This time I dedicate this chapter to my great friend Brad. He doesn't have an account on here but none the less, he has been my emotional rock through some pretty rough years. Here's to you little/big brother. Song for this chapter is Here With Me by Dido. I listening to my boyfriends ipod when the song came on and it just seemed right for this chapter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                                                   Jake

       “What took you long to call me?” Rose demanded and even with a two hour difference her anger still made be cringe over the phone.

“Well I’ve been busy. Some of the deliveries were late and every time I got time to myself… there still is a two hour difference.”

I waited while she hesitated. I could hear her lips pop at something.

“Suckers will only rot your teeth,” I told her.

“Don’t bother, I’m still mad at you.”

“Rose…”

“It didn’t matter what time of night you called me. You should have still called at the latest two weeks. I never gave a time limit.”

“Sorry.”

“But anyways,” she continued on, “I forgive you. How are things out there?”

“Can’t complain, I make friends easily. I think you guys would get along pretty great. There‘s the cousins I think you would have had a hard time choosing which. Then there‘s Lillian with hair so naturally great it could make you sick. Really, things are great.”

I stopped noticing at how quiet Rose had been through most of the conversation. Normally she would be chatting my ear off about the stupid things Pete did. 

“Rose?”

Silence. 

“Um Rose.”

“Y-yes! Sorry my mind was drifting right around the part where you replaced me for someone with great hair.”

“So dramatic, and I know you well enough to know that’s not the truth. What’s been going on with you?”

I could literally feel her guilty face expression.

“Rose seriously. Tell me please? I wont get mad. Promise.”

“I got a boyfriend.”

I didn’t really know what to say.

“Anybody we know?”

“No not really,” she replied, “I kind of want to keep it quiet until I’m sure its serious.”

“I wish I could say that Pete would be heartbroken but you guys have always been more like siblings.”

“Yeah he doesn’t know either. Nobody really does yet. Just you because we are still best friends right?”

“Yeah,” and I rolled my eye’s at the phone.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me.”

I pulled the phone away from my head wondering how she did that.

“It’s all in your tone,” she replied to my mental question.

“So is there anything you can talk to me about?” I asked walking over to my computer desk.

I was looking at my Facebook page noticing now that Rose had sent me sixteen messages that were border line violent.

“Not really, maybe later. What about you? Any eye catching guys where you are? If there is he’s got to be really something.”

It didn’t take long to think of the answer because it was pretty obvious.

“Oh Jake hello?”

“Yeah there is but I don’t really know what to say to him.”

“Starting with a hello would be a good idea.”

“I kind of already did.”

“Well try it again but first tell me what he‘s like.”

“Strong and silent type.”

“Compared to your impulsiveness, goofy kind nature I guess that balances well. What does he look like?”

Then I heard a knock at a window, her window.

“That must be him huh?”

“Oh you heard that did you?”

It made me smile knowing my best friend wasn’t miserable. I could tell she was happy all of a sudden.

“He sounds romantic. Check and see if he’s here to serenade you.”

“He can’t sing.”

“Bet he plays the drums? Those are hard to keep but then you are too.”

I meant that as a compliment because Rose was one of the most lady like women I ever knew other than my mother.

“No I think the guitar,” and she threw her hand over her mouth gasping.

“So what did he bring you?”

I was sitting at the edge of my chair now feeling excited for her.

“A dozen roses! No boy has ever done that for me before!”

“Aw, well please don’t let me interrupt,” I said when I heard her slide open the window. “Missing you a lot Rose. Have fun. I’ll message you now that we have internet here.”

She didn’t even answer me and her phone dropped the call. I turned in my computer desk smiling and hoping that Pete could find his own happiness too.

I really liked it here and I told my grandmother that later the next day. I went home after another school to shower then went to visit her. I even told her about how silly my guy friends were at the gym just the other day. 

“If only I were a few decades younger…” she said and smiled brightly because there was more she could have said. Never a dull moment I might add!

Her house was way on other side of town. Sometimes I choose to walk but this time I drove with a kept clean, smoke free 2005 Chevy grey four door vehicle. Not that I knew too much about cars.

My grandmother, sometimes forgetful, often repeated herself, but still had a lot of fight in her was in her early 80’s. She had curly grey and white hair which made her brown eye’s pop. When she walked she was slightly hunch backed. This was a woman who favored her independence. By the way her favorite movie is Independence Day which was playing right now.

“I’m glad to be able to see you more often,” My grandmother said and she meant it. She hated flying in planes but she always did it at least once a year to visit on Christmas. 

I had a cup of tea in front of me on her coffee table. Her whole house smelled of cinnamon and something else. To me it smelled like Christmas. That holiday being my favorite also made coming here be one of my favorite things to do. Her house was just so clean too. The only problem was all the dolls and toys she had for decoration. It still brought back memories of when she used to let me play with her stuff back when I was little. This was also back when she used to live in Wisconsin.

I looked around some before I asked her, “Is there anything around here I can move for you? Need help with something around here?”

