I had this in the works for a while. Since January, but I never finished writing it. I started it, but I couldn't finish it. For some reason though, yesterday I acutally had the heart to write it. I hope yo like it. It actually took more emotion effort then I had hoped.

They passed on a crowded staircase. He was going up, she was going down. Despite the fact that they passed side by side, and the stairway was over crowded, they didn’t brush up against each other. They both avoided each other’s touch. They were both afraid of what might happen if they did.

~*~

Cut the skin to the bone

Fall asleep all alone

Hear your voice in the dark

Lose myself in your eyes

Choke my voice say goodnight

As the world falls apart

Fuck, I can’t let this kill me let go

I need some more time to fix this

~*~

As they passed, she felt herself shaking. She ran a finger across her smooth unscathed wrist, and still couldn’t believe a friend of hers had done it, then again, she could feel her friend’s pain. She tried to shake the thoughts from her head, but couldn’t. ‘Sleep,’ she thought to herself. ‘I just need sleep.’ But she couldn’t sleep. She heard his voice though the darkness, blocking sleep from her mind. All she had to do was think of him and she could see his soft brown eyes. She choked up as she thought of him, stumbled a bit, tears threatening to spill over her eyes. She rushed to her class as she felt her world collapse. She couldn’t even brush past him in the hall now. It all hurt way too much and all she wanted was for it to stop. Sleep couldn’t heal her though. Only time could.

~*~

We’ve been here before a few times

And I’m quite aware we’re dying

And your hands they shake with goodbyes

And I’ll take you back if you’ll have me

So here I am, I’m trying

So here I am, are you ready?

Come on let me h old you touch you feel you

Always

Kiss you taste you all night

Always

~*~

During their relationship, they had gone through periods where they wouldn’t talk to each other for a few days, but everything would still be all right. Now though, since they broke up, they hadn’t talked in almost a month. Everything that had passed between them was now dying, and it was dying faster then he had hoped it would. And he knew she wasn’t over it. When they passed briefly on the stairs, he had noticed she had been shaking horribly. And he knew it was because of him, and it gave him an unsettling feeling. He didn’t want things to be that way. If only she’d give him a sign that she’d take him back, he would go to her easily. He remembered the nights of passion, and he regretted breaking up with her. He couldn’t even remember why he did it. He just wished she were in his arms again.

~*~

Here’s a letter for you

But the words get confused

And the conversation dies

Apologize for the past

Talk some shit, take it backs

Are we cursed to this life?

Fuck I can’t let this kill me, let go

I need some more time to fix this problem

I need some more time to fix this problem

I need some more time to fix this

~*~

The second she handed him the letter she regretted writing it. It didn’t express what she needed to say properly by any stretch of the imagination, and she knew that it would just make things worse, but she still handed him the letter. They talked briefly, just mindless small talk, but it was the most they had said to each other in a month, so they both embraced it almost happily. She wanted to just take the letter back and apologize for whatever it was that she did, but she couldn’t make her mouth form the words. As she watched him walk away, she felt like just breaking down and crying the tears she had wanted to cry for the past month. She felt cursed as she watched him disappear around a corner, as she realized those would be the last words they ever spoke to each other for a long time.

~*~

And I’ll miss your laugh and smile

I’ll admit I’m wrong if you’d tell me

I’m so sick of fights I hate them

Lets start this again for real

So here I am I’m trying

So here I am are you ready

So here I am I’m trying

So here I am are you ready

Come on let me hold you touch you feel you

Always

Kiss you taste you all night

Always

Touch you feel you

Always

Kiss you taste you all night

Always

~*~

He was surprised when she actually approached him in the halls. She handed him the letter, and asked how his day was going. He had made some witty comment, and she had actually laughed. When she did that, he didn’t realize how much he had missed the sound of her laugh and the look in her eyes when she smiled. He wanted to tell her that he had been wrong in breaking up with her, and beg for her forgiveness, but he didn’t know how to word it. He considered a letter, like she had, but he still didn’t know what she had to say, so he quickly banished the thought. All he knew was that he wanted to start over, no matter what he had to do to make it happen. He still wasn’t ready to let her go.

~*~

I’m talking to the ceiling

My life just lost all meaning

Do one thing for me tonight

I’m dying in this silence

The last star left in heaven

Is falling down to earth and

Do you still feel the same way?

Do you still feel the same way?

Fuck I can’t let this kill me let go

I need some more time to fix this problem

I need some more time to fix this problem

I need some more time to fix this

~*~

That night, she couldn’t sleep. In fact, for the next ten months, sleep almost refused to come to her. When she did sleep, she dreamed, and he always haunted her dreams. His voice, his eyes, his touch, it was driving her insane. Fall had come again, and it had been nearly a year. She knew she should be long over him, and in a way, she was, but something still remained. Something that was never settled, and she wanted to find a way to let it rest. She looked up into the night sky from her porch, and watched a shooting star float across the sky. She watched it disappear, and made a wish, a wish to finally settle things with him, no matter how hard it would be. She had kept putting off talking to him, always saying time will step in and fix things, but it wasn’t. She knew that she had to do something. It was now or never.

