When we got home, Charlie and I invited Coach to stay for dinner. Charlie had reheated leftover casserole in the oven while I set the table.

Then my mom came home, "Hey guys! I'm home!" She smiled before closing the door.

Running over to her, I gave her a big hug, "Hi momma! This is Coach Bombay, he's gonna be staying with us for dinner."

She looked down, hugging me, then looked up at Coach, "Hello Coach Bombay, I've heard lots about you." She smiled before walking over.

"Same with you Ms. Reed." The two shook hands, smiling at each other.

"I hope Vicki isn't giving you too much trou-" Mother was cut off by Coach.

"Oh no! Not one bit! She's a breath of fresh air to me and the team," He smiled. "She is quite the coach though." He nodded before looking over at me.

"Well, I'm happy." She smiled before walking off to her own bedroom to shower and change.

Once the buzzer to the oven went off, Charlie put on his oven mittens and took the leftover casserole.

"Ya, know, I heard the North Stars wore the same underwear for the whole season last year, for luck." Charlie sat the casserole down on the hot pad.

"Weird but interesting." I nodded.

"I'm doing the same thing," Charlie added. Coach then looked at the casserole which was a little burnt.

"Maybe I should have cooked," He chuckled. "Hey, I was thinking the five of us could all go down to Winter Fest."

"I can't, got lots of homework that Vicki has to help me with." Charlie shrugged.

"Nice excuse." Rolling my eyes playfully, I swatted the air in front of me. Charlie stuck out his tongue.

"Maybe, it could be just the two of you. You and my mom." Charlie suggested then the door slams closed.

Ms. Conway then stepped inside, sniffing the air, "Mmm! Smells great!" She smiled, throwing her purse and coat on the couch. Coach and Charlie stood side by side facing her.

"Hello." Coach smiled at Ms. Conway, who shared one and stopped at the doorway.

"Hi." Her eyes twinkled.

Charlie leaned to Coach's ear, "Just go for it." He whispered which made Coach smile.

"Charlie!" I threw a nearby napkin at him, which he caught.

"I was thinking," Coach paused. "Maybe we could go down to Winter Fest, after dinner?"

Ms. Conway blushed while chuckling, looking down at the floor, "Yeah, I'd like that."

Right after Ms. Conway spoke, my mom walked into the room in loungewear, coming to eat dinner. Coach has told my mom that they would be going down to Winter Fest, which didn't bother her.

Then Charlie and I started talking about our experience at the North Stars game, "Ya, and every time a player would get cross-checked or one of the refs would make the wrong call, this goof," Charlie points his fork at me while chewing his food. "She kept jumping up and yelling at them." He chuckled.

I finished drinking my milk before setting it down, "Ok, in my defense I have coaching skills, and refs just bother me so much!" My hands shot in the air, as I laughed.

"Well, I don't blame you, Vic, the refs were overreacting on some of those calls." Coach wiped his mouth with a napkin.

I continued to eat the leftover casserole on my plate, "Ya, and what was with you and Banks?" Charlie asked.

My eyes grew wide as I swallowed the bite I had just taken. Then I wiped my mouth with my napkin, "Well, Fulton wanted to sit next to Jesse and talk. Banks and I were just enjoying each other's company," My voice became softer. "And he may or have not asked me to have dinner with him and his family at his house after the big game," I mumbled.

"What!? He asked you on a date!?" Charlie rubbed his temple.

"No! It's not a date!" My heart started beating out of my chest. "His parents will be there."

"Still technically a date!" Charlie gestured to me across from him with his hands.

"Banks, Banks, why does that name sound familiar?" My mother drummed her fingers on the table, trying to figure out why the name sounded familiar to her.

"Adam Banks? His father is Phil Banks. He is like some big shot in some company downtown." Coach replied.

"That's why," She snapped her fingers and pointed at Coach. "That's my boss's son."

"WHAT!?" Charlie and I looked at my mom.

"YOUR WORKING FOR BANKS' DAD!? AND YA DIDN'T TELL ME THIS SOONER BECAUSE?" I stared at my mom who sat next to me.

"Figured it wasn't important." She shrugged, staying completely calm.

Charlie facepalmed himself, "Your so screwed if you don't go." Charlie chuckled nervously.

"Ya and if I make a mistake. Ya don't have to remind me." I said with a hint of sass mixed with sarcasm before lightly banging my head on the table.

"Look, Vic, Adam is a really nice kid. Even though he was a Hawk, he really is a nice kid. You should give 'em a chance." Coach reassured me.

"But still!" Charlie groaned. "He's a Hawk! And I am not letting you date a Hawk!" Charlie pointed his fork at me.

"Charlie! Come on! Seriously?!" I snapped.

"Charlie, Adam is a Duck." Coach rubbed his forehead.

"I don't care if he's a Duck, he's still a Hawk!" Charlie then got up from the table and stormed out of the room towards our shared bedroom.

