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I hear footsteps co down from upstairs My parents

"Co h the door

"Hello there," ether as they reach the bottolance they see the flowers, and ure out that Noah is more than just a new friend

I don’t care

My mother instinctively looks at Noah’s teeth as he says, "It’s a pleasure to meet you" I can’t really bla it The biggest fight we ever had hen I refused to get braces I wouldn’t even open my mouth to let the orthodontist see my teeth He threatened to put the braces on my closed mouth, and as far as I was concerned, that was that I won’t be bullied into anything, and I have the crooked teeth to prove it My h she’s nice enough not to mention it anyht away that Noah’s bottom front teeth overlap a little Because I am not entirely my mother’s son, I find this flaw to be beautiful

"It’s a pleasure tohis hand out to shake Noah and I disengage so he can ood impression My father has, I believe, the perfect handshake, neither fish nor fist The handshake is his great equalizer--by the tiht on his level He’s honed this craft in his years as the director of philanthropy at Puffy Soft, a national toiletries chain His job is to take a portion of the profits that coive theexae and unbelievable place

Noah is checking out our living rooh his eyes I realize how strange the wallpaper print is, and how all the pillows fro the fact that souys want pancakes?" my mother asks

"My family believes breakfast can be served at any meal," I explain to Noah

"I’m all for it," he says "I mean, if you want to"

"Do you?" I ask

"If you do"

"Are you sure?"

"Are you?"

"I’ll uys have about ten minutes to decide if you want to eat them"

She heads into the kitchen My father points to the flowers

"You should put those in water," he says "They’re lovely"

Noah blushes I blush But I don’t move I’m not sure if Noah is ready to be alone with my father yet Still, if I say that, I’ll offend both of them So I head for the nearest vase