//

At my house-

"You stole Mr. Feeny's key to his cottage?" I ask Shawn.

"Hey. I borrowed it, there's a difference," Shawn replied.

"No, Shawn. That's called stealing."

"Look, this guy goes out of his way to make my life miserable. Here's his way of making it up to me," Shawn stated.

I took his hands in mine. "Shawny, as amazing as it sounds, it's not right."

"Ponytail, please," Shawn leaned his forehead against mine. "It'll be just the two of us, sitting by the fire, drinking hot cocoa just the way you like it and cuddling to keep warm at night."

I smiled. "Oh dang it, Hunter. You got me."

"So, is that a yes?"

I pecked his lips. "Yes, totally."

***

At school-

"Three bus tickets to paradise," Shawn told me and Cory.

"And the weather report?" I ask.

"Fresh blanket of snow on the mountains."

"All right, Shawn. Not to put a damper on our plans or anything, but, you know, it occurred to me in a moment of clarity that we don't ski," Cory told him.

"Hey. We don't learn, but we go to school, don't we?"

***

At the cabin, we finally arrived at thanks to a ranger.

"Well, here you go," he said, opening the door for us.

"'Hank 'oo," me and Cory tell him thanks to the cold.

"'Hank 'oo 'hery 'huch," Shawn added, closing the door.

"Little chilly for you city kids," the ranger stated.

"'Ittle bit," Cory answered.

"Uh, thanks for the ride, Officer, uh..." Shawn trailed off.

"Ranger. Ranger Mark," he answered.

"How old are you?" Cory asked.

"Which one of you is Feeny's children?" he questioned.

We all answered with-

"Oh, he is."

"Oh, she is."

"Oh, he is."

"Well, I am," Cory pointed to himself.

"We all are," Shawn replied.

"We're siblings," me and Cory say.

"We're cousins," Shawn spoke at the same time. "Brother-cousins."

"No need to explain, son. I'm from mountain people myself," Ranger Mark stated.

"So, Ranger Mark, how far is the nearest ski lodge from here?" I ask.

"Oh, about two miles," Ranger Mark responded.

"Manageable," Shawn muttered. "And how far if you're walking?"

"Two miles."

"Two miles?" Cory questioned.

"Hey, lighten up, Cor. It's only a mile each," Shawn told him.

"You kids be sure to keep your windows and doors secured at night. You wouldn't want to wake up in the morning with a skull full of Grady's ax," Mark told us.

"Uh, sir? What's Grady's ax?" I ask.

Mark laughed before sitting down which we did so as well, removing our beanies. "Legend has it that years ago, a man brought his beautiful bride to Grady Pines. And she fell in love with a young ski instructor. The husband went crazy with jealousy, and hacked them both up, before taking his own life. Now, the locals will tell you, every year that psycho returns to this mountain to wreak his bloody revenge."

"Uh, I got a question. If the psycho took his own life, then how can he come back?" Cory questioned.

"Huh," Mark said, stumped.

"That's why you don't see many rangers on The Tonight Show," Shawn muttered to us.

Mark stood up. "Anyway, do you kids know how to turn on the electricity?"

We all stood up as Shawn answered, "Oh, please. I think we know how to flip a switch."

"Well, good. I gotta go. I'm watching a video with my buddy Moose."

"That's another ranger friend of yours?" Cory asked.

"A moose can't be a ranger," Mark spoke in a 'duh' tone before leaving.

"Do you believe that? 'Turn on the electricity'," Shawn chuckled.

"Oh, I know. What kind of city mama's boys does he take us for?" Cory asked before flipping a switch to which no lights came on.

"Pretty spoiled mama's boys," I suggest.

***

We made it back to the cabin after walking to a ski lodge and back.

"Well, that was the worst two hours of my life," Shawn complained. "I can't believe the ski lodge was closed.

"Yeah, you think Ranger Mark might have mentioned the little fact that there's no one else on the mountain," I said, annoyed.

"There wasn't even any snow," Shawn added.

"Yeah, what about that, Shawn? You told me the weather report said snow in the mountains," Cory stated.

"They did. They said the Rocky Mountains were blanketed with fresh powder."

