"Why don't we stay home?" Brian suggested for the millionth time.
"Babe, no," Mallory said gently yet firmly, as she grabbed her car keys and headed out the door. It was so nice to be home, and to be able to easily navigate around the roads; Mallory knew exactly where she was going in Stoneybrook.
"I don't like parties," Brian grumbled, following closely behind and slumping into the front seat.
"You don't have to go," Mallory reminded him, putting on her seat belt and turning on the car.
"No, I do," Brian said with a loud sigh, as though he should be awarded a medal for his martyrdom. "Why do you want to go, anyway? Who's hosting this party?"
"An old friend," Mallory said, a smile flickering over her features. They drove the rest of the way in silence, but for Brian's muttering under his breath.
When they pulled up in front of Benson's, the driveway was already packed, so Mallory settled on pulling up in front of the house. She stood up, grabbed the bag of chips she'd brought as promised, and headed for the house, Brian following close behind with his case of beer. Mallory was the designated driver for the night, and she didn't really mind it - drinking wasn't her thing, anyway.
She paused in front of the door long enough to pull the dress down a little. She had to admit that she'd chosen her most flattering dress. Knowing that Benson would see her had given her extra initiative to look good - though she would never admit that to Brian, of course.
Knocking, she realized there was no point, and then opened the door to the familiar home. She'd had her first kiss with Benson here .. she'd been here so many times ... and it was almost, in a sense, like coming home.