My grandmother shook her head and looked me stern in the eye, “Your job as grandson is to sit there and get spoiled by me. If I need help its your father and mother I’ll call.”

Ice, her Alaskan Husky choose to bark at the window. I could tell she was smiling when she turned her back on me to calm her dog down. Grandma seemed a lot happier with us closer by then she was letting on. Also she was thankful for the fewer nurse visits.

From there I told her all about my friends while she fluffed up pillows. She liked to stay busy. She already knew of my friends because she had spent nearly twenty years here. Before that she was in Ohio with my mother. My grandmother and mother moved around a lot. When my mother met my dad and got happily married, my grandfather passed away not long after. She made sure to spend at least four months with me when I was born before she moved to retire. My mother tried to get her to move in with us. My grandmother would not have it. She hates pity parties more than her back aches.

Obviously I get my confidence and bravery from this woman. My mother loved pointing that out when ever I got defiant with her.

“Why didn’t you ever date back in Wisconsin and why have you dated anyone here yet?”

Her questions surprised me and it was good think I wasn’t in the middle of drinking tea.

“I just got here,” I answered her second question first, “and besides you’ve met Rose. She would eat anyone alive that so much as looked at me the wrong way.”

“Oh yes,” she said finally sitting back down in front of me, “But she’s not here now and there are a few boys around here. Anyone worthy of my only grandson’s attention? I’m sure there are a few nice boys.”

I was sure my eye’s were bugging out so I looked away.

“I could make a few phone calls,” she started to get up again and my throat was making a bunch of funny noises, “There’s a homecoming dance in a couple of weeks I think I’ve heard about. I still remember mine.”

“G-g-grandma! N-no its fine,” I stood up awkwardly scratching the back of my head. 

She froze half hunched as my rant began.

“Its really not that necessary. Seriously I am fine. Aren’t I still young and shouldn’t I still wait? Most kids my age jump into situations without even thinking.”

She sat back down though.

“You’re not just some other kid. You’re my grandson and I want you to feel happy as possible while you’re here.”

My eye’s scrunched up at the scolding.

“I know you mean well Grandma but I really am ok.”

She tilted her head about a fraction as she looked me over. What she saw was someone I didn’t see in the mirror. With the unconditional love she gave me along with my parents, I really felt no need for anything else. I would never say that out loud because of how cheesy it sounded even in my head.

     “Thank you for the tea Grandma,” I said finishing my cup which calmed me. “There’s a football game I have to get to now. Its too bad I cant get on the team.”

My grandma was really big on tea opposed to my mom who was a coffee geek.

“Feel free to drop by more often,” she said standing up.

“I plan to.”

“And feel free to bring your friends over.”

“Don’t worry I will.”

“And when you do get a boyfriend make sure he meets me first.”

I hid my face as I walked out the front door.

“You’ll really like how the school does their games here.” She said as I waved to her getting in my car.

I made sure to smile once more as I pulled out of her driveway.

Both my parents were home so I made sure to check in before I went back to the school.

“Grandma’s really happy about us being here,” I told my mom.

“I’m sure she is,” she replied quickly and I could tell she was cooking over the stove.

“Save me a plate.”

“You know how I run this house Jake. First come first serve.”

And she hung up the phone on me before I could say anything else.

       This was the fourth football game I went to, all seven friends included, I watched Danny play. I can’t say he was the star player of the team. I also didn’t know which team member he was until I saw him in uniform earlier that day. He had the number 18 on it which was kind of ironic because I had just turned eighteen a couple months ago. Not that it meant anything really. 

I sat up top in the bleachers with all the cool kids. It was a semi cold night so we all wore light jackets. I noticed some of Danny’s friends in the group I was in. I talked to some of them and it was really nice.

There was a kid named Daniel also that was Danny’s best friend. He’s used to be on the football team but he quit for whatever reason it was. I didn’t bother asking because it somehow felt tacky to ask.

“Woo woo Danny boy!” Daniel I think it was that shouted.

All the girls around us thought he was hilarious.

Two girls that I didn’t pay much attention to were courageous enough to come talk to Nikko and Nick. Charles shouted his profound love for Heather whom I think pretended to ignore him. Their time out still in effect. 

I was mashed between Jimmy and Marcus who both hooted at girls that weren’t from our school. When they looked out way Marcus was pointing at me like I was the one that did it.

After that awkward moment passed the football game began.

       Danny was interesting to watch while he played. He didn’t hog the ball and I noticed how well he responded to the other players. I wouldn’t have minded having him in my army. That thought made me miss the feeling of being out there on the field. 

I cheered with the crowd. The mascot (an Alligator) was really funny, the coach turned a prism of impressive colors when he got mad, and the popcorn here was really fresh. I expected us all to loose our voices at the end of the game but somehow that didn’t happen.

At the end of the game which we won the mascot did cartwheels with the cheerleading squad which Heather and Lillian were a part of. Then he moon walked off the field. Did I mention our school had a really good cheerleading squad? Silver and blue were pretty much our school colors. Lillian was the smallest, lightest, and quickest of the squad so she always got to be up on top. They were just, Bring It On, good. The DJ even did a good job to add to the effects.

