It's already the second week of May, and I feel like I'm racing against time to make a statement before the focus turns to senior graduation. As I wait for Ms. Reynolds to update me on the awareness event, I decide to take a risk and walk over to Lily's house that Tuesday evening. The Campbell residence in Mid-North Estates is nothing short of upscale—pristine lawn, a fountain in the front yard, and a driveway lined with expensive cars. The kind of place where you feel like you should be wearing a suit just to knock on the door.

I haven't been here since November. That last time, it was cold and the trees were bare, and I stood on this porch for what felt like hours. I remember knocking, my breath visible in the frosty air, rehearsing my apology for a fight Lily and I had over something stupid. When she finally opened the door, her eyes were red from crying, but she forgave me, and we spent the rest of the night watching romantic tearjerker movies in her living room, wrapped in blankets. Not the fame Vampire movies, but at least better than Twilight.

Shucks, just a couple of weeks ago, I would've stood right here, with the lily corsage and with that fancy suit. Junior prom was supposed to be our night. I was supposed to bring her there. Not Cameron. But because of my mistakes, I lost her.

Though...being here today should be that one chance at redemption. A shot at restoring what was lost between us. It's going to be different this time. I have to fix this. I need Lily and me back together, as it was always meant to be. This feels like something from a romance movie, yet I hope I end up with the girl before this whole experience is over.

Once I knock on the door a couple of times, even ringing the doorbell, I wait, my heart pounding. Standing what feels like an hour, I suddenly hear the front door cracking ajar. When it opens, it's not Lily but her dad... Mr. Campbell. He at first looks baffled almost as if he doesn't recognize me. Honestly, we haven't seen each other in weeks, but then after a few seconds he starts to see my face more clearly.

"Slater?" he questions, looking at me with an unreadable expression. "What are you doing here?"

I can't tell if he's happy to see me again, or happy I'm not dating Lily. Maybe he's surprised I have the guts to show up here, not knowing what Lily has been telling him about me, and how I mistreated her these past weeks.

"Mr. Campbell," I stammer, trying to sound respectful. "I was wondering if Lily is here. If so, could I talk to her, please?"

He narrows his eyes, considering, but before he can respond, Lily to my relief appears behind him. "It's okay, Dad. I've got this," she says, touching his arm gently.

He grunts, not thrilled but stepping aside. "Make it quick," he mutters, eyeing me like he's daring me to screw up. I wouldn't dare. I want to avoid being the stupid me that destroyed our relationship.

Lily steps out to follow me onto her porch. We sit on the porch bench, the cool wood pressing into my back. I don't know what to say to her, should I even utter the first words. As I slowly exhale, trying to catch myself from falling...figuratively... I hear her.

"I saw your video," Lily starts, calming me down at least a moment, her voice soft but strong. "It was... really something."

"Thanks," I finally mutter something, my throat tight. "I meant every word."

Lily looks down at her hands, picking at a loose thread on her sleeve. "I believe you, Slater. But a lot has happened. Cameron and I... we've been getting serious."

Serious?!

I can't lose her, not to that golf perking jerk. Even though I feel that nagging pang in my chest, I push through. "I know. And I respect that. But I wanted to remind you of what we had before this semester. All the good times. I want that again. I'm willing to fight for us."

She shakes her head slowly. "It's not that simple."

"I know it's not," I say, leaning in. "But I'm not giving up on us. I'll wait. As long as it takes."

Hopefully it doesn't take too long, but to get Lily back, I may have no other choice.

Lily hesitates, her eyes searching mine. "You really hurt me, Slater."

"I know, I know. And I'm sorry." I lay my hand over hers. Fearing she might reject it, I'm quite surprised she accepts my soft touch. I go on to continue, "I'll keep apologizing if that's what it takes. Just... don't give up on me... on us."

She gives me a small, sad smile. "I'm not promising anything. But thank you for saying that." My stomach does a little flip-flop. 'No promises' isn't exactly 'Let's get back together and live happily ever after.' But it's not a 'Get lost' either. Progress? Maybe. Saving this ace I have in my... pocket, I pull out a small lily flower. Something I picked up from a florist on the way over, and I have been waiting to do. It may not be that corsage, at least it's something.

"I got this for you," I say, handing it to her. "A reminder of what I feel."

She takes the flower, cradling it gently. "Lily, I love you," I blurt out, louder than I intended. "You hear me? I love you! Always!"

She tries to shush me, grinning despite herself. "Slater, keep it down."

But I don't care. I see Mr. Campbell starting to come back out. "I love you!" I shout again, making sure she hears me.

"Okay, okay," she laughs as escorts me away from the bench and pushing me toward the steps. "Go before you get in trouble."

I smirk as I step down, I pause turning back around. "I know you still miss me."

"Slater..." she says my name in a low tone, trying to shake her head.

"I know it. You do too.." And then to make a little fun, "And of course, everyone around the city!" I yell.

"Slater!" she shouts at me but quickly grasping her mouth. She shakes her head, starting to get a bit pissed.

Seeing that's my cue, I bow swiftly just as Mr. Campbell steps outside to check what is going on. I hastily give Lily a couple of blow kisses before running away. And hopefully away from hearing Mr. Campbell coming after me.

***

The next day at school, Ms. Harris finds me before first period. "I finally reached out to my contacts, and they can all be available for one day for at least a couple of hours. But that day is in two days. Can you manage that?"

I nod, feeling a rush of urgency. "I'll figure it out. Thanks, Ms. Harris."

"Keep in mind, I can assist."

"Don't worry," I say, trying to think on the fly, "I got some help."

