Chapter 10: Wish for More

     "I can't believe this our last night together," Kai whispers, nuzzling his cheek against Alex's chest.

     "It's not our last night together," Alex answers, squeezing his shoulder, trying to sound more reassuring than exasperated, "I'm not even going to be that far away; the house I'm moving into is just down the street. You can even see it from your window."

     "I want to be able to do more than just see you from my window," Kai says, attempting a slight laugh but only managing a bitter cough.

     "I know," Alex sighs, "I'm sorry." He's made the same apology, over and over, since he made it clear to Kai that he wanted to live separately. The fact that he was willing to uproot himself from the only home he'd ever known, where generations of the Torres family had lived, leaving his father behind, being unable to visit his mother's grave...that should have been enough of a demonstration of the fervor of his love, but Kai still wished for more, And Alex wished he'd had it in him to give. But try as he might, he could not.

     Since graduation, they'd come to live in the house the Brannons had bought in Cape Garner. For Alex, it would be a temporary stay until he set himself in his own place, but for Kai, his parents' house was home, and he'd never choose to leave them. Alex understood his attachment, though his own familial bond to his father was not knitted of the same material. He was content to love his father, and his mother's memory, from a distance, just as he would be content to love Kai while not sharing a home with him. "Our love is strong enough for this, Kai," Alex says gently, trying again to give words to the feelings that flow from his heart, "We are one, no matter how far apart we are."

       Kai wraps his arm around Alex's neck, holding back the tears he doesn't want to shed, "I don't want us to be far apart," he chokes back a sob.

      "Sssh, mi amor, it's all right, it's going to be all right. I promise," Alex whispers, cradling Kai close to his chest, "There's no goodbye, here, and I'll never be far from you. I will see you everyday, if that's what you want. And I'll spend the night with you so often that you'll think I never moved out."

     "It's not the same thing," Kai protests, "Not being able to wake up with you in my arms every day..."

     "I know. I'm sorry," Alex whispers, words he's repeated so many times now he feels he will never be done saying them.

________________________________________

     The Stark Research Center in Cape Garner offered Julian his own office and access to their well funded laboratories, but he still prefers to work independently and set up his own workspace in their new home. He, or, rather, Geoffrey, had a singular goal that he bent all his research in genetics towards, and had scrapped any threads of research that didn't fit in with his master plan, no matter how groundbreaking and important they might have been. As Julian, he was now free to pursue all those discarded threads, to make promising discoveries that would benefit all Simkind, and not just the glory of one corporation. While the Stark Center was no MorcuCorp. Julian remains wary of all corporate backed science, allowing them access to his research and consultation as he believes it will benefit him and his work.

________________________________________

     Kai met up with Manisha at Grizzly's, a local watering hole with a decidedly Country Western flavor. The only tavern in town actually, open from lunch hour through dawn. And apparently the place to hold job interviews. 

     "Is this really a good idea?" Kai asks, worried that meeting his prospective employers for the first time in a bar might paint an inaccurate portrait of who he is, "I don't want to give them the wrong impression. I don't even really drink."

     "It was Caryn's idea," Manisha tells him, "And if you want to work with her and Junior, you'd better get used to it. This is their favorite place."

     Manisha introduces Kai to Caryn Arsenault and then promptly leaves them alone to conduct their business without her. 

     "My husband is right behind me, he's just out parking the car," Caryn says, and launches breathlessly into a discussion about the latest issue of Toadsim Ninjas. "I'd love to get our hands on the license to make a Toadsim Ninjas game, but Junior says it's not very likely."

     Kai smiles and nods, trying not to fidget too much, too nervous around this outgoing, talkative stranger to speak, even if she paused long enough to let him.

     Caryn's entrance is shortly followed by her husband, and more importantly, her partner in the game design company they'd started together.

     "I'm Junior," he introduces himself, "And, yes, that is my actual real name that my parents, in their infinite wisdom, bestowed on me at birth. You can call me J.R. if you want, but no one ever does. So, Junior it is. And you must be Kai Brannon. Manisha has told me a lot about you."

     Kai worries that his smile must look bizarre and forced, because it's certainly how it feels on his face, and his hand is probably too sweaty to offer to shake. But he should offer it, right? His cheeks flush at the indecision, and he wishes he could just drop into a hole in the floor. He's not going to get this job, obviously.

     "Do you play pool?" Junior asks, leading Kai toward the nearby table without waiting for a response.

