"Are you going to the movie night on Thursday?" said Wes.

"I thought I might look in on it," said Maddie "We need to have at least one good event before the summer comes to an end and school starts again."

Wes was quiet for a time. It was a nice evening. The outdoor seating area was pristine and seemed kind of posh to Wes. Posh for two casually dressed high school kids anyway. And yet.. it was nice. It was nice sitting there with Maddie on a warm evening with the decent sound of crickets.

" Are you going?" said Maddie.

"I guess I should go," said Wes, sounding reluctant.

"Maybe I'll see you there then," said Wes, with a shy smile.

"Yeah," said Wes. "I'd like that.

"What are we going to do?"

"You told Wes how you feel about him?" said Julia

"Yes," said Maddie.

"Strange, that's always worked for me..." said Stella.

"You sure he still likes you?" said Mary, leaning closer on Pete's old bed.

"He said he likes me so badly it hurts," said Maddie.

"Sounds rough."

"Matt told Wes he has to make the vow to earn his approval to go out with me," said Maddie.

"So tell Matt to go stuff his head in the BBQ and stop telling guys they can't date you."

"I wish it was that simple," said Maddie. "Wes seems to have gotten it into his head that he needs to win to prove himself worthy or something."

" What a mess," said Stella.

"Matt had the best intentions at heart. He thinks he ruined his chances with you Julia by coming on too strong. He created this vow to slow Wes down, and as an opportunity for them to demonstrate their commitment."

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" said Stella, overcome with giggles. She glanced at Julia expecting her to be joining in with the laughter. But Julia seemed unexpectedly flattered.

"Don't tell me you think it's sweet," Stella said.

"Well, it is a bit," said Julia. "A  bit sweet."

"And we're still no closer to getting your diary back," said Mary.

"Sweet or not, it's not going to help Wes and me to get together," said Maddie.

Julia seemed deep in thought about something. "What did you say wasn't allowed for the bet?"

"I don't know really," said Maddie. "Wes couldn't say. And the document was all encoded... Things like 'Don't pick the fruit, and Don't use the tools...'''

"Don't pick the fruit?" said Stella. "That sounds horrible."

"You think kissing is against the rules though?" said Julia.

"Definitely," said Maddie.

"And you're sure it's just Matt and Wes who are left in the vow?" said Julia.

"Yeah," said Maddie. "Asher said that much, remember?"

"Just wanted to make sure it all," said Julia. "I've got an idea. I think it might help us to get the diary back also."

"You'll let us know what your ideas are in six months or so I suppose?" said Stella. But Julia only smiled mischievously. 

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