Dear Journal,

I am very excited for my date with Hiro, but I'm so nervous. I really don't know him all that well, and I haven't gone
out with anyone or almost a year. What Emi was talking about is also been in my mind ever since I talked to her. She
said he was like Mike. He's the whole reason that I haven't gone out with a guy in about a year. I doubt Hiro would
ever force me into sex like Mike did. I said yes, but it never for one moment felt right. I was younger and dumber, I
figured that I could get out of the situation, but I couldn't. When I told my parents about what happened with Mike,
they wanted to take him to court for rape. Legally it could never happen; I said yes, I gave him concent. I just look
back at it and wonder what would have happened if I didn't lead him on or give him hints that I wanted it when I
didn't. I was just being the usual tease that I'm known for being. If only I weren't a tease, I'd still have more than
what I have now. I better try to get to sleep now that I'm worked up by all those memories.

Signed Shiori Hayami



***



The week flew by and Shiori's date with Hiro neared. The more time passed the more Shiori had her second thoughts.
She didn't feel like she knew like any of the people well enough to tell them this part of her past, so she went to the
next best thing, her mother.

"Mom, this is as weird for me as it will be for you, but I have a question to ask you. It's more likely for some advice,
though," Shiori said looking at the floor, too nervouse to look at her mother.

"Sure honey, I can help you. Now what is your question?"

"Well, there's this guy I've been talking to alot and he asked me out a few days ago, and I said yes. When I talked about
him with Emi a few days ago, she said he sounded like Mike. Ever since she said that I've been having second thoughts.
I really thought he was different, but ever since Emi mentioned it, it makes sense. I don't want to put through the
same thing again. Should I go out with him?" Shiori blurted out.

"That's quite a question since it's taken so long for you to get over everything that had happened with that one Mike
fellow," she paused a bit to think of some advise. "Give him some room. Don't tell him exactly what happened with
you, but just tell him when something dosen't feel right. And, Shiori, don't make him think that you want to do
anything you don't. Leading guys around in circles has gotten you so many bad things, it's easy enough to say not to
do it. There, is that good enough for you??"

"I never expected you to give me advise like that. I'm surprised, mom. Thanks, I never really thought about that,"
Shiori said giving her mother a hug.

"Well, when dealing with people trying to get away with murder you can think of things rather quickly. I'm just gald
that for once I can help."

"Gotta start getting ready then," Shiori said heading to the second floor of their large apartment.

"Your date is today??"

"Uh...yeah. I know it was a little late for the advise, but you know, it's something," Shiori finished as she ran upstairs.

"That girl," her mother said to herself as she shook her head and got up. "One horrible thing happens to her and she
never learns. It won't surprise me if it happens again."

Shiori ran into her room and took the clothes she had bought for the date off her bed. She ran into the bathroom for a
quick shower. She got out and sat down at her dresser and got out her makeup. When she was done with that she
dried her hair. As soon as it was dry, she did several things to see how they'd look. She pulled it back, then she only
pulled the top part back, she let it down, then she looked over at the crimper she often used to make her hair look
wavy. She quickly plugged it in and lightly wet her hair. It took her a good 20 minuates to do it, but when it was over
her hair was wavy and messy in a very romantic-looking way. She pulled the front sections back into a dragonfly clip.
Finally she put on her pink skirt and light pink shimmery cardigan. Shiori looked over at the clock and it was 6:45,
fifteen more minuates until Hiro was coming to pick her up.

"Well, it's now or never. A new place to start over again, nothing about what happened a year ago," Shiori said to
herself as somewhat of an internal pep-talk. She grabbed her yellow handbag with a little Eiffel Tower on it, it looked
like something from the 50's. She looked over at the clock and saw it was 7:05. Five minuates late. She sat down on
her bed and waited for him to come.

The clock said 7:10. Five minuates had passed like an eternity in Shiori's head. She sighed and sat back at her mirror to
look over her makeup. She went to sit down on the stool and the doorbell rang. She heard her mother answer the
door. She opened her door and heard Hiro's progecting voice ask if she was there.

"You must be??" Shiori's mother asked.

"Oh, I'm Hiro."