~*~

I’ve been here before a few times

And I’m quite aware we’re dying

Come on let me hold you touch you feel you

Always

Kiss you taste you all night

Always

Touch you feel you

Always

Kiss you taste you all night

Always

~*~

He didn’t think about her very much anymore. He had a new romantic interest in his life, and was happy, but there were the days when his thoughts would linger back to her. He knew that anything between them was now dead. He should have done something after she gave him the letter, but for some reason he didn’t. Maybe he would have done something to prepare himself for what was to come. Or maybe he expected it.

~*~

To Be Continued…

This is a story about a girl. A girl I know, and the one she loves. And the only barrier of love…

Being in a play, especially community theatre as a teenager is an easy part of life. It’s almost an expected part of life to someone who wants a future on the stage. But everyone always makes the same mistake. They don’t count on the feelings and relationships that develop in the short time together, or the memories that quickly fade.

I couldn’t have been luckier that summer. The love bug didn’t bite me, and I didn’t try to bite it. I wanted my summer to be a happy one, so I quickly decided love wasn’t going to be a part of it, and it happened exactly the way I wanted it. If only Lily had been so lucky.

I met Lily the summer I turned sixteen. The day after I turned sixteen to be exact. It was the first rehearsal, and everyone was sitting around the lobby of the theatre, waiting for the rehearsal to start. Unfortunately, I didn’t know a person in the room. Of course, there were others who had done plays for the company before, so there were small groups who knew each other.

When you’re sitting at a table alone, you can really observe and think about things. I knew that within the next few days, I would get to know these people, and the day sitting there alone would be quickly forgotten so I didn’t let sitting alone bother me. As I was sitting there, thinking and watching, a girl walked into the room.

She was tall, with awe-inspiring presence. She didn’t say a word when she walked in the room, yet everyone noticed she had. People greeted her, and she just smiled, and headed for my table. Where I was still sitting utterly alone.

"Hi, I’m Lily." She said with a smile, sitting down and extending her hand.

"I’m, I’m Catalyst." I said shyly, shaking her hand.

"That can’t be your name." She said, withdrawing her hand, and giving me a look.

"But it is." I said, my shyness dropping. "Offended?"

"No, not at all. It’s a great name." She said, smiling her smile that I would soon recognize as her trademark.

I swear on the book that those were our exact words. It happened to long ago, but that day still feels like yesterday. And the days that followed still linger in the air as a fresh memory, though their long dead.

The day after that was Lily’s birthday. I was shocked to find out that it was only her thirteenth birthday. Thankfully, I wouldn’t be the only one.

We went the first week of rehearsal without many of the characters. Some were on vacation, but for other parts, we just didn’t have actors. Everyone made calls to friends and family.

I almost lost my promise of a love free summer when I called one of my friends for one of the lead male roles, but thankfully for me, Rickie showed up. As we neared opening night, I wasn’t so thankful.

Lily’s happy demeanour just become happier and happier, until I realize it was almost forced. She was upset, but she wasn’t talking, and I didn’t want to push her for reasoning for fear I would upset her more. Until I just couldn’t take it anymore.

We both arrived at rehearsal early one day, and were the only cast members in the building. Once upstairs in the dressing rooms, I approached her.

"Lily, I think we should talk." I said with a somber tone.

"Talk?" Her smile faded at my tone. "About what? Is something wrong?"

"You tell me. I know there’s something wrong, and I can’t just watch as it bothers you."

"There’s nothing wrong." She said quickly, before smiling again. "Don’t I look happy?"

"Yes, and that’s the problem. Something’s wrong, and I want to know, so I can try to help. I’m older and wiser remember? I’ll help you the best I can, just let me."

Lily sighed, and sat down in a chair. She wouldn’t look at me at first.

"It’s Rickie." She said softly.

I thought of interjecting, but I sat down as well, and waiting for her next comment.

"I’ve really started to like him." She paused again, and I felt like beating myself in the head with something for not realizing it sooner.

"What’s wrong with that?" I asked softly, hoping my question was innocent enough.

She didn’t answer me at first. She looked around the room slowly, and then finally, she looked at me.

"He likes me to." She said barely audible.

"But he’s turning eighteen." I said, maybe a little to harsh.

"And that’s where the problem is!" she exclaimed, turning away from me.

"Alright," I started, standing up, and beginning to pace. "This is a tough one. Now that I’m done mentally beating myself in the head for not realizing what the problem was, I think there might be a solution to this one."

"I wish I could be so hopeful."

"And you can." I said, going over to her. "There’s hope in everything. You just have to look for it."

"You don’t think it’s obvious though, do you?" she said, standing up to face me. "That me and him, you know."

