...

Con studies Katie’s face as she talks, wondering about his previous conversation with Jamie. But Katie didn’t seem to show any hesitance…maybe the rumors really were just rumors. He decides to let it drop, and focuses on more light subjects until Jason reappears.

Jason quietly comes back into Katie’s room after returning from his outing, his guitar case in his hand this time.

Con turns around and smiles. “Hey, Hotshot.”

“Yo.” Jason sets his guitar down and flops into the other chair. “Am I interrupting?”

“Nope.” Con rises and stretches. “I was just getting ready to leave anyway.” He reaches down to rough up Katie’s hair. “Later, Kat. I’ll see you around.”


The evening goes by peacefully. Jason stays with Katie, and after supper, offers his guitar and voice to invite sleep into the night.


The next week plays out the same with not much to change. Wyatt continues to come see Katie, making plans for the picnic. Jason is in and out, still evasive, and still avoiding the subject of what he’s been busy with. No one seems to know. He doesn’t talk with Katie much about Wyatt, nor does he interact with his friend that much, feeling the tension, and not wanting to make things worse. He feels just a little strange, knowing that Wyatt will be taking Katie out on Friday night, but…he’s busy too, and it shouldn’t bother him…Katie needs to get out and have some fun…


Friday early afternoon…

Jason knocks on Katie’s door and comes in. A strange nervousness surrounds him, though he tries not to let it show. He couldn’t let anyone know what he was doing tonight…he couldn’t have anyone watch him crash and burn. Pasting a smile on his face, he comes in to see Katie after having been gone for the morning. “Hey…just wanted to stop in before I left again. Figured Wyatt would be around here pretty soon, so…I guess I’ll see you later tonight?”