"She'll be down in a minuate. She just went to ger her shoes." Her mom was great at covering for her, not making her
seem like she was waiting.

Shiori fumbled out of her room and headed down the stairs. She glanced down them first to take a glance at Hiro with
him not knowing, hopefully. She took a look down the curving stairs to see Hiro looking at his watch standing by the
door. He was dressed nicely, but still casual. She made her slow decent down the stairs. Hiro must have heard her
come down the stairs and looked over at her. He exhailed loudly and smiled.

"Well, should we get going?" Shiori said raising her an eyebrow.

"Yeah, sure. The movie starts at 7:30," Hiro said glancing at his watch.

Shiori stepped back and said bye to her mom. They stepped out the door to a parked car in front to the apartment.
Shiori looked at the little, red two seater. She looked it over and noticed that it was a Meada.

"Is this your car?" Shiori asked as Hiro opened her door for her.

"No, it my dad's. I just got my lisence and it's a law here that you need to have a place to park by your house in order
to get a car," Hiro said getting in his side. They pulled away from Shiori's apartment and sped toward the theater.
They parked about a block away, partly because that was the nearest place. Hiro got out quickly and opened the door
for Shiori. She stepped out and smiled at Hiro.

"You really look good tonight, Shiori," Hiro said nervously.

"You do too. I was hoping I wouldn't overdress for this. I'm good at that. It's one small date, and I look like I heading
to a wedding," Shiori said giggling. They headed toward the theater, which was a good block away. Hiro was walking
right next to her and her kept brushing his hand against hers. It was a cheap way to get to hold hands with her. One
time he just took her hand in his while they were walking. He took a quick glance over at her while she was talking.

"Good, I didn't think she noticed," Hiro thought to himself.

"Well, someone is a little anxious. It's not a big deal or anything. Actually it is kinda cute," Shiori thought to herself as
she talked.

The two walked hand in hand to the theater. They went in to the large dark room. It was rather crowded, but then
again, the previews were already on. Hiro and Shiori sat midway down the theater next to aisle. When they sat down,
Hiro slung his arm on the back of Shiori's seat, trying to be as discreet as he could be. Shiori looked slighty to her
side and saw nothing but a grinning Hiro looking at her. She shifted back to the front and began to watch the movie.

An hour and a half had passed and the moive was over. Shiori and Hiro quickly got up so they could be out of the
theater and at dinner at 10. It was late and Hiro decided to take Shiori to a quick western diner. The noglestic 50's
decor surrounded the place, and the jute box was playing all the oldies. Shiori smiled at the Japanese signs and the
english advertisements most of the people in the place didn't understand. This reminded her of the 50's theme
restaurants back at home.

A hamburger , a shake, and a lot of coffee into the date, they decided that it was getting late. Shiori was tired from all
the running around town that they had done, and she kept on yawing. She leaned on Hiro as they walked back to the
car so she could doze off a little and still walk. Hiro walked her to her door and sat her in the passenger seat of the
little red car. The movements of the car , the street lights running by, and the remaining let lag lulled Shiori to sleep.
She tilted her head to the side and waiting for a sudden stop to wake her. Hiro glanced over at her, sleeping.

"That is really funny, it's one of those Kodak moments," Hiro said softly as he pulled up to the corner of Shiori's
street. He slowly pulled up in front of her apartment and put the little red convertable in park. He leaned over and
shook Shiori to wake the sleeping beauty. "Shiroi, you're home. Do you want to sleep somewhere a little more
convortable?" he asked nugging her slightly. She groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. She looked over and
noticed a smiling Hiro looking at her. He held out his hand to help her out. She took it and he lifted her out of the car.
They were both left in an akward position with Shiori and Hiro facing each other closely.

"I had a great time tonight," Shiori said looking up at Hiro.

"So did I," Hiro said looking down at Shiori. Their faces neared as they closed their eyes. Hiro bent down and gave her
short kiss goodnight. He slowly pulled back as Shiori opened her eyes and looked up at him.

"I'll call you," she said softly as she took a step to the side. Shiroi walked up the steps of her apartment while Hiro
stood in place. When she reached the door, she turned around and waved. Hiro smiled and waved back and got into
the little red car.


***