Chapter 1

"October 28, 2000-Something. Halloween was quickly approaching. Posters began appearing on the walls advertising a Halloween Masquerade Ball being held at Philadelphia's Stotesbury Mansion. The event was free open to the public. I, for one, really wanted to go, and so did my girlfriend."

"Will you go to the Halloween Masquerade Ball with me?" Jeff and Emily asked each other at the same time. "Yes!"

"However, there was a certain couple who was not on the same page."

Ephram sat on the bleachers after school watching Logan practice shooting hoops. Coach Mellor walked into the gym.

"Okay, boys," Coach Mellor said. "I have to lock up the gym."

"Yes, Coach," Logan said.

Logan walked over to his boyfriend.

"Can you believe how much I got the BALL into the hoop?" Logan asked.

"Good job," Ephram said.

"I really need to go to a massage place," Logan said. "The BALLS of my feet hurt."

"There's a great place down the street from my house," Ephram said.

"Hey, Ephram," Logan said. "Where's your soccer BALL?"

"Why do you keep shouting that word?" Ephram asked.

"I want you to ask me to the ball," Logan replied.

"I'm not to into ballroom dances," Ephram said.

"But I am," Logan said.

"I don't want to go to some stupid ball," Ephram said.

"Why not?" Logan asked. "It'll be fun and romantic."

"I just don't want to flaunt our relationship to a bunch of strangers!" Ephram shouted. "Now if you want to go to the ball, be my guest! I'm not going!"

Ephram stormed out of the gym and Coach Mellor walked over to Logan.

"Are you okay?" Coach Mellor asked.

"Ephram basically just said that he doesn't want to be seen with me in public," Logan replied.

"Have you boys made your relationship public outside of the school?" Coach Mellor asked.

"Now that I think about it," Logan replied. "We've only ever been out to movies, restaurants where mostly William Penn Students eat, and each other's houses."

"It sounds like Ephram is scared," Coach Mellor said.

"I don't want him to be scared," Logan said. "I just want to be able to go to the ball with my boyfriend and have a good time."

Coach Mellor patted Ephram on the back.

"Don't worry," Coach Mellor said. "I'll help."