Fifth Book:

"Thank you all for coming, I hope you enjoyed the movie." The cheery theatre clerk waved from behind the concession counter. "Oh, Dylan, would you come here for a moment?"

"Wait for me guys." Dylan said to Zach and Karen as they stopped in the movie theatre's doorway.

"Sure." Zach assured.

"Yes Ma'am?" Dylan walked over to the clerk looking concerned.

"I've never seen you come in with others before, it was nice to know you weren't sitting in that big theatre alone." The woman remained cheerful. "Bring them back any time you come, okay?"

"Sure." Dylan nodded. "Thanks for skipping the commercials this time. Is that all you needed?"

"Yeah." The woman replied. "Hey, you coming in next week for that anime premiere?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Dylan promised. "Thanks again Ma'am." He turned and left the theatre, looking for Zach and Karen.

"I'm not joking Karen, she said that." Zach was speaking excitedly. "She's attracted to him."

"I didn't know Marge was into that kind of thing." Karen seemed a bit surprised.

"I swear Karen. When I was walking her home the other day, Marge asked me the strangest question." Zach was serious. "She asked if I'd be angry with her if she was attracted to a guy I knew and wanted to ask him out."

"You and Marge were going out for a while." Karen pointed out.

"That was last year. Our break-up was amicable." Zach shook his head. "I told her that I'd be happy for her if she wanted to start seeing another guy." He smiled. "I asked her who the lucky guy was. When she said Dylan, I was stunned. Last I knew he had a thing for you."

"Mom said the same thing the other day." Karen said in disbelief. "I just don't see it. He's a sweet lizard, but I don't think he's attracted to me."

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Dylan said plainly. "How about a quick bite to eat before we head home? I'll treat."

"Sounds all right to me." Zach came back first.

"I guess so." Karen seemed a little hesitant.

"Good, I know this place just up the road, they have the best hot dogs and chili fries." Dylan pointed. "They also let me walk right up to the window and order like normal people, one of the owners is a Reptilian, like me."

"They let a Reptilian serve food? Is that sanitary?" Karen asked in surprise. She gasped after she realized what she said. "I'm sorry Dylan-"

"Thanks Karen, it's nice to know I'm appreciated." Dylan stopped suddenly on the sidewalk, letting Zach and Karen take another step before they noticed he wasn't in step with them. Dylan reached out toward Zach, setting a couple folded paper bills in his hand. "Go on without me." He turned and started to walk away.

"Dylan." Karen turned to stop Dylan. "Please, don't be angry, come with us."

"You don't need an unclean mutie at your table, I might contaminate your food by looking at it. I'll be at home." Dylan marched off toward a gas station where there was a pay phone.

After Dylan had gone a short distance, Karen looked at Zach. "He seemed to be really upset."

"Wouldn't you be upset if a guy you really liked insulted you to your face?" Zach asked. "I'll go talk to him okay?"

Moments Later

"She really didn't mean it Dylan." Zach leaned against the pay phone. "Karen's not like them bigots, and you know it."

"You're mad at me?" Dylan held the phone handset in his hand, but not up to his face. "Karen called my kind dirty, right in front of me."

"She didn't do it on purpose." Zach argued. "Karen even apologized if you took the time to notice."

"I know she apologized, but what she said still hurt." Dylan frowned. "To hear something insulting like that from a friend is painful."

"I know what you mean." Zach's expression, accentuated by a thin, short jagged line under his left eye, remained stern as he watched Dylan's face begin to reflect some calm. "If you want go home, I'm not going to stop you, but Karen needs to know you're not upset with her."

"I'll be all right, I just need some time to myself." Dylan popped a coin into the phone and dialed a number. "Tell her that, and give her a hug for me." He reacted to the phone. "Hey Dad... No I'm fine the movie's over... I need a ride home... thanks Dad, I'm at the gas station next to the theatre. See you in a few." He hung up the phone.

Later

"...No, I'm just a little surprised." Dylan spoke over the phone. "This is the first time you've ever called me, Marge."

"Well, I heard about this afternoon and I had to know if you were all right." Marge's voice came over the phone. "You've known Karen longer than the rest of us Dylan, you know she'd never intentionally be mean like that."

"I know that, I've already talked to Karen. Did Zach have to tell everyone?" Dylan sighed. "Guy, Hannah, Ben, Todd, they've all called me today." Dylan let out a chuckle. "I know you guys are worried about me, I really appreciate it, but it seems like a bit much."

"Zach just wanted to make sure we all knew how you were feeling Dylan." Marge commented. "You are a little sensitive about that kind of thing."

"I know Marge." Dylan swallowed, growing nervous. "Um..."

"What's up Dylan?" Marge asked with worry. "Are you okay?"

"I, I, I... I was wondering if maybe you'd like to have lunch with me sometime."

"Now I know something's wrong." Marge reacted. "You've got a thing for Karen, don't you?"

"I don't think she's interested in me." Dylan shifted the phone to his other hand. "And besides, we've known each other for a long time, it might be better to just stay friends and not make things weird." He let out a breath.

"That's sensible." Marge thought out loud. "All right, I'd be glad to. Do you want me to call the rest of the gang?"

"No, no I want it to be just the two of us." Dylan answered.

"You mean, like a serious date?" Marge sounded a little uncomfortable.

"Well, yeah." Dylan became nervous again. "You think that's too awkward?"

"It's not awkward Dylan, it's just a bit unusual for you." Marge admitted. "When did you want go?"

"Are you free on Friday?" Dylan looked over at a calendar on his desk.

"I don't have school, but I need to check with Mom." Marge sounded unsure. "Give me a moment."

"Sure." Dylan picked up a pencil from his desk and started drawing on the back of an envelope. He was halfway through a face when Marge spoke up again. "Mom doesn't need me for anything, so yeah, Friday's good."

"You know Batali's out by the old school?" Dylan asked.

"Yeah, I know the place." Marge confirmed.

"I'll meet you there at one thirty, if you get there first and Mario gives you lip, just tell him you're with Big L. and he'll leave you alone." Dylan explained.

"Big L.?" Marge's tone hinted at stifled amusement.

"That's what the old man who owns the place calls me, it's short for Big Lizard." Dylan answered. "I scared off a boy who wouldn't leave his granddaughter alone, he's considered me part of his family since, even though his granddaughter still freaks out at the sight of me."

"That's what I like about you Dylan, you're always stepping in to help others." Marge said. "I'll see you there."

"Oh Marge, before you go, do you still have that dress you wore to your brother's Graduation?" Dylan inquired.

"Yeah." Marge was puzzled.

"Wear that, Batali's isn't a casual dining place, even for lunch." Dylan instructed. "It's very formal there."

"Does that mean I'll get to see you in a suit?" Marge good-naturedly teased.

"Maybe." Dylan couldn't help but laugh a little. "See you then."