I'm walking through Arin's house when I feel someone grab my wrist. I stop walking and say wearily, "What is it, Arin?"

When I don't get an answer, I sigh and turn around, but it's not Arin that has my hand.

It's Dan.

"Oh!" I say, the weariness that was in my voice gone. "Um...what can I do for ya...partner?"

What am I saying? "Partner"? Really, (Y/N)?

"You can just listen to me and not say anything. There's something really important I need to tell you," Dan says, reluctantly releasing my hand.

"Okay...speak away," I say with a shy smile.

He smiles at my smile and grabs both of my hands this time. "I know that we haven't even been on a date yet...but we don't need to go on one. I already know that I really, really like you. And I want you to be my girlfriend." He smiles a little. "Okay. You can speak now."

I tense up, extremely happy to hear those words. But uh, isn't this...whatever this is...moving a little fast? Like Dan said, we haven't even been on a date yet. "Um...this is moving a bit fast..," I say, looking down.

"I know," Dan says, squeezing my hands. "I know. But...I don't mind how fast this is moving." He begins to look nervous. "Do you..?"

I try to decide if I mind it or not. And after a bit, I come up with an answer to Dan's question.

   I smile shyly and say, "No...I don't."

   Dan smiles and takes my face in his hands. We look into each other's eyes, slowly starting to lean in.

   Before I know it, my lips meet his. Dan pulls me close to him and wraps his arms around my waist. I rest my hands on his chest as he deepens the kiss. I run my fingers through his long hair, amazed at how soft it is.

   Dan pulls apart, making me sigh in disappointment. He looks at me, smiling. "So...wanna go on a date..?"

~~

   My eyes flutter open, my face as red as a tomato due to the dream I just had. I sit up, running a hand down my face. Wow. That dream was certainly something...One of the better ones that I've had.

I'm about to lay down and go back to sleep, since I'm tired (and since I wanna have another dream about me and Dan). But I smell something that makes me sit up once again.

What is that? It smells heavenly.

I gasp as I realize what it is.

Biscuits and gravy!

Arin and I used to have it all the time for breakfast. Our dad was the one who made it, and let's just say his recipe made my tastebuds rejoice. Arin would practically beg to have it every morning.

I spring up from my temporary bed and dash into the kitchen, passing a sleeping Dan on the way there. Even though I'm running past him, I still notice how cute he looks when he's sleeping. He's snoring softly and is smiling a little in his sleep.

Once I get to the kitchen, I whisper to Arin, who's cooking, "Biscuits and gravy?" I guess Suzy's still sleeping in her and Arin's room, since I haven't seen her yet.

Arin smirks, turning to look at me. "You know it, sis. I know how much you love it."

   I hug Arin tightly. "Thanks, big bro!"

   Arin hugs me back, laughing a little. "Anytime, little sis."

   Dan walks into the kitchen as Arin and I pull apart. His hair is all messy and his eyes are squinted, not being able to handle the light shining in through the kitchen window. He moans tiredly and plops into a chair, resting his head on the kitchen table.

   "Morning sleepyhead," I tease, walking up to Dan and ruffling his soft hair. Wow. It's as soft as it was in my dream.

   Dan moans once more and shuts his eyes. "Morning," he says softly.

   "How'd you sleep?" Arin asks, looking at Dan over his shoulder as he continues to cook.

   "Good," Dan says, taking his head off the kitchen table and stretching. "What about you guys?"

   "Good," Arin says.

   I blush, remembering the dream I had while I was asleep. My brain loves to remind me of the most embarrassing things at the most inconvenient times. I slept g-good too," I mumble, looking down at the ground.

   A smug smile immediately crosses Arin's face. Damn. He knows what's up.

   How does he do that? How can he practically read my mind?

   Dan looks at me with a raised eyebrow, not knowing why I'm stuttering.

   That's when Suzy walks into the kitchen. She smiles. "Biscuits and gravy?" She asks immediately, walking up to Arin and kissing his cheek as a good morning.

   Arin holds Suzy close. "Yep. It's always been one of the Hanson family's favorites."

   Dan and I notice how Arin and Suzy are looking at each other lovingly, and we both have very similar reactions to it:

   Dan pretends to gag, and I say "ew" in a very obnoxious voice.

Arin rolls his eyes and wraps an arm around Suzy. "Hate all ya want. Suzy and I are the cutest couple on the planet!"