"You’re seeing each other?" I said, in complete disbelief at both the thought and the fact I was saying it.

"No, but, you know." she said, her almost full of fear.

"Well now that I know it obvious." I said, as she sat down, a look of defeat on her face. "Only because I know though, so cheer up dolly. I would have assumed good mutual friend, because of the age difference, but wow. This is a shock and a half."

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you. Now you’re going to worry,"

"Worry? Me? No. Not quite. What I’m going to do is find you a solution."

"A solution?" she said, standing up, almost angry.

"A solution to what?" one of the other cast members said, coming into the dressing room.

"Nothing" we said at the same time, and I exited the dressing room to go to my own to think.

For the next few days, I did some serious thinking, though I would always throw out a few outrageous ideas.

"Move to the middle east." I said to her one day.

"What?" she said, looking at me as if I was crazy.

"Well, eight year little girls marry fifty year olds. A thirteen year old and a eighteen year old would be overlooked easily."

"You’re not funny Catalyst." She said, storming away upset.

I chased her, not wanting her to be upset. I grabbed her arm, and made her look at me, though it was probably the last thing she wanted to do.

"Listen to me Lily,"

"No! You’re nothing but full of ridiculous ideas, and I hate it." she said angrily.

"I’m seriously thinking about it Lily, you have to understand that. I’ve known for four days, and this is a really big thing with no easy solution. You have to give me a break."

She nodded slowly, and hugged me with apologizes. I hugged her back with a smile, glad she wasn’t to mad at me, as I had been throwing out stupid ideas like the middle east one since she told me.

"Let me tell you one thing though Lily, your happy ending is in sight."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Don’t you read books anymore? Watch movies? All our favourite heroes overcome the greatest of obstacles."

"But we have the greatest one."

"The only barrier of love, I know. But everyone makes it in the end."

"No! No they don’t!" she said, quickly, getting upset again. "What about the tragic romances? Romeo and Juliet? Jack and Rose? Satine and Christian? They were the forbidden hearts, just like Rickie and me. There was no happy ending for them."

"And that’s why those were just stories." We both jumped at the new voice in the conversation.

I turned to find Rickie standing there, leaning against the wall. Neither me or Lily moved from our spot, but he came forward.

"Cat is right. Everyone one of those couples you mentioned had their happy ending, even though things ended tragically. And if you look past the suicide thing, we aren’t much different then Romeo and Juliet. She was fourteen, and he was almost twenty."

"That was the sixteen hundreds." Lily said skeptically.

"But nothing has really changed in the field of emotions." He said, coming to stand in front of her.

"Wow, the clown can be serious." I said, backing away from the two. "But I’ll leave the love birds to talk."

And leave I did. That day seemed almost suspended in time. I remember the rest of that rehearsal went by so slowly, the three of us giving each other the odd glance, yet we didn’t say any more to each other. Rehearsals continued like that for the rest of the week until opening night.

"Lily, have you talked to him since that day?"

"Yes."

"You’re lying. Talk to him."

"We do talk, about stuff." She said, trying to break away from me.

I grabbed her arm, not letting her leave.

"You have to have a real conversation. You can’t let this go."

"But I’m scared! We’re both scared. We don’t know what to do. What can we do?"

I let go of her arm, and took a step back. I shook my head and tried to smile.

"Make the best of it. That’s all you can do."

"We tried, and it doesn’t work! There is no best in this situation, but to stay away from each other."

"Don’t tell me you told him that." I said, eyes wide.

"We agreed mutually." My face must have been showing a reaction, because she quickly continued. "I didn’t want to tell you. I knew you would be just as upset as us, but there’s no way we can be together. Besides, I’m young, care free, I shouldn’t be thinking of something as serious as he’s looking for. You know that as well as I do."

"Why not? Lily, I promised to find a way to make things work for you two,"

"But things change."

"Have your feelings changed? Have his? Why should I break that promise, if those feelings are still in place?"

She never did answer me. She walked away, head high. I could have killed her on the spot, but I knew what was going on. And just because I knew, didn’t mean I was going to stand for it. I went straight to Rickie, and didn’t care who heard me.

"Do something." I commanded, coming to stand right in front of him.

He looked around at the people around us, and glared down at me.

"Now isn’t really the time to be discussing this."

"Grand. Do something."

"Like what?" he asked, sincerely perplexed.

"I don’t care, but do it. You know better then anyone how to make things right."

"But I don’t, or I would have." He said, throwing his hands up in defeat.

"You do. A song."

"A song?"

"A song. Because the world is truly wonderful." With those words, I walked away. I hoped he would listen to me, because he was the only one that could show her things would be all right.

And he took his sweet loving time. He waited until closing night, the cast party, with everyone watching. It was that night I learned at karaoke is indeed a dangerous thing. He got up on the stage, the mike in his hand, and gave it his all.

