Courtney pulled into the driveway and shut off her car. Grabbing the drinks tray and the pastry bag, she climbed out and into the early morning chill. It was the earliness of those who cared about their fitness and gave up sleep to achieve it. Courtney didn't fall into that category this morning, no there were things other than fitness worth getting up early for.

Rounding the house, Courtney slid open the back glass door and quickly inputted the alarm passcode. She slipped off her shoes, leaving her in socks plus an ankle brace. She made her way through the first floor to the stairs, knowing she would look like the strangest cat burglar.

First, she wasn't a cat, obviously. Second, she highly doubted cat burglars carried around Starbucks when breaking and entering.

On the second floor, she moved quietly, not wanting to disturb the house. At her destination, she cracked open the door and poked her head in. Laying on her bed, half-sleepily scrolling through her phone was Lynn.

At seeing Courtney's head sticking through the narrow opening, she lowered her phone. Courtney took this as an invitation to fit the rest of her body through the opening and entered the room, closing the door behind her.

When Lynn scooted over on her mattress, Courtney accepted the second invitation. She set the coffee and pastries on the nightstand and climbed onto the bed next to Lynn. For a second, Courtney lay there staring up at Lynn's ceiling while Lynn said nothing, closing her eyes and tucking her hands under her head.

"You didn't do anything wrong," Courtney said.

"You sure about that?" Lynn asked sleepily.

"No. This one is my fault."

Instead of responding, Lynn shifted her head, looking at Courtney.

"I talked to my mom last night after you talked to me."

"Not The Strange One?"

"No, my father is great-"

"And odd."

"-but my mom is better for certain things."

"What did she say then?"

Courtney thought about how her mother held her as she cried, reassuring her but not trying to make it all better right away. Though Courtney disliked crying, in the safety of her mother's arms it felt relieving.

Eventually, she'd been wrung dry and left with a slight headache. Only then did her mother ask what was going on. What had been a simple explanation shifted to a talk in the kitchen with tea and whatever Heather had baked lately, Courtney didn't even remember what.

"I rely too heavily on business tactics," Courtney said. "She said they taught me to think logically to handle difficult situations but those tactics should never replace letting myself feel or be honest about how I feel."

When Courtney focused on Lynn, she found her friend staring at her with a look that was both kind as well as the embodiment of the word 'duh'.

"Okay, no need to be sassy to me," Courtney said.

Lynn grinned as she snuggled into her pillow, like a smug cat. Which was fine, Courtney had been a cat burglar earlier, they could both be cats.

"And that's why I didn't do anything wrong?" Lynn asked with her eyes closed.

"Part of it. When it came to cheer I didn't want to voice my troubles because you'd also run for captain. I felt like if I complained then it would seem like I didn't deserve to have the position."

"You're a little bit of a dumb blonde, aren't you?"

"Excuse me, I'm baring my soul right now. Can you please not give me attitude?"

Though she was struggling not to smile, Lynn mimed zipping her lips closed.

"That's why I shut you out there. When it came to Aiden, you'd broken up with Jack and I saw how much it hurt you. I didn't want to add to it with my own relationship issues."

Though Lynn didn't speak, her eyes managed to convey a large force of attitude. Courtney pushed her face.

"Close your eyes, you are not making this easier."

"So you're saying I can sleep through this next part?"

"Yes."

"Okay, speak on."

"As for the class president thing, Aiden had just broken up with me, something that I used business tactics to avoid feeling. Yes, I can see the issue, stop smiling at me, you're supposed to be asleep. Good. Right after that happened you told me you were running and I tried to be rational about it instead of being honest. I was thrown but instead of saying that, I shut you out. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I've done it so much. I hope you can forgive me."

"Can I be awake now?"

"Yes, you can."

Lynn rolled once flopping her arm and leg around Courtney in a weird half hug making Courtney laugh.

"Forgiven," Lynn said.

Courtney hugged Lynn back, resting her head against hers. "You're my best friend."

"I know, you just forgot it."

"You're not going to say it back? Am I not your best friend?"

