Every time I closed my eyes, I flashed back to the funeral. That had been two weeks ago, and the memory of burying my mother still haunted me.

We'd talked all about my group winning second at the Shakespeare festival once we'd gotten back. Mom was so proud of me. We'd watched the recording Jamie had made on her phone together, and she'd told me it was amazing.

I let her know about Shayna. Mom was relieved I'd been able to work things out with her. She told me that I could do anything I set my mind to, and she showed me the final revisions she'd made to her will.

It split most of the family's assets among my sisters and Uncle Anton. I'd known most of my life that my parents kept different bank accounts. What I'd never known was how much she'd inherited from her parents when they died when I was four in a car crash.

I would need to be frugal in college and get enough scholarships, but I'd be just fine until the trust fund she and Dad set up when I was born opened.

Mom left her half of the house to her brother. Since Dad's assets were frozen, Uncle Anton would probably have a ton of legal red tape to skate around before he could sell it.

There was money for the girls, too. Mom made Uncle Anton our legal guardian, which didn't matter as much to me since I turned eighteen next October.

"This is all, so you don't have to worry," Mom had told me. "I love you, Jack. Mr. Chance said this stuff with your dad will all blow over in court. He will spend a very long time in jail."

Mr. Chance had been taking care of all the legal issues. Mom had left an additional fund to pay him to finish everything up.

I'd told Mom I loved her, and she reminded me everything would be all right. The next morning, I received a call from the hospital saying she'd passed peacefully in the night.

I'd spent the last two weeks mourning, doing make-up homework, and comforting my sisters. I'd seen all my theater friends at the funeral, but I didn't have time to do much more than thank them for coming. 

Jamie had flown down for Thanksgiving last week. Even her presence and Anton's faithful recreation of Mom's pecan pie hadn't cheered anyone up. 

I'd talked to Carson a little over text, and Shayna had called every night to check on me. Our calls often consisted of her being a friend and listening to whatever issue I was trying to work out, be it legal, emotional, or just talking about how sick I was of pity casseroles from community mothers.

Tonight, I was sitting on the rocking chair on the porch, watching the sunset. I was supposed to go back to school tomorrow, which made me sick. Yet again, I'd be the center of attention.

A familiar Prius pulled into the driveway. Shayna got out a moment later. Her curly hair was pulled up in a bun, and she wore jeans and a red blouse with a cute blue peacoat.

"Hey, Jack," she said. "How are you?"

"What's with the house call?" I asked. "And please tell me it doesn't involve a casserole."

"No casserole," Shayna held up her empty hands.

"Thank goodness," I said.

"You need to get out," she said. "I'm calling in my' maybe,' Jack."

I smiled a little. I'd asked her before the play if she wanted to do something together, and she said, "maybe, just maybe." Then my mother passed away, and I hadn't had the heart to ask Shayna about her potential promise.

"Where are we going then, Miss Porter?" I asked.

"I was thinking someplace quiet," she said. "I hear that the drive-in is playing classic musical movies tonight. If we leave now, we can catch, Hello Dolly! It starts in twenty."

"So you drove to my house to ask me to hang out?" Her offer seemed different than all the other nights we'd chatted on the phone.

Was this a date? I was too nervous to ask, and yet, at the same time, I was thrilled she was here.

"Yeah," she said. "Is there something else you need to be doing?"

I smiled. "No, let me grab some things, and I'll meet you in your car in a few minutes."

I walked inside. I found my keys and wallet on the table in my room. Shayna hadn't dressed up, so I supposed the athletic joggers and old shirt I was already wearing were fine. It was getting a little colder, so I found my letterman jacket hanging in the coat closet.

Uncle Anton stood in the kitchen in front of a skillet, stirring some rice. He looked from my jacket to the keys in my hand.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Shayna and I are going to the drive-in," I said.

"Well, all right then," Uncle Anton said. "Be back by eleven. It is a school night."

"Thanks," I said.

I walked out the door. Shayna waited in her car. I got in the passenger side, and Shayna started the car.

"So," I said. "What gave you this idea?"