     "I figure we can do the interview thing while we play," Junior says, "That way it's less of an interrogation."

     "Is Caryn--Mrs. Arsenault--not going to be part of the interview?" Kai asks, noticing his other prospective boss seated at the bar with Manisha, and fearing he might have to survive two separate interviews,

     "Ha, don't go calling her 'Mrs. Arsenault', that's rule number one. She hates that," Junior laughs, "Caryn is the lead programmer of our team. I'm the 'people person', so I get to do all the face to face work." As he speaks, Junior bends over the table to line up his shot, slowly pulls his stick back and then shoots, dropping his ball into the pocket. "Booyeah!" he cheers for himself, and then continues, "Manisha says you majored in Technology, but you are also a talented artist," he prompts.

     "Uh, yeah...choosing between art and tech as my major was a really difficult decision. I love them both equally. I also write a lot. Stories."

     "Great. We're a small company, and we need multi-talented people. Right now, we're primarily after people with a creative background, but having technical knowledge will be a huge asset for you."

     By the time the game is done (Junior won) Kai is feeling comfortable enough to relax with the couple as they share a platter of greasy onion wings, which Caryn promises are the best thing about Cape Garner. Outside of a few questions about his abilities, the 'interview' seemed more like a social event than anything formal, and by the end of it, Kai felt he'd made two new friends.

     "Come by the office tomorrow," Junior says as they are making their goodbyes, "We'll take care of all the formalities then. You know, forms, paperwork, hours..."

     "You mean, I got the job?" Kai sputters. He'd been expecting a 'we'll get back to you in a few days' response at best.

     Junior laughs, "Honestly, you had it before we got here, based on your through the roof test scores and the glowing recommendations of your professors. We just wanted to meet you in person before sealing the deal. And you're pretty cool, so, you're in."

     "Me? I'm not cool," the words slip out before Kai realizes what he's saying.

     "Neither is Junior," Caryn laughs, "Welcome to the nerd based gaming industry. I'm sure you'll fit in just fine."

_________________________________

     Alex's house is on his way home from the bar, and when Kai notices his car parked out front, he decides to drop in and share the good news with him.

     "Hey, it's great to see you," Alex greets him with a warm embrace, "How was the job interview?"

     "Aced it," Kai beams, "I don't know how, but I managed to impress them. I'm going in tomorrow to set up a schedule and stuff."

     "Of course you impressed them," Alex smiles, "I told you you were a shoe in. Congratulations, I'm so happy for you."

     Alex has his own good news to share, he's found an agent who's excited about his writing and is confident he can get him an advance on the novel he's been working. "It's a huge relief that I will be able to work at home," Alex finishes, "I was dreading having to get a job in an office or something."

     Kai returns the congratulations, happy that they had both gotten what they wanted. "But," he adds, "You know you'd never have to work anywhere you didn't want to. My family is rich enough to..."

     "Believe me, I know how rich you are," Alex laughs, "If my mother were here, she'd be reminding me about it everyday. And you know that is why I'd never be happy to take your money. I love my parents, but I'm not like them."

     Alex dips Kai down for a sudden deep and passionate kiss. The celebration of their successes today has put Alex in a rare high spirit, breaking his normal quiet reticence. Days like this are a rare gift, and Kai knows well that this openness is something Alex shares only with him.

     "Let's go out," Alex whispers, breathless against Kai's ear, "Let's celebrate."

     Cape Garner boasts some the loveliest coastlines in all the world, and the couple walk across the street to an old jetty with nothing but its natural beauty to attract visitors, here they can watch the sunset alone, together, celebrating in the only way they'd enjoy, away from noise and crowds.

     "Do you miss me?" Kai asks. "I miss you."

     "I saw you yesterday," Alex answers, and worries that they are never going to get past this. Even on a day as happy as this, Kai is still sad about their living arrangement., "And we're together now."

     "Now, yes, but what about tomorrow?"

     "Tomorrow you start your new job. And I have to work on my novel if I'm going to get that advance my agent promised. When we're done with work, we'll be together again."

     "What about tonight?" Kai asks.

     "Will you stay with me tonight?" Alex asks in return.

     "I'd like that."

___________________________________________________

So here's Generation 2. The family has moved to Cape Garner Islands (Jill, Julian and Kai only. Dylan is staying behind in IP with Luther and Biscuit. )\Alex obviously was also part of the move, but he as moved out to his own house very shortly after arrival. Kai has already rolled a wish to move in with him. Poor Kai, your roll is not kind to you, there.

