"Hi Zack," she said, remembering at the club how he had said he had to leave, but she saw him sitting at the bar later. Don't worry about that now, she told herself, you can ask him about it some other time.
"I was wondering if you were busy tonight?"
"Well, actually, I am. I have party to go to, then I have dinner plans."
"Oh," he said, disappointed, "whom are you going with?"
"My brother, his friends and my friend, you meet them all last night. Then my…m-mom," she stuttered, it felt weird for her to call someone mom.
"I was kinda hoping you were free to go out and maybe catch a movie or something tonight. Since you already have plans tonight, maybe you would want to go out tomorrow?"
"I have a better idea. I'm sure nobody would mind if you came to the party with us."
He hesitated before answering. "That sounds great," he answered finally. Michelle smiled.
"Could you be ready in about half an hour, or isn't that enough time?"
"That's fine. Could you give me your address?" he asked. Michelle quickly gave him the address before hanging up the phone. Michelle grinned at Marie who had heard everything.
"Michelle's gotta date," Marie sang. Michelle laughed and threw a pillow off the couch at her. Marie grabbed a pillow and hit her back, feathers flying everywhere. Soon they had a full-blown pillow fight started. Feathers covered the living room floor as the battle continued. They heard the door open, and could hear everyone walking into the house.
"Uh oh," Marie whispered as they heard them approach the living room.
"What happened here?" Mrs. McLean exclaimed, seeing the room. Michelle and Marie hid the pillows behind their backs. "Girls, did you have a little fun while we were gone."
"Olivia did it!" Marie exclaimed suddenly. Michelle couldn't hold back, she started to laugh.
"We're really sorry. We'll clean it up," Michelle offered.
"Don't worry about it. I'll get the maid to clean it up while we are gone. You girls need to go get dressed."
"Um, Mrs. McLean, I mean, mom, I have something to ask you. Do you think it would be okay if I brought a date to the party?"
"That would be fine hun. So, what's his name?" Mrs. McLean, asked, then elbowed her gently in the side, questioning, "Is he cute?
Michelle headed towards the stairs, past all the guys. She turned back around to answer Mrs. McLean. "Thanks, Zack, and yes," she smiled, than ran upstairs followed by Marie. Michelle and Marie picked out light sundresses to wear to the party. Michelle's was medium blue with a white flower pattern and Marie's was light purple.
Michelle and Marie turned to the door when they heard someone cough deliberately. They saw Aj leaning against the doorframe.
"Michelle, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked.
"Sure," she replied, getting up from the bed where she had been sitting next to Marie. "I'll be right back, Mar." Aj led her down the hall to his room. He closed the door behind them to make sure Marie wouldn't be able to hear.
"So what's up?" Michelle asked.
"I was thinking about this and thought I would run it by you. What do you think if I tried to convince mom to adopt Marie too? We have plenty of room here, I'm sure you wouldn't mind having her around, and I don't want her to have to be sent back to the adoption center."
"You would do that?"
"Of course."
"And you think your mom…"
"Our mom."
"Our mom… would go for it?"
"I'm sure she would, I can tell she really likes Marie."
"Aj, if you could get her to do that, you would be the best person in the world. It would be absolutely wonderful."
"I'll ask her at the party and you'll know what she said by the end of the night."
"Thank you!" Michelle exclaimed throwing her arms around him, giving him a big hug.
"Your welcome, just don't say anything to Marie. I don't want to get her hopes up if it won't work out." Aj said, laughed at Michelle's excitement. Michelle "zipped her lips" then opened the door and headed back to her room. Marie was playing with Olivia when she walked back in.
"What are you so happy about?" Marie questioned, seeing Michelle's broad smile.
"Oh nothing. Come on, let's finish getting ready. We have to leave soon." She said quickly, putting the final touches on her hair.
"Chelle, I know you're up to something. I can tell by the look on your face, don't think I haven't seen it before."
"I'M not up to anything," Michelle answered truthfully. SHE wasn't do anything, it was Aj. Michelle smiled at the thought.
"Whatever, I just better not end up in a pool or something like last time."
