"That you and your perfect smile
Are both timeless and never going out of style
There's so many reasons you got it together
And I'm catching feelings, you make me look better."
—Boyfriend Material by Ariana Grande

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

| LANCE |

"Lance," Mom called before I could open the front door, making me freeze, "where are you going?"

        I slowly turned around, doing my best not to show any hint of nervousness. "Just somewhere. Why, Mom?"

        "Really?" She raised a slender eyebrow while walking toward me, looking skeptical. "Because you look way too overdressed just to be going 'somewhere'..."

        I looked down at my outfit; I was wearing a light blue formal shirt and dark gray pants. "Huh? I thought I looked fine."

        Her eyes widened slowly. "Could it be...you're going out on a..." Then she gave a high-pitched squeal of delight, and I couldn't help covering my ears. After that, she gave me a crushable hug. "Oh, my baby Lancie's growing up! Finally!"

        "Gah!" I couldn't breathe.

        "Who is it, Lance?" Mom asked me desperately like a detective, putting her hands on my shoulders with sparkling eyes. "Who's the lucky girl? Will you bring her here after your date? Well, you should! I want to meet her! Or him? You're not going to date a boy, are you? Not that I'm against that. Either way, now I have to cancel my shopping spree so that I can prepare dinner for you two later and--"

        "Mother!" I interrupted her with a wave of my hand, taking a deep breath. "You do not have to do that."

        She pouted with puppy-dog eyes, silently begging me to change my mind.

        "No," I told her firmly, crossing my arms over my chest. "And that's final."

        Mom sighed in defeat after a moment. "Fine, and I won't force you to tell me who your date is." She examined my outfit from head to toe again. "But will you go to the cinema with your date to watch a movie?"

        I blinked. "Er, I am not sure. Perhaps...?"

        "You'll have to change your outfit, then."

        I was offended. But before I could protest, Mom dashed toward her room, then came back quickly with something in her arms.

        "A leather jacket," I stated after she'd handed it to me.

        Mom grinned. "I bought that for you because I figured this special day would come sooner or later."

        Advice from that stupid book that I'd read at the library yesterday suddenly came into my mind.

        Dating Advice for Men #3: Dress to impress.

        My mouth twitched in disapproval. "D-do I really have to wear this?"

        "Of course, dear! You're going out on a date, after all!" encouraged Mom enthusiastically with a nod. "You'll look cool and all with a leather jacket. Plus, your date will surely be swept off her feet when she sees you."

        "Aha," I deadpanned.

        "Now, go get dressed, Lancie," said Mom, smiling wickedly. "And have fun on your date! Be back before twelve, okay?"

        "Good luck to me," I mumbled, staring dreadfully at the black jacket in my hands.

🎻 🎻 🎻

I was standing in front of Larry's Restaurant, and I couldn't help noticing the sweat that was starting to form on my palms, and my insides were squirming with anxiety. I just hoped I wouldn't have a panic attack later.

        Do I really look fine? I thought, really nervous. If not, I'd surely scold Mom--

        "Lance!" a familiar voice called, cutting my thought.

        I turned to the source of the voice and almost did a double take. There was Alice Hamilton, grinning and standing a few feet from me wearing a mint green midi dress with black-ruffled neckline, and black heels. Her hair was done in curls, looking simple and elegant. When she reached me, I noticed she was only wearing light makeup and pink lipstick.

        Now before you all yell at me for having a date with Alice, there's a reason for this: remember when she'd texted me if I was free while Mackenzie and I had been talking three Sundays ago? Yes, it all started that night...

🎻 🎻 🎻

I called Alice after I'd taken a shower. I hadn't taken the risk to call her while I'd been with Mom in the car. I was sure she'd have teased me all night if I'd done that.

        "Sorry, Alice," I immediately told her when she answered the call. "I just got home."

        "No, it's all right, Lance," she assured me. "If I may ask, where did you go?"

        "Oh, to Mackenzie's place." I plopped on the edge of my bed, sitting with bent posture.

        "Huh? What were you doing at Mackenzie's place?" I couldn't help but notice there was something in her tone that I couldn't decipher when she asked that.

        I ran my hand through my hair. "Well, you see, Mackenzie and I had a bet a month ago..." I explained to her what our bet had been about.

        After I finished telling her what had happened, Alice asked with worry, "Are you sure you're okay? Should I come to your house and bring you some fresh fruit to make you feel better?"

        "I appreciate your concern, Alice, but I am now fine," I said to comfort her.

        "If you say so," Alice sighed, then paused. "Say, how about we also have a bet, Lance? You know, for the Elgar Community's Violin Solo Competition. Things would be more exciting that way."

        "Sure!"

        "You first."

        "Ladies first, though."

        "I can't think of a bet yet, so you first."

