’WPC [‚|$øĪY®*Ōöøƒń±ŌĪY®+:õ®Ī`WuToN¼+śÆ›I~1Ę! Mrc›LˆĘžŪĻŽa:ĘėOšW&õąļIOd²dŽfó&×.?}ļĻ?ŗøSÜ{[½ņ@(i¦Ł¶^*,>xÓ& ȧi%¼Fó¦Ķ/Ć«mĮŗŅwŸA‚v–ZųĖ łŸÄŃĒÖ®„²SĘ¢Į»3Ić`¬Žiŗ„ µa&ß ­¤ń.°Hh¹žōg&‡jŗ^s ņ ‚EvĻPæjf¢Æ5žņ“T® Cœæņ3éj±¹%p8Lå)LzKĢȱ4Ó©+ødĄB†¬K”\ßa ?fŃŪŚĘ³l(Š·®Ėo#ļ`'hš!ēń©³Ģ Ż£·6öUUÅCć9Õ”žõČća¼ŒśĮ.ųļM§J¾’õ=īœćą„ēXdEn½ł<Ļ“ILēe-TT̲ńdpóŖiŅģ©G–>v°g²ÓtGń›Ó„ö6T‰Ÿ„ļ9·vX\ˆŚ4A+yčŠ+óćēüyŠtöČlZ™–„މ?O[ˆ¶źÓźŁ¬ī¾°AŅsÓ*Ė«uLõDÉrAœjW8½“ TAq2R6q“˜āvcņy„ˆ #!¶UN× %% 0(+wvS4ÉŻģ mīN ^ ˜Brother HL-1030 series,Č,,,,,Č0(  Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX($””"#$E%&E'()*+E,E-E./E01E23E4s“+ź:i¢Ų+003|x4’U‹’ĄĄĄ ­F+cŻ ƒ!ŻŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŃ8€é[XdģdČ8ŃHeather€Ō_ŌSeanorŌ_ŌŠ ° ŠĢĢą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąĢń,ń€ń,ńą@RR#ģąŌ_ŌAinšštŌ_Ō€Gonna€CryˆŠ `° ŠĢĢÓÓą  ąGraduating€from€high€school€can€be€a€right€tough€thing€for€friends€thatššs€been€friends€forĻyears€and€years.€€So,€every€year,€seven€days€before€graduation,€the€Senior€Co„ed€VolleyballĻTournament€is€held€in€the€sand€pits€of€Glass€High€School.€€(Iššm€head€janitor€at€the€school€and€IĻprepare€those€pits€myself€so€itššs€done€proper.)€€This€hereššs€a€tradition€for€the€school€that€has€beenĻfor€the€past€twelve€years,€except€the€year€a€tornado€was€responsible€for€the€cancellation€of€theĻevent,€and€that€other€year€Herman€Millstone€let€loose€all€his€cattle€on€the€schoolššs€property€toĻgraze€and€all€those€animals€got€poops€all€over€and€made€the€place€smell€something€awful.€€Course,Ļeach€team€of€six€must€be€made€up€of€three€stags€and€three€does,€or,€if€you€prefer,€roosters€andĻhens,€or€even€bulls€and€heifers,€if€that€tickles€your€big€toe...it€donššt€matter.€€The€co„edĻtournament,€part€of€Senior€Week€festivities,€is€always€the€last€event,€taking€place€on€Saturday,Ļusually€earning€the€school€a€load€of€cash€on€hot€dogs,€slaw,€hush€puppies,€and€deer€steak€stew.Ģą  ąSo,€this€story€picks€up€not€too€long€ago€in€the€school€cafeteria€after€the€tournament€thatĻwent€off€without€a€hitch.€€€Lots€of€ladies€was€there€wearing€big€bonnets€to€keep€the€sun€off€theirĻmilky€white€skin.€€Course,€they€was€also€wearing€dresses€without€sleeves,€so€that€donššt€make€noĻsense.€€Any€hoot,€Ō_ŌBeckaŌ_Ō,€Bliss,€Troy,€and€Nathan€made€up€four€of€the€six€on€their€volleyball€team.€ĻThe€other€two€was€Jill€and€Ross,€but€they€always€high„tailed€their€tails€into€a€cozy€corner€duringĻlunchtime€so€they€could€talk€sweet€nonsense€and€such€as€that.Ģą  ąš šThat€was€some€Ō_ŌtournššmentŌ_Ō,€wonššt€it?šš€said€Troy€to€the€rest€of€the€group,€plopping€theŠ |*Ģ%) ŠŌ_Ōrest€of€his€burger€into€his€big€fat€mouth.€€A€nice€glob€of€mustard€stuck€to€his€bottom€lip.€€ThereĻwas€already€some€ketchup€sprinkles€on€his€gray€Duckhead€polo.Ģą  ąš šWipe€your€mouth,šš€screeched€Becka,€almost€choking€on€the€swig€of€orange€juice€sheššdĻjust€swigged.€€š šWhereššs€your€manners?€€Always€the€same€thing.€€You€eat€a€burger,€get€ketchup€orĻmustard€all€over,€then€you€donššt€have€a€clue€itššs€on€your€face.šš€€All€the€while€she€was€talking,€sheĻused€€her€hands€to€get€her€point€across.€€Pointing€at€her€lips€and€cheeks,€that€sort€of€thing.€Ģą  ąš šThatššs€his€way€of€flirting,€Becka,šš€said€Nathan.€€š šIsnššt€that€right,€Troy?ššĢą  ąš šFor€crying€out€loud,€leave€him€alone,€yaššll,šš€Bliss€told€them,€sitting€back€in€her€chair.€Ģą  ąš šWhy€do€you€always€come€to€his€defense?šš€asked€Becka.Ģą  ąš šI€donššt,šš€Bliss€replied,€paying€lots€of€attention€to€the€light€little€hairs€on€her€wrist.€€Ģą  ąš šIf€that€isnššt€a€bunch€of€crap,šš€laughed€Nathan.€€He€put€the€rest€of€his€ham€and€cheese€subĻin€his€mouth,€then€wiped€his€lips€with€a€napkin€he€crumpled€up€and€threw€on€the€table.Ģą  ąš šReally?