"Maybe we should get those bumper things," I suggested to Kylie, as another one of her bowling balls ended up in the gutter.

"Absolutely not," she declined, with a huff. "I'm going to get the hang of this."

"Well you're at a grand total of zero for the game," Steven deadpanned. "So good luck."

"You shut your face," Kylie warned, lowering her eyes at him.

He cracked a smile at that.

Pretty sure it was his first one of the night.

Kylie plopped down next to me, folding her arms across her chest.

"My turn?" Bryce asked, rising to his feet.

"Yes Mr. I'm-Perfect-At-Bowling," Kylie said, venom dripping from her words.

Bryce chuckled, flashing her a pearly white smile. "Watch and learn."

"I hate your boyfriend," Kylie muttered.

I glanced up at the scoreboard.

Bryce was currently leading, with Steven right behind him.

Because they were the two most competitive people that ever walked the face of the planet.

Then there was me, followed by Kylie.

"Don't mess up!" I called out, as Bryce reached the lane.

I could see his shoulders shaking in laughter.

He bowled a perfect strike.

"I give up!" Kylie announced, flopping back in her seat.

"Beat that," Bryce said to Steven, as he came back to his seat.

"Hey Bryce?" Marnie called, coming over from the lane next to us.

She was also in the Junior class at our school. I exchanged glances with Kylie, wondering how we hadn't noticed her before.

We should've said hello.

"We couldn't help but notice how you're killing it out there," Marnie gushed.

"Tell us about it," Kylie muttered.

I, however, couldn't help but straighten up in my seat a little bit.

I'm not usually the jealous type. But the way that she'd just flitted over here to talk to my boyfriend about his bowling skills? That definitely sent up some red flags for me.

"I was just wondering if you could come over and give us some pointers?"

Confusion crossed Bryce's face. "Pointers?"

Marnie giggled, tilting her head to the side. "Yeah, show us some of your top secret skills. You know, if you're allowed to share them."

"This bitch," Kylie muttered.

"Um," Bryce said, shooting me a confused glance.

He's so dense.

Girlfriend Sophie will rescue him.

"We're sort of in the middle of a game here," I said, standing up.

Marnie glanced over at me, as if noticing I was here for the first time. "Right, well it would only take a few minutes."

"This bitch," Kylie said, a little louder this time as she stood up.

"Down," I ordered, pressing Kylie back in her seat. "Maybe afterwards," I said to Marnie, with a smile.

Marnie looked to Bryce for confirmation.

"Right," Bryce agreed, with a nod.

"Looking forward to it," Marnie said, flashing him a smile before heading back over to her lane.

"That's right!" Kylie called over her. "Stay in your lane."

Marnie shot her a glare over her shoulder.

"What was that?" Bryce asked.

"Are you really that stupid?" Steven asked him.

"Don't insult me."

"She was flirting with you," I informed Bryce.

"Why?"

Steven busted out into laughter. "Good question."

Bryce shot him a look. "She knows I have a girlfriend."

"That's sitting right here," I added.

"That's why she needs to stay in her lane!" Kylie called out, loudly enough for Marnie and her friends to hear.

"That joke was funny the first time, overplayed now," Steven informed her.

"As I said earlier, shut up and work the scoreboard."

Steven just rolled his eyes.

I wrapped my arms around Bryce's neck, catching him by surprise.

"What are you-" Bryce started.

I kissed him, pressing my body up against his.

"Jesus," I heard Steven mutter.

I wasn't usually one for public PDA, but I also wasn't one that usually got jealous.

So this was all new territory for me.

I pulled away after I felt I successfully made my point, flashing Bryce a smile.

"Are you done?" he asked, with an amused smile.

"I don't know, is she looking over here?"

Bryce glanced over my shoulder. "Yeah."

"Then I think I made my point."

"I've never seen this side of you."

"Me either."

"I like it."

"I'm not sure that I do."

"Maybe you should show her up some more."

I lightly whacked Bryce in the chest, stepping back from him.

He chuckled, ducking down and kissing my cheek. "You know you're the only girl I-"

"Oh my God," Steven moaned, interrupting Bryce's soliloquy. "Please don't torture us anymore."

