"What does yours say?" Cody asked nervously, sitting across from Nate on his bed.

"What does yours say?" Nate smirked lightly, his letter from NYU in his hands.

"Nate!" She swatted him on the arm.

"What?" He asked innocently.

"What does your- oh, for Pete's sake," she snatched it out of his hands.

"Guys, guys!" Cody called, running down the hall towards Adena and Tanis. "We got in!" She laughed as she caught up with them.

"To NYU?" Tanis asked, continuing when Cody nodded, "That's awesome, Cody!"

"Yeah, Cody, great job," Adena smiled, hugging her friend along with Tanis.

"I'm so excited," Cody admitted, grinning widely.

"You should be," Adena told her.

"Hey," Cody sobered, "are you…"

"I'm fine," Adena said, smiling genuinely. "I'm over it."

"Good," Tanis cut in, "because those UBC punks won't know what hit them!"

Adena laughed, "You need to calm down!"

"Have you heard how Squib did yet?" Cody asked.

"No, but I'm sure he's fine," Tanis said. "He's managed average grades this year, and his dad will pay for any university he wants…"

"Cameron, on the other hand…" Adena spoke.

"What about him?" Cody asked.

"He got into a few places, but his dad's not paying," Adena explained sadly.

"Seriously?" Tanis asked, shocked. "I thought his dad would've caved by now!"

"Nope," Adena shook her head, "I overheard them on the phone the other day. His dad is not paying."

"That's rough," Cody said softly.

"Speaking of Cam," Tanis said, "where is he? I haven't seen him lately…"

"Practicing," Adena told her. "Where else?"

"Hey, man," Squib spoke, approaching Cameron as he practiced on an empty court.

"Hey, Squib," Cameron greeted him but didn't stop, "how's it going?"

"Good," Squib told him, "I got my college letters."

"And?"

"I got in almost everywhere," Squib smiled.

"Alright, man," Cameron smiled, putting down his racquet and going over to Squib to give him an odd combination of a handshake, high five, and hug that women will never understand.

"What about you?" Squib asked, trying to approach the subject gently.

"College?" Squib nodded. "Well, I got in, but my dad's not paying…" he shrugged, "There's still the scholarship. If that falls through, I'll go work with him."

Squib stayed quiet for a moment, knowing his friend was facing a future he'd never have chosen, "Well…can I practice with you? Gunns says I have to work on my backhand."

Cameron smiled, grabbing his racquet from where he'd dropped it, "Sure, Squib."

"Hey there, ladies," Rick popped his head over the back of the couch that the three girls were seated on.

"Hi, Rick," Adena said flatly.

"Have any of you seen Sunny lately?"

Tanis opened her mouth to respond, but paused, "You know…I haven't seen her for a while."

"Yeah," Cody spoke, "she hasn't been around a lot."

"Where's she been all year?" Adena asked.

Rick shrugged, "Beats me. Bates was looking for her. Well, I'll be off," he gave a dramatic bow. "Later, babes."

"Hey, Rick," Cody called after him. "Acceptance letters?" Rick turned on his way out the doorway and, walking backwards, gave her a smile and thumbs up.

"Hey, man," Nate said, not looking up from his book as Squib sat at his table in the cafeteria.

"Hey," Squib said, looking around, "Where's…everyone?"

"Cameron's practicing, I believe, Cody's eating lunch with her dad, and I think Adena dragged Tanis out for a shopping trip."

"…That sounds about right."

"So," Nate said after a moment, "Cody told me your acceptance letters went well."

"Yeah," Squib told him, "I got into a few places; haven't decided."

"Cool," Nate nodded slowly.

"Hey," Squib spoke after another pause, "I heard about NYU. Congrats."

"Thanks."

"……So, what are you readi-,"

"Squib," Nate cut in, "let's not ruin this."

"Sounds good," Squib nodded. The two finished their lunch in a semi-companionable silence.

"I'm so nervous," Cody announced, walking into the Open with Tanis and Adena to see most of the senior class already there.

"Why?" Tanis laughed. "You're not even up for the scholarship!"

"I know!" Cody explained, "But it's still tense!"

"Well, all I know is that I'm not getting it," Adena said, not sounding particularly disappointed. "My game's been suffering these last few months."

"That's okay, though," Cody said to her, "your parents are paying for at least pre-med, right?" Adena nodded.

"Cody!" They heard Nate's voice and turned to find the boys standing near the back of the room.

"Hey," she smiled, going to Nate's side as her friends followed. "You guys nervous?" She asked, turning to face Cameron and Squib.

Squib shrugged, "Kind of…" Cameron remained silent.

"Alright, students, quiet down," President Bates called from the small stage that had been set up at the front of the room. "As you know, each year C+C offers a full scholarship to one Cascadia student. Please help me in welcoming the CEO, Jeff Caplan to the stage." The students clapped obediently as a tall, dark-haired man took Bates' place at the mic.

"Thank you," he smiled softly. "Let me first say that we witnessed some amazing performances this year, and you all have bright futures ahead of you. However, we can only offer one student our scholarship. We've been watching matches all year, and this year's C+C scholarship will be awarded to…"

I'll be gone all week. I should update this and/or 'Best Served Cold' when I get back.

I keep forgetting if Gunns is around in this story. He is now.

Nova- I'll email you shortly after I get back, I promise!

Coming back to reviews would be lovely. Just lovely.