šš€Bliss€said,€crossing€her€arms€in€front€of€her,€looking€at€Becka€like€she€just€stoleĻthe€last€of€the€peach€cobbler.€€Man,€if€looks€could€kill,€Becka€wouldššve€sure€been€a€goner.€€In€allĻactuality,€Bliss€was€only€trying€to€help€Troy€and€Becka€along.€€€Plus,€Troy€and€Bliss€was€secondĻcousins€on€their€mamasšš€sides.Ģą  ąTroy€looked€at€his€friends€and€kept€shoveling€bloody„looking€tater€strips€into€his€mouth.€ĻTroy€was€a€big€boy.€€Full€of€muscles.€€Extra„wide€shouldered.€€And€I€thought€he€done€pretty€goodĻin€that€tournament.€€He€racked€up€five€aces,€twelve€hits,€and€eight€blocks.€€Course,€Troy€couldnšštĻdig€the€ball€to€save€his€life€or€anyone€elseššs.€€Just€not€that€quick.€€Ģą  ąNathan,€on€the€other€hand,€was€quite€the€opposite€of€Troy.€€Tall€like€Troy,€but€nowhereĻnear€as€hefty.€€As€a€matter€of€fact,€folks€called€Nathan€a€bean€pole,€though,€none€of€them€knewŠ h+ø&* Šwhat€in€tarnation€a€bean€pole€was.€€Probably€still€donššt.€€Might€never€know.Ģą  ąš šSorry,€Troy,šš€said€Becka.€€š šDidnššt€mean€to€hurt€your€feelings.ššĢą  ąš šAinššt€nothinšš€to€cry€about,šš€said€Troy.€€š šSave€that€for€graduation.ššĢą  ąš šI€ainššt€gonna€cry€at€graduation,€boy,€whatššre€you€smokinšš?šš€Becka€blurted,€twisting€oneĻof€the€three€shiny€diamond€studs€in€her€right€ear.€€š šI€cainššt€wait€to€get€out€of€this€place!€€So€long€ĻGlass,€and€good€riddance,€too.šš€€She€kissed€her€hand€and€threw€that€kiss€into€the€air.Ģą  ąš šCome€on,€Becka,šš€said€Bliss,€lifting€her€thick€brown€hair€from€the€back€of€her€neck,€š šyouĻcanššt€tell€me€that€you€wonššt€miss€this€place,€even€the€tiniest€littlest€bitsiest€bit.€€Even€laughing€atĻMr.€Coleššs€old„timey€polyester€suits?ššĢą  ąBecka€shrugged€her€shoulders,€pinkish€from€the€tournament,€and€tucked€long€strands€ofĻher€bleached€blonde€hair€behind€her€ears.€€Then€she€went€to€biting€her€fingernails.Ģą  ąš šIššm€with€Bliss,šš€Nathan€said,€pointing€at€his€used„to„be€girlfriend.€€š šWhyššre€you€soĻornery€today,€anyway?€€That€time€of€the€month?ššĢą  ąTroy€spat€out€a€chuckle€and€little€pieces€of€red€and€white€mush€fell€to€the€lunch€table.€€HisĻfriends€told€him,€in€many€different€ways,€how€gross€that€was.€€All€Troy€could€do€was€chuckleĻsome€more€and€the€same€thing€happened€again.€€Becka€jabbed€him€with€her€elbow€and€he€quitĻlaughing€real€quick.Ģą  ąš šYaššll,šš€Bliss€said,€š šIššve€gotta€€say€that€Iššm€gonna€miss€it€here.€€Weššve€been€sittinšš€at€thisĻtable€the€past€four€years,€shootinšš€the€hooey,€laughinšš,€sharinšš...the€whole€nine€yards.ššĢą  ąš šWhy€only€nine?ššĢą  ąš šI€donššt€know,€Troy...thatššs€just€the€saying.€€You€know€that€already.€€Youššre€just€trying€toĻget€a€rise€out€of€me.ššŠ h+ø&* Šą  ąš šThe€same€way€you€got€a€rise€out€of€Nate€for€so€long,€huh?šš€Troy€said,€not€smiling,€butĻglaring€at€Bliss.€€He€got€another€jab€from€Becka.Ģą  ąš šWonderful!šš€yelled€Becka.€€š šI€am€ņņnotóó€in€the€mood€to€hear€about€Nateššs€hard„ons,€thankŠ `° Šyou€very€much.ššĢą  ąPoor€Nathanššs€face€turned€the€color€of€a€nice€plump€strawberry.€€Looked€like€he€wouldĻtopple€off€his€chair.€€He€and€Bliss€had€been€best€friends€since€just€about€the€time€they€was€kneeĻhigh€to€grasshoppers.€€All€them€hormones€started€jumping€round€and€those€two€got€to€liking€eachĻother€in€different€ways€so€they€dated€for€two€years€during€their€time€in€high€school.€€And€it€is€trueĻthat€she€made€his€thingamabob€rise€aššplenty.€€But€that€donššt€mean€they€ever€had€sexš!šnow€hold€onĻa€minuteš!šthey€did€do€that€a€handful€of€timesš!šbut€the€rest€of€the€time€Bliss€would€just€jerk€thatĻthing€in€the€backseat€of€some€car€or€in€a€barn€somewhere.€€Which,€of€course,€is€what€heššd€done€toĻhimself€tons€of€times.€€No€fault€in€that.€€Milk,€they€say,€does€a€body€good.€€Well,€then,€otherĻthings€is€just€as€good.