"You know you are, I don't let just anyone disturb my sleep."

"Technically, you weren't asleep cause you were on your phone."

"I was half asleep, okay."

Courtney laughed. "Okay."

Lynn broke from their hug but hooked her arm around Courtney's as they shared one pillow, contemplating the ceiling. "Okay, since I am still kind of asleep tell your co-captain, your right-hand man what stresses wait for us today and we will face them together."

Courtney sighed at the day ahead but felt a small smile form, at least she wasn't facing it all alone.

Knowing she wouldn't have to lone-wolf the day, Courtney vomited on Lynn the list of things that needed to be accomplished in a short period of time that day. Like the best friend she was, Lynn didn't react to being vomited on, even if it was only verbally, vomit in any form was never pleasant.

The result of the word spewing meant Lynn wasn't half asleep anymore, the pastries were demolished, and the coffee half empty, but only because they had drunk it not because they viewed the world in a negative light.

"Sounds like an overwhelming day that we will take on together," Lynn said.

Which was all that mattered and so that's what Courtney would focus on.

"Exactly, it will all work out and be fine."

Lynn raised her eyebrows and wiggled her finger at Courtney's face. "Why don't you try that again with remembering that I'm your best friend."

Wow, out the gate again falling back into the old rhythm.

"I'm overwhelmed by what needs to be done but I'm choosing to focus on the fact that I'm not alone in the work."

"There you go. I'm going to go get dressed and you're going to make my bed because we both know you do better when you have tasks to complete rather than space to think."

"You're just saying that so I'll make your bed."

"It can have two functions."

Though Courtney felt like revolting against Lynn's suggestion, her friend also knew her, and making the bed did feel gratifying since it was a task done.

"Let's go," Lynn said, walking out of the bathroom in a cute while also practical work outfit.

As they headed to Courtney's car, Aiden came running down the street. Seeing both girls, he slowed and crossed over to them.

"Hey," he said. He looked at Courtney, in a manner that she took as someone who'd been her support, physically and emotionally, the previous night. "How are you doing? We worried when you didn't show up for milkshakes."

Yes, a fact that meant she woke up to dozens of messages asking her where she'd been.

"I'm good. Sorry I wasn't there, something came up," Courtney said.

Lynn coughed pointedly with a look that also had a pointy end.

"I cried in my mom's arms dealing with life issues," Courtney said.

Aiden blinked in surprise, glancing from Courtney to Lynn.

"She's working on being more honest about her emotional state instead of hiding it," Lynn said.

"Oh... That's good," Aiden said. "Umm... congrats?"

Lynn burst out laughing and disappeared behind the car as she nearly fell over with the force of her amusement.

"Lynn is reveling in my struggles but that's okay, she's been putting up with me not being open with her for the past few months, so I guess it's only fair."

Aiden nodded but shuffled his feet as he inspected the ground.

"Aiden." He lifted his head. "I should have been honest with you when you broke up with me instead of avoiding it. I hope you can forgive me for that and for not being honest with you when we were together."

Smiling softly, Aiden held her gaze and she wondered how he could still look at her like that when she'd made such a mess of everything. Obviously, the people in her life were too good for her.

"We already cleared it up," he said. "We were both at fault." 

"This is a good moment," Lynn said, having regained an upright position. "Now, we have a mountain to conquer, so we have to go. Loser." She pointed a finger at Aiden, clearly something she was doing in many forms that day. "Get showered and come to the gym, you're helping us today."

"I am?"

"Yes, you are. If you don't come there will be consequences."

"Okay. Am I at least allowed to eat something?"

Lynn rolled her eyes dramatically. "The demands you make. Fine."

Opening the passenger door, she climbed in.

"You don't have to help," Courtney said.

"Yes, he does! You can ask for help, Cory!" Lynn yelled behind the closed window.

"Do you want my help?" Aiden asked.

Courtney hesitated. "Yeah, I do."

"Okay, I'll be there."

"Good!" Lynn shouted again.

"I think this newfound power is going to her head," Aiden said.