Bryce turned and glanced at Steven over his shoulder. "I won't hesitate to punch you in the face."

"That would be less painful than watching this."

"Then avert your eyes."

"I'd still have to hear it."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Bryce let out a long sigh, as though Steven's existence was the most annoying thing he's had to deal with.

"Are we going to finish this thing or what?" Steven asked, propping his feet up on the scoreboard. "I told my mom I'd be home by 11."

~*~

"Do you like it Ms. Sophie?" Carly asked me, staring at me with wide eyes.

I stared at her tile, tilting my head to the side as I tried to decipher what it was.

"It's beautiful," I said, with a smile.

"Do you think my mom will like it?"

"She'll love it," I promised.

"What about mine Ms. Sophie?" Sam called out behind me.

"Wait, Ms. Sophie, come look at mine first!" Nina begged.

Great. I've opened up a floodgate.

"I'll come around and look at everyone's once we're finished," I promised.

"But I am done," Sam insisted.

Of course.

"I'll come around at the end," I said, offering him a sympathetic smile.

He folded his arms across his chest, pouting.

Well boohoo.

I checked my phone, seeing that I had a text from Kylie.

She'd just picked up the supplies we'd need for tomorrow's Art project and was headed back to the camp.

Great, because I don't think I could handle being by these kids all by myself much longer.

I checked the time, letting out a long sigh.

"Alright guys, it's time to start cleaning up."

Cleaning up paint was going to take more time and patience than I think I had left in me.

"All the paintbrushes go in the sink!" I called out. "Leave your dirty water cups-"

And one water cup already hit the floor.

The kids' eyes all traveled up to me, silent as they waited for my instruction.

"Be careful," I instructed, in a patient voice. "Brett, get some paper towels, okay?"

And then a second water cup hit the floor.

I couldn't help but think back to Clayton, how he'd bribed Brian to spill his apple juice earlier this summer by paying him a dollar every time it happened.

"You too Jane," I said, with a sigh. "Guys, you have to be careful."

All the heads nodded as they went to put their paintbrushes in the sink, careful to avoid the spilt water.

And then a third water cup hit the floor.

My eyes narrowed.

We didn't have this many accidents.

"Okay," I said, placing my hands on my hips. "What's going on?"

The kids all giggled.

I thought so.

"If another water cup hits the floor, we're having raisins for snack."

That sobered them up real quick.

Quincy went and got some paper towels to clean up the water he spilt on the floor, and I glanced around the room, trying to figure out the ulterior motive here.

Kylie wouldn't put a childish prank like this.

Steven.

"What did Anderson promise you?" I demanded.

All the kids stared at me in confusion.

"Steven," I amended. "What did Steven promise you?"

The kids all giggled again.

"For spilling your water on the floor," I continued. "What did Steven promise you?"

Nobody spoke.

I walked over to Oliver, lowering my eyes at him.

"Free time instead of rest time tomorrow!"

The door to the Art room opened, and Kylie came in, whistling as she twirled her car keys around her finger, a bag full of Art supplies dangling from her arm.

She paused when she saw the kids all staring at her.

"What?"

"Steven," I growled.

"He's here?" she asked, glancing around.

"He's been manipulating the children."

"And I'm supposd to be surprised by that?"

"What does man-i-plating mean?" Oliver asked, tugging on my arm.

"Finish cleaning up," I said, glancing around at the kids. "And I don't want anymore spilled water, or we'll have double the rest time tomorrow and no free time."

All of the kids groaned.

"Whoa, cool it there," Kylie said, with a laugh.

"Steven promised them something about spilling water and they'll have no rest time tomorrow and free time instead," I informed her.

"So that's why it looks like someone opened an indoor swimming pool in here?" She peered down at the mess Jane was currently wiping up. "And it's purple."

"They were painting tiles."

"Right."

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. "I'll get back at him."

She patted my arm. "I'm sure you will." She began unpacking the supplies for tomorrow. "I didn't know Steven was coming back tomorrow."

"I didn't either. How did he even talk to the kids? He hasn't been here."

"Probably through Ms. Wilcott."

