Arabella's POV

"Okay, next criminal." Henry said as the three of us were scrolling through the lists of wanted criminals.

I scrolled to the next criminal and it was man named Malkoff.

"They call him 'Malkoff'" I informed.

"He steals dogs then shaves them and sells their hair to wig shops." Charlotte reads.

Henry groaned. "Sick weirdo."

"I know." I agreed.

"Guys! Guys! Hey! Hey!" My dad came sprinting from the sprocket. "Any messages come in for me while I was in the bathroom?"

So, my dad and Henry stopped the Time Jerker two weeks ago and my dad spoke about Montego's on an interview after he and Henry stopped the Time Jerked. My dad is incredibly anxious to try the steak from Montego's, because he loves steak and wants to try that specific steak more than anything. Montego's a fancy restaurant that requires special reservations to be able to eat at. I've never been there, but it would be awesome to eat at.

"No, dad. that restaurant still hasn't called you." I denied.

"Ding dang it!" He exclaimed, waving his arms and legs around frantically.

"Dude, if you want steak let's just go to Back Out Steakhouse." Henry suggested.

"No!" My dad complained. "Anybody can go to Back Out Steakhouse! I want to go to Montego's."

"Oi vey." Charlotte sighed and I rolled my eyes.

"Daddy, I want you to sit down, relax, and finish your juice." I told my dad and sat him down next to his juice. My dad picked up his juice and sucked it down.

"There you go, don't you feel better?" Henry asked him.

My dad shot up. "I just don't get it! I said it on the news two weeks ago. I said, "Feel free to invite me to your restaurant, Mr. Montego." And you know he heard about me saying that, you know it!"

The emergency hotline rings and my dad lit up like a Christmas tree. "Oh, maybe that's Montego's! Move, move!" My dad pulled me out of the chair and Henry caught me as my dad sat down and answered the line.

"Hello, Captain Man hotline. What is it, please?" My dad answered, politely.

"Hello? I'm calling from the Swellview Home for the Elderly."

"Ahh, you're not Montego's!" My dad hung up of them and marched out of the chair.

"Dude, you can't hung up on people like that!" Henry berated.

"Especially elderly people!" I add.

"That could've been an emergency." Charlotte remarked and the line rang again, but Henry answered it this time.

"Yeah, hi, what's your emergency?"

"A man broke in here and stole all our money and our clothing. We're all here naked. Can you come help us?"

"I'm sorry, did you say you're all elderly and naked?" Henry asked with confusion.

"Yes, that's right."

"Sorry, wrong number." Henry ended the call and we continued on with our day.

——

So, Henry get an invitation to Montego's for saving his teacher from bleeding to death from stepping on a large nail, so she rewarded him with a gift card for two at Montego's restaurant.

Everyone was trying to convince Henry to take them, but he kept denying them and wanted to take someone special. We have no idea who it is, but my dad is trying his best to get Henry to take him.

I was watching tv in the Man Cave and I heard he elevator doors open. I turned around and saw Henry standing there.

"Hey, Hen, how goes it?"

"Not bad, not bad." He said and I nodded, turning my attention to the tv. "Quick question, are you busy Saturday night?"

"I'm never busy." I giggle and pause tv, turning to Henry. "Why?"

"Wanna go to Montego's with me?" He asked me and pulled out a red rose from behind his back.

My mouth fell open and I was basically speechless. "What?"

He chuckled and got closer to me. "Do you want to go with me to Montego's?"

"No, I heard you, but I'm highly confused." I remarked and stood up, approaching the sidekick. "Why me?"

He rubbed his neck with a blush. "Because, you're one of the only people who hasn't begged me to take them and you're a great girl, who deserves a special night out."

I smiled sweetly at him and accepted the rose. "Aww, that's sweet. I'd love to go with you."

"Sweet. I'll pick you up at seven." Henry confirmed and I nodded.

"Perfect."

Why am I enjoying this? I feel happy Henry is taking me.