"I think so."

As Courtney took the driver's seat, Aiden leaned down next to Lynn's window. She rolled it down for him, looking a little like a princess deigning to let the commoner approach her.

"Don't get power hungry, okay?" he said.

"Do you fear I'll take over the world?"

"A little."

"Wimp."

Aiden grinned and backed away from the car. "I'll see you at the gym."

At the reminder of the day ahead of them, Courtney put the car in gear and waited for Aiden to retreat further before driving off. As she cut through the neighborhood, she started to calculate the time it would take to get the new supplies, get to school, hand out tasks, deal with repeating her orders as people arrived late -

"You want to tell me what's going on with you and Micah?" Lynn asked.

"I'd rather lose myself in future tripping over the day and all the things that need to be done, thanks."

Lynn smacked her arm. "We're in the car, you can physically do nothing until we get all the supplies and get to the gym. This is a perfect time to deal with whatever issues you have with him. Tell me what happened."

For the second time that day, Courtney word vomited on Lynn. At this point, it was a condition she should probably have checked out. This much of it couldn't be healthy.

"What's going on?" Lynn said. "You stopped mid-sentence. He came into Coach's office, you talked, he left, and..."

"Okay," Courtney said. "Look, I know it's not that I'm saying I'm not at fault but..."

"Oh my gosh just say it Cory and then I can judge you the right amount. Right now I have no idea how much it should be."

Courtney stabbed her friend with her gaze but Lynn looked unaffected which took away all of Courtney's power.

"I get that he was trying to help but did he not understand how much was going on? The entire basis of Homecoming fell apart. I couldn't just let myself fall apart too. I couldn't do that. I needed to stay logical, giving in to my emotions would only mean I couldn't get on top of the situation. What is wrong with that? What?"

Lynn laid a hand on Courtney's shoulder. "Oh, my dear closed-off friend."

"I'm being serious, Lynn. What was wrong with me trying not to freak out?"

"Micah wasn't asking you to freak out," Lynn said. "He was simply asking you to be honest. You can say what you're feeling without getting overpowered by the emotion. Sometimes even addressing the emotion helps defuse it. But instead of just admitting you felt overwhelmed, you shut him out. Which sounds vaguely familiar."

Lynn tapped her chin in thought and Courtney sighed heavily, dropping her head back on the headrest.

"Are you starting to see a pattern?" Lynn asked.

"Yes, you can put the hammer of repetition away, I don't need to be hit over the head with it?"

"You sure? This seems to be an issue with you."

"Can you blame me?" Courtney said, giving Lynn a serious look. "Everywhere I go in school people watch me. It's not that I'm shutting them out, because it's not like they ask me how I'm doing. But I'm aware that people watch me a lot. Using my dad's business quotes helps me not feel constantly judged wrongly because people don't know what's going on in my life. Something they don't have a right to know."

She made a face. "Now I sound like I'm complaining about people knowing who I am. But sometimes not being able to walk across the quad without people looking at me... is tiring. And I never want to look like I'm some mean cheerleader and so... I started using my dad's quotes to help me deal with it."

"We could shave your head." Courtney burst out laughing at the unexpected response. "No one would want to look at you then."

"I'm pretty sure everyone would because they would want to know why I shaved my entire head."

"You have a point there." Lynn rested her elbow on the console and propped her chin in her hand, staring at Courtney. "I'm sorry, Cory. I get it." At the words, Courtney relaxed. "It's hard to feel like you're always being watched."

"Thanks."

"But."

"Oh, so the sympathy only goes so far, huh?"

"But, there are people in your life that want to know the truth even if means you aren't the cheery cheerleader everyone sees. I'm one of them, and so is Micah."

Courtney swung the car into a parking space before the fabric store and cut the engine.

"So you're saying I have to have my character development now?" she asked.

"Just a minor one that will gradually have bigger life impacts."

"I won't do it perfectly."

"I'd be amazed if you did. But it's just being honest with us as much as you can."

