The Horse Protection Society is a real organization here in North Carolina. The words Mart read from the brochure in this story are taken directly from the webpage of the HPS of North Carolina, whose website is: http://www.horseprotection.org/index.html . It’s a real charity that I try to promote. You may not know it, but I’ll bet there’s an organization like this somewhere near you!

The song quoted at the end of the story is © Jack Wagner (Frisco from General Hospital!)

Spring Fling, or, Double Dealing In New York

Dan Mangan sat on the sofa in Regan’s apartment, telephone to his ear. “I miss you, too.”…. “Can’t you come for Spring Break?”… “I know your parents…” “Hallie I just…” … “I wish I could come out there, too, but you know Uncle Bill doesn’t have that kind of money. Not to mention that I can’t see your parents letting me stay there with you.” …. “Yeah well, I guess we’ll just have to make the most of summer vacation, huh.” Dan grinned, keeping his thoughts to himself. “It seems like a long time, but it’s almost March, now.” “Yeah.. I… I… I have to go, baby, you know Uncle Bill is going to kill me when he sees the phone bill.” “Ok, Bye.” Dan sighed, putting one hand to his head and rubbing his temples. Why are long distance relationships so darned long distance?

*******

“Well, Trixie, why the emergency meeting?” Dan drawled as he lazed against the wall of the clubhouse one early March Saturday. “Another mystery? We haven’t had much excitement since Arizona.” Dan Mangan and Trixie Belden were both members of a semi-secret club, the Bob-Whites of the Glen. The BWGs specialized in helping worthy causes – and fifteen year old Trixie, along with her best friend and fellow club member Honey Wheeler, specialized in mysteries.

“No mystery this time, Dan,” Trixie replied, her face looking bleak. “Look at this.” With that, Trixie threw a brochure down upon the table. On the front, a very skinny horse was featured – head down, eyes glassy, hip bones protruding grotesquely. The caption proclaimed “Horse Protection Society of New York.”

Honey, always sensitive, put her hand on her mouth. Brian, Trixie’s oldest brother, shared a grim look with Jim Frayne, Honey’s adopted older brother. Mart Belden reached out a hand toward the brochure, opening the tri-folded paper. He started to read aloud. “In the fall of 1999, an Arabian gelding was turned over to the Horse Protection Society in poor condition. As his picture on the front shows, Navajo was skinny and sickly. He was blind in one eye, had bad teeth, and a fungal infection on his skin from poor nutrition and lack of grooming.”

Diana Lynch, the seventh member of the club, shared a glance with her boyfriend as Mart looked up. “Go on,” she prodded.

Mart continued, “Today, thanks to months of intensive feed, veterinary care, and loving attention, Navajo is happy, healthy, and looking forward to many years as someone’s loved companion. Here (left) he is being exercised by one of our volunteers.” The second picture showed a brown horse, looking vastly better, walking happily, bearing his rider through a farm pasture. “Sadly, the situation that led Navajo to our sanctuary is far from unusual. For reasons ranging from neglect or abuse to simple ignorance, many horses die at the end of short, hard lives, or suffer long-lasting disabilities due to their treatment at the hands of humans. Education and public outreach, investigation and prosecution, and a sanctuary for deserving creatures like Navajo are among the proud accomplishments of the Horse Protection Society—making the world a better place for horses.”

As Mart finished the introductory page, the looks on the faces of the BWGs showed their shock and disbelief. “How could anyone treat any animal that way?” Honey asked, rhetorically. Trixie looked at her friends, the tears welling in their eyes, much as hers had when she’d first picked up the brochure.

“I picked that up this morning at Dr. Lee’s office. I took Reddy for his annual, and that was on his counter. I…” Trixie swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat, and continued. “We have to do something to help!”

Murmurs of agreement filled the clubhouse. “But what?” Jim asked. “We’ve done almost everything…” He trailed off as he spied a poster for the ice carnival the group had held the first winter that they’d been together. “I’ve got it! Let’s have a Spring carnival, like the ice carnival we did! All the proceeds could go to the HPS!”

“That’s a great idea, Jim!” Honey exclaimed. “We can have a dunking booth, maybe one of those inflatable houses that kids- and adults, too- can jump around in… maybe we can have food booths, arts and crafts?”

“We had that ice show as the centerpiece of the ice carnival, though,” Diana interjected. “What can we showcase at a Spring Carnival?”

“A dance,” Brian Belden said, his eyes straying to Honey’s blond tresses as she bent over the open notebook, jotting down the ideas. “Let’s have a dance.”