        "If I win the competition," I said after a few seconds," you will buy me a new set of violin strings."

        "What? Not to bake you a chocolate cake?" She seemed disappointed with my bet. "I know how to bake a cake, too, you know."

        I laughed. "Okay, then. If I win the competition, you will bake me a chocolate cake," I revised my bet. "Now, yours, please."

        "Ask me out on a date," she told me without pause.

        I widened my eyes in disbelief, almost choking on my saliva. "Wait, what?"

        "Ask me out on a date," Alice repeated.

        "Oh, er..." A date? I thought with fear.

        "I knew that'd be your reaction," she said suddenly while chortling. "I was just kidding, Lance."

        Why did I get the feeling she was just putting up a front? And I didn't want Alice to think that I couldn't handle being on a date. I wanted her to be proud of me somehow.

        This was called man pride, I guess.

        "No," I finally decided. "I accept your bet, Alice."

        "Um, you sure? Because, like I told you, it was just a joke."

        I shook my head, even though she couldn't see me. "Yes, I am sure."

        "But, Lance, I don't want to force you into anything."

        "No, you are not forcing me into anything," I assured her. "And besides, if I lose, I would like to challenge myself. I still remember what you told me before--that I should try doing new things this year."

        I heard her sigh on the opposite line. "Well, I guess there's no stopping you. But I have to admit I'm now more excited for the competition. I mean, a date with you!" She giggled. "I should do my best to win, then."

        "And I should also do my best to win," I said with a grin, "because I want to eat your chocolate cake."

        "It'll be more delicious than Mackenzie's cake," she told me. "I promise you that, Lance."

        I gulped, and I was sure she was deadly serious about that.

        But why was Alice so concerned with making her cake taste better than Mackenzie's?

🎻 🎻 🎻

And that's why I was here having a date with Alice Jessica Hamilton, because I'd lost the Elgar Community's Violin Solo Competition. I swore I wouldn't bet with another person ever again because I always lost.

        Don't get me wrong, I was happy for Alice. Really, I was. The way she smiled when she'd been announced as the winner...That'd been priceless.

        "I'm aware of making boys speechless because of my beauty," Alice started, snapping me back to reality, "but I didn't know you'd be one of them, Lance."

        Dating Advice for Men #7: When you see your date, compliment her. That will make her feel more special and loved.

        Okay, here goes nothing, I thought, then coughed. "It's just that...you look wow, Alice," I complimented, smiling. Did I do it right, though?

        Her eyes widened for a second, then she brushed some hair back. "Really? Th-thanks, Lance. I'm glad you like my outfit." She looked at me from head to toe with a shy smile. "And I just wanna say you look so stylish wearing all black! The color looks good on you."

        I was wearing black pants and Vans, and then under the leather jacket was a black polo shirt. "Ho? And I have to admit this is the first time I wore a leather jacket." I guess my compliment had been a success.

        She touched the sleeve of my jacket. "Well, you know what I think? You should wear leather jackets more often from now on." Alice winked at me, almost in a flirting way.

        I felt my cheeks go hot, my lips pressed together.

        Unfortunately, Alice noticed this. "Oh, my gosh, Lance! Are you blushing?"

        I turned away instantly. "No, I am not."

        Alice laughed at my discomfort. "It's rare to see you blushing, Lance. You're so cute! Now I want to make you blush every day. And then--"

        "Shall we eat lunch now?" I asked to change the subject.

        "I know this is your way to make me stop teasing you, but fine," Alice relented with a playful pout, causing me to laugh.

        Dating Advice for Men #12: Open the door for her, and let her walk in first.

        "Yes." I opened the front double glass doors of Larry's Restaurant for her. Alice smiled up at me as she went inside. Before I could follow suit, a sudden chill ran down my spine. I felt someone was glaring at me from afar, causing me to turn around immediately and observe my surroundings, but nothing looked suspicious to me.

        Must have been only my imagination...

        When I entered the restaurant, everything inside was grand and expensive; it had plants for decoration in every corner. There were many people eating, and waiters and waitresses were busy taking orders from customers or fixing tables. Larry's Restaurant, when it comes to popularity, was next to Royal Crown.

        "Good noon, madam and sir," a waiter greeted us. "Table for two?" He got two menus from the front desk.

        "Good noon to you also. Actually, I made a reservation earlier," I told him kindly. "Lance Collins."

        He looked at the reservation list, then nodded. "Ah, yes. Mr. Lance Collins. This way, sir and madam, please."

        "Nice choice," Alice whispered, looking around appraisingly, as we followed the waiter.

        "I'm glad you liked the choice."

        "Why not in Royal Crown, though? Spencer's family owns it, right?"

        "Yes." I chuckled sheepishly. "But...a-actually, my friends don't know about our bet, and since the employees at Royal Crown know me, um..."