Kai has started his career in the Video Game industry. Junior Arsenault is his boss, and his wife Caryn is a co worker. They were both generated by the game. I edited them in CAS to not be puddings.

Julian is mostly pretending to work. Nothing he does right now actually earns money. He could, but the family doesn't really need income right now. There are a couple of dive spots here that Jill will of course check out, but I doubt I'll have her doing much in the way of actual work, either.

Out take:

No matter how informal your job interview is, I'm pretty sure talking about your naked boyfriend is a no no. Just saying.

Chapter 9: Like Every Other Couple

     "Have you given any thought to what you're going to do after graduation?" Manisha asks.

     "Of course I've thought about it. I want to go into game design. Even when I was a kid, I was always making up worlds in my head, adventure stories, heroes and monsters. The problem is, I worry that my passion for games will get lost in the bureaucracy of a money grubbing big game company. I've thought about starting my own company: my family certainly has the money to get me started, but I'm really not a leadership type. I'm just not sure which is the best path for me."

     Manisha taps her finger on her chin, deliberating her next move. "I actually know a couple of people who are starting their own game company. They're out in Cape Garner Islands, not far from here. They're looking for people to join their team. I could introduce you, if you're interested."

     "Cape Garner?" Kai asks, surprised to hear that name again in such a short span of days, "My Dad just took a consulting position there. He and my Mom are scouting out for a new house."

     "Well, I guess you won't want to relocate out that way then?"

     Kai's brows knit in confusion, "What? Why not?"

    As much as he'd loved his university experience, immersed in learning, preparing for his future, the separation from his family had been hard on Kai. Even having Alejandro with him, while it had helped him feel not so utterly alone, had not been the same as being in his childhood home, with his parents always there when he needed encouragement. Without them, the world seemed a little less safe, and he'd found himself worrying about whether he'd left the stove on or the faucets running, and he was driven to check them over and over, like a compulsion. 

     "Well, the way you and Alex pretend to keep separate bedrooms like you are just housemates, I just assumed you'd want to live away from your parents after graduation so you wouldn't have to hide your relationship anymore," Manisha says as she takes Kai's queen. "The game is mine."

     "Alex and I went to prom together," Kai answers with a laugh, getting up from the chess table to walk with Manisha toward the Student Union, "My parents have always known about us; his parents, too. Hell, the whole school, and the whole town knows we're a couple. That's never been an issue. The separate bedrooms isn't about pretending we're not lovers. It's just...Alex..." Kai sighs, wishing he hadn't started as Manisha looks up from the board, meeting his gaze, expectant, waiting to hear his story.

     "Alex has trouble sleeping," Kai says, fumbling over an explanation he doesn't always quite understand himself. "And he's just...he needs space. He prefers to sleep alone, most nights."

     When he falls asleep, holding Alex after they've made love, Kai reassures himself that it's all okay, that even if Alex slips out of his before morning to sleep by himself, that it doesn't mean he doesn't love him enough, that their relationship lacks some essential component that all other couples possess. 

     But when he awakens, alone yet again, he cannot deny the emptiness he feels, the longing for the inseparable bond his parents share, a partner to share his bed, his life.

     "I see," Manisha says. But, clearly she doesn't, not really. No more than Kai does. "What, ah, what kind of consulting work does your father do?" she asks, changing the subject to something less uncomfortable than her friend's love life.

     "He's an expert in genetics."

     Manisha's eyes grow wide as she makes a connection she'd failed to see in all the time she'd known Kai. "Your father is Julian Brannon?" she gasps, "The Julian Brannon?"

     "I guess," Kai answers, "You've heard of him?"

     "I've read all his articles, followed his research...I can't believe you never told me!"

     Kai laughs, "I really had no idea anyone even knew his name. Back home, it's my Mom who's the household name and local legend."

     "Really? What field is your mother in?" Manisha asks, clearly expecting a renowned scholar like his father.

     "Scuba diving. She beat up a shark. Everyone in Isla Paradiso still talks about it."

     "She...beat up...a shark?"

     "Yeah, I guess my Dad's research is ultimately more important than my Mom's contributions to society. But beating up a shark makes for a better story to tell the tourists. And I think my Dad actually prefers not being famous. At least, outside the kind of people that are interested in genetics."