€€Any€hoot,€Bliss€and€Nathan€got€to€know€each€otherššs€body€parts€veryĻwellš!šknew€their€hides€in€a€tanyard,€if€you€catch€my€meaning.€€And,€well,€seeing€as€though€BlissĻand€Becka€are€best€ņņgirlóófriends,€Becka€knows€a€bit€about€Nathanššs€body,€too.€€Sheššs€just€never€hadŠ €Š Šthe€visual.€€Ģą  ąš šWeššre€all€just€a€bit€on€the€antsy€side€these€days,šš€said€Nathan,€as€calmly€as€possible.€€HeĻleaned€back€in€his€chair€and€smoothed€down€the€front€of€his€maroon€T„shirt€bearing€a€whiteĻoutline€of€the€schoolššs€mascotš!ša€big€old€owl.€€š šGraduationššs€a€helluva€big€deal.€€ItššsĻunderstandable€that€weššd€be€feeling€the€way€we€are.€€I€mean,€we€just€got€done€Senior€FestivitiesĻWeek.šš€€Nathan€pushed€his€hands€over€his€sun„lightened€brown€hair.€€š šItššs€almost€over,€yaššll.€ĻOver!ššŠ h+ø&* Šą  ąš šDonššt€get€all€mushy,€Nate.€€The€way€youššre€talkinšš,€youššll€be€bawlinšš€like€a€baby€atĻgraduation.ššĢą  ąš šIššve€liked€the€past€four€years.€€And€Iššm€heading€off€to€Reardon€in€August.ššĢą  ąš šYeah,€leaving€all€of€us€here,šš€mumbled€Becka.Ģą  ąš šAw,€come€on!šš€Nathan€yelled.€€š šYou€canššt€pull€that€crap.€€I€worked€hard€and€got€theĻgrades€to€get€out€of€here.€€Bliss€is€going€away,€too.ššĢą  ąš šJust€down€the€highway€a€stretch,šš€said€Troy.€€š šYouššre€more€than€a€stretch€away.€€TheĻbeach€ainššt€a€stoneššs€throw,€ya€know.ššĢą  ąš šYes,€Troy,€well€put,šš€Nathan€said€with€a€touch€of€sarcasm€and€squinting€from€the€sunššsĻglare€on€the€table.€€He€pointed€at€Troy.€€š šYou€wanna€work€on€your€daddyššs€farm.šš€€He€pointed€atĻBecka.€€š šAnd€you,€miss€Becka€princess,€are€gonna€work€in€your€daddyššs€grocery.šš€€€NathanĻshrugged€a€few€times.€€€š šWeššre€all€friends,€but€we€got€way€different€ambitions€and€aspirations.€ĻThatššs€just€how€life€is,€yaššll.ššĢą  ąBliss€chimed€in.€€š šLook€at€Ross,ššshe€said,€pushing€the€thin,€multi„colored€bangle€braceletsĻup€her€left€arm.€€š šHeššs€going€into€the€Marines€for€four€years.€€And€I€couldnššt€be€happier€for€him.€ĻPoor€Jillššs€gonna€be€lost,€but€thatššs€her€own€fault€for€making€him€her€end„all,€ya€know?€€But,Ļseriously,€Ross€is€gonna€get€to€travel€all€over€the€world.€€Whereššve€we€been?ššĢą  ąFor€just€about€the€first€time€in€the€four€years€sitting€at€the€lunch€table,€there€was€silence.€ĻSeemed€like€they€was€all€thinking€over€what€Bliss€just€told€them.€€She€made€a€whole€lot€of€sense,Ļwhich€ainššt€nothing€too€surprising€ššcause€sheššs€one€of€them€kids€thatššs€got€her€dimmer€switchĻwide€open.€€All€four€of€them€just€sat€and€looked€at€this€and€that,€picked€things€on€their€faces,€theĻgirls€played€with€their€hair.€Š h+ø&* Šą  ąš šDonššt€say€nothing€about€this€to€her,šš€Becka€began,€š šbut€Jill€dating€Ross€all€this€time...Ļfour€years,€yaššll,€is€a€waste...and€she€ainššt€but€seventeen.€€Thatššs€my€own€opinion,€now,€but€itĻmakes€sense,€right?šš€€Becka€was€talking€like€she€had€to€convince€somebody€of€something,€but€byĻthe€way€the€rest€of€the€group€was€nodding€their€heads€and€mmhmming,€no€one€needed€anyĻconvincing.€€š šI€mean,€my€God,€yaššll,€sheššs€done€nothing€else€for€four€years€but€cater€to€Ross,Ļwatch€him€at€every€basketball€game,€home€or€away,€go€to€all€of€his€R„O„T„C€things...just€like€theyĻwas€already€married.ššĢą  ąš šHe€doesnššt€ņņwantóó€to€marry€her,šš€said€Bliss.€€š šRight,€Nathan?ššŠ ˜č  Šą  ąš šYou€werenššt€supposed€to€say€anything€ššbout€that.ššĢą  ąš šOops.ššĢą  ąš šIššll€bet€they€ņņdonšštóó€get€married,šš€said€Troy,€š šno€matter€what€Jill€says.€€Heššll€get€out€of€theŠ  p ŠMarines€a€changed€guy€and€you€damn€well€know€that€the€way€sheššs€always€up€his€butt€that€sheššsĻjust€that€type€of€girl.ššĢą  ąš šAnd€what€type€is€that?šš€asked€Becka.Ģą  ąš šHomebody,šš€said€Nathan,€answering€for€Troy.