((CLARIFICATION: While I have added the year between 2013-2016 to my handle, and whenever I'm logged in, CYOC.net automatically accredits my episodes as TheMaskedWriter, any way you look at it, I'm still me.—The Masked Writer))
Standing in the hallway outside Yvette's hospital room, Frances found the detectives' business card inside her wallet within her oversized purse. She would call them from the nurses station to get the ball rolling to find out definitively not only whether Bartholomew Smith was Yvette's father, but also whether or not he and her deceased mother Margaret Smith were actually brother and sister as well.
MEANWHILE...
A little after 11 am each morning, the lunch periods of Moon Lake High School began, starting with the Freshman class.
Julie Stovall emerged from the food line with her tray to discover Eric Anderson was already sitting at "their spot" and saving her a seat.
"Hi honey," said Eric, as he got up and held Julie's chair for her.
"Honey?" asked Julie in return.
"Well, considering how we feel about each other and what's ahead in our joint futures, I thought I'd start trying out nicknames," answered Eric, blushing a little as he sat next to his girlfriend.
"Honey's okay as a generic one from time to time, but a true nickname has to develop naturally and reflect the person, as well as be an accurate expression of the love between them... dear," explained Julie.
"I see your point," conceded Eric, as both students began to eat.
They talked about their classes and day so far, and tipped off each other about what they could possibly expect in the classes they shared, but didn't actually attend together that afternoon.
Then they started talking about their dreams overnight and both noted how, while the sequence of events stayed basically the same, the actual timeline kept changing. "And the last dream stopped in mid-sequence," revealed Julie, vividly recalling Eric's induction into were-mer society.
"Really? That might have been when I had to get up and... There was a personal matter I had to take care of," was all Eric would say on that subject, blushing a bit again.
"I've had a few wake up calls like that from such... expressive dreams myself," admitted Julie.
"Really?" Eric asked with a smile, wondering how to continue that line of questioning when they had more privacy.
This time it was Julie's turn to blush, so her boyfriend changed the subject.
"Any idea why we kept getting so many different versions last night?" Eric asked Julie, admitting that he had no answer or theory on the subject.
"Like love at first sight, synchronized dreaming is a proven scientific fact too, at least among were-mers deeply in love with each other, whether the other is already a mer or will be. The only reason I can think of for the variations is that we've talked about the future so much of late, from both what we want and what our parents hope for as well, that maybe everything's kind of in a state of flux right now while we make up our minds."
"Well, there's no doubt in my mind how I feel about you," said Eric, staring at his girlfriend, the were-mermaid, with a big smile on his face and love in his heart.
Julie stared at him in return. While only a boy of 14, she clearly saw in her dreams the man Eric would become with his brown hair, good looks, and blue eyes.
Wait a second! she told herself, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. Then Julie looked at Eric again, but this time his eyes were their normal shade of brown, instead of the deep sea blue she thought they were a moment ago.
"Is something wrong?" Eric asked, wondering why Julie was staring at him.
"No. Just thinking about the future," was all Julie would say, uncertain if she actually saw what she did or if it was just wishful thinking about the future.
Which reminded her...
"Eric, just so I know for sure. You're not feeling rushed or pressured about all of this, are you? Whenever it happens, becoming a were-merman, let alone doing so to be with me, is a REALLY big step. Between our hearts' desires and our parents wishes..."
"Julie, I'll admit all of this is new to me, and not just the were aspect of things, because I've never been in love before. I felt there was something special about you from the first lunch we had together. But with everything going on at the time between Nate saying he was going to become a werewolf to make the town happy and my parents' marital problems, even before that rogue changed my dad into a werefox against his will..."
"Your first few weeks in Moon Lake were pretty rough," agreed Julie.
"But you were the one positive thing throughout all of it," said Eric, holding her hand in his. "You were my friend when I needed one, and have become so much more since. If it were possible, I won't deny there are a few parts of the recent past I would consider changing, but not if it meant losing you. It may have taken me a while to overcome my inexperience and figure it out from both an intellectual and emotional perspective, but I really do love you Julie."
Then Eric gave Julie a kiss directly on her lips. It was more than chaste, but far less an expression of the passionate love he was feeling at that moment than he wanted it to be.
Julie longed to embrace Eric and hold him till the stars turned cold, but didn't want to attract too much attention to themselves and risk violating any school policies concerning open displays of affection.
Just as their lips parted, something both young lovers were reluctant to do, the bell rang signaling the end of the Freshman lunch period.
"Walk me to class Mister Anderson?" asked Julie, as she rose from the table.
"With pleasure my future, some day after high school graduation for sure, Mrs. Anderson," replied Eric, smiling at her. "We still walking home after school too?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, my love," answered Julie, smiling too.