Additional Disclaimer: Cynthia Calhoun (as depicted in the banner) played by Courtney Thorne-Smith. Newcomer Pagan Leigh played by Vincent Kartheiser, most famous for his role as Conner in Angel.
Additional spoilers: A few incidental spoilers for Return of the King.
Part One
Teaser
Jake Pratt looked out of the window of her dorm room and grinned when she saw Finn rounding up a bunch of boys on the quad. Guess it was time for the annual new entrant bonding camp again. She thought about the spine-breaking six hour hike that Finn took them on last year, and breathed a sigh of relief as she looked about her surroundings, comfortably not out in the chilly autumn morning, and not about to be herded onto school buses like sheep to the slaughter.
She shook her head with a smile and turned her attention back to her cell phone, �What? Sorry mom, I�m still here. Just had a sketchy moment.�
Monica Pratt�s laughter rang over the line, �A sketchy moment? Well, I�m glad you�re paying so much attention when I�m telling you about the juiciest gossip there is. I thought you�d be more interested, since��
�What can I say?� Jake shrugged, �It�s poetic justice. He got what he deserved.�
�I still don�t know how it happened,� Monica mused, �When I woke up this morning it was all over the entertainment news. I couldn�t wait to get you on the line.�
Jake grinned, her gaze straying to the laptop on her desk. A news web page was open onscreen, and the headline read �Famous actor in pornography disgrace�.
The by-line read:
�Grant Macmillan, esteemed actor with the London Theatre Group, had this morning delivered to his door several cartons of pornographic materials, including magazines, films and various miscellaneous items. Mr. Macmillan denied any knowledge of these items, insisting they were sent to his door in a malicious attempt to undermine his reputation. However, our correspondent spoke to the retail outlet from which the pornographic materials are reputed to come from, and it has been established that Mr. Macmillan�s bank funds had been used to purchase these items online. Mr. Macmillan has made a widely-publicised complaint to the police, but the police spokesperson has indicated that there is currently no suspicion of foul play.�
�Like I said, mom,� Jake repeated airily, smiling at herself in the mirror, �poetic justice.�
***
The Crowne Plaza, Boston
Scout Calhoun, dressed in sombre grey and toting a backpack, walked into the hotel lobby. He was about to head in the direction of the service desk when he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye: his mother was sitting in the rest area and beckoning him with a small wave.
�Hey mom,� he said as he approached, setting down his bag and leaning over to give her a peck on the cheek, �how have you been?�
Cynthia Calhoun was immaculately dressed, as usual. However, dark circles around her eyes carried hints of the recent tumult in her life. �I�m fine,� she smiled at her son, �sit down. Your father just went to get some drinks.�
Scout checked his watch and raised an eyebrow, �At ten o�clock in the morning?�
Cynthia shrugged, not bothering to answer. He sighed and sank into an upholstered chair next to her. Glancing in her direction, he opened his mouth and closed it again, knowing what he wanted to say but not knowing how to say it.
His mother had always been a perfectionist of sorts. She prided herself on the smooth, picture-perfect running of her life and all those around her. Scout remembered that it wasn�t too long ago when Cynthia chided Faye Archer, his ex-girlfriend, about being too� well, not perfect and strangely proud of the fact. He allowed himself a grim smile: what would Faye say if she knew the situation now? What would she say if she knew that his parents were getting divorced?
�Um�� he said carefully, trying to keep his accusatory tone at a minimum, �I didn�t know you and dad were having problems.�
She didn�t look at him when she answered. �It�s your dad who wants the divorce, not me.�
He frowned, not knowing what to reply to that, so he remained silent. He scanned the figures at the bar and, catching sight of his father, nodded gravely in acknowledgement.
John Calhoun smiled as he strode over with two drinks in his hand. �Glad you could make it, sport,� he said, setting one drink down before Cynthia without looking at her, �how was the bus trip into the city?�
Scout shrugged, �Uneventful.�
�Good, good,� John said distractedly, handing him a key card, �your room number is 512. Hey, listen� now that we�re all here, I thought we might run through what we have to do in the next few days.�
�What we have to do?� repeated Scout, �What do you mean? It�s not like I can do anything now that you�ve decided to get a divorce.� He leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms, �Dad, why didn�t you tell me you guys were having problems?�
John sighed, sitting down beside his son, �What do you want me to say, Scout?�
�Well, have you considered counselling or mediation or something?� his son demanded, �I just think you guys are coming on too strong. One minute you were happy together and the next, you�re getting a divorce. It�s just not�� he spread his hands, at a loss for words.
�I know it�s hard to accept,� John said quietly, �but we feel that, at this stage, divorce is probably the best for everybody.�
�You mean, you�ve decided it�s best for everybody,� Cynthia said bitterly, taking a sip of her gin and tonic. She didn�t look at John.
Scout glanced at his mother before turning back, �Is that right, dad? Cos you know what? I look at mom and I don�t exactly see her clambering to get a divorce. It seems like a one-sided job to me.�
John sighed again, �Scout, it�s complicated��
�Of course it�s complicated,� Scout retorted, �my parents are splitting up and all I get is �it�s complicated�. I�m not a kid anymore, I can figure it out myself � you want a divorce,� he glared at his father, �not mom, and it looks like you can�t even negotiate about it. Have you thought about me at all during this� this� midlife crisis or whatever it is? You don�t care about splitting our family up? You don�t care about what happens to us?�
Cynthia snorted, looking into her glass.
"Of course I care, Scout,� John said wearily, �but it�s not the time to go into it now. We�ve got to get going.�
�Where are we going?� Scout asked, �Jesus, I�d really appreciate it if you guys keep me up to date with what�s going on.�
John stood up, �We�re going to Family Court. To settle things like who gets custody of you when you�re out of school.�
�Wait,� Scout stood up, �do I get any say in this? You�re just leading me around here.�
�Of course you get a say in who you want to stay with and how you want our visiting rights,� John said carefully, �in fact, we�ll let you make most of the decisions concerning you. You�re old enough to know how to juggle your priorities.�
�But evidently not old enough to be kept in the loop,� Scout smiled tightly.
John sighed. �Please� please don�t make this more difficult than it already is.� Rubbing his forehead and walking toward the lobby door, he beckoned the others, �Come on, we�re going to be late for our appointment.�
Scout stared after his father for a moment before he turned back to Cynthia. �What happened, mom?� he asked, closing his eyes briefly, �how did it all go to hell so fast?�
She glanced up at him, the look in her eyes half apologetic, half contemptuous. �Come on,� she merely said, standing up and shrugging on her coat, �let�s go.�
Part Two - Opening credits and theme song
Main Street
Will Krudski walked down the familiar street at the centre of New Rawley, his hands in his pockets. There was a chill in the air that suggested winter was fast approaching, and most of the trees in the area had begun shedding their leaves.
*Will�s voiceover begins*
�Safety comes in different shapes and forms, but it�s always something that we need. Safety in living the life we know, safety in keeping ourselves from getting hurt; being safe can be a concept with innumerable variations, both metaphorical and otherwise.�
As he walked into the diner, Will saw Bella Banks and Sean McGrail at the window booth. He grinned as he approached them, �Hey guys.�
His friends looked up and Sean slid over to let Will have a seat. �Hey,� they chorused.
�Early dinner?� Will gestured at the burgers and fries heaped on his friends� trays.
�Yeah,� replied Bella, �did we tell you about the Kidsline phone counselling thing that we signed up for? We�re going to Carson for training.�
�Isn�t it kind of late?� Will asked dubiously, �When are you getting back?�
�It�s a sleepover thing,� Sean said with a little roll of his eyes, �I think it�s supposed to build trust or something.�
Before Will could say anything, Maria Ishizuka, who was waiting tables that evening, came to the booth. �Hi Will,� she smiled, �chocolate milkshake, as usual?�
�That predictable, huh?� he grinned, �yes, please.�
�Coming right up,� she saluted, wiping her hands briskly on her apron and heading into the kitchen.
Will turned back to his friends, �Scout had to go to Boston this weekend, d�you think it�s okay for him to miss the Kidsline training? He really wanted to volunteer for this.�
�It�s okay,� Bella assured him, �he told me he sorted it out with the organisers already. He�ll probably just have make it up some other time.� She checked her wristwatch, �Hey Sean? I think we better go or we�ll be late.�
�All right,� Sean jumped up and followed Bella out of the diner. Will waved goodbye and idly watched them hop into Bella�s truck, which pulled out of the service station and sailed away down Main Street.
�Here you go,� Maria set a tall glass of frothy milkshake in front of him, �enjoy.�
�I�ll keep you company,� Will offered, grabbing his drink and relocating to the counter. He swung around on the tall stall and watched Maria fold napkins, �how have you been?�
�Same old.� She replied, glancing at him out of the corner of one eye, �I heard a dance is coming up.�
�Oh yeah,� he recalled, �it�s nearly time for the Halloween Ball again. God, times goes by so quickly when you�re not paying attention.�
She smiled, �Did you go last year?�
�Yeah,� he couldn�t help a wave of nostalgia at the memory, �it was� a very special night.�
�Why?� she asked curiously.
He glanced at her with a small smile but did not answer. She blushed, �Sorry, I didn�t mean to pry.�
�It�s all right,� he sipped his milkshake, �it�s just� Bella and I sort of got together that night. It was� intense.�
She nodded thoughtfully. After a moment she asked, �So� will you be taking her this year? I mean, even though you guys aren�t together anymore, you still seem pretty close��
�I haven�t thought about it,� he admitted, �I dunno� it would be good to have her there. But it�ll be awkward, too. We sorta have too many memories associated with the Halloween Ball.�
�Well,� she peeked at him furtively, �if you don�t end up taking Bella, I�m sure there are a lot of girls who�d go with you.�
He grinned, �Are you offering?�
�Are you asking?� she replied with a small laugh.
