Those High School Days

Part 1: Something Has Begun

Disclaimer: Alan, Gerry, Ray, Alan's parents, Petey, and all other characters that are related to/mentioned in Remember the Titans are NOT mine. I just used them as I'm sure you all know. They belong to that multi-million dollar company who's mascot is an over-sized mouse... ;) All other non-familiar faces/characters are mine, such as Celeste (duh!), her parents, Chad, Susan, etc.
Note: I have some idea of what I want my personal characters to look like. I play Celeste, Oliver Platt plays Mr. Harrington, Bonnie Hunt plays Mrs. Harrington, Will Friedle plays Chad, Tom Hanks plays Tom Richards, Susan is played by Natalie Portman, and Lisa is the blonde cheerleader on RTT (you see her when the guys are driving up to T.C. in a bus from winning their game and she is shaking her pom-poms and yelling, "Yeah!!!" She's on-screen there for like, 4 to 5 seconds). All other characters I have a general idea of what they look like, but I can't explain them or find an actor/actress to play them!

~*~*~

September 15, 1970

"Hey, Alan! Over here, man!" Gerry Bertier called, waving to his friend.

Alan Bosley turned around and spotted Gerry, who was by Ray Budds and a bunch of other guys, many of them from the football team. Gerry smiled and motioned for him to come over there. Alan acknowledged with a nod and began weaving his way through the crowd of partiers. It was Susan Elitcher's birthday, and being the most popular and pretty girl in school since sixth grade, many friends, football players, and admirers had been invited to celebrate. That is, only the popular and cool friends, football players, and admirers had been invited. You would never see any of the "losers" at one of Susan's parties, such as the nerds and unfashionable people. As he reached the group of his football friends, Alan was just glad that he wasn't a "loser."

"Hey, man! How's it goin'?" Gerry asked, whacking hands with Alan.

"Good! How's the party so far?"

"Fun. Why are you so late, man?" Ray replied.

"Oh, my car wouldn't start up. Something's wrong with it, so I had to take my parents' car," Alan sighed. "I'm taking my car into the shop tomorrow to have it looked at."

Gerry shook his head. "That's too bad, man. But, hey, forget about that for now and just have fun!"

"Yeah, I will," Alan smiled. After chatting with the guys for a little while, he excused himself and went over to Susan, who was totally surrounded by people. Alan finally reached her and apologized for being late, handing her a small gift. She took it and brushed away his apology, smiling and saying it was all right.

"At least you made it!" Susan laughed.

Alan smiled and chuckled uncertainly. He quickly excused himself and headed towards the snack table. Susan had liked him since three years ago in 7th grade, but he had never returned her feelings. She was too much of a girl for him, always worried about her looks and never caring about whether the football team had won their game or not. He avoided her whenever he could, but wasn't about to be so rude as to not come to her party. Though right about now, he wished he was a "loser."

After an hour of talking, dancing, and laughing, Alan went and got some punch to drink. Dancing sure was fun, but it made you tired after a while. Leaning against the wall, he watched the people minger about in their own little groups. A song came on and some kids started dancing again. As the music blared, Alan watched Susan's futile attempts to dance to the beat. Her moves and steps were so big and showy that her timing was off and unsynchronized. Alan snorted distastefully. That was another thing he disliked about Susan: everything she did was ostentatious. She knew she was the most pretty girl in school and extremely popular, but was always just trying to show off more and more. This party, for examply, was huge. Yes, she was turning 16, but was this loud music, piles of food, and inviting almost everyone from Hammond High really necessary? Alan didn't think so. Heck, when he'd turned 16 just this past summer all he'd done was have some guys over for cake and ice cream and they'd roller skated at the rink after that!

Susan tried in vain to swing her hips, and since she thought she was good, she laughed the whole time. Alan rolled his eyes and looked away, disgusted. He let his eyes drift over the sea of people until they came to rest on another girl. She was of medium height and had short, dirty and strawberry blonde hair that flipped out at the ends. Dancing with a group of some-what popular people, the girl laughed while she moved in time with the music. And she could move, Alan noticed. She had the moves. She could dance. She was groovy!

Alan made his way over to Gerry and Ray, who were standing by the punch bowl, talking. "Hey, guys! Umm... isn't that a new girl? What's her name?" Alan asked curiously, pointing.

Both Gerry and Ray looked. "I don't know her name, man. But she must be new, 'cause I've never seen her before," Gerry spoke.

"Yeah, she's new. Met her when school started," Ray commented.

"Oh, is she in your guys' grade?" Alan asked.

Ray shook his head. "No! She's a sophomore just like you, Alan, but she doesn't go to Hammond. She goes to that Christian school here in town."

Alan looked surprised. "No wonder she never really caught my eye 'till now! Look at her. She's good at dancing. REALLY good."

Gerry glanced from the girl to Alan. Then he grinned slyly and said, "Oh! I get it! Do you dig her, Alan?"

Alan raised his eyebrows. "Who? Me? Well, I... maybe. Maybe I do, but..." He trailed off as the girl walked by with some friends. Alan's eyes followed her the whole time.

Ray leaned in towards Alan and whispered, "I bet you want to know more about her, huh?"

Alan quickly turned to Ray and begged, "Tell me everything!"

Gerry laughed. Ray smiled. "Well, I met her when she asked me where the cheerleading practice was because she had to meet her friend there. Her name's Celeste Harrington, and she just moved here from Washington state. But we didn't talk long, so I don't have anymore info for you, man."

"Was she nice?" Alan questioned.

"Yeah," Ray answered.
"How old is she? What's she like to do? And why is she wearing overalls to Susan's party?"

"I don't know!" Ray stated simply.

"Go ask her!" Alan commanded.

"Why don't YOU? You're the one interested in her!"

"I'm not going to, man! No way!"

"C'mon, Alan!" Gerry cut in.

"You be quiet! You're not in this! No, wait! You are: you go talk to her!" Alan nudged Gerry toward Celeste.

"Stop it, Alan! YOU go ask her, 'cause you're her age and we ain't the ones who dig her, man!" Gerry pointed out logically.

Alan sighed heavily. He stuck his hands in his jean pockets and turned his head to the right, looking at Celeste.

Ray slapped him on the back. "Good luck!" He and Gerry walked off.

Alan snorted. "Yeah. Right!" He waited until Celeste was alone, getting some snacks. Taking a deep breath, Alan walked over to her. "Excuse me."

Celeste turned and looked at him. He immediately noticed her sparkling green eyes and soft complexion.

"Umm... I-I was watching you dance a little while ago and I just wanted to say you dance very well," Alan complimented.