________________________________________________________________

     Kai comes home to find Alex in his bedroom, reading his comic books. Alex scoots back a little to make room for Kai to sit beside him on the bed.

     

     "I was talking to Manisha after class today," Kai says, "She says she knows some people who are starting up a game company. Out in Cape Garner Islands. She wants me to meet them. Maybe join their team."

     "That's great," Alex enthuses, "You'd be able to be near your parents, then. I know that's important to you."

     "I do want to be with my family," Kai answers, "But that's not the only, or even most important thing, Alex. You are. We are. If I go to Cape Garner, will you come with me?"

     "Of course I will," Alex says, and Kai lets out the tense breath he'd been holding in, "You know I want to be near you, always."

     "Near me?" Kai asks, "As in, not 'with' me?"

     "That's not what I meant," Alex answers, "I am with you, you know that. And I will always be with you. I just need my space."

   Kai turns away. "So what you mean is you want to be my boyfriend, but it's never going to be more than that," he says, the bitterness of his doubts finally coming forward.

     "We already are more than that," Alex insists, sitting up to caress his shoulder. "I know it's not a normal kind of life, and I know you want what your parents have. But we aren't them. I've been trying, mi amor, to live like every other couple does, together all the time..."

     "But we aren't living like every other couple," Kai protests, "We don't even share a bed half the time."

     "I know, that's my point," Alex says softly, "Even having my own bedroom, it's not enough. I need a place of my own that isn't just one room in a shared house. I need a place where I can be really and truly alone, the way you need to be close to your family all the time. We've both been a little crazy here, haven't we? You need your family, I need solitude. We both have to work around that, and I'm willing to live anywhere in the world you need to go for your career, to be near your parents. But wherever we do go, I am yours and yours alone, even if I do need to live on my own."

     It comes down to a simple choice, as Kai understands it, take Alex on his terms, learn to live with the compromise, or give him up and hope to find someone else someday, someone who wants the same things he wants from a relationship. But that's something Kai cannot imagine, finding anyone else in this world that he could open himself to as he has with Alejandro.

     "I wish I could be that guy, for you," Alex whispers as Kai turns into his embrace, "If I could change myself for you..."

     "I don't want you to change," Kai sighs, "I love you, Alex, not some imaginary guy who will fulfill all my fantasies."

     "I hope I fulfill at least some of them."

     

    

______________________________________________

     Sorry for the very long hiatus I took there! But I'm back, and I hope the sudden jump forward in time isn't too jarring.

     As I expected, I'm not a big fan of the university experience, but I felt that doing it would be a necessary transition to set up Gen. 2. I sent Kai for 2 terms and he had 18 units from taking the aptitude test, but it wasn't enough to get him a degree in just the one trip. I'm really not interested in going back, so if he has enough points, I'll buy him a degree with points later. Meh.

     If it's not obvious yet, Kai is the heir, and the legacy will be moving to Cape Garner Islands, where Kai will start on his rolled career of Video Game designer (artistic branch, I forget the official name). And Julian and Jillyan will be coming along. Dylan will be left behind. I intend to play her and Luther separately in a non-legacy game so I can try out the Lifeguard career with her. I will likely document that on my tumblr, though I might make occasional mention of her life here. Since I used Traveler to move the family, Dylan still exists as an out of world relationship, so I may even be able to invite her as a houseguest.

    Once the move is official and I get a nice picture, I'll update the header image and the sidebar to reflect the generation change.

     Kai's YA trait (rolled randomly) is neurotic. I made mention in the chapter about the compulsive stove and faucet checking that comes with his new trait. He maxed his Nerd status while at Uni and picked up the Handy trait from that.

     The Misc Fun for his generation is the Opposites Attract/Perfect Match. Alex actually fulfills both of those, with a matching Loner trait, and an opposing Absent-Minded trait to Kai's Genius. I'm making a bigger deal about the Loner trait in the story.

     Interestingly, while Kai is a loner, too, he rolls social wishes all the time to interact with his family members, and Alex. So that's where I'm getting his clinginess from, character wise.

     

Status Update!

Status Update: I have started playing Sims again. And that means a Brannon update should be coming up soonish.

Kai has had his birthday and will be heading off to Uni, which is where we'll pick up the story.

I have made a few gameplay posts on my tumblr:

Brannon RLC tag on tumblr

I may change his hair by the time he gets to Uni, though. I like him in an undercut, but I have a few other undercut styles that also look good on him.