“Where are we going to have this carnival?” Dan asked. Trixie looked at Diana, then at Honey.

“We don’t have much of a choice, really. The Lynch Estate or Manor House,” she stated.

Jim nodded, looking thoughtful. “What’s our time frame here?” The calendar was quickly consulted.

“The second week of April is our Spring Break,” Brian said. We ought to have it on one of the Saturdays on either weekend of it.

The group decided that the first weekend of Spring break would be perfect for the spring event, giving themselves a month to organize it. Jim and Diana would speak to their respective parents to determine where best to hold the event.

********

The next two weeks flew past. The Wheelers, it was discovered, would be out of town during the weekend of the event. The BWGs decided to advertise their fund-raiser as the Spring Fling. They engaged a local crafting guild to provide craft sales, rented a dunking booth, and built several other fun activities, including painting a curvaceous lady and a muscled man clutched in an embrace on a plywood board, complete with face cut-outs. They planned to set up a photo operation, charging for pictures of people with their faces behind the boards. The BWGs even engaged the staff of the Manor House, securing volunteer help to man the hot-dog and hamburger stand they were going to create in the boathouse.

Trixie stretched, taking a break from the non-stop activity. “It’s all coming together so well,” she mumbled to Honey, who was stretched out near her on the floor of her bedroom.

“It’s too bad Hallie isn’t coming, after all,” Honey added.

“I never thought I’d say this, but it is a shame. Dan really wanted her to come out. I think he was going to ask her to the dance. It’s great the Lynches are going to chaperone.”

“Oh! That reminds me,” Honey said. “Brian says a several of his teachers have agreed to help Di’s parents keep an eye on the unruly teenagers. The parents of Sleepyside can rest easy, knowing their teenagers will be well chaperoned!” Honey giggled at her joke. “Seriously, though. It’s good to be able to assure people that adults will be around. Then the kids will get to spend their money on our dance, as well as our other activities!”

“Speaking of my oldest sibling, Honey… did he ask you to the dance, or what?” Trixie demanded. “Jim finally got around to spitting out an invitation yesterday. He was hilarious. His eyes kept shifting like a nervous fox in a henhouse, waiting for someone to sound the alarm!”

Honey laughed, and confirmed that Brian seemed as nervous as Jim. “What were we going to do, Trix? Turn them down? Boys… they just don’t get it do they?”

“No, Honey, I’m afraid that they don’t. It’s too bad Dan doesn’t have a date. I sure wish Hallie could come!”

“Are those two a real item or what?” Honey asked.

“Not as far as I know, I mean, they both date other people but I am pretty sure that they wouldn’t if they lived in the same place, you know? It’s just the long distance part that holds them back.” Trixie replied.

**********

Another week flew past. The BWGs met at their clubhouse to discuss the final preparations the Saturday before the Spring Fling. “That’s everything,” Jim said. “Looks like we just wait seven days and see how it turns out!”

The three Belden teens headed down the path toward Crabapple farm. “I’m hungry,” Mart blurted out, bringing smiles to his siblings’ faces.

Mart burst through the kitchen door, his greeting to his mother dying on his lips as he skidded to a halt. Trixie ran into his back, while Brian, bringing up the rear, was able to check his gate before adding himself to the pile up. “What gives?” Trixie demanded.

“Hi Beldens!” Hallie Belden’s voice sounded from the kitchen. Trixie peaked around Mart and squealed, a broad smile spreading on her face.

“HALLIE! I can’t believe it! You said you weren’t coming! How’d you come to be here?”

“By airplane, of course,” the tall, dark girl drawled lazily. “I wanted to surprise you. Mom and Dad finally relented last week, and my Spring Break started yesterday… so here I am!”

The teens all voiced their surprise, and the boys made their welcomes. “Moms, did you and Dad know about this?” Brian asked.

“Of course, Brian! But we didn’t tell Bobby, so we kept Hallie’s secret.”

********

Later that evening, Hallie and Trixie lay across the spare room bed. “Dan will be so happy, Hal… He was so disappointed that you couldn’t make it.”

“I know, Trix. Dan… Dan’s a great kid… I mean. It’s too bad he doesn’t live in Idaho, maybe things would be different. But he did want me to come out. I knew he was so unhappy, but what could I do? Mom and Dad wanted me to stay home. I only convinced them because Dad found out he had to go to South America in the middle of my vacation.