Celeste smiled, which made her whole face light up. Alan felt his heart beat faster and faster: he loved how her smile did that! She wasn't as pretty as Susan, but that smile got him...

"Thanks," Celeste said. "Um, my name's Celeste Harrington."

Alan didn't want her to know that he had already found out her name, so, politely, he stuck out his hand and said, "I'm Alan. Alan Bosley."

Celeste shook his hand. "Aren't you on the football team?" Celeste poured the question out right away.

Alan raised his eyebrows and laughed. "Yes, I am! I didn't think I'd ever seen you before, and I felt like I should introduce myself. I mean, I don't want you to feel left out or anything," he quickly added.

Celeste smiled. "That's sweet of you. And you probably haven't seen me because I don't go to Hammond. My brother and I attend Alexandria's Christian school."

"So did you just move here or something?" Alan knew the answer, but he wanted to talk with Celeste for as long as he could.

"Yes, actually. My family and I moved out here from Washington state to be closer to our family and also because my dad's a lawyer and he wanted to be closer to the country's capital. Figured he'd get more business that way."

Alan grinned. "Well, you can't get much closer to the country's capital than Alexandria!"

Celeste laughed. Alan's heart jumped to his throat. All right!!! He'd made her laugh! That was a step in the right direction. Celeste, now smiling, stuck her hands in her pockets. Alan again noticed her plain overalls, so different compared to all the other girls wearing skirts.

Not wanting to be rude by asking Celeste, "So, why'd you get invited to Susan's party if you don't go to Hammond and don't wear 'the fashion'?", Alan instead rephrased his question to sound normal before asking it. "So, how do you know Susan so well already? I mean, you just moving here and all."

Celeste rolled her eyes distastefully. "She's my cousin. I only came tonight because her parents made her invite me and my parents made me come."

Alan was shocked. "Oh, wow! I didn't know that! You don't sound too happy about her, though."

"Yeah, well, she and I don't see eye-to-eye on certain things."

"Like what? If you don't mind me asking, of course."

"Nah, that's okay. I think I can trust you." Alan blushed. "Susan and I are like exact opposites," Celeste explained. "She likes fashion, and I could care less, as you can see. School is very important to me, but Susan uses it as a tool to get popular, not to get smart. Boys is another subject we fight over. She loves boys, to flirt with, that is. I mean, I like guys, too, but I hate flirting. Susan only goes for the well-known and cute guys while I go for whoever is nice and polite." Like you, Celeste wanted to add. Instead she sighed, "I really don't like Susan."

Alan chuckled. "I know the feeling. She flirts around me all the time and it's annoying, man."

Something clicked in Celeste's mind. It had to be! Celeste's eyes widened. "Wait a minute. Are you the one she's digged since seventh grade?"

"Unfortunately, yeah. How'd you know?" Alan asked suspiciously.

"Oh, that little brat! Whenever our families have gotten together since seventh grade, she'd talk to me about this wonderful guy named Alan. Never told me a last name, just said he was SO cute and all that blubber. So when you said how she always seemed to flirt with you and since your name's Alan, I just figured it was you," Celeste told him. Plus, you're cute just like Susan said, Celeste felt like mumbling. "And you went out with Lisa Mayers, right?"

"Uh... yeah." Alan stared at her. All the knowledge she possessed was scary.

"Hey, Celeste! Come on!" someone yelled, waving their friend over as a song started.

Celeste turned her head. "Okay, I'll be right there!" She looked back at Alan and smiled. "Well, I'd better go now."

Alan felt his knees go weak and thought his heart would blow up, it was pounding so hard. "Yeah. It was nice talking to you."

"You, too! See you later, Alan!" Celeste said. "Bye!"

Alan watched Celeste until she disappeared into the crowd. "Later, come soon!" he mumbled.

~ ~ ~

The next day, Alan tried to start his car up to take it into the repair shop, but it wouldn't move. He had to have it towed there. When he arrived at the shop after his dad dropped him off, he was glad to see his vehicle was already being checked out. Someone was bending over the right side of the front of the car, working on the engine. But with the car's hood open and the rear of the car facing him, Alan couldn't see who it was. He walked into the repair garage, looking lovingly at his vehicle. The red Ford Mustang had its black top down and the gray interior was in good shape. The windows were down, the wheels were fine, and the hubcaps shone. Now if only the thing wouldn't cost too much to fix...

"Excuse me," Alan called to the person working on his car, coming up beside it. The worker jumped, obviously startled, and bumped his head on the hood.

"OW!!! Crap!" the mechanic exclaimed, rubbing the sore spot and standing up straight. It was Celeste!

"CELESTE???!!!" Alan cried in awe. He was so shocked he stumbled back and bumped into his car. Unable to keep his balance, Alan fell backwards into the passenger seat, legs hanging over the door.

"Oh, my gosh!" Celeste rushed over to him and helped him get out of the car and stand up. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think so," Alan mumbled, brushing himself off. He was so embarrassed, falling in front of Celeste like that! Now he'd made a bad impression on her. She probably thought he was a huge klutz. Alan slowly looked over at Celeste. She caught his gaze and their eyes met. Suddenly, she let out a small giggle which immediately evolved into laughter.

"I'm sorry!" Celeste gasped. "That was just so funny how you fell like that!"

Alan could just imagine how he'd looked, and he started to laugh along with Celeste. "Well, what about you? You bonked your head on the hood!"

That only made Celeste laugh harder. By the time they had calmed down enough to talk, their stomachs hurt from laughing. As Celeste kept working on the engine, Alan crossed his arms and leaned against the car. He watched her skills for a little while and then spoke. "Hey, that's pretty groovy that you work here and all. I mean, you wouldn't see most girls working on cars."

Celeste wiped oil off her hands with a dirty rag. "Yeah, well, I'm not like most girls. I love cars. When I was five, my parents used to buy me model and toy cars instead of dolls. As I got to be around 10 years old, I would fix anything electronic or mechanical that needed fixing in our house. I also started studying up on how cars worked and ran. By the time I was 11, I could fix my dad's car on my own. When we moved here, I was thrilled to see this place was in need of a mechanic. So I started working here even though I was under normal working age. Tom, my boss, said it's a gift, my way of being able to fix cars, radios, TV's, blenders, you name it."

"Wow! But hold on. What do you mean, 'under normal working age'?" Alan questioned, holding up a hand.

"I'm 14. Tom usually only lets 16-year-olds work here, but, as I said, he made an exception. Besides, I'm turning 15 soon," Celeste shrugged.

"Oh, really? When?" Alan asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"On December 2," Celeste answered absently, frowning at the engine of Alan's car, fists on her hips.