"You're strangely wise, which used to be my role. Have you been hanging out with my parents lately?"

"Only for the last four years of my life. You pick up a thing or two."

Smiling, Courtney climbed out of the car, Lynn following suit. Though the drive was fifteen minutes, she had the strange feeling they'd teleported there since her concentration had been mainly focused on the conversation.

When they stepped into the store the sweet smell of fabric and the world of color made Courtney feel better. It was her second home. Lynn's house was actually her second home, even though she cat burgled it earlier, which made this store her third home.

"Courtney, sweetie how is your ankle doing?" the motherly woman behind the counter said.

"You really can't go anywhere without people knowing you," Lynn said quietly.

"Price of fame and the price of this being my third home." She rested against the counter. "I'm not on crutches, Joanna, I say this is a definite improvement."

"How's Homecoming going?" Joanna asked.

"Ah, not as well." Courtney laid out what happened, downplaying the worst parts even though Lynn gave her a look. There was only so much she was going to disclose about an issue she was trying not to feel overwhelmed about.

"Aww, sweetie, I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Actually yes." Courtney pulled up her father's plan on her phone and set her phone down on the counter in front of Joanna. "This is what we're thinking about the changes. My father thought chiffon, but what do you think? I want your expertise."

Joanna put on her glasses and Courtney knew the woman meant business. After ten minutes, Courtney and Lynn left the store with knowledge and rolls of golden chiffon. With a lot of pointing and one mock swear word, the girls managed to angle the rolls into Courtney's car with the result being they could close the trunk but created a barrier between the driver and passenger seat.

"Okay, Home Depot," Courtney said to the gold fabric beside her assuming Lynn could hear her despite the wall.

"If we talk about what you're going to do about Micah is it going to be too awkward with this wall between us?" Lynn said.

"A little." But it needed to be talked about. And who else was Courtney supposed to confide in if it wasn't the best friend she was working to be completely open with? "I did call him and went to see him after the game but he wasn't in the booth. He had called me back but I missed it because I was with Bridgette."

"Did you think about going to talk to him this morning? Lynn asked.

From the corner of her eye, Courtney spotted Lynn raising herself in her seat, trying to see Courtney.

"I thought about that. But you were first on my list to fix things with."

"Really?"

"Of course. Also, I didn't think he'd be awake at six in the morning and I don't know his house alarm code."

Lynn strained over the rolls of fabric to slap Courtney's arm but only managed to brush her shoulder. Maybe the wall did have a safety aspect to it. "We could go to his house right now."

Show up at his house at seven-ten and try to fix everything while also feeling the pressure of the day and the limited time available. Would she even be able to focus on the conversation or would half of her be running through her to-do list, calculating time for everything, and wondering how soon she needed to leave?

"You're silent and the car hasn't turned around, I take it that we're not going with my genius plan."

"I don't want to get there and not be able to focus fully on him because..."

"We still have a massive project?"

"Yeah."

"That's fair."

"You don't think I'm a terrible person for putting Homecoming over him?"

"I think you're sticking to a responsibility you committed yourself to. And one that an entire school is planning on."

"I don't think his friends would see it that way. They'd say I'm choosing a stupid dance over Micah."

Lynn snorted in a derisive manner which made Courtney smile. "Yeah, clearly they've never been in a position of leadership. So they can take their thoughts and shove them somewhere very uncomfortable."

"I will talk to Micah," Courtney said. "I don't want to lose him."

"I know you will. One thing at a time."

With Lynn's reassurance that she wasn't the worst human being on the planet, Courtney led them into the chilly interior of Home Depot. Despite the early morning, the place bustled with dads ready to do Saturday projects. And then there were the two teenage girls. One of the younger workers glanced at them then stopped what he was doing to approach them.

"Do you think he likes blondes or brunettes?" Courtney whispered.

The worker's gaze touched on Courtney but settled on Lynn.

"Brunettes," Courtney said. "You're up."

Lynn tucked her hand behind her back and Courtney passed over her phone.

"Hi!" she said, putting on her cheer smile.

