Pen to the Paper 6

"You look beautiful today."

"So do you," I said, not realizing that Maya had called me beautiful rather than handsome.

"What do you have planned for tonight?"

"Well, it's the second Sunday of the month, so I plan to announce the sixth Pen to the Paper."

"I meant with me, dummy!" Maya said teasingly.

"Nothing."

Maya looked down at her feet. "Oh."

I continued to drive until we arrived at the school I make my announcements in. I exited the vehicle and opened the back door, pulling out a bouquet of flowers. "You think I had no plans for you?"

Maya's face brightened. "Those are beautiful! But… I'm allergic. "

"You're joking…"

"Nope. Thanks for the thought though."

"Dang. These were expensive. On the bright side, I'll never have to buy you something that costs a hundred bucks, but will die in a week. 'Hey, babe, here are some flowers that are gonna die in a week. It's a symbol of our loOoOove.'"

"What's next?" Maya asked after laughing at my cheesy joke.

"Well, follow me."

We walked into the school, and I led her to my office. "This is where we had our first kiss."

"Ooo."

"One more stop," I said, leading her to the auditorium. "And this is where we had our second."

The lights in the auditorium were dim, and there was a blanket with a basket in the center of the stage.

"I thought it would be cool to have a short picnic prior to making the announcement."

Maya was speechless, so I grabbed her by the hand and led her to the blanket. We sat down, and I pulled out a container of cookies, two sandwiches, sloppily wrapped in the manifestation of the Devil himself that is plastic wrap, and a container of potato salad. "I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I make some pretty darn good PB 'n' J's."

"Oh, no," Maya said.

"'Oh, no'?"

"I'm allergic."

I started laughing. "Good one! Had me in the first half, not gonna lie."

"I'm not joking. I guess I'll just have some cookies and tater salad," she said.

"Well, I can't make chocolate chip cookies like Ma can, so I made peanut butter cookies," I replied.

"Sorry," she said.

"Not your fault. I should have asked… and I should have had Ma make the cookies… But I have a back up! Down for tacos?"

"What is it with you and tacos…"

"Brad asks me the same thing at work every time I see him. Let's go get some tacos!"

Maya smiled and shook her head. I shot up and pulled her to her feet.

⇔

A couple hours later, I walked back onto the same stage.

"Evening, ladies and gent's. Ope, forgot to clear the stage… anyone want peanut butter cookies?" I asked, walking over to the container and taking one out for myself. Someone in the front row raised his hand.

"Alright," I said, taking a bite, "ma'e sure you sha'e. Man. These are the best I've made… ANYWAYS. You guys know why I'm here. It's here! It's back! Pen to the Paper 6 is out! If anyone wants, I have two peanut butter jelly sammiches up here, and some tater salad. I gotta finish my girlfriend's burrito," I said, sitting onto the blanket.