Wow, Looks like we got everything done today," I said in awe.

"Yeah, I think the brushes got everyone psyched. You really uplifted the mood of everyone on crew," Brynn said as I gathered my things, knowing my mom will be waiting.

"Well it's great that they all got something out of it but I really didn't do it for them. I did it for you."

Brynn smiled that brilliant smile of hers, and I couldn't be happier. "I know. Thank you!" she said, pulling my arm and knocking me off balance so I nearly fall on top of her. Her actions cause her to be pinned between the wall in the crew room and me. Normally this room is filled with crew members since its where they normally hang out back stage during assemblies and plays but at the moment it is vacant.

She gives this nervous giggle as she looks up at me. I touch her cheek and her smile changes somehow. She's still smiling but now there seems to be anticipation in the air, and when her eyes lock with mine I know we are thinking the same thing and I am more than happy to oblige.

I slide my hand into her hair and bring her lips to mine. I feel her smiling against them when I kiss her. I pull away and she is looking at me in a way that does crazy things to my insides.

"Brynn, I've wanted to say this for a while now, but I wasn't sure I should but now I am...Brynn I..."

"Finn!? Brynn!? Here you are!" Shawna says, "Oh! I'm not interrupting something am I?" Her smirk told us she knew she was and was silently giggling with glee at having done so.

"Sorry, the principal...I mean your Mom is looking for you, Finn."

"I'll be right there," I say and Shawna winks and leaves the room.

"Looks like I've run out of time," I say regretfully.

"Yeah, the warden is here to take you back to your cell," Brynn teased.

"It would seem that way," I grab my bag and hold out my hand and she takes it but before we get to the second curtain she stops me.

"Finn? What were you going to say before Shawna showed up?"

I desperately want to blurt it out, but for some reason it doesn't seem right now, the moment has passed. I...um...

"Finn!"

"I'll tell you. I promise. Soon."

I step through the curtain and my mom is standing in the aisle. She looks a little annoyed to be kept waiting. "You ready to go?"

"All set," I say. I give Brynn a kiss on the cheek. "I will see you tomorrow."

She smiles. "See you tomorrow."

I wave good-bye and catch up to walk out with my Mom. We get in the car and the first part of the ride is in complete silence. Things are getting awkward.

"About the other day..." I start, not being able to take the silence any longer.

She pulls out my cell phone and hands it back to me. I take it but I can't deny I'm confused.

"What's this for?"

"I'm giving you your phone back?"

"I can see that," I say taking it from her. "Why?"

"Your father and I had a long talk yesterday. If you want us to start treating you like an adult then you will need your phone."

"Uh-huh," I knew this was going somewhere but I still wasn't sure where.

"And we are no longer giving you an allowance. If you want to pay for that phone you will need to get a job."

"A job!" I look at her stunned. I had 3 months left of school. My championship game, my studies, Brynn... they want me to get a job now! It made no sense. I always worked my summers.

"Seriously?"

"You seemed rather serious when you spoke to your Father yesterday. You want to prove you are capable of making your own decisions? Then you are going to have to start making them. We'll cover the first month of your phone bill, as you will need it to apply for jobs."

"Am I allowed to use it for...personal use?"

My mother shrugged. "It's your phone so, it's your decision."

"Obviously I can't have a full time position as I am still in school so that would mean nights and weekends."

"I guess it does."

I nodded. "A bit of stretch to keep me away from Brynn don't you think?"

My mom finally pulls her eyes away from the road. "How you fit Brynn into your life is up to you."

"You know what I currently have on my plate as far as school and activities."

She turns away from me again. "I know."

"And yet you and Dad agree to force me to take a job...now... is the best way to teach me... what?" I say aggravated.

"Responsibility. Something you already know but now have to apply to yourself. You want to make your own decisions? You want to be thought of as an adult? Well adults have to make some tough choices sometimes. They have to decide what is most important and follow through, even if it means sacrifices need to be made."

