The next morning I was dragged out of bed by the annoying sound of my phone ringing on my dresser.

  "Ooowww it's too early!" I groaned as I tossed my comforter from my body.

I somehow managed to get out of bed with my eyes closed and find my phone. Whoever was calling me two hours before my alarm clock has a definite death wish.

  "This better be good." I answered in a hoarse and tired tone.

  "What are you doing right now?" I heard someone whisper on the other end.

  "I was sleep! Who the hell is this."

  "Skipper. I can't go back to sleep. I need to see you now."

  "Where's Andre?"

  "He's asleep. Please mouse can I come over?"

He's never begged me like this before. Something must have happened last night after he got home if he's calling me to come over hours before school. I wiped my eyes and yawned before giving him confirmation.

  "Alright. But I can't come and pick you up."

  "It's fine I can manage. Just meet me at the back door."

  "What's going on?"

  "We'll talk about it when I get there. Now hang up I'm on my way."

I hung up the phone quietly made my way to the bathroom. Since I'm up early I might as well get my routine out of the way. I washed my face and brushed my teeth and was about to do my makeup when I heard the gate from my backyard close.

  "Damnit Prince." I scoffed.

Running downstairs I made it to the door before he noticed. When he came to the first step I opened the door and let him inside.

  "You got your stuff?" I asked him.

  "My book bag is out back. Can we talk?" He whispered.

  "Yeah sure. Where?"

He looked up the steps and that was my cue to lead him to my room.

  "Come on but you have to be quiet. You know how my mom feels about me having a boy in my room. Even if we did grow up together."

  "Deal." He said as I took his hand.

We tip toed to my room and I closed the door as Prince got comfortable on my bean bag. I let out a sigh and sat down on the bed next to him.

  "So what was so important that you had to drag me out of bed at 5am?" I hissed as laid back on my bed.

  "Well the fall formal is coming up and I was thinking about asking the new girl."

His shy demeanor was showing through as he spoke and it was never more adorable.

  "That's what you wanted to talk to me about?"

  "It's not just about that. You're a girl and.....you know what girls like. I wanna find a way to ask her without being so lame."

  "Awwww! Look at you! Mr. Grown up. Who's the lucky lady you're trying to win over?" I smirked.

Prince looked like he didn't want to say because he was so nervous. He fumbled his hands in his lap and looked down at the floor.

  "Come on Skipper you can tell me." I coaxed.

  "You won't be mad at me?" He asked.

  "Why would I be mad? I think it's groovy you're even gonna go. I always thought you didn't do dances."

  "I don't but I'm willing to try this one."

  "Ok now back to the question at hand. Who's the girl?"

He looked back down at the floor and took a deep breath.

  "Her name is Denise. I met her yesterday in the hallway. She dropped her books after some idiot bumped into her."

I've never been more impressed. I'm actually excited for him. This would be his first date ever to a school function. Come to think of it. This would be his first school function period! He's been so focused on his music that he's never took the time out to just be a kid. For an immature nerd outside of school when it came to doing regular things he can prove to be quite the adult when it involves his future and a girl he was really crushing on. This Denise chick must really have him wrapped around d her finger.

  "Well now! Look at you! Getting funky with it!"

Prince began to blush as I nudged him in his arm with my elbow throwing him compliments.

  "Oh stop it's not all like that." He said modestly.

  "Like hell its not! Skip this is......this is big for you! Well maybe not as big as getting a deal one day but it's pretty big!"

  "What do I do Mouse? I really wanna ask her but I don't wanna fuck it all up and if I wait too long......can you help me? Please?"

  "Alright quit your beggin' I'll help you. But if you were smart you'd ask her today."

  "How?"

  "Just go up to her and ask? What's the worst she could do? Say no and slap the shit outcha?"

  "That actually is the worst thing."

  "NO. The worst thing could be her laughing and walking off. I don't want that for you."

  "Kinda like how I didn't want that for you?"

The slow sting in his comment made me want to slap fire from his soul but I decided to be the caring friend that I am and ignore him.

  "ANYWAY.....don't try to be cool because you just might scare her off. Just be real. Get to the point. No corny pick up lines and no sappy love song lyrics. Not even your own. The absolute most important thing of all......leave the guys out of this. Unless you wanna fight off Andre and Morris keep them at a distance until the night of the dance. Those two vultures will snatch that poor girl up and make her their next target if you do."

Prince seemed to like my advice. He especially agreed with keeping his friends out of the loop.

  "Mouse your the best. How could I do this without you?"

  "You can't troll. Now go home so I can go back to sleep."

  "Right. And I'm the troll." He said with a smile.

He kissed me on the cheek and left out of my room as quietly as he came in.

  "See you later sleeping beauty." He whispered before he headed downstairs.

  "Bye Skippy." I whispered back as I watched him go down the steps.

I listened for the back door to softly close then went over to my window to find Prince cutting through my backyard to get back home. Before he hopped the fence I saw he was looking at his childhood home next door. I bet he was really sad looking at the place where he grew up and finding it so dark even with the sunlight hitting it. He must really miss being at home with his family. I hope they all can find some common ground. Even though he's only a few blocks over I miss him being my best friend next door.