We all heard the door slam from the table as we all looked at each other, "I'll clean up and go talk to him. You two should go." My mouth let out a sigh as I took my plate to the sink, then I went around and collected plates from the table.

"Are you sure you'll be alright Vic?" Ms. Conway said from getting up from the table.

Picking up the casserole pan, "Ya, I'll be fine." I carried it into the kitchen, setting it near the sink.

Coach and Ms. Conway then put on their coats, leaving to go on they're date, my mom and I were in the kitchen washing dishes, "You should go and talk to him." My mother mumbled while washing off a plate with soapy water.

"K." Nodding my head in guilt, I walked over to the door to our shared room, knocked, then walked in.

Charlie was sitting at his desk, the lamp on the desk was turned on, he was spinning a pencil around in his fingers, staring at his science homework, "What do ya want?" There was a hint of anger in his voice.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry, but it only happened recently, Charlie." I shut the door and walked over to his bed to sit down.

"Ya, you didn't tell me sooner." He snapped.

"What was I supposed to do?" I threw my hands in the air. "Tell you in the gift shop, let the whole team know?"

"Ya didn't even tell me first."

"Because Connie was sitting behind us, Charlie. She's the only girl on the team."

"There's Tammy." He reminded me of Tammy.

"Well, I don't think Tammy and I are the best of friends when it comes to me and Connie, Charlie," I rubbed the back of my neck. "Charlie, just please forgive me. You're like a brother to me. The best brother I could have ever asked for." My voice pleaded.

"Fine," He mumbled, drumming the pencil on his desk. "Just don't get too attached."

My brow raised at his comment, "What do ya mean, Charlie." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I'm gonna have a chat with him later-" Charlie started but I cut him off.

"Charlie!" I groaned, putting my face in my palms.

"Ok! Fine! I won't do it!" He exhaled deeply.

I picked up my head from my hands, "Thank you! I would appreciate it if you'd not!"

"Ok! Don't get too excited, just help me with this science bologna." Charlie chuckled, which made me get up and lean over the desk, examining the homework.

As I explained the questions step by step, Charlie started writing down what I said. He would occasionally nod his head while I talked. Once Charlie finished his homework, he put it away in its designated binder.

He leaned back in his chair, "So do ya know what ya gonna wear?"

His question almost slipped my mind, "Ugh! You had to remind me!" I let out a groan as I stormed over to my closet. "Well, I'm obviously gonna wear a dress."

"Good choice, but remember your going to eat with his parents." Charlie plopped down on my bed while I went through my messy unorganized closet to pull out dresses.

"What about this one?" I frantically pulled out a medium length white flowered dress with spaghetti straps, holding up to my body.

Charlie scrunched his face while shaking his head, "Too summery."

I threw it behind me and continued to go through my closet, then I pulled out a dark navy dress with quarter sleeves, "How about this one?"

Again, Charlie scrunched his face, "Vic, seriously? This is all you have?"

"Well, I'm sorry! I didn't wear dresses back in Michigan, especially at church. I wore either pants or skirts, mainly pants." I threw the dress behind me, then I rubbed my temples.

"Ok well, your gonna have to go dress shopping tomorrow." Charlie got up from my bed to go plop down on his own.

"Great, I don't have anything to wear to present myself to his parents and I have to go shopping before the Hornets game." I facepalmed myself before flopping down in my bed.

"Well, it's not like it's the end of the world, Vic." Charlie tried to make me feel better but he miserably failed.

"Thanks for the encouragement but it's not working." I slicked back my hair while staring at the ceiling.

"No problem," He said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "But please get some sleep. You'll need it for tomorrow."

"Ya, ya, thanks." I decided to roll over and sleep in my clothes since I was comfy enough.

The next morning, my mother woke me up. Ms. Conway was working at her shift at Mickey's Dining Car while my mother had a day off, and it was the weekend for Charlie and I.

While mother was making the two of us breakfast, I poured some orange juice for all of us, "Hey mom, is it alright if Connie, my friend, comes with us?"

"Ya, sure Vicki. We'll just have to pick her up and drop her off at home." She said while putting the french toast on the three plates before bringing them to the table.

"Did Connie beg ya to take her with us?" Charlie chuckled while putting silverware down.

"Nah, I'm just surprising her by bringing her along." I chucked before bringing the glasses of orange juice to our designated spots.

Our breakfast was silent, but a good type of silent. We all enjoyed the deliciousness of the french toast.

Afterward, the three of us got ready to go out to the mall downtown to pick out my new outfit. We drove to Connie's place to pick her up.

Running up to her front door, I frantically knocked. A dark brunette who looked like Connie opened the door, I only assumed it was her mother, smiled at me.

"You must be Vicki! It's a pleasure to meet you!" She opened the door wider.

"Same to you too. Is Connie around?" My eyes looked around the apartment.

