There was another knock on the door. The sleep crusted in the corner of her eyes told her she had been asleep for some time before this interruption.

"One second." She hung her legs off the bed and looked at the time.

Nearly two hours gone...

Her father's voice emerged from behind the bedroom door. "There's someone at the front door for you."

That revelation made her hurry her sluggish form out of the room. Her father followed her down the hallway. When she walked into the foyer she noticed the front door was shut.

Either Dad is trying to conserve the air conditioning or he is being very rude to whoever is behind it...

She swung it open and heard "Surprise!" Jenny, Alex, Anna and Evie shouted at her with their bags and pillows in hand.

"We decided to come for a sleepover," Jenny explained as she opened the screen door.

"My Dad drove us," Alex continued as she stepped inside.

"I brought chips and junk," Anna added.

"And I've got movies," Evie finished.

Emily stared at her friends with a ridiculous grin on her face. "I can't believe you're all here. This is so great!"

Suzanne walked in from the backyard with the dogs on her heels. They yapped and jumped at the congregation of girls. "Oh good, they're here. Let me take those shopping bags into the kitchen. The pool is clean, the grill is hot and your brother and his friends should be here soon," she said over her shoulder as she exited with the treats.

Jenny shifted her pillow from one arm to the other. "I arranged everything with your brother."

Emily's cheeks hurt she was smiling so widely at her friends. "Well let's go put your stuff in my room. But first... group hug!"

She put her arms around Jenny and Alex who were beside her and pulled them into an embrace. Anna and Evie squished into the fold as well.

A few minutes later, Jenny and Emily sat in their bikinis on the far edge of pool with their legs dangling in the water. John and Sam had disappeared into the house. Jerry, Grace, Evie and Anna played horseshoes on the other side of the yard.

Emily swirled her feet in lazy circles in the water. A fluffy towel rested on her shoulders. She watched Donnie flirt with Alex at the patio table.

Jenny squeezed her dripping ponytail out onto the pavers beside her. "So did you talk to Kelly and ya know... let him down or whatever?"

Emily leaned back and looked up, squinting at the sky. The towel fell from her shoulders. "Not exactly."

Jenny picked up the towel and used it to dry her hair some more. "Oh. I thought that maybe that's why he wasn't here."

Emily looked at Jenny and shrugged. "He said he would come back later."

Jenny stopped drying her hair and looked at Emily. "Did you change your mind?"

"Not exactly." Emily stopped moving her feet and sighed.

She leaned forward and looked into the water. It was an unnaturally intense blue, colored by the plastic liner. The churning water made her reflection marbled and barely visible.

Jenny chuckled nervously beside her. "So do you think both Kelly and Evan will be here later? At the same time?"

"I think so. I mean... I'm guessing." Emily observed the waves slowly dissipating, her image gradually coming together as the water stilled.

Jenny laughed more. "Oh man Em! Aren't you nervous? It makes me anxious just thinking about it."

"It's probably going to be a total disaster." Emily stopped looking at her likeness, distracted by a small beetle that was drowning in the water. She reached into the water and scooped out the tiny floundering insect.

Jenny wrinkled her nose at the bug in Emily's hand and said, "Well, I'm excited to meet Evan."

Emily dumped the bug into the grass behind them as the patio door slid open.

A cake emerged, candles ablaze, in the hands of Suzanne. Emily watched her father, John, Samantha and Kelly file out of the door next. Samantha began the birthday song, which made the group playing horseshoes abandon their game. They joined the parade toward the patio.

Jenny stood up. "You have a wish to make," she said as she encouraged Emily to her feet.

They walked over to the patio table and met the throng, who put the cake before Emily.

She scrutinized the neat rows of thin, straight candles while they melted. The beads of hot wax rolled down their red, green, yellow and blue sides. The drops looked translucent for a moment before they swirled together and pooled in the white icing. As they cooled, they became muddied puddles against the pristine sugar. Emily observed the blobs harden.

My life feels like those candles... The shape of things is different... Everything is messier... If I really wanted to, I could collect that wax, melt it down and add new wicks... But no matter how hard I work to set things back to the old order, they will never be exactly the same again... Like a chemical reaction... Something within me has been lit and it changed me...

The song was over and everyone stared at her. They silently waited for her to make a wish and blow out the candles. The candles grew shorter and shorter with each passing moment.

What do I want? Do I even believe in wishes anymore?

Then she took a deep breath and blew out the candles before they could disappear completely.

John Sr. sliced the cake and Suzanne passed the plates around. Kelly waved off a piece and went back into the house. Emily watched him go as she ate and wondered if he wanted her to follow him. She turned to Sam and said, "Hey, let's dance. It's my birthday and I want to dance."

