The Wait Is Over

The Day Before

Patrick and Morgan left his parents' place with Keegan and Rylie for Ann Arbor and their tour of the University of Michigan and the greater campus area.

Patrick: Keegan, have you told Rylie about some of the traditions from UMich?

Keegan: Like spinning the cube for good luck?

Patrick: That would be one of them.

Rylie: Is the superstition about stepping on the M real or just something to scare freshmen?

Patrick: It's for real. My freshman roommate didn't believe in it and walked over it during orientation. He ended up failing not just his first exam that first semester, but the first exam in three of his classes. Never got it turned around completely, was on probation second semester, and had to fight hard to finally get to 2.0 in time for graduation.

Morgan: I studied up on that ONE tradition, Patrick, and it's only valid if you do it before you turn 21. So no such luck, buddy, if you were thinking of taking part in it.

Patrick: OK, so it won't cause you to pledge your eternal devotion to me, but can I still kiss you under the arch?

Morgan: I'll think about it.

Once Patrick got their car parked and the meter paid, the four of them headed into the center of campus so that he could show the two high school juniors where a large portion of their classes might take place. Around 11:45, Morgan reminded Patrick about their "date" at Noon, which led him to move their tour toward West Hall. While underneath the arch waiting out a slight thunderstorm, the bells from Burton Memorial Tower chimed, signaling that it was Noon. On the third chime, Morgan surprised Patrick with a light peck on the lips. Having seen this, Rylie chose to place a kiss on Keegan's cheek. The pair of sixteen-year-olds stared at one another for a couple of seconds, then Keegan leaned in and awkwardly placed his lips against Rylie's. On the final chime of the bells, she returned his affection.

The rainstorm now over, the two couples walked west on campus to State Street, then south to an Ann Arbor institution, Mister Spots, for lunch.

Keegan: Rylie, why were you so coy back there?

Rylie: Because, I don't know, I didn't think you'd actually like me like that. After all, I'm not nearly as outgoing or "cute" as Izzy Sawyers.

Keegan: You also aren't a tease or a game-player, Ry, and your mom wasn't as opinionated as hers is. Seriously, you think I'd want Loudy Foudy for a mother-in-law?!

Rylie: Well, no, but you've never looked at me the way you would her.

Keegan: That's because I never had to worry about you making me uncomfortable with your attention. You know better than she does that I'm a bit shy when in certain situations, like your mom's funeral. I had been told by Madden that you were struggling despite your acting like you were well, and that embrace we shared outside the funeral chapel was something I won't forget. I had wanted to tell you how I felt, but my being in Wisconsin and you in Jersey made it seem like that wouldn't really be possible. I also didn't know what kind of competition I'd be facing from your local boys.

Rylie: Mom's illness made me want to spend every possible moment with her, and as such I really didn't want to waste time with the boys around me. I have a lot of years ahead of me to experience those moments, but I knew I wouldn't have that many left with her once things went downhill in May. Morgan and I talked about today's adventure and some of its possibilities last night, and I wasn't sure how you'd take to me making the approach, so I went with a safe option, hoping you'd go ahead and act upon my perceived interest. I'm glad you did, and I hope we can consider ourselves "something", at least until we meet up in two years at some school.