——

Saturday

Saturday night rolled around and I was excited, but at the same time I feel guilty. My dad wanted to go to this restaurant so bad and Henry asked me to go, and not my dad. I promised my dad I would bring him a piece of steak, so he could have some, but I still feel bad.

My outfit was cute though. I had a pink sweater on with a floral skirt and tan pumps. I feel short next to Henry, because he's gotten taller and I haven't grown much. I'm almost 5 feet tall, just give me another year or five.

I waited in Junk-N-Stuff for Henry to arrive and the door opened to reveal a dressed up Henry. I gave him a smile and he sort of stared at me.

"Hey." I greeted and he slowly walked up to me.

"Hi..." He said and took in my appearance. I feel uncomfortable and shifted my weight as he stared at me. I feel weird. "You look..."

My cheeks heated up and he finished.

"Beautiful."

Woah. That's new.

"Uh...thanks..." I awkwardly say and my cheeks heated up again. "Friend."

He laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, friend."

Why do I keep feeling weird? What is happening to me?"

It was awkward, before I decided to walk forward.

"Let's go."

"Alrighty."

Henry opens the door for me and we walked out.

——

We arrive at Montego's and it was a beautiful restaurant. I definitely felt out of place, because I don't usually go to restaurants like this ever.

"Wow." I smile. "This is so fancy."

"I know." Henry chuckled as we walked down the steps together and we saw two odd looking people talking to the waiter. We recognized the two people as my dad and Schwoz, who were dressed up as Henry and myself.

"Is Schwoz wearing my dress?" I asked Henry.

"I think so." He nodded before we approached them.

"Dad?" I asked and got their attention.

"Uh, no, I'm Henry Hart, teenager!" My dad quickly says.

"I'm Henry Hart!" Henry corrected.

"Daddy, why are you here?" I asked my father.

"No, I'm not your father! I'm in ninth grade, dude!" My dad denied, using a stupid voice

"Pardon me, where's the ladies room?" Schwoz asked the man with a high voice.

"I know you're not a girl." The man remarked.

"Prove it." Schwoz challenged.

"Gross." The man said and the four boys began to argue with one another.

I sighed before putting my fingers in my mouth and whistled loudly. I got their attention and folded my arms.

"Daddy, why you guys here pretending to be us?" I asked my dad.

"Why are you here pretending to be us?" Schwoz shot back.

"Yeah, son!" My dad added.

"Is this because you wanted to go to this restaurant with Henry?" I asked my dad, who looked away with embarrassment.

"Yeah, you know he's been dying to come to this restaurant for years." Henry responded.

"I know he has, and I was considering letting him go instead of me." I admitted and my dad looked at me. "I felt really bad."

"Airy, you shouldn't." Henry reasoned.

"He's my dad and I love him." I say and my dad grinned softly. "If he wants to stay than he can stay."

"Really?" My dad asked

"Ray, I think you should go-"

"No!" I stopped Henry from taking my dad away. "It's okay. It'd be really cool to eat here, but you're more important to me than that. Just have dinner with him."

"You sure?" Henry asked.

"Sure, she's sure!" My dad exclaimed. "Look at my babygirl!" My dad hugged me and I giggle. "I love you, Cookie."

"I love you, daddy." I say as we pull away and I hand him the gift card. He stared at the card with excitement and made sure it was real.

"Alright man, looks like we're having dinner here together." Henry declared.

"And me too?" Schwoz asked.

"No, the reservation is only for two." The man informed.

"Oh." Schwoz said. "No problem." Schwoz pointed ahead. "Balloons."

We all look ahead and saw nothing, but when we looked back we see Schwoz had ran into the diner and stole a piece of steak. He was laughing and looked at us, before running up the stairs.

"Have fun." I smile at them, but Henry pulled me back.

"I'm sorry-"

"It's okay, I'm cool with it." I assured Henry and I did something brave and stupid.

I kissed his cheek and his face turned red. "I'm glad you asked me in the first place. Have fun with my dad."

I turned away and walked up the steps of the restaurant with red cheeks.

What is this feeling in my chest? It's weird, but I like it. I just don't know what it is.