"Hey guys," Dan said joining them at their usual table.
Libby looked up.
"Hi Dan. Lorelle."
Matt, Josh and Trent glanced at Lorelle, and then at Dan as the two sat down.
"Hi," Lorelle replied.
"Okay," Josh said, cutting into the silence that followed. "About the game we have this afternoon against the Reds?"
"Oh, right. Do we have to invite Hugh?" Matt complained.
"Aww, Hugh's okay," Libby said.
"Yeah, but he sucks."
"He has a Ga'Revali class," Trent cut in.
"Ahh, good. Problem solved."
"So meet at the court at 5, as per usual?"
"Yeah, sure."
The chatter continued.
**********
Afterwards Dan walked Lorelle home.
"So..." he said slowly.
"They seem nice enough," Lorelle shrugged. "But does Libby really have to be there?"
"Libby? Well, we wouldn't be called 'Libby and the boys' if Libby wasn't there," Dan joked.
"So pick another name."
"Libby's cool. And she can play. What's the problem?"
"I just don't like you hanging around her."
"Why?" Dan asked, looking confused. "We've been friends for years now."
"Uh huh. Friends."
"Oh hell, you don't buy into those rumour too, do you? After the beating we gave Brad?"
Lorelle rolled her eyes.
"Look, I really like you, Dan, I do. But seriously? Ditch Libby."
"I'm not dumping my friends for a girl I've only been dating three days. That's so uncool."
"No. Matt, Josh, Trent, and maybe even Hugh are your friends. Libby is... not..."
Dan eyed her skeptically.
"Don't tell me you're one of those idiots that thinks that you can't have friends of the opposite sex."
"It does not work that way. And I'm not an idiot."
"Right so, how would you describe my friendship with Libby for the last few years."
Lorelle's lips tightened.
"Look, Dan," she said. "It's either her or me."
"Okay, well, it's been nice dating you then," Dan shrugged. "See you at school."
He started to walk away and Lorelle frowned. That hadn't gone as she planned.
"Dan! Don't you just walk away from me! Dan!"
But Dan turned the corner and ignored her.
"Note to self, next time I ask someone out, maybe sure they're not an irrational bitch," he thought to himself.