He shrugged, feeling his cheeks grow warm at the direction the conversation had headed, which was unusually forward for him, �We�ll see.�
***
The Crowne Plaza, Boston
Scout trudged into the hotel after his parents. All three of them looked haggard after the long day of negotiations at the Family Court, trying to settle who got what and, more importantly, who got Scout at what times of the year. Scout had been indignant at first, but the hours that never seemed to end, and the complete matter-of-factness that his parents went about the case, wore down his defiance as the day went on. He felt as though the anger bubbling on the surface of his mind had boiled away, leaving only a deep melancholy at knowing that things have somehow, without his noticing, become very final.
�You hungry, sport?� John asked over his shoulder.
�A little,� Scout replied dully.
�Great!� John was trying a little too hard at being cheerful, and they all knew it. �I know this neat little place about two blocks away who does a good old-fashioned juicy steak, how about you and I��
�Why don�t you come up to my room?� Cynthia interrupted, smiling at Scout, �we could get room service and watch old movies. You can get that salmon thing you like, or ice cream, even steak, whatever you want.�
�I�m sure Scout would rather sit down to a proper meal,� John said coldly, �than to stuff his face in front of hotel TV screen.�
�The boy�s been sitting at a conference table for the whole day,� Cynthia retorted, �I think he�d rather relax in the hotel than go to some steakhouse.�
�It�s not a steakhouse,� John glared at his wife, �it�s a nice restaurant which serves up good, wholesome meals. Hey,� he looked at his son, �I�ll let you have a glass of red with your meal.�
�Room service strawberries and champagne,� Cynthia countered, with a tight smile in Scout�s direction.
�Guys,� Scout folded his arms in front of his chest, his voice clipped, �I think I�m the most entitled to say what I want for dinner.�
John and Cynthia exchanged a wary look. �What do you want, Scout?� asked Cynthia tentatively.
�I want you two to stop fighting over me as though I�m some sort of prize!� Scout exclaimed, �I�m not just another thing you�re gonna split! You can�t bribe me, or tell me what I�d rather do, or let me know what I want to eat. Guess what? Right now I don�t feel like eating with either of you. I�m going back to my room.�
And with that he turned on his heels and marched up to the elevator, vehemently punching the button for the 5th floor.
Before the doors shut completely, he saw his parents head off in different directions. He leaned back against the elevator wall and rubbed one hand wearily over the bridge of his nose, blinking back a tear or two that had strayed past his defences.
***
Ryder and Josh�s room
�Heya,� Faye Archer called as she poked her head around the door, �everyone decent?�
�And if we weren�t,� teased Josh Sutherland, �it�d be too late to hide appendages from your prying eyes anyway.�
�It�s only you who should be worried,� Ryder Forrest laughed from his seat at the windowsill, smoking his usual after-dinner cigarette, �if she sees me naked, she�s going to be the one scarred for life, not me.�
�You guys are in good moods today,� Faye remarked as she watched Josh carefully apply eyeliner and a smidge of silver-pink lipstick, �are we going out?�
�Remember that Boston band I told you about?� Josh laced up his army boots as he spoke, �the one with the Marilyn Manson wannabe? Well, their drummer happens to be on very close terms with the American tour manager of Coldplay, and he managed to get us a bunch of tickets to a secret club gig in Carson tonight. Alex and Emily and them got two tickets each; I got four.�
Faye nodded knowingly, �Manson-wannabe still trying to hit on you?�
Josh laughed, �I�m not complaining about the free tickets. Ryder and I are going; shall we count you in?�
�Like you need to ask.� She grinned, �When do we leave?�
Ryder checked his watch, �Half an hour. Just enough time for you to grab one of your girlfriends.�
�The extra ticket�s for me to choose?� she asked, �Gosh, it�s kinda short notice� I wonder if Leah�s at the dorms��
�Better run and find out,� Ryder said with a slight smirk, �might as well make this a �group outing�. We�ll pick you up over at the girl�s dorm at nine o�clock sharp.�
�Aye aye, Cap�n,� Faye rolled her eyes and hurried out the door.
�A touch of lipstick, fussing over your hair,� Ryder blew smoke out of the window and glanced indulgently at Josh primping himself up, �you�re turning into a regular woman.�
�At least I�m pretty,� Josh shot back, grinning.
�And so modest, too,� Ryder chuckled, tossing his cigarette butt out of the window.
***
Jake�s room
�Well, you did it,� said Hamilton Fleming, laughing at the web page that Jake had saved, �look, there�s even a photo of him. He looks really pissed.�
Jake chuckled from her seat on the bed, �he got what he deserved.�
�What did your mom say?� he asked.
�She was happy� but confused,� she said with a grin, �she didn�t understand how it could have happened. Grant�s one of those really uptight guys who wouldn�t be caught dead with that stuff, and �apparently�,� she made quote marks with her fingers, �he told the porn shop to deliver straight to his door, and not bother with plain packaging or any of their discretion policies.� There was a playful glint in her eye, �I guess it was just coincidence that the paparazzi were there when the huge porn delivery truck pulled up.�
�It was one big coincidence,� he laughed, playing along. �Even though he wasn�t technically the one who bought the stuff.�
�Yes,� she chuckled, �let�s just say he has a �personal shopper� who�d do that for him.�
�So,� he turned around with a devious glint in his eye, �I think we should celebrate.�
She laughed as he advanced toward her with a sly smile, �What do you have in mind?�
"What do you think?� he leaned in and murmured against her lips. There was no more talking as he eased her back onto the bed and smothered her smile with a lingering kiss.
***
Camping Ground
Evening sunrays shone through to the campsite in the forest, where Finn leaned back against a tree and watched as exhausted kids burst out of the tracks one by one, collapsing on the ground as they came to the clearing. He grinned: the New Entrant bonding hike did the trick every time.
�Okay,� he spoke up when he was pretty sure everybody had gotten back, �time for roll call. I�ve got to check that nobody had been lost in the woods. Last year we had a little incident where two of our boys actually had to spend the night out in the forest, because they�d fallen behind during the hike. I�m hoping to god that it�s not the case this year. Call out when I get to your name. Anderson?�
�Here,� called a thick-set boy near the back. Finn ticked his name off. �Collingwood?�
***
Faye and Paige�s room
Josh knocked on the door to Faye�s dorm room, �Are you ready?�
�Just about,� Faye shouted from within, �give us two seconds.�
�Who�s coming with you?� asked Josh loudly.
�Paige,� Faye yelled, before she opened the door, �where�s Ryder?�
�He�s in the car.� Josh said, appraising her outfit. �You guys look nice.�
Faye smiled. She had opted for a smart all-black ensemble, tapered capris with a midriff top, and a few thick silver bangles to liven up the colour scheme.
Paige Bennett was wearing a slinky burgundy dress, which complemented her smooth olive complexion. �Thanks,� she said as she walked into the hall, �and also thanks for bringing me along, Josh, it�s really nice of you.�
�It�s no problem,� he smiled, �come on, we�re going to be late.�
***
Camping Ground
�Kensington?� Finn called. Roll-calling after the hike was always a stodgy affair, most of the kids having either tuned out or fallen asleep from the sheer exhaustion.
�Here,� a boy at the front said unenthusiastically.
Finn ticked him off. �Leigh?�
There was no response. Finn looked up, �Pagan Leigh?�
�He�s asleep,� called Michael Tan, a tiny Asian kid from one of Finn�s classes. The boy next to him was sprawled face-down on the ground, and even snoring a little. Michael poked him in the ribs, �Pagan, wake up.�
�Go away, mom,� Pagan answered groggily, which made everyone around him chuckle, Finn included. But as the boy lifted his head and looked around dazedly, Finn felt the smile slip from his face.
Pagan Leigh was pale, with floppy dark hair hanging in his eyes. His features were delicate but defined, and even from his prone position Finn could see that he was tall and lithe.
More importantly, he was a dead ringer for Jake Pratt.
Part Three
Jake and Hamilton�s room
�Crap,� Hamilton swore out loud. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, clad in nothing but a pair of boxers, and he looked freaked. Really freaked.
Jake was on the bed and leaning against the wall. She had wrapped a bedsheet around her body, and she looked no less disturbed than he was. �Hey�� she said, but trailed off.
�I knew it,� he muttered, burying his face in his hands, �I knew it was too good to be true. I knew something was going to come along and screw it up. How could it break? Condoms aren�t supposed to break! They�re supposed to��
�Hey,� she said, the tiny hint of a smile in her eyes, �it�s a condom, not vulcanised rubber��
"Well, they should make them out of vulcanised rubber,� he said huffily, �I want my money back.�
�Great,� she said dryly, �and we can raise our bastard child on the proceeds of suing the condom company.�
�Do you think you might be pregnant?� he demanded, turning to look at her nervously.
�God, I hope not,� she groaned, �but yeah, I guess there�s a chance.�
�Crap,� he said again, beginning to pace up and down the length of the room in agitation, �Jake, what are we gonna do? What if you are pregnant?�
�Hey, don�t get too worked up,� she said, �look, there are still a lot of things we can do��
�What, you mean an abortion?� he asked, wide-eyed.
�No, you dumbass,� she half-chided, half-laughed. �I�m thinking more of the Morning After Pill. With luck, I won�t need to go anywhere near an abortion clinic.�
�What�s the Morning After Pill?� he demanded, sitting back down.
