chapter 16 semicolon case

Perry started her summer with new opportunities and a crush on Dennis, whom she met at the golf course. They had a few encounters and eventually Dennis asked her out on a date. Perry was nervous but excited. Meanwhile, Maverick supported Perry and Dawn had a date too. Perry's brother, Ethan, was happy with his new stepmom. Everything seemed to be going well until Dennis didn't show up for their date. This is chapter 16 of the semicolon case. It was a summer of new opportunities and promotion. Ethan started his journey to become a cop. Perry and Don and Mavick were graduating and Harrison was starting his senior year in college while working part-time at the high school by leading an after-hours tutoring class. Perry and her friends, who graduated at the same time, had permission from their principal to have a separate graduation ceremony. She and Mavick won their ceremony at the lake while the rest of the friends graduated with the rest of the class. The coronavirus was on high speed, but that didn't stop Perry from having a good summer. She spent most of her hours either babysitting or working at the golf course. It was at her golf course job that she first met Dennis Garrett. Well, it wasn't their first encounter. Dennis Garrett was on Ethan's baseball team back in high school, but was now a freshman in college. He had moved from baseball to golf and was now on the college golf team that frequently went to the golf course where Perry worked. They had a few short encounters for telling him to have a good day, that if he needed help she was there and he would greet her kindly. Y'all need a ride up? Perry asked as she stopped by the car in the shuttle she was driving in the parking lot. Dennis glanced at his friends while putting on his white hat over his dirty blonde hair that had just been cut. They nodded to him, then he smirked towards Perry. Yeah, that would be great! Perry got up to help with the bags, and when she sat back down, Dennis was sitting in the seat beside her. She couldn't help but smile. It wasn't often that guys her age came to the golf course. Maybe it was that she was finally over Maverick, but she couldn't lie when admitting he was pretty cute. As they rode up, she felt his eyes on her, and she did her best to keep her cool. Does he know you from somewhere? She gripped her fingers on the steering wheel tighter, while thinking of a sentence that wouldn't make her sound like a creep. Actually, we kinda know each other. You were friends with my brother Ethan. Right, you're Perry Davenport. Man, you sure are grown up to be beautiful. Perry almost wrecked the shuttle on right and then and there. She nervously laughed, keeping her eyes on the road. Uh, yeah, I guess I grew out of my hand-me-downs clothes from my brother's and learned what a hairbrush was. He laughed at the joke, his bright green gleaming in the sunlight. Perry parked the shuttle and insisted on helping them with the bags. Your name is Dennis, right? Now you're making me feel bad, he laughed. You remember my name and where we knew each other from. How can I make it up to you? Just leave a good tip. One of his friends snickered. It really is alright, she exclaimed. I will find a way to make it up to you, he said as he sat down in one of the cars. Have a good day, Perry. You too, Dennis. Why not just ask her out? She heard one of the friends say as they drove off. Because he's waiting for that girl next to him. Not only... He has a hot for a single... For her to be single again. No, that's not it, he said. But his voice turned off as they rode away. Perry Davenport had finally found someone she had a real crush on. The following month, she found out the dates that he came to practice on and would either say that she was available this day or trade shifts with co-workers so that she could see him. These encounters were brief, but would be the moments she would think about constantly. They would see each other on the ride up and when seeing their car. And sometimes she would wash his gloves when he returned from the course. One of the encounters that she remembered the most was when he was waiting for his friends to come up. She was helping a customer who gave her a big tip. How do you get such great tips? She would throw up her ass. You have to be pretty, she joked. You got that right, Dennis said with a wink. Her knees went weak and butterflies swirled through her stomach but she kept her composure and just laughed. But the day she would remember the most was after a long day of dealing with drunken men, older gentlemen hitting on her, and her boss being mad at her for something that wasn't her fault. She would forget those things when Dennis came back from his match. Who does the course treat you today? She asked as she hopped up onto the shuttle. Pretty good, he answered as she began her way down to the parking lot. He wrote to his hands together, sitting in silence for a moment, while thinking something to say. Hey, I finally thought of something to pay you back for being nice about me forgetting everything. Oh? How about I take you out sometime? Gary parked the shuttle and Sully looked over at him. Was this your imagination running with her again? She couldn't