"I’m afraid the song I want isn’t on any of our CD’s, so I’m going to sing this one on my own. Some of you might know it, Your Song, from Moulin Rouge. Since everyone else seems to be dedicating their songs, I want to dedicate this to my Lily of the Valley."

With that, he began to sing. He blew everyone away with the song, but I couldn’t help but notice the look on Lily’s face. She was so shocked, but there was almost a sense of relief on her face, that I couldn’t help but grin.

After that, the secret was out, but neither of them seemed to care. They were too transfixed with each other, just happy to share in each other’s presence that one last time. And it was one last time. Of course they still talked, but rarely saw each other. Many would say their feelings faded, but what would be the point of the story if that were the case?

That summer I learned a valuable lesson. Love is not sunshine and roses. Forbidden hearts still beat in unison, the passion still burns, and you can feel it stronger then any life force on earth. But I also learned, that once forbidden, is always forbidden and that’s the cold fact.

Author Note: Here is ending number one. The gross bad evil one. My explaination, sometimes chocolate can't heal everything. (no pun, nothing directed at anyone, just needed to get this one out before I actually killed someone)

You may still be wondering the relevance of my encounter with these two people. The relevance is the memory, as I stand with two roses in my hand. You see, fate has a funny way of bringing people together when you least expect it. I’m sad to announce Rickie was more then right when announcing their relationship was like Romeo and Juliet’s without the suicide.

Lily, now twenty-three, was in Australia, traveling with a theatre group. Rickie, at the ripe age of twenty-eight was promoting his new book in the Maritimes. They both died in a car accident on the same day.

I place the roses on their separate caskets and take a step back. Fate works in mysterious ways, and gives us what we want when we truly deserve it. I hope they don’t mind, that I’ve put it down in words, that a rose is meant to blossom, as a heart should be free.

I wrote this on my sister's birthday, when we went to Port. It's short enough. Hope you enjoy.

Secrets.

What’s a secret’s worth if it’s written on paper? Just as much as if it was spoken I assume. Even if it’s written in a journal, that no eyes but the writer’s will see. But nothing could stop me from writing secrets. Who could get their hands on my journal?
I don’t think I’ve written an entry so early in the morning before. We’re headed to the next town over today. For breakfast, dad said, I think. Can’t remember much, my head is still pretty groggy. But I do know that James lives there. If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll see him. you wouldn’t believe how much I’ve started to like him in such short of time. I barely know him but I think he’s amazing. I can’t figure out why. But I do like him a lot. This is nuts. I feel like some sort of sixth grade ninny, not sixteen, then way I’m crushing on him. Hmmm, crushing. I don’t think I’ve used that term since grade six either. Oh well. We’re parking though, ta ta!

Amber quickly shoved her journal into her purse and carelessly slung it over her shoulder as she got out of the car. What she didn’t realize, what that her purse wasn’t done up properly. What was even more unfortunate, her journal fell to the sidewalk, something she didn’t notice in her sleep deprived daze.

~*~

"Amber dear," her mother said with a smile. "Do you have any paper in your purse?"

Amber’s family was just finishing up breakfast, and was getting ready to leave.

"Yeah," she said, grabbing her purse. "My journal is, it’s, it’s gone!"

"Shhh, don’t make a scene. All your mother needs is paper."

"No, mom, dad, my journal, it’s gone! Oh! This can’t be happening!" she exclaimed, beginning to search around the table.

"You must have left it in the car" he mother said calmly, looking for a clean napkin to write on.

"No! I put it in my purse! Oh, I can’t believe this is happening" Amber said, still frantically looking around the table.

"Well it isn’t here Amber." Her father said, furrowing his brow. "Besides, you just got that journal last week. There can’t be much written, so it’s not a big loss."

Amber sat back, taking a few deep breaths. It was true, there weren’t many entries, but that wasn’t the point. There was more then enough information in it if someone she knew was to find it. Especially James.

After she took her breaths, Amber stood quickly.

"I’m going to look around the car. Hopefully it’s to early for people to be walking the streets."

She was gone before anyone in her family could stop her. Her journal was gone to, before she could get to it.

~*~

"This is an ungodly hour to be walking around."

"James, don’t complain." His mother said, looking into a shop window. "This is a lovely city in the morning."

"It’s just as nice after noon as it is at nine." He said scornfully.

"Now, now James. I’d think that you don’t want to spend time with your mother."

"No mom." He said, a book on the sidewalk catching his eye.

"Good." She said with a smile, continuing without noticing the book.

James went and picked it up quickly. He began flipping through it, reading, absently following his mother.

"I think today just got more interesting."

~*~

After breakfast, Amber and her mother began browsing the local shops and boutiques together, while her father and brother biked. She tried to get her mind off her lost journal, but her mother wasn’t helping. She kept offering to buy her a new one, but Amber wanted nothing to do with it.

Then she ran into James.

