Dean
As he rose out of his seat he knew it was going to be an awkward meal.
"Come on Dean no need to be slow. I know I'm older but, I'm not that much older than you."
"Sorry"
"It's okay I am just messing with you," Alex smiled as he sat down at the table across from Alison, gesturing for Dean to take the seat to his left.
Dean, not seeing a way out of it, sat down. He was between the two siblings, with Alison on his left and Alex on his right. As he looked up to face Alison he realized she was giving him a fierce glare.
Alex cleared his throat louder than necessary to gain Alison's attention and he gave her a look as if asking her to behave. In return, she gave a slight nod and kept her gaze locked on her brother.
"So Dean, Alison tells me you are a new student."
"Yes, I just enrolled last Thursday."
"If you don't mind my asking. How come you are starting mid-October instead of joining in September like most students?"
"If I'm frank I started attending a private school that offered some music classes, but shortly after the year began my music teacher said she saw great potential in me and convinced my mother and I that the Arts Academy would be the best place to spend my last two years of high school. So next thing I knew she was helping me film my audition and giving me a great recommendation letter and I just had to sit back and wait for a response. Two weeks later I got the call saying I was accepted."
"Oh wow so you are a Junior like Alison correct?"
"Yes, I am."
"And how old are you?"
"17 ??"
"You don't sound so sure."
"Yes I'm sure I just … nevermind"
"Okay, so what are you majoring in?"
"Singing and Songwriting"
"Wow so is Alison"
"So I heard"
"What else have you heard?"
"Um, that she is very talented but doesn't like to perform and that she is a bit antisocial."
"Spot on now tell me how do you know this? Have you been asking around?" The look Alexander gave Dean had him worried because he knew if he gave the wrong response lunch would take a turn for the worse.
"Stop interrogating him, would you. Principal Wayburn spilled the beans to him the day he enrolled, and practically forced me to give Dean a tour of the campus."
Alex leaned back in his chair and smiled at his sister, "I was wondering when you were planning to speak up. So tell me, why is the old man trying to set you up?"
"He thinks me being antisocial is a problem and thought me interacting with Dean could help resolve my problem."
"Why Dean?" he then faced Dean, "Why you?"
"I think he got the wrong person because there is nothing special about me, and as you can tell I'm not your sister's favorite person at the moment."
"Hm mind telling me why that is Alison?"
"No particular reason now can we eat?"
"It would be rude of us to eat while Dean is still waiting for his food."
She smiled, "Well then good thing Ms Johnson is bringing his food now."
As Dean turned to his right he noticed Ms Johnson walking towards them with his food and drink in hand.
"Here you go Dean, I hope you enjoy your meal."
"Thank you so much." The kind lady smiled and waved to the Walker siblings before walking back to the counter.
"Okay then," Alexander gave Alison a knowing look and she immediately knew what was going to happen and started shaking her head, "So Alison isn't there something you wanted to tell Dean here?"
"Not that I can remember no."
"Are you sure? Because I don't want to tell dad how you missed your chance to inform Dean here."
"Ugh, you are impossible."
"One of the qualities I have to possess to be able to deal with you."
Alison rolled her eyes and decided to focus on her meal.
"Well if you won't I will do the honors for you sister dearest."
She quickly looked up giving him a pleading look, to which he smiled in return.
"So Dean, my father is having dinner Friday night and we would like to invite you."
"Why?"
"Because you rushed to help Alison without hesitation and he would like to thank you in person."
"Um, I don't know what to say."
"Well, you could gladly accept, and Alison can give you a ride Friday after school, and if you want you could stay in one of our guest bedrooms for the night, and then you guys drive back on Saturday."
Alison was full-on glaring at both Dean and Alex at this point and shook her head when Dean finally glanced in her direction. Silently demanding he decline the invite.
Dean turned to Alexander and smiled, "Sure how could I decline such an invite."
Alex beamed with joy obviously proud of what he did, Alison on the other hand looked as if she was thinking of ways to murder Dean.
"Great! Well, Alison will keep you informed if there is a change in plans and schedule what time both of you will be leaving school grounds Friday."
"Alright then. Well, I guess it's settled."
Alison quickly finished her meal then abruptly stood up and pulled her brother out of his seat as well, "Well this was nice but we have to get going so goodbye Dean."
Alex smiled at his little sister, "Yes! Goodbye Dean, I look forward to seeing you on Friday."
"Thank you for inviting me. I am looking forward to being there."
Alison grumbled under her breath and pulled Alexander out of the cafe so fast Dean couldn't help but chuckle at the siblings' exit.
"Looks like you made progress," Ms. Johnson said as she sat in one of the now available seats.
"Progress?"
"Yes, progress in getting close to Alison."
"If you didn't notice you just had lunch with her and her brother."
"Yeah, but that was just because he wanted to thank me for helping Alison."
"If you say so but if that were true would he have invited you to spend a night in their home on Friday night?"
"I will admit that was a bit strange."
"The fact that he had a decent conversation with you is what is strange, but I think he is hoping for the same thing as the rest of us who care about Alison."
"And what is that?"
"For us to know and you to find out later on. Now before you ask, don't you have a class to get to?"
"The only reason I am leaving is because I don't want to be late for class."
"I believe you," Ms. Johnson smiled as she waved at Dean rushing out of the cafe to reach his class in time.