help but smile, so she giggled. Yeah, that sounds great. He smirked. Nice. Here, let me give you my number so we can set a plan. She handed him her phone and hoped he didn't see that her hands were shaky. She took her phone back with the number in it and sent him a quick message to keep in. Well, I guess I'll see you later, he juggled. Yeah, I guess so, she giggled. Bye, Dennis. Bye, Gary. He went to her and got back in the truck. Dawn, I have a date. Dawn perked up, eyes wide and her mouth shut. Who, what, when, where, how? Gary giggled when sitting beside her while putting her ballet shoes on with Dennis from the golf course, the guy who used to be Ethan's baseball team. Oh, the one with the big chocolate eyes? He is cute. We texted and decided to go bowling. I thought it was beautiful. We can hang out, talk and have friendly competition. Dawn said, I like it, so when is the big day? Thursday night. So we have four nights to get you to the salon, get our nails done and buy a new outfit. We better get started. Why do I need all that and why are we a thing? Are you going on a date too? You need to be ready. This will be your first official date. It has to be big and fantastic. The only thing he has seen in you in the past few months is your brush red sleeveless shirt and black shorts. Your hair is always greasy. You got to know what he has on a date. I get to be a part of it because as your official best friend, I need a reward for my hard work. I would say no, but I am excited about this. Come on, girls. Their dance teacher said, get your flags and get in line. Dawn picked up her yellow flag and Perry picked up her red one as they joined the line. I guess this means you really are over my brother. Is that so bad? She shrugged. I guess I will just have to change my Pinterest board. Perry rolled her eyes and got into the beginning stance for the dance. But her head was far away from the dance routine. Okay. It was a night to remember. Dawn ended up having a date, so Maverick drove her over to where they would meet up. Perry's first date, he explained. Are you nervous? Perry fidgeted in the car while picking at her fingers. A little. We have nothing to be worried about. You hang out with the guys all the time. But this is a one-on-one date. We hang out one-on-one all the time, he reminded her. Don't think of it as a date, but just hang out. That's what I do. But, like, what if he's going really wrong? Well, what if he... She gulped. What if he tries to kiss me? She laughed as he turned into the parking lot. Then you give him back, Perry grimaced. But I've never kissed anyone before. He parked the car and then turned towards her. Wait, you've never been kissed before? Like, ever? She shook her head. How's that possible? Why's it so hard to believe? He brushed back his chocolate hair while laughing. Oi, I don't know how to fix this. Oi, I know how to fix this. Let me show you how it's done. You mean you're gonna kiss me? She shrugged. I've done it a dozen times. I mean, I know how I did it. She rolled her eyes. Um, so apparently... I forgot I didn't write this scene. Apparently what happens is... He is getting close, and he's about to kiss her, and they're like an inch apart. But then he backs away. He's like, yep, that's how it's done. Okay, bye. Because he gets nervous and backs out. And she's like, hehe. So, that's what happens. So, just put that in your mind. Okay. Good luck, Parley. He said, using one of their old nicknames. Thank you, Ricky. She waved to him and then ran inside. Maddox watched until she was inside, then headed back home. Once he arrived, he went straight to the kitchen, table where his dad and stepmom had prepared dinner. She really liked his stepmom, and she did everything a mom would do, and fit it in well with the Chance family. He didn't think of her as a replacement for his real mom, but she treated him and his sister as their stepmom. Oh, okay, sorry. I read that wrong. Okay. He hadn't seen his dad smile the way he did when smiling at his new wife and you. He was just happy his dad was happy. We can clean up down here, sweetie, she said. You go on up. I know you wanted to get a head start on editing that new video. Thanks, mom. He took his plate to his sink and bounded up to his room. He stayed at his home with his family during the weekdays and with the guys at their house on the weekends, but with Ethan and the academy, he had a lot of time to edit old videos to put up. He was in his gaming chair, music buzzing through his headphones, editing on a roll in his happy place. It was a nice evening. Nothing could go wrong, right? Wrong. He didn't hear his sister shout his name until she rolled the chair around, her face glaring and voice loud. Fabric, she shouted. I gave you shout back. What's wrong? Where's your phone? On my bed. Why? You have to check your phone with text, she argued. When taking out the phone, Perry stood up. He went to stand up, but his headphones pulled him back down. He ate them off and then walked to her side. What do you mean? Dennis didn't show up. That's what I mean. She went through the phone and showed him the text in her cell. Look! He took it and saw he missed calls, then a text that read aloud. Perry's date ditched her. She