Over the next few months, as the season changed from bitter winter to bright, fresh, spring, Jake and Hamilton both worried about their own separate issues.
Jake was totally preoccupied with the thought of having a younger sibling. She'd always been an only child, and wasn't sure she liked the idea of having to share the little time her mother gave her with someone else. She was still determined to look after the kid herself, only now she was worried about funding, time, having to hide the baby from everyone, even worrying about how much sleep she'd get! Because she's Jake, she was going to keep to her decision for as long as possible, but so many little things (like sleep) were worrying her so much now, and the child wasn't even born yet!
Hammie was concerned with more practical things, such as where the kid would go. There was no way there would be enough room in the dorm, plus you can't really disguise a baby crying in the night, even if the other occupants are the heaviest sleepers of all – teenage boys.
Jake, Hamilton, Scout and Will were all sitting around a tree on a bitter January morning. It was Wills idea, he claimed he got better inspiration outdoors, so the four were leaning in silence, all scribbling frantically at another assignment Finn had set.
Suddenly, Hamilton leaped to his feet. "I've got it!…I mean…I've got to go. I'll see you guys later." He reached over and gave his Jake a surreptitious peck on the cheek, breathed "I love you beautiful" in her ear, then sped off towards his house.
"Whoa! What was all that about?!?!" Scout said incredulous.
"No idea, dude." Will and Jake said at the same time, grinning at each other. They bent their heads and continued writing, while Scout looked at them as if they were crazy for not questioning such weirdness from Hamilton.