“Leave your bullshit at the door!” I sang as I walked into school with Type and Shane the next day. “Shut up Shawn,” Type grumbled, rolling his eyes. “It’s way too early in the morning for you to be this hyper.”

                I grinned at him. “Yes, but today I ask Nina out. And if she accepts, which she will, you’ll be the only single one in our group,” I said smugly. “Fuck you. I could laid in 5 seconds if I wanted to,” he said, raising an eyebrow at me.

                I shrugged, unconcerned. “Rather have a girlfriend than a one night stand,” I said simply and he flipped me off and jokingly shoved me. I laughed, feeling in a great mood. Of course Nina would say yes when I asked her out. I was Shawn Jarvis.

                “Hi Shane,” Luna greeted, going over to him and kissing him. He smiled and hugged her, looking beyond happy. I smiled softly at them. Good for you, little brother. You deserve to be happy.

                “We’re going to our lockers. G-G-Good luck Shawn,” Shane said with a small smile. “Thanks Shane,” I said and gave him a one armed hug. I ruffled his hair and shoved him towards Luna. He smiled at me before taking her hand and walking off towards their lockers.

                “Well, go get your woman Shawn,” Type said. “Why thank you Typession. By the way, how’s your brother doing with his girlfriend?” I asked. Type’s older brother, Bruce, had been considering moving in with his girlfriend. Bruce and his dad did NOT get along at all. They hated each other.

                Type shrugged. “I give it a week before he knocks her up,” he said and laughed. I ran a hand through my hair and smiled, a bit nervously. “And now, I’m off to ask her out!” I said, trying to sound confident.

                “Go get her, killer,” Type said and we laughed. I waved to him before going off in search of Nina. I was feeling nervous now. And I rarely got nervous. I just…I really liked her.

                I saw her at her locker and smiled to myself. I crept up behind her and wrapped my arms around her. “Good morning Shawn,” she greeted with a small smile. “Hey there beautiful lady,” I said and rested my chin on her shoulder as she exchanged a few books.

                She finished and shut her locker, shoving a notebook in her bag. She turned and smiled at me. I held my arms out and she went into them. I hugged her tightly and tried to mentally prepare myself to ask her out. I didn’t want to stutter like Shane, or mess this up. I was terrified I was going to embarrass myself, and then Nina would laugh at me. Yea. Real smooth, Shawn. Real smooth.

                “So, what’s up for today Shawn? Are we hanging out after school?” she asked with a smile once we had released each other. I shrugged and nodded. “We can go back to my house, if my dad didn’t scare you too bad,” I said with a nervous laugh. Oh lord. I really hoped my dad hadn’t terrified her too bad. He tended to scare people.

                “He was kind of scary, but he was tired,” she said and laughed. “Yea. Sorry about that. He’s, uh, trying to quit drinking too. It puts him in a really bad mood,” I said and played with my lip ring. She smiled at me. “I’d love to hang out with you at your house afterschool Shawn,” she said and I smiled back at her. “Cool,” I said and we began to walk towards class.

                “So, Nina, who do you like?” I asked, trying to be smooth. Aw, fuck it. I was attractive and I wasn’t an ass to her. Hopefully that would be enough to get me in a relationship right now.

                Nina blushed, to my surprise. I hadn’t been expecting that. “He’s just a guy,” she mumbled shyly. “I hope he’s a guy named Shawn Jarvis,” I said curiously. She glanced at me and blushed harder, shrugging her shoulders. “Maybe,” she said with a small smile.

                “Good. Because Shawn Jarvis likes this beautiful girl named Nina Ingles,” I said with a small smile. She looked at me and smiled wider. “Really?” she asked and I nodded and held my hand out to her.

                She took it and I stopped. “Will you be my girlfriend?” I asked with a smile. “I would be honored, Mr. Jarvis,” she said and I hugged her and kissed her gently.

                “Well, I’ll see you later,” I said with wink as the bell rang. I kissed her again before heading off in search of my brother. I found him and Luna walking to class and talking.

                “Shane! Bro, we are now a set of taken twins,” I said with a grin. “Awesome Shawn! I’m really happy for you,” he said with a small smile, slapping me a high five. “She’s coming over afterschool again. I have a feeling mom’s going to bitch at me,” I grumbled and Shane frowned. “Aw, Shawn. She doesn’t want you to make the same mistakes she and dad made,” he said quietly.

                Not wanting to start a fight with him about mom and ruin my good mood, I just shrugged and smiled widely. “Let’s get to class,” I said and he and I waved to Luna before walking off together. I was in a great mood. Better than I had been in a long while.

                I was going to make this relationship count for something. I really liked Nina and I wanted to make sure she liked me too. I would treat her right and make her happy. I was going to be a better man than even my dad had ever been.