"I don't have any homework today," I told her. "If you don't mind, I want to sit down and talk with you and Colleen at the same time. I know, I have been...distant lately. I am sorry, Hope. It's just...well, you will understand when I tell you guys. I promise."
She didn't look terribly disappointed when I said I wanted to include Colleen in the discussion, but she was always good at hiding that sort of thing. I prayed I had not hurt her again.
Half an hour later, I had changed into my familiar, comfortable shorts and tank top. I had been exercising enough, between push-ups and sit-ups at home and the various exercises in PE class, that I knew I looked decent in that outfit. Colleen was also wearing shorts and a t-shirt, but Hope still wore the same outfit she had on in the car earlier. I