        She glanced at me quickly. "Lance, it's okay. Don't worry. I don't mind them not knowing our bet." I'm not sure, but I think I heard her mumbling, "It's all freaking Blaire's fault."

        We reached our reserved table. Before Alice could sit down, I remembered another piece of advice.

        Dating Advice for Men #39: When you are in a restaurant, and your date is about to take a seat in a chair, be a gentleman and pull the chair for her to sit on.

        And so I did just that.

        "Such chivalry," she commented after she'd taken her seat.

        I smiled, sitting down across from her. "Of course."

        Dating Advice for Men #40: Talk about anything under the sun while the two of you are waiting for your order.

        After the waiter had asked for our orders, I asked Alice, "I believe this is not your first date, Alice."

        "Yes," she answered. "I've been on quite a few dates already, actually. But all of them were boring, and I didn't really like any of the guys who took me out."

        "Oh..." I fidgeted in my seat, nervous. What if I was going to blow this date? I'd surely disappoint her.

        "But don't worry, Lance," she told me while grinning. "I like you, so I'm sure we'll both have fun on this date of ours."

        "I hope so. He-he."

        The waiter put our drinks onto the table. "Your main dishes will be served in five minutes, sir, madam," he informed us.

        Alice nodded. "It's okay. Thank you."

        He bowed, then went back into the kitchen.

        This is so nerve-wracking, I thought while taking a sip of my chocolate shake. Now, what other topic to talk about? I wracked my brain to think, but the only thing that came to mind was what Shinichi Kudo from Detective Conan did when he and Ran Mouri ate at Central Kyoto Tower's sightseeing restaurant--he talked about Sherlock Holmes to her.

        I mentally shook my head. No, I was sure Alice would find it boring. And I believed she wasn't even a Sherlockian in the first place. Was it too late to ask for help from Spencer or Vole? Should I text them? But what if Alice saw what I was doing? Maybe she'd think I didn't have manners. Uwaaaaa! I didn't want to mess this date up!

        Looking for another alternative, I turned to my right and saw a couple at the table in a far corner sitting beside each other. Well, sitting beside each other way too close.

        "Babe, why're you so close?" the girl asked bashfully.

        "Oh, c'mon, babe," her boyfriend replied, waggling his eyebrows. "I know you love it."

        She giggled, then the guy put his arm around her. "Not here, babe. It's too public," she said.

        "No one will notice us," he said, leaning in close. "They're busy eating, anyway, so it's okay."

        The girl put her hand seductively on her boyfriend's chest. "You're so naughty, babe."

        And then they started making out.

        I suddenly sputtered the liquid from my mouth, it landing directly onto the table. Some was dripping on my chin. There was no way I could do that to Alice! And we weren't even a couple; we were just dating.

        Er, friendly dating...?

        "Lance!" Alice cried as she came over to me, holding a handkerchief. "Are you okay?" She started drawing imaginary circles on my back to calm me down and wiping her hankie on my mouth as I continued coughing.

        "Thank you, Alice," I said after a moment, smiling sheepishly at her. "And I am sorry. What I did was embarrassing." Then I did a facepalm.

        Alice removed my hand from my face, reassuring me, "It's all right." Then she sat in her seat, worry evident on her face. "But what happened back there?"

        "Do not worry about it. I just saw something horrible." I gave an involuntary shudder, doing my best to wipe the awful memory away.

        Alice didn't get to respond, because our orders finally arrived.

        "Bon appetit," I said grandly after the waiter had left us.

        She nodded with a grin, then we started eating our food.

        Dating Advice for Men #41: You may use pretty talk while the two of you are eating.

        Pretty talk? I thought, my brows furrowing in confusion. What would you call a "pretty" talk, anyway?

        After eating a small portion of my carbonara a few seconds later, I began, "So, Alice, how is cheerleading practice?" Hobbies could be considered a part of pretty talk, right?

        "It's really great," she replied, beaming. "I didn't know cheerleading could be so much fun!"

        "That's great to hear, then."

        "You don't play any sports, right?" For some reason, Alice was grazing my leg with hers under the table.

        I shook my head. "Only indoor sports, like chess."

        "Ah. The brain games." But then she became silent; she also stopped with the grazing.

        "Um, Alice?"

        "How did you and Blaire meet, Lance?" Alice suddenly asked, gazing at me intently. "It's a question I've always wanted to ask you. I think now is the proper time."

        I became nervous under her gaze. "Me and Dee?" I closed my eyes to remember. "Well, it was in second grade, and she was a transferee." I smiled at the memory. "One afternoon, after classes ended, Spencer and I were playing soccer outside the school. You know, just passing the ball to each other." I couldn't help chuckling. "But then, Spencer accidentally kicked the ball at a wrong target, and it was none other than Cindy, who was innocently playing in the sandpit. She got hit on the back of her head, resulting in her falling onto the sand headfirst."

