Your Hand In Mine

- Shane -

It was probably around twelve thirty at night when the party had pretty much ended. Some of us stayed and helped my parents clean up. There were beer bottles and plates and food everywhere, and I would have felt bad if I had left without helping. However, I did feel bad about the fact that Kris had to stay and help clean up with me. He had a game in Buffalo tomorrow, well, I guess it would be considered today, but he probably needed to get home and get some sleep. Plus, he couldn't be having much fun cleaning up after my messy family. He said he didn't mind, though, that he was up a lot later than twelve thirty the night before he had a game, so we stayed for a little and picked up trash.

I spotted him outside gathering red cups and Miller Light bottles before I decided to walk over to him. "How's it coming?" I asked.

"Eh. It is coming. Your family sure do like to drink," he said and laughed a little.

"Yeah, and the more beer they consume, the louder they get."

"Sound like my teammate. They can get pretty embarrassing at time, too."

"I know what you mean. I'm just going to put the dishes in the dishwasher, and then we'll get going. Sound good?" I said through a yawn.

"Yep," he yawned, too. It always seemed weird to me that once somebody yawned, everyone else would, too. I sort of want to know why that happens..

We both laughed and I walked back into the kitchen to help Sam. I walked over to her and bumped into her with my hip. She did the same back and we laughed.

"Guess what?" she asked me.

"What?" I said, not really caring.

"I'm pretty sure Kris likes you," she said with a big smile.

I paused for a second. "Ha. Good one."

"I'm not kidding. I caught him glancing over at you, and every time he did, there was a smile on his face. You like him, too, don't you?"

I decided to tell her the truth. She wouldn't leave me alone until I did, anyway. "Fine," I huffed, letting a plate slip out of my hands and back into the murky water. "I like him, okay? But I doubt he likes me like that, so I'm not going to tell him because I'd just end up embarrassing myself and our friendship could possibly end right there. It's not worth it."

"Suite yourself. But don't say I didn't tell you so," she said and walked out of the kitchen.

I looked down to all of the dishes in and around the sink and sighed. Only half more to go.

I heard someone walk up beside me. "Need some 'elp?" Kris asked.

"Sure," I smiled and put another cup in the dishwasher.

"So, I 'eard some story about you," Kris said and ran a plate under the water before sticking it in the dishwasher.

I groaned, this can't be good. "Which stories did they tell you?"

"They told me about 'ow you beat up some kid who took your crayon and the one about 'ow you got that scar on your finger," he said and reached over to my hands to touch my finger that had the scar. Even the slightest touch made mini fireworks burst inside of me. What the hell's happening to me?

"My crayons were.. How do I put this?" I thought about it for a moment so it would make some sense to him. "Let's say, you had an autographed jersey of your favorite player and-"

"Scott Niedermayer," he corrected.

I sent him a look, and laughed a bit. " And some little jerk took it, you'd punch him, too, wouldn't you?"

"'ell yeah! There is no way that kid would be getting away without a bloody nose."

"See. My crayons are like your autographed jersey." He just laughed. "And that damn crab.. It hurt so bad. They freaking made me stand there and act like I was enjoying it. Assholes. I should have taken it and thrown it down their pants, then we'd see who was laughing."

Kris laughed again and cringed a little. "I do not even want to imagine what that would feel like."

"I'm sure it wouldn't be pleasant," I said and put the final bowl in the dishwasher. "Well, that was the last one. We make a great team," I said and put up my hand for a high five.

"We sure do," Kris said and gave me a high five, then closed the dishwasher.

"Let's tumble. My parents can do the rest tomorrow."

"Are you sure?"

"Yep," I replied. "Mom? Dad? Me and Kris are gonna get going," I called. They both appeared from the living room with trash in their hands.

"Okay. Thanks for staying and helping. Some of the family is just so damn messy," my mom said and hinted towards my dad's side of the family.

"Oh, stick a sock in it, Donna. Like your family keeps everything spick and span," my father shot back then gave me a hug. "Glad you came, sweetie," he told me.

"Yeah," I replied.

"Kris, it was nice to meet you. Good luck, huh?" my dad said and put his hand out for Kris to shake.

"Yeah, you, too. And thank you," Kris smiled and shook my dad's hand.

"Bye, honey," my mom said and gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"See ya, Mom."

"Nice to meet you," she said to Kris and waved.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, too," he said and gave her a little wave.

I turned and opened the door and let Kris walk out first. "Love you guys," I told my parents.

"Love you, too," they replied and closed the door.

"Thanks for coming. Sorry for keeping you here this late, though," I said to Kris.

"Your welcome, and it isn't a problem. I 'ad fun," he assured me.

"Good. Glad to hear my family didn't terrify you," I said and got into the driver side of my car. I heard him laugh as he got in the passenger side. Since he didn't know where my parents house was, I drove.

We listened to music, as usual, and Kris finally mastered all of the words to the Tik Tok parody. I made him sing the song by himself, too. His accent made it a little difficult to understand, though.

We pulled up to his apartment, and he got out then walked over to my side of the car, and I put my window down.

"Question number ten," he said, and I raised my eyebrows at him. What is it with this boy and his questions?

"Do you want to go to dinner wit' me when I get back from Buffalo?" he said, and I noticed a little bit of nervousness in his voice.

"Like a date?" Yeah, that wasn't supposed to come out of mouth. Dammit.

"Yeah, like a date," he said, and a smile came to his lips.

"Sure," I also said with a smile.

"Well, I will figure out where we should go and what time and let you know, okay?"

"Sounds good. Good luck in Buffalo, and don't you and the boys let me down. Kick their asses."

"Yes ma'am," he said and saluted me.

"See ya, Kris," I said with a smile.

"Alo'a, Shane," he said and turned around and walked into his apartment building.

I drove back home with a huge smile on my face, thinking of what Kris could possibly plan for our date.