€€š šNeeds€a€man€for€everything.€€Canššt€thinkĻon€her€own.€€Always€wantsš!šššĢą  ąš šFor€crying€out€loud,€we€get€it,€already,€Nate.ššĢą  ąš šLike€Troy€was€sayinšš,šš€Nathan€said,€š šsheššll€find€someone€else€right€away€as€long€as€heššsĻgot€a€good€family€and€donššt€get€annoyed€with€her€being€around€all€the€time.ššĢą  ąš šAnd€someone€she€can€boss€around!šš€Bliss€said,€pinching€Nathanššs€thigh.€€š šHe€doesĻeverything€she€says,€not€the€other€way€around,€yaššll.€€Ever€hear€her€talkinšš€to€him€like€he€donšštĻhave€a€brain?€€Sheššs€both€of€themš!šneeds€a€guy...but€she€ņņalsoóó€needs€to€be€able€to€boss€that€guyŠ h+ø&* Šaround.ššĢą  ąThere€was€more€silence€and€looking€around.€€These€four€all€agreed€that€Jill€was€exactly€theĻway€they€just€said€she€was,€and€that€what€they€said€would€happen,€probably€would.€€Couldnššt€tellĻthat€to€Jill,€though,€ššcause€sheššd€cuss€you€up€and€down€the€street.€€And€Ross,€well,€heššs€just€alongĻfor€the€ride.€€A€mamaššs€boy.€€The€Marinesššll€change€him,€you€betcha.€€Heššll€grow€some€thingiesĻwhile€heššs€gone€and€heššll€be€better€for€it.€€As€for€now,€that€boyššs€whipped,€and€tied€round€thatĻgirlššs€finger€so€tight€he€can€barely€breath€no€more.Ģą  ąš šGetting€back€to€Troyššs€original€statement,šš€Nathan€said,€scratching€his€left€elbow,€š šthatĻwas€some€tournament.€€Even€though€we€got€fifth€out€of€eight.€€Best€one€I€ever€saw.ššĢą  ąTroy€got€up€to€buy€another€burger€and€tater€strips.€€He€gave€Becka€a€quick€look€andĻcaught€her€doing€the€same€thing.€€Her€ears€turned€pink,€just€like€her€shoulders.Ģą  ąš šMaybe€ššcause€this€is€the€first€time€youššve€actually€played?šš€said€Becka,€real€snooty„like.Ģą  ąNathan€hunched€his€shoulders€so€much€it€looked€like€his€head€was€gonna€get€swallowed.€ĻBliss€raised€her€thick,€brown€eyebrows.€€Becka€crossed€her€arms€and€kinda€stuck€out€her€littleĻbottom€lip€like€she€was€pouting.Ģą  ąš šIt€was€fun,šš€said€Nathan.€€š šI€got€a€bunch€of€aces€and€hits.€€And€you€girls€did€good,€too,Ļexcept€Jill€ššcause€she€was€all€the€time€worried€if€she€was€gonna€get€dirty.€€€I€liked€our€practices€theĻbest,€though.ššĢą  ąBliss€kinda€giggled€to€herself.€€š šI€know€what€you€mean,šš€she€said,€looking€at€Nathan€withĻwide€blue€eyes.Ģą  ąš šOh,€stop!šš€blurted€Becka,€looking€around€for€Troy.€€š šGet€off€it,€already.ššĢą  ąš šHeššs€had€a€crush€on€you€for€years,€Becka,šš€groaned€Bliss,€flopping€her€spider„leg€thinŠ h+ø&* Šarms€on€the€table.€€Her€bracelets€made€a€loud€clanking€sound.Ģą  ąš šEither€go€for€it,€or€stop€being€nice€to€him.ššĢą  ąš šHave€I€been€nice€today?šš€Becka€snapped.€€š šAt€all?ššĢą  ąNathan€shook€his€head.€€š šThatššs€not€what€we€mean.ššĢą  ąš šYou€got€mighty€close€to€ššim€during€our€practices,€Becka.€€What€gives?ššĢą  ąBecka,€feeling€defensive,€turned€her€face€away€quick€as€a€jackrabbit€hops,€so€Bliss€andĻNathan€wouldnššt€see€how€red€it€was€getting.€€Just€then,€Troy€walked€up€and€asked€her€why€sheĻwas€so€red€in€the€face.€€She€couldnššt€answer€so€she€just€got€up€and€left€the€table.ą x ąŠ ˜č  Šą  ąš šWhatššs€with€her?šš€Troy€asked,€watching€Becka€walk€through€the€doors€that€opened€toĻthe€courtyard.€€š šSheššs€been€so€weird€this€past€week.ššĢą  ąš šWe€told€her€to€stop€being€nice€to€you€or€go€for€it,šš€said€Nathan.Ģą  ąš šBasically,šš€added€Bliss,€stealing€one€of€his€greasy€tater€strips.Ģą  ąš šHo„lee!€€Got€her€goat,€eh?ššĢą  ąš šBasically,šš€said€Bliss,€smiling.Ģą  ąš šYaššll€ń)ńššń)ńmember€that€time,šš€Troy€began,€leaning€his€big€body€toward€them€over€the€lunchĻtable,€š šwhen€me€and€her€was€fishinšš€down€by€the€pond€last€summer€when€I€thought€that€I€had€aĻchance€with€her?€€ššCause€she€was€acting€all€weird?€€Kinda€like€now?