After everyone left Thanksgiving, Bridget fell back on the couch.  Adam and I emerged from the basement.  We had played the keyboard for quite a long time.  "Hey, would you like some leftovers to take home with you, Adam?  We've still got a fair amount."

"If it isn't a bother."

"It isn't."

She watched as Adam and I talked with one another.  I could tell that something was on her mind.  I certainly hoped she was thinking of Adam and not of me.  He got a phone call, and I left him alone to talk, assuming it was a family member.  

As I helped Bridget wrap several pieces of turkey, I whispered, "He looks nice in a suit, doesn't he?"

"Yes...well...I guess he does."  Then she said, "But I'm going on a date tomorrow night."  I wasn't sure if she was getting wise to me.  I hoped she wouldn't say anything to Adam about it.  Her gaze kept flicking back to him.  A blush grew on her face as she knew I had noticed.  

He slipped his phone back in his pocket and walked over to the counter where we were standing.  "Sorry, that was Jasper.  I've got to go now; he really wants to meet with me.  We've got some conflicting dates we need to work out with some people."  He hugged me.  "I'll talk to you soon.  Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you so much for having me over."

"It was our pleasure, Adam." Bridget said, still with a tiny amount of red on her face.  She handed him some of the leftovers, and he awkwardly gave her a hug.  "It's a pity you have to work on a holiday. Hopefully we'll see you soon."

"My job isn't one that's normal...I don't really get normal breaks.  But it was nice sharing this holiday with you.

There was silence for a few seconds before I started to walk towards the door, a silent signal for him to follow me.  I hugged him once more before he left.  I had a small smile as I watched him go.  Then I heard my phone ringing in the living room, so I hurried there.  Diving into the couch, I answered, "Hello."

"Happy Thanksgiving, Hadley." Lexie said.  

I hung up immediately.  I thought of the word that had been painted on the driveway.  It had been stripped away by Adam, but it still burned in my mind.  To try to preoccupy myself, I flipped through the pictures on my phone.  Some were of Adam and me, others of just him.  Sometimes we would text each other, however other times we'd just send each other pictures.  A handful of the ones he sent were too good to not save.  

There were some of the hotel we stayed at in Minneapolis, and of him at First Avenue.  There were a few from the play, and one of Mack and me. 

I was having a conversation with both Mack and Vera when Bridget asked me to help her.  "So...who's the guy you're going on a date with?"

"Someone new at work.  He's a few years older than I am, and he's seems quite nice.  I'm a bit nervous to go."

"Were you nervous when you went out with Adam?"

"A little.  Adam is a bit more shy than this guy.  He's really confident in himself, which is nice, but it makes me a little intimidated.  Especially because he's higher than me in the business."

I put a few plates in the dishwasher.  "It's not as if he'll fire you if something goes wrong on the date."  Bridget wordlessly put the dishes she cleaned away.  "Do you like this man?"

"Of course I like him otherwise I wouldn't have agreed to go out."

"Who do you like better: Adam or this man?"

"Your phone is ringing." she said harshly.  

I hurried to get it.  I was a bit more cautious when answering.  "Hello?"

"Mack's going to ask you on a date." Lexie said.  I could practically feel her smirk on the other end of the line.  Before I could say anything else, there was a text from Mack.   There was an indoor swimming pool in a town nearby, and he wanted to know if I'd like to go with him the next day.  His brother would be with us so we wouldn't be alone.  Bridget agreed, as long as we would be back before her date.  

I responded with a plain, "Sure.  See you tomorrow."

He asked if something was wrong, but I said no, even though Lexie's warning frightened me.  

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I was happy to find that when I woke up the next morning there was a ridiculous picture of both Adam and Jasper on my phone waiting to be viewed.  It was wonderful.  

I had three swimsuits.  They were all bikinis.  I was terrified of wearing them.  What if Mack didn't like what he saw?  He had never even seen my bare legs or arms.

Lexie wouldn't have a problem with this.

Eventually I decided that my dark blue one was the least revealing and packed that, along with other essentials.  And before I knew it, I was in the car with Mack.  His brother was with his girlfriend, so I knew he wouldn't be very good at supervising us. 

"How's Adam?"

"He was doing good.  We spent most of yesterday avoiding people and playing my keyboard, but it was fun.  He had to leave early to meet one of his bandmates, but it turned out fine."  I showed him the most recent picture he had sent me.  "His selfie game is strong."

When it was time to change at the pool, I was the last one out.  Mack's brother and his girlfriend were already in the water, and Mack was sitting at the edge of the pool with his legs in the water, waiting for me.  He must have been glancing back every so often, watching, because he spotted me and smiled.  I sat down next to him.  

He looked really good without a shirt.  He wasn't as torn-up as some models and active men I'd seen, but there was definitely muscle there.  And Mack seemed to know that he looked good too.  Wordlessly, he leaned over to kiss me, and I let him, but I felt slightly paranoid.  How had Lexie known he was going to ask me out on a date?

He slipped into the water, and I did too.  Thankfully it was warm, but not hot enough that it felt like you were moving through jell-o.  

After a few minutes of playing around, he said, "I want to try to hold you above my head."

"Why?"

"Because it will be fun.  We'll show off to my brother."

I began to feel embarrassed.  "I...I don't know if you'll be able to lift me."

"Hadley..." he began, before saying with a smile, "If I can lift my own body weight in a handstand, I can lift you.  Come here."