        Alice was laughing now.

        "Cindy glared at us, and it was so scary," I continued, still taken aback by her fierce visage in my head. "Then she got the ball and kicked it in Spencer's direction with full force. The ball, unfortunately, hit him in the face, causing him to have a slightly-crooked nose."

        "Oh, so Blaire was the reason why Spencer's nose got crooked?" Alice clarified incredulously.

        "Yes," I answered.

        "Gosh, I didn't know she was already barbaric even when she was a little kid! Oho-ho-ho!"

        I laughed awkwardly. "Please don't tell anyone what I told you, or else I will be doomed."

        Alice mimed zipping her lips and throwing the key over her shoulder, which made me sigh in relief.

        After a few minutes of eating in silence, I fished my phone secretly from my pocket and hurriedly Googled what movies were currently showing at UA Denver Pavilions Stadium 15. Unfortunately, I didn't get to read the results, because Alice interrupted my search.

        "Lance," Alice said, "you've been quiet for a while."

        I quickly hid my phone in my pocket, grinning at her, though I hoped she wouldn't notice it was a nervous grin. "Um, I was just thinking what we should do next. I apologize, Alice."

        Alice giggled. "No, it's fine. I understand you're nervous; this is your first date, after all." She paused. "Do you want me to lead instead?"

        "N-no," I replied quickly. "I was the one who invited you out on a date, so I should be the one who is leading it."

        She smiled. "Okay, then."

        But then I became lost in my thoughts again, so Alice snapped a finger in front of my face. "You okay?"

        I shook my head, then said, "Y-yes. I'm sorry."

        She put her hand on top of mine to squeeze it, staring straight into my eyes. "Lance?"

        "Yes, Alice?" I squeaked.

        "Be spontaneous for this day, please? Don't think too much. Just have fun, all right?" She smiled, as if to comfort me.

        That's the thing, Alice, I thought, smiling uneasily at her in return. I'm thinking too much because I'm not sure what to do on a date, even with all of those dating tips I've read and studied the past few days.

        And The Ring of Truth felt like I'd watched it since last century, even though it'd just been yesterday. I'd prepared a bucket because I'd been sure there would be a ninety-percent chance that I'd puke while watching the movie. Turns out I hadn't puked while watching it. Well, I hadn't eaten dinner that time, anyway.

        Hmm, come to think of it, Mackenzie's love interest in that film was the same blond guy who was holding her by the shoulders in one of the pictures in her room that I'd seen when I'd had a fever. If I remembered correctly, his name was J.P. Gallagher.

        They looked great toge--

        I suddenly started in my seat when I felt a squeeze on my hand again. I quickly gazed up at Alice with an apologetic look.

        "This won't do," she sighed, making me feel bad. Alice withdrew her hand from mine, staring at me with a patient smile. "How about we do this, Lance?" she began, leaning forward in her seat and putting her arms on the table. "After we eat, I'll lead the date, and then you'll lead again a little later. Would you be fine with that?"

        I guess that won't hurt. "Hmm, okay," I agreed after a moment.

        "Lance, don't get me wrong," she added quickly, mistaking my answer as a forced one. "It's not that I don't have faith in you, or I don't want you to lead the date. It's just that...I want you to relax for a while. Yes, I noticed you're still nervous."

        I gave a tensed chuckle. "That obvious, huh?"

        "Yeah." She giggled. "But it's fine 'cause, like I said earlier, I understand that this is your first date. It's natural for you to feel that way."

        "Thank you for being so understanding and patient with me, Alice. You're--um, you're quite a girl."

        Alice twirled her hair proudly. "Thank you for the compliment, Lance," she beamed. "And thank you for noticing."

        "Um, noticing what?" I asked quizzically.

        She leaned over, gently put her nose on mine and purred, "That I'm a girl."

        I snapped my head back in surprise and immediately felt my face go red hot again. I turned away from Alice.

        "My plan to make you blush every day is in full effect, dear Lance."

        I almost fainted after hearing her say that.

🎻 🎻 🎻

Alice and I were standing in line to buy tickets to watch a movie in the UA Denver Pavilions Stadium 15.

        "So, what do you want to watch?" Alice asked me.

        Dating Advice for Men #24: Be a gentleman and let her pick out the movie.

        I shrugged. "You decide."

        "I wanna ask for your opinion."

        "Uh, are you sure?"

        She nodded.

        I put my hands in my pockets, staring at the movie posters that were pinned on the wall. Judging from them, most of the films being shown were the genre romance.

        Eww. Yuck. Gross.

        "Can it not be a romance film?" I asked her honestly. "I might die of boredom inside."