Emily blasted The Go-Gos "Head Over Heels." She grabbed Jenny's hands and spun her around. Sam yelled, "Eighties dance party!" as she pulled Grace away from Jerry.

The other girls immediately abandoned their cake to join in. They tried out all types of silly dance moves. They mashed potato and twisted. They did the pony and the cabbage-patch. Anna even imitated a sprinkler.

Emily noticed Kelly emerge through the patio door during the last chorus. He held her sweater. The song ended and Madonna's "Lucky Star" began as the side gate squeaked open and Evan walked into the yard.

Jenny leaned in and whispered, "The moment of truth? Introduce me to Evan. I'll chat with him to distract him while you talk with Kelly."

Emily nodded.

It's as good a plan as any...

She took Jenny's hand and they walked over to Evan.

He leaned down to give Emily a kiss and she offered him her cheek. He furrowed his brow but kissed it. "So I'm guessing this is the infamous Jenny."

Jenny blushed. "Oh God! I hope Emily explained that was the only fight we've ever had, but I can only imagine what she said about me this month."

Evan laughed. "Don't worry. It's been all good, for the most part."

Emily bit her thumbnail and looked over her shoulder at Kelly, who spoke with a concerned looking John. She turned back to Evan and Jenny, then said, "Excuse me. I have to go to the bathroom."

It's not exactly a lie because I'm so nervous I feel like I might vomit up that cake...

She went inside and straight into the bathroom. After she washed her hands, Emily stared at herself in the mirror to give herself a pep talk. "You can do this Emily Louise. You... can... do... this!"

When she stepped out of the bathroom Kelly stood in the hallway leaning against the wall.

He smirked at her. "Talking to yourself?"

She shut the bathroom light. "Yep."

"Getting any answers?"

His cavalier attitude is annoying me... My doctor says self-talk can be very helpful...

"Sort of." She brushed past him into the bedroom.

He followed her and suddenly Emily felt very self-conscious that she stood there in a bikini while he was fully clothed. Her ears burned and she grabbed a pair of shorts from the drawer and jerked them on.

Kelly remained mute, observing her. He held out the cardigan. Emily gripped it, but he didn't let go.

"Do you think I give a damn about a sweater?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Well you took it..."

Before she could finish her thought, he exclaimed, "Because it was the only thing you would give me. And you're not even giving me that much!"

He let go of the material and Emily hugged it against her chest.

I don't think that we are talking about my sweater anymore...

Kelly took a step closer and confirmed her suspicion.

"I don't want your sweater." He grabbed her by the shoulders. "What I want, is you!"

His palms were clammy on her skin.

He continued, "If you lived here you wouldn't have to worry about uniform sweaters."

Emily slid from his hands. She turned toward the window. "You can't be serious?"

She turned to face him again. Kelly scrubbed his hands through his hair.

He lowered his voice instead of raising it. "Why not? Why can't you live here? Think of how much easier things would be for you."

It sounds no less urgent and scary than if he had yelled it...

Emily picked up her backpack and flung it on the bed. "I think you mean easier for you."

She pulled the tab of the zipper and watched the interlocking pieces gradually come apart. She spoke just as slowly. "Maybe I don't mind hard work."

The zipper's rasp sounded like her nerves unraveling. "Maybe I like wearing a uniform."

She stuffed her sweater inside. "Maybe I'm not who you think I am."

Emily stared at the jagged set of tiny teeth and gritted her own. "And maybe... Maybe I just don't fit into this life... into your life... the way you think I do."

Kelly sighed. His voice sounded strangled and small when he finally conceded, "Maybe."

She quickly zipped the bag closed again.

"I did say you could screw me up anytime you wanted and you certainly did an excellent job at it." He laughed bitterly.

Emily turned to apologize to him, but his back was already to her and his hand was on the door.

"Tell John I'll text him later," he said before he twisted the knob and departed.

He left the door open behind him. Emily whispered, "I'm sorry" to the empty room.

She heard the dogs bark, the front door slam and his car pull away outside.

Emily stepped back out into the yard again. Her father and stepmother were gone, retreated to their bedroom. John, Sam, Donnie, Jerry and Grace were seated around the patio table, while Evan was surrounded by Jenny, Alex, Anna and Evie on the lounge chairs.

The lines have clearly been drawn...

Her brother raised his eyebrows at her.

She said, "He'll text you later."

John frowned and nodded.

I wonder if he's relieved that he won't have to worry about his best friend and little sister hooking up anymore... He's probably grateful that his world will return to normal...