Chapter 8: Some Crappy Teen Movie

     One the day after the prom, Alejandro's mother Lopita passed away of old age. Matteo, Alejandro's father, tried to stem the tides of his grief with the distractions of the boardwalk, but his broken heart won out, and nothing could stop him from sobbing mournfully alone on the pier.

     Even in the happiest times, Alejandro is not one for going out in public, and his mother's death sent him seeking an even deeper solitude, avoiding the company of everyone, even those closest him.

     "I just want to help him, or be with him, or...something,." Kai sighs exasperatedly to his father, "But he says he's can't evrn talk to me right now."

     "People grieve differently, son," Julian explains, "I'm sure he knows that you'll be there for him when he's ready. Just be patient."

     Kai nods, "I guess you're right. Alex gets stressed out when people expect too much of him. I don't want to make this any worse for him."

     But doing nothing at all still seems wrong somehow, so Kai does the only thing he can think of, taking the sadness and loneliness he's sure Alex is feeling right now and pouring it out in a painting.

___________________________________

    On Monday, after her soccer game, Dylan meets Luther on one the beach of one of the small islands her family owns. Because the school pulls its athletes out of class early on game days, she hadn't had a chance to talk, or even pass notes in class, with him since the morning.

     "So, I heard there was some kind of fight today? You and Clark and Everado?" Dylan launches right into the question that had been on her mind since the gossip of the morning;s activity came to her in the locker room, "What happened, exactly?"

     "Wow, word really gets around," Luther laughs, "It wasn't a big deal, and definitely not a fight..."

     "Please, I want to know what happened," Dylan urges.

     "Before classes this morning, Everado was asking me about our History class assignment. Ingrid was with him."

     Dylan nods; Everado had stopped pestering her after he asked Ingrid to the prom, and the couple had become inseparable since that night.

     "And then Clark, he just came up out of nowhere and started making these comments about my mom," Luther continues, "Teasing me about not knowing who my father is and stuff."

     Dylan groans, "I'm so sorry, Luther."

     Luther shakes his head, "It's nothing I haven't heard before. But it was really unexpected, you know? My mom hasn't recorded anything in years. She still has her devoted fan base and we still get the occasional paparrazzi camped out in the yard, but no one in our generation gives a crap about who she's sleeping with, but for some reason, Clark was all over it today."

     "I don't blame you for getting mad at him," Dylan says.

     "I was mad, but I was more confused, really," Luther continues, "Clark just kept going, you know? And he started in on how my mother's current boytoy was a gold digger who she had to pay to be with her. And he asked me how it felt to have a step-father that just graduated high school."

     "Ouch," Dylan sighs.

     "Yeah, well, it's kind of true. Micheal is a gold digging dick, and pure evil, if you ask me," Luther says, "And it is creepy as all fuck having him for a step-father. But the thing is, Michael is Ingrid's brother, right? Clark was obviously doing all this to hurt me, he wasn't even paying attention to Everado and Ingrid. But I saw her, and she was not happy at all about where Clark was going with his tirade. So, I tired to nudge Clark back into reality, and told him he shouldn't say anything he was going to regret later."

     

     "That just set Clark even further off the deep end. He actually smiled at me, like this was what he'd waiting for, and he said to me, 'Make me stop,' like he was actually trying to goad me into punching him."

     "And did you punch him?" Dylan asks.

     Luther chuckles faintly, "I've never hit anyone in my life, never been in a fight. And maybe that's why Clark was trying to pick a fight with me, because I'd be the one guy he'd have a chance at beating, if it came to that. We could run a contest for who gets picked last in gym class most often, me or Clark. So, I don't know, maybe he thought he could prove something by winning a fight with the guy tied with him for 'least tough' in the school," Luther shrugs, still puzzled by the morning's altercation.

    "So, what happened," Dylan urges him.

    "Everado had been quietly steaming through this, letting Clark vent himself all over me. But when it started to upset Ingrid, Everado stepped in. When Clark dared me to 'make him stop', Everado was the one who jumped for it. He laid into Clark then, verbally, but his fist was ready to go."

     "I stepped in before Everado could throw that punch. I told him Clark wasn't worth his time. Everado was really pissed, though, and wouldn't let Clark go until he apologized to Ingrid. Clark wanted a fight, but he apparently wasn't stupid enough to want a fight with Everado, so he backed right down and begged Ingrid to forgive him. And then he ran off. Probably dying of embarrassment. I know I would be. Not that I'd ever, ever do anything that stupid. That story has probably already gone around the whole school; he's never going to live it down."