"James! Oh, goodness, who would have thought I’d see you here!" Amber exclaimed, both shocked and almost frightened.

"Amber! It’s a wonderful surprise. But you look upset. Not happy to see me?"

"No, it’s not that, it’s just, I lost my journal today." She said sadly, trying not to begin lamenting.

"That’s horrible." James said, a small smile on his face.

"James!" his mother called from the door. "We don’t have all day. Come on."

"Sorry I can’t stay." He said to her slowly, sincerely apologetic. "But here."

He handed her the journal and smiled as her eyes went wide. He took advantage of her shock, and kissed her cheek, then quickly left. She smiled as she watched him go, then looked down at her journal nervously.

She opened it to where she had finished writing earlier, and sure enough, under her last entry, was James’ messy script. She smiled as she read.

That makes two sixth grade ninnies.

When I don’t walk with my hands in my pockets, I feel him, his hand in mine, as I walk, though he is never there nor will be again.

I always dread walking to work. It’s always nice in the morning, the sky so light and pretty, barely anyone or any cars in sight. You can almost smell the brewing coffee in the houses you pass; hear the gentle breathing of those still sleeping. Mornings are amazing when you’re walking the path I walk to work. Unless you’re me of course.

I have a memory of a similar walk, one taken at night rather then the morning, one that will probably haunt me every time I walk the path. It was one of those starlit walks, with a lover down the dimly lit road, guided by nothing but two beating hearts. His hand was threaded through mine the entire time; his hand was threaded through mine for a month before he disappeared.

After that walk, I never saw him again.

I didn’t get a phone call, a letter, e-mail, fax, not even a dream. Well, I did dream. He was in my dreams every night for a month, until I forgot his face. I didn’t even have a picture of him. I almost forgot about him, until six months later, he came to me in a dream again. I woke up crying.

That morning was a Sunday. I had to work, so I got myself up and ready. I work at a local diner as a waitress, nothing to fancy, nothing that pays well, but it gets me by. I didn’t want to walk that morning, and was just going to call a cab, but when I looked out my window, what I saw just looked so inviting, I couldn’t resist the walk.

As always, I walked with my hands in my pockets. It was such a nice day though, I pulled them out, and as I did, I thought I felt another hand grip mine, I could have sworn I felt the warmth of another hand, but there was no one there. I remembered my dreams, and almost started crying again, but I willed back the tears, and putting my hands in my pockets, I continued on my way.

But what happens if that lover you haven’t seen, have been dying to see, appears, and walks towards you with the smile and stride that you fell for in the first place?

Well, I don’t know what you would do, but I’ll tell you what I did. I dropped the teacup that I had in my hand on the ground, where it smashed into perfectly broken pieces. One of my fellow waitresses ushered me away from the scene and called the bus boy to clean up as she lead me to the bathrooms to clean me up, as I was in a daze and had hot tea all over me.

"What happened?" I asked her suddenly, coming out of my daze.

"I’m not sure, but it wasn’t good. You sure know how to get everyone’s attention though!" she said with a smile, handing me a wet cloth.

I wiped my shirt down the best I could, but it was hopeless. My boss would probably send my home early, or worse, if I saw my lover in my section of the diner, I would demand to go home.

With my rotten luck it was the latter.

I returned to the floor of the diner, cleaned up the best I could to find him sitting and waiting alone in one of the booth on the far wall. He was looking out the window, so I was able to walk past him without actually having to look at his face again.

"This is not happening." I muttered to myself, as I stalked to the kitchen.

As I entered, I grabbed the sign in book and wrote my sign out time.

"What do you think you are doing?" my boss asked me, sounding aggravated, as he cooked.

"What does it look like?" I snapped back, but quickly took it back. "I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well. I shouldn’t have come in this morning. You’re going to have to call in someone. I apologize."

"Fine, fine. You go home and rest. I’ll be sending someone by with some soup for you. You’re not eating or sleeping right it seems girl. Now get home."

I nodded and slipped out the back door.

Every night I prayed to every God, wished on every star, and hoped with every living fiber in my body that my love would come.

Around five, there was a knock on my door. I didn’t want to answer it, but I remembered my boss saying he would send someone around with some soup, and decided it was in my best interest to answer you. You’d have to be crazy to turn away my boss’ homemade soup. He truly is a master chief.

When I opened the door, I almost dropped the glass of ginger ale that I had in my hand. He was standing there, with a container of hot soup. He seemed nervous as he stood there and avoided make eye contact with me.

"I over heard you boss talking about you, saying you were sick. I became worried, and talked to him, and he asked if I would bring you some soup around dinnertime. And well, here I am I guess." He managed to stammer out, his mouth barely moving.

This wasn’t the man I remembered. The man I knew was cool, confident, nothing could shake him. He had always puzzled and perplexed me, but now I was just confused.