�It�s an emergency pill you take after you�ve had unprotected sex,� she explained, �it stops you from getting pregnant.�
�Why didn�t you ever tell me this before?� he widened his eyes, �why do we even need condoms then? Just take one every morning and you�ll be sweet.�
�It�s not that simple, Hamilton,� she explained patiently. �This pill�s supposed to have a really big dose of hormones, which stops a foetus from forming. But you can�t use it on a regular basis because it�s really bad for your body.�
�Oh,� he nodded, �I get it. Well, let�s go get you the Morning After Pill.�
�Hamilton,� she chuckled, �it�s nine o�clock on a Thursday night. And I can�t go to the doctor in town, either � he thinks I�m a guy. We�ll have to drive to Carson tomorrow morning. Don�t� worry,� she added when she saw the horrified expression on his face. Laughing, she held out her arms and gave him a hug, �it�ll be all right.�
***
Carson, Kidsline Training Session
Bella and Sean, along with the other new volunteers, got taken on a brief tour of the Kidsline phone counselling centre � the keyword being �brief�. The centre was quite a small place: a few offices, a main common room area, and that was about it. After the tour, the newbies were assembled in the common room, each armed with a phone counselling handbook and a name tag pinned to his or her chest.
�Okay guys,� Claire, their first trainer for the evening, planted herself in front of the room and rubbed her hands together with a smile, �we�ve already been introduced, so let�s just get straight in there.� She looked over the ten or fifteen faces of the new recruits, �The very first thing you�ve got to learn at a phone counselling service is how to listen. Yeah, yeah, I know, you�re all thinking �who doesn�t know how to listen�, right?� She paused for effect, �Wrong. Most people can�t listen. Or they don�t listen. The point is � we are very selfish creatures. We are most interested in ourselves and even though we think we�re listening when someone comes to us with their problems, chances are we�re not giving them our full attention. Um� Bella,� she squinted at the blonde�s nametag and asked with a friendly grin, �can you have a guess at how much faster your brain processes thoughts than the speed you speak at?�
Bella smiled shyly, �I dunno� two or three times?�
�Close,� Claire said, �it�s four. What does that mean? It means that when someone�s talking to you, it only takes one quarter of your brain to understand what they�re saying. What does the other three-quarters do? Probably thinking about something else. Maybe your dinner plans tonight. Maybe your new boy or girlfriend. Maybe your homework. Chances are, most of your brain isn�t doing the listening. And that�s a big no no for telephone counsellors. We need to be there for the kids who call up, because they have problems and they want to talk to somebody about it. If you sound like you�re not really listening, the kids aren�t going to trust you; they�re going to think that you think they�re not important.� Again she paused, shaking her head slightly at the kids, �And we don�t want that, because they are important. We�re all volunteers here, we�re here to make a difference in somebody else�s life, we want to provide a shoulder for people to cry on. Please, always remember that.�
After taking a sip from her water glass, Claire smiled brightly, �okay, so we want to really listen to these kids. It takes effort to become a good listener, and it takes a lot of compassion. But how exactly are we going to do it? That�s what we�re going to explore in the first part of the training.�
***
Rawley Academy
After dinner at Friendly�s, Will took a leisurely stroll back to Rawley. Despite the chilly weather, he enjoyed the time spent alone, listening to the wind rustling through the trees and watching the moon rise higher and higher in the sky. Finn�s class the next morning had been cancelled since the teacher had to supervise the camping trip, so Will knew he had time to spare before he had to go to bed. Enjoying the view of the clear autumn sky overhead, glittering with a faint dusting of stars, he took the winding path by the lake.
As he walked past the boathouse his footsteps slowed, remembering that months ago, he had often sat here in the dark, with Jake, trying to coax out the reasons for her sadness and withdrawal. They didn�t do much back then � they mainly just sat and watched the lake, because she didn�t really feel like talking. But he was happy to do that: he knew some words only came after a while.
Jake was lucky in that respect. She had a boyfriend to lean on and loyal friends who helped her through tough times. Will liked to think that he had those things, too; but he knew deep down that Jake had the unmistakable better deal. It was all about whom you loved and who loved you in return, and you couldn�t get much better than Hamilton. Will thought briefly about Bella, and sighed when he recalled the time around Spring Break when everything first started to fall apart.
It wasn�t that they loved each other any less, he was sure of it � rather, it was flaws in their character that prevented them from ever having the same kind of bond that Jake and Hamilton shared. They were both too fragile, too easily broken, too easily manipulated by events that happened outside of their control.
It came down to keeping yourself safe from harm, he mused as he sat down outside the boathouse, leaning against the wall. He and Bella each had a protective shield of sorts, which went up automatically every time something remotely bad happened, whether it be Will missing a date because of production rehearsals, or Bella kissing Scout on a whim at the Cotillion. They weren�t prepared to go the full mile for each other like Jake and Hamilton did; they somehow had to care for their own wounds first. And perhaps that was what finally created the rift between them, the sense of having too much to cope with, too much personal injury. It was about keeping your pride and your heart intact in the face of blows; and in the end they just couldn�t quite cut it because � he could hardly bear that he was being so honest to himself � they cared more about themselves than each other. That was natural, he knew, self-preservation was ingrained in the human psyche, yet the thought still left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He wished it wasn�t so. He knew that despite all his posturing he was not a hopeless romantic at heart; not like Hamilton. Hamilton was the real deal � he was the one who threw caution to the wind and kissed the �boy� he liked, he was the one who chased Jake all the way to the airport after finding out what she had hidden from him. Hamilton could be knocked back, he could be injured, but he still forged on ahead without regard to his own safety, without really stopping to lick his wounds; he was fearless in that respect, and Will was jealous of that. Hamilton had the purest heart of them all, but he didn�t know it. Even if he did, he probably wouldn�t understand the implications. Maybe that was how he kept his heart pure in the first place. Will wondered if he�ll ever be that brave � or that stupid.
With a start he heard a muffled sob from inside the boathouse. He jumped up, springing back a couple of steps, �Who�s there?�
A moment of silence, and a pale face slowly emerged in the doorway. Will squinted: it was hard to see without the aid of electric lights. �Anita?� he guessed uncertainly.
�Hey,� Anita Simons replied shakily, walking out of the boathouse and stopping a few steps away from him, folding her arms across her chest. �What are you doing here?�
Even though Will firmly hated Anita�s guts most of the time, he wasn�t one to trample on people when they were down. �What�s wrong?� he asked gently, �are you hurt?�
�Just� mind your own business, okay?� she snapped, but her voice was tired and hollow with the sound of tears. She turned her back on him and walked quickly back inside the boathouse, �Leave me alone.�
�Hey, Anita?� he said carefully, �You know, I don�t really have anywhere I have to be. And a lot of the time I just come here to think and stuff, so if you don�t mind, I�m just gonna sit out here and look at the moon for a while.�
�Whatever,� her faint voice drifted out to the open air, �suit yourself.�
Will nodded and settled down once more against the wall.
***
Camping Ground
�Come on,� Pagan laughed, �The movie was like three and a half hours long already.�
�That�s hardly the point,� Michael, who was his roommate, said, �he stretched out the ending for way too long. The Sharkey storyline was really important in the book because it wrapped up what happened to Saruman � I can�t believe they cut the entire thing.�
�I still think Christopher Lee was a prick for not turning up to the premieres,� Pagan frowned, �what a jerk.�
�I�d be pissed,� Michael insisted. �the ending wasn�t exactly better because of the cut. For the last half hour I just sat there, wondering when it was going to end. They win the war, the music swells � the end. Wait� no, the hobbits go back to Hobbiton, the music swells � the end. Wait� no, Sam gets married, the music swells � the end. Wait� no, the elves boat off into the sunset, the music swells � the end. Wait� no, Sam goes home to his lovely wife and two kids, the music swells � I�m not going to hope anymore. Wait? That is the end? Shocking.�
Pagan laughed out loud, �You�re way too cynical for your own good.�
�The biggest test is knowing when to stop,� Michael insisted, �you can�t let your feelings get in the way of making a really good movie. You can�t leave superfluous scenes in because you can�t bear to cut them � sentimentality is what kills. That�s one of Spielberg�s fatal flaws � he just can�t seem to let it go. It happened in A.I., it happened in Minority Report� I think maybe it�s a Hollywood thing. I thought Peter Jackson was above it, but that ending really disappointed me. Hey, you know The Sixth Sense? M. Night Shyamalan actually filmed a different ending for that, which he loved, and you know what he did? He cut it because it didn�t fit with the overall mood. That�s real dedication for you.�
�Okay, okay,� Pagan laughed, holding up his hands, �I give up, I know better than to argue with you. But you know the trilogy still rocks, right? Despite the ending?�
�Of course,� Michael said blithely, �I only criticise because there is much love.�
�Good to know,� Pagan grinned.
�Hey�� Michael lowered his voice, �don�t look now, but Finn�s staring at you again.�
Pagan lowered his head, letting his hair fall forward before he sneaked a peek at the English teacher. Finn was indeed staring at him with a mystified expression on his face. �It�s getting kinda freaky,� Pagan admitted, turning away, �what do you think he wants?�
�Now do you believe me?� Michael asked, �I told you, you look eerily like this Junior I saw the other day. I bet you anything Finn�s wondering about that.�
�Please,� Pagan laughed, unconcerned, �we all know your capacity to exaggerate things. The guy�s probably blond, fat and six foot three.�
�Fine, don�t believe me,� Michael rolled his eyes, �but don�t get surprised when you run into your doppelganger in the halls. Why do you think Finn�s staring at you, then?�
�I don�t know,� Pagan shrugged, �he kinda creeps me out.�
�He�s actually a pretty cool guy,� Michael said, �I really like his English class. I�m so glad I got him instead of stuffy old Mr. Winston. At least Finn makes class interesting.�
�Whatever,� Pagan couldn�t resist another peek at Finn, �he still gives me the creeps.�
***
The Crowne Plaza, Boston
After a few hours alone in his hotel room, Scout decided that he was done moping and went downstairs in search for a swimming pool. Exercise took his mind off things and he definitely needed some time off thinking right now.
