"Don't you normally work out on Thursday evenings?" Alex asked. John sighed.

"Yes, but I'm not going to tonight if you say yes to my damn question," John said, exasperated. He had been trying for three whole minutes to get Alex to go on a date with him. Alex was adamant in the fact that John used Thursday evenings for workouts, and he didn't want to keep John from that. Alex thought for a second.

"You know what, sure," Alex answered finally. John breathed a sigh of relief. "Where are we going?"

"Doesn't matter. We'll leave at 6:30. Dress nice... unless you want to dress casual because there's nothing stopping you," John said. Alex raised an eyebrow, but didn't argue.

"Okay.. well, I'll see you then, hun," Alex said slowly. John smiled and went down to the gym for the next few classes. He had been worried for a second. This reservation had taken forever for John to get, and he wasn't sure what he would have done if Alex had said no. The day went by ridiculously slow. John decided to give his kids a dodgeball day, since they were in between units, but dodgeball meant there was nothing for him to do. Watching a bunch of teenagers throw stuff at each other was only entertaining for so long.

Finally, though, the school day ended, and John had to mentally prepare for the night ahead. He was going to leave right away, but on his way to the doors realized that Washington's office light was still on. John made his way into his boss's office, to say goodnight.

"Hey, Mr. Washington," John said, standing in the principal's doorway. George looked up from the papers he was looking at and smiled warmly. "You wrapping up pretty soon?" George shrugged.

"It's only like 4:30, and I have quite a bit to do, so probably not. You, however, need to get your ass out of here," Washington laughed. John sighed. "Nervous?"

"Nervous? Why would I ever be nervous?" John said sarcastically. "Yeah, just a little." George chuckled.

"You'll be fine. Good luck, son," Washington said, lightheartedly shooing John out the door. John walked back into the hallway, and out the door. He took a deep breath of fresh air as soon as he stepped foot outside. Walking to his car, John pulled his phone out of his pocket and started scrolling through his contacts. He found the one he was looking for and climbed into his car, pressing the 'Call' button.

"Herc? I'll be at your place in fifteen minutes," John said. He hung up immediately after, knowing that his fashion-savvy friend understood. John spent the ten minute drive to Herc's house tapping his fingers on the steering wheel in anxiety. He couldn't believe this was happening. He couldn't believe he was doing this. 

John pulled into the parking lot of Hercules' apartment and got out of his car, racing to the building's doors. But, despite how quickly he got out of his car, he took one quick look into his glove compartment to make sure that his small velvet box was there.

AHHONECHAPTERLEFTT