As soon as their coach blew the whistle, Kasey jogged over to the bench and dropped down on the end, snatching her water bottle out of the small circle behind the bench.
“Good practice, everyone!” Coach Austin called out as he walked across the court toward the bench. “Keep practicing your jump shots and free throws and get plenty of rest before Saturday. No parties Friday night; we need everyone there for the game and can’t afford for an accident to make us short a player. Hit the showers everyone!”
Kasey quickly downed the remainder of her water bottle and hurried into the locker room. After a quick shower, she put her wet hair into a messy bun and grabbed her bags before hurrying out to the parking lot.
As she reached into her purse to pull out her keys, a shadow suddenly came over her. Frozen out of fear, Kasey kept her eyes down and clutched the keys in her right hand. She watched the shadows across the pavement as an arm reached up toward her shoulder.
“Are you alright?” a calm voice whispered in her ear. “You look like you’re about to pass out!”
Kasey slowly relaxed her position and turned to find herself face to face with Tim. She sagged with relief against the side of her car, her hand flying to her chest as her heart rate sped with relief.
“I’m fine.” She said with a laugh of embarrassment. “You scarred me was all. Why are you still here? I thought that you left when school let out.”
Tim looked down at the pavement and suddenly shoved his hands in his pockets. “Umm…. I wanted to talk to you before I went home. Are you doing anything Saturday night?”
Kasey quickly went through her schedule and realized she had nothing going on for once. She smiled, “Nothing yet.”
Quick to return the smile, Tim took a deep breath, trying to build up his confidence. “Would you like to go see a movie together?”
Where is this coming from? Kasey wondered. After a moment, she realized that Tim was waiting for an answer. Kasey swallowed and took a deep breath.
“That sounds like fun!” she said, hoping that she did not sound like an idiot. “What movie?”
Tim laughged nervously and his eyes dropped back down to the pavement. “Umm… I’m not sure what’s playing. Why don’t you decide?”
“Alright.” Kasey agreed, hoping that she sounded normal. “I can check it out tonight and let you know tomorrow morning in history.”
“Sounds good.” Tim said, smiling with more confidence. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye!” Kasey said, returning the smile. “Have a good night!”
“You too, Kasey.” Tim said, turning toward his car across the lot.

Adam looked down at April, studying her face as they watched a movie. She lay across his lap, her gaze focused on the screen, but Adam thought she was lost in thought. Cautiously, he brushed his fingers through her spiky hair, not wanting to startle her and spend her flying off the handle.
Leaning his head down, he pressed his lips to her ear. “Are you alright?” he asked.
Surprised by his question, April twisted around to look intently at Adam’s face. “What do you mean?” she asked, scarred that he might be rethinking their relationship.
Adam weighed his response carefully, not wanting to make April angry. “You seem out of it. Like you’ve got a lot on your mind and are unsure how to handle anything.”
April’s cheeks flushed a light pink, and she dropped her gaze to her lap. “Is it really that obvious?”
“No,” Adam said. “Probably not, but I’ve been reading your face for months now. What’s on your mind?”
“Us.” April said quietly. She felt Adam shift and sat up beside him. When she saw his expression, hurt and confused, April immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.
“That’s not what I meant.” She whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek. “I think we need to tell the others. It’s been months, and if they haven’t already started to put things together, then they will soon. You know how intuitive Betsy and JC are with everyone; it’s coming out sooner or later.”
Adam sighed and lay his head back. “I know what you’re getting at, and you’re probably right: they will start putting things together. But are you sure you’re ready?”
“No,” April whispered so quietly that Adam almost did not hear. “I don’t know if I will ever be ready to tell everyone.”
Adam wrapped his arms around April, pulling her close. “Until you’re ready, we’ll keep everything between us. There’s no rush, April, so take your time.”
“Thank you, Adam.” April whispered in his ear, hugging Adam close.
Carefully, Adam turned his head and gently pressed his lips to hers.

“Would you like some help, Betsy?”
Startled by the voice coming from the doorway, Elizabeth dropped the head of lettuce she had been tearing apart and quickly spun to face her brother.
“I didn’t hear you.” She sighed, trying ot slow down her heart rate. “Um, that would be great. Would you finish tearing the lettuce so I can start on the vegetables?”
Joseph took the head of lettuce from his sister and began tearing it first into strips, then into smaller pieces.
“How much do we need?” he asked.
Elizabeth glanced into the bowl of lettuce. “That’s probably enough. Here,” she took the bowl from her brother and scooped the tomatoes and cucumbers into the bowl. After tossing everything together, Elizabeth carried the bowl to the table, and Joseph followed her with two plates and two forks.
“Do you want any dressing?” Joseph asked, turning back to the refrigerator.
“Yeah, could you grab the ranch?” Elizabeth replied.
Joseph reached into the refrigerator and pulled out the ranch dressing, then took his seat across the table from Elizabeth. The empty chairs on either side of them were their constant reminder of what was to come soon for their parents.
“This looks great, Betsy.” Joseph said as he placed salad on first Elizabeth’s plate, and then his own.
“Thanks, JC.” Elizabeth smiled at her brother, determined to keep the mood happy and light. “I heard you playing earlier. It’s been too long since you’ve used that guitar.”
Joseph quickly dropped his gaze to his plate. “I know. I’ve really missed playing, but with school going the way it has been, I could never find the time. Whenever Dad hears me playing anymore, he always gets on my case about focusing on school work and less time ‘messing around’. I wish I could show him how much playing means to me.” he sighed, as if resigned to the current situation.
“I’m sorry, JC.” Elizabeth whispered. “And I know what you mean. Mom and Dad seem to be caring less and less nowadays.”
“At least they won’t be at loose ends when we leave for collage next year. They already have their own routines.” Joseph said, rolling his eyes.
“Do you know where you want to go?” Elizabeth asked after an awkward pause, trying to lighten the dark mood that had settled over them.
“I have no idea where, but I want to study music.” Joseph sighed and set down his fork. “Actually, that’s not true. I really want to go to Julliard, but with my grades where they are, it isn’t likely. What about you, Betsy? Have you thought about where you want to go for collage?”
“I really don’t know where I want to go.” Elizabeth said with a laugh. “I want to major in art, maybe do interior design, but I haven’t thought about where yet.”
“Well, knowing you, Betsy, it will be the best design school in the world!” Joseph said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Mom and Dad send you some place in Europe.”
“Actually, I would rather stay close to home.” Elizabeth said quietly. “I’m scarred that if I leave for a long period of time, that Mom and Dad will split, sell the house, and then I find out when I’m planning a trip home for a holiday.”
Joseph suddenly set down his fork and went to Elizabeth. Carefully, he wiped his fingers under her eyes, trapping tears she had not known were falling down her face.
“It’s all going to be alright, Betsy.” Joseph said, wrapping his arms around her. “We have each other. Everything’s going to be alright.”
Elizabeth clung to her brother, wishing what he said was true, but unwilling to get her hopes up, only to watch them crash and burn.