“But are you sure Dan will be happy to see me? I mean, I’m not his girlfriend… well not yet anyway…” Hallie blushed. “I don’t want to get my feelings hurt, you know?”

Trixie laughed her cousin’s fears off. “I saw the way Dan moped after you called to tell him you couldn’t make it. You have nothing to worry about!”

********

“I’m completely serious, Honey. Make sure Dan’s at the lake before we are. He’s going to freak out when he sees Hallie!”… “I know, it is perfectly perfect! Hallie will go with Dan to the dance…”

Later, the four Beldens headed up the path to the lake at the Manor House. Brian and Mart led the way, but as they neared, Trixie burst ahead (as was her custom), and Hallie held back. Only Honey knew Hallie was in New York. Honey had to make sure Dan was present. Trixie headed toward Honey, and with a surreptitious nod of her curly blonde head, let Honey know Hallie was back in the woods behind the boathouse. Mart and Brian were grinning and took seats so as to see everyone’s reactions to Hallie’s presence. Di turned to Mart, a puzzled look on her face.

Just then Hallie came out from behind the boathouse and walked calmly to the group, sitting down next to Dan with a normal-sounding “Hello, everyone,” just as if they’d expected her. Everyone started talking all at once! Trixie and her brothers were laughing, Jim was smiling broadly, Di was hugging Hallie all at once… but Dan had the most bemused look on his face. As soon as Di let Hallie loose, he enfolded the dark beauty between his arms. He couldn’t say hello, he just couldn’t; she might disappear.

Abruptly, Dan dropped his arms. “Hi, Hallie…. Uh… staying long? I… uh… Hey everyone, last one to the water is a rotten egg!” Suddenly Dan rushed toward the lake. Trixie, Hallie, Diana, and Honey sat, mouths agape, staring at Dan’s back. What odd behavior, Trixie thought.

The look on Hallie’s face changed slowly from confusion to hurt. Brian, always sensitive, took his cousin’s hand and pulled her up. “Come on Hallie! Let’s have a swim! It’s only April and the water is a little cold but I’m game if you are!”

Joining the refrain, Jim stood, saying, “Come on, let’s hit the water!”

Dan’s odd behavior faded from the minds of the assembled teenagers as the afternoon wore on… that is, all but three of them.

********

“What is Dan’s problem?” Hallie asked to the room of girls. “Do you know how he begged me to come out here!? And then at the lake… and he couldn’t take time to ride this morning before you all went to school … and no, thanks, I don’t really want to see a film tonight… Can any of you tell me what is wrong with the male mind?”

Trixie and Honey just shook their heads. Honey chimed in, “If we understood the male mind, dahhlink, we wouldn’t have been dateless tonight, either.”

Diana made a noise that sounded distinctly like a snort. “I could have had a date but I still don’t understand the male mind. They don’t think like normal people.”

“You never said a truer thing, Di Lynch,” Trixie affirmed. “Now, let’s watch this movie and forget all about the idiots we… well, the idiots.” Trixie put an old cassette of Thelma and Louise in Honey’s VCR and punched the play button. “Pass the popcorn.”

Meanwhile, at Crabapple Farm…

“Since it’s Monday night, let’s watch WWF Raw,” Mart intoned, remote control in hand as he leaned back in the old recliner.

“WHAT?” Jim exclaimed. Mart ducked a pillow thrown by his older brother.

Dan only sat, morose.

“What’s your problem, buddy?” Jim asked Dan.

“As far as I can see,” Mart drawled, “He’s upset because the woman of his dreams flew all the way across the country to surprise him and spend the week with him. Now why wouldn’t that get a guy down?”

Brian shot Mart a look that said, keep your mouth closed for once. Dan simply rubbed his eyes and stood, pacing first toward the kitchen and then back toward the living room window. “It’s not that simple, Mart….”

“Well, what is it then? Not worried about the Spring Fling, are you? I mean, the organization is done! We’re going to raise a mint for the Horse Protection Society,” Jim interjected.

“It’s not that… well. Not the way you think anyway.” Dan rubbed his hands over his eyes.

“Come on, friend. Spill. This one is unfathomable,” Mart said, the concern on his face belying the tone of his voice.

“It’s the dance. Hallie is going to expect to go with me,” Dan divulged.

Jim’s brow furrowed. “Why is that a problem?”

“Well. I am not going to ask her. Now look,” he said, holding up his hands, palms out. “Knock off the questions, ok? I didn’t come here to make a confession. I came because you guys said we were going to watch some hockey. Now put the game on, will ya?”

