"Um, I'm not really sure what to tell you. Go on vacation with your dad? You said he doesn't normally live here."

"But what about Nick?" I bury my face in my hands.

Awkward silence. I look up to notice Eden, Alta, Stella and Lizzie looking very confused.

"Um. Who is Nick?" Eden says with caution.

"I haven't told you?" I ask, confused.

"About what?" Eden questions. "The last time you came, it was about your mom and your dad."

I sigh. "Right. Well this guy asked me out maybe a week before I met you. I like him and I'm afraid that something will happen if I just leave." I leave it at that.

"Micah. Look at me," Eden says, a serious but kind tone in her voice. She grabs my and begins rubbing it softly with her thumb. It's soothing.

"I know you don't want to leave him in the brink but you need to do what's best for you." She pauses. "And at this point, that is getting away from your mother. He'll understand. Trust me."

"But..." I sigh. She's right. I have to get away from Lauren. She's the reason of my anxiety. She's the kneehole ruined my life.

There's another moment of silence, all the girls looking at me expectantly.

"Okay," I reply.

They return to eating their pancakes, and I do too. Mine had just arrived and it is steaming. The delicious smell filled my nose, relaxing my tense muscles. I shovel a few forkfuls into my mouth, swallowing. Then I go back for more.

We eat, chatting quietly, for about ten minutes. Then my phone rings.

Everyone turns to stare at me. Last time my phone rang while I was with them, it was my mom.

I check the number quickly, but I don't recognize it. I wave away the girls, and they return to their pancakes as I stand up. I go outside, then hold the phone up to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Micah," comes the reply. I recognize the voice immediately. It's Norman.

"Oh," I say, surprised. "It's you."

"Yup." I hear his chuckle a bit. "Come over to my house. I want to meet you family."

The phone hangs up.

"What - " I grunt. That's annoying. Where does he live?

I make my way back to the table where the girls are eating.

"Who was it?" Eden questions.

"This boy. Norman. He wants me to go to his house."

"Do you...know him?" Lizzie asks. She tucks a lock of blonde hair behind her ear.

I nod. " I just need to find out where he lives."

An hour later, with the help of the school directory, Google maps, and a bus, I arrive at the steps of Norman's house. It turns out to be a reasonably-sized brick house, about half the width and length of my mother's mansion.

I ring the doorbell, hoping I have the right place.

A mili-second later, Norman swings open the wooden door, a huge smile printed on his pale face. His brown eyes sparkle in the bright sunlight, and he, I have to admit, looks extremely handsome.

"Hi, Mikey!" He exclaims, almost shouting.

I cringe. "Please don't call me that," I whisper, not intending for him to hear.

"Come inside, please." He moves to side, making way for me to enter. I'm still not sure about this. Should I be going in here? What would Nick think?

"I've got something for you," Norman says.

I turn to him.

From behind his back, he produces a bag of flour. He hands it to me, smiling widely. I take it in my hands, staring at it, confused. Why did he give me flour?

Norman notices my confusion, and says, "I didn't know what kind of flowers to get you, so I bought all-purpose."

This causes me to start laughing so much that I almost fall over. I grab the doorknob to stop my self from landing at Norman's feet, who, poor boy, is standing still, an expression on his face so confused and disorientated that it sends me cracking up even more.

"What's...wrong? What did I do?" He finally asks. He looks as if he might be about to cry.

I bite my lip, trying to hold back from laughing anymore. "It's...nothing. Not you." I smile, and he returns it feebly.

"Who's this?" A loud, womanly voice comes from next to me.

Startled, I turn quickly to see a skinny woman, dressed gallantly in a long beaded black slip. Something about her creased face and laughing eyes strikes me as familiar, yet I can't identify why.

"Mother," says Norman. "This is Ms. Micah Tanner, a friend of mine."

I giggle a bit at the way I was addressed, then look back at the woman, extending my hand. She takes it in a nice, firm shake. "Nice to meet you," I say, formally.

She smiles. "You remind of someone," she says, looking at me intently.

"You too," I blurt out.

She purses her lips. "Welcome to the Dashing house."

"Excuse me?" I ask.

"Dashing is our family name," Norman explains.

"I thought it was Baker." This whole thing is confusing.

"Baker is my mother's maiden name," Norman explains. "Dashing is my father's last name. My mother thought it was better for an actress to have a more charming name."

"Okay..." I'm not sure I completely understand, but I don't want him to confuse me even more.

"So, I bet you wondered why I called you here."