I face palm myself as Cory says, "The Rockies. Shawn, we're in the Poconos! from the Rocky Mountains."

"Oh, you mean that's a name? I thought it was a description. You know, like, 'chewy nougat'."

"I really question love sometimes," I say.

Thank you so much author for making me fall in love with this 90's heartthrob who can't even use their own brain.

"That's great, Shawn. No power, no lights, no heat. What are we gonna do?" Cory asked.

"Okay, okay. Lemme think, lemme think," Shawn said just as the lights came on. "Cory, either the lights just went on, or I got an idea."

"Somebody's here," Cory whispered.

"Who?" I ask.

"With our luck, a dead psycho ax-murderer."

"You mean Grady?" Shawn asked.

"No, I'm thinking Pooh Bear," Cory sassed. "Of course, Grady."

The door began to rattle causing all of us to scramble for weapons. Shawn grabbed a fire poker, Cory grabbed a broom and I panicked, picking up a lamp.

"Okay, you dead psycho ax-murderer! Let's see what you're made of!" Shawn yelled.

The door opened, revealing Mr. Feeny. I hid behind Shawn as Mr. Feeny came in and closed the door behind him. "All right, I'm here. Time to belly up to the excuse table."

"Mr. Feeny, you've got no right trespassing on your own property," Shawn stated causing me to roll my eyes.

"Mr. Matthews, you're up," Mr. Feeny told him.

"Actually, Mr. Feeny, my parents are on their way up, and we just rushed ahead to straighten up the place," Cory came up with, turning his broom the right way.

"That's a bald-faced lie."

"Every word, sir."

Mr. Feeny turned to me. "Ms. Cooper?"

I shrugged. "I got nothing."

"So, you three snaked the key from your parents and snuck up here to have a good time."

"That's a bald-faced lie, Mr. Feeny," Shawn repeated Mr. Feeny's words. Cory whacked Shawn in the arm with the broom. "It worked when he said it."

"You know, Mr. Feeny, I thought you said you never used this place any more," I say.

"I came to pack up so I could sell it," Mr. Feeny answered.

"We'll take it," Cory said.

"Hey, now you're trespassing," Shawn pointed out.

"I don't even hear you anymore," Mr. Feeny told him.

"Look, Mr. Feeny, before things get too out of hand, why don't you just call our parents and they can come pick us up?" Cory asked.

"This late? Uh-uh. No, we're stuck here till morning, like it or not."

"How many beds are there?" Shawn asked.

"One," Mr. Feeny answered.

Shawn took out a quarter. "I'll flip you for it. Call it in the air."

Shawn flipped his quarter up, while it was up, Mr. Feeny grabbed it, slapping the coin against the back of his hand. "You lose," Mr. Feeny stated.

***

By dinner time, Mr. Feeny was placing his bowl in the sink when Shawn breathed on his spoon before placing it on his nose. "Time me, Cor," Shawn said.

Cory turned to Mr. Feeny. "Uh, Mr. Feeny, can I borrow your watch?"

"No," Mr. Feeny replied, picking up the boy's plates. "What is he doing, anyway?"

"He's trying to beat his previous record. Seven and a half hours," I answer.

"Mr. Hunter, have you ever considered what seven and a half hours of schoolwork would do for your history grades?" Mr. Feeny asked my boyfriend.

"Mr. Feeny, the spoon trick brings pleasure to others," Shawn spoke before his spoon fell off his nose.

"Do you enjoy doing that?"

"Yeah. Why? What do you do up here for fun? I read books. Care to join me?"

"Oh, right. And if you jumped off a bridge, I'm supposed to do that, too?" Shawn smiled.

Mr. Feeny handed Shawn another spoon. "Here, go for the gold."

Once Mr. Feeny walked away to sit on the couch, Shawn asked, "Man, what is his problem?"

"Shawn, I think it's your problem," I tell him.

"What are you talking about? He's the one that hates me."

"No, he doesn't, all right? Feeny's not a bad guy. I mean, you know the British. A little stiff, but once you get beneath the surface-" Cory began.

"There's still more Feeny. Cory, a guy like him is never gonna understand a guy like me. We are complete opposites," Shawn stated.