"Parker and I used to go to this drive-in festival together," Shayna said. "And he mentioned it when I was on the phone with him yesterday. He suggested I take a friend."

"So that's what we are?" I asked. "Friends?"

"I suppose," Shayna said. "I'd like to think I'm your friend. You got Carson to write a song about us."

"In my defense," I said. "Carson wrote the song. I gave him my permission to perform it. I thought it might be a peace offering."

"Well, it was nice," she said. "And I know you're sorry. I'm sorry, too. I blamed you for so long for something you couldn't control."

"Let's put the past aside," I said. "And let's just try to enjoy the night together."

We arrived at the drive-in, and Shayna pulled a five-gallon bag of popcorn from the back seat. I hooked the car radio up so we could listen to the movie.

"So you and Parker used to do this?" I asked as Dolly rolled into town and the movie started.

"My mom brought us for the first time after our dad left," she said. "It sort of became our tradition. Parker always brought the biggest bag of popcorn he could find. We always try to eat the whole bag together, and we always fail."

I looked between her and the bag of popcorn. "Challenge accepted."

We opened the popcorn bag and settled back to watch the movie together.

******

"Well," I said, looking at the half-empty bag of popcorn as the credits rolled. "We tried. I'm stuffed."

Shayna laughed. "Me too. This was fun."

It was always rare for me to see her laugh. Before that fateful night, she always glared at me or frowned. Now that we were friends, I saw her smile and even joke. She was content and at ease around me. We still hadn't discussed that time she fell asleep on my shoulder at the competition, and I didn't plan on potentially ruining tonight by bringing it up.

I wanted to make her happy. Being her friend could help with that. Even if that was all we ever were.

There might be rumors if we were spotted together. I didn't really care. The only people who needed to know the truth were in this car.

"Where do we go from here, Jack?" Shayna asked me.

"Wherever you want," I said. "I don't want to push you to do anything you don't want to do."

"We're friends now," Shayna said. "And I like that, Jack. Being your ally is quite nice, and ever since I turned on the cheerleaders, I've been a little short on friends."

"Not sure any of those girls were ever real friends to you," I said.

"Well, my position for a best friend is filled by my brother," she said. "But I suppose there's room for a confidant."

"I'll be whatever you need me to be, Shayna," I said. "But keep in mind my life is overwhelming right now."

"I know," Shayna said, twirling one of her loose curls absently. "But Jack... I've had a long time to think. I want to get to know you better. Yes, we're friends, but I'm not sure..."

"Shayna," I said. "There's no need to rush anything. I'll always be a phone call away."

"Jack," she said, but I put my hand over hers.

"It's almost eleven," I said. "And Uncle Anton gave me a curfew."

"Curfew," Shayna laughed again. "Anton is turning into such a dad. It's adorable. Let's get you home then, Garrison."

I unhooked the car from the drive-in, and Shayna drove us out of the parking lot. Ten minutes later, we pulled back in front of my house.

We got out of the car and walked up to the porch together. I fingered my house keys and glanced at Shayna. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do now. We'd sort of gone on a date, but our relationship was a lot more complicated than most couples because we weren't even a couple.

"This feels awkward," I said.

Shayna smiled, leaned in, and kissed me on the cheek. "Less awkward now. Thank you for tonight, Jack. I needed the escape just as much as you."

"Good night then," I said, turning to the door.

"Jack," she grabbed my arm. "Are you really just going to let me leave?"

That had not been what I was expecting at all. Usually, when we signed off on the phone each night, she made some excuse about having to tuck her cousin in bed, and that would end the call. But now that she was here in person, we were in uncharted waters.

"What do you want, Shayna? I asked. "You're in control here."

She leaned in and kissed me. It was quick and unexpected. My lips curved up as she stepped away. She smelled like sugar and some fruit I couldn't place. Whatever it was, it turned my brain inside out until I was incapable of thinking straight.

"I'll see you at lunch tomorrow, right?" she asked as she turned towards her car.

I watched Shayna Porter walk away. She'd made a definite choice tonight. A step beyond friendship, and I'd jump in with her if she was ready.

"About that lunch... maybe," I called after her. "Just maybe."