However, he only got so far as the downstairs restaurant when he saw his mother slumped in a corner seat in the bar area, looking like she�d downed a great many more gin and tonics than the last time he saw her. Her hair was mussed, her silk suit was starting to look wrinkled; and as Scout advanced for a closer look, it was apparent that she hadn�t made one of her frequent make-up checks in the past few hours, either. Her lipstick had worn off, leaving only a noticeable ring of lipliner on her mouth. Her eyeshadow had creased into the small lines that were beginning to appear around her eyes. In short, she looked like � well, she didn�t look like his mother.
�Mom,� he said gravely, slipping into the seat beside her, �I think you�ve had enough to drink.�
�I�m still sober enough to know exactly what you�re thinking,� she replied, signalling for the waiter, �I must look a god-awful mess right now. But you know what?� she offered him a small smile, �for the longest time since I could remember, I don�t really care.�
�That�s� good,� he said uncertainly, �but mom, listen��
�I�ll have another of the same, please,� Cynthia said to the waiter who approached, �and my son will have�� she glanced at him, �what do you want, honey?�
�I want you to get some sleep now,� said Scout, �you�ve been in here long enough.�
�Well, then I�m afraid you�re just going to have to wait,� she said calmly, �because I don�t feel like going up just yet.� She turned back to the waiter, �and just a plain lemonade for him, thank you.�
The waiter took the order down and left. Cynthia turned back to Scout with an appraising look in her eyes, �Relax. I know how much I can take.�
�I�m just worried about you,� he sighed.
She merely shrugged. A minute of terse silence passed, then two. The waiter brought their drinks and she tipped him generously. �That�s for having to serve grumpy, miserable customers like myself all night,� she said with a smile.
�Not at all, ma�am,� the waiter said politely. Scout�s gaze followed him as he disappeared behind the bar once more.
�Hey,� his mother�s voice interrupted his wandering thoughts, �how are you?�
�Well, except for the fact that my parents are getting a divorce out of the blue, which is pretty shattering to a happy home sort of guy like me,� he said, �I�m fine.�
She ignored the obvious bitterness in his voice, �And how is Faye?�
He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. �She�s not my girlfriend anymore.�
�I�m sorry.� She didn�t look surprised, but a hint of regret flickered in her eyes nevertheless. She took a sip of her drink, and said quietly, �She was right, you know.�
He glanced at her, �About what?�
�About�� she sighed, shook her head, and extracted a packet of Virginia Slims from her purse, �about how there is a little bit of darkness within everyone.�
He watched her light up, �Since when did you start smoking?�
�I�ve always smoked, honey,� she looked at him with a small smile, �there are a lot of things you don�t know about me.�
�Evidently,� he muttered, taking a gulp of his lemonade. It was unexpectedly tart and he grimaced, putting the glass down.
�I didn�t want to believe her,� she blew a smoke ring and followed its ascent in the air with her gaze, until the smoke dissipated and there was nothing more to be seen. �But I guess� I guess I knew she was right. I just�� she shook her head sadly, �I didn�t want to think about it.�
�She�s too cynical, sometimes,� he said carefully, absently playing with his glass.
�That may be,� she said, �but it really doesn�t change the fact that she was right. I just wanted things to be good, Scout. I wanted to have a nice life, not just for me but for my family as well. But I guess your dad wanted� oh, I don�t know� something more than that.�
�Mom,� he leaned back in his chair and wearily massaged his temples, �why is he leaving? Even after this whole day going over this I still don�t understand. I� it just threw me. You guys never let on there were any problems at all.�
�And that was, apparently, what the problem was,� she replied, stirring what was left of her drink with the cocktail straw. �Your dad � John � he somehow decided that he can�t take the status quo anymore.� She shook her head again and brought a hand to her cheek, a gentle gesture but somehow made tired and desolate by the way she moved. �He� he told me he couldn�t deal with the way we�ve been doing things for the past eighteen years.�
Scout listened, knowing vaguely what his father referred to. He remembered the frequent Sunday picnics his mother made the whole family go on when he was little. She would don a white sundress, a straw hat and big black sunglasses, and take the picnic basket that the maid packed with sandwiches and lemonade. She would dress John up in a shirt and tie, even though they were just going to be sitting on the grass and eating before going home again; more often than not she made Scout wear that horrible sailor suit that he hated.
He would�ve much rather preferred being back home, in jeans, watching TV with a bowl of chips and dip in his lap. He suspected that was what his father wanted too. But they endured it because they saw the joy in her eyes when she looked at them, the men in her life, a picturesque scene every Sunday; and they knew it was things like this that kept her going.
�You see,� she continued, taking another puff on the cigarette, �the thing was, we always glossed over the problems. It wasn�t that we didn�t have any, but we�� she sighed, �I chose to ignore them. And despite what people say, problems really do go away if you leave them for long enough. I guess they weren�t the only thing that went away, though, in the long run.�
�If you could see this now,� he asked, �why didn�t you change this earlier? When you still had a chance?�
�It�s almost impossible to change the way you are.� She said sadly, a little sigh escaping her lips, �And I don�t think you realise just how much effort it is taking me to get this out so you can understand. I�m forcing myself to look at how my life has become the mess it is, and do you think that�s easy? I�ve always told myself it was perfect. It�s killing me, Scout, I�m reviewing all the errors that I made and all the things that I shouldn�t have ignored and I feel like I�m dying from the scrutiny. God, if I had another chance to do it over again��
�What would you change?� he asked softly.
She took her time stubbing her cigarette out, grinding it into the bottom of the glass ashtray. When she finally looked up, he could see that although there were no tears in her eyes, there was a great sadness. It pained him to see such naked emotion there, a raw suffering.
�I�d try to make it work,� she simply said.
***
Obscure bar, Carson
The aptly named �Obscure� bar was neatly tucked away in one of Carson�s backstreets, a perfect venue for a well-known band�s secret gig. When Josh, Paige and the Forrest siblings arrived, the bar was already packed with tipped-off fans and Coldplay had just come onstage, launching straight into the song �God Put a Smile on Your Face�.
Where do we go, nobody knows
I've got to say I'm on my way down
God give me style and give me grace
God put a smile upon my face
�Ooh,� Paige exclaimed as Faye dragged her through the throngs of people so they could take a closer look, �this is so exciting!�
�Chris Martin is quite the dish,� agreed Faye, shoving her way to a prime spot near the stage. She was getting good at that, with practice from going to a lot of Amnesia�s gigs of late. As the drums kicked in, they followed the crowd and moved to the grooving beat, grinning at each other.
Where do we go to draw the line
I've got to say I wasted all your time
Oh honey honey
Where do I go to fall from grace
God put a smile upon your face, yeah
�Where did the girls go?� Ryder asked Josh. In the blink of an eye since they made it in the door, Faye was nowhere in sight.
�She�s probably in the front row by now,� laughed Josh, unconcerned. He got a couple of vodka and cranberrys from the bar and handed one to Ryder, �The singer is cute.�
Ryder glanced at him with a smirk, �You think so? He looks a right twat dancing up there.�
Sure enough, Chris Martin was flailing enthusiastically onstage in the musical interlude. Josh laughed, �I said he was cute, like in a geeky sort of way.�
�Whatever floats your boat, mate.� Ryder sipped his drink, �I myself prefer somebody who doesn�t� take up so much room when they dance. Also,� he eyed Martin disdainfully, �not a man.�
Josh glanced quickly at him. �I know,� he said softly, his voice so low that Ryder did not hear him. He stared down at the contents of his glass, his eyes pensive. �I know.�
And� when you work it out I'm worse than you
Yeah, when you work it out I wanted to
And� when you work out where to draw the line
Your guess is as good as mine�
Part Four
Jake�s room
�Hey,� Jake asked Hamilton, �reach under my bed and get out that box of magazines, okay?�
�How can you think about magazines at a time like this?� he muttered, but obliged nevertheless, �I don�t know how you�re keeping so calm. You�re the one who�s going to be pregnant, not me.�
She rolled her eyes, �Some of them will have information on the Morning After Pill. How else do you think I knew about it? My magazines aren�t just fashion and gossip, you know.�
�They�re not?� he wondered aloud. �I thought you found out from your mom. She was� um, pretty vocal on the subject.�
She laughed as she rifled through the box, �Yeah, well, let�s just say she tries to be a good mom, talking to me about sex and stuff, but come on. The first time she brought up the �penis and vagina� speech, I was sixteen. You�d think I would�ve gotten a clue by then, with or without her help.� She held up an old issue of Seventeen, �Now these are where I get my real information from.�
�What are we looking for, exactly?� he asked, flipping through an old issue of Allure.
�Articles or columns on birth control,� she answered, quickly scanning through her copy, tossing it aside and picking up another one from the box, �there should be a few.�
�Okay.� He concentrated on going through the magazines for a while. Then he glanced at her, �Hey, you never really told me how you were� you know, conceived.�
�What�s there to know?� she asked warily.