just ran inside and down to their sewer room. All she said was that he stood her up and she won't open the door. Can you help? I'm on my way over there right now. My date understood we're leaving early. Want to come with me? Don asked. Maverick's jaw was clenched. His breath was quick. No, he said through a grit of teeth. I need to do something first. He then ran down the stairs and hopped in the car, driving it to Aaron's. He knew who could help him find Dennis and where she would help find Dennis and where he would be. But when he swung open the door, he didn't have to stay at work because sitting in one of the booths was Dennis himself. All wonders if something had happened to Dennis were gone when he saw him with three friends, one of whom he had his arm around. He stomped up to the booth, eyes ablaze, and his hands still unfit. Dennis scared. He looked up at his friends and laughed. Yes, that's me. Maverick had this look on his face that he'd just eaten something super sour, but was trying to control his pain. Aren't you supposed to be somewhere? He glanced at the girl. She had his arm around and looked like a maverick. I don't know. What? Does the name Perry Davenport ring a bell? You're supposed to be on a date with her right now. He interrupted. You were the girl's question? I was. He sat up and smoothed his hair back. He then nervously laughed and said, Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. Yeah, I guess I forgot to tell her that I had to cancel. Why is that? He didn't have to say anything. The glance he gave to the girl said it all. Really, the girl explained. You had a date? Sadly, it's a huge misunderstanding. Maverick huffed a laugh. A moment later, he had this collar in his hands and was pulling him a few inches off the ground. You're in a lot of trouble, mate. He hissed. Not that this is what you were going to do. You were going to apologize to the young lady and then go and apologize to Perry. Why should I, he questioned. There's nothing special about that, Perry. With that, Maverick tossed him on the table and swung a fish right for his jaw. Water break real quick. All right. Okay. Please, Perry donned side as he stabbed that at Perry's closet door. That dead guy's a jerk. But don't let him know that he hurt you. You will hurt him even more. That will hurt him even more. The only reply she got was a sniffle. Perry, I... She turned off when her brother answered. Where have you been, she questioned. Why do you have an ice pack on your hand? I'll tell you later. Can I talk to Perry alone? Donned on it and then left the room. Perry? Perry, Maverick soon sung. I have something for you. She made a sobbing sound. Oh, Perry, he sighed. Just go away, she muffled. She curled up tighter in the blanket she was in staring at the wall. She blinked a few times when things went oddly quiet. Then she looked down where there was a shuffling sound. She watched as Maverick slid a chocolate bar under the door. A moment later, he started pushing one tissue at a time in another chocolate bar. She couldn't hold back a laugh when he slowly inched the barbie movie in. He then backed up when the door opened. He spread out his arms as she crashed into them stomping on his shoulder. Hey, hey, it's okay, he whispered. I was so humiliated, she cried. Why didn't he not show? Was I not good enough? Of course not, he answered, pushing back the hair on her face. He's just a jerk, but don't worry about him. In truth, after the scene, he had found out that he had only asked her out to see if he could get a discount on golf. Terry had meant nothing to him. Why not? This is why Don snickered as she entered the room. She gave her phone to Perry and on the screen, a video that someone in the dire took replayed the entire scene of Maverick punching him. The tears stopped and Perry gawked. You found Dennis and punched him? Maverick shrugged. Kurt, this is your best friend. It was the least I could do. She wiped her nose and then let out another laugh. What did he do? Well, after I punched him, the girl he had dumped me to go on a date with, she pulled a little shake on his head, thanked me, and stormed off. Now, instead of two girls, he had zero. She wasn't laughing, was frowning good. Setting me up for another girl? Her lip began to tremble again. Let's watch a Barbie movie, Harrison said to me. To get the dose. Never seen this one before. You want to watch a Barbie movie? Perry questioned. Seeing the hopeful look in Perry's eyes, he nodded. Of course I do. The four of them went into the theater room, got ice cream, and all sat down and watched the film. Perry rested her head on Maverick's shoulder and held onto Harrison's hand, smiling. Why did she need a boyfriend when she had the guy friends? The following day, Perry woke up in her bed in her brother's house and smelled of hot chocolate and waffles came from the dumbwaiter. She opened up the door, finding a meal and a note. She read it, distracting her to go to a certain page of Instagram. There she found the video of Maverick punching death going viral, but it was the first comment she saw that really lifted her spirit. It was from Ethan that said, I know what my first arrest is going to be. And that is the end of chapter 16.