"Oh yes, one second," Mrs. Moreau then turned around. "Connie! You got someone here to see you!" She yelled. Then Connie came running out from another room to find me at the door.

"Ahhh! Vicki!" She screamed as she ran to embrace me.

"Hey, Connie! How would ya feel if I had another girl's opinion while I go dress shopping?"

"Oh my goodness! Yes! 100 percent yes!" She squeaked, pumping her fists in the air, then turning to her mother. "Can I go, mom?" She smiled widely.

"Sure, get outta here and have fun!" She shoved her shoulder playfully.

The two of us squeaked. Connie then ran out of the room to come back with a disposable camera and her coat.

"K, bye mom!" She kissed her mother on the cheek before we left the apartment.

When Connie got into my mom's car, she said hello to Charlie, then I introduced Connie to my mom. They were very happy to meet each other.

While on the way down to the mall, the three of us were all chattering about what my dress could look like.

"Well, I'm probably thinking about something with sleeves." I looked at Charlie and Connie.

Connie nodded her head, "Oh yes! Definitely! You would look so good in a sleeve dress."

"But nothing too flashy," Charlie added, which made me elbow him playfully.

"I'm literally having dinner with him and his family. It's not like we're getting married right away." I scoffed while rolling my eyes.

Then we rolled into the parking lot to the mall Fulton learned how to skate in, "Ah, so many memories." I smiled while looking out the windows of the car.

"I know, but I still can't believe that Fulton pushed that lady into that fountain.

Connie then burst into a laugh, "Oh yeah! I remember that!"

"He pushed a lady into a fountain?"

Connie looked at me, "Yeah, he accidentally did it and apologized to her though."

"Still though, it was funny," Charlie added before the four of us got out of the car, walking towards the entrance of the mall.

The three of us looked around the mall with wide starry eyes. Connie pointed at all the hit name brands. Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike. Then we started walking around for a shop that sold dresses. Connie then spotted a shop and dragged the two of us over to it with my mother trailing behind.

The three of us then looked in the window with mannequins dressed up in long fancy prom dresses. When we walked in, a nice older teenager greeted us.

"Hi! Welcome to Dress Palace! I'm Jenny, how may I help you?" She smiled, wrapping a measuring tape around her neck.

"Well, I'm here looking for a dress for a date. Nothing too fancy just a formal dress." I nodded my head.

"She's having dinner with her date and his parents," Connie added.

"Ooh, sounds fun!" She smiled. "Well, I'm sure you'll be able to find your perfect match! Follow me and we'll take some measurements." Jenny gestured for the four of us to follow her. Jenny then asked me to stand on a circular platform in front of three mirrors and a chandelier above me.

She took measurements of my bust, waist, hips, shoulders, and arms. Charlie, Connie, and my mom all sat on the pink couch behind me.

"Ok! Now that I got your measurements, I'll go pull some dresses for you while you hop into the dressing room." She smiled before walking off. I then walked over to the dressing room and slipped behind the curtain.

I started stripping off my layers, leaving me standing in the fancy dressing room. Jenny then came back, handing me a dress from outside the curtain. It was a black dress with a blue stripe down at the bottom and a neck strap you would see on a bikini.

When I stepped out, everyone said no right away. Then I tried on a dark navy velvet dress with off the shoulders and shoulder straps. Everyone did like that dress but I felt it wasn't really right.

The next dress I tried on was a short red dress with a puffed skirt and quarter sleeves. Everyone loved that one. I spun around in it with a smile but inside it just wasn't the one.

I tried on countless dresses, all different colors, and styles before Jenny handed me a beautiful dress. This one was a short black dress with a satin skirt and a lacy top that had off the shoulder sleeves that cut off at my elbows. When I slipped on the dress and stepped out, Connie and Charlie were half asleep and my mom had her head propped up in her hand with her arm on the arm of the couch. When Charlie looked up, his eyes went wide as he hit Connie.

"Charlie! What do you wa-" She stopped when she saw me, then my mother looked up.

"Perfection." Charlie smiled.

"I think this is the one." I smiled, playing with the skirt while walking up on to the platform.

"Vic, as your best friend, I have never seen anything more stunning on you in my whole life," Connie clapped her hands together. "But seriously though, if Banks doesn't drop dead over you in this dress then I'll personally kill him." Connie finished.

"Count me in on that!" Charlie retorted which made me laugh.

"Ok guys, let's not go kill Banks just yet, I still have to have dinner with him." Spinning around in my dress, I looked at myself in the mirror.

The dress made my tiny figure stand out and showed off my shoulders. Everything about the dress suited me. How it fitted, the black making my hair stand out, and it complimented my skin.

After paying for the dress, we stopped by Payless to pick out a pair of shoes for me. I went with open toe short block heels. Then we all went to Orange Julius to get smoothies and cinnamon rolls from Cinnabon before we left for the Hornets game.