ššĢą  ąBoth€Bliss€and€Nathan€nodded€their€heads.Ģą  ąš šShe€kissed€me!ššĢą  ąš šTroy€Hampton,€you€lie€like€a€rug!šš€Bliss€yelled,€reaching€across€the€table€and€smackingĻhis€hand.Ģą  ąš šI€ainššt.€€I€swear€on€my€mamaššs€grave.ššŠ h+ø&* Šą  ąš šYouššre€mama€ainššt€even€dead.ššĢą  ąš šThat€donššt€matter.€€I€am€telling€you€the€honest€to€God€truth.šš€€Troy€looked€so€sincereĻsitting€there€holding€his€fingers€in€a€peace€sign€like€he€was€taking€an€oath€or€something.€€Ģą  ąš šBut€yaššll€canššt€tell€her,€or€sheššll€have€a€conniption€fit.€€She€told€me€not€to€say€nothinšš.€ĻBut€the€way€sheššs€been€acting€lately,€sheššs€got€me€all€confused€and€stuff.€€She€likes€me,€then€sheĻdonššt.€€She€likes€me,€then€she€donššt.šš€€Troy€poked€his€chin€in€Blissšš€direction.€€š šWhyššre€yaššll€likeĻthat?ššĢą  ąš šYaššll€who?ššĢą  ąš šYaššll€women,€is€whoššs€yaššll.ššĢą  ąš šDonššt€go€comparinšš€all€women€to€one€thatššs€got€a€corn€husk€stuck€up€her€tail.ššĢą  ąš šSheššsņņ€youróó€best€friend,šš€Nathan€said€in€defense€of€ņņhisóó€buddy.€€š šHasnššt€she€said€anythingŠ  p Što€you?ššĢą  ąš šUh„uh.€€But€you€know€her,šš€she€said,€š šshe€just€donššt€offer€information.€€You€gotta€dig€toĻfind€out€what€you€need€to€find€out.€€Usually,€she€just€listens€to€me€talk€about€guys.ššĢą  ąš šWell,€if€she€really€likes€Troy,€sheššs€got€a€weird€way€of€showing€it.€€Too€weird.ššĢą  ąBliss€sighed€like€she€was€exhausted.€€š šJust€ņņaskóó€her,€for€crying€out€loud!ņņóó€€Have€you€everŠ X Ø Šasked€her€out?€€Complimented€her?€€Anything€other€than€just€ņņhangóóing€around?€€ššCause€you€know,Š 0"€  Šthat€can€really€put€a€burr€under€a€personššs€saddle,€if€you€catch€my€drift.ššĢą  ąNathan€burst€out€laughing€so€hard€that€tears€streamed€down€his€tanned€face.Ģą  ąš šWhatššs€so€damn€funny?šš€asked€Bliss,€calmly€folding€her€hands€on€the€table€and€turning€toĻlook€at€Nathan.Ģą  ąš šššA€burr€under€a€personššs€saddlešš,€Bliss?€€ššCorn€husk€stuck€up€her€tailšš?€€Whereššd€youŠ h+ø&* Šhear€those€lines?ššĢą  ąBliss€was€tickled,€too.€€And€they€was€really€funny€lines.€€Still€are.€€Ģą  ąš šMy€Aunt€Mave€was€in€town€last€week€for€a€few€days€and€sheššs€all€the€time€coming€upĻwith€lines€like€that.€€Says€theyššre€from€the€olden€days.€€Cracks€me€up,€though.€€I€was€just€waitinššĻfor€the€chance€to€use€ššem.ššĢą  ąTroy€bit€into€his€second€burger,€the€glob€of€mustard€taking€its€regular€place€on€his€lips.€€HeĻdidnššt€say€nothing€for€a€few€minutes€while€Bliss€and€Nathan€chatted€between€the€two€of€them.€ĻThe€lunch€room€was€real€loud€with€kids€chattering€about€graduation€and€partiesš!ševen€the€kidsĻthat€wonššt€graduating€were€talking€about€the€parties€and€what€it€would€be€like€to€be€getting€out€ofĻhigh€school.€€Glass€High€was€buzzing€like€a€hornetššs€nest€that€got€sprayed€by€a€hose.Ģą  ąš šNever€did,šš€Troy€said,€wiping€his€mouth.€€š šI€have€never€actually€asked€her€on€a€date€orĻnothing€like€that.€€I€just€figured€that€when€she€kissed€me€that€was€ššcause€I€helped€her€with€herĻfishinšš€line€and€all.šš€€He€picked€up€his€burger,€tore€off€a€piece.€€š šIt€wonššt€nothing€like€a€real€kiss,Ļbut€it€was€a€kiss€all€the€same.€€Right€on€the€lips.šš€Troy€smiled.Ģą  ąš šHere€she€comes,šš€Bliss€said€into€her€hands.€€š šHush.ššĢĢą  ąThen€that€day€was€done€and€they€all€went€to€graduation€practice€the€next€afternoon,€whichĻwould€make€it€Thursday.€€Graduation€was€Saturday€morning€at€ten.€€So,€the€story€picks€up€afterĻBliss€and€Becka€arrived€at€the€school€Saturday€morning.Ģą  ąš šThis€is€really€real,€ainššt€it,€Bliss?ššĢą  ąš šUmhmm.ššĢą  ąš šMama€and€Daddy€were€almost€cryinšš€when€you€picked€me€up.€€I€told€them€that€I€ainšštŠ h+ø&* Šgonna€cry,€so€they€shouldnššt€either.šš€€Becka€laughed€nervously.Ģą  ąš šHave€you€talked€with€Troy€at€all?