She walked toward the lounge chairs. Evan stood up when he saw her and she saw him nervously scan the yard for Kelly. Then he exhaled and graced her with an enormous smile.

I don't feel like smiling back though...

"Are you okay?" he asked, as his eyes fell upon her shoulders.

They were blotched red where Kelly had clutched at her. Emily's overly sensitive skin hinted at the uncomfortable encounter she just had.

She mumbled, "Depends on who you ask."

He stepped closer. "Want to take a walk?"

Emily picked up her shirt from the chair and put it on. "I can't just leave them. It would be rude."

Evan reached across and fixed the edge of her shirt-sleeve which had flipped up on her arm. "Just for a few minutes?"

Emily looked up into his eyes.

They're the color of the pool beside us... just as the chemicals in the pool soften the water... I can feel his eyes softening me...

"I don't think they'll mind." He pointed towards her friends. They were looking at one another's photos on their phones and laughing.

Emily nodded and turned toward the side gate.

Once they were in front Evan said, "One minute."

He jogged into his garage and emerged with a bmx bike. He patted the frame, just in front of the seat he was perched on. "Hop on."

"Seriously?" Emily asked.

"Yes. Seriously." He chuckled.

She rolled her eyes and climbed to sit side-saddle on the bar. Her legs cleared the ground easily. Evan put his arms on either side of her to grip the handlebars. He pedaled quickly, winding them through the development. The breeze felt wonderful blowing through her hair.

As they approached one particular hill, he warned "Hold on tight!"

They went over the apex and dipped down suddenly. Emily couldn't contain the joyous laugh that bubbled out of her when her stomach dropped and her heart fluttered at the change.

Soon Evan turned out of the development and into the neighboring one. Finally he pulled out of the road onto the sidewalk, and stopped on a nondescript street.

Emily climbed off the bike. "Where are we?"

"You'll see. Follow me." He wheeled his bike in between bushes, behind someone's back fence.

"I think you really enjoy dragging my urban butt through the weeds."

He turned back and winked at her. "Honestly, I enjoy anything that involves your butt."

When Emily stepped from behind his back she found herself in a small rundown playground. It was tucked in the wooded area behind the backyards of a group of six houses. She walked further into the clearing.

Evan laid his bike down on the moss and followed her.

She approached the swings. The chains clinked, swaying in the light breeze and sounding like wind chimes. Emily sat on the warm rubber seat. It conformed to her body and hugged her. She felt herself smiling. "What a strange little spot!"

Evan came behind her and grabbed the chains. Her feet left the turf as he pulled her backwards to lift her up into the air. He spoke beside her ear as she dangled there. "I guess I'm drawn to strange, little things."

He let her go and she swung forward. The metal hangers squealed loudly above her head. Emily's feet pointed towards the sky before she pumped her legs backward as her body descended. She found Evan waiting in the other swing beside her.

Together they swung wordlessly for a few minutes.

With his long legs and powerful muscles, he could easily swing much higher than I can... But he's holding himself back and matching my arc as closely as he can...

When Emily stopped her swing she felt much better.

She laughed as Evan leapt from his seat into mid-air. He landed on his feet, turned and came over to seize the chains of her swing. Emily planted her feet into the compacted dirt below.

When he leaned down to kiss her, she rotated around. The links twisted above her head, so she faced away from him.

So Evan criss-crossed her towards him yet again, further tangling the metal. She twirled away once more, until her toes barely held her in place. Evan coiled her back in his direction.

He laughed triumphantly when her feet no longer had purchase on the ground. Then he screwed the swing around two more times before giving her a hearty kiss on the lips. Finally, Evan let go with a generous thrust.

Emily squealed and bowed her head, resting her chin against her chest, as she spun furiously in place. She didn't close her eyes. Instead she stared at the ground as it became a blurring whirl of greens and browns.

The chain gave her a small jerk when it completely unraveled. Then it sent her in the opposite direction for a half turn. Emily abruptly faced forward when it stopped with a final jolt. She looked up at Evan who chuckled at her.

Emily stood and tried to walk a straight line towards him. Her unsteady gait only made him laugh harder. She collapsed against him and they dropped to the grass.

"Dizzy?" he asked.

Emily nodded.

He pulled her closer against him. "Good. Now you know how I feel whenever I'm around you."

"So I make you feel like you want to barf?" Emily laughed and closed her eyes, but it made the motion in her head worse.

I need to make the world steady again... Find a point to fix my sight on...

Emily opened her eyes and looked up at Evan. His face was a model of severe determination.

Like the emotions and facial expressions cards that they made me study in therapy when I was younger...