And when they finished Charles had hopped down the bleachers swooping Heather bridal style to kiss her romantically. Indeed that would be the end of their little time out because Heather’s sloppy grin showed that.

Nikko and Nick got numbers from the two girls I didn’t pay much attention to.

“Looks like they found themselves a date for Homecoming,” Jimmy pointed out neutrally. 

“They seemed really nice,” a blonde girl I didn’t know well said behind us.

“Aren’t you two going out on any dates?” I asked both Jimmy and Marcus.

Jimmy looked serious for a moment then got up and stepped down.

I looked at Marcus questionably which he reflected back. We watched him make his way down to all the cheerleaders that were talking super fast. Some were doing somersaults and others were just grouped together doing a mini pyramid. Charles and Heather were nowhere to be seen.

     “What’s he doing?” the blonde girl behind us asked and I remembered her name was Jackie. 

A small crowd had built up behind us and I was munching on my popcorn like this was a really good movie.

Some of the cheerleaders smiled politely as Jimmy reached them. Others looked to him expectantly then turned disappointed when he passed them by as if they weren’t there. Someone with a tangle of black hair had a crowd of fellow cheerleaders ruffling their pom-poms in the air. I figured this would be the lucky girl he was about to approach. 

“Much better than a movie,” Marcus was munching on popcorn from my bag.

“Read my mind,” I answered quickly while we waited what felt like hours.

The girls that surrounded the one with a tangle of black hair parted for Jimmy. They looked like they knew what was happening all along. That girl with the tangle of black hair appeared to be Lillian who looked confused.

It was too bad we couldn’t hear what was said so there were only face expressions to go by.

Lillian was nodding her head with her hair bouncing all over the place and her face went really red.

“Aw she said yes,” Jackie swooned over one of the guys that sat behind her.

“They have been eyeing each other for a long time,” someone said behind me.

“Yeah its about time,” someone else said.

“Senior year is like the last chance you get,” Jackie said to someone.

        “You want to go to the homecoming dance with me?” A guys voice.

“Of course I would,” I could hear the smile in her voice.

I grinned.

“Who are you going with? Aren’t you going at all?” Marcus asked bringing my attention away from watching Lillian who was still nodding at whatever Jimmy was saying to her. She looked so nervous but determined.

“Oh yeah I plan on going but I haven’t asked anyone yet,” I said leaving out no one asked me either.

I sighed internally.

Then it was time to clear out since the game was over ten minutes ago. I checked the time to make sure it wasn’t past curfew. There was still half an hour to ten and Rose’s voice reminded me on saying hi to Danny again. My stomach did a bunch of weird cheerleader flip flops. 

Maybe I could try asking him.

“Well see you in school,” Marcus patted my back as he took off.

I noticed he didn’t say anything about him going with anyone either.

“Hey,” I called out to Marcus just before he got out of ear shot, “If you and I don’t get anybody we can just go as friends.”

He nodded at my offer but then a girl he had hooted at from another school grabbed his arm.

Well there went that plan by the looks of it.

Then I saw Danny looking sweaty but happy with Daniel down below.

“I just want to at least say hi,” I said to myself feeling like a creep.

“Huh?” A kid with blue hair looked up.

I smiled a little awkwardly at him and shook my head feeling my face burn up.

      It was rough moving through the crowd as I made my way down. There were a few toe’s stepped on, mine included. I was so nervous it made me step on my own feet. There was Danny smiling gorgeously just a few feet away.

“H-hey!” my voice came out like a croak.

Sometimes I just didn’t know where my confidence went.

There were suddenly a lot of shouts as Danny was hoisted in the air by his team.

And they say he bats for my team.

Then before I could say or do anything else they carried him off to the locker room.

Oh well, it was still the most fun I could have ever had in a long time.

Then another week went by peacefully. All the slots of dates were filling up quick. Some girls had politely asked me and I politely turned them down. 

There wasn’t any more unpacking to do at home and my mom ran out of idea’s on what to put where. We were all settling in nicely. Both my parents somehow already knew about the Homecoming dance and asked if there was any lucky boys that asked me yet.

“No,” I replied to my mom while my dad sat on the living room couch watching T.V. “And Grandma already called dibs.”

“And I’m still your mother,” she frowned at that.

“Take it up with the boss,” my dad sided with my mom which she smiled at.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice the hair you left in the sink from shaving this morning,” she chided.

My father slouched in guilt.

Everything fell into a normal routine. 

Danny and I didn’t get to speak until Halloween night at the back-to-school-bash slash Halloween dance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~So like as for where the inspiration came from for Danny. TEEN WOLF! There is an upcoming scene next chapter which was a short story I wrote to myself. Back when there was a fan fiction contest for Teen Wolf that was what I was going to write. It was going to feature Danny or Stiles. But of course I never got around to submitting the story. So the story just grew and grew from there. I guess Dave Franco could play a good Daniel Grant who is Danny's best friend. Feel free to vote and comment.