ššĢą  ąBecka€got€defensive.€š šWhatššs€that€sššposed€to€mean?€€Whatššs€he€sayinšš?ššĢą  ąBliss€stuck€her€palms€out€to€block€an€invisible€blow.€€š šWhoa,€angel!€€I€donššt€meanĻanything.€€Just€wondering.ššĢą  ąThese€two€young€ladies€started€walking€toward€the€schoolššs€gymnasium€where€theĻgraduates€from€Glass€High€School€were€to€flock€together€to€line€up.Ģą  ąš šDo€you€think€heššs€nice?ššĢą  ąš šWho?ššĢą  ąš šDonššt€give€me€that€mess,€Becka,€you€know€who.ššĢą  ąš šYeah.€€I€guess,šš€she€said.€€š šIššve€only€known€him€like€forever€and€a€day,€Bliss.ššĢą  ąš šGood€looking?ššĢą  ąš šI€guess,šš€said€Becka.€€š šHeššs€got€nice€hair€and€a€nice€face.ššĢą  ąš šWhat€about€him€beinšš€so€big?ššĢą  ąš šI€donššt€know.ššĢą  ąš šYouššre€short,€ya€know.ššĢą  ąš šNooo,€really?ššĢą  ąš šWell,€it€could€be€a€concern€of€yours.ššĢą  ąš šFor€what?ššĢą  ąš šDating.šš€€Bliss€tried€to€fight€a€smile,€but€it€fought€harder...and€won.Ģą  ąš šI€donššt€know€why€you€feel€the€need€to€waste€your€breath€right€now,€but€I€wish€youššdĻstop.ššŠ h+ø&* Šą  ąBliss€stopped€Becka€in€mid„stride.€€Looked€right€straight€into€her€droopy,€dark€blue€eyes.Ģą  ąš šThis€is€me,€Becka.€€Bliss.€€Youššre€best€friend.€€If€you€wanna€date€him,€then€do€it.€€WeššreĻgraduatinšš€in€an€hour,€for€crying€out€loud.€€Grow€up.šš€€She€stopped€a€second€then€started€talkingĻagain.€€š šWhat€is€it€youššre€afraid€of?ššĢą  ąBliss€held€a€small€bag€of€peanut€butter€cookies€out€toward€Becka.€€When€Becka€shook€herĻhead,€Bliss€took€out€two€cookies€and€began€chomping.Ģą  ąš šI€donššt€know.€€Other€people€laughinšš€and€stuff€maybe?ššĢą  ąš šWhat€do€you€care€whatš!šššĢą  ąš šš!šwhat€other€people€think.€€€Because€I€do,€thatššs€why.€€Cainššt€help€it.ššĢą  ąš šWeššre€outta€here,€Becka.€€Does€it€still€matter?šš€€Ģą  ąShe€didnššt€answer€Bliss.Ģą  ąš šCome€on,šš€Bliss€almost€yelled,€tilting€her€head€back€so€far€she€like€to€have€lost€herĻbalance.€€š šIf€you€like€him€then€go€for€it!šš€€She€pinched€Becka€on€her€upper€arm.€€€š šIššm€leaving,€soĻitššll€be€good€for€you€two€to€hang€out.ššĢą  ąThe€two€of€them€continued€their€walk€into€the€school€and€found€Jill€and€Ross€who€wereĻsmooshed€together€like€potatoes€on€Christmas€dayš!šminus€the€gravy,€of€course.€€So€they€left€themĻalone€and€walked€around,€talking€with€this€person€and€that€one.€Ģą  ąTroy€worked€his€way€over€to€Becka€and€pulled€her€off€to€the€side.€€His€clean„shaven€faceĻwas€shiny€under€the€gymnasium€lights.€€Then€Bliss€and€Nathan€stood€and€observed€from€aĻdistance.€€A€few€minutes€later,€a€woman€with€sweat€falling€down€her€face€so€fast€she€liked€toĻdrown,€yelled€through€a€mega„phone€for€everyone€to€hush€up€a€minute€and€listen€to€instructions.€ĻBeing€obedient€stags€and€doesš!šor€roosters€and€hensš!šor€whatever€tickles€your€big€toeš!šthey€hushedŠ h+ø&* Šup€and€listened.€€It€wonššt€but€seven€minutes€later€that€all€those€kids,€wearing€maroon€robes€andĻfunny€hats€with€gold€yarn€thingies€hanging€down,€was€doubled€up€and€ready€to€go.Ģą  ąBliss€and€Becka€stood€side€by€side,€so€did€Troy€and€Nathan€right€behind€them.€€Then€JillĻand€Ross,€holding€hands,€was€behind€them€a€bit.€€Any€hoot,€the€line€started€moving€slow,€windingĻround€the€seats€set€up€in€the€gymnasium€case€it€rained.€€That€class€of€seniors€looked€like€a€bigĻmaroon€snake€taking€a€lazy„day€stroll.€€Just€as€planned€and€practiced,€all€eighty„six€of€themĻclimbed€neatly€into€the€bleachers,€and€faced€the€proud€parents€in€the€other€bleachers.Ģą  ąSome€man€in€a€black€robe€stood€at€the€microphone€and€talked€his€head€off€for€aboutĻfifteen€minutes.€€Then€a€nice€young€lady€stood€up€at€the€microphone€and€gave€a€speech€that€wonšštĻquite€as€long,€but€almost€as€boring.€€Them€seniors€clapped€and€laughed€in€all€the€right€spots,€justĻlike€theyššd€practiced.