Alicia had called her foster parents just before lunch to get permission to hang out with a friend after school. She didn't know them very well yet, so she wasn't sure what they would think if she told them it was a boy she was hanging out with. Alicia lied and said it was some girls she met today and convinced her foster parents to let her go. They surprised her by suggesting that she stay the night with these friends, but Alicia wasn't about to spend the night with Cid. Instead, she was to be home by nine.

Genevieve insisted they all go off campus for lunch to a nearby retro burger joint. She had the money to pay. And by all, that included Katherine, Lara, Cid and Alicia herself. Alicia met them in front of the cafeteria and offered the group waiting a small smile.

Cid hurried through the hallways as he hoped to get to a phone before meeting the others for lunch, he knew his dad would try to be at the match. But, still with work and all his father was spending more and more time away from home. Not that the youth would admit it, but he missed seeing his dad especially with his mother gone. But, the responsibilities of work came first, which he knew well. Genevieve had said to meet in front of the cafeteria, and they'd all leave for lunch from there. Phones were located near the cafeteria, and one was available. Getting to the phone just short of another fellow who was too far away to make it, Cid put a few coins in the slot and quickly dialed his father's work number. After a few rings the answering machine picked up as, heavy deep voice spoke over the other end. “You've reached the office of Alan Warrington, I'm not in my office right now but if you leave a message I'll get back with you as soon as possible. Thank you and have a nice day.”

Cid hoped he could catch his dad in the office, but he'd half-expected as much. His father was either in a meeting or out in the field. It wouldn't hurt to leave a message though, hopefully his father would make it to the match. Leaving a short message, reminding his father of the starting time, Cid hung up the phone and hurried out towards the front of the cafeteria. After a few moments, he spotted Alicia and waved as he strode up to her smiling.

"Yay! We're all here!" Lara said gleefully, giving a kick and a clap as Cid and Alicia came over to where she waited with Gen and Kathy. She batted her eyes at Cid and gave him a slightly coy smile. "So, are we all ready? I know I am! I'm starving!"

Alicia gave Cid a shy smile and looked away with a blush. "I'm ready," she replied to Lara, then spared Cid another shy glance.

"Let's go then," Gen said and started walking toward the road. Katherine turned to follow her, as did Alicia. Alicia walked slowly, hoping Cid would fall in stride with her.

Cid noticed Alicia glance at him as she followed the others, blushing a bit he quickly stepped up the pace a bit and walked alongside Alicia. Cid had to admit as he walked beside her, glancing at her for a moment, he noticed the make of her face and features. She was pretty, he wondered if she might consider dating anyone like him? The thought of dating a nice girl like her was something he wouldn't have minded at all. Glancing over towards his other companions, Cid couldn't help but smile that warm way he always did. This first day was turning out pretty decent, pretty decent indeed, feeling the need to make some sort of conversation he decided to take the initiative and ask Alicia a question or two. "Alicia? Do you have more sketches? I'd like to see them if you do. I really like the ones you did in class, you're talented. I can't draw my way out of a paper bag."

Alicia nodded, blushing deeply. He was obviously very interested in her drawings, even if she thought they were crap. "Yeah..." she replied. "Maybe...I could bring some to show you tomorrow?"

Cid was overjoyed to get such a response, he really liked Alicia and wanted to see more of her artwork as well as get to know her better. Glancing at her for a moment, Cid tried not to stare as his gray-eyes took in her face for a moment. She was a nice girl, good demeanor, quiet, nice and very pretty. Catching himself, Cid chuckled and spoke in an upbeat tone, the young man was grinning from ear to ear and blushing about as much as anything. "That would be great, I'd like that a lot. Tomorrow would be fine, Alicia."

Normally Cid was calm at his fencing matches, but he was so nervous now he absentmindedly drummed his fingers on his leg while they walked. Being with a group of gorgeous girls and taking an interest in one, had his normal calm demeanor was a bit shaken but in a good way.

Alicia followed Genevieve and her friends' lead with a bounce in her step. It was like she was walking on air. To think that someone as cute as Cid was so interested in her made her heart flutter. 

Once they reached the restaurant, Gen was quick to claim a corner booth and took the center. After Kathy and Lara took their seats, Alicia slipped in at the end, sitting across from Cid.

Lara watched Cid and Alicia. They were really hitting it off, she realized in disappointment. Oh well, there were plenty of boys. Cid was cute, but he seemed to really like Alicia, and Lara wasn't the possessive sort. Despite her disappointment, she still smiled and leaned over to Gen. "Looks like love's in the air," she whispered and giggled.

Cid heard Lara's comment after he'd sat down, his normally light-brown skin turned flush and red with a blush that spread down his neck. He turned very red with embarrassment as he stammered for a moment, then noticed they each had glasses of water. Reaching for his glass Cid, managed a weak smile as he glanced at each of the young ladies in turn then spoke, attempting to alleviate some of his embarrassment. "Umm...ooh water, mmn. I'm sure thirsty."

Alicia blushed just as bad as Cid and hid her face in her glass of water. Though his attempt to be cool made Alicia giggle, something she hadn't done in a long time.

Gen grinned, looking between Cid and Alicia. "I think you're right Lara."

Just then, the waitress finally made it to your table. "And what will you guys be having?" she asked the group with a friendly smile. Gen was quick to order first; cheeseburger and fries. Then Katherine ordered a chicken sandwich and turned to Alicia for her order.

Ordering food was always an uncomfortable ordeal for Alicia, she always wanted someone to order for her, but in some situations, that just wouldn't work. "Umm....I'll have a chicken sandwich with fries," she replied.

"Sorry hun, what was that?" Of course, the waitress couldn't hear.

"Chicken sandwich and fries," Alicia said, louder. It didn't help that everyone complained she never talked loud enough. The waitress just scribbled down her order and looked to Cid and Lara for theirs without a second thought.

Lara was giggling, but she managed to get it under control enough to order a cheeseburger with fries, and a chocolate milkshake. After she took her order, she gave a couple more good-natured giggles at Alicia and Cid's blushes.

Cid was still blushing when the waitress turned towards him for his order, the young man seemed to ponder a moment then spoke. "Hmn...I'll have a cheeseburger, fries and err...do you have iced-tea?" 

The waitress seemed to almost giggle herself at the young man's southern drawl, as she nodded and spoke after taking down his order. "Yes, we do sweetie. Do you want lemon or not?"

Cid nodded as he spoke, if he hadn't been blushing before he was now, as the "sweetie" comment caught him off guard. The young man reached for his water glass again, and drained it. Being nervous always made him thirsty. "Yes, Ma'am lemon please with lot's of ice."