"Many thought we were complete opposites, didn't they?" I ask.

"But we showed them," Shawn said.

"Exactly. You should give him a chance," I say.

Shawn agreed, "Okay, I'll give him a chance." He stood up, walking over where Mr. Feeny was. He looked at me to which I nod as Cory and I stood up. "Mr. Feeny. Why do you hate me so much?"

"I beg your pardon?" Mr. Feeny asked, surprised.

"I want to know why you hate me so much," Shawn said as he sat down.

"Is that what you think?"

"Yeah. I mean, you're always getting on my case."

"Well, if by that you mean I'm always trying to get the best out of you, then, yes, I'm always on your case. But...I certainly don't hate you."

"You see, Shawn?" Cory pointed out.

"It frustrates me to see such a charismatic young man, with so much unfulfilled potential," Mr. Feeny stated.

"Yeah, I got you. So I'm just another one of your hopeless students," Shawn sighed.

"And I suppose I'm just another stodgy old principal."

"The stodgiest."

"What do you know about me, Mr. Hunter?" Mr. Feeny asked.

Shawn paused causing Mr. Feeny to chuckle.

"Oh, like you know anything about me," Shawn replied.

"Well, let's see. Shawn Patrick Hunter. Son of Chet and Virna, born in Ohio, lived in Oklahoma. In and out of five schools before he was 12," Mr. Feeny answered.

"You memorized my transcript."

"Oh, and you love a musical group named...Counting Crows."

"That's not in my transcript."

"Do you know that much about all your students?" I ask.

"No, I don't," Mr. Feeny answered before standing up. "Well. Maybe you could give me a hand with these dishes?"

We stood up as well as Shawn said, "Well, if you know everything about me, you must know I hate doing dishes."

"Ho ho, good try. Come on."

I picked up my mug as silverware to take to the kitchen as Cory spoke, "So, Mr. Feeny. Tell us something about you."

"Well, those closest to me would say that I also dislike doing dishes," Mr. Feeny stated. "So, children, I give you the sink."

I place the dishes on the side of the sink as Shawn grabbed a sponge and Cory grabbed a rag which had Mr. Feeny's watch on top and then, his watch fell in the sink.

"Oh, look out. My watch!" Mr. Feeny exclaimed.

"Oh, no problem, Mr. Feeny," Cory told him, digging his hand in the sink. "Got it, got it." He pulled the plug out from sink causing all the excess water and whatever was in the water to go down the drain. "Had it." Mr. Feeny looked in the sink, but there was nothing in there. "Um, sorry."

"Wh-" Mr. Feeny began before stopping, looking upset. "Well, it's nothing but a 30-year-old watch. About time I got another one, I suppose," he said before walking upstairs, his door closing.

Despite our principal's words, I couldn't shake off that cold feeling of guilt.

***

Later, Cory slept on the floor in a heap of blankets while Shawn and I shared the couch.

I got up in the middle of the night, grabbing a flashlight and looking down the sink drain for any shiny objects.

A hand being placed on my back, made me jump, but I turned to see Shawn. "Oh, you scared me. I thought you were Grady."

"No, just your lovable boyfriend," he responded. "What's wrong? How come you're not asleep?"

"I just can't. I feel awful that Mr. Feeny's watch went down the sink. It looked like it meant something to him."

"Betty, you heard the man. It's fine, he needs to get a new one any way," Shawn replied. "Now, come on. Let's get some sleep."

I nod, shutting off the flashlight, walking over to the couch, covering myself in blankets before lying down.

I laid there with my eyes closed waiting for Shawn to return, but I assumed that he went to the bathroom until Cory spoke, "What are you doing?"

I sat back up to see Shawn in the chair across from the couch, Mr. Feeny's book on his lap. "I'm reading."

"No, really," Cory replied.

"This book Feeny was looking at. It's some kind of diary."

"Shawn, you're reading Feeny's diary? Are you crazy? Are you nuts?" Cory asked, standing up before sitting on the table across from Shawn. "Are we in it?"

"He just knew so much about me, I wanted to find out some stuff about him. Do you know he used to come up here with his wife?" Shawn asked.

I nod while Cory answered, "Yeah, I knew that."