     "It's my fault," Dylan says quietly.

     "What? How? You weren't even there, Dyl."

     "Clark picked a fight with you because he's jealous," Dylan explains, "He thought because we were friends in grade school that we'd be a couple in high school. He thinks I betrayed him by going out with you. It was still stupid of him to try to fight you, though. Like, I'm not a prize that goes to the winner of the fight."

     "No, it actually makes sense," Luther says, understanding now, "If I hit him, I'd look like a bully, and you'd feel bad for him and dump me for him."

     "Seriously? That's like the plot of some crappy teen movie," Dylan laughs, "Honestly, I wouldn't blame you for hitting him after what he did. But I'm proud of you for not hitting him. And for stopping Everado. That was brave."

     "Nah, not really. Everado has a hot temper, but he cools down really fast, too. If Clark hadn't apologized to Ingrid, though, I don't think I could have done anything to stop him."

     "I still think it was brave," Dylan says, turning to kiss him, "Anyone else would have taken Clark's bait, but you kept your cool and you stood up for him against Everado. No one else would have done that."

___________________________

     In mourning for his mother, Alejandro didn't go to school that Monday. Kai was barely able to concentrate in classes, all he could think about was Alex, and wishing he could do something.

     Kai got some measure of relief when Alejandro called and asked him to meet him at the cemetery after school, but it wasn't until Alex was in his arms again that Kai could let go of the tension that had been balling up inside him.

     "I've missed you so much, Alex," he moans into the boy's collar, "I wanted so badly to hold you."

     "I'm sorry," Alex whispers, "I just...I just needed to be alone for awhile."

     

     "I understand," Kai says, gently leading Alex to a nearby bench, "I shouldn't put that on you. You needed some time alone, and I get that."

     "I missed you, too," Alejandro answers, "That's why I called you. I know a cemetery isn't exactly romantic..."

     "That's okay," Kai reassures him, "You don't need to be romantic for me right now. I'm here for you. I will always be here for you."

Chapter 7: Already Falling

     

     The last rays of light of the sun sinking below the sea paints the clouds a brilliant pink, and their color is reflected on the water below, fuschia on teal. Dylan's board breaks the pattern as she skims over the waves, leaving a trail of white in her wake.

     Nighttime is the best time for windsurfing, after the sailors, tourists and fishers have gone back to land, leaving the ocean for those who prefer to take their fun under the moonlight.

     Dylan glides effortlessly over the water, her body shifting in response to the waves as her mind busies itself with other thoughts. Tomorrow night is the prom, and it will be her first real date with Luther. A little thrill rises up her spine when she thinks about him, her face grows warm when she remembers his smile. She actually looks forward to being in class now, anticipating the glances they will exchange, the way he looks when their eyes meet, the feel of his hand in hers as they walk to their classes together.

     Before she goes to bed, Dylan pens a little to note to him, in response to the one he passed to her that afternoon in biology class. She thinks about calling him, but it is far past midnight now, and he's probably asleep, like everyone in her house is, even Biscuit. 

     Her mother has told her that even as a toddler, Dylan was a night owl, and they were never able to get her to sleep before dawn. That hasn't changed, and Dylan still finds it difficult to lay still in bed when the night air calls to her. So instead of calling Luther, she writes down all the inconsequential chatter she would have spoken into her note, knowing that it doesn't matter what they say, it's the thrill of their fingers touching when they pass their folder paper between them, the excitement of seeing the other's words and knowing they share the same desire.

     Kai and Dylan head off to the prom together the next evening, both to meet their dates at the school, both too nervous about the event to speak to each other. For Dylan, it is the anticipation that silences her, wondering what their first dance together will be like, and if they will kiss. For Kai, it's his usual discomfort of being in a crowd, amplified by his concern over Alejandro whose anxieties are more pronounced than his own. Maybe he shouldn't have pushed Alex to do this, he worries.

     The prom for Kai was better than he anticipated and not as bad as he imagined. Alejandro was put off by the crowds, and they spent most of their evenings seated alone together outside of the decorated gym, away from the music and the dancing, just sitting together, holding hands, talking, kissing. It was not much different than if they had not gone to prom and had instead just spent the evening alone together, but Kai counts it as a success just because they did enjoy themselves together in their own way. And, they got a cute prom photo as a souvenir as a bonus.

