"Can we invite Kirstie over for dinner?" Layne asked the gang, three-fifths of them being in the kitchen.

"Sure." Earl agreed as he loomed over and around the stove as he prepared dinner.

"You know what? That sounds like a great idea." Eli agreed optimistically, "Its good to show some hospitality sometimes. And, she seems nice."

Layne smiled widely in response. "Cool." With that, he went to inform the others of them plans.

"Kirstie?" Geoff asked once Layne had told him, "Like, the one that helped you with the scrapbook?" he checked.

Layne nodded and couldn't help but smile, "Yep, that's the one."

"Sounds good to me." Geoff agreed.

Layne then knocked on Tony's bedroom door. He waited a few moments before knocking once more. "Tony.."

He heard lazy footsteps approach the door before it finally opened to reveal a messy-haired baritone. "If this is about the dishes, yeah, I know." he said blandly.

"I just wanted to say that we're inviting Kirstie over for dinner." Layne stated cheerily, "If she's available."

"Kirstie... The dog-person that lives right beside us?" he checked, a little unsurely. Layne nodded in response.

Tony eyed him, being silent for a moment before slowly saying, "... Why?"

Layne blinked, then said, "Because, hospitality is good. And she brought us desserts once..." Layne pointed out.

"Ooh, hospitality." Tony smirked, clearly intending on bugging Layne. "I dunno, Kirstie's pretty and you're awkward, it's written all over your face."

"What? It's nice to do." Layne stated clearly and simply.

"I bet you're thinking of a lot of 'nice things to do', too..." Tony smirked.

Layne's cheeks flushed bright red as he gave his friend a look, "Stop making things sound dirty!"

Tony laughed, "I'm just teasing," he assured as he headed into the washroom to her cleaned up, "Yeah, invite her over." he agreed.

Layne shook his head, but smiled slightly before he headed toward the door. He tried to add confidence in his step, and couldn't help but stop at the mirror by the door to check himself.

Before anyone caught him fixing his hair, he left the apartment and closed the door behind him. Layne straightened his shirt out and subconsciously brushed his jeans before knocking on the door.

While he waited for a while, he adjusted his posture insecurely and changed his stance to appear more confident. Finally, the door opened and Kirstie peered out. A nice smile spread on her lips and she looked up at Layne. "Hi, Layne."

Layne smiled his cheerful smile before greeting her back with, "Hi! Um, are you busy right now...?" he asked a little shyly.

Kirstie brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned against the doorway. She shook her head, "Nope, I'm available."

"That's cool! Because I - uh, well, not me... us– the guys- uh, wanted to know if you want to y'know..." Layne stammered, smiling, though trailing off towards the end awkwardly.

Kirstie furrowed her brow. "Want to what?" she asked.

"Food. Y'know, eating and stuff. Dinner." Layne answered, deciding he just wanted to find a dark corner and curl up so no one could ever see him.

Kirstie couldn't help her wide, beaming smile. She swore she had never seen anything so cute. "Yeah. That sounds good. What time?"

Layne drew in a deep, but shallow breath as his confidence sudden came back to him. "How about five?"

Kirstie smiled, then twitched an eyebrow at him, "I'll be there." 

~•~

Layne went out of his way to ensure the entire apartment was near spotless before Kirstie arrived. Dinner was almost ready, Earl was preparing the last of it.

"Where will Kirstie sit?" Layne asked the other two in the kitchen as he pondered the fact that they only had five chairs around the table.

"You can get the stool that we sometimes use." Eli pointed out as he stirred steamed vegetables on the stove.

"Okay." Layne agreed, "Kirstie can have my spot then."

Eli and Earl both exchanged looks, grinning knowingly.

Once Layne had gotten the extra stool  and put it near the table, he decided to get himself ready since he had the extra time.

He stared at himself in the bathroom mirror for a while before he ran a hand through his fluffy, black hair. Layne subconsciously made weird faces at himself without fully realizing it.

Eventually, he picked up a comb and some hair gel. He looked at himself, at his watch, then back at himself again. If he needed one thing tonight, it was confidence.

It was the time when Kirstie was due to be there any minuet. By this time, Geoff had just gotten home when the doorbell rang. Layne, who was sitting on the couch and practically waiting for her, quickly called out that he'd get the door.

The others, smirked at his impeccable reaction time.

Layne opened the door to see Kirstie had dressed up in dark blue, faded denim jeans and a black t-shirt that complimented her curves but didn't cling to them like spandex and suggest too much.

"Hi, Kirstie." Layne greeted her with a voice soaked in raw friendliness. He moved aside for her, "Come on in."

Kirstie greeted him back and stepped inside to slip her shoes off in the entrance. Geoff was the next to come out and greet her. He still wore the pants, belt and shoes to his uniform, but had taken the top of the uniform off, having a white shirt underneath.

"Hey there, Kirstie!" Geoff greeted, his hands slid into his back pockets.

"Hey," she smiled warmly, taking in his uniform, "You're a police officer?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am, in fact, I am just that!" Geoff answered with a deep, dramatic police officer tone. Kirstie giggled at his playful response.

"That's cool." she answered, her cheeks already glowing a faint red. Layne felt something in his stomach churn.

"Supper's pretty much ready," Eli called from the kitchen. "And hi, Kirstie!"

"Yeah, you guys can come here if you want, or, y'know, we can just keep yelling at each other." Earl mentioned right after. "Hey, Kirstie!"

"You guys are funny." Kirstie commented sweetly, shaking her head slightly.

"Well, don't be shy, come on in to the kitchen." Geoff invited with hospitality as he led the way into the Kitchen. Layne followed timidly after Kirstie.

~•~

Part 2 will be coming soon ... 😊

ScarletMIX