"You were worried? It took seven months and mention of me being ill for you to worry. Then again, that’s what you always were like." I said, staring at him, daring his eyes to focus on mine, but they didn’t.

"Look, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t possibly explain. You completely took me over, you haunted my every hour, it scared me. And it just wasn’t when we were together. For the past seven months, you have been the only thought on my mind." He said, final looking up at me.

"Olivia, who’s at the door?" my new lover called from the hall, coming to stand in behind me at the door.

"Just a worried customer, here to bring me some soup. Thank you." I said with a coy smile, taking the soup container. "It was very kind of you."

He looked my new lover up and down, frowned slightly, then nodded, and with a wave, he was gone.

Love is a virtue, hold it close, cherish, but never waste it, on the things that will never matter.

It was summer again. Delia couldn’t wait to get to her cousin’s cottage again. She just wished the drive was shorter then an hour. But as time wore down, and familiar landmarks proved they were getting nearer, Delia couldn’t help but remember last year, the summer she was sixteen.

~*~

"Delia! We’re playing man hunt now!" Tom called down to where she was standing on the beach.

Delia raced up the stairs to where Tom, Teddy, Jacob and Carla were standing. Jacob and Carla were brother and sister, and her cousins. Tom and Teddy were brothers, who had a cottage behind her cousins.

"Jacob’s starting." Teddy said with a smirk. "I caught him first when we were still playing ghost in the graveyard."

Of course Jacob protested, claiming the unfairness of it. Delia frowned, and turned back to the view of the dusk sky on the lake. Turning to Carla, who looked out onto the lake with her, she spoke.

"I’m here, standing alone enjoying the lake view, and they come and start bickering, ruining it completely."

Carla nodded, and the boys were silent for a few seconds.

"Fine." Tom said. "Everyone get out of here. I’m it."

"But that’s not fair." Delia said, turning to face him.

"It’s the only way this game is going to get started, so you can get back to your stars." He said, turning and walking away.

Delia was hurt at first by the comment, but she quickly turned and headed down the stairs, back onto the beach.

She stood on the beach, while everyone hid. Two of the younger kids were hiding came and hid under the stairs as she stood there, watching her. Tom came down the stairs, and in an effort to keep them from being caught, Delia whistled, catching Tom’s attention, then dashed down the beach, Tom hot on her heels.

Delia ran until she thought her lungs were going to collapse. She turned to find Tom still behind her, and the lights from the cottages, far behind them.

"Are you going to chase me all the way down the beach?" she cried, stumbling a bit.

"Maybe." He grunted, just as much out of breath as she was.

Delia started to slow down, and Tom jetted forward, catching up. Delia didn’t know what else to do, so she dived into the sand, and as she hoped, Tom dived over, into the sand as well. She tried to pick herself back up to keep running, but she was much to out of breath.

She sat there, looking up at the stars with a small smile on her face. Tom picked himself up and went and stood over Delia, his hand outstretched.

"That wasn’t fair." She said, still panting slightly.

"It was more then fair. Come on." He said, grinning at her.

She grinned back and grabbed his hand, a move that she would regret, even to the day of her remembering. When she grabbed his hand, she felt something, and certain electricity, and she knew he felt it to, judging by the way when their eyes met, they both looked away quickly.

Though their hands separated, their fingertips lingered until they were walking back down the beach. They walked in silence, until Delia thought she was going to explode.

"Who else is there to catch?" she asked, looking at him, hoping he’d face her.

"No one. You were the last one." He said, not breaking his forward glance.

"You mean the kids, they,"

"They were there because I knew you would run to try to keep me away from them. Your motherly instincts are to strong you know." he said with a laugh.

Delia laughed to, but wasn’t feeling it.

They continued in silence, and once they reached the stairs, Tom went up to gather up the others, but Delia stayed on the beach. Carla quickly made it to her cousin’s side.

"So what happened?" she asked.

"He caught me?"

"And?"

"That’s it. But there is sand in my pants!" Delia cried and started to shake to get rid of the sand.

As everyone started to gather on the beach, Delia gave up and sat on the ground unhappy. As everyone talked, Delia became more uncomfortable and stood back up to shake some more, complaining about the sand.

At one point in the conversation, Teddy suggested a game of strip poker and it was pointed out that Delia was half way there with her pants undone and her socks off and pants rolled up. Delia glared and kept shaking.

"It’s your fault for diving Delia." Tom said with a smirk.

"If your fault for chasing me Tom." Delia said, shifting her glare to him.

"Why don’t we all go up to the top of the stairs and play truth or dare then?" Teddy said, eager to do something other then sit on the beach.

Everyone liked the idea and everyone, including Delia who had done her pants back up, headed up top to sit and play.

The game went back and forth, having everyone doing stupid things until Tom’s truth caused an awkward silence and two people to blush profusely.

"Tom." Oliva, Delia’s sister said with a smile. "Do you like my sister?"