        "Oh? What if I do something...interesting to you while we're watching our romance film, hmm?" she said seductively, tracing a pattern on my chest with her index finger. "I promise that you won't die of boredom."

        My eyes widened in disbelief. "Wh-what?" I yelled, sputtering. "Y-y-you don't mean--!" I became hysterical.

        Many heads turned in our direction, and Alice had to relax my breathing so that I wouldn't run off to nowhere.

        "Jeez, Lance, I was just joking," Alice assured me when a few moments passed by.

        "S-sorry, Alice," I apologized, looking at the floor shamefully while hoping for a hole to open up and swallow me alive. "I am ruining this date, aren't I?"

        "What? No!" she reassured me, intertwining our hands together. "You're doing great, even though it's your first time."

        I gave her a smile of thanks.

        For some reason, her eyes widened again and she quickly looked at the movie posters. I could swear I saw a blush creep up on her cheeks. "I know you don't like romance films, so does horror sound good?" She pointed at the fourth poster, which was The Black Lady in the Woods.

        "Sure. Spencer, Cindy and I usually watch horror films." I frowned. "As long as there is no exorcism in it."

        "Okay." She put my right hand on her waist, and my face turned redder by the second; I could feel the curve of her body underneath my palm! "But let's not talk about your barbaric best friend anymore, or other people. Just you and me; we're on a date, after all," she told me with a smile.

        "Y-yes." I put my free hand in my pocket, gulping.

        Dating Advice for Men #27: Walk beside her and buy your own and her tickets together.

        It was finally our turn to buy tickets. Alice was about to get her wallet from her shoulder bag after I'd told the girl behind the counter what movie we'd watch, but I quickly beat her to it.

        "But you were the one who paid for our food at Larry's Restaurant and the taxi fare," Alice protested as we were walking toward cinema number four, where The Black Lady in the Woods would be shown.

        Dating Advice for Men #11: You should be the one who will pay for the date, even if she offers--especially if you were the one who asked her out in the first place.

        "I asked you out, so shouldn't I be the one who is paying for the date?" I asked her, confused.

        "Um, it actually depends; we could split the bills," answered Alice. "And I don't want you to always pay for the date."

        I smiled a little at her. "It really is fine with me, Alice. Don't worry about it."

        She pouted, then her eyes fixated on the popcorn stand near us. "Just let me pay for the popcorn and drinks, please?"

        "But--"

        "Please?" she begged like a child.

        "Fine. If you insist," I told her with a sigh.

        Alice beamed at me and kissed me on the cheek.

        I just chuckled as I went with her to the popcorn stand.

🎻 🎻 🎻

Dating Advice for Men #30: If you are watching a scary movie, make sure she is sitting next to you.

        "AAAHHHH!" Alice screamed beside me as the long-haired black lady appeared briefly on the screen for the first time. The male protagonist was so stupid to venture deeper alone in the forbidden woods.

        Alice and I were sitting in the second-to-the-last row, and we were sharing the popcorn she'd bought. I was eating it silently while watching the film with a deadpan expression on my face. The only thing that was scary for me was the black lady had red eyes.

        Insert horror background music here.

        "Where are you?" the male protagonist yelled, pointing his flashlight everywhere. "Show yourself! I'm not scared of you!"

        His legs were shaking with fear, though.

        Alice and the protagonist (I didn't bother remembering his name), with the rest of the viewers, screamed again when the black lady "teleported" in front of him.

        What they were doing wasn't healthy for my perfect-hearing ears. But if Spencer were here, he'd just be enjoying this while laughing evilly like Kira from Death Note.

        "Lance," Alice called in a quivering voice, shifting my attention to her. "Aren't you scared?"

        "Not really," I replied, almost yawning. "I find it--"

        But she shrieked for the umpteenth time while wrapping her arms desperately around my neck, like I was her only hope to escape the black lady, who was now chasing the protagonist while he was running for his dear life to get out of the woods.

        I was shocked by what she did. "Alice, h-hey--"

        She was still screaming to the maximum volume, making my ears almost bleed. Good grief! Even Cindy wasn't like this whenever the three of us were watching a horror film.

        But then Alice and I were pushed slightly with a strong kick on our chairs behind us, causing her to end the hug and exclaim, "What on earth was that?"

        I looked behind me and saw a petite girl wearing a Yankees cap, flu mask, and sunglasses; a girl (judging from her perfectly-trimmed nails) reading a newspaper, so her face was covered; and a dark-haired guy with thick eyebrows and a big nose and mustache, wearing round glasses. Wait a second. From the light the screen was casting, was he wearing big-nose glasses?

        "Sorry," the one with the newspaper, who was in between Yankees Fan and Harry Potter with Thick Eyebrows and Mustache, apologized in a somewhat Russian accent. "I got really scared and I accidentally kicked your chairs." Her voice sounded familiar, though. Kind of.

