That week--being Spring Break--wasn't as great as I had expected it to be. My parents knew I had a project that was worth half my grade in my Economics class, so they made sure I worked diligently on it everyday before they would let me out of the house. I'd hang out with Veronica as often as her schedule would allow. When she wasn't free I'd call up my friends to see if they could hang out.

I felt like I was an eager 8 year old boy, all over again--asking if my friends could come outside to play.

Because she had no other responsibilities, Lizzie had picked up extra hours at her job. She was working 6-8 hour shifts everyday. By the time we'd have to go back to school she would need another vacation. It seemed the only one that had spare time to hang out was Miranda. When she wasn't on her serial dates, we'd hang out at a number of places. My house, the mall, or just outside Lizzie's work waiting for her shift to end.

Apparently I wasn't the only one that was anxious to see Lizzie.

When nobody was free, I'd go next door and have video game marathons with Matt. To be frank, that was probably the best way to relax. Even though I wasn't technically an 'adult' he'd make me feel like a carefree kid once more; throwing teasing insults back and forth, depending on who had the upperhand of the gaming matches.

Then, before I knew it, it was time for school again. Less than 3 months in the school year remained. The final stretch had arrived.

I had never been more anxious for a Monday morning to arrive. Hardly surprising myself, I practically sprang out of bed when my alarm beeped. For years I had always heard the expression that went something along the lines of 'moods are contagious.' Bad or good this rule applied. Until this day, I never believed it.

My cheerful disposition was mirrored back by my parents at the breakfast table, then at the McGuire's as I awaited for Lizzie to come downstairs.

Mrs. McGuire presented a genial smile. "Have a seat. I just made eggs and bacon."

"No thanks, I already had breakfast."

"Really?" Her eyesbrows shot up. "Roberta is always telling me that you constantly run out the front door without even having a slice of toast."

I shrugged and smiled. "Today I woke up early enough to eat."

Footsetps interrupted our conversation as Lizzie entered the room with a look of mild surprise across her face. "Gordo, you're here early. I haven't even eaten breakfast yet." She pulled out a chair and took a seat a beside her mother at the table.

It felt a bit awkward to hover over the pair as they ate so I took a seat across from Lizzie's mother. I had just poured myself a glass of orange juice and bitten into a piece of bacon when I noticed Lizzie's expectant eyes. "Just to pass the time," I explained with a hint of a smile.

She shook her head and chuckled.

Lunch was definitely the bright spot on my first day back to school.

After informing me that she had to stay back in class during our lunch period, Veronica prompted me to join my friends. To be honest, I couldn't even remember that last time I had sat down with them. As soon as I approached the table I noticed that something was amiss. Everyone kept exchanging confused, yet amused smiles. And to my great astonishment, everyone was silent. Well...close to everyone.

Denisse and Blake were on the other end of the table seated directly across from one another. You could see their large, blissful smiles a mile away. They spoke in hushed whispers so that not even Daniel (who was seated right beside Blake) could hear what words were being passed during the pairs' intimate session. Every few seconds Blake would reach across the table to take her small, delicate hand into one of his large bearish hands. They seemed too engrossed with one another to notice that the rest of us were looking on with hungry stares.

Either that or they simply couldn't care less.

After taking a look around the table, I couldn't decide who was the most shocked by this (somewhat) unexpected turn of events. Miranda tapped my foot under the table. I looked up and she whispered, "What are you doing here?"

I came close to laughing aloud. What, we suddenly weren't aloud to talk? Even so, I spoke lowly. "Vero had to stay back in class."

She nodded in understanding then gestured to the loving couples direction. Her eyes seemed to say, 'can you believe it?'

Chuckling, I shook my head.

The bell signaled the end of lunch and we all stood to gather our empty trays and beverages. I decided we were a safe distance away so I spoke in my regular volume to Daniel. "When did that happen?"

He ran a hand through his jet-black hair. "Harold said they got together at the beginning of Spring Break. Denisse would either go over to their house, or his brother would go meet her somewhere."

"So, if Harold already knew about them, then why did he look as shocked as everyone else at the table?"

We continued our long walk to the locker room as our chat continued. "Well," Daniel laughed suddenly. "You know how nosy Harold can be..."

Though I knew it wasn't necessary, I nodded in agreement.

"Well, obviously no one knows that better than Blake. So, when Denisse would go visit, Blake would make sure they had privacy from the prying eyes from the likes of Harold."

"Ah, comprende."

Must have been my lucky day because Steven was nowhere to be seen that day. It seemed more than a handful of people were absent in our usual conjoined PE classes. Since we didn't have enough people to create several teams, our teacher instructed our Junior class to the usual weight training room. The hour passed quickly and I eventually found myself wrapped up in Vero's arms as we met between this class and the next. Though the tongue action she had recently resorted to was always eagerly reciprocated, I didn't really feel comfortable doing this out in the open.

I attempted to pull away more than once. The third time I tried this she regarded me with questionable eyes. "What's wrong?"

My eyes darted around to passing students. "Maybe this isn't such a good time."

She laughed. "It's always a good time, babe." She moved in, and just as before, I backed away. Her eyes became dark. "What the hell?"

"Look, it isn't that I don't want to. It's just that I don't think it's uh...appropriate right here in front of everyone," I explained.

"Since when have you cared about kissing me in front of other people?"

"Since our kisses have become more," I leaned in to whisper, "heavy."

"Oh my gosh," she sounded exasperated. "Who cares? It's not like we're making people watch."

Her words made sense but something in me wasn't listening. It was almost as if a part of me didn't want to understand her what she was saying. I don't know. It just didn't feel...right anymore. What the hell was going on with me?

Ever since my parents had put me on a type of school 'probation' my grades has easily, and steadily worked their way back up to my traditional 'A' status. I sat at my desk bored out of my mind. My homework had been completed for hours and I had already eaten dinner. There was nothing to do. Not even my new unread book on Martin Scorsese interested me. Something was gnawing at me and I knew exactly what it was.

Veronica.

I felt bad about this afternoon, but then when I recalled our conversation I realized something. What did I have to feel bad about? It wasn't as if I was insulting her. All I did was let her know how I felt about the situation. And it wasn't like I was lying--I was upfront, and truthful with her. Wasn't that what boyfriends were supposed to do?

Not really certain it was the right move, I dialed her cell phone. She picked up on the fourth ring. "Hello?"

"Hey, it's me." Without giving her a chance to reply, I continued. "Listen about earlier, I think we need to talk, I--"

"David," she pleaded, "please let me go first." I did as she asked and remained silent. She pressed further, "I don't know why I flipped out on you earlier. I'm sorry, really. Please let's just forget about it. Okay?"

Vero had never apologized to me before. Probably because she never had reason to. That realization was so admirable that I didn't even have to think about it. "Sure," I smiled into the phone.

She let out a relieved breath and laughed. "Okay, good."

We talked for about almost an hour. I was just short of ending the conversation when she mentioned something that sparked my interest. A party that was this upcoming weekend. Parties had been labeled taboo in our relationship for obvious reasons so you would understand my tentative reaction. When I didn't latch on to the idea right away, she chided me on. "C'mon David. My friend Michelle was invited to a college party and she doesn't want to go alone."

"Are you sure?" I asked in a serious tone. Neither of us said it, but I'm sure we were thinking the same thing.

"Believe me," she spoke with airy confidence. "I'm absolutely sure about this."