Alan noticed the look. "What? What's wrong with it?" He walked over to where Celeste stood and looked at the big pile of meaningless tubes, wires, and flaps of the engine.

"Could you try to start it up for me?" Celeste asked, thinking deeply.

Alan looked at her. "Yeah, sure." He walked around the front of the car, hopped into the driver's seat, and inserted the keys in the ignition. Turning them, nothing happened. He tried again, but still nothing. Celeste tilted to the side, looking at Alan questioningly. He shrugged.

Celeste nodded. "Thought so. Your battery's dead."

"Oh, man! I just bought this car a year ago!" Alan slammed the door and stood next to Celeste, glaring at his engine.

She turned her head towards Alan, eyebrows raised. "Really? Did you get it used?"

"Yeah."

"Did you get it checked before you bought it?"

Alan smirked sheepishly. "Umm... no."

"Uh-huh. Well, this battery's shot, so you're gonna need a whole new one. Luckily, I believe I saw a new one come in just earlier today. I could have this fixed within an hour for you," Celeste told him.

"Oh, that'd be great. But why are you even working on a Saturday?" Alan wondered.

"I volunteer to work two hours every Saturday just 'cause I love it," Celeste grinned. "By the time I finish your car, it'll be time for me to go home for the day."

"Well, if my car's going to take up some time that you don't need to be here, then I can wait 'till Monday for it to be fixed," Alan said. "I don't want you to stay extra time just to fix my car if you don't have to."

Celeste smiled. "Nah, that's okay! I love it! Thanks for being so considerate, though."

The two stood smiling at each other until the silence was broken by a man walking into the garage. "Okay. So what's wrong with this one, Celeste?"

"Dead battery. I'll install the new one we got and then head on home," she replied, pulling her eyes away from Alan.

The man nodded. "Sounds good."

Celeste glanced at Alan. "Oh, sorry! Tom, this is my friend, Alan Bosley. Alan, this is my boss, Tom Richards."

"Hello, Mr. Richards," Alan shook hands with him.

"Oh, please! Call me Tom," Tom laughed. "So, Celeste, you said he's your friend?"

Celeste frowned at her boss. "Yeah..."

"Just a friend? Nothing... else? Nothing added to that?" Tom probed teasingly.

Celeste caught on and glared at him. "Nice try, Tom. I don't think so."

The man laughed and walked away, calling over his shoulder, "I'll leave you two alone!"

Celeste sighed. "Sorry about that," she apologized to Alan, too embarrassed to look him straight in the eye. "That's the way Tom is."

Alan chuckled. "That's okay. He seems like a nice guy to be working for."

"Oh, he is! He just teases a lot, as you can see!" Celeste laughed. And it's too bad his teasing wasn't true, she thought sadly.

As Celeste started working on the battery, Alan suddenly realized something. "Woah! WAIT! Time out for a second!" Celeste gazed at him with a confused look on her face. "If you're only 14, almost 15, how in the world are you already in your sophomore year of high school?" Alan asked, puzzled.

Celeste shrugged. "I skipped 5th grade. So I was only 10 when I went into sixth."

Alan was amazed. "You're that smart?"

"Well... I don't like to brag, but yes. I get straight A's," Celeste revealed shyly.

"Oh, well, hey! That's a good thing, man!" Alan quickly said. Wow! he thought. A cute, fun, car-loving, groovy, nice, AND smart girl. This is perfect! Alan couldn't have asked for more if he tried.

But he got more. "So when's your next game?" Celeste asked from under his car's hood.

"Friday. Why?"

"'Cause I'm gonna come."

"You WHAT??!!" Alan exclaimed.

"I'm going to come," Celeste repeated clearly, wiping her hands on her dirty and stained work overalls.

"But why?"

"I love football. I've been to all your guys' games so far this year and I plan on going to all of them!" Celeste explained excitedly.

"Wow, that's great, man! I can't believe you love football!" Alan grinned. All right! he thought. Add football-lover to that list!

The two talked the whole rest of the time that Celeste finished the car. When it was done, she closed the hoodand said, "There you go! You're all set! I checked the oil, too."

"Thanks a ton, Celeste," Alan sighed gratefully. He gave her some money. Not for the car repair but for her labor.

"I couldn't!" Celeste refused politely. "Alan, don't! I had fun doing it, honest! I don't need money."

"Maybe you don't but you deserve it," Alan slapped the bills into her hand and closed her fingers around them. "Take it! I insist."

Celeste reluctantly slid the money into her pocket. She smiled and looked into Alan's eyes. "Thanks," she quietly spoke.

Alan grinned and went to pay the bill. Celeste watched him laugh at one of Tom's jokes. As his car roared to life and he backed out of the garage, Alan waved to Celeste. She waved back as he drove off.

"So are you going to go home now?" Tom asked. "Or are you going to stand there and stare at where he left for the rest of your life?"

Celeste turned around, arms crossed, and grinned. "None of your beeswax, man!" With one last glance in the direction Alan had departed, Celeste smiled happily and got ready to go home.

~ ~ ~

"I'm telling you, Lisa, it's freaky!" Celeste told her best friend over the phone. "It's just plain freaky!"

"Why is it freaky, Celeste? 'Cause if you ask me, having a guy dig you isn't something to be freaked about," Lisa Mayers commented.

"Yeah, but this is the first guy that's digged me who I actually dig at the same time!" Celeste wailed.

Lisa laughed. "The first time is always the doosie!"

Celeste snorted. "Yeah, you should know! You've been asked out by how many guys now?"

"Shut up!" Lisa giggled.

Celeste laughed. One thing that she loved about her best friend was how she never liked to purposefully show off. Even though she was the second most pretty girl at Hammond (besides Susan) and the most popular cheerleader, Lisa never tried to act as stupid as her. She hardly ever showed off, and even though she got asked out as much as Susan, she hated to admit that fact unless she had to. Lisa was modest, to put it simply. And Celeste totally respected that.

"But, Celeste, you don't have to worry," Lisa encouraged her friend. "Alan's very nice. And FUNNY! He's so HILARIOUS!"

Remembering his fall into the car, Celeste laughed. "He is! When he fell today, it was SO funny! I know he didn't do it on purpose, and that's what made it great!"

"Ha! Yeah, when we dated a little while at the beginning of last school year, he would act so weird just to make me laugh! He STILL does!"

Celeste grinned, remembering the letter she'd gotten from Lisa last year when Celeste was still living in Washington. It'd said that Lisa was going out with a guy named Alan Bosley, and she would get Celeste a picture of him as soon as she could. Only two weeks later, Celeste had received another letter saying they had broken up because it hadn't worked out and Lisa had given up on the picture. Now she and Alan were just good friends, and they liked it that way.