        "It is all right," I replied, furrowing my brows at her. "But why are you reading a newspaper here?"

        "Ah. I just found something interesting."

        I frowned. "You can read in a place like this?"

        "I have good eyesight."

        Harry Potter with Thick Eyebrows and Mustache cracked his knuckles anxiously for some reason.

        ...

        I shook my head, then my eyes landed on Yankees Fan. "And why are you wearing shades?"

        She seemed startled that I'd turned my attention to her. "I have a sore eye," Yankees Fan said in a high-pitch tone.

        I gave the three of them a you-are-all-eccentric look before watching the film again.

        Whenever Alice tried to hug me while screaming, there'd be another kick on our chairs again. After a while Alice grew frustrated at this and yelled at Newspaper Girl in annoyance, "Would you please stop kicking our chairs? You're ruining the moment!"

        "But the movie is very scary," said Newspaper Girl, but her voice was very calm. "I can't help kicking what's in front of me."

        "Then get the hell out of here!" Alice sat down, silently fuming; she didn't wait for Newspaper Girl's response.

        Dating Advice for Men #54: Put your arm around her gently with a smile so that she can relax.

        To calm Alice down, I put my arm around her shoulders while smiling at her.

        She returned the smile, snuggling into my chest, sighing softly. Granted, the cramped seats and prodding armrest didn't provide for the most comfortable seating, but it was definitely worth it.

        We stayed like that (thankfully, there wasn't any disturbance from behind us anymore) until the movie ended with a freaking cliffhanger: the protagonist said, Am I dead?

🎻 🎻 🎻

"I swear," I started as we got out of the cinema, "that movie was one of the worst films I have ever watched."

        Alice slapped me on the arm jokingly. "That's because you weren't paying attention, Lance. It was actually pretty interesting." Then she scowled heavily. "If only the girl behind me hadn't been kicking the chairs. Do you think she had ADHD?"

        "Hmm, perhaps," I said, shrugging.

        "Moving forward," she stood in front of me with a grin, "it's your turn to lead again. So, where shall we go next?"

        I smirked while putting my arm around her. "Let's just say where we will really enjoy our date."

🎻 🎻 🎻

"Alice, that was unfair!" I complained when she'd bumped into my car for the third time.

        Alice laughed as she bumped my car from behind again, then retreated. "I thought you knew how to ride a bumper car, Lance? I mean, you were the one who suggested we try Auto Skooters first."

        Heavy bass music was playing in the background, and I could hear the bumping of the other cars and people laughing and shouting all around me, so I concentrated hard on what Alice was saying.

        After we'd watched The Black Lady in the Woods, I'd told her we'd go to Lakeside Amusement Park. Nice place for a date, eh? But I shouldn't have had chosen the bumper cars.

        "This is actually my first time riding in one," I mumbled, then said aloud, "It had the shortest line of people." I was turning to the right aggressively, then bumped into another person's car. "Um, apologies. Wrong target." Then I yelled in frustration, "This thing is broken!"

        Alice continued howling with laughter while clutching her stomach, and I was taken aback--this was the first time I was seeing her laugh like this. This made me feel relieved, because I was now sure she was enjoying the date.

        "Onward!" she cried like she was on a battlefield, and I hastily turned around the steering wheel to escape her wrath.

        But the stupid bumper car wouldn't even budge an inch now.

        Surprisingly, a bumper car protected me from Alice's attack, and then the person riding it was a blonde-haired girl wearing a...Pikachu mask.

        A wild Pikachu appeared!

        I gaped at her. But before I could ask her why she was wearing a Pikachu mask in the first place, the bell was ringing loudly, indicating that our ride was finished. Pikachu hurriedly joined the mass of people going outside the arena of Auto Skooters, leaving me dumbfounded in my seat. The way she walked briskly was familiar, though...

        The wild Pokémon fled.

🎻 🎻 🎻

Alice and I rode the Merry-Go-Round next. While spinning on our cute horses, we were laughing our hearts out. Some of the people riding with us were giving us strange or amused glances, but Alice and I didn't care. As long as we were having fun, that was all that mattered.

        After the carousel and taking pictures at the photo booth, we decided to sit on a bench near the cotton candy stand. The sun was now setting, and I loved watching it because the sight always made me calm.

        There were a lot of people--mostly kids with their parents--in the amusement park. Then, there were two people who approached us and asked for a picture.

        "You're my idol, Alice," the brown-haired girl said, beaming. "And you're the reason why I became a violinist in the first place! You really inspire me."

        "Thank you," said Alice, pleased. "It really is an honor to be one of your inspirations."

        "How you play the violin really amazes me, Lance," the guy with red hair complimented. "I wish I could play like you someday, especially when it comes to the fast tempos and double stops."

