Chapter 1: Revelations

Part 1

She eyes her brother, searching for a hint of wavering.

"Please," she begs, "I'm going to drown in this abyss commonly referred to as boredom."

"Quit being so melodramatic, Autumn. Why don't you go play barbies with Jessica," Drew suggests, "you know, pull off their heads or arms or something."

"I already told you," Autumn replies with exasperation, "she's grounded."

"And besides," she adds defensively, "I'm twelve. I don't mutilate or play with barbies anymore. As a matter of fact, I don't play….I hang out."

"Uh huh. Yeah. Whatever." Drew says sarcastically. With that remark, he scoops up his basketball, prepared to head for the courts, minus his little sister. Unwilling to admit defeat, Autumn bolts for the door, simultaneously contemplating the right words to loosen her brother's stance. Sudden insight strikes her just as her brother motions to knock her out of the way.

"You know how you're always salivating over Jessica's older sister, Devyn?" Autumn chirps. Drew immediately stiffens, suddenly interested in what Autumn has to say.

"I don't salivate over her, Autumn."

"Uh…I don't know what dictionary you've been reading, but in mine, 'mouth open, spit dribbling down' is the definition for salivating and you my love bitten bro are guilty of it. Case closed. Jury is dismissed."

"Get to the point," Drew remarks, his face slightly flushed.

"Well, if you are gracious enough to let me come along today, I'll make sure that Devyn comes to an awareness of your existence by the end of this week."

"And just how are you going to accomplish that?" questions Drew, trying to mask the hopeful interest in his voice. Autumn walks towards her brother, stands on her tiptoes, and places her hand on his head.

"Don't try to understand my child. Just have faith." Drew fights back the manifesting smile on his face and finally agrees.

"Fine, I guess you can come." Elated, Autumn thanks her brother, quite amused at her triumph of the day.

"Poor hormonal fool," Autumn utters under her breath as they walk out the door.

"What?" asks Drew.

"I said you're overly cool," smiles Autumn.

"Yeah sure you did."

* * * * *

"Guys, this is my sister, Autumn. I didn't want her to come but basically, she's mentally insane and frankly, I'm a little scared of what she'll do if I don't comply with her demands."

"He's lying," Autumn answers, "he begged me to come hang out with him today. He wants to spend time with me 24-7. And since I backed out of giving him make-up tips yesterday, I felt obligated to come."

Drew's friends snicker while he rolls his eyes.

"Anyways," Drew says, "Justin and I get to be captains today. You want to pick first?"

"Alright, cool. I got Mike."

"I got Ryan."

"I got Sean."

Autumn soon realizes that the prospective player pool now consists of her, a five year old boy who also tagged along with his brother, and Thurbert, the walking allergy and reference guide for "how not to play basketball."

"Excuse me. Hello?" Autumn blurts out, "I'm female, not incapacitated. If I'm not picked soon, I'm going straight to a shrink's office after this game." Justin laughs at her genuine bewilderment at the situation.

"I got Autumn," Justin says. He watches her walk over to his team, returning the satisfied smile that graces upon her face.

"I was going to pick you all along," Justin whispers to Autumn, "I was just going to save the best for last." Autumn throws a patronizing, yet playful, stare towards Justin. With that, they both burst into a fit of laughter.

* * * * * * * * * *

Part 2

It has been a year since Autumn and Justin met on the basketball courts. The two naturally gravitate towards each other, he drawn by her vivaciousness, her by his kindness. She captures his interest from the very beginning. He finds her lively spirit infectious. His heart inaugurates her as its keeper immediately. She can live off his laughter alone. His endearing smile can make her forget time exists. An intense force unites them without effort. Yet they are just entering adolescence, she barely thirteen, he only twelve. The feelings they have for each other are present, but subtle and misread. And so, the feelings are tucked away in the shadows. Instead, they become confidants, aware of the song in the other's heart and ready to sing it back if the other should forget the lyrics. They seek in each other what every adolescent wants and needs, friendship.

"Aaahhh! Are you serious? If this is a joke, someone will be in intensive care and I'll be in juvenile court protected under the rights of a minor…. No way! Oh my gosh….thank you so much!" Autumn squeals with delight as she hangs up the phone. Realizing that she's actually squealing and falling into a female cliché, she quickly regains her composure for a second. Then, she begins yelling at the top of her lungs for her family to assemble into the living room.

"What?" various voices echo with concern and interest as they enter the room.

" I have tremendously great news," Autumn beams with excitement.

"You're being shipped off to NASA because the government has finally figured out you're not human," Drew responds with amusement, "I crack myself up." He stops laughing as his mom casts a familiar look his way.

