 
then seat the young couple. After the waiter took the drink and dinner orders, Lance asked Jessica if she would like to dance. Jessica nodded. Lance grabbed her hand and swept her onto the dance floor. Every song they 
danced to, Lance pulled Jessica in closer. after about five songs, they sat down and talked until their food came. They spent two hours just eating, dancing, and talking. When they left, Lance drove Jessica to a lookout over the 
Mississippi River. They were enjoying the view when Lance put his arms around Jessica’s waist. Jessica laid her head on Lance’s chest and said, "Tonight has been perfect. Thank you!"

Lance just smiled and kissed Jessica on the forehead. Then Lance pulled at Jessica’s chin to make her eyes met his. "I hope this isn’t too soon to say, but...I love you!" Jessica blinked her eyes, then looked away. "I 
shouldn’t have said anything, should I?" Lance asked as his voice quivered.

Jessica grabbed his hands and said, "I didn’t realize you felt that way."

"Well, I do. I wouldn’t have done all this if I didn’t."

Jessica nodded. "True."

A few moments of silence passed, then Lance said they better go. They got in his Jeep and were halfway home when Jessica told Lance to pull over.	"What?"

"Just pull over."

When Lance got to the side of the road he put the Jeep in park and asked Jessica what was wrong. She unbuckled Lance, then herself. Jessica grabbed both his hands and said, "I love you too! I’m sorry I didn’t say it 
earlier. I wanted to, I was just scared."

The fear in Lance’s eyes diminished as a smile stretched across his face. Jessica kissed Lance then told him they better get home. They buckled back up and once Lance was on the road, he grabber her hand and wouldn’t let 
it go until they got back to the dorm. Lance walked Jessica to the front door of the dorm, kissed Jessica goodbye, than got in his Jeep and drove home. 

Jessica waltzed into the dorm room and turned on the light, waking up Meredith. Meredith grumbled, "Have fun?"

"I’ll tell you tomorrow...but he told me he loved me."

Meredith sat up and said, "What?"

"Go back to bed. I’ll tell you in the morning."

Meredith grunted, rolled over, told Jessica to turn out the light, and fell back asleep before the light switch was even flipped off.

Chapter 11

As Meredith opened the door to the post office, she asked Jessica, "Do you know what I’m really excited about?"

"Huh?" Jessica responded distractedly.

"This is my last week of observations. Do you know what that means?"

Jessica rolled her eyes realizing what this question was leading to. 

"Yes, but I’ll let you tell me anyway."

"It means that me and Chris can officially become a couple. Well, that is if he asks me."

As Jessica reached into her box to grab her mail she replied, "Oh, I’m sure he will. He really seems to like you."

Jessica flipped through her mail as Meredith grabbed hers out of her box. Meredith looked over to see Jessica throw all the letters in her hand down on the table in the post office except one. Jessica ripped it open and exclaimed, "You know what I’m really excited about?"

"What?" Meredith asked questioningly.

Jessica replied, "That I’m going to be the summer children’s intern at our church."

"No way!" Meredith proclaimed as she grabbed the letter out of Jessica’s hand and read it. "You ever even told me that you applied."

"I didn’t want anyone to know in case I didn’t get it." Jessica said sheepishly.

"Well, now the four of us have got something to celebrate tonight at Lance’s."

"I’m more concerned about how well the guys are going to get along than celebrating my news." Jessica said as the girls started to walk back to the dorm.

"Oh, I'm sure they will get along fine."

That night Chris came and picked up both Jessica and Meredith at the dorm. They drove out to Lance’s house for dinner. When they arrived, Lance gave the group a tour of his two story Spanish style home. Chris noticed the Playstation 2 games on the movie shelf in the living room and commented that he loved to play video games in his free time. Before the girls knew what was going on, the guys had selected a game and started playing. After thirty minutes of watching the guys play Golden Eye, Jessica asked Lance if dinner would be ready soon.

Lance replied, "Sorry! I should’ve checked the chicken five minutes ago."

Lance began to get up, but Jessica stopped him and said, "No, you stay. I’ll go check it."