�Well, you just never talk about your dad.� he said carefully, �I know you say you don�t have a dad, but Jake, everyone has a dad.�
�Yeah, well, I don�t know him,� she answered, flicking through another magazine, �like, at all. My mom doesn�t really talk about it, but I kinda got the impression that� well,� she looked up, �I was a mistake.�
�Jake�� he looked up, not knowing what to say.
�It�s cool,� she smiled a little, �I�m not bitter about it, if that�s what you�re scared of. I mean, my mom kept me, didn�t she? She chose not to have an abortion or give me up, so that�s saying something.�
�Yeah,� he agreed, �it is.�
�Still,� she mused, �I sometimes do wonder who my dad is. Mom says he�s just some guy she met at a party, but�� she glanced at him, �you know, I�m sure I wouldn�t keep a baby from some random one night stand.�
�Did you try asking your mom about it?� he asked, furrowing his brows.
She shrugged, �There never seemed to be a good time. There never was any time, period. Mom� let�s just say she�s always off in her own world. My dad, one night stand or not, I�ve never known him, and I�m okay with that. If mom doesn�t want to talk about it, it doesn�t really bother me.� She stopped flicking through the pages, �Hey, here�s the article I�m looking for.�
He gazed at her thoughtfully, a moment longer than he intended, before he leaned over and read the article with her.
***
Camping Ground
�Don�t look now,� Michael warned under his breath, �but Finn�s coming our way.�
�What?� Pagan whispered, looking pained, �Why?�
�Hi guys,� Finn said, sitting down next to them, �how are you finding camp?�
�It�s okay, I guess,� Michael replied, �but good god, Finn, do you put new kids through that hike every year?�
Finn laughed, �As a matter of fact, I do. It�s a good way to build camaraderie.�
�It�s a good way to bring on heart attacks when you�re fifteen, you mean,� grumbled Michael.
Finn smiled and extended a hand toward Pagan, �Hi, Pagan, right?�
�Yes,� Pagan shook his hand a little shyly.
�So I�m guessing, from your name, that either your parents are into atheism in a big way,� Finn winked, �or they were flower children.�
�Half and half, actually.� Pagan chuckled, �my dad�s the blatant atheist. And my mom was, as you call it, a �flower child�. Still is.�
�I noticed on your record that you were home schooled,� Finn inquired.
�Yeah, up until this summer,� Pagan nodded, �my mom taught me. And I had a tutor for special subjects.�
�A little nervous about starting boarding school?� asked Finn sympathetically.
�Nervous about starting school in general,� admitted Pagan, tugging on the hem of his shirt.
�Hang in there,� advised Finn. He waited for a moment before asking tentatively, �Have you got any siblings?�
�No,� Pagan shook his head, �I�m an only child.�
�Right�� Finn replied slowly, furrowing his brows.
***
Rawley Academy
Will sat quietly outside the boathouse, listening to the sound of waves lapping against shore. The moonlight cast a faint silver mist over the lake, its light dispersed by the rippling water.
�Are you still there?� Anita�s voice drifted out to him.
He cleared his throat, �Yeah.�
A pause, and she replied, �Just wondering.�
He smiled and did not answer. A moment later she appeared from within the boathouse, leaning against the doorframe. The light illuminated only half of her face, her skin unnaturally pale against her wavy dark hair. She scrutinised him, �What are you doing, Krudski?�
�Listening to the lake,� he said, not looking at her.
Her first instinct was to scoff. �Having a good time?� she asked sarcastically.
�A better time than you, I think,� he replied placidly.
She glared at him, �You don�t know anything about me.�
�I know you were crying by yourself out here.� He glanced up, �Anita, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but given half a chance, I�m actually a pretty good listener.�
�Whatever,� she rolled her eyes, but permitted herself to flop down beside him. She leaned back against the wall with a smirk, �So tell me, Master Krudski, oh so sensitive one, what you think my problem is.�
�I don�t know,� he said quietly. �I only know that if something bad happened to me, I�d come here and have a good cry all by myself, too.�
She eyed him suspiciously, �You would?�
�Sure.� He cast her a little sideways grin, �This place is Rawley�s own House of a Thousand Tears.�
She cracked a smile, �You�re such a dork, Krudski.�
�It�s often been said,� he chuckled.
They watched the lake in silence for a few moments before Anita said, timidly, �You must feel pretty crapped out that I fought over that tutoring job with you.�
�I was annoyed,� he admitted. �Anita, I�m sure you know I�m on the town scholarship, I�m not a rich kid like the rest of you. I was sorta counting on the tutoring money to help me out.�
�Yeah�� she trailed off.
�Why did you want the job so badly?� he asked, �were you just trying to piss me off?�
�Well, that was a bonus,� her voice was mischievous, but her expression was sombre, �but no. I didn�t do it just to spite you.�
He waited, but she was silent. �So�� he prompted, �what did you do it for?�
�You don�t need to know,� she answered quietly, and said no more.
***
Obscure Bar, Carson
The band had just come back from a brief intermission, starting the second set with �Warning Sign�. Faye and Paige barely had time to gulp down drinks before dashing back to their prime spots in front of the stage.
A warning sign
I missed the good part then I realised
I started looking and the bubble burst
I started looking for excuses
Ryder and Josh hung back from the crowd, preferring to keep their own company. �What�s Amnesia up to?� Ryder wanted to know.
�We�re playing the Halloween Ball in a couple of weeks,� Josh told him, downing another vodka and cranberry.
�Are you taking Faye to the Ball?� Ryder asked, taking a drag from his cigarette.
�Probably,� Josh signalled the barman for another drink. As he paid he added, �so long as she doesn�t have a better choice by then.�
�The life of the back-up partner,� Ryder smirked, �you really should get out more often, you know.�
�I�m trying to take a break from relationships, actually,� Josh glanced at Ryder briefly before averting his eyes, �things haven�t really worked out romantically of late.�
Come on in
I've got to tell you what a state I'm in
I've got to tell you in my loudest tones
That I started looking for a warning sign
If Ryder knew what Josh meant, he didn�t let on. �I could fix you up with somebody for the Ball, you know,� he offered.
Josh shot him a guarded look. �No thanks,� he said quietly.
Ryder shrugged, �Your loss. Hey,� he straightened, extinguishing his cigarette on the countertop, �what do you say we go hunting for some women, you and I? These two over there look like easy game.�
Josh set his drink down on the bar, with enough force that the ice cubes inside the glass rattled in protest. �What are you playing at, Ryder?� he demanded, �I said I wasn�t interested!�
�Relax, geez,� Ryder glared at him, �I was just trying to get you to loosen up and have a good time.�
�You know perfectly well that I�m not into this,� Josh folded his arms across his chest, �so stop trying to force it on me. Leave me alone.�
�Leave you alone to what?� Ryder demanded, �To wallow in your self pity? To make yourself miserable?�
Josh stared at him, �You, of all people, should know why I�m miserable.�
Ryder didn�t have an answer to that. He tried to keep his gaze on Josh, but he had to look away as their eyes met.
There was so much truth in Josh that he did not bother to conceal. The look in his eyes was pure and hopeful, and that was what Ryder could not handle � the fact that, if he held onto that aquamarine gaze for any amount of time, he would irrevocably know things. Things he�d rather not know about.
When the truth is
I miss you
Yeah the truth is
That I miss you so�
�Ryder,� Josh murmured, �why do we do this?�
�Do what?� Ryder turned away, his voice lacking conviction.
�Play games,� Josh said, keeping his gaze steady, �try to skirt around each other. Try to dance around this topic.�
Ryder reached out for the half-drunk vodka and cranberry that Josh left on the countertop, and downed it in one gulp. �It�s not that simple,� he said weakly.
�Of course I know it�s not simple!� Josh exclaimed, exasperated, �And I�m not asking for anything! I just wish�� he looked away, �I just wish you wouldn�t try and hide it all the time, with your talk of girls and fixing people up and�� He swallowed, sticking his hands in his pockets, �You know I�m not interested in any of that.�
Ryder was silent.
A warning sign
You came back to haunt me and I realised
That you were an island and I passed you by
When you were an island to discover
�I�m not asking anything of you,� Josh continued, �so the least you can do is the same for me. Just� don�t taunt me like this.�
�I�m not taunting you�� Ryder started to say, only to be interrupted by a whole slew of people who seemed to appear out of nowhere, crowding around Josh. Ryder recognised some of them as Josh�s bandmates, and the others were various band members that Josh hung out with in Boston. �Hey, the J-man!� exclaimed one of the guys, �haven�t seen you around these parts for a while.�
Josh forced a smile, �Hi guys. Cool show, huh?�
�Absolutely,� Emily, the bassist for Amnesia, said enthusiastically, �Josh, you�ve got to come up to the balcony with us. They�ve got the best acoustics up there��
�Not to mention a secret stash of drinks,� winked another guy. Ryder watched, bemused, as the group promptly whisked Josh away, chattering loudly to be heard over the music. He caught a fleeting look that Josh cast over his shoulder, slightly apologetic, slightly regretful.
He sighed and ordered another vodka and cranberry.
Come on in
I've got to tell you what a state I'm in
I've got to tell you in my loudest tones
That I started looking for a warning sign
Up near the front of the stage, Faye and Paige danced with each other, looking like they were having a great time. Two guys their age, who had been eyeing the girls up for a while, finally got up the nerves to approach them with goofy smiles. Faye and Paige cheerfully accepted them into their little circle, pairing off to dance for a bit of a laugh. The guys seemed cute � and nice � enough.