        "Don't worry," I told him, beaming. "I am sure you will become a successful violinist in the future. Don't give up on your dreams."

        "Are you two on a date, though?" the girl asked.

        "Yes," answered Alice.

        "S-sorry," she apologized, stammering. "I hope w-we aren't interrupting your date--"

        "No, no," I assured her, giving her a comforting smile. "You guys are not interrupting us at all."

        After taking a picture with the two violinists, Alice and I thanked them once again. When they left, she told me, "I'm glad that we inspire them to continue playing music."

        I nodded, still smiling. "Yes." I turned to her. "By the way, would you like some cotton candy?"

        "Sure."

        "Here." I held the fluffy cotton candy in front of her after I'd bought one.

        "Thanks, Lance." Alice took it, looking delighted, as I sat down beside her. "You want some?" she questioned me.

        I shook my head.

        "Nuh-uh. You have to eat it, too." She got some of the cotton candy with her hand, held it in front of me, then said, "Say 'aahhh.'"

        I gave her a deadpan look. "Seriously?"

        She nodded, her eyes beaming. "C'mon, Lance. Say 'aahhh.'"

        I sighed, then opened my mouth. "Aahhh."

        Alice put the cotton candy in her hand into my mouth, and I chewed, tasting the sweetness of the delicious food.

        "Yummy, right?"

        I nodded in agreement, gulping the cotton candy.

        Dating Advice for Men #73: Say some pickup lines to make her laugh.

        My gaze landed on the cotton candy, causing me to grin mentally. "Alice?"

        "Yes, Lance?" she responded, turning to me, after chewing a cotton candy in her mouth.

        "Are you made of cotton candy?"

        She looked lost for a second. "Why?"

        "Because you are so sweet," I finished, making her giggle. I think this was the first time I told her a pickup line.

        "I didn't know you were good at pickup lines, Lance," Alice said after her giggling moment had subsided.

        Chuckling, I told her, "I sometimes pull some pickup lines whenever I'm with Mackenzie. And then she would retort with a pickup line of her own--"

        "Mackenzie, huh?" Her beaming face was instantly gone.

        I grew worried. "Did I say something wrong, Alice?"

        "What's your real relationship with her, Lance?" Alice gazed into my eyes seriously, making me gulp with nervousness. "Most of the time I see you with her, and you two are talking and laughing with each other. And then when she was with you backstage at the symphony hall..." Her voice trailed off despondently.

        I honestly didn't know what to say. It felt like I was on trial for something I didn't do...but was guilty of anyway.

        "Do..." she began softly but firmly, "do you...l-like her, Lance?" She was clenching her free hand into a fist.

        "Eh?" My eyes widened because of her questions. "Alice, Mackenzie and I are just friends. And yes, I only like her as a friend. We are not romantically involved in any way, I assure you."

        "I don't have to be jealous of her?"

        I laughed. "Yes, Alice."

        Alice sighed with relief. "That's great, then." She got another fluffy piece of cotton candy. "Say 'aahhh,' Lance."

        I rolled my eyes playfully, then obliged. "Aahhh."

        Out of nowhere, something landed on my neck. I got it, looked at it, then hastily threw it to the side, disgusted. "Eww, yuck, gross!"

        Alice gave me a puzzled look. "What was it?"

        "It was something...yucky. Do you have any alcohol?"

        She nodded, fishing a small bottle of alcohol from her bag, then gave it to me. "I caught a glimpse of it; it was white..." Alice snapped her fingers in realization. "I think it was a spitball." She looked around us, searching for the culprit. "Maybe it was just someone playing a prank."

        "I hope it won't happen again." I applied the liquid onto my hands and neck, then gave the bottle back to Alice. "Thank you. By the way, what would you like to ride next?"

        She thought for a moment, positioning her index finger near her lips. "Well, since the sun is setting, wanna ride the Ferris wheel?"

        I gazed at the large ride with many colorful lights to our right a few feet away, and the line of people wanting to ride it wasn't that long. "Sure." I stood up, held my hand in front of Alice, and she took it, grinning widely at me.

🎻 🎻 🎻

As the Ferris wheel car Alice and I were in started going up, we heard an ear-splitting scream from somewhere in the park.

        "Did you hear that?" I asked Alice, frowning.

        "Yeah." She shrugged. "Maybe it's a kid who lost her balloon or something."

        When our car reached the top, Alice shuddered because of the chilly wind.

        Dating Advice for Men #12: If you notice she is cold, or she says she is cold, offer her your jacket (even if you need it!).

        "Here." I put my leather jacket around her.

        She smiled at me as thanks, then began, "The sunset is beautiful, isn't it?"

        "Yes." I put my arm around her, staring into her brown eyes. "But not as beautiful as you."

