Lucas had been looking after his younger brother dropping him into the junior school playground before joining his friends with the middle schoolers. After the birthday party Lucas was just as likely to hang out with a couple of girls as he was to sit with Sean. It was on these mornings with the girls that Lucas was late to class, collecting several tardy slips throughout the second term.

It was actually Lucas' caring personality that had him being late. Natalie was the one who really caught Lucas' attention; however he didn't want to hurt anyone else's feelings. So although Lucas would help Natalie pack her books in her bag and close her locker behind them, he would also talk to Krista about their homework. These helpful moments meant that Lucas was often the last one walking into the classroom and sometimes without all of his own books.

Not being prepared for class earned Lucas a demerit or two as well. He really wasn't worried about all of that. You could collect 10 points over a term before anything happened and he was otherwise staying out of trouble. So he wasn't really paying attention as the number or points slowly rose.

Outside of school Lucas gained a larger group of friends and he and Sean attended several gatherings that Lucas insisted to both Abby and Tim were not 'parties'. They were 'gatherings' of friends. Neither Tim nor Abby could see the difference but allowed Lucas to call them whatever he wanted.

These gatherings happened on a monthly basis hosted by a new kid in school wanting to make some new friends. A few times Lucas had come home with stories of drama, but nothing unusual for a group of 12 to 14 year olds hanging out for a few hours. Tim was happy that Lucas was sharing these stories. Although he understood that things were easier to share when they are not directly related to yourself he was pleased and hoped that it would lead to more and more openness.

Abby had always been in contact with the parents of most of Lucas' families; when her son was little it was about knowing the parent she dropped her child off with for play dates but as he got older it was to keep in contact with his life away from home. By the end of January the first term was a third way through and Nikko hosted one of his gatherings again. Natalie's mother contacted Abby in hopes of carpooling across town so the preteens could attend the party. Abby drove the two kids there, and Natalie's mother would bring them home.

Abby drove from work early in time to get home in time to pick up Lucas and head out to Natalie's house. Abby sat in the driver's seat listening to the giggly kids in the back seat. She asked the young guest about her school work and extracurricular activities. The young lady answered the questions respectfully but didn't extend the conversation. Abby smirked looking in the rear view mirror at her young son's glowingly happy face. It was cute really. A young crush.

Abby returned to the lab to work. She spent the next few hours working on evidence having a short snack break with Tim in the lounge. Abby relayed the car ride and punched Tim playfully in the arm when he made a comment about interrogating the kids about their relationship. "I wouldn't really do that" he exclaimed rubbing his upper arm and leaning away.

Both parents returned to work. When Lucas arrived home Kayla had been dismissed and both parents were in their room reading. He poked his head into room saying "I'm home, night!" Tim yelled out the door to try and catch his quickly escaping son "How did the par..gathering go tonight?" A quiet "fine" was the only response. Abby and Tim looked at each other, smiled and then went back to their reading. Minutes later Abby's iPad dinged and a flash of a green bubble popped up in the corner of page she was reading. Not understanding who the message was from Abby slid the book off screen and opened the instant message. It took several seconds for her to realize the was Natalie and the messages were supposed to be going to Lucas. Electronic mishaps are always interesting but when you receive hearts and smiley faces from your son's friend. Abby was about to let Lucas know that he wasn't the only one getting the messages when the words started.

"Did she notice?"

"I don't know"

"You'll tell me if she says anything RIGHT?"

"Ya, I'll let you know if she says anything!"

Abby reads and re-reads the words several times before shouting out "Lucas come here Now!"

Lucas huffing down the hall pokes his head in looking at the floor "What?"

"What's this?" Abby asked without thought to tone or question.

Lucas' face fell and then he quickly stared at his own ipod in his hand. He couldn't even form words as Abby's face stayed questioning.

"I'll… ah… I …. need… to go.." turning and heading immediately back to his room.

Confused Tim took the tablet from his wife read the words himself and then laughed uncontrollably. Abby on the other hand was still shocked. "What does that mean?"

"It doesn't really mean anything" Tim answered. "He's 12 what could it mean?"

"Tim…Tim… Tim… have you no imagination?"

"I do but I refuse to use it for anything but good!" he said wrapping his arm around his wife's shoulder and kissing her cheek.

They sat reading for a short time before Abby threw her hands into her lap and sighed loudly. Not looking up from his own book Tim asked "What?"

"What did that mean?"

"Abby… just let it go… he isn't into anything terrible …" Tim answered although he too was wondering. Not because he was worried but because he just desperately wanted to know.