When the truth is
I miss you
Yeah the truth is
That I miss you so
And I'm tired
I should not have let you go
Josh leaned over the railing of the second-floor balcony, looking down at the stage. Emily was right: the place they were at really had amazing acoustics. Emily tapped him on the shoulder and handed him a bottle of pre-mixed cocktail and he smiled by way of thanks, taking a swig and turning back to the balcony. The others chatted behind him, laughing, teasing; but he did not join them.
Instead he gazed down at the crowd before the stage. The look in his eyes was glazed, dreamy but melancholic. He stood there, a solitary figure, scanning the faces down below.
So I crawl back into your open arms
Yes I crawl back into your open arms
And I crawl back into your open arms
Yes I crawl back into your open arms�
Part Five
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Boston
�I know I was nasty to Faye,� Cynthia mused, leaning back in the seat and crossing her legs elegantly at the ankles, �I hope that wasn�t what made you two break up.�
�No, it wasn�t that.� Scout shook his head, �It was my fault.�
�Your fault?� she repeated.
�Yeah,� he looked down, �mostly. I�m not saying she wasn�t to blame at all, but I still think it was more my fault than hers. I was�� he shrugged, taking another sip of his drink, �jealous about a lot of things. Mostly about her best friend, who is a guy.�
Cynthia nodded with understanding, �So what are you doing now? Seeing anyone else?� A beat, and she added hopefully, �Paige Bennett?�
�Mom, get over the Paige thing,� he said warily, �we never really hit it off.�
�But you dated,� she toyed with the signet ring that she wore on a necklace, �last summer, right? Her parents told me when we met up.�
�Is that what it is?� He wondered aloud, �Look, mom, Paige�s a nice girl and all, but she�s just not my type.� He paused, debating whether it was worth telling Cynthia anymore of his current situation. �I�m actually�� he started, pondering over his words, �trying to get Faye to change her mind.�
�Oh, honey,� she sighed, �how do you know she�ll ever change her mind?�
�I don�t.� He said quietly, �but if there�s a chance, I have to try for it. I let her go in a stupid, blind moment; but I want her back.�
�Do you love her?� she asked quietly.
He swallowed. �Yes.�
She was silent for a moment, running her finger over the rim of her empty glass. Finally she sat up straighter and undid the chain around her neck, sliding the ring off. �Do you know what this is?� she asked, handing it to him for closer inspection.
He held up the ring and scrutinised it carefully. It was stamped with the Calhoun family crest, and looked like the Calhoun ring that his father wore, which would be passed down to him one day. However, while his father�s ring was heavy and a burnished gold; this one was more slender and silver-coloured. �Is it� platinum?� he asked.
She shook her head, �White gold. It�s the counterpart to your dad�s ring.�
�So�� he handed it back to her with a smile, �it�s passed down through the Calhoun wives?�
�Not exactly,� she smiled back, �the legacy is that it should be given by a Calhoun son to the woman he loves.� Her eyes shadowed over as she took the ring, running the tip of her finger over the family crest, �Of course, in the generations this ring has been in the family, it has always been given to the wife.�
�Mom�� he said softly.
�Love, marriage,� she mused, caressing the smooth metal, �it was one and the same back then. Now things are different. Things change. People separate. Love doesn�t need to come to marriage and some marriages�� she looked up, uttering a small, cynical laugh, �well, I guess some marriages run out of love eventually.�
He swallowed, not knowing what to say.
�Even though this ring belongs to me now,� she said, �even after your father and I get divorced� I want you to have it.�
�Me?� he squeaked, looking up in surprise.
She nodded. �It was always going to come back to you anyway.� With a sudden smile she added, �You�re my only son, who else did you think I was going to pass it onto?�
�Thanks, mom,� he breathed, as she pressed the ring into his hand, �wow��
�If you really love Faye,� she said tenderly, �then who am I to say otherwise. Maybe you want to give this ring to her, someday. Maybe you�ll change your mind. Just�� she gazed at him, �be careful of the choices you make. Because this ring is the only one you�ll have to give away.�
She sat back, steepling her fingers on her lap. �When you get older, questions creep up again that you thought you�d all figured out when you were young. Things like� what exactly is love? And how long does it last for? It all seemed so easy to answer when you were sixteen and falling in love for the first time. Everything was destined to be forever.� She sighed, stood up and extended a hand, �I guess it isn�t necessarily the truth, and most of the time we find out the hard way.�
�I guess,� he said uncertainly, allowing her to pull him from his seat.
�Come on,� she smiled at him, �there�s still time for us to gorge ourselves on room service ice cream.�
***
Carson, Kidsline Training Session
The first speaker had finished her segment of the training, and after a brief group activity, the trainees were gathered again on the common room floor.
�Hi,� the second trainer introduced himself, �I�m Robert. Claire explained to you guys what it takes to be a good listener; and a lot of the time that�s all you need to do, just be available to listen to someone�s problems.� He scanned the faces in front of him, �but I�m afraid that isn�t enough for all cases. Sometimes, you can be left deeply troubled by a call; sometimes you don�t know if you�re allowed to do anything beyond this anonymous phone service. So, that�s what I�m here to talk about: personal safety, problem calls, and how much action you can take in the event of a really distressing call.�
Pausing to pass around a sheet of paper, Robert explained to the kids, �First thing to know as a Kidsline buddy is not to disclose your real name over the phone, let alone your home address or phone number. I want you guys to all choose a �buddy name� for yourself, which will be your name whenever you�re on the phones here. That way, the callers will still be able to identify you as a unique voice, but you will maintain an adequate distance. I�ve printed your names on the piece of paper I�m passing around, so all you need to do is write down your made-up �buddy name� next to it. We�ll pin the sheet up in the office where people can check it if they need to.�
�What�s your name gonna be?� Sean whispered to Bella when the sheet reached her hands.
�Grace,� she replied with a smile, jotting it down before passing the sheet to him, �you?�
He quickly ran through a list of names in his head, �I�ll use Will. Don�t think he�ll mind.�
�Why don�t you change it to Bill?� she suggested, �I think you suit it.�
�Sure,� he shrugged and wrote the name down.
Meanwhile, Robert was talking. �If you suspect that the caller is suffering abuse at home, you must treat this case seriously and try to make them seek help, or get them to disclose their identity and address to you. I know it goes against the tactics that we�ve been talking about, the ones about respecting their privacy and not pushing them, but cases of domestic abuse are an exception.�
�What about when you think they are hurting themselves?� asked a trainee.
�That�s a good question,� Robert answered, �our general response would be to treat the caller the same way as a domestic abuse call. I guess the bottom line is, if you suspect that someone�s getting seriously hurt, whether physically or psychologically, it�s time to do something. Like I said earlier, you should try to convince them to talk to an adult they trust, or go to the police or some relevant authority, or you can try and get their name and home number so our office can run a background check and perhaps take further action.�
�Can�t we just star 69?� Sean asked.
�Another good question,� Robert replied, �but the answer is no. The Kidsline phonelines are specially designed, because privacy is paramount in an operation like ours; but a downside to that is you cannot trace the call back to the caller. If you think they are getting mistreated, you must do all you can to make sure they get help, but I�m afraid a lot of the time you just never know. I know, I know,� he added when he saw the trainee�s crestfallen faces, �that�s not what you guys wanted to hear. You came here hoping to make a difference in somebody�s life and I assure you, most likely you will. But you must also be prepared that we�re only bystanders in the events of these people�s lives, and ultimately it�s up to them to make things change. We all want the callers to go away advised, safe, and happy; but I�m telling you now that we won�t win them all. And that�s okay. Just do your best, and that�s all anyone can ask of you.�
***
Rawley Academy
�You didn�t have to walk me back,� said Anita as Will accompanied her back to the girls� dorms.
�I know,� he smiled faintly, �but I thought you could use the company.�
�Will�� she stopped at the bottom of the stairs at the main hall, turning toward him, �why are you being so nice?�
�It�s what I do,� he shrugged.
�Yeah, well,� she couldn�t help a small smile, �it�s kinda creeping me out.�
He laughed, �Sorry.�
�It�s cool,� she looked down, nudging a pebble with the toe of her shoe, �it�s creepy in a good way.�
He smiled, �Well, I�ll leave you to it. It was� nice, talking to you, Anita.�
As he turned away she spoke up, shyly sticking her hands in her coat pockets, �Um� can you keep a secret?�
He paused in his tracks, glancing over his shoulder, �Sure.�
�My dad�s company�� she said hesitantly, �it�s sorta in trouble at the moment. That�s why I fought over the tutoring with you, because he had to stop my allowance for a while. Don�t,� she said hurriedly when she saw his expression soften, �don�t pity me or try to console me. I�m okay with it, it�s cool, it�s probably a temporary thing. But I just want you to know I wasn�t doing all these things because I wanted to piss you off.�
He nodded slowly.
�Anyway,� she checked her watch, �it�s late, I better get back. Thanks for walking me home.�
�No problem,� he murmured as he watched her run up the stairs and into the dormitory, her dark hair flying out behind her, the colour melding into the night.
***
Jake�s room
It was well into the night and Hamilton was fast asleep, curled up on Jake�s bed, which was just a tad too small for two people, his head lolling to one side of the pillow.
Jake, on the other hand, was lying on her back and staring up at the ceiling. �Hamilton,� she said softly, and when the call elicited no response, she poked him in the side with her elbow, �Hey.�
�Mmrrph,� he mumbled, rolling over uncomfortably.