"I'm just worried that I'm too heavy-"

"You're fine."  

He had me float there, and for a moment, I was reminded of Blue Lake.  It would sometimes get so calm that the water would look like glass.  It was sometimes so quiet.  

And then hands lifted me up from the water.  Mack was holding me above his head.  I was amazed he could.  

But then he threw me.  I crashed into the water, but I wasn't angry.  I was smiling if anything.  I let myself sink for several moments before resurfacing.  "You didn't say you were going to throw me."  I playfully hit his shoulder.

We played for another hour before he suggested we move to the hot tub, which was empty.  Mack's brother and his girlfriend were laying in chairs on the pool deck; they obviously did not care what we did.  I followed him over there.  He winced as he stretched his arms in the water.  I looked down.  Did I do that?

As if he read my mind, he said, "Don't worry, you weren't too heavy."  He moved closer so he could put his arm around my shoulder, which caused me to lean my head on his shoulder.  I was feeling so relaxed, and I found myself humming How I Became The Sea.  

Suddenly I jolted from my relaxed state.  Mack opened his eyes.  "Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry...do you...do you remember the foam pit?  What I told you then?  I almost drowned before.  I just had this feeling of sinking..."

"It's OK.  It was just a feeling.  This is only three feet deep, and I've got you."

I began to tremble slightly.  "Would you mind if I got out for a little while?  Maybe sat down?"

"No, it's fine.  I'll go with you."

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Without warning, about two hours before Bridget went on her date, Adam arrived at their house.  She opened the door hurriedly, as she was struggling to get ready and reach Hadley at the same time.  She said hello quickly as he stepped inside and shrugged off his coat.  "How are you?"

"Good.  Just a bit busy."

"Is Hadley here?"

"Actually she's with Mack right now.  She should be home soon though if you'd like to stick around.  I'm getting ready for a date."

"Oh," he smiled shyly.  "Well, you look lovely."

"Thank you." Bridget blushed.  She wasn't even wearing make-up yet...and Adam thought she looked nice otherwise.

He asked if she would find if he played the keyboard downstairs as he waited.  She said she wouldn't.  As she hurried up the stairs to her room to finish her look, she asked, "If you're hungry, go ahead and make something."

"I'm fine, but thank you."

She could hear him playing the keyboard from her bathroom.  It sounded wonderful, and, for a brief moment, she wished it was Adam that she was going on a date with.  But she pushed the thought from her mind and hurried up.  Once she was done, she slowly made her way down the staircase to the basement, listening slightly.  The song was moderately-paced but mournful.  

I sang my princess fast asleep,

'Cause she was my dream come true, 

Oh, Annmarie, believe me,

I loved you!

She waited for him to finish the song before quietly asking, "Who's Annmarie?  Is it just a name...or is she someone you knew?"

He put his hands in his lap.  "She...she was very dear to me.  It's been years..." He wiped his eyes and a blush rose to his cheeks.  "I'm sorry-"

Bridget sat down next to him on the bench, and rubbed his shoulder.  "Please don't be embarrassed.  I'm sorry to upset you."

Adam blinked several times and wiped his eyes once more.  "I think I'm alright.  I...I lost her.  And...I'm sorry, I just shouldn't be talking about this."

"It's alright, Adam."  She wanted to say more, but she wasn't sure of what to say.  Hadley was better at talking to him.  She understood him, meanwhile Bridget still hadn't quite figured him out.  His phone began to buzz in his pocket, however he was simply looking at her.  "Um...I think you're getting a call."

"Oh...it's probably Breanne.  I'll get back to her later.  Oh, you probably don't know her...she's in my band.  She's a singer too, but she plays the keyboard."  Bridget felt like there was something in his action not to pick up his phone that she should notice.  She always thought she was good at flirting...

Is he flirting with me?

Am I flirting with him?

Him, as in Adam Young.  Hadley's best friend and role model.  

Would it really be right to put herself between them?

"Will you play something for me?  I don't care what...maybe one of your favorites."

Bridget felt like she recognized one of the songs he so gracefully played, but she couldn't put a name to it.  She hoped it wasn't a famous song of his; it would make her feel so out of the loop.

He looked so peaceful when he played.  His long fingers danced on the keyboard, making such a beautiful sound.  

He finished, and Bridget said quietly, "Wow...that was amazing."

"Thank you."  

She wasn't sure of what to say.  How do I get the chance to compliment him somehow again?

"I can never thank you enough for what you do for Hadley.  She idolizes you so much.  I'm just glad that she has someone like you to look up to."

He turned a bit more so he could look her in the eye.  "It isn't just me.  There's you, and her father was once...someone to look up to. She's like a sister to me in a way.  I...I don't have siblings, if you didn't know."  

The doorbell rang upstairs.  She sighed.  "She's home."  They both stood up.  Bridget smoothed out her skirt.  Before thinking it through, she embraced Adam and kissed his cheek.  "Thank you for everything," she whispered before hurrying upstairs.  She assumed Adam would follow.  

He didn't tell Hadley what Bridget did.  He simply touched his cheek and thought, It's my pleasure to know the both of you.

Hello!  

I got to see Owl City and meet Adam himself on Thursday, so I'm in an Owl City stupor at the moment, and therefore I made this chapter quite long.  I hope you enjoyed it :)

Love

Luna <3