"That traitor."

She laughed. "She's always been a turncoat."

"Once you guys are done putting your paintbrushes away, you can go and wash your hands in the bathroom and then come straight back!" I called out.

"You trust them?" Kylie asked.

"Enough."

"So let's talk about something more important."

"And what's that?"

"Your three-year anniversary?"

"Oh, that."

"Yes, that!" Kylie squealed. "Any idea what the big plans are?"

"What big plans?" I asked, with a laugh.

"It's Bryce. He's a hopeless romantic. We know this."

"It's Bryce. He's on Chemo this weekend. We know this."

"It's your three-year anniversary," Kylie gushed. "Something amazing is going to happen, I just know it."

"Well if that's the case, he hasn't dropped any hints."

"You've lost your romantic touch," Kylie said, nudging me. "Have a little faith."

I couldn't help but feel a buzz of excitement as I stared at Kylie's smile. "I don't know, maybe."

"Don't maybe me. You know I'm right."

I couldn't help but giggle. "I'm just not getting my hopes up, okay?"

"Well get them up. Sky high even. Three years with the love of your life is a big deal."

I rolled my eyes. "And you say that Bryce is the hopeless romantic."

~*~

"I'm glad that you came over," Regina said, as she led me through the foyer. "Bryce has been a bit down in spirits."

"Really?" I asked, with a slight frown.

He seemed okay through our texts today.

"I don't know what it is," Regina confessed, glancing over her shoulder at me. "The only thing I can think of is Mr. John's death."

"He seemed to handle it pretty well," I said, furrowing my eyebrows. "He was okay at the funeral."

"As I said, I don't really know. I was hoping you'd cheer him up a bit."

"Well that is my specialty."

She laughed, waving her hand at me as she stopped in the kitchen, gesturing for me to continue on back to Bryce's room.

I headed on back, knocking twice on his bedroom door before pushing it open.

He was stretched out on his bed, his chin resting on a pillow on the edge of his bed as he watched Hairspray.

"You should be in the Fall Musical at school," I suggested, sidling up next to him on the bed.

"What's the Fall Musical?"

"Nothing yet. But it could be Hairspray. All it takes is the influential suggestion of the starting pitcher."

He chuckled, glancing over at me. "I can't sing."

"Minor details."

"Or dance."

"Also minor details. You know all the words, songs, and the routines. I'm sure they can train you."

He just shook his head, a faint smile on his face as his eyes travelled back to the movie.

"So how was your day been?" I inquired.

"Exactly like this."

"Not feeling so hot?"

"Day two of Chemo isn't exactly up there on my Kick-Ass List."

"I know, but you seem off."

"You've been here all of thirty seconds."

"And I can already tell. Call it my Spidey Girlfriend Senses."

He glanced over at me again, the smile on his face gone. "I'm fine."

"If you say so, truly and honestly, then I'll believe you."

He glanced over at the TV again in silence.

Dawson came into the room, letting out a whine.

"Go away," Bryce muttered.

Dawson bounded up onto the bed, lying practically on top of Bryce.

"I hate you," Bryce groaned, shoving Dawson off to the side of him, which ended up between practically on top of me.

"Sorry babe," Bryce apologized.

I laughed, pushing myself up onto all fours and leaning back against Bryce's headrest. "Dawson, why must you always be the center of attention?"

"Because he's an attention whore," Bryce said, wrapping his arms around Dawson and resting his face against Dawson's face. "What do you want?"

Dawson just licked Bryce's face.

"If that's all, then you've made your point."

Then Bryce pushed himself up, leaning back against his headrest next to me.

Dawson stretched out on the bottom of Bryce's bed, taking his usual spot.

I wrapped my arms around Bryce, pulling him close to me.

"Are you going to lick my face too?" Bryce asked, burrowing his head into the crook of my shoulder.

"I want you to tell me what's bothering you," I said, kissing the top of his head.

"Well, I had a dream that I would own a coin-operated Laundromat, but I came down from that dream pretty quickly," Edna Turnblad said on Hairspray.

"Everything," Bryce whispered.

"What?" I asked, my eyes dropping down to him, away from the TV.