"Anything you need help with?" the worker asked, a smile appearing.

This is why every blonde needs a brunette best friend.

"Yup," Lynn said. When she rattled off the length of rope they needed along with the density, the worker looked surprised but nodded.

"Okay, follow me," he said.

With many smiles which resulted in the worker carrying the rope for them to their car, the girls drove to school, armed with their needed materials and determined spirits. To Courtney's surprise and relief the parking lot already held multiple cars she knew the owners of. She popped her trunk, ready to fight with the rolls of fabric to free them.

"Do you need help with that?"

Courtney turned as Max approached.

"You're here," Courtney said.

"You told me I would have to prove that I want to be part of a team," she said. "I thought this might count."

"It does. Thank you."

Max looked awkward with Courtney's sincerity but Courtney hadn't expected Max to make such an effort. She didn't feel like the rebel in the leather jacket who'd insulted her weeks ago.

"Get the rope from the back seat and take it into the gym," Courtney instructed.

"Got it."

When Max walked off with arms loaded down, Lynn raised her eyebrows at Courtney but spoke as well, not letting her eyebrows be the only thing to express her thoughts.

"That was unexpected," she said.

"Agreed but I'm not going to fight it. Now let's do this."

With less pointing more pulling, and no mock swear words but many frustrated grunts of effort, they were able to extract the rolls of fabric. As they staggered back with the weight, another set of arms joined them.

"You came," Courtney said to Aiden.

"You said it would help. Also, Lynn threatened me."

"Smart to come, she makes good on those."

Dividing up the rolls so they were manageable to carry, Aiden freed one hand to close the trunk and the group headed to the gym. Inside, Courtney found a sight that encouraged her, most of the Council had arrived and we sitting on the floor ready for commands. Courtney set her roll down when Miguel came up beside her.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

Facing him, Courtney put her hands on her hips. "I'm daunted by the amount of work that needs to be done today. I'm trying not to think about my relationship with Micah and whether there still is one. To finish it off, I'm working on not stressing about my ankle but aware that I need to be smart today so I don't strain it at all."

Miguel stared at her for a long minute then looked to Lynn, who stood next to him.

"We're working on being honest and not hiding emotions beneath business tactics," Lynn said.

"Ah. Talk to your dad last night?" Miguel asked.

"No, mother."

"Good. It's nice to hear the thoughts that I can always see on your face. Ready to get this going?"

Acknowledgment of change then back to work, one of the many reasons she loved Miguel.

"Yes." Going to the bleachers, Courtney stepped up on the bottom bench. "Can I get everyone's attention?"

Conversation cut out as students shuffled forward or swiveled on the floor to face Courtney. She smiled at them all.

"Thank you, everyone, for showing up. Today we have a lot to do and so I'll get into it. Don't worry, I don't plan to recreate yesterday's dramatic scene. Being rescued and carried away is overrated."

Yes, dear Lynn I see you giving me a pointy look but burdening workers with a leader's emotions will do nothing for morale. Emotions are for close companions and VPs. People can't rise above their leader, that's me, so smiles and jokes have their place.

"I'm going to split everyone into three groups. Hank is going to focus on putting in the anchors for our new version of the net. Coach will be over attaching leaves to the rope. Mr. Scholar will be over the covering above everything. Don't worry, I'm going to explain what that all means."

Pulling out her phone, Courtney brought up the design her father had created and sent it to everyone's phone.

"Look at your phones," she said. "This is what our new decorations are going to look like. Now I'll break it down. First-" A message appeared on her screen from Micah. Before Courtney could close her train of thought, she sent it away. "First is Hank's group."

Even though she laid out each step and broke people into groups, she felt Micah's message hovering in the corner of her mind, giving her a tiny spark of hope.

"Okay! Let's get to work. But before that, Aiden please set the mood," she said.

Like old times, Aiden found Courtney's speaker in her bag and hit play on a song. When a Lennon Kaykill song filled the gym, some people started to sing along while a few of the guys gave Aiden looks.

"Dude, seriously?" one of them called out.

