III. PROMISES

[In which he's on a dinner break while she's curled up in bed, watching the stars twinkle out her window.]

"I wanna tell you something, Tom."

"Okay."

"But you have to promise not to tell anyone. Not even my parents."

"I promise."

"And don't laugh, or judge me."

"I would never."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"I think I'm gonna go to a party."

"A party?"

"Yeah! A party! Like with alcohol and food and boys and stuff—"

"I know what a party is, Rosie."

"Right."

"Who's party is it?"

"Edmund — Ed — Eddie — whatever you wanna call him. It's his. He invited me, said I should have some fun and stop moping. And I thought so, too, so I'm gonna go."

"Is Kat going with you?"

"Yeah."

"Just be careful, please. You don't know Edmund very well."

"When am I not careful?"

"Never."

"See? I'll be fine!"

"Promise?"

"I promise. Pinkies and everything."

"Good."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: tomsie kills me. THIS IS WHERE THE GOOD STUFF BEGINS