When the noon lunch bell rang I walked quickly to my locker and placed my books inside before heading to the lunchroom to look for Jane. When I walked into the lunchroom I scanned the tables and the lunch line looking for her familiar face when I felt someone hugging me from behind. I turned and saw Jane looking up at me with her face beaming. "Looking for me handsome?"
"Yes, I was. Let's get in line. I'm buying you a hot lunch."
"Oh, that's sweet of you Billy."
"This is the day they're serving Mexican food. I think that's the best meal of the week. Do you like Mexican food Billy?"
"Yes, of course." We moved down the line getting our lunch. After I paid for our food we looked for a table. I found one back in the corner where two or three other kids were sitting. I walked by Mrs. Wilson who must have been asked to fill in as a monitor today. She smiled at me and said, "Good afternoon Billy. How are you? I haven't seen you for a while. Come see me; I would like to talk to you and hear what you've been doing."
"Ok, Mrs. Wilson. I'll make an appointment. Do you know Jane?"
"Yes, she's one of my counselees. How are you doing Jane?"
I'm having a wonderful school year Mrs. Wilson, especially today."
"What's so wonderful about today? Is it your birthday?"
"No, I'm having lunch with Billy!"
"Well, enjoy your lunch Jane. Billy is very lucky to have a young lady like you for a lunch date."
We made our way to the table. Jane looked at me and smiled, saying, "She's wrong! I'm the one that's lucky to be eating lunch with you, Billy. This is a real treat for me Billy. I like you a lot."
"I like you too Jane."
"Do you like me enough to take me out on a night date?
"Absolutely!"
"When? Billy, I really want to spend some time with you. I know you have Ginny and I see you talking to Jennifer and even walking her home. I would love it sometime if you would walk me home from school. I just want to spend time with you; to get to know you better."
"I want to spend time with you too, Jane; but I can't today. I spent last night out of town, staying with a friend of mine who lives in Winchester."
"Did Ginny go with you, or were you alone?"
"Alone."
"Oh, maybe you can come see me sometime and stay over at my house. We have a lot of bedrooms in our house and my mom is a great cook. I'm sure they would love having you stay over for a night."
"Really? Maybe I should come by a few times so your parents can meet me and talk to me before inviting me to stay overnight."
"I would love to have you come over to my house anytime, Billy. Are you serious, or are you just teasing me?"
"No, I would like to meet your parents and I need to tell you more about my private life. You may not be so eager to be around me if you knew me better."
Then I heard a familiar voice. "Hi Billy! I was looking for you this morning, but I didn't see you before school."
"Hi, Jennifer! I was out of town last night, visiting a friend in Winchester. I drove directly to school after I got up this morning."
"Really? Someone I know?"
"No, I don't think so. A friend of Ginny's."
"Ump! Interesting!"
"Do you know Jane, Jennifer?"