In answer, Aiden raised the speaker above his head and started to sway his hips.

"Now that we are motivated, let's get to work. If you're confused about something, don't stay that way, come find me."

With the music buoying the atmosphere, everyone split up and Courtney stepped down from the bleacher. But before she could read Micah's message, Lyn intercepted her.

Crossed arms, lifted eyebrows, stern face. Yes, Lynn, I can read your thoughts.

Courtney put her hands on Lynn's shoulders. "Yes, I can be honest. But I'm not going to make everyone feel overwhelmed, it will do no good for them. I choose you and Miguel to carry my burden with me."

Courtney stared down her best friend until she saw logic.

"Fine. Where do you want me?" Lynn asked.

"Back up Coach."

"Kay."

As Lynn left, Courtney hurried off to one corner for a small bit of privacy.

Micah:
Hey. Are you awake?

Wonderful, Micah that tells me nothing about how you're feeling. Darn you flat words on a screen with no emojis! Simplest solution is usually the best.

Trying not to let her heartbeat deafen her, Courtney put the call through. Please pick up, please pick up, please pick-

"Hey."

Despite the hesitant tone, Courtney smiled at the sound of his voice.

"I'm sorry I missed your call last night," she said.

"It's okay. Hank told me you stopped by the booth after the game."

Hank, you beautiful man! I could kiss you! Though I wouldn't, might be weird with you being an older man and me dating someone else.

"Yeah, I wanted to talk to you. He said you left early."

"Felicity needed to be picked up and neither of my parents could do it."

A legit reason! Not running away.

"That makes sense." Say something more, you idiot! Say you're the world's biggest idiot which is the true plot twist in this situation and you're sorry for not being honest with him.

"I wanted to know if I could come over this morning," Micah said before Courtney could speak.

"Oh. I'm already at school."

"Right, Homecoming."

"Can you stop by?"

"I can't. I have to take Isaiah to a chess tournament in half an hour because dad is showing houses and mom is with Destiny and Felicity."

"That's okay. We could-"

"Cory."

Courtney turned around at Aiden's call. "Your dad is here."

"What?" she said.

"Yeah, he showed up and he's looking for you."

Great timing, Father.

"Okay. Thanks." She turned away, wanting to create a small bubble again with her and Micah.

"You have to go?" Micah asked.

"Yeah. I'm sorry."

"I get it, Cory. I hope today goes well."

"Thanks."

Neither of them hung up but neither of them said anything more. After a second, the other end went dead and Courtney lowered her phone. A minute and six seconds. The call had only lasted one minute and six seconds, no longer. She couldn't tell if that short period of time had made things better or worse.

"Cory?"

Trying to brush away the feeling of not being on solid ground, Courtney faced Aiden with what she hoped was a calm and expectant expression. At the intense way he looked at her, she didn't think she pulled it off that well.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.

"Not really. We have a lot to do today," she said. "Am I allowed to say that?"

"Yeah, you're being honest about not wanting to say anything. That's okay."

"Okay."

"Just so you know, Tommy couldn't make it down last night but he messaged me this morning. He's on the road and should be here in time."

Tommy. Aiden's cousins. DJ for the dance. Well, let's hope.

"Okay, keep me updated if that changes," Courtney said. "Where's my dad?"

It was a pointless question as her father was impossible not to instantly find. When he entered a room he drew attention simply by the force of his personality. As Courtney headed his way, she wondered if he was to blame for her popularity. Maybe his charisma was hereditary and she'd been unfortunately given a heavy dose of it.

"What are you doing here?" Courtney asked.

"Funny way to greet a supportive father here to help you with your project."

"Are you really here for that?"

"Yeah. I created the design for it, I felt it was only fair I make sure it doesn't fail. My name is on it after all."

"I'm going to hit you now," Courtney said then slapped his arm.

Her father grinned and hugged her. "It's good to know that you acknowledge that you'd be helpless without me." He released her and held her at arm's length. "Enough of that. There's no time for familial affection. We have work to do."