******

Brian told Trixie Dan’s news, and Trixie felt like she should tell Hallie. Tuesday afternoon, right after she returned home from Sleepyside Junior-Senior High, she asked Hallie to go on a bike ride to Mr. Lytell’s store. “I’ve got something to tell you,” she said. “It’s not going to be good and I think you’d rather not be in the house.”

The duo made the ride to Mr. Lytell’s in silence. Trixie dreaded what she was going to have to tell her cousin. Hallie chose grape soda and a small package of tissue, while Trixie paid for her usual strawberry pop. They rode a little way toward the house, stopping at the edge of the Wheeler game preserve to talk.

“Hallie, I don’t know how to say this.” Trixie took a deep breath. “Dan is acting weird because of the Spring Fling.”

“What? What does your carnival have to do with… the dance. Oh Trixie! The dance.” Tears welled in Hallie’s eyes.

Trixie nodded, not trusting her voice. “He told Brian, Mart, and Jim that he wasn’t going to ask you and that he felt weird because he knew you were going to expect it.”

“Oh jeez,” Hallie moaned through her tears. “This is worse than I thought. Not only doesn’t he want me after I flew all the way over here, he actually told it to his cousins and his friend! I’ve been completely humiliated, Trixie!” Hallie began to cry in earnest then. “Why doesn’t he want to go with me? Didn’t he say anything? Not three weeks ago he was begging me to come to visit this week.”

“If he told them, I didn’t hear of it,” Trixie answered. “Maybe you should ask Brian.”

“No way,” responded Hallie. She blew her nose on one of the purchased tissues and stood up. “No way am I going to let dear cousin Brian see how this hurt me. He’ll tell Dan. I know it! And I will not let him hurt me this way.”

Trixie stood next to Hallie. “What are we going to do about it, Hallie?”

“We?” queried Hallie.

“Yes, we. Women have to stick together.”

*********

Later that night, all four girls sat comforting Hallie and plotting her revenge against the treacherous, lecherous Dan Mangan.

“I’ve got it,” Diana said, her eyes narrowing. “Remember Jean-Pierre? That ski instructor?”

“How could we forget?” Trixie grinned. “Mart was miserable! What does he have to do with double dealing Dan?”

“It’s elementary, my dear Trixie. Hallie has to make him jealous.”

“Jean-Pierre? Di you aren’t making any sense. Hallie doesn’t even know Jean-Pierre.”

Diana sighed a long-suffering sigh. “Of course not. I’m saying Hallie has to make Dan jealous. And if you could pick up a little more on the war between the sexes maybe you’d win a couple of battles.”

Trixie threw a pillow at Di, who ducked. Honey laughed. “It’s a great idea Diana. Now who do we know that would work? I know! Hallie needs to develop a ‘yen for Ben’!”

“Not you too, Honey Wheeler! I thought you were on my side!” Trixie exclaimed, feigning hurt.

“Come on girls, be serious,” Hallie said. “How can this work? I don’t know anyone here except you. The only guy I know who isn’t a relative is Jim, and I am guessing my fair cousin would kill me if I went after him… so what am I really going to do!??”

“Nick Roberts,” Trixie stated. “Or Ben, seriously. Honey, where’s Ben these days?”

“Ben’s out, he’s in Switzerland with his folks. But Nick’s a good idea. Is he dating anyone?”

“I saw him at Wimpy’s a lot this winter with Ruth Kettner,” Di chimed in, “but I heard they broke up a few weeks ago. Let’s call him.” Di jumped up and grabbed the cordless phone, tossing it to Honey. “You do it, Honey. You’re the most tactful.”

Honey made the call. Hanging up, she filled in the expectant trio. “He’s coming to Manor House tomorrow for dinner. I’ll make sure all the BWG’s are there,” she said, significantly. “He knows the score, that Hallie and Dan were together and… Well anyway, he’s going to come and meet Hallie and sort of spend this week with her.”

**********

Dinner at the Manor House was an occasion none of those involved would ever forget. To her everlasting surprise, Hallie found that she actually liked being with Nick. Nick, to his credit, realized that Hallie was a beautiful woman. He was also taking great pain to make his appreciation known. Hallie basked in his attention, pretending not to even notice Dan. At Nick’s appearance at the table, the color drained out of Dan’s face. Soon, however, he was shooting daggers at Nick and Hallie. Everyone else was trying to stay out of the way. Diana was barely suppressing her mirth, while Honey and Trixie watched the action with interest. After all, thought Trixie, it seems to be working with one Belden!

