Laughter split the humid summer air as Chase, Lucas, and Jasmine clowned around in the Green's pool.
Lucas grinned at his brother and put a finger to his lips as he snuck up behind Jasmine. Chase gave him a warning look, but Lucas only ignored him and shoved Jasmine under the water. She came up sputtering and screaming at Lucas, who was floating on his back in the water, laughing loudly. She wiped hair and water out of her eyes, so that he could get the full effect of her glare. Chase watched the two of them, shaking his head. Lucas wouldn't care and Jasmine would try to get revenge and Lucas still wouldn't care, which meant that this back and forth could and would probably go on all afternoon.
So Chase decided to take matters into his own hands. He tackled his brother and plunged him underneath the water before jumping back out of Lucas' way. Now Chase and Jasmine were laughing when Lucas reemerged.
The boys' mother, Sally Green, came out onto the patio carrying a tray of lemonade and grinning at their antics. The three teenagers surged out of the pool and each grabbed a glass.
Chase set his lemonade on the patio table and held his dripping-wet arms out to his mother. "How about a hug?"
Sally held up her hands. "No, thanks."
Lucas grinned and reached over, running his wet hand over his mom's arm. She yelped and the boys laughed.
"I swear!" Jasmine exclaimed. "What is wrong with you today, Lucas Green?"
"Chase laughed too." Lucas pointed out.
"Did he laugh when you dunked me?"
"I told him not to." Chase answered for Lucas, wrapping his arms around Jasmine's shoulders.
"You did not!" Lucas objected.
"I did not say 'Lucas, don't dunk my girlfriend,' but you knew what my look meant."
"You sound like Mom." Lucas muttered with a half-hidden grin, at which point Sally laughed and kissed Chase on the cheek before retreating into the house.
"See," Jasmine looked patiently at Lucas. "That is what a good boyfriend does. You could learn from him."
"And then he might get a date." Chase added good-naturedly.
Lucas narrowed his eyes and shoved Jasmine, and thereby Chase, back into the pool. The laughter of the three teens once again floated into the air.
That afternoon, neither Lucas nor Jasmine could have guessed where they would be at the beginning of the impending school year. But as they sat side by side at Chase's funeral, they couldn't help but wonder if, when he was going under the water of the pool – had he been going under emotionally as well, even then?
This is an idea that I've had in my head for awhile and I decided to share it with you guys. PLEASE review one of the New Hope stories. Please? Would it help if I tried puppy-dog eyes? I just really want some feedback on these stories. Thanks, guys.:)