"Actually, I hate to admit this, but I really don't know that much about him. I've told him a lot about me, but he hasn't said much of himself," Celeste revealed.

"Don't go out with him then, Celeste! Not yet! That's how he and I broke up: we didn't know ANYTHING about each other. We just thought the other was cute. Probe around a little and ask him some questions first, then go out. That is, if he asks you," Lisa advised.

"Oh, I hope he does! I've never been asked out before!" Celeste exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes, you have!"

"Well, only by guys I didn't like."

"And those didn't count?"

"Not by a long shot!"

"Celeste, you're weird," Lisa chuckled.

"I know!" replied Celeste, rather proudly. "Well, I better go. It's lunchtime."

"Okay. See you in church tomorrow!"

"Yep. Bye!"

"Bye!" Lisa hung up.

Celeste slowly put her phone back on its cradle, thinking about what her friend had said. Lisa was right. If she didn't get to know Alan a little better, she'd regret it later on. And she wanted to get to know him. So far all she knew about him was that he was nice, polite, cute, funny, on the football team, and around her age. Celeste just hoped Alan believed the same things she did.

~ ~ ~

Alan opened his hymnal. As the organ started to blow out its notes for the first song, the congregation stood up. Alan followed and started singing along with the music. He had barely been singing for half a minute when he heard a sweet and clear voice. How he noticed that single voice in the huge sea of people, he wasn't sure. Maybe it was because it was so beautiful and gentle, like how a mother's voice would sound as she sang lovingly to her new baby. Maybe it was because it was so strong and sure of itself, like the person who the voice belonged to had sung their entire life because it was a natural thing to do. Maybe it was because the person the voice belonged to was standing right in front of him...

Alan tried to catch a glimpse of the girl's face, but she was looking either straight ahead or down at her psalter hymnal. There was something way too familiar about the girl. She had short hair that was half up and half down, some pulled back in a small ponytail and some hanging around her neck. As the song ended and everyone sat back down again, Alan kept his eyes locked on the girl. When she turned her head to whisper something to the woman next to her (probably her mother), Alan's eyes widened. It was none other than Celeste, AGAIN! Alan shook his head in utter amusement, grinning. They always seemed to stumble into each other's paths!

It was hard for Alan to concentrate through the rest of the church service. During the sermon, he had questions racing through his mind. Was this Celeste's church? Why hadn't he seen her here before if it was? Why WAS she here? Did she believe the same things he did? As the pastor started praying, Alan kept glancing at Celeste every once in a while. She was very pretty, all dressed up in her yellow tank top and black skirt.

Someone nudged him. "Alan! Close your eyes!" his mother whispered.

"Sorry, Mom," Alan apologized quietly. He took one last glance at Celeste and then closed his eyes.

While "Holy, Holy, Holy" was being played for the final hymn of the service, Alan was transfixed as he listened to Celeste sing. He couldn't believe how beautiful her voice was. Something about it made his heart jump to his throat. Something about her whole being made his heart jump to his throat! As people started to leave, Alan tapped Celeste on the shoulder.

She whirled around. "Oh, my gosh! Hi, Alan!"

"Hi! What're you doing here?"

"Going to church!" Celeste said.

Alan rolled his eyes and stated, "No, really? I didn't know!" As Celeste laughed, he smiled. "But seriously, Celeste. What are you doing here? Because I've never seen you here before or anything."

"Well, this is my first time at this church," Celeste explained. "You haven't seen me because I was sick last week when my family went here, and before that we were checking out other churches. But I think we've decided on this one."

"Oh, so you guys are Orthodox Presbyterian?"

"Yeah! It's groovy that you are, too!" Celeste grinned happily.

Alan nodded. He was SO relieved she was the same religion he was. He wouldn't have been comfortable around her if she wasn't. Alan happily watched as Celeste picked up her purse and Bible. His eyes bulged as her arm muscles rippled visibly. She... was... STRONG!!! Even when her muscles weren't flexed, Alan could distinctly see her biceps and other arm muscles.

Celeste became aware of Alan gaping at her with huge eyes. "What?" she yelped, getting alarmed something was wrong. "What is it?"

"Nothing! I'm sorry, but you're... BUFF!!!" Alan exclaimed in awe.

Celeste blushed and grinned, looking at her arms. She shrugged, remarking humbly, "Yeah, well, it comes with the job!" Just then, someone came up to Celeste and told her they were leaving.

"Oh, hey! Chad, this is my friend, Alan Bosley. Alan, this is my brother Chad. He's a junior," Celeste introduced the two to each other.

"Nice to meet you, Chad!" Alan shook hands with him.

"Same here!" Chad smiled. His whole polite attitude vanished as he turned to Celeste and glared at her. "We're going NOW, little sister!" He walked off.

"Okay, okay!" Celeste rolled her eyes. "Sorry, Alan. I gotta go."

Alan shrugged, saying, "Ah, that's all right. See you tonight?"

"Count on it!" Celeste smiled. As Alan felt his heart beat faster and his knees go weak, they heard a voice bellow out to Celeste.

"Celeste, C'MON!!!" It was Chad. By now, the sanctuary was almost empty and the only ones in the pews were Celeste and Alan, so Chad's voice echoed like it would in a deep canyon.

Celeste stuck her tongue out at him and sighed, "Brothers!" She walked off with a wave as Alan laughed.

~ ~ ~

That night after the sermon, Alan and Celeste talked together for a little while. Celeste casually yet sneakily threw in questions, hoping to find out some more information about him. He didn't notice her nonchalance, though, and answered all the questions, not knowing she was tricking him into replying. Celeste learned he was 16 years old, an only child, and loved music and dancing, just like she did. He worked in the Alexandria Hardware Store because he loved tools and building. Alan collected model cars, loved kids, and hated his mom's cat, which Celeste noticed he said with a spiteful tone and a wrinkled nose. She laughed and mentioned that she despised most cats, too. Before they knew it, Alan's parents called him to go home. The two said good-bye and Celeste stared after Alan as he walked off. She was beginning to like Alan more and more every time they met. Not only was he cute, but he was SO nice, and similar to Celeste herself. She sighed dreamily and walked outside to where her parents were standing talking to some church members. Suddenly, Lisa ran up and grabbed Celeste's arm, pulling her to a more private spot.

"Where WERE you today?" Lisa asked scoldingly.

"I was here this morning, but we left early. And just now I was talking with Alan. I fou-"

"Oh, my gosh! Did you find anything out?" Lisa chatted excitedly, wanting her friend to be happy.

Celeste crossed her arms and glared at Lisa in disgust. "Well, I was going to tell you when you so rudely interrupted..."