        I noticed her cheeks reddening. Maybe it was because of the sunset, though. "To tell you the truth, Lance, I'm still not used to hear you saying things like that to me."

        I tilted my head to the side, bewildered. "Huh? But I was only being honest--you are indeed more beautiful than the sunset."

        "You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"

        "You can count on that, Alice."

        She embraced me, but not before seeing the ghost of a smile tugging at the edge of her lips. I rested my chin on top of her head while gazing out the window, seeing some of the stars and city lights beginning to shine from the east, and she intertwined her hand in mine.

        "Lance?" Alice said softly after a moment of comfortable silence.

        "Hmm?" I straightened so that I could look at her properly.

        She caressed my jaw lightly, like what she'd done in the symphony hall, and I was beginning to become edgy, my palms starting to sweat. W-would she try to do that again?

        Alice was gazing at me with gentle eyes, now wrapping her arms around my neck, and I couldn't help widening my eyes in surprise. "Lance," she whispered, "I hope you'll fall in love someday."

        Fall in love...

        If she wanted me to kiss her and it'd make her happier, then...

        I suddenly remembered how J.P. Gallagher initiated the kiss on Mackenzie in The Ring of Truth.

        I tucked a loose hair behind her ear, gazing at her intently, the shyness in me starting to fade away for some reason, and, for a second, shock passed her face. I cupped her cheek with my palm, and rested my other hand on her waist. I inched closer to her, our noses almost touching.

        I was about to close the gap, closing my eyes, but then Alice pulled away before I could kiss her. I blinked, my mouth parting in disbelief. I'm sure I looked completely bewildered. I thought she'd wanted me to kiss her...? Was my breath bad?

        "You care too much for other people's happiness, Lance. I admire that trait of yours, but I told you before that I don't want to force you into anything, right?" she said, laughing a little.

        "But--"

        "Sorry that I gave you the wrong signal," Alice interrupted me gently while looking outside the window. Was it just me, or did she sound guilty? Our car was almost nearing the ground. "I just wanted to caress your jaw. I find it quite attractive. In fact, I'll always find it attractive."

        "Oh." I cracked up, sighing in relief inwardly. "Oh, so that's why. In that case, perhaps I should always wear a surgical mask when I walk around school to keep girls from becoming too attracted to my jaw."

        Alice laughed heartily. "That just might do it!"

        I once again offered her my hand as we exited the Ferris wheel car.

🎻 🎻 🎻

"Thank you so much for the date, Lance," said Alice as we stood in front of the porch of her house--I mean, her mansion, giving me my jacket back with a dazzling smile. "I must say I was very impressed, even though this was your first time on a date. I really had fun."

        I bowed. "You are very welcome, Alice. I'm glad you had fun." Hard work really pays off, I thought while sighing in relief inwardly. I didn't listen to my teachers in my classes just so I could study about dating.

        "Do you want to come inside?" she invited. "My parents aren't currently home..."

        "It is fine. I'm good," I replied. I'm not sure if it was just my imagination, but I thought that Alice frowned for a second at my answer.

        "Oh, okay," she mumbled, then went inside her house a bit...dejectedly? I stood outside on the porch for a moment, unsure of what was going to happen, then Alice came back with a box in her hands.

        Wearing my jacket, I asked her, "What's inside of that box?"

        Alice beamed as she gave it to me. "Your chocolate cake."

        My eyebrows shot up in surprise as I accepted it. "Seriously? But, Alice, you won the bet."

        She nodded, gesturing me to open the box.

        And so I opened it and saw an extravagant-looking chocolate cake. I stared at her, clearly perplexed.

        "Even when you lost, I still wanted to bake you a cake," she explained, still beaming. "So there. I hope you enjoy eating it!"

        "I'm sure I will." I took a step closer to her, then kissed her on the cheek. Alice was taken aback by what I did. "Good night, Alice," I said softly, smiling at her. "Sweet dreams."

        "Is that all you're going to say?"

        I tried to remember if there were more parting words to say in the Dating Advice for Men book, but to no avail. I could only remember the "good night" and "sweet dreams" lines. "Um, yes. Why?"

        Once more, I thought I saw disappointment pass her features. But then she smiled and replied, "Oh, nothing." She kissed me back on my cheek. "Good night, Lance. Be careful on your way home, okay?"

        "I will," I promised.

        Dating Advice for Men #98: Wait for her to get into her house, and then leave. Don't hover, because it's weird.

        So I waited for Alice to go inside, and then started walking to the highway to hail a taxi so that I could get home. While walking, I opened my Facebook account to update my status with a mischievous grin plastered on my face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I wanted to thank you all for making LLL #143 in Humor last 01-16-15! It really made me happy. :D

And thanks so much to @phillyboy10 for editing and adding extra lines in this chap. He's that awesome. :))