OCTOBER 11, 8:19 PM, THURSDAY

                                    

                                          


                          
     Outside, it was cold, a small breeze pushing against them as they sat, huddled on the bleachers.

                          
       "I'm taking you home, right?" Mary asked Edward beside him. Adam leaned against him on his right. He nodded.
                          
        "Yeah."
                          
        "Why the fuck is it so cold?" Keaton hissed, teeth chattering.
                          
        "It's your soul that's cold," Kayla said, sitting above him. Mary leaned in her lap, a seat below. The lights in the small stadium had all been shut off. In less than an hour, he'd have to be hurrying home. But for now, it was strangely warm despite the breeze, Adam pressed close against him, Mary beside him, Keaton pouting above him, and Kayla, too.
                          
        "Wanna borrow my jacket?" Adam asked him, already tugging at his own jacket.
                          
        "Then you'll be cold," Edward said.
                          
         "I'll just borrow yours, then," Adam grinned up at him.
                          
        "Oh."
                          
       "Shut up," Said Keaton, his chin in his hand, "I don't need your jacket."
                          
        "Do you think it didn't go well?" Adam asked him, turning to see him. "You're pouting." He frowned. Keaton spared him a brief glance.
                          
        "I think it went great," Said Edward, and Mary and Kayla both hummed in agreement.
                          
       "No, it went better than great," Mumbled Keaton, choosing now to stuff his hands into his pockets. 
                          
        "Oh, I would have never guessed you thought that way," Adam smiled up at him, "You don't look happy at all."
                          
       "I am," He insisted, and Edward figured that this was just how Keaton was. Maybe he was pleased with himself, or still going over all the beats in the play that had not gone quite the way he might have wanted. Either way, he didn't seem the type to lie when he was really unhappy. Keaton sighed, then said, "Do you think it went well?"
                          
        "Yes!" Adam said, quickly.
                          
       "Everyone loved it," Said Edward. "I saw Lilith smiling. She never smiles."
                          
        "That's a great point," Mary turned from Kayla to Keaton. "That's gotta mean something. I think she only smiles like, once every blue moon. Think about it."
                          
        Keaton didn't answer, but Edward thought he saw his lips twitch with the suggestion of a smile. After a long while, Keaton asked, "Adam, what are you gonna be when you grow up?"
                          
        "An actor!" He splayed his hands out in a jazz-hand sort of way. Keaton nodded, very matter of factly.
                          
        "Good. I'm going to be a director, so you have to stay nearby so I can use you." To that, Adam laughed.
                          
        "Really?" Asked Edward, "An actor? Aren't you shy?"
                          
        "Yes," Said Adam, giving a fake frown. "But- it's fun," He shrugged. "Theatre acting, is what I mean. On screen stuff that's- that's scarier." 
                          
        "I see," Edward nodded.
                          
       "What do you all wanna be?" Adam asked, grinning.
                          
       Mary sighed, "I think I want to be a vet. Or a nurse. Or a doctor. But I'm kinda squeamish, so,"
                          
       "If you're squeamish, how are you going to handle that like- at all?" Edward asked. She shrugged. The wind made even her tightly curled hair fly into her face. She tried to hold it back gingerly with her fingers, hair catching in her rings. She shrugged.
                          
        "I don't know. I'll figure it out." 
                          
       Beside him, Adam nodded. "What about you, Kayla?" She shrugged.
                          
       "I don't know. My dad wants me to be a lawyer, but I hate paperwork, so. That won't be happening,"
                          
        "Are you going to college?" 
                          
        Kayla shrugged once more. "I really don't know. I'll decide later." Adam looked up, lastly, to Edward.
                          
       "You?"


                          
      "Uh, I like paperwork, and sitting around mindlessly, so, I actually want to be a lawyer,"

                          
       "You think you have the guts to like, argue with someone? Without crying?" Mary asked, almost laughing. 
                          
       "I- I don't cry that easily- like, at all," Edward put a hand against his chest defensively, "I never cry, what are you talking about?" Mary looked at him doubtfully and he rolled his eyes. "Being a lawyer isn't - all about arguing in a courtroom anyways,"
                          
       Kayla hummed, "My dad's office is looking for interns. I can mention you to him, if you'd like..?"
                          
       Edward faced her, his eyes lighting up, "That'd be sick!" She smiled at him and nodded.
                          
       "I'll let him know, then. You can give me your house number later."
                          
       A brief silence fell. The wind did not let up. Edward thought they might fare better inside, but out here, alone, it seemed much more private, their own place. 
                          
       Mary muttered, "I just remembered we have a test tomorrow,"
                          
      "In what class?" Edward asked hurriedly.
                          
       "Fifth period,"
                          
        "Oh fuck,"
                          
        "Is it that geometry exam?" Keaton asked. 
                          
       "Yes," Edward was pressing his hand against his face.
                          
       "Oh, that's easy,"
                          
       "What the hell, math is not easy," Edward complained.
                          
       "Maybe you just need to pay better attention," Shrugged Keaton.
                          
        "What- what are you going on about, I pay plenty attention," Edward faced him fully now, almost leaning up to grab him.
                          
       "Math isn't that easy," Adam reaffirmed.
                          
       Mary said, quietly, "You... Don't pay that much attention, though,"
                          
        Edward spun to argue with her, until the entire group was up in arms about whether or not math was easy, if Edward actually paid attention, and other mundane things.