Like a switch, one Courtney realized she'd been born with, her father turned into the man who turned struggling companies into flourishing ones.

With him by her side, Courtney found the overwhelming feeling lifting. And her feelings over Micah... that she knew in time would be worked out. She had to hope it would. For the time being though, she mirrored her father, working with a focus that kept everyone around them moving but with a high spirit that kept everyone from getting worn out.

When it came time that most everyone needed to leave to get ready, but there still remained things to be done, Courtney didn't stress. Instead, she volunteered to remain behind while others went home.

"But you need to get ready too," Lynn said. "I'll stay."

"No. I need you to get changed so that you can come replace me. I need someone to be here when the yearbook photographers show up to take pictures of the Homecoming Court nominees."

"That's you, Cory."

"I'm fine missing out on that. Go, Lynn. I'm serious."

Kimber draped an arm around Courtney. "I'll stay. I'm not part of Homecoming Court."

"I can stay too," Aiden said.

Lynn grabbed his arm, pulling him to her side. "No, you can't. You are part of Homecoming Court and I need your help when I come back."

"That's settled," Courtney said. "Now we still work to do, so leave."

Even though both Lynn and Aiden looked like they didn't want to leave Courtney, they walked off. Courtney focused back on the final tasks and felt like she didn't look up until the last bites of scarps were gone and Hank was taking a broom to the floor.

Even then, as Courtney looked around the finished product, she didn't take in the beauty of it, instead only checked off the list in her mind. With the assurance everything was in place and it seconded by her father, she passed the role of overseer to Coach who would wait for Lynn and drove home.

As daughter and father walked into the house, Courtney looked at her father.

"Thank you," she said.

Wrapping an arm around her, her father kissed the top of her messy hair. "My pleasure, Sunshine. Now I'm going to find your mother and ask her if she wants to be an old person with me and fall asleep to a movie."

Courtney understood that sentiment. With the late night followed by the early morning, the long day with only a ten-minute lunch break, and the long periods of time on her ankle, she felt worn out. A feeling she hoped a shower and getting ready would erase.

"Have fun with that," Courtney said.

"Have fun tonight," her father said. "Try to enjoy the masterpiece I designed for you."

"The original idea was mine."

"Then it's our masterpiece."

"Okay. Our masterpiece."

Dragging herself upstairs, Courtney grabbed a pair of cheer joggers and a comfy tee to change into after her shower and went to the bathroom. Though the warm water relaxed her muscles, the effort of blow-drying her hair seemed to counteract part of the shower's rejuvenation. The following fifteen minutes of applying her makeup wiped out the last part.

Walking back into her room, she flopped onto her bed.

I'll close my eyes for a second and then get dressed. I just need... a little... rest...

**********************************************************************

OH NO! *makes a dramatically shocked face*

BLAZING BUCKETS OF FIRE! A cursing cliff hanger!!

How are you hangin' in there?

It's okay to yell at me, I'm happily sitting on the grassy spot next to the edge and won't really hear your outcry with the way the wind blows. But go ahead and yell.

HAHA! Now that you've killed your lungs screaming curses at me, I'll talk.

This is a proud parent moment for me. Cory, our dearest Cory, is growing up! She's facing that fact that hiding her emotions isn't actually healthy. This is a huge step forward for her. Yes, like a toddler she's wobbling and not making the steps steadily, but that's to be expected. Change doesn't happen with a snap of your fingers.

Though I wish it would, I feel like it would make life so much easier. You decide you're going to start exercising and like that it's just a fact in your life. It's not a constantly struggle of doing it and arguing with yourself that it's for your benefit...

Gosh it would be so nice. But *sigh* such is life!

*crawls to the edge of the cliff and peers down on you, resting my chin on my arms*

As an expert with dealing with cliff hangers, do you have any predictions on how this one will be resolved?

Now! We are voting! We We are voting! We we are... so tiring. Just vote, comment, follow if you feel like it!

Heads up! Not to give you another heart attack or anything but there are only two chapters plus an epilogue-ish type dealio thing left!