"Everything is bothering me."

I reached over and muted the movie, much to Bryce's dismay.

He pulled away from my embrace, wiping a tear off of his face.

"Why are you crying?" I asked, feeling my own heart break as I reached over and wiped another tear off of his face.

Bryce was hurting.

"Because I don't want to die."

I felt as though I'd been stabbed in the heart. Repeatedly.

"What?"

"I. Don't Want. To Die."

"Why would you think you're going to die?"

Bryce reached up and wiped underneath his eyes, taking a few moments to regain control over his emotions.

I reached out and took his hands in mine, intertwining his fingers with mine as I stared into his ice blue eyes, which were currently clouded with a profound amount of pain.

"I mean, it's inevitable isn't it?" Bryce asked, with a slight laugh. "Mr. John died."

"What?"

Bryce shut his eyes. "Mr. John wasn't supposed to die."

"Bryce, he had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he was living on borrowed..."

And then it clicked.

"Bryce, you don't think because Mr. John died-"

"He was supposed to live." His eyes opened again, staring directly into mine. "Mr. John can't die."

"Bryce, just because Mr. John died of cancer, that doesn't mean you're destined too as well. You're not him."

He shook his head, pressing his lips together. "What hope is there for me Sophie?"

"Every hope Bryce. The Chemo is working for you."

"Is it?"

"What do you-"

"We don't actually have proof of that," Bryce pointed out. "We have proof that the tumor is stable. But it's not shrinking. I have a cancerous tumor in my brain that isn't shrinking."

"But it's stable," I said, squeezing his hands. "And that's the most important step in the equation. And the rest we can figure out."

"We can't."

"We can."

"We aren't scientists. There isn't a cure for cancer. And I'm going to die. Just like Mr. John. Just like all of those before me. I have cancer, and I'm going to die."

And then I saw it. Defeat. Bryce is taking Mr. John's death as his own death sentence, and he's accepted defeat.

I ripped my hands together, leaning forward on all fours until my face was inches away from Bryce's, taking him by surprise.

"Get it. Together." I ordered, my voice low.

Bryce stared at me with wide eyes.

"Listen to what I'm saying."

Bryce just continued to stare at me.

"You're not dying. You're not dead. You still have a life to live, which if you ask me is already a gift in itself. Even when Mr. John was given his death sentence, he still didn't give up. He was still out there at every baseball game, cheering on his only son. He still did everything and anything he was capable of doing, up until the very end. So you don't get to give up when you still have life. You don't get to give up when you still have cards on the table. And you don't get to give up when you still have hope. Even if it's just a sliver of hope, because that's enough to hold on to. So get it together."

And then I fell back, my breathing ragged and my vision blurry from the tears that had built up in my eyes.

And then Bryce surged forward, planting his lips on mine.

My eyes widened in surprise, and it took me a few moments before I kissed back, and a few more moments before I pulled away due to confusion.

"And I still have you," Bryce breathed, his eyes searching mine. "To put me in my place when I lose my way. And to remind me that I still have a hell of a life worth living for."

"Well that is my specialty," I whispered.

And then he laid me out on my back, his hips pressing into mine as he hungrily pressed his lips against mine again.

I let out a moan, wrapping my arms around him as I kissed him back with just as much passion.

"Wait," I breathed, as he tugged off his shirt.

He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Dawson is watching us."

He glanced over at his dog, letting out a low sigh.

"Just get rid of him," I whispered.

"What if I just put a pillow over his face?" Bryce suggested, as he finished pulling off his shirt.

I couldn't help but stare at his abs, my eyes raking over the naked upper half of his body.

"Fine," I agreed.

He chuckled, tossing a pillow at his dog's face before lowering his body back onto mine.

"By the way," he whispered, placing his lips against my ear. "Don't make plans for Monday night."

So what did you guys think about the whole bowling thing? Do you see the new friendship forming between the original crew and Steven? Or do you think they're just being nice because his dad died? What about Sophie & Bryce's 3-year anniversary? Do you think Bryce has anything planned? And then, of course, Bryce's struggles with Mr. John's death. Did you see it coming?