�I�m kinda nervous,� she said, more to herself than to him, who still looked more asleep than otherwise, �I mean, the morning after pill only has, like a 90% success rate. What if I do get pregnant?�
�Pregnant?� he repeated, suddenly bolting upright and widening his bleary eyes, �what are the chances?�
�Not likely,� she assured him, �but I guess it�s always a possibility.�
�Well�� he watched as she pulled herself to a sitting position, leaning against the headboard, �what would you do?�
�Get an abortion.� She said promptly, �Look, I�m too young. We�re too young. I don�t want to raise a kid when I�m sixteen. I haven�t even started doing all the stuff I want to do yet, I�m nowhere near ready to have a kid.�
�Good,� he said, visibly relaxing, �I was hoping you�d say that.�
She glanced at him, �Did the thought make you nervous?�
�God, yeah.� He pretended to wipe sweat from his brow. �Like you said, we�re totally not up to this now. I can�t even see us being ready in five or ten years� time.�
She nodded, hugging her knees under the covers.
�And when I say that,� he said slowly, �I don�t mean never. I want to. Have children, that is. And it seems so stupid to say it now, when we�re sixteen, but I want to have kids with you.�
She glanced at him, the look in her eyes softening. But before she could say anything he continued, shrugging, �I�m just saying it has to be in some faraway future� when we�re both satisfied with our jobs and our lives and� whatever. I want our children to be happy. And that means we have to want them when they come.�
�You�re thinking that far ahead?� she asked quietly, taking his hand.
He shrugged again with an embarrassed grin, �Yeah, well, sometimes. I think about how many kids we should have. What they�d look like.�
�How many?� she asked with a smile, lacing her fingers through his.
�Two,� he smiled back, �a boy and a girl, hopefully. We�ll live in a good apartment in New York, on the west side. You�ll be some hotshot computer programmer and I�ll be a freelance photographer� Highly acclaimed, of course.� He added as an afterthought.
She grinned and gently squeezed his fingers, �And what will they look like?�
�The photos?� he asked, laughing as she punched him playfully on the arm. �The kids� well, they�ll both have blue eyes, like mine; but they�ll have your nose� and your ears. Mine stick out too much.�
She chuckled quietly, rubbing her thumb over the smooth skin of his hand, �And they�ll have your artistic streak.�
�And your brains,� he added, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. �Does that sound like a life you want, Jake?�
�You have to ask?� she murmured as she pulled him close for a long kiss.
Part Six
Obscure Bar, Boston
The band had finished their set and disappeared behind the stage. Someone in the crowd began to chant �encore�, and soon enough everybody was stamping their feet and yelling for the band to come back out. The roar was deafening, especially out near the front of the stage, causing Faye and Paige to duck away from the crowd and head toward the bar.
�So, can we buy you ladies a drink?� asked one of the guys who was dancing with them. He and his friend were both blond and handsome in a frat boy sort of way, and as they accompanied the girls toward the bar, he casually slung his arm around Faye�s shoulders.
Faye glanced at his arm with amusement, but did not push it aside. �Sure,� she said cheerfully, �that�d be nice. Excuse us for a minute, please.�
�Sure,� said the other guy, and the girls giggled quietly as they slipped away to the bathroom, leaving the guys at the bar.
�He seems to like you,� Paige said once they were in the sanctuary of the women�s room, �you gonna go for it?�
�I dunno,� Faye quickly reapplied her lipstick, �he seems good for a laugh, but I doubt it�s time to go further.�
�Why not?� Paige glanced at Faye in the mirror, running a small comb through her hair, �You�re a free woman, I say go for it.�
Faye smiled, choosing not to answer. Instead she winked at Paige, �What about your guy, eh? He seemed pretty keen himself.�
�Yeah�� Paige blushed, �I don�t know� it�s been a while since I�ve been out with somebody and who knows, it might be fun.�
�Well,� Faye slipped her lipstick back in her purse, �that�s the aim of our night, right? To have fun. I say we throw away our worries and just spend this time with a couple of cute guys, having fun without worrying about what will come of it.�
"You�re on,� Paige laughed as she followed Faye out of the bathroom.
The bar was so crowded that it would definitely be in breach of some fire safety regulation. The girls inched forward, forcing their way through the thick layers of hot, sweaty bodies. Faye could see the guys leaning casually at the bar, only a few feet away, but she could also see that it was going to be quite an effort to get there. Drawing from her best mosh pit experience, she held her arms out to the side and locked her elbows, poking and prodding her way through the crowd.
As she got closer she could see �her guy� lean in close to �Paige�s guy�, talking intently into his ear. �Paige�s guy� smirked, and through sheer chance the bodies in front of Faye shifted, and she caught a view of the guys� hands down below the bar and out of most people�s field of vision, in the process of exchanging a small white capsule.
She stopped in her tracks and Paige bumped into her. �Hey,� Paige began to say, but Faye held her finger to her lips without turning around. �Wait,� she said, watching the guys intently.
After receiving the capsule, �her guy� glanced furtively to one side, then the other. And, quick as an eel he flicked his wrist fluidly over two cocktails sitting on the bar, causing a fine mist of white powder to rain over the drinks. As he pocketed the empty capsule in his pocket, his friend nonchalantly turned around and gave each cocktail a little stir.
�The cheek�� Faye muttered aloud. �Did you see that, Paige?�
�What, no, what?� the other girl looked confused.
�Follow me,� Faye said gravely, �but make sure you don�t drink anything, okay?�
"Okay�� Paige said dubiously, following as the blonde strode purposively up to the guys.
�So,� Faye drawled as she sidled up to �her guy�, slipping her arm around his waist, �missed us much?�
�We could do with the company of a couple of lovely ladies such as yourself,� he drawled back, pushing one of the cocktails her way, �I hope you like margaritas.�
�Oh, I love margaritas,� she shot back, �I�m just not sure if I like drugged-up underage sex.�
Paige�s eyebrows nearly shot off the top of her head. �What on earth are you talking about?�
�Why don�t you ask them,� Faye replied, pulling her friend a step away from the guys.
The guys exchanged a quick glance. �Hey,� �Paige�s guy� said smoothly, �we don�t know what you�re talking about.�
�Oh yeah?� Faye replied, �So I guess you guys have nothing to do with the suspicious white powder sprinkled in those margaritas.�
�Her guy� chuckled, rolling his eyes, �Look, I don�t know what you think you saw, but I can assure you, we�ve been watching these drinks for you, and nothing has been put into them. Now come on,� he reached out to Faye, �don�t be so paranoid, babe. We�ll have a good time.�
�Oh yeah?� she smiled coldly, �You know what? I think I am being paranoid, babe. Why don�t you humour me and show me the drink�s clean by drinking it yourself?�
The guys blanched. �Paige�s guy�, in a last ditch effort, grinned feebly, �Hey, girls� don�t do this. We were having a good time. Why are you set on spoiling it?�
"Why am I set on spoiling it?" Faye rolled her eyes heavenward. �Guys, reality check. You two are the ones who spoiled it, as soon as you slipped this into your pocket tonight.�
She held up the empty capsule.
The guys� jaws dropped. �What the�� �her guy� muttered, frantically fishing in his jeans pocket and coming up empty, �how did you��
�Let�s just say I have a talent in taking things people don�t want me to take.� Faye smirked, scrutinising the empty capsule. �Oh look,� she said innocently, �there�re still some traces of powder left in this. You think the police will be interested in diagnosing exactly what it is?�
�Don�t do this,� �Paige�s guy� pleaded, �I swear, this was our first time trying this out� we didn�t mean anything� it wasn�t going to harm you, it was just gonna make you feel good��
�Right,� Faye said, �give me a break. The way you slipped this stuff into our drinks? You guys look like you�ve been in the practice for years. And��
Before she could finish her sentence, �her guy� suddenly lunged at her, grabbing at the capsule. Paige yelped, but the sound was drowned out in the crowd�s cheers as Coldplay emerged onstage once more, ready for their encore.
Faye seemed nevertheless to have the situation under control. Narrowing her eyes at the onslaught, she sidestepped at the last moment, bringing a knee up that caught the guy in the stomach. For good measure, she brought her elbow down heavily on his back, and he collapsed face-down on the ground. She found time to grin sideways at Paige, �I wasn�t lying about knowing karate.�
In the meantime the other guy had tried to bolt. But a barman behind the counter had grabbed onto his shirt collar, �Not so fast, big guy,� he warned, signalling for security, �I saw what you did to these ladies over here.�
�What we did to them?� the guy muttered, looking at his friend, who was still on the ground, groaning. And as a couple of gigantic bouncers advanced on them, he wailed, �Bitch!�
�And likewise to you,� Faye pulled a little mock curtsy as the guys were dragged behind the bar, one of the bouncers reaching for the telephone. �You might want to hang on to this,� she tossed the barman the empty capsule, �could come in handy with the police.�
�What�s going on?� asked Josh as he came up behind the girls, eyeing the scene with some amusement.
�Beating up lowlifes who tried to drug us,� Faye laughed, �you know, the usual.�
�Good to know,� he wrinkled his nose at the guys behind the counter. �Hey, you guys know where Ryder is?�
�I thought he was with you,� she answered.
�I was sorta dragged away by Emily et al,� he said, scanning the crowd. Ryder wasn�t anywhere in sight.
�He may have gone outside for a smoke,� Faye suggested before she and Paige busied themselves with the barman, leaving their contact details for any inquisition that may come their way. Josh nodded and headed outside.
***
He said I'm gonna buy this place and burn it down
I'm gonna put it six feet underground
He said "I'm gonna buy this place and watch it fall
Stand here beside me baby in the crumbling walls
Josh hadn�t quite anticipated the blast of cold air as he stepped out of the bar. He shivered as the chill assaulted him, an icy breeze darting quickly through his thin sweater and raising goosebumps on his skin. Behind him, he could hear the band launching into �A Rush of Blood to the Head�. He hugged himself to maintain some degree of warmth, and looked around.