     Only Dylan was surprised by the fact that she had crowned Prom Queen. The youngest, prettiest girl in high school had been launched into a popularity that she didn't expect or truly want, and she accepted her crown with reluctant grace, wanting only to be alone with Luther. Everyone pressed her for her time and attention, and far too many boys wanted to cut in on her dances with Luther, making the evening not quite as magnificent as her imaginings, but the moments where she did have Luther to herself were perfect, and before it was over, they had made p;ans for a date the next night where they could truly spend their time together.

     They chose the boardwalk for their first date after the prom, as it was the perfect place to be on a Friday evening when you are young and falling in love.

     No couple has ever been able to resist the love tester's challenge, hoping to have their feelings confirmed by an unbiased machine.

     "Oh, we broke it," Dylan laughs as the Love Tester declares its passion sensors are overloaded.

     "I guess we are too much for it to handle."

     The couple grabs a bite at the cantina, and Dylan learns that hamburgers are Luther's favorite food.

     She's not surprised to learn that Luther shares her dislike of being cooped up inside the classroom all day, and that like her, he loves being outdoors. He's not as inclined to be as physically active as she is; he doesn't surf or get into sports, but she is pleased to learn he loves fishing as much as she does, and that he's even more skilled at it than she is.

     Despite not being much of a sportsman, Luther accepts Dylan's challenge to play a round of hoops with her.

     And he doesn't mind at all when she beats him handily, her score more than double his own.

     "You didn't hold back, did you?" she accuses.

     "No, I'm really that bad at sports," he laughs, "But I'm good at video games. And I could write you a song. I've been working on one, actually, but it's not finished yet. And I don't have my guitar here to play it for you..."

     "That's sweet, Luther," Dylan smiles, "You don't have to impress me, anyway. I'm already falling for you."

     "I've already fallen," Luther answers, sweeping her into his arms and dipping her.

     They've kissed a few times already, small, quick kisses stolen between classes. This kiss is different, deep and lasting. Dylan wraps her arms around his neck, holding on, pulling him close, never wanting this to end.

     The next morning, Saturday morning, Dylan gets a call from her friend Clark, now a teen, inviting her to meet him at the Island Jewel Park on the main island. Though she would have preferred spending the day with Luther, they hadn't made plans to meet this early, and Dylan would have felt bad about neglecting her friend, so she accepted his invitation.

     

     "I had the best time last night with Luther," she gushes happily to her friend when she meets him in the park, "He's the most amazing guy..."

     Clark's expression as he listens to Dylan is less than enthusiastic. "I heard you went to prom with him, but I didn't believe it was true," he sighs.

     "What? Why not?" Dylan asks

    "Because you were supposed to be my girlfriend!" Clark answers, "But instead of waiting for mer like you were supposed to, you just ran off with the first guy to ask you out!"

     "Hang on a sec," Dylan stops his tirade, "I did not just go out with the first guy who asked. Everett Dregg and Everado Ichtaca both tried asking me out before I even talked to Luther. And, anyway, even if I did, what makes you think I was 'supposed' to be your girlfriend?"

     "Because we were best friends, Dyl. You promised that day on the boardwalk that you wouldn't forget me when you started high school. But you completely ditched me for Luther!"

     "I didn't forget you," Dylan protests, "And I didn't ditch you either. I'm here, aren't I?"

     

     "Yeah, you're here, and all you want to do is talk about Luther. I can't believe you picked him over me! But of course you'd go for the 'bad boy' instead of the guy who knows you better than anyone else," Clark retorts.

     "Clark, it's not like that at all. First, Luther isn't some 'bad boy' stereotype..."

     "I've heard he rings people's doorbells and runs off," Clark accuses.

     Dylan rolls her eyes, "So he pulls pranks sometimes. He's not a criminal or a bully. And anyway, that's not the point. I'm with Luther because I'm attracted to him and he is to me. We have a good time together."

     "We could have good times together!"

     "We had fun together when we were kids. And I'd like to keep being friends with you, Clark, But you have to accept that it's not romantic. I have feelings for Luther that I just don't have for you or any other boy. He's my boyfriend."

     "You never gave me a chance. It's just not fair."

     Dylan sighs, "I wasn't holding a contest, Clark. I went out with Luther because I like him. It would have been the same if you aged up at the same time as me. I'm sorry that you want it to be more than that, Clark. I really am. But, even if Luther weren't in the picture, I just don't have those feelings for you."