"So you're telling me that you invited your crush to our house, after six o'clock, and it's NOT a date?!"

"Yes."

Stanley banged his head against the wall.  "You really are hopeless, Sixer."

"Maybe."  I risked a glance at the clock: six fifty-five.  I ran a hand through my hair in a last-minute attempt to untangle it before Y/N came.  "Do I look alright?"

"You look underdressed for a date," he grunted. 

"For the last time, it's not a date!"

"Whatever floats your boat."

I let out a huff.  My twin could be so annoying at times. 

Ding-Dong!

"I've got it!" I yelled as I ran down the steps two at a time. I opened the door to see Y/N, standing on the sidewalk in front of the shop, pretty as ever.  "Y/N!  Great to see you!"

"Right back atcha, Stanford.  Nice place you got here."  She stepped inside and looked around, fascinated by all the oddities she saw.  "Where do you get all this stuff?"

"It's best not to ask."

Stan let out a cough that sounded suspiciously like "date."  I glared at him. 

Y/N rolled her eyes and flushed slightly.  "It's not a date, Stanley.  Stanford just invited me over to find materials for science fair."  It sounded like she was trying to convince herself. 

Stanley wasn't impressed.  "Nerds," he grumbled, then stomped back upstairs.

Y/N adjusted her glasses, something I noticed to be a nervous habit.  "Is he always like this?"

"No, usually he's worse.  I think he likes you."

Y/N laughed, a beautiful sound that filled the pawn shop.  "He's a real charmer."  She looked around, trying to find something she could use.  "Where's the electronic stuff?"

"It should be near the back."  We carefully made our way to the back wall, trying not to step on the merchandise on the cluttered floor. 

The bell above the entrance jingled.  I snapped my head around to see Stan close the door from the outside, then produce his key.

My eyes widened.  "You wouldn't."

Stan grinned mischievously from the other side of the door.  "Watch me."  He fit the key into place and turned it.

We were locked in.

"STANLEY! YOU UNLOCK THE DOOR RIGHT NOW OR I'LL-"

"Or you'll what, Poindexter?  You lovebirds are stuck in there until you admit it's a date."

Y/N blushed a deep scarlet. "STANLEY PINES, YOU SON OF A-"

"Uh, what was that? Can't hear you from the outside."  He smirked at our reactions. "You two have an identical expression on your face, it's adorable."  He laughed and turned around, leaning on the glass door. 

I felt a migraine coming on.  "Geez, I'm sorry about all this-"

"Hey, don't apologize for something you didn't do."  She gave Stanley a deadly glare through the window.  "However, I am totally going to sock your brother when I get out."

I snorted.  "He deserves it."

Y/N fidgeted with her sweater sleeve, trying to come up with conversation.  "So... if we're going to be here for a while, we might as well get what we came here for."

"Oh, right."  What Stan said got me thinking.  Would this be considered a date?

We trudged to the back of the store again, Y/N stopping every few seconds to pick up something.  The silence was deafening.  "So, Y/N, I've been meaning to tell you..."

She froze.  "Yeah?"

Come on, Stanford, you can do this.  Probably.  "Well, ever since I knocked you down the day we met, I can't get you out of my head.  The thing is... I like you.  Is that crazy?"  I tensed, expecting rejection.  This was the worst first non-date ever.  Heck, this "date" was forced by my knucklehead brother. 

Y/N paused.  "Actually... I don't know.  If it was anyone else, I would say yes, but you're the first person who's showed me an ounce of decency, without any pity over my missing hand."  She subconsciously rubbed her stump.  "You came after me that day when Crampelter was being a jerk, and talked me through it.  And you didn't make fun of my ridiculous science fair project, either.  So no, I don't think that's crazy at all."

My face broke into a grin as I processed what she said.  "You- you really mean it?!"

"Why would I lie to you?"  She returned my eager smile and gave me a hug.  I froze for a second out of shock, then hugged her back. 

Reluctantly, Y/N pulled out of the embrace.  She smiled shyly and pushed up her glasses.  Note to self: fix her loose glasses.  "I should probably head home, though."  She motioned towards the small pile of machinery she had collected. 

"Of course."  I made my way over to the door.  "STAN!  YOU WIN!  THIS IS KIND OF, TECHNICALLY, A DATE!"

He let loose a crooked grin.  "It's about time, nerds."  He unlocked the door painstakingly slow and let us out. 

"Thanks for inviting me, Stanford.  I... actually kind of liked that.  But give me a second."  Y/N dropped the parts she was holding, marched up to Stan, and punched him squarely in the jaw. 

Stan stumbled back and held his chin.  "I may have deserved that."

I rolled my eyes.  "No kidding."

Y/N picked up her machinery and started to walk home.  "See you tomorrow, Stanford."  She gave me another small smile and rounded the corner, out of my sight. 

I didn't notice I was staring at the spot I saw her last until Stanley socked me lightly on the shoulder.  "Not bad, Poindexter.  Not bad at all."