Her dizziness didn't abate. She closed her eyes again and felt Evan inhale deeply. His breathe came out and then the words followed. "I'm being serious Emily. And I'm going to ask you again..."

Emily whispered, "Please don't."

But Evan grabbed her left wrist, kissed it. "Will you be my girlfriend? Please?"

Emily pulled from his arms and sat up. She stared at the swings. "You have baseball camp this summer. And hopefully I'll go away for camp too, but that's during different weeks. Then it'll be your Senior year. You'll be dealing with college scouts and college applications. You aren't going to have much time for any girl. Not even a basic one..."

His voice was low and sad. "I'd like to think I would make time for the right one."

Emily kept going. "...Add over an hour commute for visits. I'll be in rehearsals for one play or another. And then eventually you'll be in some faraway spot for college ball, which will certainly be way more than one hour away. By then I'll be doing all of the college application stuff myself."

She sighed. "Evan, I like you..."

He sat up behind her and put his arms around her. He rested his chin on her shoulder. "Good, because I like you."

Emily leaned more fully into his embrace. Her heart raced. "Honestly, I care about you a lot more in two weeks than I ever thought I would."

Evan nodded against her shoulder. "So then we're in agreement again."

Emily tugged at a thicket of dandelion puffs on the ground beside her. "But..." The roots began to give way beneath the crumbling soil. She listened to the soft shredding sound they made as she rended the clump from the earth. "...none of this makes sense at all and to pursue something past friendship is probably pointless."

Evan took her hand that held the dandelions and lifted it up. He leaned over her shoulder and blew. They watched as hundreds of miniscule umbrella shaped seeds twirled away from them to infiltrate the surrounding areas.

I wonder how far they will travel and how long it will take before new yellow petals bloom...

"You're not the only person that got to make a wish today," Evan said flatly as he stood up from behind her.

Emily dropped the now barren stems and wiped her hands together. "Are you mad?"

Evan stepped in front of her and held out his palm. When he spoke his voice was strained. "I'm not mad. I'm disappointed, and... resolved."

Emily took his hand and let him pull her to her feet.

He squeezed her fingers gently and lowered his voice. "But I'd rather be your friend than never have you in my life again."

Evan picked up his bike and they walked back out to the street. He said, "Sit on the handlebars instead of the frame for the ride home."

I suspect it's because then his arms won't be around me...

Emily put her foot on the front wheel and hoisted herself up.

Sitting up higher like this is definitely scarier for me... I feel more vulnerable...

But Evan pedaled slower on the way back than he did on his way to the park. When they stopped in front of her father's house, Emily hopped down but Evan remained straddling his bike.

They stood staring at each other unsure of how to proceed.

"So... want to come back to the party?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Go have fun with your girls."

Emily leaned over to kiss his cheek goodbye, just as Evan turned his face to do the same. Their lips made accidental, lopsided contact.

"I guess we need practice at not kissing," he joked.

"I guess so." She blushed.

Evan smirked at her. "That's something I hope I never get good at. I'll talk to you tomorrow Brooklyn."

Emily sighed. "Night, Jersey."

She walked into the backyard alone. The sun now dipped well below the trees, forcing the backyard into obscurity, but still Emily could clearly see Jenny's mouth hang open in shock. John and his friends passed by on their way out of the yard.

He said, "We're going to play some basketball in front. I'll turn on the patio lights for you. Need anything else?"

Emily shook her head and pulled off her shirt. "Just a dip in the pool," she said, as she unbuttoned her fly. Then she removed her shorts and cannon-balled into the water.

Emily stayed under the water to let the calmness and warmth embrace her. She listened to her own heartbeat. But soon she heard the muffled explosions of four other bodies catapulting themselves into the spaces around her while the water buffeted her. She rose to the surface to find her friends floating and laughing beside her.

"So what happened?" Jenny asked.

Emily dipped her hair into the water and smoothed it back, away from her face, before she explained. "We're going to try to be friends."

Alex clutched a pool noodle. "Whose choice was that?"

"Mine. It's for the best I think." Emily sighed.

Anna grabbed the wall. "You're probably right. I mean your life is pretty complicated already. Adding a boyfriend to the mix sounds crazy to me."

Evie splashed Anna. "Where's your sense of romance Anna? Personally, I think the best relationships develop from friendship anyway."

Jenny treaded water beside Emily. "When did you decide that you were going to do that?"

Emily stretched out to float on her back. She stared up at the sky and found Polaris. "Did you know that the light we see from the North Star took 433 years to get here?"

Jenny looked up. "I had no idea. But what has that got to do with anything?"

Emily smiled. "Some things just take some time to become apparent."