"Uh, no. I'd have a comeback for you but I'm way too excited. Give me a couple of days…. Anyways, back to the great news. I just got off the phone with my agent and I got the gig! I'm going to be on the Mickey Mouse Club!" Autumn's family, even Drew, welcomes the news with happiness and congratulates her with hugs and praise. After enjoying some moments of celebration with her family, Autumn runs out the door, eager to share the news with her best friend.

* * * * * As Autumn rapidly approaches the front door of Justin's house, she stops short as the door flies open and Justin bursts through, nearly colliding into her.

"Autumn!! I was just coming to see you." His face is aglow, his smile radiates.

"Well, then I guess you owe me for saving you the trip." Autumn is equally exhilarated, consciously due to her new job, but also subconsciously due to his presence. Justin laughs, Autumn breathes.

"Guess what song I get to sing everyday?" asks Justin.

"I knew you would get the gig too! Congratulations!" She embraces Justin, the two mesh quite naturally and comfortably.

"Too?!? You mean we're going to be mouseketeers together?"

"Yup!" Autumn replies joyfully. The two talk excitedly about their newfound wealth, each feeling relief that they would have the other to share the experience with. The two had dreamed about breaking into the entertainment industry for so long. This chance on the Mickey Mouse Club fulfills their dream, but to be able to do this together is an answer to their prayers.

"I bet we're going to do this for a long time, because I mean, the Mickey Mouse Club is going to last forever, you know." Justin thinks out loud.

* * * * * * * * * *

Part 3

Two more years have passed and the Mickey Mouse Club has come to an end. Autumn and Justin's time together on the show has brought them even closer together - goofing around while they should be paying attention to their tutor, flubbing lines and laughing hysterically about it, coming up with inventive lines to rhyme with "C" and "Y."

He would secretly watch her sometimes, while she ran through scenes or music sequences that he wasn't in. Standing among the props, he would study her even though he should have been studying his books. The way she bit her lower lip when she messed up a dance move. How her gaze drifted upwards, her mind wandering, if the director spent too much time explaining the scene. He noticed all about her and internalized everything. By now, he knew just about all that constituted Autumn. Yet everyday, she captivated his mind and amazed his senses.

Still, at fourteen, his feelings for her hide in a misty haze, not capable of being deciphered, mistaken for good-natured affection.

Justin decides to pursue his singing, collaborating with four other guys, all in search of fulfillment. Autumn, still ambivalent, contemplates her future, choosing between her passion, music, and her new love, acting.

There's a knock at Autumn's bedroom door. "Come in." Justin saunters in, currently in his pimp mode, swaggering with an "oh yeah" look on his face. Autumn sets down the phone, and observes her best friend with laughing eyes.

"I was just about to call you," Autumn giggles, "Um, is there a reason why you're twitching like that? You need to sit down for a bit?" Justin straightens up, and adjusts his shirt collar.

"I'm not twitching. I'm the man, that's all."

"I'll give you 'the' but I don't know about 'man.' That's kind of a stretch. How about 'boy'?" jokes Autumn, her eyes sparkling with the image before her.

"Please…I scoff at 'boy.' It doesn't do me justice." Justin grins. Her amusement brings him pleasure and he's eager to see more.

"So, what's up? Anything special?" asks Autumn. Justin pauses, his gaze suddenly fixated on her as the last word passes over her lips. Quickly, he regains his composure, the moment passing, unnoticed by her.

"Actually yeah. We might be going overseas, you know, since the whole dance pop industry is pretty popular there. Isn't that cool?"

"Wow. That's so exciting!" Autumn's acting talent pays off tremendously. Her heart breaks. Her soul cries out with the possibility of having to live without its mate. A lump begins to swell in her throat. Her breathing becomes forced.

"But it's not a sure thing yet. It's still in the works," Justin adds, unaware of the distress brewing in Autumn's being.

* * * * * * * * * *

Standing at the airport, waiting to say good-bye, Autumn has had some time to deal with his leaving. He'll be back. It's not forever. In this day and age, there's the phone, email, and letters. All the reassuring thoughts that exist pass through her head but none of them provide comfort. Their friendship has flourished but has never encountered true hardship. The uncertainty frightens and consumes her. His face will no longer be an everyday reward. She will no longer be able to walk over to his house, unannounced, anticipating the smile that waits on the other side of the door. Oceans will replace streets. Hearts will be tested.

A voice on the loud speaker announces the boarding call for Justin's flight. The farewells and good wishes begin.

"Bye Lance. Tell your wardrobe people no tight pants, okay. Have to keep that voice nice and low." Autumn warmly hugs her friend.

"I'll be sure to remember that. Take Care Autumn." Lance gives Autumn a reassuring smile then turns towards the next well wisher.

