Operation Breakup

“Checkmate,” Katelyn said as she moved her rook. Ryder leaned in close to the board and stared at the pieces. “I win,” Katelyn grinned. Ryder smiled and sat up. He moved his pawn back a space and knocked her rook off the board. “Hey!” Katelyn yelled. “The pawn can’t do that.” Ryder leaned back. “Say’s who? I think it should be able to.” Katelyn rolled her eyes. “Well, it can’t. It’s against the rules.” Ryder smiled. “I’m just playing by my rules.” “Fine,” Katelyn replied. She picked up her queen and moved it across the board and killed Ryder’s king. “I win.” Ryder laughed. “There we go!” Katelyn laughed as Ryder began to reset the board. Both turned as the door opened and admitted a squealing teenage blonde. “I got asked to prom!” Abby screamed. “Could you be any louder?” Katelyn asked her sister. Abby sighed as she looked at Katelyn. “Katie, what you don’t understand is that a girl’s senior prom is the most important night of her life.” Katelyn stood up. “What if I don’t get asked?” Abby laughed. “You’ve got a few years to figure that out. You aren’t even old enough to have a real crush on a boy.” “So I will get asked?” Katelyn asked nervously. Abby shrugged. “You will just have to wait and see.” Abby flounced out of the room, pulling her cell phone out of her pocket and dialing a friend. Katelyn sat down, perplexed. “How can a dance be the single most important day of a person’s life?” Ryder looked at her. “I honestly don’t understand how any date could be that important, but I guess if your sister says it’s that big of a deal it must be.” Katelyn rested her head in her hand. “Yeah.” Ryder put the last piece into place. “Want to play again?” Katelyn nodded and moved her piece. In a few short moves, Ryder had maneuvered his pieces to victory. “Check-mate,” Ryder exclaimed. “I have never beaten anyone that quickly.” Katelyn blew out a breath, her eyes unfocused. “Katie,” Ryder called. “Earth to Katie.” Katelyn’s head snapped up. “Huh?” Ryder pointed at the board. “I beat you. Solidly.” Katelyn shrugged and stood up. “Oh well.” Katelyn aimlessly walked to the couch and plopped down. Ryder walked over to Katelyn and sat next to her. “What in the world is wrong with you?” Katelyn looked over to Ryder. “I honestly am just thinking about what Abby said. What if I don’t get asked out to my senior prom?” Ryder laughed. “Our senior prom isn’t for another like five years. You have nothing to worry about. Katelyn’s expression softened. “I guess so.” Ryder bolted up in his seat. “I have an idea!” Katelyn’s eyebrows raised. “And what is that?” Ryder stood up and began pacing the room. “You’re worried that you won’t have a date for your senior prom right?” Katelyn nodded, and Ryder continued. “Well, we are both going to be seniors at the same time, so we could agree to go together! Think about it. If neither of us is dating someone, then we go with each other. If one of us has a boyfriend or a girlfriend, we can go with them instead.” Katelyn stood up. “That is a brilliant idea. Are you sure you came up with it?” Ryder grinned. “I’m pretty sure I did. Either that or you thought of it and planted the thought in my mind.” Katelyn laughed. Ryder stopped pacing in front of Katelyn. “Let’s shake on it. If neither of us is in a relationship, we go together to our senior prom. Deal?” Katelyn extended her hand and shook. “Deal.”