As the afternoon wore on, students were dismissed from Moon Lake's various schools at their appointed hours.
The elementary went first, followed by the Junior High...
"So, another day, another dollar?" quipped Coach Katherine "Kat" Johnson as she and her temporary assistant Martha Anderson started securing the Girls' PE department for the day.
"I hope we get more than that. But then again, I'd do this job for free if everyday was as rewarding as this one," replied Martha.
"Oh?" asked Kat in return.
"Besides knowing I have another friend and lover in Moon Lake now," said Martha, while smiling at Kat, "I hope we helped out Suzie Oldman with her... problems."
"We did what we could within school regulations," pointed out Kat.
"True, but at least it was positive affirmation. I shudder to think how this same problem might be handled by a teacher elsewhere."
"Yeah. The stories I hear about some situations..." said Kat, as her voice trailed off.
"Doesn't matter here in Moon Lake," said Martha with another smile, before leaning against the other lady since they were alone.
"Your place or mine, you cute little werecat?" Kat whispered in Martha's ear, while wrapping her arms around her friend and part time lover.
"Yours," purred Martha, struggling to keep from letting her fursona out right now, "just as long as I'm home in time to cook dinner for William and the kids."
MEANWHILE...
The elementary school was the last to start class but the first to dismiss for the day.
The junior high was second, starting a half hour later than its older counterpart and releasing their students a half hour before the high school.
Now the appointed time arrived for Moon Lake High, as students started leaving the building.
Ben Twist was standing by his car, his ride service ready to go.
As he was talking to someone on his cellphone, Ben saw the young lovers Eric Anderson and Julie Stovall approach. As usual, the were-mers were holding hands and couldn't keep their eyes off each other.
"So, what's on the agenda for this afternoon?" wondered Eric, staring deeply at his love and fiance.
"As much as I would love a repeat of yesterday, I think we should try to get in a little more dance practice after we do our homework," replied Julie, enjoying the touch and closeness of her mate. "Why don't we go to your place for awhile, and then you can walk me home."
"Will there be time to... swim?" asked Eric, hopeful.
"Maybe not today honey," admitted Julie, "but the dance is held in the community building on the lake shore, and with Halloween being a Saturday night this year*..."
"ANY moment with you, my jewel," replied Eric, before giving his love a quick peck on the cheek, which actually made Julie blush.
Stopping near Ben's car, they waited in a spot where he could see them, but they weren't quite able to eavesdrop on his phone conversation, since a were-mer's hearing was only as good as a normal human being's out of water.
Looking around, Eric and Julie spotted Eric's older brother Nate and his boyfriend Alex Ramsey approaching.
"Come on man. If we're going as a couple, you can tell me," pleaded Alex.
"It's something wolfy," was all Nate would say.
"Well, that certainly narrows it down to anything lupine," fumed Alex, as they neared the others.
"Trouble in paradise?" asked Eric, seeing the otherwise happy couple draw near.
"My beau won't tell me what he's going as to the Halloween Dance," complained Alex.
"I told you. It's something wolfy," repeated Nate.
"Shouldn't couples coordinate their Halloween costumes?" Alex asked.
"Julie and I are going as Jacques Costeau and the beautiful mermaid she is," answered Eric. "Of course, that was before we realized how much we love each other and I became a were-merman," he added.
"See? Your brother knew to coordinate even before he became a were," said Alex.
"Okay you two, knock it off," said Ben, while hanging up his cellphone and putting it back on the over sized lanyard he wore around his neck so it was still with him, even in his werewolf fursona.
"Maybe you can settle this for us," Alex said, turning to Ben. "What are you and Kenya going as to the dance?"
"While we are going to the Halloween Dance, all she told me was to dress as someone romantic because she wanted to surprise me," replied Ben.
"See? I just want to surprise you handsome," said Nate, using his pet nickname for Alex.
"We can discuss this further on the way home," promised Ben, "but first, I want to share with everyone some news."
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*Considering the format of this forum, it is currently October 2015 in this story line.—tmw.