The Uprisen

Chapter 8

At the end of the day,  Devin waits outside of his fifth period class for Willow.  When she walks out, he stops her and says, "Hey, Willow."

She looks over, surprised to see him waiting for her.  "Hi, Devin.  What's up?"  Willow starts walking towards the parking lot.

Walking with her, Devin says, "Well, I just wanted to thank you for helping me out today.  You made the first day less painful, you know?"

She smiles.  "Oh, it's no problem.  Anytime you need something, feel free to ask."

"Well actually, I was hoping I could make it up to you tonight."

Willow slows her pace and looks at Devin.  "What'd you have in mind?"

Devin thinks back to Riley's conversation with him a week ago.  Since he's never asked a girl out before, he desperately needed help, so Riley gave him some suggestions for a date and tips on how to ask.  He reviews the short lesson: smile, laugh, be confident, ask her to a movie, dinner, the beach, bowling...

Nervously, Devin asks, "Dinner?"

Willow's face turns a light red, and she quickly looks away for a moment.  She considers his offer, and finally says, "Okay."

Devin lets a deep breath of relief that he didn't notice he was holding.  "Yeah?" he asks with more disbelief than he'd intended.

"Yes.  But only if it's not fancy.  I showed you around the school, not pushed out the way of a speeding truck."  She gives him an expectant look.

"Uh, right.  Of course."

She walks over to her car-a white Ford Escape-and waits.

"Uh," Devin knows he's forgetting something, but he thought he covered all of the bases.  Step one: ask her out.  Step two: she says yes.  Step three: go on the date.  What else is there?

"So did you want to pick me up..?" Willow says, hinting at something that Devin is still a little slow at picking up on.

It clicks.  "Oh, yeah.  Duh.  Yeah, of course.  What time?"

She looks at him, a little amused.  "I have cross-country practice after school, so maybe six?"

"Sure, sounds great."  He smiles slightly embarrassed, and extremely thankful Willow hasn't changed her mind.

She takes off her backpack and sets it on her car, digging through it.  She rips off a piece of paper and takes out a pen, and writes something down on it.  As she hands it to Devin, she says, "My number.  Text me when you're ready to come and get me, and I'll give you my address."

Devin takes the paper.  "Cool, I'll see you later then."

"Yup, bye Devin."

"Bye," he says in a daze.  As he walks away, he's relieved, but mostly he feels stupid for acting so strange.  Now, he just has to convince Riley to lend him the car...

——-

Waverly doesn't really mind taking care of twenty-nine kids with her sister and Cameron, but by herself?  She's been home for only ten minutes, and already the kids start to rush in through the doors from school, talking, laughing, throwing backpacks on the ground.  Of course, this is usually how the days go during the school year, and she's become somewhat used to it, but today she has unexpected help.

While the kids gather in the study room, Jake separates them into five groups: math, science, English, history, and any other classes that don't fall into those categories.  Since it's only the second Monday of the school year, the kids have homework, but not to an impractical extent.  Separating the kids is a good in theory, but it's slightly unnecessary, but Waverly appreciates Jake's help.  In fact, the only uncomfortable aspect of it all is the fact that they're taking care of kids together when he used to watch over her.