"So then she kissed him!" said Stella.

"No way," said Maddie sitting at the edge of what once was Wes' bed.

"Way!" said Julia. "You should have seen it Maddie! It was amazing! And there was no hesitation at all."

"I did what I had to.." said Mary, blushing slightly.

"That's amazing," said Maddie. "So.. what'd he do?"

"He fell to the floor like a pound of overcooked pasta," said Julia.

"Yeah, his legs went out from the shock of it," said Stella.

"Poor Pete was rather surprised by the kiss as you might imagine," said Mary.

"It worked out though," said Julia. "We were able to sneak past and try our luck with getting the diary out of the cabinet."

"So did you get it?!" asked Maddie.

"Sadly not," said Stella. "It was a valiant effort though."

"The cabinet's locked. We'll have to figure out a way to get the key."

"Dang," said Maddie. "I would have liked to get it back."

"We will," said Julia. "All in good time."

"All in good time," echoed Stella.

"You gals going to the movie night tomorrow?" said Mary.

"Seems like we should," said Julia. "Nearing the end of summer already. Feel like we ought to enjoy it as much as we can."

"Seems like good fun," said Maddie. "Never know what might happen."

"So long as they don't try to prank us again with that horrible pepper spray and pungent perfume!"

"Naw," said Julia. "I don't think they've had the chance to plan anything major."

"The Masculine code of Masculinity," said Maddie, turning the elegant document over in her hands.

"Rule 1: Don't harvest the cucumbers?" said Maddie. "I didn't know you were into gardening Wes!"

Wes looked a bit green about the ears. He couldn't seem to make eye contact. He waved a hand as if to invite her to continue reading.

"Rule 2: Don't lick the daisies?" said Maddie, reading from the document. "But what would you want to?"

Wes laughed uncomfortably and scratched absentmindedly at his ear. 

"Rule 3: Don't handle the garden tools. How will you garden without using any tools?"

"I'm um... not a gardener Maddie," said Wes.

"Rule 4: Don't tickle the parsnips," Maddie laughed this time. "Well, that's a new one."

"Come on Maddie," said Wes, looking uncomfortable. "Read between the lines..."

"Rules 5: Drooling is ok. And Rule 6: You can't tell anyone about your new gardening habits," Maddie said, concluding the rules section. "Between the lines?"

"Yeah, you remember," said Wes. "About how I've been avoiding you."

"By signing below, I hereby attest that I will agree to the rules indicated above. If I fail to comply I will be subjected to a punishment decided by those remaining in the vow at the time of the breach... Sounds serious," said Maddie.

"Why you've been avoiding me..." Maddie's eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment. "Lick the daisies? Harvest the cucumbers...," Maddie's eyes widened in seeming alarm. "Don't handle the garden tools!" She dropped the paper as if it was contaminated. 

"The vow?" she asked Wes, finally understanding.

Wes moved his hand in a circular motion as if telling her to keep going.

"Asher told me," said Maddie. Feeling oddly stunned. "He told me point blank. That day.. that day when-" she broke off. She didn't want to mention that day she kissed Asher. "That day when the girls were going to go swimming."

"Ash didn't sign it. He could tell you anything without having any repercussions. What did he tell you?"

"He mentioned a vow. A chastity vow!" said Maddie. "He said that's why you'd all be lured so easily by the others dressed in their swimming attire."

It was silent for a time then. Outside of the sound of the lake, and the background symphony of crickets chirping. 

"I still don't understand though," said Maddie. "Why does this mean you have to avoid me?"

"Isn't it obvious Maddie?" said Wes. 

"You've been voiding me because you're embarrassed you agreed to such a stupid vow?" said Maddie.

Wes laughed a full-hearted laugh. "Gosh, I wish it was just embarrassment." 

It was a moment before Wes looked up at her again. "I like you too much. I'm attracted to you. I wasn't sure if I could ... keep control."

Maddie blushed a deep shade that was just visible in the evening light. "I don't mind if you kiss me, Wes," she said, in a small voice.

"I wouldn't mind kissing you either!" said Wes with a laugh. "But Matt would. He says I have to win the vow to got out with you."

"HE SAID WHAT?!"

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