I fold my arms in frustration, and stare out the window. When the car pulls up I leap out and hobble into the house. I don't even stop to say anything to my Dad who I pass in the hall; I just go up to my room.

I throw my pack on the ground and flop on my bed, staring up at the ceiling for a while. They are being absurd. This was freaking ridiculous. With everything else I have to be responsible for they seriously expect me to take on a job... now!

I don't get it. They were encouraging me to date Brynn and when I do, they start putting up blockades that are making it impossible to be together. Like we don't already have that problem with her Dad taking her away every other weekend.

Well, if they think they are going to drive a wedge between Brynn and I they had best think again. I'll get a job. I'll show them.

I think of Brynn and how I almost told her I love her today. It felt like the perfect moment. I wonder what she would have said. Would she say, "I love you too." Or would she blow me off telling me I'm stupid. It bothered me that I did not know but if I was honest with myself I didn't care.

I love her. I know that for certain now.

The more they try to pull us apart the more I feel the necessity to fight for what is mine and I do think of Brynn as mine. That may seem a bit possessive, alpha maleish but I don't give a damn. She's mine and I love her.

I pull out my phone and text her.

F - Phone privileges re-instated but now I have to get a job.

I was shocked that she answered me immediately.

B- That sucks!

F- I know but I'll figure this out. I don't want it to cut into our time together.

B- Don't worry about that. We'll figure that part out. Where are going to look for a job?

F- Don't know. Need something with a flexible schedule.

B- During the summer I use to volunteer at the local hospital, they are always looking for people to help out.

F- Oh that sounds ...uh.... great only two problems 1. Need a paying job and then 2. there's the whole blood thing.

B-LOL!!! Sorry totally forgot about that... BAD idea.

I laugh and write

F- Yeah, I wouldn't make a very good orderly if I keep fainting or vomiting on the patients.

B- Is it bad that I can't help laughing at your plight?

F- No, I think at this point it is to be expected. LOL!

FINN! Dinner!

F- The Warden is calling. Mealtime. So gotta go.

B- K – Bye!

Two seconds later she sends me the pics I took with her phone. Awesome, that will allow me to get to work right away on her gift for graduation.

I get to the bottom of the stairs and it dings again. It's the picture of her and I together both of our faces painted a light green. I burst out laughing and save it to my phone making it my screen saver.

I was in such a good mood that when I came to the table I almost forgot I was mad at my parents.

"Enjoying your phone privileges being reinstated I see," says my Dad.

Yeah, almost. I frown at him and put the phone in my back pocket.

"So, Mom explained to you our deal?"

"Yep," I say dishing out my food on my plate. I was not going to let him kill my good mood.

"So you accept?" My Dad asked.

"Absolutely, I think it will be a good experience for me," I say taking a forkful of meatloaf.

Both my parents look at one another. I'm guessing they were expecting me to be more upset. Good. I'm getting under their skin. I can't help but smile now. There is absolutely nothing that will take me away from Brynn.

I eat all my dinner, get up wash up my plate and go back upstairs to complete my homework. A job may not be a half bad idea. It would give me the money to go out with Brynn, spoil her a little, get her graduation gift made. It will give me the freedom to do what I want as I'm paying for it.

Just need to find something that will allow me to work night hours as I really don't like the idea of weekends but even still I can offer every other weekend. I'll have to see what I can do. I'd have to do this when I go to college anyway so, I'll consider it a jump-start to getting a handle on doing work and school at the same time.

I look at the picture of Brynn and I together and smile. I need to plan a romantic evening for the two of us. Something special where I can tell her how I feel. I kept this as my goal when looking for possible job positions on my phone.

It was getting late and I had a few good leads. I look at my phone once more before turning it off to charge it for the night and see Brynn smiling at me again.

A new message comes across from her. It was a gif.

With the message - I Miss You!

So I sent her this.

I have to tell her. I sigh. "I love you, Brynn," I say to no one before plugging my phone into it's charger. I'm such a coward.