After dinner, Dan stormed out with nary a word, while the remaining teens spread out in the Wheelers’ den to listen to some music.

*********

The next day, Thursday, the BWGs had planned to go to a movie in town. Nick offered to accompany Hallie. Brian passed the news to an obviously fuming Dan at lunch. “Come on Dan. You can’t tell me you are going to back out of seeing this movie – a movie you said you couldn’t wait to see, I might add – because a girl you don’t want to date is going with another guy? That’s ridic.”

Dan pushed unsteady fingers through his hair. “I didn’t say I didn’t want to date her, Brian. I said I wasn’t taking her to the dance. … I do want to see the movie, I’ll give you that. Maybe I’ll go, I’ll think about it.

Dan thought about it. He went to the movie. And he took a date, too.

*********

The teens went to the theatre in two cars. Halfway there, Dan tapped Brian on the shoulder. “Mind if we stop at Ruth’s? She’s coming to the movie with me.” Brian slung a sidelong glance at his friend and indicated that making a short stop wouldn’t be a problem.

Meeting in front of the theatre, the two groups of young people faced one another. Hallie and Nick had driven over with Jim. Nick had an arm around Hallie’s shoulders as they shared a moment of mirth. Hallie stiffened suddenly, and Nick looked up. What he saw made him stop laughing. Dan had arrived. And his arm was around Ruth. Does this get easier?, he asked himself. He met Dan’s eyes.

Dan was surprised. What has he got to be so damned hostile about? Dan wondered. Beside him, Ruth sucked in a hard breath. She tugged at Dan’s arm and, quietly, beseechingly, said, “Dan, come on… let’s go in… please. I….” Oh, my God, Dan thought. Nick’s Ruth’s ex.

As they passed to go into the theatre, Dan nodded to Nick. “Roberts,” he said.

“Mangan,” Nick returned, his eyes narrowing, if possible, further than they had at his first sight of Ruth with Dan.

**********

“Great movie. Who chose it again?” Brian asked jokingly.

“I guess it was the theatre… since we only have this one-screen dinosaur in sleepy little Sleepyside,” Mart retorted.

Brian playfully punched his brother’s arm. Suddenly, over the din, they heard Nick’s low voice. “Ruth, please! Why are you out with him? It certainly didn’t take you long, did it?” Nick paused. “Not even four weeks, Ruthie! Were you seeing him even before you dumped me?” With a toss of his head, Nick indicated Dan, who was exiting the men’s restroom.

“I dumped you? What are you talking about, Nick? You’re the one who told me you didn’t want to see me again!”

“That was after you said…”

“Problem here, Ruth?” Dan asked.

“Butt out, Mangan!” Nick exploded. “Haven’t you done enough?”

“Please Dan,” Ruth added.

Dan was a gentleman, but he wasn’t stupid. He backed off.

Nick lowered his voice. “Ruthie, please. I don’t want you to be with him. I’ll do anything.”

“Why, Nick? Why?” Ruth asked, the pain and hope evident in her voice. “Tell me why you don’t want me to go out with Dan.”

Nick took a breath. “Ruth, I love you. I have forever. I can’t believe I couldn’t say it before. I love you so much. I’m sorry I… I’m sorry.”

Ruth threw her arms around Nick. “That’s all I ever wanted, Nick. I shouldn’t have pushed you to say it before you were ready. I’m sorry, too. I love you.”

Ruth turned to Dan. “Thanks for everything Dan. You are just the best friend I have had lately. But I guess… well. I guess you know I can’t go to the Spring Fling with you anymore.” Dan’s eyes lit up, both with happiness for Ruth and with a secret hope of his own.

“That’s all it was, Nick. Dan’s been a good friend for a long time you know, ever since he first moved here. We were going to go to the Fling together, because he didn’t have a date and I was so miserable. He didn’t want me to stay home when everyone was going to be there.”

Nick turned to Dan. “I owe you an apology,” he said.

Dan waved him off, saying, “Not necessary. Just make sure you don’t hurt her like that again.”

“Hallie, I’m sorry…” Nick began.

“No worries, Nick,” Hallie grinned. “See you at the carnival, ok?”

“Gee, Hallie, you’re a good sport,” Nick smiled.

“Let’s get home, everyone,” Jim interjected.

“It’s a school night you know,” Brian added. “I’ll drop Ruth and Nick. Honey, would you ride with me on the way back?”