Everyone but Delia looked at Tom, waiting for an answer. Delia looked at her lap, thanking her lucky stars for the cover of night as she felt heat rush to her cheeks.

"Well." Tom started, causing Delia to finally look at him. "Do you mean, like as a friend, or like, I dunno."

"Just answer the question." Carla said, looking at Delia.

"Well then, I’d have to say I’m attracted." Tom said, a little nervously.

Everyone exhaled.

"Yeah, I’d have to say I’m very attracted to her." Tom finished, quickly keeping the game going.

There wasn't another awkward moment until the game turned to Tom again, this time, him taking a dare.

"Tom, I dare you," Kenny started with a coy smile.

"Kenny, nothing stupid, I have a girlfriend."

"I dare you to kiss Delia." Kenny said.

"Kenny, I said no stupid shit, I have a girlfriend." Tom said, looking slightly flustered.

"That’s a lie! You said yesterday," Teddy started, but didn’t get a chance to finish.

"Teddy."

"Tom, kiss her! You’re such a jackass."

"Look guys, this doesn’t need to cause a fight." Delia said standing up, and looking the two arguing brothers. "Kenny, he said nothing stupid, we’ll move on."

"No!" Teddy said. "He said a kiss, and a kiss is a kiss."

"Yeah." Kenny piped up. "Just kiss her on the cheek. A friendly little peck."

Tom sighed and stood and walked over to where Delia stood. She closed her eyes and took a breath, and contemplated turning her head so her lips met his, but she thought better of it. He kissed her lightly, then went back to his seat, and Delia sat down.

The game went on a little longer before Delia stood up and walked down onto the beach alone, and threw herself into the sand. Carla came and sat beside her.

"Why Carla, why?" Delia muttered into the sand.

"It’s ok Delia, don’t worry." She replied, trying to comfort her cousin.

"Delia! Truth or dare!" Teddy called down to her.

Delia sighed and rolled onto her back and sat up. "Truth." She yelled up to him.

Truth! She wanted to scream. Truth! Let me give you a truth Teddy! Though it took years to happen, I’ve fallen in love with your brother! That’s the truth!

"You’re no fun Delia! Let me give you a dare!" he yelled back with a mischievious grin, as himself and the others came down.

"Teddy, your brother made my brother dance on the beach singing, ‘I’m the only gay eskimo’. Do you really think I’m going to trust you to dare me?" she said, glaring at the younger boy.

He just laughed and stood over her.

"Let walk though." Delia said, pulling herself to her feet.

"But we’ll get soakers!"

"Soakers?" Delia and Carla said at the same time, and Carla stood.

"Yeah, when you step in the water, and your socks and shoes get soaked." Tom said.

"That’s why our shoes are off. Take your up to your cottage." Carla said.

The two boys nodded and headed up the stairs, and Delia and Carla started walking.

"Thomas! Theodore!" Delia called to them. "Just make sure you come back."

They both nodded to her and disappeared.

~*~

Delia hadn’t seen them again for the rest of the summer. In fact, she hadn’t seen either of them all year. Today would be the first time in a year that she would talk to them. And she was terrified. Not of Teddy, her and Teddy always got along. But of Tom.

When Delia and her family arrived it was all hugs and smiles from both her family and the two brothers, though Tom was distant, and she could tell.

"Teddy, is Tom alright?" Delia asked him, when she knew Tom was out of ear-shot.

"Not sure. He’s been acting weird all year. In a weird kind of daze. He snapped out of it when we got here, and was his old self again, but he’s acting all distant again. Why?"

"Because I’m noticing it and I’m worried, that’s all." Delia said, and went into the cottage to change into her bathing suit.

Once changed, Delia headed right for the beach. It was already late in the afternoon, and they would be eating dinner soon. She had to get into the lake. It was calling her.

She ran to the beach and threw her towel down and threw her sandals off and raced with everyone to the beach. The water was freezing, but Delia didn’t care. She was just glad to be back.

Delia only got out to eat her dinner. No one wanted to go back into the lake after they had eaten, but Delia begged to go to the small shipwreck just off shore. None of her family would cave, but Teddy and Tom told her they would take her out to it, but only for a few minutes.

As they swam, Tom seemed to come around, and it was just like old times when the three of them had gone to the shipwreck together in previous years. Delia couldn’t have been more happy.

At one point, the three of them floated their way on their backs, Delia in between the two brothers. She closed her eyes and just floated, her arms outstretched in the water, until her hand grazed another, and she felt that electricity she had felt a year before, an electricity that she never thought she’d feel again. She stopped floating and opened her eyes, and find Tom looking at her almost alarmed. Their eyes met, but he broke the gaze quickly and swam away from her.

Determined, Delia swam after him, and was able to grab onto his should stopped him in the water.

"Delia, don’t,"

"Don’t what? Say something I should have a year ago?"

"Say something you’ll regret."

"I regret not saying anything."

