Lock

Jason watches Katie pick the flowers, keeping a steady lock on his mind, not allowing any thoughts to wander or rampant emotions escape.

As she turns to him and asks him about the flowers though, he falters. He blinks. But in that split second between the darkness of eyes being closed, then opened again, too much is revealed. How stupid could I have ever been to let you go?

Jason swallows hard and turns away, leaning one hand to the side of the building, facing the street instead. He locks himself up tightly. It’s harder this time…like fumbling with a padlock, unable to get it to snap shut. “Yeah…those are great. Come on.”


Kyle grins and shakes his head. He could come up with a million and one things to say right about now, but his weariness had finally gotten the best of him. After eating only one slice of pizza, he was finished, finally no longer able to keep his adrenaline up enough to keep on going at a fast pace.

Giving a long but quiet sigh, Kyle struggles to keep his eyes open. He loved seeing his old friends…he loved being here with all the fun going on…but he knew better than to keep pushing it. He’d been pushing his limit all day.

Finally he gives Misty a sidelong glance, then nods to the door.


Carson tries not to pay too much attention to all the antics going on, knowing that if he did, he’d only feel left out. Instead, he chats with Jess a little bit more, keeping busy with his work, and winding up going to refill pitchers of pop at the table.

Jen looks up and offers a smile. “So how are you doing, Carson?”

Carson tries to hide his surprise. It was one thing for Jen to be nice to him, but he didn’t expect much more than the greeting she’d already given, let alone with this gang. He manages a smile. “Oh…I’m okay. And you?”

Jen gives a nod. “Good.”

Carson pauses, then not knowing what else to say, turns to leave.

“Carson?”

He stops and looks down at Jen again. “Hmm?”

Jen holds her smile. “I just wondered…well…there’s gonna be a big bonfire out at the park here coming up soon…we’re gonna have s’mores, and hot chocolate and it’ll be cold, but we’ll have the fire, and it’s just gonna be a fun time chatting, signing or whatever.”

Carson lifts an eyebrow. Was she inviting him?

Jen gives a little nod. “We’d love for you to come along and join us.”

“Well…”

“Mike and I will even pick you up… be good just to get out…do something different.” Jen prompts him with her smile. “Can’t turn down hot chocolate.”

Carson thinks for a moment. He was being put on the spot, but he couldn’t deny that it made him feel a little good. He didn’t really like going out in group settings, especially with a bunch of strangers…or those who knew him too well…but…he was getting lonelier every night, and simply the thought of doing anything that wouldn’t get him into trouble was appealing. “Um…”

Mike throws him an encouraging glance. “If you don’t say yes, she’ll just keep bugging you, so you might as well just agree now.”

Finally Carson drops his shoulders and nods. “Alright. But I’ll walk. I won’t need a ride.”

Jen’s eyes sparkle. “Good. I’ll be getting you more details.”

Carson hears a call from the kitchen and quickly leaves, getting back to work. He didn’t really know what he’d just agreed to, but…at least it was something outside of his normal routine.