"So Joey, you must be excited? A whole continent of new females for you to get acquainted with," teases Autumn.

"Oh yeah. Man, the possibilities," jokes Joey, "Bye Autumn. I'll miss you."

"You too. Take care Joey," responds Autumn as they embrace. The sadness in her voice begins to strengthen, becoming too powerful for her to conceal.

"Hey half pint, don't worry. I left plenty of pictures of my handsome mug with your mom. You can put them all over your room and create a shrine of me. That'll make you feel better." Autumn lifts her gaze, managing to painstakingly smile at Chris.

"Thanks, you read my mind. How did you know I needed refills for my dart board?"

"With superior intelligence comes total insight," remarks Chris, "Until we meet again. Bye Autumn."

"Bye Chris." The two hug and Autumn feels herself wilting. After taking a deep breath, Autumn's eyes fall upon JC. From the moment he welcomed her to the Mickey Mouse Club, he became one of her favorite people.

"I'm going to miss you, sweetie." JC looks at his friend, saddened at how frail she suddenly appears.

"You too. But we'll always have MMC." Autumn attempts to smile as the two embrace. Yet another hug from another departing friend. Each loving hug, another blow to her heart, causes Autumn to further crumble. Her legs become weak. Her eyes begin to water. Just one more goodbye.

* * * * *

Autumn stares at the plane through the terminal window, foolishly trying to send some sort of mental force to cause it to break down. She's desperate, tears streaming down her desolate face. Before she can compose herself, a hand touches her shoulder.

"Autumn? Are you crying?" Justin's voice is soft and saturated with concern. Autumn, unable to speak, turns around and nods. No jokes. No smiles. She can no longer hide.

His eyes, brimming with apprehension, his forehead furrowing with worry, the look on his face creates a searing wave of hurt that undulates throughout Autumn's body. She begins to sob uncontrollably. He quickly pulls her close to him, wrapping his arms around her shaking body. She buries her face in his chest, desperately trying to remember and record the sound of his heart beating. He gently strokes her hair and softly kisses the top of her head. He had no idea of the depths of her despair, and suddenly, fright devours him. He's never seen her so unhappy and guilt riddles him, realizing that he is the cause.

After a few minutes, Autumn's sobs subside and she sheepishly lifts her head. Justin tenderly wipes the tears away and caresses her warmed cheeks. He manages to whisper, "It'll be alright. I'll be back in Florida in no time." Autumn's eyes darken and she finally answers.

"But I won't be."

"What!?!" Justin suddenly regains his voice. "I've decided to pursue acting. My family and I are moving to California because, you know, if you want to make it as an actress, Hollywood's where it's at." Justin's face pales as he tries to digest the shock.

"Why didn't you tell me this before? Were you going to let me come back to Florida and find out you were gone on my own? Did you want me to run to your house, knock on the door, and have a complete stranger tell me that you no longer live here?" Justin's voice begins to rise.

"No, I was going to tell you. I just didn't know how. I didn't want to ruin the high you were on. Please don't be mad at me. Not now." Autumn's eyes plead with him, bleakness taking over. Justin calms down, too dispirited too feel anything else.

"I'm not mad, Autumn. I just can't believe this." He pauses. "So even when I'm home, we'll still be on opposite sides of the country."

"Yeah," Autumn responds sadly.

“Well, here. I want you to have this.” Justin removes a silver ring, monogrammed with his initials, from his finger and slips it onto Autumn’s.

“It’s a little big,” observes Justin.

“It’s perfect. Here, this is for you,” Autumn proceeds to take off her necklace and removes the charm, a brilliantly colored fall leaf, dangling from it. She lifts his hand and places the charm into it.

“Thank you.” Justin replies breathlessly. He’s noticed that charm everyday that he’s known her.

With keepsakes exchanged, the two stand there motionless, grasping for words to ease the other's pain. The search is futile, however, and soon, JC finally musters up enough courage to end the silence.

"Sorry I have to interfere, but it's time to go Justin."

"Okay." Justin envelops his arms around Autumn one more time. She slowly returns the gesture. This is supposed to be one of the best moments in his life. Yet to see her tears, to see her fall to pieces, at this moment, all she has to do is ask him to stay and he'll give it all up for her.

"Bye Autumn."

"Take care Justin."

She watches him walk away, in pursuit of his destiny. She wishes him success and prays that he doesn't forget her. She prays that his heart doesn't log her off due to inactivity.

He turns around to look at her one more time. He realizes that he has so much to tell her, so much to show her, but no more time to do it. Loneliness engulfs him as he proceeds through the terminal door, tears trickling from his eyes.

* * * * * * * * * *