Ģą  ąWhile€all€that€was€going€on,€Becka€was€fighting€back€her€tears,€her€own€words€ringing€inĻher€earsš!šI€ainššt€gonna€cry,€she€had€said.€€A€lot.€€Ģą  ąš šYou€got€any€tissue,€Bliss?šš€she€whispered.Ģą  ąš šThought€little€miss€tough€lady€wonššt€gonna€cry.ššĢą  ąš šCainššt€help€it,šš€said€Becka.€€š šYou€wanna€know€the€real€reasons€Iššve€been€acting€soĻdamned€crazy€the€past€week?ššĢą  ąš šThatššd€be€nice.ššĢą  ąš šI€almost€didnššt€get€to€be€here,€Bliss.€€If€I€hadnššt€passed€old€lady€Sphinchterššs€EnglishĻessay€test€with€at€least€a€seventy„eight,€I€wasnššt€gonna€pass€the€year.ššĢą  ąMy,€how€the€tears€did€gush€from€Beckaššs€sapphires.€€Bliss€held€onto€her€hand€and€criedĻright€along€with€her.Š h+ø&* Šą  ąš šWhy€didnššt€you€tell€me?ššĢą  ąš šI€didnššt€want€to€jinx€myself...then€it€got€so€late€and€all€that...that€I€liked€toššve€killedĻmyself€with€worry.€€Iššm€just€so€damned€proud€of€myself,€Bliss.ššĢą  ąThey€hushed€up€a€minute€to€listen€to€some€of€the€names€of€the€scholarship€winners.Ģą  ąš šAnd€then€Troy,šš€Becka€said€as€low€as€possible€because€he€was€sitting€three€people€awayĻfrom€her,€š šwas€beinšš€all€nice€and€stuff.€€Makes€me€feel€good€and€weird€all€at€once.ššĢą  ąš šWhatššd€he€say€to€you€in€the€gym?ššĢą  ąš šHe€asked€me€out€for€dinner.šš€€Becka€tried€to€hide€her€smile.€ń"ń€š šŌ_ŌAinšštŌ_Ō€that€Ō_ŌsomethinŌ_Ōšš?€ĻWonder€what€put€a€bee€in€his€pants?ššń"ńń#ń€š šWonder€what€ń#ńń$ńń#ńbuń#ńń$ńń%ńput€a€bee€inĻhis€pants?ššń%ńĢą  ąBliss€looked€at€Nathan,€who€was€sitting€in€the€middle€of€her€and€Troy,€and€cracked€aĻdevious€smile.€€Nathan,€being€a€smart€guy€and€knowing€that€the€two€girls€was€just€whispering,Ļtook€the€hint€and€winked€back€at€her.€€Then€he€nudged€Troy€in€the€ribs€and€winked.€€But€whenĻTroy€looked€at€his€friend,€tears€was€full€up€in€his€eyes.Ģą  ąš šNever€thought€Iššd€cry€at€this€thing,€Nate.€€But€I€just€got€to€thinking€ššbout€all€that€IššveĻdone€here,€wrestling€and€all,€ya€know.€€Pulling€little€pranks€on€certain€teachers.€€Gonna€missĻCoach€bad,€man.ššĢą  ąš šYeah,šš€whispered€Nathan.€€š šI€did€a€lot€in€a€short€period€of€time,€but€it€only€seems€like€aĻyear€ago€we€walked€through€those€front€doors,€doesnššt€it?ššĢą  ąš šYeah.€€Itššs€weird.€€I€was€fourteen€and€fat.€€No€girls€looked€at€me.€€Now,€thereššs€ņņsomeóóŠ ą%0!$ Šgirls€that€look€at€me,€and€Iššm€one€of€the€strongest€guys€here.ššĢą  ąš šTrue.€€True.€€Yeah,€when€I€got€here,€I€was€whatš!šššbout€five€feet€tallš!šand€weighed€ššboutĻas€much€as€a€tire€iron.€€Was€freshman€class€president.€€Dated€my€best€friend.€€Broke€up€with€myŠ h+ø&* Šbest€friend.€€Still€friends€with€my€best€friend.€€And€now€Iššm€over€six„two€and€weigh€ššbout€as€muchĻas€a€tire.šš€€€Nathan€smiled€into€the€crowd€of€happy€mamas€waving€fans€in€front€of€their€faces€likeĻthat€was€gonna€help€relieve€the€heat€from€the€sun€beating€down€on€their€necks.€Ģą  ą€š šAnd€now€Iššm€going€off€to€go€through€more€schoolinšš,šš€Nathan€said,€shaking€his€head.Ģą  ąRight€next€to€him,€Bliss€was€whispering€to€Becka€about€some€memories€just€like€themĻbń&ńoys€ń&ńń'ńoys€was€doingń'ńń&ńdoneń&ń.Ģą  ąš šI€was€so€scared€to€come€to€this€school,šš€she€said,€š šthat€I€wanted€Daddy€to€walk€aroundĻwith€me€to€all€of€my€classes.€€But€after€the€first€day,€I€loved€it.€€Still€do.€€My€hair€was€so€shortĻthen€and€I€was€just€so€dorky€looking,€ya€know.ššĢą  ąš šWe€were€all€dorky€looking,€Bliss.€€Thatššs€what€puberty€does€to€a€body.€€Makes€it€dorkyĻso€we€donššt€have€sex€till€itššs€not€dorky.ššĢą  ąš šAnd€ń(ńššń(ńmember€when€Carla€Miner€wanted€to€kick€my€butt€because€she€liked€Nathan€and€heĻwouldnššt€look€at€her€twice?ššĢą  ąBecka€nodded€her€head,€squinting,€still€dabbing€her€eyes€with€a€tissue.