"Oh, no,” cried Christine. "Could you see if anyone was looking at us?""It wasn't too bad," soothed Mitchell. "It looked like it was just your sisters, parents, Aunt Donna, and a few other people I don't know. All of them were looking at us. Other than that, I think we went unnoticed."The door slowly opened, and Melissa stuck her head out and grimaced. "Christine, Hailey is so sorry. She saw you coming up the drive and was so excited to see you and Mitchell. She thought you were going to walk right in, so she hurried to the door to welcome you. She wasn't trying to be cruel. She's just so excited she couldn't contain herself. Mitchell, will you please come in for a while and meet everyone. It'll be fine. We were all young once."With that, Melissa swung the door open and gestured for Christine and Mitchell to enter. Every person in the room was straining to keep a straight face, except Hailey. She had a look of utter dread. Mitchell grabbed her and pulled her to him."What should I
"I'll keep the door closed." promised Hailey with a laugh.Christine was smiling as she pulled the door closed behind her. She stood with Mitchell on the front porch for a while before she spoke. "We're having a Labor Day pool party here Monday afternoon. Would you like to come, Mitchell? It's okay with my folks. In fact, Mom insisted that I invite you," confessed Christine."How do you feel about it? Do you want me to come? Your mom is great, but if I come, it'll be mostly to see you," stated Mitchell frankly."You like to bring me out of my comfort zone all the time, don't you? Okay, then. I was trying to invite you without seeming all needy and desperate, so I used Mom as an excuse. I'm inviting you to the party because I want you to come. I want you to come to spend time with me. Is that direct enough?" asked a surprised Christine as Mitchell stepped close and kissed her lips just as she finished speaking."Should I take that as a "yes" then?" smiled Christine as she looked into h
"You sound pretty cocky," observed Hailey. "I've been swimming since I could walk. Christine is the only one here that can beat me, and I'm getting closer to her every time we race. How about five laps? If I win, you have to be my partner in some chicken fights later on.""Sounds good. Let's make it that the loser carries the winner in those chicken fights. We'll win as long as your legs hold out," teased Mitchell."Okay, we have a deal because I know that I won't lose. Everybody moves back from the middle of the pool. Mitchell and I are racing five laps," declared Hailey as she dove into the pool and began swimming furiously.Calmly, Mitchell pulled his shirt off and watched Hailey until she reached the far end and started back. Then he dove into the water while barely disturbing the surface. Christine had been standing next to Mitchell as he pulled his shirt off. She only managed a brief glance before he joined the race with Hailey, but what she had seen astounded her."Good God," e
Christine had never been so nervous about the first day of school. She took a seat next to Ashley and waited for attendance to be taken. The homeroom teacher, Ms. Angela Metzger, looked over the room as she waited for quiet, and then she began."Jim Adams?" was the first name on her list. She glanced at him when he signaled that he was present. "Christine Leonard, you seem to be living a double life. By day, you're a meek, mild mannered straight A student, and by night a ravishing enchantress. I saw that video on YouTube, Christine. I was very impressed. You both are very good dancers. I thought I was going to have your new friend in my homeroom, but it appears not. Perhaps the principal decided ...." Ms. Metzger"I apologize for being late, Ms. Metzger. I had to pick up some paperwork at the office. I have a written excuse from the principal," offered Mitchell as he burst into the room. "I'm....""I know very well who you are, Mr. Kays. Your fame precedes you. So, I'm going to have t
Liam was a big, likable kid that carried more than a few extra pounds. Mitchell and he had become friendly over the weeks they had practiced together on the team. Mitchell worked to conceal his irritation at Liam's insensitive remarks."Liam, my classroom is here. Ashley was kind enough to show me how to get here and I appreciate her help. To answer your surprisingly cruel comment, I'm going to be hanging with Ashley quite a bit. Is that a problem? I happen to think she's a very bright, friendly, nice girl. I want you to walk with her to her next class and use that time to apologize for being such an ass. I'll be seeing her at the class meeting later today and if she gives me anything but a glowing report about how contrite you were, I'll be doing a prostate exam for you every time you snap the ball to me," threatened Mitchell quietly as he stopped by his classroom door. "Show some pride, for God's sake, and treat the lady with respect." Ashley was amazed to see Liam Marsh blush at M
"You're quite correct, Sean. We can't raise enough, so why try? Maybe we can buy the baseball team new uniforms. That would be nice, wouldn't it? That's the suggestion I found in my mailbox this morning. You kids decide. Would you like to start something that would make a real difference to this community, or work to help some sports team feel better dressed?""Ms. Metzger, I'm for your idea 100%," declared a surprisingly assertive Ashley. "I want to be a doctor and the hospital we have here is way too small. They have trouble recruiting good staff because they have so few beds. Doctors have to split their time between here and Western General in the next county. I think we should start a fund, and be the first donors, for a children's wing. That's what the area really needs. That's how we can do the best for this community."It was off to the races after that. Some students felt it would require far too much time, money and effort, but the idea took root and grew. By the end of the m
"Christine, it looks like your boyfriend is going to shatter all the passing records at Highland by midseason," observed Ken Smith as they filed out of the stands. "He's good enough that a lot of colleges Parker be taking a long look at granting him a scholarship. I don't know if schools like Stanford Parker are interested, or not. They play with the big boys for the national championship. Still, he could land a scholarship to a state school and have a free ride in college.""Mr. Smith, I haven't talked to Mitchell about colleges, but believe me, Stanford would be foolish to think he can't play with the "big boys" next year," replied Christine with some emotion. "He'll be able to pick and choose schools by the end of the season. You can take that to your bank."Ken Smith and Dan Leonard exchanged glances with each other at Christine's strong support of Mitchell. Melissa just patted Christine's back and smiled to herself. Her daughter was growing up.The school gym was the setting for
“I never said it would be easy, Theodore,” responded Ms. Metzger. “We are gaining momentum, thanks in large part to your efforts with the internet. We must keep marketing every good deed, every accomplishment, and every newsworthy action by any senior. Then we’ll start hitting the local businesses for contributions, or marketing deals.”Christine heard Theodore observation that the building fund was floundering and decided to raise money proactively. “Ashley, after school today, we’ll stop at some businesses. We have to make them aware of our goals and try to get them to consider helping us somehow, preferably with cash. We’ll stop at the bank first and talk to Tyler’s dad. He should be willing to help since his son is a senior.”“So that’s what we’re trying to do, Mr. Smith,” finished Ashley as she and Christine sat back to listen to Tyler’s dad express his opinion.“Tyler mentioned all this to me a few weeks ago. It’s a very ambitious endeavor. Building wings in hospitals is extreme