Before I head to class, I reach out to Otto, needing his help again this time to spread the word about this awareness event... and fast.

"Hey Otto, so..."

"What you need?" he asks very perky.

Taken aback a little, guess that speech I made at the lab—and that makeshift apology to him—really snapped him back into my orbit. Good.

"Well remember that event I told you about, me and Ms. Harris are trying to set up in the final hour."

"What about it?" he asks, skeptical.

"Help me spread it around to the school...and maybe outside the school."

"How?"

"You know social messaging, all the advertising stuff."

"Well if you have a certain theme, I have an idea," he says with a sly grin. "But you'll owe me."

"I do..." I reply, but then I pause about that "owing him". "What you have in mind?"

"Just let me know the theme, and I can take it from there."

"Okay, deal," clapping him on the back.

For the event's theme, what better theme that will connect to Abigail more than the solar system. I remember the museum exhibit with those state-of-the-art moving planets. Rumor has it, believe it or not, they're actually easy to move around. But I need approval. And just my luck, out of all the ladies of Maybrook that is currently seeing the museum director.

It's the school's art teacher, Ms. Touchard.

After taking my Algebra exam, I head to the art studio on the first floor. Seeing Ms. Touchard, she's one of those wild ones. She looks very happy with frizzled red hair and her vibrant clothes. No wonder the museum director wants to date her. After all, I heard this ridiculous rumor about her having some sort of feelings with one senior...but that was years ago.

"Ms. Touchard," I start focusing back to the present, trying to sound casual, "I really need a favor."

She eyes me suspiciously. "What kind of favor?"

"It relates to your boyfriend, the museum director."

"What?!" she reacts surprised, "How did you know?"

"Technically Ms. Touchard, the whole school knows."

She shakes her head a bit upset. I know it sounds bad but come on. This is Bayman. Neither student nor faculty secrets are safe from the prying ears, and the never-ending rumor mill.

"Okay," she says sounding defeated that everyone knows she's dating the director. "Tell me again, why this favor has to relate to my boyfriend?"

"I need you to convince him to let me borrow the moving solar system installations from the museum. Just for a night. For a cause."

"Wait, what?" she folds her arms, waiting. She wants to say no, I can hear it forming inside her mouth, ready to burst it out. Before she could, I try to counter.

"I need it to deliver a positive message, mostly I need it for an awareness event for schizophrenia. For Abigail."

Her expression soon softens. "That poor girl," she murmurs. "Alright, I'll see what I can do...no promises."

"Thank you," I say, my heart lifting. "You won't regret it." I rush to hug her.

She looks a bit confused but accepts it. Once I step to the door, she stops me.

"Slater, what else does the school know about me?"

My eyes widen, knowing some rumors but to make sure I stay on her good side before she backs out. "There's nothing else." I smirk.

Ms. Touchard thanks me and reminds me she will call her beau as soon as I head out. Taking my way out, I grind my teeth. Knowing I gave a fib, but it's worth it.

Later that day, I'm at North City Park with Jake and Brett, sitting at a picnic table with some PB&J sandwiches my mom made. The bread is soft, the peanut butter chunky, and the jelly tangy—just like when we were kids—and my favorite snack, that always brings my chin up. We wash them down with bottles of water, the cool liquid cutting through the sticky sweetness.

"So, what's the plan?" Jake asks between bites. "Everyone's going nuts over this event."

"Riley's losing his mind," Brett adds with a grin.

I smirk. "Good. I've got Otto helping me create a unique celestial-themed invitation. He's sending it out to everyone—students, teachers, parents."

Soon Otto arrives and rushes to join us, sitting next to me. "Here's the final invitation," he says, showing me his screen. Looking at it, it's perfect: a beautifully designed cyber invitation with the event details and a catchy space-themed tagline.

JOIN ME SLATER WILCOX

AN SCHIZOPHRENIA AWARENESS EVENT

TIME TO REACH THE STARS AND HELP THOSE THAT NEED TO BE TOUCHED 

THIS THURSDAY, STARTING AROUND 7PM

@ THE BAYMAN GYMNASIUM

"This is amazing, Otto," I say very impressed.

"How'd you get this out so fast?" Jake asks.

"I hacked the school's directory," Otto says nonchalantly, earning a laugh from Brett.

"Way to go, nerdster!" Brett says, giving Otto a dap across the table.

Otto looks confused, but I assure him, "It's a good thing. Thanks, man." I hand him an extra sandwich, and he accepts it with a grateful nod.

"How are you going to get the gym decorated that fast?" Jake asks, still skeptical.

"Ms. Harris is helping with the logistics and the guest speakers, and for some reason Mr. Charles knows the gym schematics, he's lending it to me. Seriously, who even knows the gym schematics? Probably just Mr. Charles. Ms. Touchard is helping too," I say, feeling confident.

Jake and Brett exchange puzzled looks at first but then know the connection, "It's her beau, isn't it?" Jake questions.

Otto gets it as well. "You're using the museum installations, aren't you?"

I nod. "Exactly."

We finish our sandwiches, and I tell them to spread the word. "In two days, this is going to be special."

As I look at my friends' faces, I feel a mix of excitement and fear. This is a big risk, but it's worth it. I can only hope it goes down without a hitch. I glance at my friends' faces, seeing their support. It gives me optimism, but deep down, I know this is my chance to make things right.

As the very last bite of my sandwich pops into my mouth, I silently pray that this event can help a lot. That apologetic video was the first big part in a massive goal to heal the giant wounds I've caused. I can sense there's going to be a major change coming. That's all I can hope for.