"Sorry!"

"No, it's okay!" Celeste shrugged off the problem and smiled in her usual sweet way. "Well, Alan didn't even perceive what I was doing! I kept throwing in questions and he'd answer them. It was great! I found out he's an only child, LOVES singing and dancing, hates his mom's cat, likes model cars, and works at the Alexandria Hardware Store. He loves building, you know."

"Yeah, he told me last year. I knew all that other stuff, too, but I just wanted to see if you got anything. Man, he's like, what? Sixteen now?"

"Yep. Why?"

Lisa let out a little laugh. "Ha! It's just weird to think that he and I dated only a year ago already. I was only 14. Gosh, we were too young, didn't know ANYTHING about each other, and look how far it got us! Two weeks later we broke up. Man, it's so groovy we're just good friends now!"

Celeste nodded. "Yeah. That's great!" She secretly envied her older friend who had known Alan for longer than she had and who had a very close relationship with him. They were like brother and sister to each other.

"So, did he say anything else?" Lisa probed, eager for more juicy details on her two friends' lives together.

"Umm... nothing else really," Celeste racked her brain. "He likes kids."

"Yeah, I know that. Lucky for you, huh?" Lisa grinned.

Celeste looked at her friend in amused confusion. "What?"

"Well, you know... you like kids, he likes kids, so you both won't have a problem when you have some!" Lisa smirked and nudged her friend playfully. She ran off, grinning like mad.

Celeste gasped and yelled, "LISA!!!"

~ ~ ~

Celeste trudged into the halls of Hammond High and adjusted her overalls. As she did, the books in her arms fell to the floor with a loud "thud." Celeste looked at the books, then raised her head to Heaven, closing her eyes in frustration. I hate Mondays, Celeste wailed in her mind. She stooped and picked up all the books, grouchily tossing them into her bookbag and mumbling, "I WILL have a good rest of the day," over and over again under her breath. Straightening up, Celeste couldn't wait to walk home with Lisa. She always seemed to cheer Celeste up. Walking down the hall and turning the corner, Celeste shuffled over to Lisa, who was standing next to her locker talking to some boy.

"Liiisssaaaa..." Celeste whined. "I had the worst day at school. Cheer me up!"

"Oh, Celeste!" Lisa laughed. "We all hate Mondays. You're not alone."

"Yeah, I know, but-" Suddenly, Celeste's bookbag slipped off her shoulder and fell to the floor, bumping the boy as it did. Celeste shrugged and pointed to the bag with immense exaggeration. "See???" she stated with growing anger. "This day sucks!" Lisa merely shook her head. As Celeste bent down and picked up her bookbag, she apologized to the boy that it had hit, "I'm SO sorry! I really didn't mean to let my bag fall like that. I'm just having a ba-" Celeste stopped short as she stood up and saw who she was apologizing to. It was Alan! In her awe, some books fell out of her hands and hit the floor for the third time that day.

Alan quickly bent down and picked them up, smiling. "Hey, Celeste! Not having a good day?" he joked, handing the books to her.

Celeste smiled and replied, "Thanks. No, today's not very good, unfortunately. You okay? I mean, it didn't like, hurt you or anything, right?"

"Yeah, man. I'm okay. Well, we just keep running into each other, huh?" Alan smirked. Celeste's knees went weak. Whenever he did that smirk where the left corner of his mouth rose up a bit, she couldn't think straight. It had a hypnotizing effect on her!

Lisa glanced back and forth between the two. "Well, I think I'll be going now..."

"You can't leave without me, dummy!" Celeste cried. "Oh, do you have cheerleading tonight?"

"Umm... yeah. Why?"
"Never mind then. I thought we could go do something tonight together, but forget it, man," Celeste said.

Lisa nodded. "Well, how 'bout tomorrow night? We could-"

"Woah! HOLD ON!!! Celeste... I mean, Lisa... or, well, how do guys KNOW each other? Aren't you like, new in Alexandria, Celeste?" Alan stuttered.

The two girls laughed. Celeste told Alan the whole story, how they'd met four years ago at camp and how they'd written each other since that time. She explained how moving here was a dream come true, because now she could see her best friend whenever she wanted to.

"Oh, okay!" Alan smiled. "You met at camp, became friends, wrote, and now you're here?"

"Yeah!" they said in unison.

"So that's how you knew that Lisa and I dated for a short time." Alan looked Celeste.

Nodding, she said, "Yeah, Lisa wrote me and told me all about it, but she never sent a picture of you. So when I moved here and saw you at Susan's party, I didn't recognize you. But your name obviously gave it away."

"Oh, yeah! How was the party, guys? No one ever told me," Lisa questioned. She couldn't go to the party because her family had gone out to dinner Friday night together. Plus, Lisa hadn't been invited, anyway.

"Okay," Alan and Celeste said at the same time. Alan let Celeste speak for both of them. "We stayed away from Susan the whole time, so it wasn't too bad."

"Oh, good! She's annoying, huh, Alan?"

The blonde football player snorted. "Heck, yeah, man!"

"Maybe it's a good thing I wasn't invited," Lisa thought aloud.

"Why?" Celeste questioned.

"Oh, ever since I dated Alan for that short time, Susan's hated me. She quit cheerleading when I became head cheerleader last year and rarely talks to me. When she does, it's all snotty-like," Lisa remarked dryly.

"She can't stand to see someone other than herself with me," Alan shook his head in dismay.

Celeste's eyes widened. "That's right!!! Susan wrote me once and said that she was really mad because someone was going out with you, Alan, but she never told me a name."

"Yeah, well, that was me!" Lisa looked rather proud of herself.

After laughing, Alan playfully punched Lisa on the shoulder and stated, "Man, I'm just glad we're buds now!"

Lisa glared and lightly kicked him in the shin. "Me, too!"

"How about we just say we're glad we even met each other at all?!" Celeste laughed.

"Man, is that true," Alan agreed quietly, staring directly at Celeste, who noticed with wide eyes and started to blush.

Lisa quickly decided to get scarce and let the two be alone. So, backing up slowly and pointing behind her, she lied, "Umm... I gotta go. I think I have a class - oh, my gosh! - right now!!!" As Celeste started to ask her something, Lisa diverted staying any longer by running after a boy down the hall, yelling, "Hey, you! WAIT!!! Where's the French class? Hey!!!"

Celeste slowly turned to Alan. "What is she doing? School's OVER. We don't know her!" she joked, putting a hand next to her face so she wouldn't have to look at Lisa.