Ryder was leaning against the wall, not too far away, half concealed in shadow, a few cigarette butts littered around his feet. As Josh watched, Ryder pulled out his silver lighter and, shielding the flame with one hand, lit up once more.
�Hey,� Josh said softly, approaching the taller boy.
Ryder didn�t glance up, but he offered the other boy a cigarette. Josh took it, and let Ryder light it for him in silence.
Oh I'm gonna buy this place and start a fire
Stand here until I fill all your heart's desires
Because I'm gonna buy this place and see it burn
Do back the things it did to you in return
�I know�� Josh began, biting his lower lip before he went on, �I know you don�t want to talk about it. But we both know something happened, that day back in summer� when I came back.�
Ryder resisted the urge to glance sharply in the other boy�s direction. He took a deep drag and didn�t reply, watching the tip of the cigarette, concentrating on the red glow and not the erratic rhythm of his heart.
�That�s cool,� Josh continued, as though he didn�t expect a reply at any rate. �If you don�t want to talk about it, we won�t talk about it.� He paused, tapping his cigarette against the wall and watching ash flutter to the ground. After a moment he glanced at Ryder, �I just don�t want you acting as though it never happened at all. You should know the things that happen between two people�� he looked away, raising his eyes to the sky, �they can�t be erased. At the best of times, they can only be registered and, I don�t know, overlooked, if you will.�
He said I'm gonna buy a gun and start a war
If you can tell me something worth fighting for
Oh and I'm gonna buy this place that's what I said
Blame it upon a rush of blood to the head
Ryder didn�t reply for a long time. He kept looking at the tip of his cigarette, as though the tiny stub of scarlet-gold light could give him answers, or the words that wouldn�t come otherwise.
When he finally spoke, his voice was husky. �I�m a coward, Josh.�
Josh didn�t look at him. �Yeah, you are.�
Ryder brought the cigarette to his lips, inhaling quickly but exhaling slowly, a release of pressure, a sigh made up of smoke and self-doubt.
�There are a lot of things I don�t think about,� he said, and after a pause added, ��deliberately.�
�Yeah,� Josh stuck his hands into his pockets, �I know.�
�So what do you want me to do?� For the first time since Josh came outside, Ryder looked directly at him, �Have a heart-to-heart? Talk about my feelings? I don�t� I can�t.�
�No. I know you can�t.� Josh didn�t meet his gaze.
Ryder stared at him for a moment longer before averting his eyes. �Good,� he said gruffly.
�Good,� Josh echoed, his voice forlorn, a thin sound resonating in the cold night air.
Honey,
All the movements you're starting to make
See me crumble and fall on my face
And I know the mistakes that I made
See it all disappear without a trace
And they call as they beckon you on
They said start as you mean to go on
Start as you mean to go on
Ryder waited. And when it was clear that Josh wasn�t going to say anything else, he shook his head angrily and burst out, �You know, it seems like you�re always expecting something from me. Nothing�s ever enough.�
Josh glanced at him, his eyes liquid and luminous in the dark, but he made no reply.
Ryder tossed the remains of his cigarette underfoot and continued, crushing the dying embers with his foot, �You�re always waiting� waiting for something to happen. And I don�t know if things will ever happen the way you want them to.�
�I know.� Josh�s voice was subdued, �But I can�t help what I want.� The usual half-smile again, somewhat wistful, somewhat resigned, �It�s cool, I�ve grown used to it.�
Ryder was silent.
�I�ll just carry on waiting,� Josh said, taking a quick puff on his cigarette. He exhaled, letting the smoke cloud up his vision, �� maybe for a miracle. That�s all that any of us can really ever do.� He paused, shaking his head as though to clear it, and said, �Come on, let�s go catch the rest of the show.�
He turned away, and Ryder thought he caught a glimmer in the other boy�s eyes � a flash of disappointment, or simply a tear or two.
***
Kidsline training, Carson
He said "I'm gonna buy this place and see it go
Stand here beside my baby, watch the orange glow
Some will laugh and some just sit and cry
But you just sit down there and you wonder why
The training was finished for the night, and the new recruits were now spread all across the common room floor, tucked into their sleeping bags. The lights clicked off overhead.
In the darkness, Bella could hear Sean�s voice near her ear. �I�m glad I came,� he whispered.
�Me too,� she replied, and to her surprise she felt their hands touch, and gently he linked his fingers through hers. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but the soft darkness swirled around her, warm and comforting, and she forgot what she was supposed to say.
So they simply lay there, hands intertwined, drifting off to sleep.
***
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Boston
So I'm gonna buy a gun and start a war
If you can tell me something worth fighting for
And I'm gonna buy this place that's what I said
Blame it upon a rush of blood to the head
Oh, to the head
Scout exited his mother�s room and closed the door behind him softly. After they�d come upstairs, she was so tired that she didn�t even get to the room service menu before she�d fallen asleep on the couch. He made sure she was tucked in properly, marvelling at the innocence that her sleeping face displayed. He so wished that it would stay like that, even through her waking hours.
As the door clicked shut behind him, he heard another one open further down the hall. It was his father, evidently just returning from wherever he was for most of the night. �Dad,� Scout called, striding quickly across the carpeted hallway.
John looked up, his bloodshot eyes brightening slightly when he saw his son. �Hey, where have you been all night?�
�Downstairs,� Scout said carefully, not wanting to upset his father�s mood by revealing that he�d spent this time with his mom. �Dad�� he murmured, feeling the question lodge like a stone in his throat. It was one that he�d wanted to ask ever since he knew about the divorce, but he was loath to ask it, wary of the potential truths that he wanted and did not want at the same time.
John looked at him with concern in his eyes. �Yes?� he prompted, placing a hand on his son�s arm, �what is it?�
�Dad, I just need to know,� Scout burst out, �was it� was it because of another woman?�
John seemed taken aback. �No,� he said, �of course not.�
�I�m not�� Scout didn�t look convinced, �I�m not looking to blame anyone here. I just want the truth, dad.�
John smiled a little sadly, �Would it make it easier or harder to bear, son? If you could say this was brought on by somebody else? Somebody outside of this marriage?�
�It would make it easier to understand,� Scout said quietly, bowing his head.
Honey
All the movements you're starting to make
See me crumble and fall on my face
And I know the mistakes that I made
See it all disappear without a trace
And they call as they beckon you on
They said start as you mean to go on
As you mean to go on� as you mean to go on�
�I�m sorry,� John said, gently ruffling his son�s hair, �I�m sorry it has to be so hard for you. I�m even sort of sorry that I don�t have this �other woman� excuse to make the whole thing make more sense. But�� he shook his head, �I guess that�s the way things work sometimes.�
Scout nodded slowly. �I understand,� he said.
�Good,� John smiled, �now go get some sleep. We have another long day ahead of us.�
Scout nodded again, watching his father walk into the hotel room. �Dad�� he said before John closed the door, �I want you to know I still love you and mom. Equally, too.�
John smiled, a genuine one this time. �Good night, son,� he said.
�Good night, dad.�
So meet me by the bridge,
Oh meet me by the lane
When am I going to see
That pretty face again
Meet me on the road
Meet me where I said
Blame it all upon
A rush of blood to the head�
***
Rawley Academy
Will walked slowly back to the boys� dorms, a small smile on his face. The air didn�t seem to chill him as much as it did earlier, and he sauntered along, enjoying the tranquillity of the late night.
*Will�s voiceover begins*
�There are two sides to every coin. Being safe can sometimes mean standing up for yourself, using knowledge to empower your way of life; or it could mean shutting yourself off to others, preferring to withdraw into the cocoon of your heart, safe� and alone. I guess sometimes we need to take that extra step forward, out of our comfort zone, in order to see where our sense of safety begins and ends. That way, we�ll be able to know how our lives are defined, and whether we�re happy for it to be so.�
�Hey, Will!� Maria called from behind him. Will turned around, and chuckled when he saw her on her old bicycle, cruising through the main gate.
He waited until she came near enough to enable him not to yell, and asked, �Just got off work?�
�Yeah,� she rolled her eyes, �I swear, I�ve never served that many people in one night in my whole life.�
�It gets like that sometimes,� he sympathised, �can you feel your legs?�
She winced. �Not so much.�
�Soak your feet in some really hot water first,� he advised, �and go to sleep with a couple of pillows under them.�
�Thanks for the tip,� she grinned. �What are you doing out so late?�
�I was�� he paused. Strangely, he felt a strong aversion to sharing tonight�s events � somehow he wanted to keep them only to himself. �I was just out for a walk.�
�Uh huh,� she said distractedly, �hey, listen��
�What�s up?� he asked, trying to look interested. Inside, he was stifling a yawn and thinking longingly of his bed.
�You wanna go to the Halloween Ball together?� she asked, blushing a little.
He wasn�t expecting that. �Um� wow,� he said, his mind going blank, �yeah, I guess, sure.�
Unexpectedly, an image of Anita sparked in his mind. A flash of those dark, sultry eyes, and she was gone, leaving his words of acceptance falling through the air and he wondering why on earth he thought about the bitch from hell, of all people, at a time like this. Correction: ex bitch from hell.
�Great!� Maria beamed, �we�ll work out the details later. I�ve got to get back before my feet fall off entirely. See ya!�
�See you,� he echoed vacantly, watching her pedal off in the direction of the girls� dorms. With a confused smile and a small shake of the head, he continued on his way.
