Andrina squealed as she climbed into the driver seat of her new car. Their father made a deal with each of them that if they got into college they would get a car for graduation. Andrina got hers this morning and insisted on driving Ariel to school.

"Best Friday ever!" Andrina declared as she pulled out of the driveway.

Ariel couldn't help but giggle at her sister. It was cut short, however, when Andrina drove through the stop sign at the end of their street.

"Andi, you just blew a stop sign," Ariel told her.

Andrina made a face. "Oops. Don't tell dad."

"I won't."

"Thanks." Andrina straightened up. "I can't believe I'm graduating in three weeks."

"It's pretty exciting."

Andrina nodded. "Look, don't tell dad, but I don't want to go to college."

"Why not?"

Andrina shrugged. "I mean, I want to take acting classes and everything. But, I really don't see how taking any other classes is going to help me become an actress."

"I see your point," Ariel said. "But, I think dad wants us to have back-up plans just in case things don't work out."

Andrina rolled her eyes. "That's just his way of saying he doesn't believe in my dream."

"That's him being realistic," Ariel said, thinking about what Charlotte had told her earlier that week about being realistic. "I mean, do you know how many people really make it as an actor compared to how many people want to be an actor?"

"You sound like dad."

"I support you a hundred percent, Andi, but there's nothing wrong with having a safety net."

Ariel was surprised to hear herself say that. Honestly, she wouldn't have been thinking that way if she hadn't had the conversation with Charlotte earlier. Who would have thought Charlotte would be the voice of reason?

"Maybe if acting doesn't work out I can be a drama teacher like Mrs. Rabbit," Andrina said, thoughtfully.

"That's a good plan."

XXX

Pocahontas and Sally got to their first period English class early. Ms. Radcliffe was busy writing on the dry erase board and had her back to them.

Sally leaned over to Pocahontas. "Guess what."

"What?"

"Jack asked me to prom last night," Sally told her with a big smile.

"How did he do it?"

Sally's face lit up. "We were taking his dog, Zero, for a walk down the trail in the woods and all of a sudden he pulled out a black rose and asked me. It was so romantic."

"That's great, Sally."

"How did John ask you?"

Pocahontas started flipping through her book. "He hasn't. Yet."

"Really? John usually asks you to the dances right away."

"I know. But, we're hanging out on Sunday; maybe he's planning on asking me then."

"I'm sure he's going to. And then you'll have to tell me how he did it."

"Don't get too excited." Pocahontas wasn't sure if she was saying that to Sally or herself. "John isn't exactly romantic, so I'm sure he won't do it in any special way."

"You don't know that. It's the first time he's asking you to prom; he may go all-out for it."

Pocahontas shook her head. "Not likely. John doesn't like dances. He only goes because I like them."

"That may be true, but prom is different. Everyone looks forward to prom."

Pocahontas laughed. "Not John. He even thinks the theme is stupid."

Sally let out a small, excited squeal. "Jack and I are excited about the theme. It doesn't get better than a masquerade ball."

Pocahontas smiled at her best friend. "It does sound exciting."

"Do you want to go dress shopping with me tomorrow?"

"I don't want to jump the gun and jinx it. Can we go next Saturday; after John asks me?"

"Of course. I think next Friday is pay day for us, anyway. We can do lunch, too."

"I can't wait."

XXX

The five minute warning bell rang and Esmeralda hurried towards Phoebus' locker. He was just walking away when she caught up to him.

"There you are," she told him. "I've been looking for you."

"I didn't realize I was lost."

"Phoebus, you missed school Monday and Tuesday and then you avoided me the rest of the week."

"So?"

"So I've been worried about you. We haven't talked since Philip's party last weekend."

"I wasn't feeling good and I had a lot on my mind."

"Is this about Kayley's dad?"

"I don't know. I guess."

"Phoebus, why won't you talk to me?"

"Why are you nagging me?"

Esmeralda stared at him for a moment, but he dropped his eyes. "I'm not trying to nag. I'm just trying to be here for you, but you're shutting me out."

"I don't think you'd understood what I'm going through."

"Maybe not. But, you didn't understand what I was going through with my eating disorder and I still let you in."

"Only because I thought you were pregnant and you were forced to tell me the truth. Otherwise, you wouldn't have told me." Phoebus continued walking.

Esmeralda fell into step beside him. "Good point. Still, in the end it was nice having you there for me. Whatever it is you're going through, you don't have to deal with it alone."

"I'm not. I have Mulan. She understands."

Esmeralda resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the mention of Mulan's name. She was friends with Mulan now, but she couldn't help remembering how Mulan had acted over spring break.

"I would understand, too, if you told me."

"Essie, everyday men and women die in combat, but when it's someone you know or someone who's close to a friend of yours it hits you a little harder and it makes you realize that the people in your life aren't invincible. My dad could be next or Mulan's. That's something that we are forced to think about now after Lionel's death. It's also something you don't have to worry about."

"I may not have to worry about my parents dying in war, but I love you, Phoebus, and I have to worry about how all of this affects you."

"I'll be fine."

"It doesn't seem like it."

"I don't want you worrying about me."

"Well, I am. And if you want me to stop, then you need stop shutting me out and being elusive."

Phoebus sighed, knowing there was no way he could win with her. "All right. I promise."