“’Course, Brian,” Honey smiled.

“But Honey, if you ride with me…” Jim began. Trixie reached out and pinched his arm. “Ouch! I mean… Ok, Honey, see you at home. I guess you’re stuck with me, Trixie. Hallie, Dan, let’s go home. “

Hallie looked distinctly annoyed at her position in the backseat with Dan. She folded her arms, back stiff, as she sat next to him. Trixie glanced back, and turned on the music, hoping to give a little privacy to the duo.

“I’m sorry, Hal. Forgive me, please. I asked Ruth ‘cuz she’s a friend and she was hurting over a break up and you weren’t going to be there. I couldn’t figure out how to tell you and I couldn’t ditch her just because you showed up. Gosh, I was so happy when you rounded the boathouse Saturday. Then I went from cloud nine to hell. I remembered the dance, and Ruth, and gee what was I supposed to do? I am so sorry for acting like such an ass.”

“Dan, you hurt me,” Hallie said. “How could you hide the problem like that? When will guys learn that telling the truth is always the best bet? Look at Nick. If he’d managed to tell Ruth the truth a month ago none of this would have happened.”

Dan looked down at his hands, his shoulders slumping. “You’re right, Hallie. I’m sorry I hurt you and I am sorry I kept the truth from you.”

Dan took a deep breath. “Do you want the truth?” he asked.

In the light from an oncoming car’s headlights, Hallie raised an eyebrow in reply.

“Ok. Here’s the truth. I want to be with you more than any other girl I ever met. You’re open and fun. You’re beautiful and smart. I’m terrified I’ll do something to screw this up. You live so far away and I love you so much it hurts.”

Hallie sucked air into suddenly empty lungs. “What did you say?”

“I love you, Hallie.”

“Oh Dan. Oh Dan! I love you, too. I’m sorry I tried to use Nick to make you jealous.”

“Thank God, Hallie. And I was jealous, so jealous I wanted to slug him.”

In the front seat, Jim looked at Trixie, a look in his eyes that she couldn’t see in the darkness. He squeezed her hand, and she rewarded him with a return squeeze of her own.

**********

Saturday came very quickly for the youngsters. Late in the afternoon, the last of the carnival revelers left the premises.

“We’ve raised nearly $4000 for the Horse Protection Society!” Mart exclaimed. “And we still have the dance admission to count!”

Trixie, Honey, and Brian smiled. “That’s great, Mart!”

A preliminary cleanup was quickly accomplished, and the teens adjourned to ready themselves for the evening’s festivities. Since the Belden house was so crowded, Hallie and Trixie got ready at Honey’s.

As the dance began, the young people realized than nearly 150 people were crowded into the large room at the Lynch estate. “That puts us well over $4500,” Jim said.

The soft tones of an old eighties song wafted over the loud speakers. “They’re playing our song, Hallie,” Dan murmured.

“Isn’t this that song by that guy from that soap opera, you know, he was Frisco, or someone?”

“Shhh, baby, listen to the words…” Dan gathered her close, singing softly in her ear:

Kissing you is not what I had planned

And now I'm not so sure just where I stand

I wasn't looking for true love

But now you're looking at me

You're the only one I can think of

You're the only one I see

All I need

Is just a little more time

To be sure what I feel

Is it all in my mind

Cause it seems so hard to believe

That you're all I need

Yes it's true we've all been hurt before

But it doesn't seem to matter anymore

It may be a chance we're taking

But it always comes to this

If this isn't love we're making

Then I don't know what it is

All I need

Is just a little more time

To be sure what I feel

Is it all in my mind

Cause it seems so hard to believe

All I need

Is just a little more time

To be sure what I feel

Is it all in my mind

Cause it seems so hard to believe

That you're all I need

As the last verse of the song began, Dan pulled back a little from Hallie. “You are all I need. Distance or not. Don’t

forget that.” With that, Dan softly kissed her forehead. Then his lips found hers. He drowned in that kiss. It was like no

other. He would bring it out to savor it in the long, lonely months ahead, when he and Hallie would meet only in their

dreams.

No stars are out tonight

But we're shining our own light

And it's never felt so bright

Cause girl the way I'm feeling

It's easy to believe

That you're all I need

Honey glanced at the dancing – now kissing – couple, and sighed. Partly she was happy, partly… well, jealous!

Not of Dan, of course. She looked up at Brian. Kiss me, she willed.

Suddenly, Brian looked down at Honey. God, I want to kiss her, he thought.