Adam stood up, and he seemed to have gotten taller since I saw him last.  I hugged him, and it was like hugging a tree.  I was short for my age, and it was constantly bothering me, but at that moment I didn't care.  

"I missed you." I said, into his sweatshirt.  

"I missed you too."

"You haven't come around in ages."

Adam sighed.  "I know, and I'm so sorry.  But I promise that I won't leave again.  It's my vacation."  I pulled away to look at him, embarrassed, for I had tears in my eyes.  "Are you alright?"  I nodded.  A small smile appeared on his face.  Taking my hand, he said, "Come on.  Let's walk for awhile."

The park was emptying as we walked.  A few teenagers were on their way home, talking and laughing.  I looked down at the ground, hoping they might not recognize me.  The thought of more rumors about me was unappealing.  

"So how are you?" Adam asked.  I almost wanted to laugh.  How was I supposed to answer that question?  

I kicked a pinecone in my path.  "Well, I'm just a bit tired.  School's a bore.  I wish for..."

Adam looked down at me.  "What's that?"

"Summer."  I said, quickly.  In a more quieter tone, I said, "I miss Blue Lake, Adam.  I wanted to see my dad before Christmas."  This was true.  It had only been a few months since his passing, and for awhile I was feeling fine, but now every day my heart began to feel heavier and heavier.  I began to worry that in several days it might just burst.  

Ever since I had talked to Mack that night, the first thought in my head when I woke up in the morning was Dad.  Bridget had no idea.  It was just too hard to talk about with her.  She never seemed to understand.  

No one did, except Adam.  

But he was never there, I thought bitterly.  

Come on, Hadley.  Give it a rest.

"What about you, Adam?"

"Well, I'm a bit tired too.  I'm glad to be back home.  I'll be here for awhile now," I wondered if he wanted to be there right then.  There was a few moments of silence between us as we crunched through the leaves.  

Shivering, I said, "I forgot how cold it can get this time of year."  And how cold things can get between us.  

He smiled shyly.  "I'm surprised.  You're here constantly; you should know how crazy our weather is."  I tried to force a smile, but a part of me died inside knowing it wasn't genuine.  Why couldn't things be back to the way they were?  Before he left for what felt like eternity?  We were the best of friends, and now we're talking to each other like strangers on a plane.  

At least I thought we were the best of friends.

Trying to change the subject, I began to say, "Do you remember when...," for there were many ways to end that fragment. Soon we warmed up to each other, laughed and talked in the park.  It was like normal again.

Just like I wanted it.  

Adam's POV

The next morning I offered to drive Hadley to school.  Bridget was already running late, so she agreed when I asked.  She was dressed rather nice, and asked her if she was doing anything special.  

"Just a presentation.  And quite possibly coffee afterwards if it goes well." She breathed, picking up a few boxes along with her lunchbag.  

"Do you need help?"

"Um...there's one on a chair, but it's quite heavy, so-" 

I lifted it easily and followed her to her car.  Her hand accidentally touched mine when I set the box in the trunk, and she blushed.  "Thanks," She said, tucking some of her curly red hair behind her ear before hurrying into her car.  

Wow.

Hadley was eating in the kitchen when I went back inside.  After drinking some orange juice, she said, "What brings you here on this fine, damp morning?"  It had rained the night before.  Whenever it downpoured like that, it reminded me of Blue Lake.  I knew Hadley thought of it too. 

The radio was playing, and Hadley fiddled with the dial.  She turned it from a news station to one of the top hits music stations.  Classic by MKTO was playing.  "Ooh, I like this one!" She said.  As she ate, she hummed along.  

"So have you met anybody new at school?" I inquired, taking a grape from her plate.  I normally wouldn't steal anyone's food, but Hadley was an acception.  She took mine, I took hers.  

"There's Rose, and she's fairly nice, but she'll talk your ear off."  She looked like she wanted to say more, but then turned up the radio a notch and stuck a part of a strawberry in her mouth.  Though she had lost some of her edge from the last time I had seen her, she still looked sharp with the harsh blue streaks in her hair, even though they had started to fade.  There was still definitely something different about her, something harder.  

I raised an eyebrow accusingly.  "Any special guys?"

"Well, he thinks he's special.  His name is Mack Alexander."

"Sounds fancy."

"That's what I thought.  But he's known for dating lots of girls, so I try to avoid him.  Unfortunately it looks like he's got his eyes set on me."  Hadley sighed.  

Leaning my elbows against the countertop, I told her, "You know, maybe you could give him a chance.  Some people just act a bit strange around others when in reality they're perfectly likable on their own."

"He said I was uptight.  I am not uptight." She placed her dishes in the sink.  I tried not to laugh.  

"Well..."

"Adam!"

"Sometimes, you can be a little bit uptight."

"Am not!"

"Are too," I muttered, hiding laughter.  

"Well, you're socially awkward." She jabbed.  

I sighed.  It could be true.  

"But I like you that way," Hadley added, slinging her backpack over her shoulder.  

The sun was covered by clouds, making it seem like it was quite early in the morning.  It looked like more rain later in the day.  Halloween was creeping in soon.  People were staring to set up decorations outside of stores and their homes.  I typically didn't do much for Halloween, but I figured that this year I would do something with Hadley.  

As we stopped at a light, I told her, "I heard the school was putting on a show.  It's a combination of lots of different musicals.  You should try out.  I bet you'd get a part."

"The day I get a part in a school music is the day you ask Bridget out.  Plus, I'm not even in the drama club."

Speaking without thinking, I said, "I would if you tried out."

Hadley looked at me, completely surprised.  "You're serious?"

I couldn't take my words back.  "I will ask her if she wants to do something Halloween night, which is a few days after the play."

She smiled, and stuck out her hand.  "Deal."

I took it, forcing a smile.  

What did I just get myself into...

As soon as I got to school, I went to the drama teacher, Mr. Andrews.  He was putting up a poster in the hallway advertising auditions for the musical.  It was called A Night On Broadway.  

"Mr. Andrews?"

"Yes?"

"Hi, um...I'm Hadley.  I'm new this year, and I was wondering if I could audition for your musical even if I'm not in the drama club." I stumbled to find the right words.  Fortunately, the teacher was quite friendly.  

After he finished taping up the sign, he spoke to me.  "Of course.  It's an open calling."

"What songs will be performed?"

"Usually, it is one song from each musical.  There will be a song from Annie, The Wizard of Oz, The Phantom of The Opera-" 

"Oh!" I said, feeling slightly embarrassed for interrupting him.  "I know The Phantom of The Opera.  Is there a way to try out for that one specifically?"

"Yes.  If you come to my room after school, I can get you the music for the part of Christine.  Of course, you will be auditioning with a young man to sing the part of the Phantom."

I signed up for an audtion time as soon as he left.  Mack passed by me as I did.  Standing a bit too close for comfort, he said, "You're auditioning?"

I nodded.  

He smirked.  "Good luck."