Celeste's smart sense of humor made Alan crack up. She was so funny at times. He looked at her and realized she was really pretty that afternoon. Her usual outfit of white tank-top and blue overalls showed off her short blonde hair and narrow face. Her cheeks were slightly pinker than the rest of her face and her green eyes were shockingly bright and obvious today. As she smiled, her face lit up in that way that had made Alan's knees go weak at Susan's party last Friday. Come to think of it, his knees were going weak again right now. He had to lean against Lisa's locker just to support himself and make sure he didn't fall into a big pile at Celeste's feet.

Just as Celeste was about to follow Lisa, Alan stopped her by lightly touching her arm and asking, "Want me to walk you outside?"

After she had gotten over the chill Alan's touch had sent down her spine, Celeste answered, "Sure! It's not really that far, though."

"Yeah, but there could be some scary guys that you might run into!" Alan immediately replied jokingly.

Celeste grinned. "Right!"

As they turned a corner and saw the front doors ahead, Alan thought at the speed of lightning. He was hesitant to ask Celeste what he had wanted to ask her since finding out about her grades Saturday. Would she think he was stupid? Would she wonder why he had asked HER and not another person? Would she think he liked her??? Well, he did like her, so what did it matter, anyway?! Besides, he wasn't TOTALLY ignorant of the English language. He just needed some help in it, and he could offer her help in something else in return.

"Hey, Celeste. I-I was wondering... if you'd, um, possibly like to help me with... well, you know: English. That is, when I need help, and I could like, help you with some other subject when you need it," Alan forced out. He looked expectantly at Celeste.

She turned the proposal over in her head as they exited the school. Before they split up to head to their homes, Celeste smiled happily and agreed, "Sure! That'd be great!" Alan smiled at her and said good-bye, walking off towards the parking lot. After Celeste ripped her eyes from him, she noticed Lisa grinning at her. "Oh, stop it!" With that, she headed in the direction of home, with Lisa laughing right on her heels.

~ ~ ~

Over the next few days, Celeste and Alan helped each other with homework (particularly English and algebra) after school for about 15 minutes whenever they needed it. Many laughs were passed around when Celeste made a stupid mistake or when Alan used the wrong tense of a verb. All the jeering wasn't intended to hurt each other's feelings, though, because they each knew the other person would know it was just for fun. With every study time Celeste and Alan had together, they grew to like each other more and more, though they never told the other. At times, either Alan or Celeste would slip up and do something that made it obvious that they had a crush, like when Celeste's elbow accidentally bumped Alan's arm and she quickly jerked away, blushing like mad, or when Alan freaked out visibly because he thought Celeste had said, "Want to date today?" when she'd really said, "What's the date today?"

Friday came and Celeste went to Alan's football game as she had said she would on Saturday. Alan did very well in the game, sticking to his man, making a touchdown, and even intercepting the ball once. Unfortunately, he was not rewarded the game ball; it went to some kid who had made the last touchdown to win the game and beat the opposition, the Groveton Lions. Celeste stayed after the game and waited until Alan had cleaned up so she could congratulate him on his excellent plays. She waved to him as he came out of the locker room, all washed up and fresh. He saw her and grinned, walking over to his friend.

"Hey, Alan! Man, you did some awesome plays out there, man!" Celeste praised him.

He smiled humbly and replied, "Thanks! Glad you were there to see them!"

The two kept talking about the game and certain points in it, like where the ref had called a hold on the Hammond team when it wasn't their fault. Both Alan and Celeste agreed it had not been a fair call.

As the couple was arguing over whether or not Alan should've taken the game ball home (Celeste thought he should've, but Alan insisted that the other kid had done better), a tall, strong player from the Lions came over, smirking creepily. "Hey, Bosley," he greeted Alan sarcastically.

The blonde Hammond player sighed. "Hello, Tyler," Alan mumbled through gritted teeth. Celeste glanced back and forth between the two boys. Something about their glares and words made her really nervous.

"And who is this?" Tyler laid his eyes on Celeste. She looked at him suspiciously then glanced at Alan. He had suddenly gotten very defensive, standing up straight with his shoulders proudly back.

"This," Alan protectively stated, "is my friend, Celeste Harrington."

The big Lions' player grinned and took Celeste's hand, kissing it tenderly. "Hello! I'm Kip Tyler."

Celeste pulled her hand away and replied, unimpressed, "Hi."

"She's your friend, Alan?"

"Yeah, my friend," Alan replied.

Kip nodded approvingly and murmured, "Good. That's really good." Then he said louder, "Well, it was nice to meet you, Celeste. I'll see you soon, okay? LATER, Bosley." With that, he walked off.

Celeste cautiously turned her head to look at Alan. His expression was just as she thought it would be: hard and cold, glaring intensely in the direction of Kip's departure. She laid a hand on his arm. "Alan, what's up between you two, man?"

Alan sighed and explained, "Well, it's like this. Kip and I have known each other since we were eight. We met at camp and immediately something wasn't right. He and I were the most popular kids there, so we were always trying to beat each other at something, at anything. At one campfire meeting, I set his pants on fire with a burning stick, and he's basically been my top-most rival since then. Every game I play against him is like a fight for life or death for our pride."

Celeste had to laugh at the idea of Kip's pants on fire. But then she became somber and said, "That's too bad."

"Yeah, well, at least we don't go to the same school, huh?"

"That would be a NIGHTMARE!" Celeste laughed.

Just then, a bunch of football players crowded around the two. Alan introduced Celeste to his friends. She was ecstatic when she met Ray Budds and Gerry Bertier, two of the most well-known players on the team. Alan quickly explained to everyone that Celeste was a major football nut. The guys all laughed and said good-night. Lisa walked over and asked Celeste if she was ready to go. Celeste looked reluctant, but said she was.

Alan waved goodbye to Celeste and then thought, Dang! Tyler was totally digging Celeste! It was then that Alan realized he couldn't lose Celeste to Kip no matter what the cost.

~ ~ ~

Over the next few months, Celeste and Alan got to know each other better and better as their families met one Sunday at a potluck and started to do things together. The two families would have each other over for dinner every once in a while, meet at a park to play games, or go to see a movie together. They also went to Alan's football games to cheer him on. Lisa and her family would join in on the fun occasionally, too. On Thanksgiving, all three families got together to thank God for all their blessings. Though when Chad accidentally dumped gravy on Mrs. Bosley's lap, the families joked that maybe Chad wasn't a blessing after all.

December 2 arrived, Celeste's birthday, and she woke up in a very good mood, overjoyed that it was Friday. She was refreshed as she showered and got dressed, then raced downstairs for breakfast.

"My, someone's in a good mood this morning!" Mrs. Harrington commented with faked awe.

Celeste smiled and her face lit up. "Of course! Why shouldn't I be? I'm 15 now."

