SUNSHINE - COLE WALTER

009.

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"Good morning, Jay," Maddy greeted Jamie cheerfully as she approached her locker with an oversized smile. "So, when were you planning on telling me?"

"Telling me what?" Jamie looked at her friend, perplexed by the sudden inquiry.

"That you and Cole kissed," Maddy exclaimed, her voice filled with intrigue.

"Oh my God, please don't remind me," Jamie groaned, her embarrassment evident in her tone.

"Why? Did you not like it?" Maddy queried, curiosity dancing in her eyes.

"It's not that. I... We haven't actually spoken about it," Jamie hesitated, struggling to find the right words.

"Why would that matter if it was just a game?" Maddy reasoned, her voice filled with innocence.

"It doesn't," Jamie said quickly, brushing off the significance.

Maddy's eyes sparkled with excitement as realization dawned on her. "Oh my God. You like him," she whispered, unable to contain her delight.

"No! I do not," Jamie protested, her voice carrying a hint of defensiveness. "Okay, he's still the irritating boy who ignored me when I first got here. I mean, he's still..."

"Cole," Maddy interrupted, drawing Jamie's attention to the figure leaning casually against her locker.

"Need a ride home, Sunshine?" Cole asked, his voice smooth as he addressed Jamie. His proximity sent a shiver down her spine, his presence undeniably captivating.

"No thanks, I've got plans with Maddy," Jamie replied abruptly, attempting to distance herself from the alluring boy.

"Suit yourself," Cole retorted, a smug smirk playing on his lips as he walked away, leaving Jamie to wrestle with her conflicted feelings.

"Stop looking at me like that," Jamie pleaded with Maddy, catching her friend's beaming expression.

Maddy couldn't help but grin mischievously. "Sorry, but it's just too exciting," she confessed, her excitement for Jamie's potential romantic entanglement evident in her bright eyes.

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"Jamie!" Uncle Richard's voice echoed through the house as Jamie screamed, seeking solace in his arms.

Not long after, Jackie returned, surprising everyone by bringing Erin along. Soon, they all gathered around the table, hungrily filling their plates with Thanksgiving delicacies, engaging in lively conversations.

"Okay, guys, let's take a moment to sit," George suggested, his voice filled with warmth. "Before we dig in, why don't we go around the table and share what we're grateful for this year?"

"Alright, Cole, why don't you start?" Katherine encouraged.

"Hmm, I guess I'm grateful that the Broncos didn't disappoint us this year," Cole chuckled.

"I'm thankful for this long weekend and the chance to catch up on a bunch of movies," Danny chimed in.

"I'm just grateful that I didn't have to cook today, and you all should be too," Alex added, laughing along with everyone else.

Nathan chimed in, saying, "I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the Native Day of Mourning."

Lee quickly responded, "I don't feel like it."

Isaac interjected with a mischievous grin, "Well, I'm grateful for my charm and good looks that make the ladies love me," earning laughter from the group. "And, of course, we're grateful to be a part of this family, right, Lee?"