I laugh. "What are you, in high school? That sounds like a high schooler claim."

"Mentally, probably," Arin says with a shrug, releasing his wife.

"Very much mentally," Dan agrees, nodding his head. The movement makes his floof bounce, making me internally say "awww".

   "Hey, Dan? Could you set up the table, please?" Arin says, adding the finishing touches on the biscuits and gravy.

   "Sure," Dan says and tiredly stands up from his chair. He stretches, moaning.

   I feel bad that I'm not helping at all. That I'm just sitting here while my brother cooks and my crush sets the table. So I offer to set it.

   "I'll set the table, Dan," I say, picking up some plates.

   "No, it's okay," Dan says, taking them from me. "I'm always happy to set the table for a lady as beautiful as you."

I blush. "You sure..? I'm happy to help. In fact, I'd rather help than not."

"I'm sure," Dan says with a soft smile. "Besides, it's high time I do something around here. Hell, I just show up to most of the things I'm a part of."

   I nod and back off.

   Arin sets the biscuits and gravy on the table while Dan moves from seat to seat, putting down plates, napkins, and forks.

"Okay! Everything's all set, so let's dig in!" Arin says happily, sitting down at the kitchen table.

Everyone else, including me, sits down as well. We begin to eat, and the biscuits and gravy are just as good as they used to be.

"Mmm, these are great, Arin! You made them just like how Dad used to make them," I say, smiling at my older brother. (I just realized that Arin is 8 years younger than Dan, and if (Y/N)'s younger than Arin, that's just weird. So, for the sake of this story, Dan's gonna be the same age as Arin.)

"Aww, thanks, (Y/N)," Arin says. "Glad you like them."

"You know, I've never been a fan of biscuits and gravy, but these are super good!" Dan says with a mouthful of food.

"Awwwww," Arin giggles. "You guys are gonna make me blush!"

Suzy rolls her eyes, smiling.

There's a bit of silence. It's not awkward, surprisingly. It's strangely comfortable.

Arin breaks the comfortable silence with, "So, I was thinking..." He pauses, "...maybe we could go somewhere today. Have some fun in the sun."

"What about the beach?" Suzy suggests excitedly.

Dan shakes his head frantically. "No, no, no, no. We are not going to the beach. There are sharks at the beach, and sharks devour humans."

"Okay, since Dan's a little baby," I say, looking at Dan with a smug smile, "maybe we could go to a lake."

Dan opens his mouth to comment on my jab at him, but closes it as he thinks about my idea. "That actually sounds like fun!" he says with a cheesy smile.

"That does sound like fun!" Arin says. He looks at his wife. "Suzy? What do you think?"

Suzy smiles. "I think that sounds like the perfect day!"

"And Dan, maybe you could use today to a—" Arin starts to say, but Dan cuts him off.

"SO WHAT SHOULD WE BRING TO THE LAKE?" Dan says rather loudly.

I raise an eyebrow and look at Arin, who's smirking at Dan. Honestly, this boy is never up to any good.

Suzy actually answers Dan, not wanting him to feel more awkward than he already does. "Sunscreen...an umbrella...bathing suits...snacks...towels...maybe a beach ball?" she says.

   Dan nods, and another silence washes over the table. This time an awkward one.

   After a bit of time, Dan stands up and says, "Arin, can I see you in the living room for a second?"

   Arin stands up as well, that familiar smirk making its way into his face. "Sure, Daniel."

   Then the two men walk into the living room. Arin's walk as more of a swagger to it, and Dan's has more of a slump.

   Me and Suzy exchange glances, and we, at the same time, dart closer to the living room so that we can hear what they're saying.

   "Really, man?" I hear Dan hiss. "You almost blew my cover!"

   "What's the problem? You're gonna ask her anyways," Arin says back.

   "But I want (Y/N) to hear it from me. And I want her to hear it when the time is right," Dan whispers. "So if you drop any hints, consider our friendship over."

   "Fine, Jesus." Arin sighs with disappointment.

   "Why do I even bother sharing stuff with you?" Dan mumbles in frustration.

   "Hey..!" Arin says.

   That's when me and Suzy dart back to our spots at the table, since we can hear the two men coming back.

   Huh. I wonder what Dan wants to ask me.

   The two men come back in. We continue eating as if nothing ever happened. But what Dan said is running through my head.

   What does he want to ask me?