"Don't even SAY that! You need to stop growing up, you hear?" her mom teased.

"Morning, loser," Chad mumbled to Celeste as he came downstairs. Celeste threw him a dirty look.

"Chad!" Mrs. Harrington scolded. "That is no way to treat your sister, especially on her birthday."

Chad grinned and exclaimed, "I know! I was just joking. How could I do that to my wonderful little sis?" With that overly ridiculous answer, he reached over and gave Celeste a huge bear hug, over-exaggerating on purpose.

Celeste pulled away and mentioned, "Just love me and don't touch me, how 'bout?" The three laughed and sat down to eat. Celeste scarfed down a bagel and oatmeal, dying to get to school so she could get it over with and come home to her sleepover that night with Lisa. She ran upstairs, brushed her teeth, and raced back down, waiting as patiently as she could by the garage door for Chad. He came and they drove to school, Celeste trying unsuccessfully to hold her impatience down.

The school day seemed to blow by quickly for Celeste. Maybe it was because it was Friday and hardly any homework was given out, or maybe it was because everyone was she knew kept saying "happy birthday" to her or patting her on the back. Maybe it was because Celeste just felt so happy. She didn't know; she just assumed it was all three rolled into one. Her day was made better when a bunch of her friends sang "Happy Birthday" to her at lunch. Plus, she was overjoyed when she and Chad drove by Hammond to pick up Lisa and Alan told Celeste that his last game was that night and he wanted her to come. She immediately said she would. On the way home from school, Lisa and Celeste talked animatedly about various topics, trivial or not. Chad simply ignored them and drove.

Celeste walked into the kitchen from the garage, Lisa following, and announced, "We're home, Mom!" Lisa automatically headed to put her stuff in Celeste's room, without having to be told because she had stayed over so much she knew precisely what to do. Chad went to hide in his room just as Mrs. Harrington walked into the kitchen.

"How was school, sweetie?" she asked, starting to wash some dishes.

"Great! It was incredibly fast, with hardly any homework, and everyone was really nice to me. Some of the kids even sang to me at lunch," Celeste informed her, getting a drink of orange juice, her favorite.

"Good!" Mrs. Harrington nodded, satisfied. "Oh, there's something for you on the table," she said, motioning with her head. "Someone left it sitting on the front porch when I went to get the paper and I nearly kicked it into the bushes before I saw it."

Celeste looked curiously at the small package that was the size of a tangerine. She delicately picked up the gold-wrapped package and turned it over and over. There was no tag at all. She asked inquisitively, "Who's it from, Mom?"

"I don't know, honey. It was just sitting there," her mom replied absently, scrubbing furiously at a dirty pan.

Celeste eyed the small package warily, and then shrugged. She carefully ripped the gold wrapping off and opened the lid of the box she found underneath the paper, discovering a red, velvet-covered box, the kind that holds a piece of jewelry. Just as Lisa walked back into the kitchen, Celeste opened the jewelry-type box and gasped.

"What?!" Lisa urgently squeeked. "What is it?"

Celeste was dumbfounded so much that she couldn't speak. She just stared at the gorgeous necklace that lay in the box on her hand. It was a gold heart-shaped pendant hanging on a gold chain. The pendant had a real blue topaz placed exactly in the middle of it, which was also heart-shaped, and the gold part of the pendant was carved with many flourishes and tiny yet elegant details. Celeste was so transfixed by it that Lisa and Mrs. Harrington were compelled to come over and see the gift.

"Oh, my gosh, C!!!" Lisa squealed. "That's like-like pure gold. And a real blue topaz! It's GORGEOUS!"

"A birthstone necklace." Mrs. Harrington stared in awe.

Tenderly fingering the pendant and its chain, Celeste mumbled wistfully, "I've been wanting something like this forever. I wish I knew who gave it to me."

The rest of the night, Celeste pondered over the mystery of the necklace. After a while she gave up and just had fun prank-calling with Lisa. They talked, they giggled, and they bothered Chad as best they could. They went to Alan's last football game. Coach Yoast led his team to another winning season, and Celeste and Alan went home with immense pride.

The next afternoon the Bosleys came over and celebrated Celeste's birthday with her and her family. They gave her brand new overalls and 20 dollars to spend on whatever she wanted. Celeste thanked them and immediately ruled the Bosleys out of the list of people who could've given her the necklace. Why would they give her three gifts, anyway?

Christmas came and went. New Year's Day came and went. Snow was on the ground. Kids went sledding every day. Adults shoveled snow off the walkway or car. February arrived, then March, and all the while Alan and Celeste grew more and more fond and familiar of each other. They were comfortable and happy whenever they were together, yet Alan never asked Celeste out, except to come with him on group outings with their football friends. Celeste was invited by Lisa to go to Hammond's Christmas and Valentine's Day parties, but Alan and Celeste went alone and with no one else as "dates," dancing with each other as friends but never anything else. Celeste was beginning to wonder if Alan was just using her or something, because he had met her and liked her almost since the start of the school year, but he hadn't asked her on an "official" date yet. What was he waiting for? Celeste thought she might as well ask him out if he didn't get his John Brown hind moving.

~ ~ ~

April 13, 1971

"Dang it!" Celeste cursed under her breath. She madly scribbled out a math problem. She was sitting at a table after school, right outside the Hammond building and next to the basketball court, working on her algebra homework. It was Thursday and the teachers had given assignments that Celeste had easily finished in class, except this one. She had nothing else to do and wanted to get her homework done so she could just go home and rest. Unfortunately, the problems were harder than the ones the day before had been, and Celeste wasn't sure she'd get the work done. The day was cloudy and overcast, probably another shower expected of April, and Celeste figured the weather fit her mood perfectly today as she angrily crumpled up her scratch paper and tossed it aside, frustrated.

Just then, a light shadow fell over her paper and Celeste looked up, overjoyed to see Alan standing there. "Oh, hallelujah! I'm so glad you remembered to meet me here, man."

Alan was puzzled. "Why?"

Celeste grabbed his arm and pulled him down beside her. "I need help with algebra."

Alan smiled and scooted closer to her, patiently explaining everything. Celeste caught on and he saw a light go on in her head. As she easily worked out the problems now, Alan hesitantly asked, "Is that all?"

"Yeah, thanks, man! Did you need me for something?" Celeste wondered, not looking up from her paper.

Alan's heart started to beat faster as he stared wide-eyed at her, trying to gather all his thoughts, feelings, words, and guts together. He was SO nervous. Questions and concerns raced through his mind. Was he moving too fast? Would she accept? How would he feel if she didn't? Finally, his like of Celeste won over his fears and he thought, It's now or never!