"Delia, please,"

"Please? Please what Tom? Don’t deny anything, you felt it."

Tom remained silent and didn’t look her in the eye.

"Look at me Tom." Delia whispered.

He looked up at her a pained look in his eye.

"So what if I did? When do we see each other Delia? Here. That’s it. After this summer, my parents are selling our cottage. They’re buying a cottage further north."

"So that means,"

"After this summer, we’ll never see each other again."

Delia broke their eye contact, speechless.

"Delia, I think I love you, but I don’t want to let you down."

Delia just nodded, thankful once again, but this time, of the water around her, so Tom wouldn’t see her cry.

They were silent until Teddy called out to them.

"Heya you two! Don’t get to cozy over there! I found the shipwreck!"

The two swam over in a somber silence.

They only stayed out at the shipwreck for a few minutes. Neither Delia nor Tom had the heart to swim, and the swim back was just as somber.

Once at shore, and up top where the cottage were, Delia said her thank you’s to both Tom and Teddy for taking her out, then promised to see them later. And later she did see them, we they started their game of ghost in the graveyard.

Delia stayed off the beach during the game, sneaking a creeping through the bushes, yards and trees, not being caught once. Except for one time.

Teddy found her, and Delia bolted, and not knowing where to go, she headed for the stairs of the beach. She ran down them, and Teddy gave up chase, choosing to stay up top.

Once at the bottom, Delia stopped and took a look up into the sky and was amazing. The sun had finally set, and they sky was left a hazy pink mess of clouds. It looked like something out of a dream. Delia couldn’t help but sit and just look at the sky, until she heard a familiar voice call her name.

"Delia!" Tom called down to her. "We’re ditching the game, because it’s getting to easy. Everyone knows where everyone hides. We’re playing man-hunt."

Delia was hit with a strong sense of déjà vu, but she brushed it off, as she stood and joined the group at the top of the stairs who were bickering on who would be it for the game.

"Fine! Guys! SHUT UP!" Tom yelled. "I’m it, get the hell out of here."

"Well isn’t this familiar." Delia muttered.

"What was that?" Tom asked, eyebrows raised with curiosity.

"Nothing." She said with a flirty smile, as she turned and headed down the stairs.

Delia was able to keep herself hidden under the stairs until once again, the sake of the younger kids brought her out. Two little ones came running down the stairs screaming, and Delia darted out from under the stairs, and stood a bit off as Tom came to stand at the top. Delia turned her back to him, and appeared to be looking at the stars.

Just as she wanted, she heard Tom start down the stairs, and as soon as she heard his footsteps muffled by the sand, she bolted down the beach, once again Tom right on her heels.

They ran and ran, further then they did the year before.

"Are you going to run forever?" Tom yelled to her.

"Maybe!" she called back, starting to lose her breath.

Tom was getting closer, and she knew that they had gone pretty far down the beach, as she couldn’t barely see the lights from the cottage twinkling in the distance behind her. They were much further then they were the year before.

Delia dived onto the ground like she had done the year before, and Tom dove over her, but didn’t fall, which Delia didn’t notice as she got to her feet quickly and began running again.

"No you don’t!" Tom yelled and tackled Delia to the ground.

"That was totally not fair!" she yelled, pushing Tom off her and laying on her back.

"It was more then fair." He said, standing up, and offering her his hand. "Come on, we have to get back."

Delia grabbed his hand, but instead of letting him pull her to her feet, she pulled him back down on top of her.

"No, we’re not going back until we settle this."

"Delia." Tom said, rolling off her and laying on his back beside her.

Delia sighed and just lay there looking up at the stars.

"I’ll be able to drive on my own come September. I can drive up to see you." Delia said.

"I can drive now."

"Then it’s settled."

"Delia, it won’t work."

"That’s only because you’re not letting it work Tom!" she said angrily, tears threatening to spill over her eyes again.

Tom propped himself up on his arm and looked at Delia. "Delia," he said softly.

"What." She said, closing her eyes to avoid the tears.

"I love you."

Delia opened her eyes and propped herself up on her elbows.

"I love you to." She said just as softly.

They both smiled, and Tom leaned in and kissed Delia.

~*~

The two weren’t found until much later in the night, lying in each other’s arms, watching the stars. They were laughing and talking with each other as waves tickled their now bare feet.

"Tom! Delia! We’ve been looking for you everywhere!" Carla yelled, looking at the two in shock.

Both Delia and Tom sat up in surprise as neither of them had realized Carla, Teddy and Jacob had stumbled upon them.

The two didn’t say anything, and the silence was broken by Teddy’s laugh.

"Finally. Let’s get back before the parents have a bird."

They did just that, Delia and Tom grabbing their shoes.

As they walked, Tom grabbed Delia’s hand and squeezed it softly.

"Tom, what are we going to do?" she whispered softly with a sad sigh.

"Well lets just say, our summer déjà vu hasn’t ended. It’s just begun."