"Man, I didn't even know he was married. Listen to this. 'December 18, 1961. I called in sick so Lillian and I can sneak up here for a three-day weekend'," Shawn read off.

"Hah! Feeny cut class," Cory chuckled.

"Mr. Feeny, you rebel," I laughed, sitting next to Cory.

"'I suppose my students will miss me, but every now and then you have to break the rules'," Shawn continued.

I smiled. "Sounds like you, Shawny."

"It's more like me than you think. December 19, the next day. 'Lillian and I never made it out to the slopes. No regrets'. Feeny, you dog."

Cory grabbed the journal. "Let's see here. 'February 14, 1965. Lillian and my fifth anniversary. Still no sign of the slopes. In the evening we exchanged gifts. As I lifted the wristwatch out of its box, the glass on the watch face caught Lillian's reflection'."

I read over Cory's shoulder. "'A smile that lit the night sky'," I read off, feeling the same guilt from earlier.

"His wristwatch," Shawn stated.

I grabbed the journal now. "'That watch will keep time but for a moment in time. But her smile will reflect in its face forever'." I closed the book, spinning the bracelet Shawn gave me on my wrist. "Okay, we gotta do something guys."

***

The next morning-

I ran inside with Cory, searching for the flashlight I had last night.

I glance up at Mr. Feeny who was coming downstairs, "Oh, morning, Mr. Feeny. Everything's fine."

"I just need a flashlight, a rope, and maybe a wet suit," Cory stated.

"Wet suit?" Mr. Feeny questioned.

I grabbed the flashlight. "Found it."

"Betty!" I heard Shawn yell.

"Can't talk now, my boyfriend's in over his head," I rush out, grabbing Cory by the arm.

Shawn came in causing me to cover my nose. "Hey, Mr. Feeny," he greeted.

"Oh, my God. You're dripping on the rug. And you reek," Mr. Feeny stated.

"Sorry, but your septic tank's a lot deeper than it looks," Shawn told him.

"All right, that does it. I've tried to be patient, but this nonsense has gone far enough," Mr. Feeny snapped, placing the box down.

I took a step towards him. "Look, Mr. Feeny, before you get mad-"

"I'm already mad. Now, I don't want to hear a word out of the three of you until we get back into the city."

I look down as Shawn steps beside me. "Mr. Feeny," he held out Mr. Feeny's watch.

"My watch?" Mr. Feeny questioned, grabbing it.

"Hope it still works," Cory spoke.

Mr. Feeny cleaned it off with a napkin as he said softly, "Never thought I'd see this again."

"We, uh, We figured it meant a lot to you. Being your anniversary watch and all," Shawn told him.

"You read a book, Mr. Hunter?" Mr. Feeny smiled.

"Guess I did."

"Well, good for you. I want to thank you three. Well, now, before we get into the car, why don't you take a dip in the lake and get cleaned up?"

"But it's like 20 degrees out there," I chuckle.

"We'll freeze," Shawn adds.

Mr. Feeny shrugged. "Take a sweater."

***

Back at Cory's home, my mom, Mr. Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews were waiting to scold us.

"What the heck were you three thinking?" Mr. Matthews asked us.

"Look, you lied, you trespassed, and you endangered yourselves," Mrs. Matthews continued.

"You are in it a lot deeper than you were in that septic tank, young lady," Mom told me before Mr. Feeny. "George, I am very sorry."

"Yeah, but believe me, the punishment will fit the crime," Mr. Turner added.

"Well, fine. But bear in mind, their behavior was wrong, but their spirit is right. They're good kids." As Mr. Feeny walked towards the door, he said, "Pulling for you."

"Oh, uh, Mr. Feeny?" Cory walked out, stopping Mr. Feeny as me and Shawn followed him out. "Your key. Thought you might need it when you sell the place."

Mr. Feeny took his key. "If I sell it," he corrected.

"Oh, and this is yours, too," Shawn handed over the spoon to Mr. Feeny.

"Guys, we're not finished with you yet," Mr. Matthews called.

Gentlemen, ma'am, a word of advice. Don't talk. Nod a lot," Mr. Feeny told us.

We listened before going back inside.

***