"Alan?" Celeste looked concerned. "You okay?"

He jumped and chuckled at himself quietly. "Yeah, I-I'm fine. Just... thinking." Suddenly, he got this huge urge of shyness and he didn't think he'd be able to ask Celeste. He stood up from the table, started to walk away, but stopped. He could feel Celeste still looking at his back. She seemed to be holding his heart, and he turned around. Sticking his hands in his pockets, Alan stuttered, "Hey, Celeste? I-I was wondering... if, um... if y-you'd like to, um... go out with me?"

Celeste was shocked. She knew Alan liked her a lot, but she had about given up on him asking her out. Yeah, they HAD gotten to know each other really, really well these past eight months, especially during their study sessions and family outings, but Celeste had decided that Alan would never ask her out, a girl one and a half years younger than him. He had probably only wanted to be friends with her. But he actually liked her for who she was, and Celeste caught on that he DIDN'T want to be friends. At this thought, she smiled happily, and realizing Alan was waiting anxiously for an answer, said, "I'll have to ask my parents, because I've never gone out on a date before. When would we go?"

Alan looked disappointed. "Tomorrow night around six. Since we don't want to stay out late Saturday because of church the next morning, I figured tomorrow night would be best," Alan explained, shrugging.

Celeste smiled hopefully at Alan. "Well, I'll ask my parents, but I'm sure they'll say yes. If not, please don't feel offended or anything, man!"

Alan tried to perk up. "I won't!"

"Good! I'll ask tonight and tell you tomorrow, k?" Celeste informed Alan. He nodded as she added, "Oh, and thanks for helping me with algebra!"

"Hey, no problem, man!" Alan cheerfully replied. The two headed their separate ways as Lisa came over to Celeste to walk home, both deeply hoping and praying that they'd be able to see each other the following night.

~ ~ ~

Celeste ran into her brother right as she entered her house. Tossing her things on the stairs, she crossed her arms and bit her lip nervously. She plopped down on the couch and turned the TV on.

"Man, what's up with you?" Chad asked as he walked right in front of her view of the screen.

"Shut up and MOVE!" Celeste shot back, eager to get her mind off waiting for their dad to come home so she could talk to both parents together.

"Oh, I see!" Chad jeered. "You had a bad day because you ate too fast at lunch and just now barfed in front of Alan and you never want to leave this house again?"

Celeste looked horrified. "Chad, you're absolutely sick!"

"Well, what's up then, man?" he probed.

"None of your John Brown business," retorted his younger sister.

"Okay! Geez," Chad mumbled as he gave up. "Someone's a bit cranky this afternoon."

Celeste sighed. "Sorry, Chad. I'm just really anxious for Dad to get home."

"Why?"

"You'll find out."

"When?"

"LATER!" Celeste snapped.

"Please? Tell me now? Lil' sis?" Chad looked at her with puppy eyes, trying to suck up to her.

"On a few conditions. One: get your body out of the way of the TV, two: stop those stupid puppy eyes, three: don't call me 'lil' sis.' I hate that."

"Okay," Chad grinned cheerfully.

Celeste shook her head and explained, "Well... someone asked me out, and I want him to get home soon so I can talk to both Mom and him if I can go."

"Who asked you?" her brother excitedly asked, searching for more juicy details.

"Umm...," Celeste hesitated. "Alan."

Chad's eyebrows raised and he grinned a wide grin. "REALLY???!!!" Celeste nodded. Chad roared with laughter as Celeste rolled her eyes. "That's SO funny! I thought you two were just friends! Oh, my gosh! I'm gonna DIE, man!"

Celeste glared at him. "You know what, Chad? SHUT UP AND MOVE!!!"

~ ~ ~

"So can I go?" Celeste begged. She had just finished telling her parents about Alan asking her out. After dinner and after she had cleaned off the table, Celeste had asked her parents if she could speak to them privately in their room. She had told them the whole story and now they were just sitting there with, staring at her with unreadable looks on their faces.

"Well," her dad started, "this is something new."

"Not really, 'cause you had to go through this with Chad, too, right?" Celeste pointed out.

"Yes, but not until a year ago when he had just turned 16. You're only 15 and a half," Mrs. Harrington replied all mother-like.

Mr. Harrington nodded. "You know we have a policy, Celeste."

"I know. Sixteen years old," Celeste sighed. Then she added, "But, Mom, Dad! I'm almost 16, only eight months now, and anyways, Mom, didn't you start dating Dad when you were only 15?"

That got her mom. She was speechless. "She's got a point, honey," Mrs. Harrington mumbled to her husband.

"Yes, but-but... we were mature and ready back then," Mr. Harrington lamely made up an excuse.

"Dad!" Celeste exclaimed. "You let Chad date at 16 when he was less mature than I was. He's STILL less mature than I am!!!"

Her parents laughed. They knew that was true. Celeste's mom spoke up, "Honey, that's a great point. You are more mature than Chad, and we also know you're not as careless with relationships. You choose your friends wisely and you stick with them."

"And you and Alan seem to be good friends. Plus, he's a very polite and nice young man," Mr. Harrington commented the teen.

"AND Christian," Celeste's mom tossed in.

Celeste nodded emphatically, getting nervous and even more anxious than she had been before this conversation. Her parents were killing her as they whispered something between them and nodded.

"Celeste, as long as you're home by 11 and don't let things go too far-" Mr. Harrington started.

"You know that I'm stuck on staying pure, Dad. You don't have to worry. I won't let anything happen. I won't even let him kiss me good-night if he tries."

"Good. And we know your views on faithfulness," her dad smiled.

"We trust you and Alan a LOT, sweetie, and we have noticed how mature and Christ-like you both are," Celeste's mom commented.

"So I can go as long as I'm back by 11 and don't let things go too far?" Celeste pleaded excitedly.

"And if you behave yourself and stay out of trouble until then," her dad joked.

Celeste proudly held her head high, bragging, "I'm always behaved!"

This got a laugh out of her parents. The next words spoken were by Mrs. Harrington, and they were some of the sweetest words Celeste had ever heard. "You can go, honey."

Celeste squealed and ran and gave both her parents hugs, thanking them over and over again. She raced to the door and opened it in a flash, almost bumping into Chad, who was listening in. She looked at her parents' faces: they were glaring at her older brother. Celeste grinned and left the room, deciding to let her parents take control of the eavesdropping Chad. She hopped onto her bed, reached for her phone, and automatically punched in Lisa's number without thinking. The phone rang three times before Lisa picked up. Celeste talked at the speed of lightning.

"Lisa? Guess what?! I'm going on a date with Alan tomorrow night!!!"