"You sure?" Lance asked already settled back down. 

"Yeah babe. You stay and play nice with Chris. Mer and I will take care of everything."

Lance kissed Jessica on the cheek. "Thanks Bug."

When Meredith and Jessica got in the kitchen, they checked the chicken. They saw it was done and took it out as they stirred the vegetables in their pans.

Meredith turned to Jessica who was getting plates down to set the table. "See. I told you there was nothing to worry about. Chris and Lance are getting along fine."

"Yeah. I know. I’m so happy. Although, we may never get them off that Playstation again." The girls laughed.

After the table was set and the drinks were made, Jessica told the guys to come and eat. During dinner Meredith turned to Lance and asked, "Why did you call Jessica Bug earlier?"

Both Jessica and Lance laughed. "I guess she didn’t tell you."

Meredith glared at Jessica with a smile on her face. "There seems to be a lot she hasn’t been telling me lately."

Lance looked confused but continued on with his story. "Well, the first time she went to my parents with me, we were sitting in the living room watching TV. This fly had landed on my arm and with one quick movement Jessica caught it and let it go outside. I started calling her ‘The Mighty Bug Wrangler‘, but that bothered her so I just shortened it to Bug."

Jessica shook her head. "The fly was bothering me, but I didn’t want to kill it. Anyway don’t you just love the terms of endearment guys use. Don’t worry, Chris will have one for you soon enough."

Meredith looked at Chris. "I want a better story than that for my nickname."

Chris just laughed.

Lance then added, "So what else hasn’t Jessica been telling you?"

Jessica looked at Meredith then back at Lance. "I’m going to be the summer children’s inter at the church."

"Are you serious? That’s great! We can spend the whole summer together."

Jessica hung her head. "Well, I will be here working, so I won’t have a lot of time, but," Jessica looked up at Lance to see him smiling at her, "the rest of the time, I’ll be all yours."

Chris turned to Meredith and asked, "So what are you doing for the summer?"

"I don’t know, but I have to get a job. I need some money."
Lance asked, "Are you planning on staying here or going home?"

"Well, I’d love to stay here, but I wouldn’t get to keep much if I’m paying for an apartment."

Jessica chimed in, "If you got a job on campus they provide you an apartment. Granted it’s an on campus apartment, but it’s better than nothing. And it’s free."

Meredith sighed. "Those are all taken up by now, I’m sure. I’ll probably just go home and find something there."

Lance put down his fork and said, "I know of an on campus job that’s not taken yet."

"Really?"
	
"Yeah. The university is hiring someone to help me out this summer at the planetarium and I have final say on who gets the position."

"Would you consider me?" Meredith asked excitedly.

"No...I’m giving you the job."

Meredith jumped up from the table and hugged Lance. "Thank you! You’re the best."

After dinner the guys cleaned up the kitchen while the girls watched. The two couples then went into the living room to play some cards. Jessica and Meredith had decided to be on a team since they had long ago worked out signals to cheat and this also meant that they could sit by their guys. After the girls had royally kicked the guys’ butts in spades, Lance suggested that they watch a movie. Meredith ran to the couch and snuggled up against an arm. Chris followed behind her. He grabbed her legs and sat underneath them. Lance picked out "Armageddon" and then joined Jessica on the love seat. During the movie, Jessica and Lance cuddled and snuck kisses. Meredith and Chris became more and more close throughout the movie resulting in Chris lying behind Meredith with his head on her waist.

When the movie was over, Jessica and Meredith decided it was time to go. Jessica kissed Lance goodnight and then Chris, Jessica, and Meredith left. When they reached the dorm, Jessica went ahead to the room and let the couple say their goodnights in private.

Meredith watched Jessica walk in and then looked at Chris and said, "So...did you know that Tuesday is the last time I observe?"

Chris replied, "Yeah." and then leaned in to kiss her.

"Well, I guess I’ll see you then?"

"Goodnight."

Meredith got out of Chris’ Tahoe a bit confused but walked into the dorm thinking about how well the night had gone.

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