Ģą  ąShe€said,€š šI€think€what€Iššll€miss€most€is€friends.ššĢą  ąBliss€reached€her€arm€round€Becka€and€gave€her€a€nice€little€squeeze.Ģą  ąš šLetššs€hush€up€now€and€listen€to€the€rest€of€whatššs€goinšš€so€we€donššt€miss€the€wholeĻgraduation€ceremony.ššĢą  ąBliss,€Becka,€Nathan,€and€Troy€all€walked€up€to€the€stage,€just€like€they€done€in€practice,Ļgot€handed€their€rolled€up€blank€piece€of€paper,€shook€hands€with€the€ń*ńprincipalń*ńń+ńfirst€man€that€done€gave€a€boring€speechń+ń,€and€walked€offĻthe€stage€again,€to€sit€in€the€bleachers.€€After€those€maroon€funny€hats€was€tossed€way€up€in€theĻsky€and€come€raining€down€like,€well,€like€funny€hats€falling€out€the€sky,€everything€was€over.€€Š h+ø&* Šą  ąThere€was€more€crying€and€such€as€that€back€in€the€gym€where€the€graduates€got€their€realĻdiplomas.€€Troy€and€Becka€looked€at€each€other€and€smiled€out€in€the€open.€€Jill€and€Ross€tookĻoff€as€soon€as€possible.Ģą  ąš šWhatššre€you€gonna€miss€most,€Nathan?šš€asked€Bliss€when€they€were€away€from€theĻhustle€and€bustle.Ģą  ąš šSeeing€you€everyday,šš€he€said.€€Ģą  ąš šGet€outta€here,€Nathan,€we€did€this€before.ššĢą  ąš šI€know.€€I€know.€€Itššs€just€that,€well,€Iššve€known€you€longer€than€anyone€I€know€aside€ofĻmy€family.€€Youššre€as€much€a€part€of€me€as€the€mole€on€my€rear€end.šš€€Nathan€smiled€a€hugeĻsmile€that€liked€to€have€cracked€his€face€open.Ģą  ąš šThanks€for€the€compliment,€I€guess,šš€she€laughed,€then€pulled€his€ear.€€š šI€feel€the€same€asĻyou€do.€€This€is€tough,€huh?€€Leaving?ššĢą  ąNathan€nodded€then€reached€out€and€pulled€Bliss€into€a€big€bear€hug.€€They€stood€thatĻway€for€a€bit,€wetting€each€otherššs€robe€with€their€tears.€€Ģą  ąš šYou€wonššt€forget€about€me€down€at€Reardon,€will€you?ššĢą  ąš šCouldnššt€forget€you€if€I€tried,€Bliss,šš€he€said.€€š šIššll€probably€be€calling€you€for€advice€onĻall€the€women€that€will€be€attracted€to€my€hunky€body.ššĢą  ąBliss€rolled€her€eyes€under€her€damp€eyelashes.€€Just€then€Troy€and€Becka€walked€up.Ģą  ąš šWhatchaššll€talkinšš€about?šš€Troy€asked,€draping€his€monstrous€arm€over€NathanššsĻscrawny€shoulder.Ģą  ąš šHow€hard€leaving€is,šš€replied€BlissĢą  ąš šYaššll€remember€that€song€that€was€out€a€while€back€that€said€something€like€every€Ō_ŌnewŠ h+ø&* Šbeginning€comes€from€another€beginningššs€end?šš€asked€Nathan.Ģą  ąThe€three€of€them€nodded€in€agreement.Ģą  ąš šJust€ššcause€Iššm€excited€about€leaving€Glass€County€and€starting€somewhere€else,€doesnšštĻmean€that€Iššm€looking€forward€to€anything€ending€between€us.€€Ō_ŌThingsššllŌ_Ō€be€different€and€weššll€getĻover€it.€Weššll€always€see€each€other€in€the€summer€and€holidays€and€stuff.€€And€you€can€visit€meĻat€the€beach.ššĢą  ąš šItššs€the€memories€we€keep,šš€Bliss€said,€to€finish€off€what€Nathan€was€saying.€€š šAnd€weĻall€have€different€ones€with€each€other.€€And€weššll€have€others.€€And€will€make€new€ones€withĻother€people.ššĢą  ąš šŌ_ŌShoššnuffŌ_Ō,šš€Troy€said.€Ģą  ąĢą  ąAnd,€Ō_ŌshoššnuffŌ_Ō,€graduation€time€is€tough€for€friends€thatššs€been€friends€for€so€long.€€But,Ļhey,€they€canššt€stay€in€high€school€forever.€€Them€four€kids€left€the€school€and€went€to€join€otherĻkids€at€various€parties€and€such€as€that.€€They€planned€to€enjoy€the€summer€together€before€theyĻstarted€their€new€lives,€doing€different€things.€€Course,€long€as€I€been€observing€the€kids€at€GlassĻHigh€School,€hearing€them€and€hearing€about€them,€the€same€stuff€happens€each€year.€€And€IššllĻguarantee,€long€as€Iššm€here,€and€evermore,€thereššll€be€bunches€more€seniors€that€play€volleyballĻtogether€and€have€near„bout€the€same€conversations€as€the€ones€that€went€before€Ō_Ōtheń-ńm.Ģń-ńń/ńń.ńM.ń.ńń/ńń1ńń0ńMń0ńń1ńń2ńmń2ńń3ńń2ń.ń2ńń3ńń4ń.ń4ńŌ_ŌŌ_Ōń-ńą  ąń-ńŌ_Ō